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Panama is keen on elevating its trade and economic ties with Qatar via investment opportunities in various sectors, such as the semiconductor industry, the Central American nation’s top diplomat to Qatar, Musa Asvat, has said.In a statement to Gulf Times on Monday, Asvat noted that the US Department of State has recently identified Panama as one of its seven partner countries in strengthening the semiconductor value chain.According to Asvat, the collaboration was initiated under the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund and puts the focus on the country’s strategic advantages, such as the Panama Canal and a conducive business environment.Citing these developments, Asvat said this assigns a pivotal role to Panama in the global semiconductor landscape, encouraging economic benefits, and technological advancements.“Panama is a friend of Qatar and is ready to offer investment opportunities that will lead to consolidating the bilateral relationship,” the ambassador emphasised, adding that the country is also an appealing investment destination for a broad range of sectors, including technology, financial services, logistics, tourism, communications, and manufacturing.Asvat noted that Panama has several free trade zones, including an attractive tax structure that is conducive to international investments. “What’s more, its pivotal geographical location makes it a global transport and trade hub,” he also pointed out.Tech giants, such as Google, are eyeing Panama for new submarine cable projects, making it a major hub for marine cable convergence, noted Asvat, who also cited Telecom Sparkle Italia, which plans to connect the US to Chile via Panama, thus leveraging the country’s unique position to link multiple submarine cables. The country’s data centres, well-equipped to host new cables, offer reduced latency, enhancing efficiency, he said.In the pipeline is the development of a technology free trade zone (FTZ), attracting major players like Google, Amazon, and Facebook to Panama, said Asvat, adding that this is coupled with the private sector’s wider digital transformation.Underscoring this new industrial alliance in terms of significant prospects for mutual advantages, Asvat said the agreement opens new avenues for the US to diversify its sources in the semiconductor supply chain. “This helps in decreasing the US’s dependence on a single producer and reducing its vulnerability to potential disruptions,” he explained.Asvat said Panama’s strategic geographical position as a centre of international trade emphasises the country’s potential as a bridge for US companies seeking to improve their semiconductor manufacturing and distribution networks within Latin America and the Caribbean.This partnership, according to Asvat, will provide tax and labour opportunities, raising the country’s potential to attract a greater volume of foreign direct investment (FDI), increase GDP, and bring Panama into the global technological arena.Asvat said: “This is just one example of the multiple opportunities that Panama can offer to strategic allies, such as Qatar. Our journey as an investment destination is marked by economic resilience, strategic initiatives, and a commitment to sustainable development.”He added: “While the recent global developments pose challenges, Panama’s strengths in diverse sectors, diplomatic ties, and pro-business policies position it as a nation poised for continued growth and investment. As the country navigates both economic opportunities and political uncertainties, the global business community watches Panama’s trajectory with keen interest.”

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT)’s Tasmu Smart Qatar, which aims to develop various priority technology areas with a total market value of “$1.65bn” reflects Qatar’s dedication to digital transformation, according to an Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) report.Qatar’s digital investments across different priority technologies, such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, cybersecurity systems integration, hardware & software deploy and support, cloud computing, big data analytics, enterprise resource planning, AR & VR, drones, IT consulting, Blockchain, custom application design, and artificial intelligence (AI), is expected to grow from “$1.65bn” in 2022 to “$5.7bn” in 2026.Invest Qatar revealed this in its report, ‘Smarter Qatar: Embracing Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Improving Lives and Driving a Sustainable Digital Economy’, which it prepared in collaboration with the MCIT.The report also stated that Tasmu is leveraging emerging technology to drive the Smarter Qatar Strategy.“Key technology areas have been identified that will be the focus of enhancement in platform functionality to nurture startups, given the proposed increased interconnectedness across the Tasmu programme.“Key functionality focus areas and microservices are identified based on alignment with national strategies, scan of global smart city/nation platforms, and relevance to proposed platform role,” the report stated.The functionality focus areas include IoT, cloud, analytics, and AI, while the potential microservices are IoT sensors, marketplace, generative Al, multi-cloud, operation command centre, chatbots, predictive analytics, payment gateway, voice interface, and hybrid-cloud, among many others.According to the report, the integration of emerging technologies in a smart country landscape leads to transformative changes, enhancing sustainability and the quality of life of citizens, ensuring seamless connectivity, and data-driven decision-making.The report noted that AI can help improve access to infrastructure and services like health, education through AI-driven diagnostics, early disease detection, and personalised learning, among others.On the other hand, as smart cities progress, widespread adoption of 5G will enable seamless access to 3D data, such as 3D maps, connected traffic infrastructure, and VR environment, among others, with very low latency for all users, it was also reported.Additionally, the integration of IoT with AI-powered traffic management helps analyse real time traffic data and coordinates signals leading to a decrease in congestion, enhanced transit efficiency, and lowered greenhouse gas emissions. On data analytics, the report stated that gathering big data from people, infrastructure, and vehicles empowers city planners to optimise buildings, enhance energy efficiency.

Talks are underway to enable Ukrainian startups to benefit from the Startup Qatar Investment Programme administered by Qatar Development Bank (QDB), a business forum official has said.Dr Olga Revina, chairperson of the Qatar-Ukraine Business Forum (QUBF), the Startup Qatar Investment Programme has attracted the attention of Ukrainian startups, many of which were in the country during the highly successful Qatar Web Summit 2024 in February.Revina told Gulf Times selected 10 promising Ukrainian startups to participate in the web summit, in collaboration and with the support of Qatar’s Government Communications Office (GCO) and the Ukrainian partners, such as the Ukrainian Startup Fund, UNIT.City, and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.These startups included Melt Water Club, Mantis Analytics, Uspacy, GetOrder, Knopka, ShareSpot, Gigawatt, DEV Challenge, Rising UA Startups, and Ukrainian Tech Ecosystem Overview.She also said the entire Ukrainian delegation had very productive meetings held with many key stakeholders in the country, such as QDB, Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, and the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar), in addition to several meetings with private sector players that provide seed and growth funding.Revina said, “It was also important to know that the Startup Qatar programme launched at the web summit offers seed funding and incentives for startups willing to establish themselves in Qatar. QUBF communicates with QDB for startups from the participating delegation to apply for this programme. This is exactly the outcome we targeted through the Ukrainian delegation's participation in the summit.”According to Revina, all members of the participating delegation from Ukraine established “useful contacts,” which the QUBF will facilitate to develop into potential partnerships.For the next year’s edition of Web Summit Qatar, Revina noted that QUBF plans to organise a nationwide competition before the event to determine the best startups to represent Ukraine at the summit, including plans to organise a Ukrainian pavilion “for greater visibility.”Revina also told Gulf Times that QUBF collaborated with the Ukrainian Startup Fund and UNIT.City, the first innovation park in Ukraine, in selecting “attractive Ukrainian startups” to be introduced in Qatar.“The strategy of the Ukrainian Startup Fund is focused on supporting early-stage startups through funding and promoting access to support services, as well as solidifying globally competitive incubation and acceleration programmes. As QUBF founders, we were very confident in organising this trip because we believe that Ukrainians have plenty to offer and contribute,” she said.Revina added: “QUBF, in collaboration with UNIT.City – one of the biggest innovative platforms in Central and Eastern Europe, agreed to jointly form the Tech and Innovation Committee under the umbrella of QUBF to create a portfolio of innovative tech startups from Ukraine that will be able to realise numerous opportunities offered by Qatar’s startup ecosystem.”

Qatar is capitalising on strategic and innovative programmes to propel the digital transformation of six integral sectors in the country, the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) stated in its latest report.Titled ‘Smarter Qatar: Embracing Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Improving Lives and Driving a Sustainable Digital Economy’, the report was prepared by Invest Qatar, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT).The report stated that the government is gunning for a “smarter Qatar” by digitalising the following sectors: Tourism, economy, energy and environment, health, transport, and education.According to the report, Qatar has placed tourism among its key sectors to drive sustainability and economic diversification. It also said utilising innovation and digital technology will open more tourism-related opportunities “to enhance inclusivity, empower local communities and achieve efficient resource management.”“Smart tourism sector is about actively offering a range of tourist services to meet tourist’s unique and personnel demands...the ecosystem of digital services has expanded within the tourism sector to include a generation of QR codes for tourist sites to enhanced Virtual Reality (VR) experience for specific destinations and 360-degree tourist customer service,” stated the report.In another fundamental smart sector, Invest Qatar further reported that the Qatari government has embarked on numerous projects to promote digital health and smart healthcare.The report stated that artificial intelligence (AI) and big data have been beneficial to Qatar’s objectives in developing “smart health,” making virtual consultations possible.“Patients and clinicians can communicate without physically visiting the hospital or medical facility owing to IoT-based healthcare apps that use remote health monitoring. Several advanced economies, including Qatar, are building their healthcare infrastructure and are relying on the use of technologies to enhance patient experience, operational efficiency and sustainability,” the report noted.In the realm of smart transport, Invest Qatar reported that this sector is “putting people at the core of transport services, offering them tailored mobility solutions based on their individual needs in order to travel without losing time in a comfortable way.”The report stated: “Addressing mobility emerges as a primary concern requiring prompt attention. In dense urban environments, smart transportation plays a crucial role in ensuring people reach their workplaces safely and punctually.“Smart transport systems include intelligent traffic management systems, smart charging for EVs and intelligent public transportation systems. Investments in intelligent traffic management systems have increased as the system plays a crucial role in heavy-traffic cities.”Invest Qatar also reported that “smart cities will enable a smart or digital economy by attracting talent, enabling creativity, and encouraging disruptive thinking. By enabling digital economies, cities are able to increase employment opportunities and activate local economic growth and competitiveness.”“This ultimately benefits a city by lowering the cost of innovation and addressing real community challenges by delivering better services through innovation. Tasmu has developed a comprehensive digital innovation ecosystem through an innovation model approach and a combination of physical and digital elements,” the report added.

The Qatar-Ukraine Business Forum (QUBF) has taken a major step towards empowering women in technology and online businesses with the recent launching of the Wtech Qatar Chapter, an official has said.“Wtech is an international community for women leaders involved in technology and online businesses, which united more than 5,000 founders of startups, as well as representatives of fintech, edtech, blockchain, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and other IT-related areas,” QUBF chairperson Dr Olga Revina told Gulf Times.Wtech’s objectives are well-integrated with QUBF’s commitment to developing women’s leadership across diverse sectors. Revina noted that Wtech co-founder and founding partner of TA Ventures, Viktoriya Tigipko inaugurated the Wtech Qatar Chapter.“With Qatar joining as our 32nd country and 46th chapter, we’re so overjoyed about this global expansion! We’re looking forward to witnessing the success of this new chapter,” Tigipko stated on her Instagram account.Revina emphasised that the launch ceremony of the Wtech Qatar Chapter, chaired by QUBF vice chairperson Daria Revina, signals Qatar’s focus on diversity and inclusion as key enablers for its economic diversification and establishment as an international tech and entrepreneurship hub.She also noted that the presence of Wtech, through its Qatar Chapter, is expected to provide more opportunities for women to take leading roles and drive innovation in Qatar’s rapidly growing technology ecosystem.Revina said the launch of the Wtech Qatar Chapter is part of QUBF’s action plan for the year, which included the participation of 10 QUBF-hosted Ukrainian startups in the recently concluded Web Summit Qatar 2024.“The summit, which attracted participants from 118 countries, was a truly international gathering with very insightful sessions, active discussions, and an indispensable platform for startups from around the world to meet partners, customers, and investors,” Revina pointed out.She noted that the QUBF selected Ukrainian startups from numerous sectors to take part in Qatar’s Web Summit to explore opportunities offered by Qatar’s startup ecosystem.“We were able to host these 10 promising startups in collaboration and with the support of Qatar’s Government Communications Office (GCO) and our Ukrainian partners, such as the Ukrainian Startup Fund, UNIT.City, and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine,” Revina said.She said the Ukrainian Startups represented at Web Summit Qatar 2024 included Melt Water Club, Mantis Analytics, Uspacy, GetOrder, Knopka, ShareSpot, Gigawatt, DEV Challenge, Rising UA Startups, and Ukrainian Tech Ecosystem Overview.“Despite the difficulties Ukraine is facing in the ongoing war, the country is still able to create an outstanding startup ecosystem that is both scalable and global. This attests to the country’s talented and resilient workforce. Some examples of impressive startups turned unicorns that originated in Ukraine are People.ai, Grammarly, Gitlab, Genesis, Bitfury, and Firefly Aerospace – all with massive global member bases,” Revina emphasised.

Italy’s pavilion at the recently concluded Expo Doha 2023, ‘Garden of the Future’, was honoured with the ‘Best Programming’ award for its innovative and hi-tech structure and design.Italian ambassador Paolo Toschi and Italian trade commissioner Paola Lisi received the award from HE the Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiya and Expo 2023 Doha commissioner-general ambassador Bader Omar al-Dafa in a recently held ceremony.The pavilion was one of the flagships of the exhibition, thanks to its cutting-edge water-saving technologies which, if used together, allow water consumption for agricultural purposes to be reduced by approximately 96%, the Italian embassy noted in a press statement.The technological equipment was paired with a rich programme of activities in science, culture, and business fields; as many as 45 events were hosted in the pavilion, thanks to the involvement of public entities, business associations, universities and prestigious speakers, the embassy further stated.During the expo, the Italian pavilion witnessed the presence of the following dignitaries from Italy: Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Francesco Lollobrigida, Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi, and the President of the Permanent Commission of the Senate of the Italian Republic for Agriculture, Tourism, Industry, and Agricultural Food Production Luca De Carlo.“We are proud of the award received by the Italian Pavilion and of the results achieved by our presence at Expo Doha 2023,” the ambassador stated.He added: “In the last six months, the Italian Pavilion has been not only a beacon for our institutions, companies, and research bodies in Doha, but also a bridge with stakeholders from Qatar and the entire Middle Eastern region, promoting the cooperation between institutions, businesses, and research bodies on the issues of sustainability and the relationship between man and nature.“This is a fundamental step for the future development of bilateral relations and the joint search for solutions to the challenges of climate change, food security, and the fight against desertification.”

A Qatari tech company and ultra app is actively collaborating with new enterprises and innovative partners in the country, fostering a supportive ecosystem and setting an example of success.Amid Qatar’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, homegrown brand Snoonu has taken an innovative approach to fostering local entrepreneurship through its unique strategy of partnering with local startups, according to Snoonu’s Product Marketing Manager, Andrew Edward.“We’re currently collaborating with several local startups, providing them with mentorship and partnership opportunities. This approach not only supports the growth of these startups but also enhances Snoonu’s service offerings,” Edward told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.Citing Snoonu’s recent collaborations with Ooredoo as an example, Edward said the partnership has enabled Snoonu to integrate Ooredoo Money into their app, providing users with a seamless payment experience. “This is just one way of how we’re working with local businesses to enhance our app and support the local economy,” Edward said.However, Edward underscored that the company’s commitment to local startups extends beyond mere partnerships, saying Snoonu is actively involved in mentoring these startups and helping them navigate the challenges of growth and market expansion.Edward emphasised that this stems from the broader vision of Snoonu founder and chief executive Hamad Mubarak al-Hajri to support the local economy and serve as an example of a successful Qatari startup.“Mr al-Hajri is particularly passionate about this vision. One of his goals is to show everyone that a Qatari local startup can do it and can be an example to many others,” Edward stressed.As the company continues its collaborations with local startups, Edward said Snoonu is currently developing a comprehensive loyalty programme that will engage customers on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, which is expected to further enhance user engagement and accelerate the company’s growth.“Snoonu’s initiative to partner with local startups is not just a business strategy – it’s a commitment to fostering a vibrant and innovative tech ecosystem in Qatar. As Snoonu continues to grow and evolve, it’s clear that the company is not just delivering products; it’s delivering on its promise to support local entrepreneurship,” Edward pointed out.Asked to provide an outlook for the country’s startup community for 2024, Edward said he believes that the growth of the startup culture in neighbouring GCC countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE “will not overshadow Qatar.”“Instead, it will create a ripple effect, sparking more interest and investment opportunities in the region. The competition between these three countries is fueling growth in their respective startup cultures. This will benefit the local startup ecosystem here in Qatar, attracting more interest and investments,” Edward further explained.He added: “Snoonu is not just observing these developments. It is actively participating in them through the company’s current collaborations with several local startups and by providing mentorship and partnership opportunities.”

Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani has underscored the importance of strengthening public-private partnerships (PPPs) in key areas, such as petrochemicals, tourism, and education, in light of the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) 2024-2030.In the latest issue of Al Moltaqa, the chamber’s monthly economic magazine, Sheikh Khalifa stated that the launch of NDS3 reflects the country’s commitment to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030. The national vision was launched in 2008 with ambitious goals aimed at transforming Qatar into a developed nation capable of achieving sustainable development, he pointed out.Sheikh Khalifa said, “The Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030 represents the final stage in realising the objectives outlined in this ambitious vision, which focuses on four key pillars: human development, social development, economic development, and environmental sustainability.“The strategy assures the state’s interest in empowering the private sector and enhancing its role in driving economic growth. It underscores the development of the government’s role to enable the private sector to lead and drive economic growth.”According to Sheikh Khalifa, the NDS3 aims at creating highly productive, specialised, and competitive economic groupings, which includes adopting rapid reforms in the business environment.He said the strategy also encourages the active participation of leading national companies, foremost among which is the Qatar Investment Authority, to support the development of economic diversification groupings and quality innovations led mainly by businesses.Sheikh Khalifa said, “Undoubtedly, the Wise Leadership provides significant and sustained support for the private sector as a genuine partner in the country’s overall development of the national economy. Therefore, the state’s incentives to support the private sector are essential drivers of its development and its role in the development process.”Highlighting the private sector’s progress, Sheikh Khalifa noted: “In recent years, the private sector has demonstrated its capabilities and efficiency, achieving remarkable progress in industrial and agricultural projects. These projects have successfully enhanced the provision of strategic commodity needs and supported the flow of goods and products to the Qatari market.“Additionally, providing more incentives for private sector enterprises in the industrial sector is fundamental. In fact, the development of the state's infrastructure provides an environment conducive to the private sector's progress and growth. This stimulates the private sector to forge new partnerships and alliances with global technology transfer companies and implement projects that add value to the national economy.”Sheikh Khalifa added: ‘In this context, Qatar Chamber is committed to effectively engaging with relevant official and private authorities. It strives to provide all necessary facilities to private companies and institutions, aiming to create a pro-business environment. This consequently enables the private sector to pursue its active role in the development process and be an integral part of achieving the goals outlined in the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030.”

The Qatar-Ukraine Business Forum (QUBF) is making technological advancements a key priority as part of its 2024 action plan, aligning closely with the country’s Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) 2024-2030, an official has said.“Acting in line with Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy, the QUBF intends to make its possible contribution by prioritising the potential industries in Qatar-Ukraine partnerships,” QUBF chairperson Dr Olga Revina told Gulf Times on Sunday.In a move to strengthen ties between Qatar and Ukraine’s tech sectors, Revina said QUBF has announced a new collaboration with UNIT.City, one of the largest innovation parks in Central and Eastern Europe based in Ukraine.“QUBF, in collaboration with UNIT.City – one of the biggest innovative platforms in Central and Eastern Europe – agreed to jointly form the ‘Tech and Innovation Committee’ under the umbrella of QUBF. The goal is to create a portfolio of innovative tech startups from Ukraine that will be able to realise numerous opportunities offered by the Qatari ecosystem,” Revina pointed out.According to Revina, the partnership aims to identify promising Ukrainian startups and connect them with the vibrant startup environment of Qatar, which is positioning itself as a global business hub.“QUBF’s Action Plan 2024 outlined a number of events with a primary focus on technological advancements,” said Revina, who also lauded Qatar for remaining focused on diversifying its key economic sectors, fostering a business-friendly climate, and attracting foreign investment along with skilled talent.Citing potential partnerships with startups in Qatar, Revina said Ukraine has developed an impressive startup ecosystem despite the ongoing war, producing several unicorn companies like People.ai, Grammarly, and Gitlab, among others, with massive global user bases.UNIT.City plays a vital role in nurturing this ecosystem as the first innovation park in the country, Revina noted. “As QUBF founders, we were very confident in this collaboration because we believe that Ukrainians have a lot to offer and contribute. UNIT.City helps us select attractive Ukrainian startups to be introduced in Qatar,” Revina emphasised.Revina also pointed out that the Tech and Innovation Committee will leverage resources and expertise from both QUBF and UNIT.City, whose focus has been on supporting early-stage startups through funding, facilitating access to support services, and bolstering globally competitive incubation and acceleration programmes.She also underscored the strategic partnership between Qatar and Ukraine in the technology domain holds immense potential, saying that by tapping into Ukraine’s robust tech talent pool, the collaboration could open new avenues for innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-border investments aligning with Qatar’s economic diversification ambitions.

The government’s focus on education and the drive of Qatar’s young, ambitious workforce is an opportunity for the country to position itself as a research and development (R&D) hub in the region.Sachin Dev Duggal, CEO and co-founder of Builder.ai, lauded the world-class institutions and visiting professors at Education City, which reflects Qatar’s commitment to creating a knowledge-based economy.In an interview with Gulf Times, Duggal emphasised that these factors create an ideal environment for Builder.ai, a London-based next-gen app development platform, to establish an R&D service that can contribute to the growth and development of the local talent pool.Following Builder.ai’s announcement of a Qatar Investment Authority-backed Series D funding of over $250mn, Duggal shared with this paper that the firm’s ambitious expansion plans in the region by establishing an office in the country.“We want to also think about Qatar as an R&D hub. What I really found very different here compared to many other countries that I have visited is the country’s strong focus on education,” explained Duggal, adding that Builder.ai aims to leverage the local talent pool and contribute to its growth, taking advantage of Qatar’s focus on nurturing a world-class educational ecosystem.According to Duggal, Qatar can leverage the use of AI to tackle complex challenges, such as in healthcare and other sectors through advanced technologies like large language models analysing DNA data.Citing Qatar’s small local population and large ambitions, Duggal pointed out that Qatar can utilise AI to bridge the gaps between supply and demand, as well as boost productivity across different sectors.The country’s strong educational framework combined with an “outsized ambition” approach to AI gives Qatar an edge over other regional AI hubs, reiterated Duggal, adding that AI is viewed as pivotal for Qatar’s economic diversification and cultivating a new generation of globally impactful entrepreneurs.“Ultimately, AI would allow Qatar to overcome population constraints and foster not only Qatari entrepreneurs but a new breed of global entrepreneurs operating at a different technological scale,” he noted.Amid plans to establish an office here, Duggal emphasised that Builder.ai could play a crucial in fostering entrepreneurship and in facilitating comprehensive digital transformation across Qatar’s businesses and other sectors, such as banking and healthcare, among others, as well as with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).“What’s most impressive in this country is that there’s a real drive to build a knowledge economy, or almost an AI economy, a non-energy economy,” Duggal pointed out.

An Italian technology company has showcased a revolutionary autonomous field robot at the International Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha Qatar, including its versatile applications beyond agriculture.Professor Lorenzo Marconi of the University of Bologna, who is co-founder of FieldRobotics, presented the ‘HammerHead’, an autonomous ground rover vehicle designed for agricultural applications in orchards, vineyards, and even in remote environments with poor GPS signals.“The HammerHead is like a small tractor, where we could attach, plug any kind of conventional or even futuristic implements aimed at bringing robotics and industrial automation into the field, and not only in indoor settings,” Marconi told Gulf Times.Marconi explained that the idea is to bring indoor automation utilised in industrial, logistics, and manufacturing settings, among others, to outdoor applications. “And so we put a lot of emphasis and attempts in creating a platform that is reliable, robust, and attractive to enable all these technologies outdoors,” Marconi said.According to Marconi, the HammerHead is equipped with AI algorithms, cameras, laser scanners, and sensor fusion for robust environmental mapping and precise autonomous navigation, further describing it as a “perfect example of a mechatronics system.”He noted that one of the advantages of the HammerHead is FieldRobotics’ focus on smaller, distributed robotic solutions rather than larger, single vehicles, reducing environmental impact and increasing efficiency.Instead of making larger tractors, Marconi said deploying teams of HammerHeads reduces soil compaction by spreading the load over a larger area using multiple small robots.He also emphasised that the electric, emissions-free design makes the HammerHead suitable for greenhouse operations and aligns with sustainability goals. “It offers a flexible, open platform like a ‘power bank in the field’ that can accommodate future robotic implements and technologies,” Marconi said.Asked about the HammerHead’s other potential uses, especially in Qatar’s hydrocarbon industry, Marconi also explained that the innovative robot, while designed for agriculture, can also have immense potential in sectors like oil and gas, logistics, military, and search/rescue operations. Its autonomous capabilities, high payload, and remote operation can also be utilised in hazardous environments that pose a safety risk for humans, he stressed.“We are also trying to push the idea of ‘cobotics’ and human-robot interaction, where humans have a central role in the task and not necessarily all the robots. And then, of course, in terms of search and rescue, which is not by chance; this idea of field robotics started in the search and rescue setting.“I was the coordinator of a few big European projects in the past dealing with search and rescue, and so again, field settings, settings that are hostile and unfriendly, and with a certain kind of features that ask for new technologies to be robust and industrial,” Marconi stressed.

Builder.ai, a London-based next-gen app development platform, is charting an ambitious expansion strategy in Qatar, according to the company’s top executive.The plan promises to revolutionise Qatar’s entrepreneurial landscape and drive digital transformation across various sectors in the country, Sachin Dev Duggal, CEO and co-founder of Builder.ai, told Gulf Times.Duggal, who believes in the country’s potential to become a global hub for innovation and economic diversification, emphasised that Builder.ai is poised to forge strategic collaborations with local entities, thus contributing to the realisation of the Qatar National Vision 2030.He said, “We’re building a customer case study here across different markets and that’s immensely important. We want to get involved with the small business and I think that’s powerful because we can make an impression and support the country’s development plans.”Duggal believes that establishing a local office presence in the country will help the company become better at serving customers in the market, citing Qatar as an additional home for Builder.ai in the region.But the company’s aspirations extend far beyond mere customer support, noted Duggal, adding that Builder.ai not only aims to collaborate with small businesses, but to foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem and develop applied academic skills.According to Duggal, Builder.ai understands that entrepreneurship is vital in driving growth and economic diversification. He pointed out that the company aims to support entrepreneurs and startup founders in Qatar to realise their growth plans by providing them with accessible technological solutions.“Among the challenges that we want to address is how Builder.ai could help the local entrepreneurial ecosystem realise their vision and dreams faster and how to build the relevant applied academic skill. ‘Applied’ is the key here: to investing in students, graduates, and PhD candidates in Qatar,” explained Duggal, who highlighted the importance of developing practical, industry-relevant skills.Duggal also explained that this approach aims to open more avenues for Qataris pursuing higher education abroad to return to Qatar and address local challenges by utilising Builder.ai’s platform.“There’s problems to be solved here. We’re here also trying to solve those problems,” Duggal emphasised.

Esports, including gaming, can open multiple career paths for young people who are looking to explore or immerse themselves in this fast-growing industry.In Qatar, gaming and the esports industry have steadily evolved over the years, according to Khalifa al-Haroon, the founder and CEO of Store974 and ILoveQatar.net, who noted that this LNG-rich Gulf nation “has always been a country of gamers.”Speaking to Gulf Times in an exclusive interview, al-Haroon said some of the factors that contributed to the growth of these industries in Qatar include a young and tech-savvy population, robust government support and investment, collaborations with international gaming companies and events, and the emergence of different groups and roles in the gaming community.“I definitely see that we have been evolving. Today, there are more groups in all shapes and forms that are starting to develop in the country, which include not just gamers and esports players, but people investing in hardware or those who want to become content creators, game designers, storytellers, TV scriptwriters, or movie producers, as well as people wanting to be announcers for esports events, among others. That’s the beauty of this medium,” al-Haroon explained.However, esports and gaming are not only a source of entertainment, but also a platform for learning, innovation, and collaboration in Qatar’s education sector, underscored al-Haroon, citing Store 974’s partnership with the International School of London (ISL) to include esports in its curriculum.Al-Haroon explains the motivation behind Store 974’s tie-ups with educational institutions to offer esports and gaming courses, saying it is part of his vision to be as inclusive as possible for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or nationality.“Just as you would have physical athletes that represent a school, now there are digital athletes, as well. But then you also have individuals that might want to be involved in becoming game developers one day,” he noted.Similarly, al-Haroon said his mission is to educate the public about the benefits and opportunities of gaming and to prepare the country for the digital economy.“Educating parents that gaming is so much more than just a waste of time is crucial. It’s about encouraging kids that they can pursue a professional career in something that they are passionate about.“But then they also have to be trained and developed to understand that being a professional esports athlete requires more playing skills. You also need social and communication skills, as well as to be presentable and business savvy, so that’s why it was very important for us to make sure that we get the schools involved because whether we like it or not, the world is going to evolve into a hyper-digital economy. And we need to make sure that everyone in the country is prepared,” he pointed out.Citing an experience that Store 974 had while working with a specific institution, al-Haroon said they discovered that gaming played a key role in helping children overcome certain social challenges, such as the difficulty of physically interacting and participating in team-based activities.“When we gave them virtual reality glasses, the children who typically would not talk to each other physically had started engaging and talking to each other digitally. They’re sitting in the same room, but because they feel like they’re in a virtual world, it took away the social anxiety and encouraged them to be slightly open to trying new things,” said al-Haroon, adding that the experience provided a glimpse of how gaming can cater to everyone, especially when utilised as a tool for social interaction and therapy, aside from just entertainment.Al-Haroon also pointed out that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could benefit Qatar’s gaming scene, particularly for players, content creators, and the public and private sectors.“One of the benefits I see is having AI coaches that could review gaming footage and then provide the gamer with advice on areas of improvement. That would be amazing. On content generation, AI can select the best scenes and simplify a creator’s workflow.“Government support will also play a great role whether in attracting companies specialising in AI to set up in Qatar, investing in global firms, encouraging startups to create their own AI solutions, or simply training people on how to utilise AI better and more efficiently,” al-Haroon added.

Esports, including gaming, can open multiple career paths for young people who are looking to explore or immerse themselves in this fast-growing industry.In Qatar, gaming and the esports industry have steadily evolved over the years, according to Khalifa al-Haroon, the founder and CEO of Store974 and ILoveQatar.net, who noted that this LNG-rich Gulf nation “has always been a country of gamers.”Speaking to Gulf Times in an exclusive interview, al-Haroon said some of the factors that contributed to the growth of these industries in Qatar include a young and tech-savvy population, robust government support and investment, collaborations with international gaming companies and events, and the emergence of different groups and roles in the gaming community.“I definitely see that we have been evolving. Today, there are more groups in all shapes and forms that are starting to develop in the country, which include not just gamers and esports players, but people investing in hardware or those who want to become content creators, game designers, storytellers, TV scriptwriters, or movie producers, as well as people wanting to be announcers for esports events, among others. That’s the beauty of this medium,” al-Haroon explained.However, esports and gaming are not only a source of entertainment, but also a platform for learning, innovation, and collaboration in Qatar’s education sector, underscored al-Haroon, citing Store 974’s partnership with the International School of London (ISL) to include esports in its curriculum.Al-Haroon explains the motivation behind Store 974’s tie-ups with educational institutions to offer esports and gaming courses, saying it is part of his vision to be as inclusive as possible for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or nationality.“Just as you would have physical athletes that represent a school, now there are digital athletes, as well. But then you also have individuals that might want to be involved in becoming game developers one day,” he noted.Similarly, al-Haroon said his mission is to educate the public about the benefits and opportunities of gaming and to prepare the country for the digital economy.“Educating parents that gaming is so much more than just a waste of time is crucial. It’s about encouraging kids that they can pursue a professional career in something that they are passionate about.“But then they also have to be trained and developed to understand that being a professional esports athlete requires more playing skills. You also need social and communication skills, as well as to be presentable and business savvy, so that’s why it was very important for us to make sure that we get the schools involved because whether we like it or not, the world is going to evolve into a hyper-digital economy. And we need to make sure that everyone in the country is prepared,” he pointed out.Citing an experience that Store 974 had while working with a specific institution, al-Haroon said they discovered that gaming played a key role in helping children overcome certain social challenges, such as the difficulty of physically interacting and participating in team-based activities.“When we gave them virtual reality glasses, the children who typically would not talk to each other physically had started engaging and talking to each other digitally. They’re sitting in the same room, but because they feel like they’re in a virtual world, it took away the social anxiety and encouraged them to be slightly open to trying new things,” said al-Haroon, adding that the experience provided a glimpse of how gaming can cater to everyone, especially when utilised as a tool for social interaction and therapy, aside from just entertainment.Al-Haroon also pointed out that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could benefit Qatar’s gaming scene, particularly for players, content creators, and the public and private sectors.“One of the benefits I see is having AI coaches that could review gaming footage and then provide the gamer with advice on areas of improvement. That would be amazing. On content generation, AI can select the best scenes and simplify a creator’s workflow.“Government support will also play a great role whether in attracting companies specialising in AI to set up in Qatar, investing in global firms, encouraging startups to create their own AI solutions, or simply training people on how to utilise AI better and more efficiently,” al-Haroon added.

A Qatari startup that offers delivery and e-commerce services has partnered with home-based and micro businesses, providing them with a platform to reach more customers and showcase their products.This partnership also aims to support owners of home-based businesses with their business plans and growth strategies, said Andrew Edward, the Product Marketing Lead of local company Snoonu.The decision to tap into this segment of the market was driven by the commitment of Snoonu’s founder and chief executive, Hamad al-Hajri, to support the local economy and find untapped opportunities, Edward emphasised.Edward explained that al-Hajri, along with his team at Snoonu, noticed a gap where many local businesses, despite being officially registered, lacked a platform to interact with customers and market their products effectively. Snoonu has this ability built-in within its platform thanks to its partnership with Braze. It enables them to segment and personalise interactions with customers which, in turn, can help local businesses do the same.“One of the commitments of al-Hajri is to try to support the local economy and he has this talent of always working with the team in finding these untapped opportunities in the market and determining where it can be better and how he can improve it,” Edward said.As a local startup, Edward noted that Snoonu understands the local context and sees this as an opportunity to support local businesses. “We are confident that our platform will help our audience and the Qatari population engage more with these businesses. Snoonu is aware of what our audience is looking for collaborating with home-based businesses is one way to help them engage with the Snoonu app more,” Edward said.With its quick and large growth, Snoonu is constantly exploring innovative tools like Braze to refine its customer engagement strategies, ensuring the platform remains dynamic and responsive to users' needs.Given the amount of growth experienced by these micro businesses since partnering with Snoonu, Edward stated that he has a positive outlook for home-based businesses in 2024.“I would say my outlook is also positive. So far, home businesses that are in the Snoonu app have been seeing a good amount of growth, and in how they have been marketing their products to a much wider audience,” noted Edward, who lauded the support being provided by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to small and micro businesses.“The ministry is showing more support in terms of how it wants to collaborate more to increase the growth of these home businesses and helping them understand the next steps they can take,” Edward said.He also stressed that innovation was a key driver for success and that startups and entrepreneurs should always embrace new technologies and stay ahead of the competition. “This would help them meet their user’s needs at the right time and with the best communication, and also help them evolve in their market and future markets,” Edward added.

The Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) scheme is opening up new opportunities for both consumers and businesses in Qatar, according to a Doha-based fintech firm specialising in BNPL.BNPL has become an attractive option for consumers, according to Khalifa al-Haroon, who is co-founder of PayLater. Al-Haroon, who is also the founder and CEO of Store974 and ILoveQatar.net, noted that he is optimistic about the future of BNPL in Qatar.“We haven’t even put our product out in the market yet, but we’ve already had almost 300 companies reach out to us,” al-Haroon told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.Because of the product’s simplicity and usability, al-Haroon said he is confident that PayLater will successfully cater to the needs of consumers and businesses in Qatar. He hopes that it will be instrumental in stimulating the market and give the company the needed foothold to expand in the region.Al-Haroon explained that the company’s goal is to help people buy items within their means, without adding to their debt. He said PayLater allows customers to pay in four instalments over two salary cycles, with zero interest and minimal or no penalty fees.“We’re looking at several objectives, such as being Shariah-compliant, zero-interest, and no penalty fees because our goal is to encourage people to be mindful of their expenses and provide a very simple solution,” he stressed.Al-Haroon also underscored the significance of integration, particularly with organisations like the Qatar Credit Bureau and the Qatar Central Bank to provide quick background checks and big data for financial decisions that will benefit the economy and the country.But implementing BNPL in the country also has its challenges, al-Haroon pointed out. He is hoping that the relevant agencies could address the lack of financial insurance in the country, as well as help streamline the processing time for business licensing.On the other hand, setting up a new business in Qatar “is easier than before,” emphasised al-Haroon, who lauded the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s efforts to automate and simplify the application process. However, there are still difficulties in working with multiple agencies and institutions that may not understand or support the vision of the entrepreneurs, he also said.Nevertheless, al-Haroon stressed that these challenges do not impede plans to expand other businesses, such as Store974, which is looking to set its footprint in other GCC countries like Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. With hopes to spread the business globally, al-Haroon said he is trying to raise QR50mn to take Store974 “to the next level.”“These are the two GCC markets I’m looking at the moment, but specifically Saudi Arabia because the country is focused heavily on esports. And I would love to have Qatar and Saudi Arabia holding hands in the development of esports in the region,” al-Haroon revealed.

HSBC Qatar is marking its 70th anniversary by reflecting on seven decades of pioneering milestones, contributions to the nation’s economic development, and a symbiotic partnership that has fuelled growth for Qatar and the global financial institution.In an exclusive interview with Gulf Times, HSBC Qatar CEO Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi elaborated on the key achievements over the past 70 years that transformed the bank into a dominant force combining local expertise with worldwide connectivity.“Our growth story in Qatar is aligned directly to the country’s economic transformation, which has been shaped by visionary leadership – both in government and institutions, such as the Qatar Central Bank,” Mostafawi stated.HSBC was one of the first international banks locally incorporated when it received its license in March 1954, said Mostafawi, emphasising that it didn’t take long for HSBC to start racking up an extensive list of pioneering firsts and milestones.Many of the bank’s achievements are the product of combining local expertise and global connections to deliver unique banking solutions, Mostafawi explained, adding that this includes installing Qatar’s first ATM in 1986, setting off the nation’s digital banking journey.Other key milestones include introducing electronic banking for corporates (1987), opening Qatar’s first custody services (1998), acting as lead manager for the government's debut Islamic sukuk issuance (2004), launching the country’s first investment banking platform and introducing Institutional Fund Services (2005), and opening a digitally-focused branch in Msheireb (2020). More recently, HSBC has emerged as a thought leader in cutting-edge areas like digital tokenisation and generative AI applications for banking.Throughout its 70-year presence, HSBC has played a pivotal role in catalysing Qatar’s economic rise and diversification agenda. “We have supported the public and private sectors to grow with the country's ambitions, especially focusing on economic diversification,” Mostafawi said.He said HSBC helped government entities identify and invest in international opportunities outside the oil and gas sectors through pioneering investment banking services. The bank was also the first to provide custody services, facilitating foreign investment inflows.HSBC’s advisory expertise was instrumental in major transactions like Industries Qatar's historic IPO in 2009 – then the nation’s largest. “We were the adviser on that milestone IPO on the Qatar Stock Exchange,” noted Mostafawi.Today, Mostafawi said HSBC is at the forefront of Qatar’s sustainable finance drive as it transitions to a more sustainable economy: “We play a leading role in the transition to net zero by providing expert advice and supporting customers in their transition journeys. This includes establishing sustainable finance frameworks for stakeholders.”The bank’s strategic priorities align with Qatar National Vision 2030 across the economic, human, environmental and social development pillars.Economically, HSBC continues attracting foreign investors, supporting multinationals’ growth in Qatar, and identifying international investment opportunities for local entities to aid diversification.On the human development front, the bank is deeply invested in upskilling Qatari talent, with nationals comprising 37% of its workforce. Its employee policies, such as hybrid work models, are industry-leading for work-life balance.Environmentally, HSBC is the go-to thought leader for ESG and green finance solutions. “We are frequently represented at major conferences like COP28, Bloomberg’s Qatar Financial Market Forum, and the Qatar Foundation’s Earthna Summit 2023 to share our expertise. The bank has pioneered green lending in Qatar across various initiatives,” Mostafawi said.HSBC’s social development impact is through corporate sustainability activities like financial literacy programmes and volunteering as a responsible corporate citizen.Looking ahead, Mostafawi sees HSBC’s primary role as Qatar’s preeminent trade finance bank bridging local businesses with cross-border trade and supply chain solutions. We offer a full suite of products including sophisticated solutions to support the country’s economic diversification into high-growth sectors like renewable energy, tourism, healthcare, and education," he said.He said HSBC has already supported prominent Qatari family business groups in acquiring European real estate, establishing regional operations, and investing in major renewable projects abroad by connecting them with global opportunities.Mostafawi noted that HSBC aims to open up a world of opportunity for clients, which becomes a reality when they are connected to international growth prospects through digital channels.He said HSBC became the first bank globally to enable straight-through digital processing for bank guarantees issued to a Qatari client via its cutting-edge trade finance platform. Another key offering is HSBC’s market-leading securities services that give international investors access to investment prospects in Qatar’s rapidly developing capital markets.As HSBC Qatar commemorates its 70th anniversary in Qatar, Mostafawi said: “HSBC has been supporting Qatar for 70 years, providing local expertise and global connections to help customers grow their wealth. We are committed to opening up a world of opportunity for customers with international banking needs and ambitions to grow and prosper internationally.“We have the heritage and expertise, clients and connectivity, scale and successes, strength in sustainability, the people and the values that we are proud to deploy in the service of our Qatar and its people every day.”

The digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar is one of the core programmes implemented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT).Speaking to the media on the concluding day of Web Summit Qatar 2024, HE the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohamed bin Ali al-Mannai underscored the role of SMEs as the backbone of the economy.Al-Mannai underscored the need to provide SMEs with “the right digital tools” and “the right digital transformation approach,” along with a wide range of government support in the digital transformation domain, one of the MCIT’s major programmes under the Digital Agenda 2030.Aside from the MCIT’s support for SMEs, al-Mannai also lauded the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) for launching ‘Startup Qatar’ ahead of the Web Summit. The initiative is a one-stop online platform catering to all business requirements and serving as the single comprehensive national resource for information, support, and opportunities offered to startups.The minister also lauded Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor al-Thani, the director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) and Organising Committee chairman of Web Summit Qatar 2024, for a successful collaboration with Web Summit under the leadership of its CEO, Katherine Maher.Al-Mannai said Web Summit Qatar 2024 provided content to create more events and showcase the country’s capability in events management, but it also attracted thousands of startups to the country.The event also opened opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators in the GCC and the Middle East to network with their peers abroad and learn more about the international entrepreneurship ecosystem.“Our co-operation with Web Summit enabled us to provide a global platform from Qatar for innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups from our region and beyond. We are also happy to see that many companies are coming from Africa and other parts of the region, demonstrating that the target set from the beginning was well achieved with the representation of more than a thousand startups,” al-Mannai pointed out.Earlier on the sidelines of Web Summit Qatar 2024, al-Mannai spoke during a fireside chat titled ‘Qatar’s Plan for a Digital Future’ and underscored the significance of the Digital Agenda 2030 in promoting a knowledge-based digital economy and boosting digital transformation across industries.Al-Mannai also highlighted the role of SMEs in the success of Web Summit Qatar 2024 and the role of both SMEs and the private sector in bolstering the national digital economy.