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The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) saw strong buying sentiments, as gauged by 200 points gain in main index and about QR12bn in capitalisation this week, which otherwise featured oil price volatility, rising geopolitical tensions and concerns on the US fiscal front.The Gulf institutions were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index surged 1.89% this week which saw Qatar’s Prime Minister HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani tell Fifth Qatar Economic Forum (QEF), Powered by Bloomberg, that Qatar aspires to be a beacon of technological progress and a global centre for investment and business.The banks and industrials counters witnessed higher than average demand this week which saw Invest Qatar launch a $1bn incentives programme, aimed at strengthening Qatar’s position as a leading global business hub, as part of strategy to drive investment growth and accelerate economic diversification.The Arab individuals were seen net buyers in the main bourse this week which saw Qatar Tourism chairman HE Saad bin Ali al-Kharji tell QEF that tourism sector contributed QR55bn to the national gross domestic product in 2024, representing 8% of total economic output — a 14% increase over 2023.The foreign retail investors were also seen bullish in the main bourse this week which saw a total of 0.18mn AlRayan Bank-sponsored exchange traded fund QATR worth QR0.41mn trade across 47 deals.More than 77% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main market this week which saw as many as 0.01mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR0.07mn change hands across 14 transactionsThe Arab institutions were seen net buyers, albeit at lower levels, in the main bourse this week which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The foreign funds continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Gulf individuals’ lower net profit booking had its marginal influence in the main bourse this week which saw HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi tell QEF that Qatar plans to significantly boost its liquefied natural gas (LNG) trading business to complement its expanding domestic production of LNG.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices of the main market this week, which saw the Qatar’s Minister of Finance HE Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari tell QEF that the huge deals signed by Qatar recently at US President Donald Trump’s visit as “normal” and was a win-win for both the countries.Market capitalisation added QR11.9bn or 1.91% to QR636.52bn on the back of large and midcap segments this week which saw the industrials, banking and consumer goods sectors together constitute about 74% of the total trade volumes.Trade turnover and volumes were on the increase in both the main and ventures markets this week which saw the US tariff regime, according to Qatar Central Bank governor HE Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud al-Thani tell the QEF that Doha is now in good stage despite weakening energy prices, which is a cause of “concern”.The Total Return Index rose 1.89%, the All Islamic Index by 1.58% and the All Share Index by 1.86% this week which saw Doha Bank partner with Blackstone to provide private capital strategies to Qatar investors.The banks and financial services sector index soared 2.48%, industrials (1.96%), consumer goods and services (0.86%), transport (0.77%), telecom (0.69%) and real estate (0.22%); while insurance fell 0.34% this week which saw the London Stock Exchange-listed Ashmore Group finds “exciting” growth opportunities in Qatar, which is fast becoming an important investment destination for global investors.Major movers in the main market included Industries Qatar, Ooredoo, QNB, Qatar Islamic Bank, Lesha Bank, Qatar German Medical Devices, Mannai Corporation, Medicare Group, Dlala, Doha Bank, QIIB, Qatar Oman Investment, Widam Food, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Aamal Company, Qatari Investors Group, Estithmar Holding, QLM, Ezdan and Mazaya Qatar this week which saw Aamal Company set eyes on industrial manufacturing, healthcare and other high-growth sectors.Nevertheless, Vodafone Qatar, Milaha, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, Gulf International Services and Qatar Insurance were among the shakers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value this week.The Gulf institutions’ net buying strengthened significantly to QR121.39mn compared to QR31.11mn the previous week.The Arab individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR13.32mn against net sellers of QR22.71mn the week ended May 15.The foreign retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR3.54mn compared with net profit takers of QR11.68mn a week ago.The Arab institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.3mn against net profit takers of QR0.76mn the previous week.The Gulf individuals’ net selling weakened marginally to QR1.5mn compared with QR2.42mn the week ended May 15.However, the local retail investors’ net profit booking grew noticeably to QR136.02mn against QR109.43mn a week ago.The domestic funds’ net selling strengthened markedly to QR63.47mn compared to QR53.08mn the previous week.The foreign institutions’ net buying weakened substantially to QR61.44mn against QR168.97mn the week ended May 15.The main market saw 36% surge in trade volumes to 1.48bn shares, 36% in value to QR3.19bn and 38% in deals to 132,263 this week.In the venture market, trade volumes more than tripled to 0.38mn equities and value also more than tripled to QR1.04mn on 40% jump in transactions to 59.

Electric vehicles (EV)’s shares is projected to reach 24% of new vehicle sales in Qatar by 2035, with Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) making up 14% and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) 9.6%, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)."The shift is driven by national policies, expanding charging infrastructure, and rising demand for low-carbon transport options," PwC said in its latest report.There remains room for opportunity within Qatar’s EV space to reduce high upfront costs, enhance infrastructure scalability and strengthen resourcefulness for critical supply chain minerals, it said, adding there is also potential for integrating advanced thermal management systems.Addressing these opportunities for growth requires public-private-partnerships (PPPs), expansion of charging networks and the acceleration of clean energy initiatives, it suggested."Qatar is rapidly advancing its sustainable mobility agenda. With strategic public-private collaboration, forward-looking regulation, and targeted investment, the country is laying the groundwork for wide-scale EV adoption, building a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient transport future,” said Heiko Seitz, Global e-Mobility Leader and Partner at PwC Middle East.The report said the Ministry of Transport’s active role in reshaping mobility over 73% of Qatar’s public buses are already electric, and strategic collaborations with global leaders like Yutong, ABB E-mobility, and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), are laying strong foundations, from vehicle assembly to EV training and service centres.According to Qatar National Vision 2030, the country aims for 35% of its vehicle fleet and all public transport buses to be electric by 2030."Significant progress has been made in integrating e-Mobility into Qatar’s public transport system. Currently, 73% of public buses in Qatar are electric, marking a substantial shift towards greener public transportation," the report said.As Qatar's economy and population grow, the number of vehicles on its roads is expected to rise from 1.7mn to 2.3mn (passenger and light commercial vehicles), increasing the challenge of automotive carbon dioxide or CO2 emissions."However, the expansion of renewable energy sources will significantly reduce emissions from electricity generation, cutting CO2 intensity from 0.49kg/kWh to 0.36kg/kWh by 2030, with further declines anticipated," PwC said.By shifting to e-Mobility and cleaner power generation, Qatar can curb the rise in CO2 emissions by nearly 5% compared to an entirely internal combustion engine (ICE) fleet, reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable, low-carbon transportation, it added.“Qatar continues to drive forward its sustainability agenda. The transition to electric mobility represents both a strategic imperative and a significant opportunity. With the right mix of innovation, policy support, and investment, Qatar is well positioned to lead the region in building a cleaner, smarter, and more efficient transport ecosystem”, Bassam Hajhamad, Qatar Country senior partner and consulting leader at PwC Middle East in Qatar, said.

Invest Qatar (The Investment Promotion Agency Qatar), Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, and Silian Partners, a unique strategic and operational value creation firm specialised in the global semiconductor industry, have entered into strategic partnership to attract companies in the AI (artificial intelligence) and semiconductor technology ecosystems to explore opportunities and establish operations in Qatar.A tripartite memorandum of understanding or MoU was signed by Sheikh Ali Alwaleed al-Thani, chief executive officer of Invest Qatar; Jan Philipp Schmitz, executive vice-president, Ardian; and Paul Boudre, chief executive officer and co-founder and partner, Silian Partners.This initiative will contribute to drive digital innovation and to develop strategic technologies in Qatar. In line with these efforts, Silian Partners will establish an office in Qatar to bring significant semiconductor industry capabilities to the country.As part of this partnership, Invest Qatar will facilitate connections between Ardian Semiconductor’s portfolio companies and local stakeholders, as well as provide aftercare services for current investors.The collaboration is poised to introduce various initiatives to support the long-term growth of the technology sector in Qatar such as joint seminars, workshops and conferences to facilitate knowledge sharing and networking.Invest Qatar will also work closely with Ardian and Silian Partners to organise exploratory fact-finding trips for related companies to learn more about Qatar’s welcoming and supportive business environment and to experience the country’s high quality of life."This partnership with Ardian and Silian Partners exemplifies our commitment to attracting investment in enabling clusters such as IT and Digital in line with Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy. By combining Qatar’s world-class digital infrastructure and significant investments in RDI with Ardian’s proven and successful private equity capabilities and Silian Partner’s deep semiconductor industry experience and expertise, we are paving the way to further enhance Qatar’s position as a global hub for innovation and piloting new technologies,” said Sheikh Ali.Schmitz said this collaboration marked a significant milestone in its shared commitment to fostering AI and semiconductor ecosystems in Qatar and the wider region."Ardian Semiconductor, our pioneering private equity platform, will serve as a catalyst for digital innovation and strategic technology development in the region. We are thrilled to see Silian Partners establish an office in Qatar, which will not only bring substantial semiconductor industry expertise to the country but also create new opportunities for growth and investment," he said.This initiative, according to him, aligns perfectly with its vision to drive forward cutting-edge technologies and solidify Qatar's position as a global hub for innovation. "We are eager to explore the new avenues this partnership will open and look forward to a prosperous future together," he added.Highlighting that Silian Partners will locate global strategy team in Qatar, Boudre and Thomas Pebay-Peyroula, co-founder and partner, said "our team in Doha will carry out high value-added semiconductor industry research and analysis, which is essential to underpin the investment strategy of the Ardian Semiconductor platform and support portfolio companies in their strategic positioning and growth."Having an on-the-ground presence would also accelerate its vision to participate in the emergence of a differentiated local semiconductor ecosystem, as well as further strengthening long-term partnership with Qatar, according to them.

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is set to see tokenisation of real estate class, in what could ensure more access and liquidity to the sector, which is reeling under over supply, according to its top official."The first asset class that we would like to address is real estate as there is a lot of oversupply in the market, and it also solves a significant problem," QFC Authority chief executive officer Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida told the second day of the Fifth Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg.The real estate industry is on the verge of a major transformation, supported by technology. The tokenisation leverages blockchain technology to create digital tokens representing ownership in real estate assets.The real estate tokenisation is the process of converting the value of a physical property into digital tokens that can be bought, sold, or traded on a blockchain platform. Each token represents a fractional ownership stake in the property, allowing investors to participate in real estate markets without the need for substantial capital. This approach not only enhances accessibility to realty investments but also improves liquidity and transparency within the market.Highlighting the lack of access into this (realty) class; he said looking at towers in the West Bay, Lusail or in any other areas in Qatar, a lot of such assets are owned by one or two or maximum three landlords and these are "significant" ticket sizes of minimum $500mn."So, tokenising a tower or two, I think will do great good for the economy and a lot more access and liquidity to the real estate market," al-Jaida said one of the panel session ‘'Crypto & Digital Assets: Investing in the New Era’.The QFC had last year launched its digital assets framework, a comprehensive and innovative regime for the creation and regulation of digital assets in the QFC, paving way for companies to offer token services."Our entire focus, resources and investments have gone towards tokenisation and the reason we have gone that route is that it solves a real problem we have in the economy," he said, adding democratising real assets such as securities or real estate helps drive the economy go forward.Quoting research report of The Trading View, he said the real world assets (RWA) tokenisation is projected to become a $30tn market by 2030. The market for tokenised illiquid assets is projected to reach $16tn by 2030, he also said, quoting reports from Boston Consulting Group. "So, there has been a lot of focus on tokenisation," al-Jaida said.He said the development of the digital assets framework, which is one of the important goals established by the Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan, provides not only legal recognition of smart contracts but also establishes legal and regulatory foundation for tokenisation, a key tool to protect sensitive data.Besides tokenisation of real estate, al-Jaida said the QFC would also like to see Islamic securitisation through its corporate registration and securitised bonds as well as energy infrastructure in the near future.

Invest Qatar, the Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar, and Level Infinite, Tencent’s global games brand; have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to accelerate the growth of the gaming industry in Qatar.The strategic partnership, which was sealed during the fifth Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg, aims to leverage Tencent’s experience and resource in global game industry to support Qatar National Vision 2030 and innovation.Under the MoU, both entities will collaborate on joint initiatives to grow the local gaming ecosystem and share global best practices.Invest Qatar will facilitate Level Infinite’s entry into the Qatari market by connecting the company with key local stakeholders and promoting awareness of its activities. Level Infinite and Invest Qatar would also work together on talent development initiatives, supporting the sector’s long-term growth, particularly in gaming technology and product development."The gaming industry represents a dynamic frontier for innovation, youth engagement and economic diversification. With a tech-savvy young population, the world’s fastest mobile internet speeds and our strategic location within one of the fastest growing regions for gaming, Qatar is well-positioned to capitalise on this momentum," said Sheikh Ali Alwaleed al-Thani, chief executive officer, Invest Qatar.Through this partnership, it aims to attract world-class players and create new opportunities that position Qatar as a regional leader for digital entertainment.“We are happy to partner with Invest Qatar. This partnership underscores our commitment to Qatar and working with local stakeholders to build a thriving gaming ecosystem. Together, we will create a vibrant and sustainable gaming and E-sports scene that benefits the local community," said Herman Zhao, Head of Emerging Markets Publishing, Tencent Games.The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) gaming industry is witnessing significant growth, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11% between 2022 and 2029.Ranked first for ARPU (average revenue per paying user) compared to other regions, and home to 17% of the global players, the Mena region offers a wealth of opportunities for gaming companies.Qatar’s strategic location, advanced ICT infrastructure and supportive business environment provides an ideal hub for international gaming companies to access this rapidly growing market.

The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) Doha, in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and Golden Gate Ventures, recently co-hosted a high-level forum focused on advancing private sector engagement, startup innovation, and cross-border investment.The event supported Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), underscoring the country’s commitment to economic diversification and global collaboration.The half-day programme brought together key stakeholders for high-level panels and interactive roundtables focused on early-stage venture formation, capital strategy, ecosystem development, and scaling strategies. Designed to foster peer exchange and practical insight, the event offered actionable takeaways for startups, investors, and ecosystem enablers across Qatar and the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.Aligned with the strategic objectives of NDS3, the forum emphasised economic diversification, entrepreneurial growth, knowledge-based industries, and priority economic clusters, including a digital economy.It also reinforced USQBC Doha’s role in advancing Qatar’s economic transformation by empowering private sector growth and activating international partnerships.Through their deep expertise and ecosystem networks, IFC and Golden Gate Ventures are working to support Qatar’s future as a hub of innovation by fostering connections that will drive impactful investment and long-term development.“This forum reflects our commitment to enabling global-private sector dialogue that drives sustainable growth. By convening capital, capability, and innovation, we’re proud to support Qatar’s journey toward a resilient and diversified economy,” said Sheikha Mayes al-Thani, USQBC Doha managing director.Echoing this sentiment, Michael Lints, Partner, Golden Gate Ventures, said: “We are excited that the forum brings together international and regional top-tier investors and founders to Qatar. The venture capital sector plays a pivotal role in fostering entrepreneurship, driving technological advancements, and contributing to long-term growth.”Kareem Aziz, Mena Regional Lead for Venture Capital, IFC, said: “Our partnership with Qatar is a longstanding one. We have supported Qatari companies in expanding beyond their local market. We now hope to bring the same value to the country’s growing venture capital and entrepreneurship ecosystem.”USQBC Doha serves as UQBC’s dedicated in-market platform, focused on advancing private sector growth, cross-border collaboration, and strategic investment.

Invest Qatar has launched a $1bn incentives programme, aimed at strengthening Qatar’s position as a leading global business hub, as part of strategy to drive investment growth and accelerate economic diversification.Unveiled at the Fifth Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg, the programme offers a comprehensive suite of incentive packages tailored for both local and international investors.These incentives provide financial support covering up to 40% of eligible local investment expenses over five years, including business setup costs, construction, office leases, equipment and employee-related expenses."This initiative is a renewed testament to our unwavering commitment to create a world-class investment environment, that not only drives sustainable economic growth but also delivers long-term value to our partners," said HE Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry and chairman of the Advisory Council.By aligning incentives with the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), he said it aims to attract and support investments that accelerate the development and growth of Qatar’s strategic economic clusters.Targeting key growth sectors identified in the NDS3 such as advanced industries, logistics, IT (information technology), digital and financial services, the incentive programme will be rolled out in phases.The first phase introduces four off-the-shelf incentive packages designed to support new investments, facilitate the expansion and digitisation of existing facilities, create high-skilled employment opportunities, promote knowledge transfer and foster an innovative, tech-driven ecosystem.The advanced industries package focuses on high-value, technology-intensive sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automotive and electronics, fostering innovation and value-added production.The logistics package is aimed at transforming Qatar into a leading global hub for logistics, re-export and distribution by promoting investments in infrastructure, automation and advanced logistics services.The technology package seeks to nurture a dynamic digital economy by attracting investments in cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven innovation.The Lusail financial services package is designed to strengthen Qatar’s financial ecosystem by advancing asset management, insurance, wealth management and fintech innovation. It also promotes the establishment of offices in the city of Lusail, Qatar’s premier financial and business district.The incentives programme is guided by a transparent set of eligibility criteria, including a minimum investment size of QR25mn over five years, job creation targets and a track record of operation in relevant sectors.These parameters ensure a streamlined and transparent evaluation process, expediting application reviews and approvals.Investors can access more information and apply for the incentive packages through the Invest Qatar Gateway, the country’s first digital investor platform, offering a seamless application submission."The launch of this programme marks a strategic step forward in achieving the goals of NDS3. It reinforces our commitment to support high-potential businesses that share our national vision for innovation, diversification and sustainable growth," according to Sheikh Ali Alwaleed al-Thani, chief executive officer, Invest Qatar.By addressing the evolving needs of investors, the incentive packages are tailored to unlock growth across today’s most dynamic sectors, while empowering the private sector, contributing to a more resilient, competitive and business-friendly landscape in Qatar, according to him.The incentives builds on Qatar’s National Incentives Framework, complementing the country’s continued efforts to improve its business environment, through strategic policy reforms, new digital services and streamlined licensing procedures across multiple sectors.In 2024, Qatar attracted $2.74bn in foreign direct investment (FDI) through 241 projects, which created 9,348 jobs.

Doha is now in good stage despite weakening energy prices, which is a cause of "concern"; even as the country’s sovereign wealth fund and diversification efforts will bulwark against perceived threats of the US tariff regime, according to the Qatar Central Bank (QCB).Addressing one of the panel sessions at the fifth Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg, QCB governor HE Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud al-Thani, said the direct impact (of the US tariff) is very minimum as the country's exports to the US is less than 2%; but concern is about the indirect impact of the decline in energy prices."Up to now, and comparing with the oil prices at this level, we are in good stage. But if it goes below that, then there will be a concern," he said.Oil price remains range bound amid a weakening global economy and rising supply.According to Fitch, a global credit rating agency, the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) exports to the US are dominated by hydrocarbons, which are exempt from tariffs and non-hydrocarbon exports, which face a 10% tariff, or 25% for aluminium and steel, are relatively low, which limits the direct impact of the tariffs on the GCC economies.Stressing that a prolonged weak energy market could affect fiscal budget and current account; the QCB governor said Qatar and the GCC have very well diversified their economies."We have an ambitious plan to diversify our economy. We already execute that plan. Also, the GCC and Qatar have built sovereign funds that can stand and support our economy, if needed," according to him.Asked about a recent survey by University of Michigan which found the US consumers increasingly becoming worried that tariffs will lead to higher inflation; Sheikh Bandar said there have been significant improvements in the inflation in the last couple of years."It’s about tariff and geopolitical tension, so that all brings the inflation probability to increase again. Today, we don't know yet what will be the impact of tariffs on inflation, what is going to be the size, where it's going to hit, how long it's going to take. This is not clear for central bankers yet," he said."So unless we have data about the tariffs and its impact in the prices, central banks cannot move forward", he said, adding the central banks world over have the ability and the willingness to contain inflation in the coming future.Chia Der Jiun, managing director, Monetary Authority of Singapore, said on the cyclical side, markets are pricing in slower growth, prospect of higher inflation in the US, and questions over how the fiscal situation will be resolved in the coming months and what the fiscal trajectory will be going forward."And then, of course, the rating agency action is a reflection of that uncertainty about the fiscal trajectory for the US, so it's important to resolve those issues," he added.Moody's, a global credit rating agency, recently downgraded the US sovereign credit rating due to concerns about the nation's growing $36tn debt pile.Referring to the recent high volatility in financial and stock markets because of the increasing uncertainties; Sheikh Bandar said "unless we have more stable economy, more stable environment; this volatility might continue."About apprehensions over global recession, he said technically, "we are not yet in recession. However, the recent data shows that there is a low probability of a recession in coming future."

With the US lifting sanctions on Syria, Qatar on Tuesday said Damascus' economic stability is "extremely" important for the wider Arab region and that the country offers great economic and investment opportunities across sectors."The (economic) stability of Syria for the region is extremely important, and the prosperity of Syria is very important," Qatar's Minister of Finance HE Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari told the fifth Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg.Finding great opportunity with the presidency and the government in place, he said Syria would need strong impetus in terms of energy, utilities and infrastructure to grow and be stable.Qatar and Saudi Arabia had recently paid off Syria's outstanding $15.5mn debt owed to the World Bank, paving the way for recovery and reconstruction after a 14-year conflict that killed half a million people and caused wide destruction in the country.The debt was owed to the World Bank’s International Development Association, a fund that provides zero- or low-interest loans and grants to the world’s poorest countries."This (debt redemption) will unlock around $180mn of support from the World Bank," HE al-Kuwari said.Highlighting that Syria, at this stage, really needs help to establish themselves; he said "going forward, I think with the plans they have in place, I think it's going to be a great economic opportunity there for investments and for really supporting the Syrian people."During a regional tour to the Middle East, the US President Donald Trump met with Syrian counterpart Ahmad al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, said he would move to lift the sanctions, clearing the way for investments in Syria.Mehmet Simsek, Minister of Treasury and Finance, Turkiye, said having a stable, peaceful, and prospering Syria on its own is a huge gain for the region and for Turkiye because his country has got 911 km of border with Syria."So clearly that (lifting of sanctions by the US) is going to help in a big way because conflicts drag you down, and as we address the conflicts, as we rebuild functioning states, it's a huge boost for the entire region. So that has been a welcome move," he said.According to a study, Simsek said based on the opportunity cost, an almost $1.8tn has been wasted over the past five decades combating terror."The peace dividend will be huge in terms of channelling resources to more productive areas for development, for progress. So in that sense, these two developments are going to be huge in terms of geopolitics no longer being a drag but actually being a source of leverage to help Turkiye move up," he said.Asked about investments in the other regions with Kuwait discussing converting its deposits in Egypt to investments; HE al-Kuwari said such route (converting deposits) is just an option and "we see, in Egypt, great opportunities in the real estate, tourism and manufacturing sectors.

Terming the huge deals signed by Doha recently at the US President Donald Trump's visit as "normal", Qatar's Minister of Finance HE Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari on Tuesday said it was a win-win for both the countries.Highlighting that the "biggest opportunities" are in the US; al-Kuwari said it is a market where the country's sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has been getting "good returns".He made this remark at the Fifth Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg, which got underway here.Responding to a query regarding $1.2tn deals, including that with Boeing, he said "we are talking about economic partnership and when we talk about economic partnership, it has a win-win situation."On the deal with Qatar’s national carrier, he said this is part of the airline business and the airlines have its own capital and access to finance."It’s a very normal deal and in line with Qatar Airways' strategies," al-Kuwari said at a panel, where other members were Faisal F al-Ibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning, Saudi Arabia; and Mehmet Simsek, Minister of Treasury and Finance, Turkiye.Boeing and GE Aerospace had secured a landmark order from Qatar Airways, a $96bn agreement to acquire up to 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines. This is Boeing’s largest-ever wide-body order and largest-ever 787 order.On the US, which is the biggest important partner for Qatar; al-Kuwari said "we really value the partnership with the US, and it is very significant."Qatar’s Greenfield investment in the US totaled $3.3bn in 2023, focusing on hotels and tourism, information technology, advanced manufacturing, financial services, and oil and gas.The US has been enjoying a huge surplus with Qatar for many years, al-Kuwari said.The US had a $2bn trade surplus with Qatar in 2024 and has had a positive trade balance with Qatar since 2003. In 2024, the US-Qatar trade amounted to $5.64bn with $3.8bn in US exports and $1.8bn in Qatari imports.To a query on international investment priorities of Qatar, which is ramping up its liquefied natural gas production; al-Kuwari said QIA has its own strategies based on region, based on sectors and the priority areas are technology, AI or artificial intelligence, pharmaceutical and real estate, and the strategies are reviewed periodically.Asked about the recent trends of weaker oil price and how it would bridge the gap if the price were to stay potentially lower; al-Ibrahim was of the view that the Gulf economies, including Saudi Arabia, are investing in institutional resilience and they will deploy the capital in a way that helps it get these returns but also help them get the momentum to restructure."Our budgets are no longer driven by oil. Today they're driven by our priorities," he said, adding on the energy markets and oil, the efforts have been to solve for long-term market stability, guaranteeing that investments will continue to flow to provide the right kind of supply that the global economy needs.The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries and the economies are "bright spots or jewels" in the global economy today because of the ability to plan and deliver long-term, according to him.Highlighting that the non-oil sector of the GCC economies had risen 3.7% in 2024, which is almost double the global growth; he said looking at each country's transformation, there's an acknowledgement that they have been, for a while, operating below potential, implying operating at a loss."Maybe earlier generations can accept that loss in the short term; but compounded, is not good for future generations," he said, adding it is the reason why Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region took it upon themselves to go for long term restructuring.

Doha may “intensify” the development of its local-currency debt market, which is currently going through an “exciting” phase in view of the robust macroeconomic fundamentals and sovereign support, according to the Gulf Capital Market Association (GCMA).The local capital market regulator (Qatar Financial Markets Authority or QFMA) is committed to the sustainable sector and has increased the clarity around the issuance and listing of debt, Michael Grifferty, President, GCMA said in the Qatar Financial Centre’s latest Islamic Finance report.The local currency market has begun to gain traction as it saw its first issuance by a publicly listed company in 2024, he highlighted.Estithmar Holding had last year issued a QR500mn sukuk, marking the first corporate issuance denominated in Qatari riyal, under its QR3.4bn programme.The three-year sukuk, maturing in September 2027, offers an 8.75% coupon and drew interest from government and non-government investors, including banks, insurers, asset managers and family offices.“There is a possibility that Qatar may intensify the development of its nascent state local-currency programme,” Grifferty said. Terming Qatar’s debt capital market as an “exciting” work in progress, he said “we have already seen an increase in the diversity of issuers and structures, many in sukuk format and increasingly for sustainable uses.”The state led in this regard by issuing a green bond in a benchmark size, and was the first regional sovereign to do so.In 2024, Qatar set a regional benchmark by issuing $2.5bn in green bonds to fund environment friendly projects, marking a new era for sustainable finance. The bonds are divided into two tranches: a $1bn tranche with a five-year maturity priced at 30 basis points spread over the US treasuries and a $1.5bn tranche with a 10-year maturity priced at 40 basis point spread over US treasuries.“Banks have added labelled ESG (environment, social and governance) bonds and sukuk to their active issuance programmes,” Grifferty said.The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) is certainly behind this trend, having published its ESG and Sustainability Strategy for the Financial Sector in 2024, he said.“This is having results, as almost 20% of the debt capital market is being issued for ESG purposes,” he said, quoting an international credit rating agency Fitch.Qatar’s domestic markets have been buoyed by a robust economy underpinned by supportive public spending and the authorities’ commitment to invest in economic transformation.“Adding in a well-capitalised banking system and regulatory developments, the case for the Qatar market has only strengthened,” he said.Regulators for their part are laying the foundation for more active debt and equity markets with further market liberalisation, including by easing listing requirements and providing greater clarity about the path to issuance of both debt and equity instruments, according to him.Rounding out the ecosystem are the recent establishment of a ventures exchange, and the completion of a groundwork for listed derivatives to allow trading of futures and options, he said, adding “we have also begun to see some activity in securities borrowing and lending (SBL).

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Monday crossed the 10,700 mark, having gained more than 69 points, propelled notably by the industrials, banking and telecom sectors. The Gulf institutions were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.65% to 10,710.09 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,737 points. The Arab individuals were also increasingly bullish in the main market, whose year-to-date gains widened further to 1.31%. About 64% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR5.23bn or 0.83% to QR633.26bn on the back of midcap segments. The foreign funds continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main market, which saw as many as 0.02mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank) valued at QR0.05mn trade across six deals. The local retail investors’ net profit booking was seen strengthening marginally in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase. The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The domestic institutions were seen increasingly net sellers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. The Total Return Index gained 0.65%, the All Islamic Index by 0.55% and the All Share Index by 0.7% in the main market. The industrials sector index rose 0.94%, banks and financial services (0.88%), telecom (0.86%), consumer goods and services (0.56%) and real estate (0.05%); while insurance and transport declined 0.47% and 0.27% respectively. Major gainers in the main market included Industries Qatar, Ooredoo, QIIB, Estithmar Holding, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, Medicare Group, Qatari Investors Group, Mannai Corporation, Qatar Islamic Bank, Dukhan Bank, Baladna, Al Faleh Educational Holding, QLM and Mazaya Qatar. In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares appreciate in value. Nevertheless, Doha Bank, Milaha, Qatar Insurance, Al Mahhar Holding, AlRayan Bank, United Development Company and Vodafone Qatar were among the shakers in the main market. The Gulf institutions’ net buying increased substantially to QR31.42mn compared to QR5.8mn the previous day. The Arab individual investors’ net buying strengthened noticeably to QR10.13mn against QR3.78mn on May 18. However, the Qatari individuals’ net selling expanded marginally to QR37.71mn compared to QR36.24mn on Sunday. The domestic institutions’ net profit booking grew significantly to QR24.4mn against QR1.93mn the previous day. The foreign institutions’ net buying decreased perceptibly to QR18.57mn compared to QR25.8mn on May 18. The foreign individual investors’ net profit booking eased marginally to QR2.32mn against QR2.5mn on Sunday. The Arab institutions’ net buying weakened markedly to QR0.37mn compared to QR1mn the previous day. The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking was rather flat at QR0.71mn. The main market witnessed a 36% surge in trade volumes to 292.09mn shares and 75% in value to QR732.05mn on more than doubled deals to 32,431. In the venture market, a total of 94,413 equities valued at QR0.26mn changed hands across 16 transactions.

Ankara and Doha need to consider joint issuance of sukuks and their cross-listing on Borsa Istanbul and the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) to attract a broader investor base, according to a top official of Participation Banks Association of Turkiye (TKBB), a public entity with a mandate to represent the participation banking sector both nationally and internationally.Both Turkiye and Qatar should also prioritise Shariah-compliant debt market development, fintech, digital driven innovations, and sustainable Islamic finance; Ismail Vural, secretary-general, TKBB, said in a report of the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC).Turkiye has a well-established sukuk market, ranking fifth globally in sukuk issuance over the past five years, he said, quoting data from London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG).Enhancing co-operation in this area, he said, can create new opportunities for financing large-scale infrastructure, energy, and trade projects."Joint sukuk issuances can provide a powerful financing tool, while cross-listing sukuk on both Borsa Istanbul and the QSE can attract a broader investor base," Vural said.Additionally, he said, regulatory harmonisation between the two countries would facilitate seamless cross-border sukuk deals, further strengthening the market."To strengthen collaboration in Islamic finance over the next five years, Turkiye and Qatar may prioritise sukuk market development, fintech- digital driven innovations, and sustainable Islamic finance," according to him.Finding that fintech and digital Islamic banking are also set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of financial collaboration; he said blockchain-based Islamic finance solutions, such as smart contracts, can improve the efficiency and security of Shariah-compliant transactions.With two digital participation banks already operating in Turkiye, supporting digital-only Islamic banks and fintech startups will enhance access to mobile-based participation banking services and promote greater financial inclusion, he said."Additionally, the development of seamless, Shariah-compliant cross-border digital payment systems will further deepen financial ties between Turkiye and Qatar," he added.Sustainable Islamic finance is emerging as a key priority, and stronger collaboration between Turkiye and Qatar can accelerate progress in this field, Vural said.Developing innovative Islamic banking products that integrate both Shariah principles and ESG (environment, social and governance) considerations will be vital for the future of the sector, according to him.Turkiye’s participation banking sector, led by TKBB, has already placed sustainability at the centre of its strategy, taking significant steps to promote ESG-aligned financial practices."Strengthening collaboration between Turkiye and Qatar in this area will further leverage Islamic finance for the achievement of SDGs (sustainable development goals) and drive meaningful progress in sustainable finance," he said."By focusing on these strategic areas, Turkiye and Qatar can reinforce their leadership in Islamic finance, foster deeper economic co-operation, and promote sustainable growth within the sector," he added.The growing collaboration between the Islamic finance of Turkiye and Qatar has "significantly" strengthened sectoral ties and "is fostering financial integration and expanding opportunities for both economies", according to him. In this regard, he cited the signing of a MoU between TKBB and QFC in 2023.Aligned with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, this cooperation presents significant opportunities. Turkiye’s participation banks, with their expertise in export financing and SME or small and medium enterprises support covering 30 industrial sectors, play a crucial role in strengthening financial ties between the two countries, he said.Turk Eximbank, in collaboration with TKBB, has introduced a suite of participation-based financial products, including participation-based receivables insurance, sales financing with profit declaration, interest-free pre-shipment export financing, and interest-free financial leasing."These tailored solutions will contribute to expanding Turkiye’s foreign trade volume and enhancing the global competitiveness of Turkish exporters, including in the Qatari market," he said.

Stronger oil prices had its reflection on the Qatar Stock Exchange, which on Sunday opened the week on a stronger note with its key index gaining more than 66 points and capitalisation adding more than QR3bn.The foreign funds were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.63% to 10,640.71 points, recovering from an intraday low of 10,573 points.The telecom and banking counters witnessed higher than average demand in the main market, whose year-to-date gains widened to 0.66%.More than 69% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR3.41bn or 0.55% to QR628.03bn on the back of small and midcap segments.The Arab retail investors were seen bullish in the main market, which saw as many as 0.04mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.1mn trade across 15 deals.The foreign individuals turned net buyers in the main bourse, whose trade turnover declined amidst higher volumes.The Islamic index was seen outperforming the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Gulf institutions were seen net buyers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index gained 0.63%, the All Islamic Index by 0.81% and the All Share Index by 0.55% in the main market.The telecom sector index shot up 1.31%, banks and financial services (0.72%), realty (0.58%), industrials (0.49%) and consumer goods and services (0.46%); while transport and insurance declined 0.52% and 0.21% respectively.Major gainers in the main market included Lesha Bank, Mannai Corporation, Medicare Group, Inma Holding, Doha Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank, Estithmar Holding, Ezdan and Ooredoo.Nevertheless, Beema, QLM, Milaha, Qatar Insurance, Al Meera, Qamco and Nakilat were among the shakers in the main bourse.In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.The foreign institutions’ net buying increased noticeably to QR25.8mn compared to QR16.87mn the previous trading day.The Arab retail investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR3.78mn against net sellers of QR6.5mn on May 15.The foreign individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR2.5mn compared with net sellers of QR7.72mn last Thursday.The Arab institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR1mn against no major net exposure the previous trading day.The domestic institutions’ net profit booking weakened markedly to QR1.93mn compared to QR9.78mn on May 15.However, the Qatari individual investors’ net selling expanded significantly to QR36.24mn against QR6.47mn last Thursday.The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking strengthened marginally to QR0.71mn compared to QR0.4mn the previous trading day.The Gulf institutions’ net buying weakened considerably to QR5.8mn against QR14mn on May 15.The main market witnessed a 27% surge in trade volumes to 214.34mn shares but on 6% decline in value to QR419.27mn and 31% in deals to 15,435.In the venture market, a total of 25,650 equities valued at QR0.07mn changed hands across five transactions.

Aamal Company has set its eyes on industrial manufacturing, healthcare and other high-growth sectors like maritime and realty, as it seeks to reap advantage of the growth opportunities enabled by the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3)."In Aamal, we are in the real estate, industrial and healthcare. These are the main sectors that we focus on and enhancing investments," Aamal Company vice-chairman and managing director Sheikh Mohamed bin Faisal al-Thani told the media.Highlighting the underlying principle of 'strength through diversity'; he said the company's strategy has always been to diversify investments.Earlier focusing on the real estate investments, he said over the course of a few years, it started looking more at the industrial sector, especially on kind of investments that will cater to the infrastructure projects.Elsewedy Cables Qatar – a subsidiary of Senyar Industries Qatar Holding, one of Qatar’s leading industrial groups, in which Aamal is a 50% shareholder – had been awarded a three-year contract worth QR1.2bn in 2024 by Kahramaa for the supply of low and medium voltage cables within six months of starting production, he said.Since then, Aamal has upped investments in the industrial sector, Sheikh Mohamed said, adding, "We see a great opportunity (in the industrial sector), regardless of some of the projects being completed for the World Cup."Aamal will also take advantage of the investment opportunities in the manufacturing sector under Tawteen programme, he said, adding the opportunities would mostly stem from current and upcoming projects planned in the energy and renewable energy sectors.This includes the ongoing liquefied natural gas projects in the North and South Fields as well as the Al Kharsaah photovoltaic solar power plants, which is expected to contribute significantly to reducing Qatar's environmental footprint, according to its 2024 annual report.About the involvement in the North Field projects, he said Elsewedy Cables is expanding its presence in Qatar's growing oil and gas sector.Doha Cables played a critical role in supplying medium and low voltage cables to key national energy infrastructure projects, including the North Field Expansion - the world largest liquefied natural gas project - supporting Qatar's efforts to increase its gas production capacity, he said.To meet increasing demand in the transmission sector, Doha Cables is investing in new CCV line machinery at its Mesaieed facility. This upgrade will expand production capabilities from 132kV to 400kV, ensuring it can serve the evolving needs of the transmission industry. The new facility is expected to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2025.Aamal Energy was established in 2023 as a fully owned subsidiary of Aamal Company to capture opportunities in the energy, renewable energy and oil and gas sectors.On renewable energy, Sheikh Mohamed said, the company is looking through at some of the projects, especially because of the increased focus now on the development of solar energy. "This is something we see a good potential in Qatar over the next few years," he said, adding it would be on supplying and installing side.On a query whether the industrial sector would also look at the overseas markets, he said Doha Cables has already been exporting to Iraq, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other neighbouring countries and "we are also looking to grow our export business in the industrial sector."Finding budget allocation of QR22bn for the healthcare sector, the board report had said it would help the growth of its trading and distribution division, particularly Aamal Medical and Ebn Sina Medical.Highlighting that one of the important sectors for it is the medical arm; Sheikh Mohamed said Aamal will participate in new hospital projects and the enhancement of existing medical facilities, which require medical equipment, pharmaceutical and related services.With improvement in sea trade links in the region and the Far East, bulk cargo freight services offered by Aamal Maritime are expected to have a strong demand, the board viewed.In this regard, Sheikh Mohamed said the subsidiary is exploring options on adding more vessels to meet the increasing demand “but only after carefully assessing supply chain challenges.”

The US-China trade deal had its overarching influence in the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), which closed this week on a higher note with market capitalisation adding more than QR6bn.The foreign institutions were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index gained 0.52% this week which saw the US President Donald Trump’s historic visit to Qatar.The insurance, industrials and banking counters saw higher than average demand this week which saw the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showcased its bespoke services available for the family businesses to transform into listed companies.The Gulf institutions were seen increasingly net buyers in the main bourse this week which saw the Islamic Financial Services Board view that Qatar offers "significant" growth opportunities for the Shariah-compliant finance industry.The domestic institutions’ substantially weakened net selling had its influence on the main bourse this week which saw a total of 0.26mn AlRayan Bank-sponsored exchange traded fund QATR worth QR0.58mn trade across 73 deals.More than 66% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main market this week which saw as many as 0.01mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR0.07mn change hands across 14 transactions.The Gulf individuals’ lower net profit booking had its marginal effect on the main bourse this week which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.However, the local retail investors turned bearish in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Arab individuals were seen increasingly into net selling in the main bourse this week which saw the Qatar Financial Markets Authority suggest creating a resilient financial sector for long term growth.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices of the main market this week, which saw the Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) sign an agreement to build Ras Abu Fontas Power and Water Facility with a capacity of 2,400 MW of electricity and 110 MGD of water.Market capitalisation added QR6.03bn or 0.97% to QR624.62bn on the back of large and midcap segments this week which saw the industrials, banking and consumer goods sectors together constitute more than 76% of the total trade volumes.Trade turnover and volumes were on the increase in both the main and ventures markets this week which saw an international rating agency Moody’s confirm the credit rating of AlRayan Bank at 'A2' with a "stable" outlook.The Total Return Index rose 0.52%, the All Islamic Index by 0.47% and the All Share Index by 0.79% this week which Moody’s also confirm QIIB’s credit rating at 'A2/Prime-1' with a "stable" outlook.The insurance sector index surged 3.12%, industrials (1.86%), banks and financial services (0.93%) and consumer goods and services (0.28%); while transport declined 0.36%, real estate (0.94%) and telecom (0.43%) this week.Major movers in the main market included Estithmar Holding, Lesha Bank, Qatar Insurance, Gulf International Services, Mannai Corporation, QNB, Alijarah Holding, Dukhan Bank, Qatar Oman Investment, Salam International Investment, Baladna, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Industries Qatar, Qamco, QEC, Qatar Insurance, Barwa and Ezdan.Nevertheless, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, Nakilat, Doha Bank, Beema, Gulf Warehousing and Al Mahhar Holding were among the shakers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value this week.The foreign institutions’ net buying increased noticeably to QR168.97mn compared to QR156.83mn the previous week.The Gulf institutions’ net buying strengthened significantly to QR31.11mn against QR20.26mn the week ended May 8.The domestic institutions’ net profit booking weakened drastically to QR53.08mn compared to QR133.42mn a week ago.The Gulf individual investors’ net selling eased marginally to QR2.42mn against QR3.6mn the previous week.However, the Qatari individuals’ net selling grew substantially to QR109.43mn compared to QR41.31mn the week ended May 8.The Arab retail investors were net sellers to the tune of QR22.71mn against net buyers of QR3.04mn a week ago.The foreign individuals’ net profit booking expanded perceptibly to QR11.68mn compared to QR1.81mn the previous week.The Arab institutions turned net sellers to the extent of QR0.76mn against no major net exposure the week ended May 8.The main market saw 20% surge in trade volumes to 1.09bn shares, 20% in value to QR2.34bn and 9% in deals to 96,142 this week.In the venture market, trade volumes jumped six-fold to 0.12mn equities and value by more than six-fold to QR0.33mn on almost tripled transactions to 42.

Qatar and Malaysia should tap synergies in the Islamic finance to jointly facilitate blockchain-based innovations for smart sukuk contracts, according to a top official of Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) Leadership Council."Fintech accelerator programmes and Malaysia’s regulatory sandbox initiatives could facilitate joint blockchain-based innovations for smart sukuk contracts," Azman Mokhtar, chairman, MIFC Leadership Council said in a report of the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC).This partnership is further enriched by a shared vision for harmonising Shariah-compliant standards and leveraging technology to improve transparency and efficiency in financial transactions and charitable distributions, such as modernising Zakat and Waqf platforms, he said in the Qatar Islamic Finance Report 2025."The synergy between Malaysia’s digital Islamic banking leadership and Qatar’s flourishing Islamic fintech ecosystem suggests a fertile ground for co-developing solutions that address the pressing needs of today while paving the way for a future-ready Islamic finance," he said.In the area of Islamic finance, Mokhtar said the unfolding relationship between Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council or GCC, with Qatar, as one of the key players, is "emerging as a frontier of immense potential."This collaboration is driven by a shared commitment to fostering a robust, sustainable, and innovative global Islamic finance sector, according to him.Mokhtar's comments assume significance in view of the QFC launching its Digital Assets Framework, a comprehensive and innovative regime for the creation and regulation of digital assets in the QFC.Malaysia, with its commanding presence in the global sukuk market -- holding nearly 50% of all global issuances and $329bn in outstanding sukuk as of 2024 -- and Qatar, with its pioneering efforts in integrating ESG (environment, social and governance) principles, including the $467mn Al Kharsaah Solar Plant, possesses unique strengths."When combined, these strengths offer unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation," he said.Such a collaborative endeavour has the potential to achieve "significant" milestones, including advancements in green sukuk frameworks to tap into the ESG investment market, which is projected to reach $50tn by 2025.Additionally, he said, the exploration of blockchain technology for financial services underscores the potential to not only enhance financial inclusivity but also drive positive environmental impacts."As we look to the future, it is imperative that our policies and initiatives continue to align with the goal of nurturing a resilient and competitive Islamic finance sector," Mokhtar said.Key areas for us to concentrate on include regulatory alignment to ease cross-border transactions, human capital development, and fostering innovation through technology. "These priorities will undoubtedly propel us towards achieving a more inclusive and sustainable global financial system," he said, adding the collaborative journey between Malaysia and Qatar serves as a shining example of global cooperation in Islamic finance."Steered by shared interests and mutual respect, our partnership not only enhances the economic well-being of our respective nations but also contributes significantly to the global Islamic finance architecture, setting a precedent for future collaboration," he added.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Thursday fell about 19 points on selling pressure especially in the real estate, industrials, and transport sectors.The foreign individuals were increasingly net sellers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.18% to 10,574.59 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,606 points.The foreign institutions’ weakened net buying had its influence on the main market, whose year-to-date gains truncated to 0.03%.About 62% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation shed QR0.94bn or 0.15% to QR624.62bn on the back of microcap segments.The Gulf retail investors were seen increasingly net profit takers in the main market, which saw as many as 0.05mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.13mn trade across 15 deals.The domestic funds continued to be net sellers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The Islamic index was seen declining faster than the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The local retail investors continued to be bearish but with lesser vigour in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index was down 0.18%, the All Islamic Index by 0.25% and the All Share Index by 0.15% in the main market.The realty sector index shrank 1.08%, industrials (0.7%), transport (0.23%) and banks and financial services (0.11%); whereas telecom gained 1.64%, insurance (0.17%) and consumer goods and services (0.14%).Major losers in the main market included Qatar Electricity and Water, Barwa, Ezdan, Alijarah Holding, Estithmar Holding, Dukhan Bank, Salam International Investment, Gulf Warehousing and Milaha. In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Lesha Bank, Medicare Group, Mannai Corporation, Vodafone Qatar and Ooredoo were among the movers in the main market.The foreign individual investors’ net selling grew noticeably to QR7.72mn compared to QR3.06mn on Wednesday.The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking expanded marginally to QR0.4mn against QR0.32mn the previous day.The foreign institutions’ net buying decreased substantially to QR16.87mn compared to QR34.76mn on May 14.However, the Gulf institutions’ net buying increased considerably to QR14mn against QR2.86mn on Wednesday.The domestic institutions’ net selling weakened markedly to QR9.78mn compared to QR13.79mn the previous day.The Arab retail investors’ net profit booking declined noticeably to QR6.5mn against QR11.72mn on May 14.The Qatari individual investors’ net selling eased perceptibly to QR6.47mn compared to QR8.76mn on Wednesday.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net buyers to the tune of QR0.03mn the previous day.The main market witnessed a 23% contraction in trade volumes to 169.12mn shares and 4% in value to QR446.69mn but on 3% jump in deals to 22,508.In the venture market, a total of 3,883 equities valued at QR0.01mn changed hands across four transactions.