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The jurisdiction of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) is expected to extend to Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) and Media City.The country is also slated to see unification of regulatory regime across special economic zones (SEZs) to promote certainty for businesses, according to QICDRC chief executive officer Faisal Rashid al-Sahouti."Currently, the QICDRC has jurisdiction over Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and Qatar Free Zone (QFZ), with the potential to cover other SEZs (special economic zones)," he said in Lexis Middle East Law Alert, a publication from LexisNexis Legal and Professional, a leading global provider of legal, regulatory and business information and analytics.There are currently four SEZs in Qatar: the QFC, the QSTP, the QFZ and the emerging Media City, he said."One of the key roles of the QICDRC is to unify the different regimes and rules in order to promote certainty for business and the consistent application of justice across the SEZs," he said.This is coupled with robust enforcement powers, which help increase investor confidence and promote business practices, which benefit all SEZ stakeholders, the SEZ themselves and by extension, the whole of Qatar, according to him.In support of this, al-Sahouti said in the QFC and the QFZ, which come under the QICDRC jurisdiction, there have been growth, job creation, increasing investor confidence, and a real entrepreneurial spirit in developing."SEZs clearly have a significant role in Qatar’s future growth plans," he said, adding there was a need to improve, promote and invest in SEZs to drive the country towards achieving the aims that are enshrined in the National Vision 2030.The influx of high quality companies and investment into Qatar shows that these SEZs are fertile ground for investment, economic growth and job creation, he said."As we advance, a range of SEZ hubs will help foster investment in advanced technologies in the same geographic area, which in turn will help cross-fertilisation and partnerships," al-Sahouti said.The QICDRC play a "significant" role in strengthening and supporting the benefits of establishing a business in a SEZ, he said.SEZs are bespoke jurisdictions created by Qatar where special business-friendly laws apply. These can include favourable ownership rules, lower taxation and rules allowing full repatriation of profits.He said one of the ideas behind QSTP or Media City was to combine international expertise and investment with local entrepreneurs and local workforce, which therefore also supports three of the four pillars of the 2030 National Vision such as human, economic and environmental development.“The advantage of this approach to development is that it can be replicated on a sector-by-sector basis comparatively quickly, particularly in a country like Qatar, which already has a number of successful SEZs,” al-Sahouti said.The QICDRC – which is made up of a civil and commercial court, along with a regulatory tribunal -- has a panel of judges, who come from as many as 13 jurisdictions across the world, including Qatari judges.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) Monday witnessed foreign funds’ increased buying interests as its key index gained more than 157 points, reflecting the optimism in the.text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[98662]**regional markets in view of the softer-than-expected US jobs data.Stronger buying, especially in the banks and real estate counters, led the 20-stock Qatar Index gain 1.57% to 10,152.13 points.The domestic funds turned net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated further to 4.95%.The Gulf retail investors were net bullish, albeit at lower levels, in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR7.32bn or 1.25% to QR593.35bn with midcap segments gaining the most.The local individuals’ weakened net selling had its influence in the main market, whose index regained from an intraday low of 9,935 points.The Islamic index was seen outperforming the other indices in the main bourse, which saw as many as 0.06mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.45mn trade across 42 deals.However, the Gulf institutions turned net sellers in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Arab local retail investors were also bearish in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index gained 1.57%, All Share Index by 1.29% and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 1.82% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover grew amidst lower volumes.The banks and financial services sector index shot up 2.21%, realty (1.88%), industrials (0.86%) and transport (0.31%); while insurance declined 1.64%, consumer goods and services (0.41%) and telecom (0.39%).Major movers in the main market included Masraf Al Rayan, Dukhan Bank, Barwa, QNB, Qamco, Qatar Islamic Bank, Industries Qatar and Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding. In the venture market, Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Vodafone Qatar, Doha Insurance, Mannai Corporation, Qatar Insurance, Qatar Oman Investment, Qatari German Medical Devices and Gulf Warehousing were among the shakers in the main market.The foreign institutions’ net buying increased markedly to QR29.94mn compared to QR23.54mn on November 5.The domestic institutions were net buyers to the tune of QR11.43mn against net sellers of QR14.16mn the previous day.The Gulf individuals turned net buyers to the extent of QR0.12mn compared with net sellers of QR0.48mn on Sunday.The local individuals’ net profit booking declined noticeably to QR26.86mn against QR37.78mn on November 5.However, the Gulf funds were net sellers to the tune of QR5.58mn compared with net buyers of QR21.59mn the previous day.The Arab individuals turned net sellers to the extent of QR5.36mn against net buyers of QR9.11mn on Sunday.The foreign retail investors’ net profit booking grew perceptibly to QR3.68mn compared to QR1.84mn on November 5.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the third straight session.Trade volumes in the main market fell 8% to 335.31mn shares, while value grew 19% to QR825.21mn and deals by 21% to 25,148.In the venture market, trade volumes more than doubled to 2.38mn equities and value almost tripled to QR3.64mn on almost tripled transactions to 246.

Qatar, which is heavily integrated into world energy markets, benefits from a fixed exchange regime; and interest rates are expected to remain high as the US inflation remains far from being resolved, according to Argentina's former central bank president."For economies like Qatar, which is so heavily integrated into world energy markets, it benefits from having fixed exchange parity," Dr Federico Sturzenegger told Gulf Times in an interview.Stressing that a half of the countries in the world have fixed exchange rate system, he said typically, the countries that have very large trade share, they value a lot for the stability.Fixed exchange has the great benefit that it eases trade, he said, adding the local prices are stabilised with the international prices."The benefits are clearly established and Qatar's economy has been diversifying its economic base so as to not get hit by shocks in commodity prices," according to him.On interest rates, he said the US inflation is far from being resolved. In support of this, he said the US has increased its money supply (M2) by 40% since the crisis and prices by 15%."What I conclude from that is more inflation (is) coming in the US, which is going to force the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates high for some time."Finding that the monetary policy of the US feeds into the monetary policy of Qatar; Sturzenegger said: "If someone expects quick reduction in the interest rates in the US, which would imply a quick reduction in Qatar, I think that is not going to happen.""I wouldn't be even surprised if they (US) need to increase interest rates," he said, adding “with fixed exchange, there is not much Qatar can do, it has to live with high interest rates.”Qatar has so far seen a cumulative 5% or 500 basis points hike in interest rates since January 2022, even as the Qatar Central Bank outlined four major priority sectors that would not bear the brunt of rate hike on their outstanding loans.

Doha's non-energy private sector kept experiencing improved business conditions at the start of the final quarter of 2023 and the 12-month outlook remained “upbeat”, according to the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC).Output, new orders and employment expanded in October, and profitability improved as firms hiked prices for goods and services at the fastest rate since February; while average input prices fell for the first time in the year so far, according to the QFC's latest purchasing managers' index (PMI)."Business conditions in Qatar's non-energy private sector economy continued to improve moving into the final quarter of 2023, albeit at a slightly reduced tempo," QFC Authority chief executive officer Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida said.The Qatar PMI indices are compiled from survey responses from a panel of around 450 private sector firms. The panel covers the manufacturing, construction, wholesale, retail, and services sectors, and reflects the structure of the non-energy economy according to official national accounts data.The PMI posted 50.8 in October, from 53.7 in September, but the overall growth has been maintained since February, although the headline figure dipped below its long-run average (52.3, since 2017) in the latest period.Business activity among Qatari non-energy private sector firms rose further in October, with firms often reporting higher customer numbers.Output has risen every month since July 2020, except for a brief correction in January following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The overall rate of expansion was the softest in 2023 so far, but construction continued to post a solid rebound in activity.New business increased for the ninth successive month in October, with strong demand at wholesalers and retailers in particular. The overall rate of growth eased since September, however.Non-oil private sector employment expanded for the eighth month running in October, driven by construction firms and manufacturers, who also held the strongest 12-month outlooks for activity in October.Supply chains continued to improve in October, as lead times for inputs shortened for the 18th consecutive month. Purchasing of inputs rose for the eighth straight month, but only fractionally, as firms aimed to stabilise their inventory levels. Input stocks were unchanged since September.The survey found wages and salaries were only fractionally up since the previous month.Qatari financial services companies saw another marked increase in total business activity in October. The seasonally adjusted financial services business activity index posted 58.3, well above the overall private sector figure of 51.4 and a slight improvement on September.Demand was still strong overall and more robust than the non-energy sector average. Meanwhile, employment at financial services firms rose for the seventh month running, it said."Data on financial services suggested the sector continued to outperform the wider economy in October," al-Jaida said.

An across the board buying, particularly in the consumer goods and industrials sectors, led the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) gain 283 points and its key index inched towards.text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[98329]**10,000 levels, and capitalisation add more than QR14bn. Reflecting last week’s sentiments after the US Fed maintained status quo on the benchmark rate and the softened US job data, the 20-stock Qatar Index sustained its bullish momentum for the sixth straight session as it soared 2.91% to 9,995.11 points.The foreign institutions turned net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated further to 6.42%.As much as 80% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR14.25bn or 2.49% to QR586.03bn with large and midcap segments gaining the most.The Gulf institutions were increasingly bearish in the main market, whose index regained from an intraday low of 9,751 points.The Islamic index was seen outperforming the other indices in the main bourse, which saw as many as 0.04mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.25mn trade across 30 deals.The Arab individuals turned net buyers in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.However, the local retail investors were increasingly net sellers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index gained 2.91%, All Share Index by 2.68% and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 3.33% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The consumer goods and services sector index shot up 5.89%, industrials (3.95%), telecom (2.26%), banks and financial services (2.22%), real estate (1.77%), insurance (0.97%) and transport (0.89%).Major movers in the main market included Woqod, Salam International Investment, Industries Qatar, Doha Bank, Qamco, Masraf Al Rayan, QNB, Dukhan Bank, Qatar Electricity and Water, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Mazaya Qatar, Barwa and Vodafone Qatar. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their equities appreciate in value.Nevertheless, Ahlibank Qatar, Meeza, QLM, Al Khaleej Takaful, Gulf Warehousing and Nakilat were among the shakers in the main market.The foreign institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR23.54mn against net sellers of QR5.42mn on November 2.The Gulf institutions’ net buying increased marginally to QR21.59mn compared to QR21.23mn the previous trading day.The Arab individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR9.11mn against net profit takers of QR6mn last Thursday.However, the local individuals’ net selling strengthened substantially to QR37.78mn compared to QR7.8mn on November 2.The domestic institutions’ net selling expanded considerably to QR14.16mn against QR1.64mn the previous trading day.The foreign retail investors’ net profit booking grew marginally to QR1.84mn compared to QR1.79mn last Thursday.The Gulf individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR1.84mn against net buyers of QR1.4mn on November 2.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the second straight session.Trade volumes in the main market soared 30% to 362.95mn shares, value by 21% to QR691.85mn and deals by 4% to 20,736.The venture market witnessed 25% contraction in trade volumes to 1mn equities, 31% in value to QR1.23mn and 32% in transactions to 84.

A stronger monthly double-digit growth in sales of private vehicles and motorcycles as well as trailers led Qatar's automobile sector traverse in top gear this September, according to the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA).The country witnessed 8,446 new vehicles registered in September 2023, expanding 11.9% and 0.9% month-on-month and year-on-year respectively in the review period.The number of driving licences however saw a 1.1% month-on-month decline to 9,187 in September 2023 with those issued to Qatari females and non-Qatari males clocking 7.8% and 2.4% contraction; even as those to Qatari males and non-Qatari females reported 7.9% and 5.1% growth respectively.The registration of new private vehicles stood at 6,074; which surged 16.6% and 13.9% on a monthly and yearly basis respectively in September 2023. Such vehicles constituted 72% of the total new vehicles registered in the country in the review period.The registration of new private transport vehicles stood at 1,053; which nevertheless fell 7.9% and 36.1% month-on-month and year-on-year respectively in September 2023. Such vehicles constituted 12% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The registration of new private motorcycles stood at 299 units, which soared 19.1% on a monthly basis but plummeted 50.5% year-on-year in September 2023. These constituted 3% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The registration of new heavy equipment stood at 154, which constituted 2% of the total registrations this September. Their registrations had seen 38.6% and 22.6% shrinkage on monthly and annualised basis respectively in the review period.As many as 54 trailers were registered in September 2023, which zoomed 20% month-on-month but tanked 34.9% year-on-year. These constituted 1% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The new registration of other non-specified vehicles stood at 812 units, which soared 25.7% and 61.8% on monthly and yearly basis respectively this September. These constituted 10% of the total new vehicles registered in the country in the review period.The clearing of vehicle-related processes stood at 123,044 units, which was down 1.9% and 2% on a monthly and yearly basis respectively in the review period.The renewal of registration was reported in 70,539 units, which saw 3% contraction month-on-month but grew 7.2% year-on-year in September 2023. It constituted 57% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The transfer of ownership was seen in 32,435 vehicles in September 2023, which fell 0.5% and 3.1% on a monthly and annualised basis respectively. It constituted 26% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The modified vehicles’ registration stood at 3,855; which shrank 14.7% and 28.2% month-on-month and year-on-year respectively in September 2023. They constituted 3% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The number of lost/damaged vehicles stood at 3,389 units, which was down 0.1% and 56.5% on a monthly and yearly basis respectively in September 2023. They constituted 3% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The number of cancelled vehicles was 2,658; surging 9.1% month-on-month but declined 17.2% on an annualised basis in September 2023. They constituted 2% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The number of vehicles meant for exports stood at 1,655 units, which plunged 23.5% month-on-month but shot up 10.2% year-on-year in September 2023. It constituted 1% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The re-registration was done in 177 vehicles, which expanded 28.5% and 41.9% month-on-month and year-on-year respectively in September 2023.

The US Federal Reserve's decision to pause rate hike and the expectations regarding it had their reflection on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), which saw its key index amass 393 points in key index and add QR21bn in capitalisation this week.An across the board buying - particularly in telecom, transport, real estate and banking sectors – led the 20-stock Qatar Index surge 4.22% this week which saw the QSE-listed companies report a total net profit of QR37.42bn in the first nine months (9M) of this year.More than 86% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main market this week which the QSE disclose that it will move to a shorter settlement period of ‘T+2’ from ‘T+3’, effective from January 2, 2024.The Arab retail investors were seen net buyers in the main bourse this week which saw Qatari Investors Group enter into a pact with Electronic Recycling Factory.The Gulf individuals turned bullish in the main market this week which saw Qatar National Cement sell its dysfunctional Plant 1 to Arab International Metal Trading Company for QR10mn.The Arab funds were seen net buyers, albeit at lower levels, in the main bourse this week which saw Qatar’s maritime sector see a 39% year-on-year jump in transshipment volumes in October 2023.The domestic institutions continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main market this week, which saw Qatari Cinema and Film Distribution announce plans to open a new cinema hall in Al Thumama Mall.The local retail investors were also net buyers but with lesser vigour in the main bourse this week which saw Ooredoo report QR2.66bn net profit in 9M-2023.The Islamic index outperformed the other indices in the main market this week which saw a total of 0.03mn Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored exchange-traded fund QATR worth QR0.07mn trade across 21 deals.The foreign institutions were seen increasingly into net selling in the main bourse this week which saw as many as 0.07mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR0.66mn change hands across 61 transactions.Market capitalisation was seen expanding QR21.29bn or 3.87% to QR571.78bn on the back of large and midcap segments this week which saw the industrials and banks together constitute more than 52% of the total trade volume in the main market.Trade volumes and turnover were on the increase in both the main bourse and venture market this week which saw Qatar Insurance and Gulf International Services report net profit of QR446.29mn and QR414.61mn respectively in 9M-2023.The Total Return Index zoomed 4.22%, the All Share Index by 3.91% and the All Islamic Index by 4.54% this week, which saw as many as 0.13mn sovereign bonds valued at QR1.29bn trade across three transactions.The telecom sector soared 9.59%, transport (6.95%), realty (6.16%), banks and financial services (4.47%), insurance (2.58%), consumer goods and services (2.43%) and industrials (0.43%) this week which saw no trading of treasury bills.Major gainers in the main market included Widam food, Salam International Investment, Alijarah Holding, Mazaya Qatar, Commercial Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank, Masraf Al Rayan, Baladna, Dlala, Gulf International Services, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Qamco, Estithmar Holding, Ezdan, Ooredoo and Nakilat. In the venture market, Mahhar Holding saw its shares appreciate in value this week.Nevertheless, QLM, Beema, Industries Qatar, Aamal Company and Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance were among the shakers in the main bourse. In the juniour bourse, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares depreciate in value this week.The Gulf institutions’ net buying increased substantially to QR76.44mn compared to QR14.97mn the week ended October 26.The Arab individual investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR8.67mn against net profit takers of QR3.98mn a week ago.The Gulf retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR2.84mn compared with net sellers of QR2.71mn the previous week.The Arab funds turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.03mn against net sellers of QR0.05mn the week ended October 26.However, the foreign funds’ net selling grew considerably to QR147.56mn compared to QR113.43mn a week ago.The foreign individuals’ net profit booking strengthened markedly to QR4.24mn against QR0.4mn a week ago.The domestic institutions’ net buying decreased significantly to QR32.02mn compared to QR67.13mn the week ended October 26.The local individual investors’ net buying weakened perceptibly to QR31.81mn against QR38.46mn a week ago.The main market witnessed a 51% jump in trade volumes to 1.27bn shares, 38% in value to QR2.98bn and 24% in deals to 102,562 this week.In the venture market, trade volumes expanded 16% to 9.88mn equities, value by 20% to QR15.22mn and transactions by 8% to 877.

Qatar's maritime sector witnessed a robust 39% year-on-year jump in transshipment volumes this October, as 118,448 containers and 77,868 tonnes of cargo were handled at the Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais ports, according to Mwani Qatar.As many as 263 ships had called on Qatar's three ports in October 2023, which however was lower by 1.13% and 17.55% month-on-month and year-on-year respectively in October 2023, the official data suggested.Hamad Port – whose strategic geographical location offers opportunities to create cargo movement towards the upper Gulf, supporting countries such as Kuwait and Iraq and south towards Oman – saw as many as 144 vessels call (excluding military) on the port in the review period.A total of 2,320 ships had called on the three ports during January-October this year.The three ports were seen handling 41,959 livestock in October 2023, which showed 46.83% and 90.34% surge on monthly and yearly basis respectively. As many as 387,266 livestock heads were handled by three ports during the first 10 months of this year.The building materials traffic through the three ports stood at 54,679 tonnes in October 2023, which soared 21.3% month-on-month but was down 4.22% on an annualised basis.As much as 455,822 tonnes of building materials were handled by Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais ports during the 10-month ended October 2023.The three ports handled 6,494 RORO (vehicles) in October 2023, which registered an 8.04% growth on a monthly basis but declined 2.49% year-on-year.Hamad Port alone handled 6,483 units in October this year. A total of 66,586 RORO units were handled by three ports during January-October 2023.Qatar's automobile sector has been witnessing stronger sales, especially in heavy equipment, private motorcycles and private vehicles, according to the latest data of the Planning and Statistics Authority.The container handling through the three ports shrank 2.58% and 7.72% month-on-month and year-on-year respectively in October this year.The container terminals have been designed to address the increasing trade volume, enhance ease of doing business and support economic diversification, which is one of the most vital goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030.Hamad Port, which is the largest eco-friendly project in the region and internationally recognised as one of the largest green ports in the world, saw 117,708 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers handled this October. The container volume at the three ports totalled 1.1mn TEUs during January-October 2023.The general and bulk cargo handled through the three ports reported 52.26% and 51.7% plunge on monthly and yearly basis respectively in the review period.Hamad Port – whose multi-use terminal is designed to serve the supply chains for the RORO, grains and livestock – handled as much as 57,297 freight tonnes of breakbulk and 16,289 freight tonnes of bulk in October this year.A total of 1.54mn freight tonnes of general and bulk cargoes were handled by the three ports during the first 10 months of this year.

The Qatar Stock Exchange Wednesday saw bullish momentum for the fourth consecutive session on the back of buying interests, especially in the transport, industrials and.text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[96490]**banking counters.The Arab individuals were seen net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index gained 56 points or 0.59% to 9,579.35 points, ahead of a policy decision by the US Federal Reserve. The Gulf retail investors turned bullish in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated to 10.31%.The Arab funds were seen net buyers, albeit at lower levels, on the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR3.17bn or 0.56% to QR564.81bn with small cap segments gaining the most.The foreign institutions’ weakened net selling had its influence on the main market, whose index regained from an intraday low of 9,471 points although it touched an intraday high of 9,623 points before winding up below 9,600 levels.The Islamic index gained slower than the other indices in the main bourse, which saw as many as 0.04mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.35mn trade across 33 deals.The Gulf individuals continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The foreign retail investors were seen increasingly squaring off their position in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index gained 0.59%, the All Share Index by 0.55% and the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.25% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The transport sector index rose 0.7%, industrials (0.68%), banks and financial institutions (0.6%), telecom (0.52%), consumer goods and services (0.23%) and real estate (0.16%); while insurance was down 0.06%.About 47% of the traded constituents in the main market extended gains with major movers being Al Meera, Salam International Investment, Alijarah Holding, Gulf International Services, Milaha, Qatari German Medical Devices, Widam Food, Baladna, Industries Qatar, Ezdan, Mazaya Qatar, Ooredoo and Gulf Warehousing.In the venture market, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, Qatar Oman Investment, Medicare Group, Dukhan Bank, Vodafone Qatar and Mekdam Holding saw their stocks depreciate in value. In the junior bourse, Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.The Arab individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR5.64mn compared with net sellers of QR7.76mn on October 31.The Gulf retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR0.49mn against net profit takers of QR0.11mn on Tuesday.The Arab institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.03mn compared with no major net exposure the previous six sessions.The foreign institutions’ net profit booking decreased significantly to QR10.49mn against QR54.05mn on October 31.However, the foreign retail investors’ net selling grew marginally to QR2.34mn compared to QR1.98mn on Tuesday.The domestic institutions were net sellers to the extent of QR1.98mn against net buyers of QR28.4mn the previous day.The local retail investors turned net sellers to the tune of QR1.2mn compared with net buyers of QR5.17mn on October 31.The Gulf institutions’ net buying weakened substantially to QR9.85mn against QR30.32mn on Tuesday.Trade volumes in the main market tanked 34% to 171.22mn shares, value by 37% to QR433.13mn and deals by 30% to 16,929.The venture market witnessed an 18% contraction in trade volumes to 1.79mn equities, 12% in value to QR2.89mn and 7% in transactions to 166.

Doha's listed entities reported a cumulative net profit of QR37.42bn during the first nine months (9M) of 2023 as the insurance and telecom sectors witnessed robust expansion in their net earnings, according to the data compiled by the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE).However, the net earnings of the listed companies declined 7.69% year-on-year during January-September 2023 against a 19.29% growth the previous year period, reflecting the challenging macroeconomic environment of geopolitical uncertainties and growing concerns on hawkish monetary policies.The 9M-2023 net profitability contraction was mainly on account of weakened earnings in the industrials, consumer goods and real estate sectors as well as slowdown in the net profit growth in the transport and banking sectors.The banking and financial services, and industrials sectors together contributed more than 77% of the cumulative net profits during 9M-2023.The industrials sector, which has 10 listed constituents, saw a 40.9% year-on-year plunge in net profitability to QR7.01bn against a 24.4% surge in the year-ago period. The sector contributed 18.73% to the overall net profitability during 9M-2023 against 30.06% during 9M-2022.Within the industrials sector, the country’s underlying firms that have direct linkages with the hydrocarbons sectors saw their earnings growth weaken substantially owing to the subdued demand across most commodity sectors.The consumer goods and services sector, which has 10 listed entities, saw its total net profit tank 40.9% year-on-year to QR1.1bn at the end of nine-month ended September 2023 against a 25.78% growth the previous-year period. The sector contributed 2.94% to the overall net profitability in the review period against 4.19% during 9M-2022.The realty segment, which has four listed entities, saw total net earnings decline 4.12% year-on-year to QR1.25bn during 9M-2023 compared to a 12.08% increase the year-ago period. The sector constituted 3.34% to the overall net profitability in the review period compared to 3.3% during 9M-2022.However, the insurance sector, which has seven companies, registered a 334.92% annual surge in net earnings to QR0.85bn against 79.08% shrinkage the year-ago period. The sector contributed 2.27% to the overall net profitability during the review period against 0.43% during January-September 2022.The proposed mandatory health insurance and the substantial expansion planned in the North Field are expected to augur well for the insurance sector in the future, according to reports.The telecom sector, which has two constituents, reported a net profit of QR3.06bn, which was 8.18% of the total net profits during 9M-2023 compared to 6.04% the previous-year period.The transport sector, which has three listed constituents, saw total net profits grow 3.11% year-on-year to QR2.23bn compared to a 18.67% jump during the corresponding period of 2022. The sector's net profit constituted 5.96% to the total net profit of the listed companies during 9M-2023 against 5.48% the year-ago period.The banks and financial services sector, which has 13 listed entities, reported a 4.74% year-on-year jump in total net profit to QR21.94bn against a 4.9% expansion the comparable period of 2022. The sector contributed 58.61% to the total net profits of the listed companies in January-September 2023 compared to 50.46% during 9M-2022.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Tuesday saw strong selling pressure at the industrials and real estate counters but robust buying in the telecom sector led the overall index.text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[96490]**settle marginally higher.The Gulf institutions were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index was up five points or 0.05% to 9,523.53 points.The domestic institutions were also increasingly bullish in the main market, whose year-to-date losses declined to 10.84%.The foreign funds’ weakened net selling had its influence on the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR0.85bn or 0.15% to QR561.64bn with microcap segments gaining the most.The local retail investors continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main market, whose index regained from an intraday low of 9,457 points and it touched an intraday high of 9,597 points.The Islamic index shrank vis-à-vis gains in the other indices in the main bourse, which saw as many as 4,472 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.01mn trade across three deals.The Arab individuals were seen net profit takers in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The foreign retail investors were seen squaring off their position in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index was up 0.05% and the All Share Index by 0.17%, while the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) was down 0.02% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The telecom sector index shot up 4.63%, banks and financial services (0.74%), insurance (0.54%) and consumer goods and services (0.03%); while industrials declined 1.6%, realty (1.33%) and transport (0.43%).Major gainers in the main market included Widam Food, Qatari German Medical Devices, Ooredoo, Meeza, Vodafone Qatar and QNB.In the venture market, Mahhar Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, more than 55% of the traded constituents were in the red with major losers being Al Meera, Beema, Ezdan, Mannai Corporation, Gulf International Services, Doha Bank, Qatar National Cement, Industries Qatar, Barwa, Milaha and Gulf Warehousing. In the junior bourse, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.The Gulf institutions’ net buying increased substantially to QR30.32mn compared to QR15.74mn on October 30.The domestic institutions’ net buying strengthened significantly to QR28.4mn against QR14.16mn the previous day.The foreign funds’ net profit booking decreased noticeably to QR54.05mn compared to QR64.49mn on Monday.However, the Arab individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR7.76mn against net buyers of QR7.53mn on October 30.The foreign retail investors were net sellers to the extent of QR1.98mn compared with net buyers of QR1.87mn the previous day.The Gulf individuals turned net profit takers to the tune of QR0.11mn against net buyers of QR0.03mn on Monday.The local retail investors’ net buying weakened drastically to QR5.17mn compared to QR25.16mn on October 30.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the sixth straight session.Trade volumes in the main market tanked 27% to 259.52mn shares, value by 17% to QR683.18mn and deals by 6% to 24,356.The venture market witnessed a 25% jump in trade volumes to 2.17mn equities, 23% jump in value to QR3.28mn and 16% in transactions to 178.

Ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s meeting on the interest rates, the Qatar Stock Exchange Monday gained more than 159 points on an across the board buying, especially .text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px; }@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;} } **media[95922]** in the realty, telecom and transport sectors. The local retail investors were increasingly into net buying as the 20-stock Qatar Index shot up 1.7% to 9,518.55 points. The Gulf institutions were seen bullish in the main market, whose year-to-date losses declined to 10.88%. About 88% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR10.51bn or 1.91% to QR560.79bn with mid and small cap segments gaining the most. The domestic institutions were seen net buyers in the main market, whose index regained from an intraday low of 9,385 points and touched an intraday high of 9,593 points. The Islamic index was gaining slower than the other indices in the main bourse, which saw as many as 0.02mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.16mn trade across 15 deals. The foreign individuals were increasingly net buyers in the main market, which saw as many as 0.13mn sovereign bonds valued at QR1.29bn changes across three transactions. However, the foreign funds were seen increasingly squaring off their position in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index gained 1.17%, the All Share Index by 1.69% and the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 1.62% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase. The realty sector index zoomed 3.84%, followed by telecom (3.45%), transport (2.71%), consumer goods and services (1.57%), banks and financial services (1.57%), insurance (1.57%) and industrials (1.02%). Major gainers in the main market included Ooredoo, Qamco, Ezdan, Commercial Bank, Masraf Al Rayan, Mazaya Qatar, Gulf International Services, Baladna, Masraf Al Rayan, Nakilat, Widam Food, Qatari German Medical Devices, Mannai Corporation, Qatar Oman Investment, Dlala, Alijarah Holding and Al Meera. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares appreciate in value. Nevertheless, QLM, Lesha Bank, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Aamal Company and Qatar Electricity and Water were among the losers in the main bourse. The local retail investors’ net buying increased noticeably to QR25.16mn compared to QR10.49mn on October 29. The Gulf institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR15.74mn against net profit takers of QR0.7mn on Sunday. The domestic funds were net buyers to the extent of QR14.16mn compared with net sellers of QR6.94mn the previous day. The foreign individual investors’ net buying strengthened perceptibly to QR1.87mn against QR0.01mn on October 29. However, the foreign institutions’ net selling increased substantially to QR64.49mn compared to QR13.13mn on Sunday. The Arab individual investors’ net buying decreased markedly to QR7.53mn against QR9.25mn the previous day. The Gulf retail investors’ net buying weakened marginally to QR0.03mn compared to QR1.02mn on October 29. The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the fifth straight session. Trade volumes in the main market soared 69% to 353.55mn shares, value by 78% to QR826.41mn and deals by 70% to 26,021. The venture market witnessed a 39% contraction in trade volumes to 1.74mn equities, 42% jump in value to QR2.66mn and 40% in transactions to 153.

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Sunday launched digital assets lab, as part of Doha’s efforts to accelerate the development of digital ecosystem and provide a platform for translating innovative ideas and solutions into real-world applications across industries.The lab, powered by the Qatar Central Bank (QCB), is the inaugural programme to be launched under Innovation Dome, an innovative platform that fosters transformative initiatives, aiming to position the country as a leader in the digital realm.The lab will foster open innovation in Qatar through ‘proof-of-concept and proof-of-value’, accelerating the growth of Qatar's digital sector in line with the vision to establish Doha as a global financial and commercial hub by 2030.Within this space, innovation, research, and development are focused on cultivating promising digital concepts within the domain of digital assets and distributed ledger technology. The aim is to transform these concepts into viable cutting-edge technologies that can be practically applied across various industries."This initiative will create a favourable environment for the diversification of digital assets, increasing business competitiveness, and encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation," said HE the QCB Governor Sheikh Bandar bin Mohamed bin Saoud al-Thani.The initiative will also support the development of other economic sectors by leveraging developments in digital technologies across multiple fields beyond the financial technology realm, he added.The launch of the lab marks the commencement of the application process for the inaugural innovation challenge cycle, inviting fintech companies and industry stakeholders to engage in exploration and collaboration.The QFC's initiative is one of the key objectives of the QCB's fintech strategy launched in March 2023 in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, according to him.The QCB has consistently been at the forefront of pioneering initiatives in the financial sector. Its support for the lab reaffirms its commitment to embracing innovative technologies that drive economic transformation.“With the rapid evolution of technology, digital transformation has become a fundamental aspect of every sphere of modern life, from personal interactions to industrial operations and global governance. The establishment of the Innovation Dome, housing the Digital Assets Lab, puts Qatar at the forefront of innovation and on an accelerated path to integrating disruptive technologies into the market," said Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida, QFC Authority CEO.The dome's mission is to foster a dynamic and technologically advanced landscape in Qatar, while the lab will serve as a catalyst for pioneering financial solutions, further enhancing Qatar's status as a prominent global commercial centre, he said.Nasser al-Taweel, deputy chief executive officer and chief legal officer, QFC, appreciated the key entities which invested in developing the fintech sector for their efforts in creating a comprehensive system with robust regulatory and legislative frameworks for digital assets and advanced infrastructure that support and enable companies to enhance their performance and services.Michael Rayan, chief executive officer, QFC Regulatory Authority, said the lab will create a platform for collaboration that is essential to unlocking the potential of new technologies, which will ensure that the transformative innovations establish the trust and confidence among investors and customers."The engagement that the Digital Assets Lab will bring directly with entrepreneurs and the financial sector will also be an important input into our public consultation on the legal and regulatory framework for digital assets, which was issued on October 4,” he said.The framework has been designed to develop a legal and regulatory framework for digital assets through the establishment of a tokenisation framework in the QFC that will provide legal certainty and a trusted technology environment for digital assets.

The Qatar Stock Exchange Sunday opened the week on a stronger note with its key index gaining 40 points on the back of buying interests, especially at the transport, real estate.text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[95601]**and insurance counters.The Arab individuals were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.43% to 9,359.51 points.The Gulf retail investors were also increasingly net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses were at to 12.37%.The foreign individual investors turned bullish, albeit at lower levels, in the main bourse, whose capitalisation was down QR0.21% to QR550.28bn with microcap segments losing the most.However, losers outnumbered gainers in the main market, whose index regained from an intraday low of 9,296 points.The Islamic index was outperforming the other indices in the main bourse, which saw as many as 0.02mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.12mn trade across 18 deals.The foreign institutions’ weakened net selling pressure had its influence on the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The domestic and Gulf institutions were seen net profit takers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index gained 0.43%, the All Share Index by 0.2% and the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 1.16% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The transport sector index shot up 1.69%, realty (1.35%), insurance (0.86%), telecom (0.18%) and banks and financial services (0.07%); while consumer goods and services declined 0.59% and industrials 0.04%.Major gainers in the main market included Masraf Al Rayan, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Zad Holding, Lesha Bank, Gulf International Services, QIIB, Widam Food, Estithmar Holding, United Development Company, Milaha and Nakilat.Nevertheless, Mannai Corporation, Beema, QLM, QNB, Industries Qatar, Woqod, Meeza, Mazaya Qatar and Gulf Warehousing were among the losers in the main bourse.In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares depreciate in value.The Arab individual investors’ net buying increased significantly to QR9.25mn compared to QR0.43mn on October 26.The Gulf retail investors’ net buying strengthened markedly to QR1.02mn against QR0.11mn the previous trading day.The foreign individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.01mn compared with net sellers of QR0.53mn last Thursday.The foreign institutions’ net selling weakened substantially to QR13.13mn against QR69.11mn on October 26.However, the domestic funds were net sellers to the extent of QR6.94mn compared with net buyers of QR25.22mn the previous trading day.The Gulf institutions turned net profit takers to the tune of QR0.7mn against net buyers of QR17.97mn last Thursday.The local retail investors’ net buying shrank perceptibly to QR10.49mn compared to QR25.89mn on October 26.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the fourth straight session.Trade volumes in the main market soared 37% to 209.62mn shares and value by less than 1% to QR465.11mn, while deals fell 14% to 15,274.The venture market witnessed a 4% slump in trade volumes to 2.83mn equities but on 2% jump in value to QR4.61mn and 11% in transactions to 256.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) will shift to a shortened settlement period 'T+2' from the present 'T+3", effective from January 2, 2024, a move that will help investors receive their cash faster and substantially reduce the operational and counterparty risks."During the period from now until the implementation of the shortening process, both QSE and Edaa will make necessary updates to the rules and procedures related to the settlement reduction process," QSE confirmed the date in a communique.The endeavour is to follow the best international practices in the global financial markets in order to provide the best ways and functions to enhance the efficiency of Qatar’s securities market, it said.The settlement cycle has remained at trade date plus three business days (T+3) in Qatar, where the global fund managers have been eyeing the fastest growing economy due to its strong macro fundamentals, especially after Qatar unveiled plans to enhance its liquefied natural gas production to 126mn tonnes per annum by 2027, which offered indirect benefits to the private sector as well.The ‘T+2’ settlement cycle ensures seamless international fund management, which in turn, helps in enhancing the competitive edge of the Qatari capital market, market sources said.In 2014, most markets in Europe transitioned to T+2 settlement cycle, while the settlement cycle in the US is T+2 for equities and corporate bonds and T+0 or T+1 for the money market instruments and government securities, and Hong Kong has 'T+2' cycle.A key industry demand has been to shorten the settlement cycle in view of Qatar having the necessary enablers such as the market and technological infrastructure, especially after trading started in new platform.In June this year, the QSE moved into a new and high performing trading platform built on the same advanced technology used by many global capital markets.A cost-benefit analysis of the shortened settlement cycle has found that major bourses across the world favoured shortened settlement period as it helped reduce clearing and settlement risk as well as the overall costs for the securities' industry, thus making the market safer.The shortened settlement cycle would help improve market efficiency as the reinvestment becomes faster, they said, adding the reduction in the initial margins and the shortened settlement cycle are ought to improve the liquidity.The significant improvements in straight through processing and the underlying technology over the last few years call for a shortened settlement cycle, which at this point of time greatly improves volume and liquidity in the system, market experts said.

The fears of increasing geopolitical volatilities and its wider contagion as well as the US rate concerns had their profound impact on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), which saw its key index plummet 482 points and capitalisation erode QR28bn this week.An across the board selling – particularly in the telecom, consumer goods and industrials – led the 20-stock Qatar Index plunge 482 points this week which saw Industries Qatar (IQ) report net profit of QR3.29bn in the first nine months (9M) of 2023.More than 78% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main market this week which saw a Kamco Invest report that total value of contracts awarded in Qatar reached $2.1bn at the end of third quarter of 2023.The foreign institutions were seen net profit takers in the main bourse this week which saw QIIB and Doha Bank report net profit of QR976.9mn and QR932.91mn respectively in 9M-2023.However, the domestic funds were increasingly into net buying in the main market this week which saw Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding’s 9M net profit at QR848.84mn.The local retail investors turned bullish in the main bourse this week which saw Vodafone Qatar and Ezdan report net profit of QR392.12mn and QR321.02mn respectively in 9M-2023.On the negative side, only below the strong support line at 9,585 points could shift the tone to a deeper bearish move and lead to 9,000 points, a Kamco Invest technical analysis said, adding medium-term and long-term investors can re-enter the market at levels higher than 11,150 points and 11,270 points, respectively.The Gulf institutions were seen net buyers in the main market this week, which saw Aamal Company and Gulf Warehousing register 9M net profit at QR265.44mn and QR167.87mn respectively.The Arab institutions continued to be net profit takers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse this week which Beema report net profit of QR52.93mn in 9M-2023.The Islamic index declined faster than the other indices in the main market this week which saw a total of 0.05mn Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored exchange-traded fund QATR worth QR0.1mn trade across 30 deals.The Gulf individuals continued to be net sellers but with lesser vigour in the main bourse this week which saw as many as 0.01mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR0.14mn change hands across 29 transactions.Market capitalisation was seen eroding QR28.05bn or 4.85% to QR550.49bn on the back of large and midcap segments this week which saw the industrials and banks together constitute more than 60% of the total trade volume in the main market.The Total Return Index tanked 4.92%, the All Share Index by 4.61% and the All Islamic Index by 5.23% this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The telecom sector plunged 6.22%, consumer goods and services (5.99%), industrials (5.3%), banks and financial services (4.37%), transport (3.71%), insurance (3.15%) and real estate (2.19%) this week which saw no trading of treasury bills.Major shakers in the main market included IQ, MPHC, QNB, Qatar Insurance, Ooredoo, Qatar Islamic Bank, Ezdan, Mannai Corporation, Mazaya Qatar, Widam Food, Qamco, Qatari German Medical Devices, Inma Holding, Milaha, Vodafone Qatar, Dukhan Bank and Baladna. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares depreciate in value this week which saw Baladna sign pact with Suez Canal Authority.Nevertheless, Doha Bank, Beema, Lesha Bank, QLM, Qatar National Cement, Aamal Company and Gulf Warehousing were among the gainers in the main bourse this week which saw Mahhar Holding disclose that its subsidiary Petrotec report 45% increase in bookings for locally made products since March 2023 as it views the North Field Expansion with optimism.The foreign funds were net sellers to the tune of QR113.43mn against net buyers of QR59.92mn the week ended October 19.However, the domestic institutions’ net buying increased substantially to QR67.13mn compared to QR37.35mn a week ago.The local retail investors turned net buyers to the extent of QR38.46mn against net sellers of QR23.06mn the previous week.The Gulf institutions were net buyers to the tune of QR14.97mn compared with net sellers of QR43.39mn the week ended October 19.The Arab individual investors’ net profit booking declined considerably to QR3.98mn against QR21.58mn a week ago.The Gulf individuals’ net selling decreased perceptibly to QR2.71mn compared to QR5.343mn the previous week.The foreign individuals’ net profit booking shrank markedly to QR0.4mn against QR3.78mn the week ended October 19.The Arab institutions’ net selling wakened marginally to QR0.05mn compared to QR0.13mn a week ago.The main market witnessed an 18% jump in trade volumes to 842.7mn shares and 2% in value to QR2.16bn but on 2% fall in deals to 82,962 this week.In the venture market, trade volumes were down 1% to 8.51mn equities, while value grew 2% to QR12.64mn amidst 6% lower transactions at 812.

Doha stands out in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) due to its "prudential" measures to bulwark the economy during the challenging times, according to a senior researcher with the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar). "Qatar stands out (in the Gulf region), thanks to prudential measures that have been implemented over the recent years, which have allowed it to have substantial resources to support the economy during challenging times," Gokhan Celik, senior manager, Research and Policy Advocacy, Invest Qatar, said in an article 'Untold story of GCC in IMF's regional economic growth projections'. He said, according to the IMF (International Monetary Fund) World Economic Outlook (WEO) projections, Qatar will maintain a stronger fiscal position compared with its counterparts, as evidenced by the amount of financial assets available for lending. The consolidated projections indicate that, despite the slowdown in 2023, the GCC economy is poised to maintain growth in the following years at an approximate rate of 4%. "A noteworthy upward trend is evident in Qatar’s medium-term projections," he said. The organisation (IMF) expects Qatar’s growth to accelerate with an impressive rate exceeding 6% in 2027, driven by the North Field Expansion, a historical development aimed at significantly increasing liquefied natural gas production. In the GCC, the IMF emphasises the importance of corrective policies in mitigating potential risks associated with the disinflationary process and slowing economies. "Implementing fiscal measures to support economic activity and protect vulnerable segments comes at a cost and not all countries are ready to shoulder this burden," he said. Besides, the IMF highlights the growing concerns on soaring debts and advises the emerging economies to pursue deeper fiscal consolidation. "The positive outlook of the GCC economy strongly relies on the continuation of the structural reforms, which are crucial for reviving medium-term growth prospects, particularly given the restricted policy manoeuvre," Celik said. In 2024, ME&CA (Middle East and Central Asia), is estimated to grow at a slower pace compared with emerging markets, despite the robust performance of the GCC countries within the region, estimated to grow 3.7%, following the emerging markets trend. Within ME&CA, the GCC is included alongside other nations that exhibit diverse economic structures and conditions, he said, adding unlike the other countries within this category, the GCC is expected to perform differently due to dedicated pursuit of economic diversification, an ambitious vision that has been developed over several years. The analysis of aggregate performance of the GCC reveals that the IMF has consistently upgraded the GCC’s longer-term outlook since the Covid-19 pandemic. "The upgrades are primarily tied to the commodity market and, to a lesser extent, development projects. More compellingly, the upward revisions occurred despite unavoidable monetary policy tightening, as the GCC economies are bound by currency pegs to follow the US monetary policy decisions," the researcher said. “As we enter the final quarter of 2023, global economy activity remains slow and falls short of its pre-pandemic trajectory," he said, referring to the WEO projection that forecast global growth to decline from 3.5% in 2022 to 3% in 2023 and 2.9% in 2024.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) Wednesday fell for the second day as its key index was down 20 points on the back of selling pressure, especially in the consumer goods and.text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[94108]**industrials sectors. The local retail investors were seen net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.21% to 9,479.67 points, amidst geopolitical concerns.The Arab retail investors turned bearish in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened further to 11.25%."On the negative side, only below the strong support line at 9,585 points could shift the tone to a deeper bearish move and lead to 9,000 points," a Kamco Invest technical analysis note had said.The foreign institutions continued to be net sellers but with lesser vigour in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR1.44bn or 0.26% to QR560.86n with small cap segments losing the most.The Gulf institutions were increasingly net buyers in the main market, whose index touched an intraday high of 9,559 points.The Islamic index reported gains vis-à-vis declines in the other indices in the main bourse, which saw as many as 0.01mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.04mn trade across 16 deals.The domestic funds were increasingly bullish in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The foreign individuals were increasingly net buyers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index shed 0.21% and the All Share Index by 0.1%, while the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) was up 0.07% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The consumer goods and services sector index tanked 1.56%, industrials (0.91%) and banks and financial services (0.01%); while insurance gained 2.96%, real estate (1.53%) and transport (0.7%). The telecom index treaded a flat course.Major losers in the main market included Industries Qatar, Ooredoo, Commercial Bank, Woqod, Qatari German Medical Devices, Zad Holding and Widam Food.In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, about 59% of the traded constituents extended gains with major movers being Doha Insurance, United Development Company, Qatar Insurance, Gulf International Services, Qatar Oman Investment, Doha Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank, Dukhan Bank, Baladna, Aamal Company, Qamco and Nakilat.The local retail investors were net sellers to the tune of QR7.83mn compared with net buyers of QR8.51mn on October 24.The Arab individuals turned net sellers to the extent of QR4.71mn against net buyers of QR4.68mn on Tuesday.However, the domestic funds’ net buying increased considerably to QR14.83mn compared to QR3.74mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions’ net buying expanded noticeably to QR8.54mn against QR5.08mn against on October 24.The foreign individual investors’ net buying rose perceptibly to QR173mn compared to QR0.34mn on Tuesday.The foreign institutions’ net selling declined markedly to QR12.12mn against QR20.98mn the previous day.The Gulf individual investors’ net profit booking shrank notably to QR0.49mn compared to QR1.35mn on October 24.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the second straight session.Trade volumes in the main market tanked 19% to 147.83mn shares, value by 13% to QR388.87mn and deals by 12% to 15,631.In the venture market, the trade volumes more than tripled to 2.64mn equities and value almost quadrupled to QR3.92mn on more than tripled transactions to 247.