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The Qatar Stock Exchange on Monday fell about 56 points on the back of selling pressure, especially at the telecom and industrials counters.The foreign funds were seen net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.53% to 10,504.28 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,593 points.The foreign individuals were also seen net sellers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 3.01%.As much as 48% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation was down QR0.43bn or 0.07% to QR621.88bn on the back of microcap segments.The Gulf funds were seen bearish in the main market, which saw as many as 0.1mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.22mn trade across 10 deals.The Islamic index was seen declining faster than the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover fell amidst higher volumes.The Arab individuals’ weakened net buying had its influence in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.However, the domestic funds were net buyers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index shed 0.53%, the All Islamic Index by 0.54 and the All Share Index by 0.38% in the main market.The telecom sector index tanked 1.27%, industrials (0.74%), banks and financial services (0.38%) and transport (0.23%); while real estate gained 0.99%, insurance (0.28%) and consumer goods and services (0.13%).Major shakers in the main bourse included Ooredoo, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Qamco, Industries Qatar, Al Khaleej Takaful, Dukhan Bank, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding and Nakilat.In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Ezdan, Salam International Investment, Doha Insurance, Aamal Company, Doha Bank and Qatar Oman Investment were among the gainers in the main market.In the junior bourse, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.The foreign institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR19.51mn compared with net buyers of QR25.18mn on October 27.The foreign individual investors were net sellers to the extent of QR3.76mn against net buyers of QR5.11mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions turned net profit takers compared with net buyers of QR3.67mn on Sunday.The Arab individuals’ net buying declined noticeably to QR0.78mn against QR3.84mn on October 27.However, the domestic funds turned net buyers to the tune of QR23.82mn compared with net sellers of QR8.42mn the previous day.The Gulf retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR0.58mn against net sellers of QR3.94mn on Sunday.The Qatari individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.29mn compared with net sellers of QR25.45mn on October 27.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the second straight session.Trade volumes in the main market were up 1% to 235.3mn shares, whereas value shrank 7% to QR418.5mn despite 19% higher transactions at 15,020.The venture market saw a 34% contraction in trade volumes to 2.53mn equities, 33% in value to QR5.9mn and 12% in deals to 106.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Sunday opened the week on a stronger note with its key index gaining more than 159 points and capitalisation adding about QR11bn on an across the board buying interests.The real estate, telecom and industrials counters witnessed higher than average demand as the 20-stock Qatar Index shot up 1.53% to 10,559.95 points, although the index touched an intraday high of 10,575 points.The foreign funds were seen net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated to 2.5%.As much as 90% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR10.78bn or 1.76% to QR622.31bn on the back of large cap segments.The Arab individuals were seen bullish in the main market, which saw as many as 0.16mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.36mn trade across 13 deals.The Islamic index was seen outperforming the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The Gulf institutions turned net buyers in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The foreign individuals were seen increasingly net buyers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index rose 1.53%, the All Islamic Index by 1.8% and the All Share Index by 1.45% in the main market.The realty sector index shot up 2.29%, telecom (2.23%), industrials (1.69%), transport (1.41%), banks and financial services (1.35%), insurance (1.28%) and consumer goods and services (0.59%).Major gainers in the main market included Ezdan, Alijarah Holding, Qatari Investors Group, Al Khaleej Takaful, Salam International Investment, QIIB, Masraf Al Rayan, Lesha Bank, Baladna, Meeza, Qatar Investors Group, Aamal Company, Qamco, Mazaya Qatar and Ooredoo. In the juniour bourse, Techno Q saw its shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Zad Holding, Al Meera and Qatar National Cement were the losers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.The foreign institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR25.18mn compared with net sellers of QR49.8mn on October 24.The foreign individual investors’ net buying increased perceptibly to QR5.11mn against QR3.06mn last Thursday.The Arab individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR3.84mn compared with net sellers of QR17.92mn the previous trading day.The Gulf institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR3.67mn against net profit takers of QR6.14mn on October 24.However, the Qatari individuals’ net selling expanded substantially to QR25.45mn compared to QR12.83mn last Thursday.The domestic funds turned net sellers to the tune of QR8.42mn against net buyers of QR81.64mn the previous trading day.The Gulf retail investors were net sellers to the extent of QR3.94mn compared with net buyers of QR2.49mn on October 24.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net profit takers to the extent of QR0.5mn last Thursday.Trade volumes in the main market soared 80% to 233.09mn shares and value by 22% to QR451.29mn, while transactions were down 5% to 12,630.In the venture market, trade volumes more than doubled to 3.81mn equities and value also more than doubled to QR8.83mn on 10% jump in deals to 120.

Qatar will post the strongest growth in road freight in the Gulf region at 35% between 2023 and 2030, according to IRU (International Road Transport Union), which represents the voice of more than 3.5mn companies operating mobility and logistics services in over 100 countries.Qatar had the strongest growth in the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) road freight market in 2023 (6.1% year-on-year); even as the UAE is expected to have the highest growth in 2024 (3.8% year-on-year), IRU said in its briefing 'Road freight and trade in the Gulf Co-operation Council region: Challenges and opportunities'.The size of the GCC road freight market was $22.6bn in 2023, which was 1.2% of the region’s GDP (gross domestic product), the report said, adding it represents 27% of the overall freight transport industry’s gross output and is expected to grow by 22% between 2023 and 2030. It is the second fastest growing mode in terms of market size, after air freight.The UAE has the largest road freight market by size, 39% of the region’s total in 2023; followed by Saudi Arabia (22%), it said, adding Oman has the highest share of road freight out of the total freight transport market, 27% in 2023; followed by Saudi Arabia (22%).Almost all overland freight within the GCC is transported by road. Road freight in the region is projected to continue growing over the coming years, driven by planned infrastructure projects, growing intra-GCC trade, and e-commerce expansion across the broader Middle East and North African region."Current geopolitical conflicts are also boosting road freight demand in the GCC. The ongoing Red Sea crisis has notably impacted maritime shipping, with regional and intercontinental trade being rerouted away from the Suez Canal towards overland or intermodal options," the report said.More than 1mn trucks are in operation in the GCC, a number that increases by 5% to 9% every year, it said, adding the GCC E-commerce sector grew by 7.6% year-on-year in 2023, reaching $23.8bn. "This rapidly growing cross-border sector will boost the need for road freight services across the Middle East and beyond," it said.Highlighting that in terms of the types of road freight services available in the GCC, the full truck load (FTL) and less than truck load (LTL) segments currently constitutes almost half of the total road freight market; IRU said "this will continue to increase due to the region’s strategic position and its free trade zones and economically dynamic cities."Although intra-GCC trade has been growing rapidly, borders have not kept up, it said, adding there are a limited number of border crossing points, many of which have not been significantly upgraded for years.The report also said many GCC-based companies are less digitalised than enterprises in more developed markets, reducing their competitiveness versus international companies.The main trade itineraries within the GCC are UAE exports to Kuwait (17mn tonnes in 2022), followed by Oman exports to Qatar (15mn tonnes) and Saudi Arabia exports to the UAE (13mn tonnes), the IRU said, adding the total value of all these itineraries was $62bn in 2022.

The geopolitical uncertainties was seen playing spoilsport in the regional bourses, including the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), which saw its key index plummet 333 points and capitalisation erode about QR19bn this week.More than 90% of the traded constituents were in the red as the 20-stock Qatar Index plunged 3.1% this week which saw Nakilat and Milaha report net profit of QR1.28bn and QR917mn respectively in January-September 2024. An across the board selling dragged the main bourse this week which saw Vodafone Qatar ring in net profit of QR437.09mn in the first nine months (9M) of this year.The banking and telecom counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure in the main market this week which saw Qamco saw its 9M-2024 net profit at QR427.72mn. The local retail investors continued to be net sellers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse this week which saw Doha Bank report net profit of QR690.4mn in January-September 2024.The foreign funds also continued to be bearish but with lesser vigour in the main market this week, which saw Aamal Company’s 9M-2024 net profit at QR302.41mn.The Gulf institutions remained net profit takers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse this week which saw a total of 0.31mn Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored exchange-traded fund QATR worth QR0.69mn trade across 65 deals.The domestic funds’ weakened net buying had its influence in the main market this week which saw as many as 0.02mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR0.24mn change hands across 19 transactions.The foreign retail investors were seen net buyers in the main bourse this week which saw the banking, industrials and consumer goods sectors together constitute about 72% of the total trade volumes.The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the other indices in the main market this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. Market capitalisation eroded QR18.87bn or 2.99% to QR611.57bn on the back of large and midcap segments this week, which saw no trading of treasury bills.Trade turnover and volumes were on the decrease in the main market this week, which saw a Kamco Invest report that said projects awarded in Qatar grew 57.9% year-on-year to $4.2bn in the third quarter of 2024.The Total Return Index plunged 3.1%, the All Share Index by 3.03% and the All Islamic Index by 2.82% this week, which saw Qatar’s core inflation rise faster than the general consumer price index in September 2024.The banks and financial services sector index plummeted 4.18%, telecom (3.66%), transport (2.95%), real estate (2.13%), insurance (1.58%), consumer goods and services (1.23%) and industrials (1.05%) this week which Akber Khan, acting chief executive officer of Al Rayan Investment, view Qatar’s local currency debt market is expected to gain traction.Major losers in the main market included Alijarah Holding, Ezdan, Qatar Islamic Bank, Gulf Warehousing, Estithmar Holding, QNB, Commercial Bank, QIIB, Lesha Bank, Dlala, Qatar German Medical Devices, Salam International Investment, Widam Food, Baladna, Meeza, Aamal Company, Gulf International Services, Mazaya Qatar, Ooredoo, Vodafone Qatar and Nakilat. In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value this week.Nevertheless, Beema, Al Meera, Qatar National Cement and Industries Qatar were the gainers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.The Arab institutions’ net profit booking grew marginally to QR0.57mn compared to QR0.3mn the week ended October 17.The domestic funds’ net buying decreased substantially to QR207.66mn against QR641.98mn the previous week.The foreign institutions’ net selling declined considerably to QR121.54mn compared to QR204.82mn a week ago.The Qatari individuals’ net selling weakened significantly to QR60.39mn against QR266.73mn the week ended October 17.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking shrank markedly to QR38.75mn compared to QR62.06mn the previous week.The Arab individual investors’ net selling eased perceptibly to QR15.34mn against QR18.23mn a week ago.The foreign individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR27.34mn compared with net sellers of QR85.71mn the week ended October 17. The Gulf retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR1.58mn against net profit takers of QR4.04mn the previous week.The main market witnessed a 29% slump in trade volumes to 638.78mn shares, 33% in value to QR1.64bn and 18% in deals to 59,729 this week. In the venture market, trade volumes grew more than tripled to 7.84mn equities and value almost tripled to QR18.39mn on 64% surge in transactions to 421.

The German-Qatar partnership is set to deepen, with potential growth in shared areas such as energy security, investment, research and innovation, talent development and logistics, according to a joint report of Invest Qatar and the German association for small and medium sized businesses (BVMW).“As Germany continues to seek secure and sustainable energy supplies, Qatar’s role as a key provider of LNG (liquefied natural gas) is set to expand,” the report said, adding the signing of a declaration of intent on an energy partnership in 2022 and the launch of a strategic dialogue in 2023 reflect the growing importance of this bilateral relationship.As Qatar ramps up its LNG production capacity to 142mn tonnes per annum by 2030, it offers Germany a “stable and reliable” energy source, aiding in its efforts to diversify away from traditional energy supplies, it said.Beyond LNG, the two nations share a commitment to renewable energy and sustainability goals.Qatar’s investments in solar power and hydrogen production, as well as its ambitious targets for carbon capture and storage (CCS), align with Germany’s long-term Energiewende (energy transition) strategy to achieve a climate-neutral energy system by 2045.Qatar is a significant investor in Germany, with total investments of about $27bn across various sectors, including automotive, energy, finance and real estate. Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has strategically acquired substantial stakes in key German companies In 2023, Qatar’s exports to Germany totalled $726.2mn.

Reflecting the rising geopolitical tension, the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Wednesday plummeted 158 points and capitalisation eroding about QR11bn with the banks and real estate counters witnessing higher than average selling pressure.The foreign institutions were seen increasingly into net profit booking as the 20-stock Qatar Index tanked 1.49% to 10,415.28 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,619 points.The Gulf institutions were also increasingly net sellers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened further to 3.83%.More than 78% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation eroded QR10.78bn or 1.73% to QR611.48bn on the back of large and midcap segments.The Arab individuals turned bearish in the main market, which saw as many as 0.1mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.25mn trade across 19 deals.The Islamic index was seen declining slower the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The foreign retail investors’ lower net buying had its marginal influence on the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.However, the domestic institutions were increasingly bullish in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index lost 1.49%, the All Islamic Index by 1.28% and the All Share Index by 1.61% in the main market.The banks and financial services sector index plummeted 2.49%, realty (1.62%), telecom (0.84%). transport (0.79%), industrials (0.64%) and insurance (0.62%); while consumer goods and services was up 0.01%.Major losers in the main market included Qatar General Insurance, Ezdan, Widam Food, Salam International Investment, Qatar German Medical Devices, QNB, Qatar Islamic Bank, Commercial Bank, QIIB, Lesha Bank, Medicare Group, Mannai Corporation, Aamal Company, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Estithmar Holding, Mazaya Qatar, Ooredoo and Gulf Warehousing.In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, QLM, Woqod, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Meeza and Ahlibank Qatar were among the gainers in the main bourse.In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.The foreign institutions’ net selling increased substantially to QR64.33mn compared to QR11.07mn on October 22.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking strengthened significantly to QR18.9mn against QR5.17mn the previous day.The Arab retail investors turned net sellers to the tune of QR5.66mn compared with net buyers of QR4.97mn on Tuesday.The foreign individual investors’ net buying weakened marginally to QR6.63mnn against QR7.64mn on October 22.However, the domestic institutions’ net buying expanded drastically to QR53.34mn compared to QR11.36mn the previous day.The Qatari individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR29.01mn against net profit takers of QR5.78mn on Tuesday.The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking eased perceptibly to QR0.1mn compared to QR1.87mn on October 22.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net sellers to the tune of QR0.07mn the previous day.Trade volumes in the main market soared 64% to 178.69mn shares, value by 34% to QR435.18mn and transactions by 35% to 14,578.The venture market saw 212-fold jump in volumes to 6.36mn equities and more than 189-fold in value to QR15.14mn on more than 49-fold growth in deals to 295.

The Qatar Stock Exchange on Tuesday witnessed intense gyrations intraday to finally settle 34 points lower, amid geopolitical tensions in the region.The foreign institutions were seen net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.32% to 10,573.21 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,608 points.The banking, transport, consumer goods, insurance and real estate counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 2.38%.About 77% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR1.41bn or 0.23% to QR622.26bn on the back of small and microcap segments.The Gulf institutions were increasingly net sellers in the main market, which saw 0.03mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.09mn trade across nine deals.The Islamic index was seen declining faster the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decrease.The Gulf individual investors turned bearish in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The domestic institutions’ weakened net buying had its influence on the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index shed 0.32%, the All Islamic Index by 0.41% and the All Share Index by 0.34% in the main market.The banks and financial services sector index declined 0.82%, transport (0.6%), consumer goods and services (0.45%), insurance (0.37%) and realty (0.33%); whereas telecom and industrials gained 0.91% and 0.71% respectively.Major losers in the main market included QLM, Meeza, QIIB, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Qatar Islamic Bank, Masraf Al Rayan, Lesha Bank, Salam International Investment, Estithmar Holding, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Qamco and Ezdan.In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Beema, Industries Qatar, Ooredoo, Qatar Oman Investment and Mannai Corporation were among the gainers in the main bourse.The foreign funds were net sellers to the tune of QR11.07mn compared with net buyers of QR16.81mn on October 21.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking increased perceptibly to QR5.17mn against QR3.05mn the previous day.The Gulf retail investors turned net sellers to the extent of QR1.87mn compared with net buyers of QR0.3mn on Monday.The Arab institutions were net profit takers to the tune of QR0.07mn against no major net exposure on October 21.The domestic institutions’ net buying decreased drastically to QR11.36mn compared to QR52.93mn the previous day.However, the foreign individual investors’ net buying strengthened noticeably to QR7.64mn against QR2.29mn on Monday.The Arab retail investors’ net buying strengthened noticeably to QR4.97mn compared to QR2.72mn on October 21.The Qatari individuals’ net profit booking shrank substantially to QR5.78mn against QR71.99mn the previous day.Trade volumes in the main market tanked 25% to 109.06mn shares, value by 4% to QR325.1mn and transactions by 13% to 11,696.The venture market saw flat volumes at 0.03mn equities but on 14% jump in value to QR0.08mn amidst 45% contraction in deals to 11.

The National Planning Council (NPC) will unveil its strategy for database and statistics by the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024, while it has instituted National Training Centre for Data and Statistics and announced 'Qatar Data Hackathon'."We are currently working on preparing the National Data and Statistics Strategy, which is scheduled to be launched during the last quarter of this year," NPC Secretary-General Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak al-Khalifa told the Second Doha Data Forum for innovation in sustainable development.The strategy would address the pressing needs in the era of the digital revolution, given the pivotal and important role of data and statistics in making informed and sustainable decisions, he said in his inaugural address at the forum, which will conclude today.The proposed strategy, based on developing an integrated system for data management, is not merely a regulatory tool, but rather a comprehensive vision for leading the national data and statistics agenda, according to him."It is a new step towards achieving integration among various sectors and providing the accurate information and data necessary to support planning and development processes, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030," al-Khalifa said.The strategy aims to develop an advanced infrastructure that provides access to high-quality and secure data, while enhancing data governance mechanisms and ensuring privacy and security."This initiative is an open call for innovation, as we seek to enable national entities to provide smart solutions and make the most of modern technologies as artificial intelligence and advanced analytics," he said.On the National Training Center for Data and Statistics, he said through this, NPC aims to develop national cadres capable of exploiting the power of data and statistics and building national capabilities in various data fields.(The centre) will “serve as a station for continuous learning and an incubator for developing advanced skills in data management and analysis, machine learning, advanced analytics, and modern data technologies," he said.Elaborating on 'Qatar Data Hackathon', al-Khalifa said this initiative is not just a competition, but rather a platform to empower young talents and stimulate innovative thinking to find practical solutions to the challenges facing various sectors."Through this initiative, we will work to highlight smart ideas that contribute to improving the quality of life and enhancing performance in various fields," he added.The event is being attended by experts in official statistics, data and environment science, and geographic information technology from Qatar, and from specialised UN organisations such as the statistics division, Unicef (United Nations Children's Fund), Unesco (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), ILO (International Labour Organisation), UNDP (The United Nations Development Programme), WHO (World Health Organisation), UNFPA (The United Nations Population Fund), UN Women, ESCWA, the UK Office for National Statistics, Statistics Finland and GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) Statistical Center.

The Qatar Stock Exchange on Monday fell about eight points despite five of the seven sectors witnessing buying interests.The local retail investors were seen net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.08% to 10,607.09 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,631 points.The telecom and insurance counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 2.06%.About 53% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation was up QR0.19bn or 0.03% to QR623.67bn on the back of microcap segments.The foreign individuals’ weakened net buying had its influence on the main market, which saw 0.07mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.18mn trade across 16 deals.The Islamic index was seen declining faster the main barometer in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The Gulf individual investors’ lower net buying had its say in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Gulf institutions continued to be bearish but with lesser intensity in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index was down 0.08% and the All Islamic Index by 0.22%, while the All Share Index was up 0.02% in the main market.The telecom sector index tanked 1.45% and insurance (0.64%); whereas industrials gained 0.29%, real estate (0.28%), consumer goods and services (0.18%), banks and financial services (0.05%) and transport (0.04%).Major losers in the main market included Meeza, Qatar Islamic Bank, Ooredoo, Ezdan, Alijarah Holding, Dlala, Medicare Group, Baladna, Estithmar Holding, Qatar Insurance and Vodafone Qatar.In the junior bourse, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Al Meera, Salam International Investment, QNB, Al Faleh Educational Holding and Barwa were among the gainers in the main bourse.In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares appreciate in value.The Qatari individuals were net sellers to the tune of QR71.99mn compared with net buyers of QR1.19mn on October 20.The foreign individual investors’ net buying declined noticeably to QR2.29mn against QR7.71mn the previous day.The Gulf retail investors’ net buying weakened marginally to QR0.3mn compared to QR0.76mn on Sunday.However, the domestic institutions’ net buying increased drastically to QR52.93mn against QR8.41mn on October 20.The foreign funds were net buyers to the extent of QR16.81mn compared with net sellers of QR13.14mn the previous day.The Arab individual investors’ net buying strengthened notably to QR2.72mn against QR0.55mn on Sunday.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking fell perceptibly to QR3.05mn compared to QR5.49mn on October 20.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the second straight session.Trade volumes in the main market shot up 89% to 144.78mn shares and value by 94% to QR339.25mn on more than doubled transactions to 13,506.The venture market saw as many as 0.03mn equities valued at QR0.07mn change hands across 11 deals.

The local currency debt market in Qatar is expected to gain traction with more issuers, especially banks, in the pipeline, according to a top official of Al Rayan Investment, a Masraf Al Rayan subsidiary."Between now and the end of 2025, we should have two or three more Qatari riyal sukuk issuances," Akber Khan, acting chief executive officer of Al Rayan Investment, told Gulf Times in an interview.Having debt issued in local currency is an important pillar to the development of any capital market, he said, adding Qatar was 15 years ahead of the region when it began to issue US dollar sovereign bonds and established a yield curve. The proceeds of those bonds were used to build out LNG (liquefied natural gas) infrastructure."After Estithmar, we are working with a second sukuk issuer," Khan said, adding the first issuer of a sukuk in Qatari riyal was a corporate.Estithmar Holding had 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."While risks are certainly very different, the 8.75% coupon is far more attractive than the prevailing deposit rates," he said, adding that with expectations of further cuts in interest rates, demand for this sukuk is set to increase further.QIIB had raised $500mn through sustainable sukuk in the first quarter of this year; the sovereign (Qatar) came out with twin green bonds of $1bn and $1.5bn in the second quarter of 2024, and Commercial Bank raised $265mn through Green bonds in the third quarter of 2024.Khan said that indications are that banks would also begin to issue local currency sukuk. He expects one or two issuances from the local banks in US dollars in the next month as well.Global credit rating agency Fitch had recently said in a report that the bank issuances are expected to continue as they replace upcoming maturities and strive to diversify their funding bases. Qatar’s DCM (debt capital market) reached about $130bn outstanding at the end of first half (H1) of 2024, same as end-H1-2023, with sukuk at 10% (H1-2023: 13%).Qatar’s debt capital market (DCM) issuance is expected to be broadly stable amid the government’s continued debt repayments and limited corporate DCM access, Fitch had said.

The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) has enacted Law No 16 of 2024, which allows single judge hearings, reduces appeal time to 30 days from 60 days and introduces new court fee regulations.The Law No 16 of 2024, issued by His Highness the Amir, amends certain provisions of the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Law No 7 of 2005; which seeks to expedite judicial procedures for resolving disputes with efficiency and quality to ensure litigants' rights, achieve swift justice and reduce litigation time.This comes in light of previous amendments to the QFC Law No 7 of 2005 and Law No 15 of 2021, which amended some provisions of Law No 34 of 2005 concerning free zones. These amendments extended the jurisdiction of QICDRC to include disputes in free zones and appeals against decisions of the Qatar Free Zones Authority.The latest amendment allows single judge hearings. The new law addresses the formation of the First Instance Circuit in the QFC Civil and Commercial Court and the QFC Regulatory Tribunal in response to the rising number of cases. Earlier, these chambers were composed of three judges.Under the new law, each chamber may be composed of a single judge or three judges, as determined by the president of the Civil and Commercial Court, depending on the nature and circumstances of the case.This change is designed to streamline the judicial process and improve procedural efficiency in both the QFC Civil and Commercial Court and the QFC Regulatory Tribunal.The amendment reduces the appeal period for judgments issued at the first instance of the QFC Civil and Commercial Court and the QFC Regulatory Tribunal from 60 days to 30 days. This change aligns with practices in other courts in the state and contributes to achieving swift justice and reducing litigation time.The introduction of new court fee regulations is intended to ensure the seriousness of disputes and deter frivolous claims, contributing to a more focused and efficient judicial system.These laws represent a significant advancement in our legal framework, and QICDRC is committed to supporting the implementation of these laws and ensuring that all legal professionals, stakeholders, and the general public are well-informed about the changes and their implications.Designed to have international standards in dispute resolution, QICDRC is part of the strategy of QFC to attract international business and financial services to Qatar. The judges hail from a variety of civil and common law jurisdictions including Qatar, England and Wales, Scotland, Cyprus, India, Hong Kong, China and South Africa.

Qatar's automobile sector showed demand strengthening in August 2024, as new registrations, especially those of the private vehicles, saw a robust two-digit growth, according to the official estimates.The country's automobile sector witnessed as many as 8,605 new registrations in August 2024, registering 14% and 11.3% growth on annualised and monthly basis respectively, according to the National Planning Council (NPC) data.The review period saw a total of 7,928 driving licenses issued with non-Qatari males constituting 5,738 or 72% of the total, non-Qatari females 1,433 or 18%, Qatari males 489 or 6% and Qatari females 268 or 4%. The total licenses issued jumped 0.6% month-on-month but declined 14.5% year-on-year in the review period.The registration of new private vehicles stood at 6,641; which shot up 27.5% and 8.6% on yearly and monthly basis respectively in August 2024. Such vehicles constituted 77.2% of the total new vehicles registered in the country in the review period.The registration of new private transport vehicles stood at 1,173; which was up 2.6% year-on-year but fell 2.4% month-on-month this August. Such vehicles constituted 13.6% of the total new vehicles in the review period.As many as 54 trailers were registered in August 2024, which zoomed 20% and 3.8% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively. They constituted 0.63% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The registration of new private motorcycles stood at 216 units, which decreased 13.9% on a yearly basis but grew 32.5% on monthly basis in August 2024. These constituted 2.5% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The registration of new heavy equipment stood at 131, which constituted 1.5% of the total registrations this August. Their registrations had seen 47.8% and 4.4% contraction year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in the review period.The new registration of other non-specified vehicles stood at 390 units, which tanked 39.6% on an annualised basis but surged 529% month-on-month in August 2024. They constituted 4.5% of the total new vehicles registered in the country in the review period.The registration was renewed in 72,845 vehicles, which reported a 0.2% rise year-on-year but fell 3.6% month-on-month in August 2024. It constituted 54.4% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The clearing of vehicle-related processes was seen in 133,901 units, which grew 6.7% on a yearly basis, while declined 2.8% month-on-month in the review period.The transfer of ownership was reported in 31,887 vehicles in August 2024, which was down 2.2% and 1.1% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively. It constituted 23.81% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The lost/damaged vehicles stood at 10,940 units, which shot up 222.4% on yearly basis but shrank 8.8% on monthly basis in August 2024. They constituted 8.17% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The number of cancelled vehicles was 3,652; which rose 49.9% year-on-year, even as it fell 5.1% month-on-month in August 2024. They constituted 2.73% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The modified vehicles’ registration stood at 3,256; which tanked 28% on an annualised basis but expanded 3.3% month-on-month in August 2024. They constituted 2.43% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The number of vehicles meant for exports stood at 2,716 units, which zoomed 25.5% year-on-year, whereas it shrank 7.6% month-on-month respectively this August. It constituted 2.03% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The re-registration was done in 121 vehicles, which plunged 11.7% and 14.2% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively this August. They constituted mere 0.1% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.

Robust earnings expectations masked apprehensions over the geopolitical tensions in the region that the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) saw its key index gain as much as 224 points and capitalisation add more than QR14bn this week.The domestic institutions were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index vaulted 2.13% this week which saw Qatar Islamic Bank report net profit of QR3.27bn in the first nine months (9M) of this year.The telecom, banking and real estate counters witnessed higher than average demand in the main bourse this week which saw Commercial Bank report net profit of QR2.34bn in 9M-2024.As much as 65% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main market this week which saw Dukhan Bank’s 9M-2024 net profit at QR1.14bn.However, the local retail investors were increasingly net sellers in the main bourse this week which saw Woqod report net profit of QR771.3mn in January-September 2024.The foreign funds were seen increasingly bearish in the main market this week, which saw Ahlibank Qatar’s 9M-2024 net profit at QR647.15mn.The foreign retail investors were increasingly net profit takers in the main bourse this week which saw a total of 0.17mn Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored exchange-traded fund QATR worth QR0.38mn trade across 39 deals.The Gulf institutions were increasingly net sellers in the main market this week which saw as many as 0.04mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR0.46mn change hands across 38 transactions.The Arab funds were seen net profit takers in the main bourse this week which saw the banking and realty sectors together constitute about 51% of the total trade volumes.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices in the main market this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.Market capitalisation added QR14.36bn or 2.33% to QR630.44bn on the back of large and midcap segments this week, which saw no trading of treasury bills.Trade turnover and volumes were on the increase in the main market this week, which saw Lesha Bank report net profit of QR96.64mn in 9M-2024.The Total Return Index zoomed 2.13%, the All Share Index by 2.12% and the All Islamic Index by 2.03% this week, which saw QSE disclose that it has started publishing daily report on buyback by companies.The telecom sector index shot up 3.88%, banks and financial services (2.56%), real estate (2.18%), insurance (1.98%), transport (1.75%), consumer goods and services (1.13%) and industrials (1.11%) this week which saw Qatar registered a robust double-digit year-year-on-year growth in tourists’ inflow -- especially from the Americas, Europe and Gulf regions this August; as its hospitality sector saw improved room yield, particularly in the four-star hotels and deluxe hotel apartment categories.Major gainers in the main market included Ezdan, Ooredoo, QIB, Dlala, Medicare Group, QNB, QIIB, Masraf Al Rayan, Woqod, Industries Qatar, Aamal Company, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Qatar Insurance, Barwa, Vodafone Qatar, Nakilat and Milaha. In the juniour bourse, Al Mahhar Holding and Techno Q saw their shares jump in value this week which saw Lesha Bank sign twin pacts with Barwa.Nevertheless, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Beema, Widam Food, Qatar German Medical Devices, Inma Holding, Estithmar Holding, Qamco and Gulf Warehousing were among the losers in the main market this week which saw Standard and Poor's (S&P), an international credit rating agency find that sustainable debt issuance from Qatar rose this year; even as the UAE and Saudi Arabia constituted the most of such issuances in the Middle East in the first nine months of this year.The domestic funds’ net buying increased substantially to QR641.98mn compared to QR156.01mn the week ended October 10.However, the Qatari individuals’ net selling increased significantly to QR266.73mn against QR65.98mn the previous week.The foreign institutions’ net selling strengthened considerably to QR204.82mn compared to QR49.95mn a week ago.The foreign individuals’ net selling expanded drastically to QR85.71mn against QR17.11mn the week ended October 10.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking grew markedly to QR62.06mn compared to QR5.09mn the previous week.The Arab individual investors’ net selling expanded marginally to QR18.23mn against QR17.54mn a week ago.The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking rose perceptibly to QR4.04mn compared to QR0.51mn the week ended October 10.The Arab institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR0.3mn against net buyers of QR0.16mn the previous week.The main market witnessed a 7% jump in trade volumes to 897.59mn shares, 26% in value to QR2.45bn and 2% in deals to 72,435 this week.In the venture market, trade volumes grew more than six-fold to 2.48mn equities and value also by more than six-fold to QR6.35mn on more than tripled transactions to 257.

The Qatar Stock Exchange on Thursday treaded a flat path amid selling pressure at the telecom, insurance, real estate and banking counters.The foreign funds were seen increasingly into net selling as the 20-stock Qatar Index settled mere 0.02% lower at 10,733.4 points, but recovering from an intraday low of 10,634 points.The domestic institutions’ substantially weakened net buying had its influence on the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 0.9%.The Gulf retail investors were increasingly net profit takers in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR0.84bn or 0.13% to QR630.44bn on the back of microcap segments.The local individuals continued to be net sellers but with lesser intensity in the main market, which saw .06mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.38mn trade across 32 deals.The Islamic index was seen gaining vis-à-vis declines in the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The foreign individuals continued to be bearish but with lesser vigour in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Arab funds were seen net buyers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index was down 0.02% and the All Share Index by 0.05%, while the All Islamic Index was up 0.02% in the main market.The telecom sector index tanked 1.09%, insurance (0.56%), realty (0.54%) and banks and financial services (0.1%); while transport gained 0.36%, consumer goods and services (0.31%) and industrials (0.2%).About 65% of the trade constituents in the main bourse were in the red with major losers being Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Qatar German Medical Devices, Commercial Bank, Ooredoo, Mazaya Qatar and Ezdan.In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Milaha, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Doha Insurance, Baladna, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing and Vodafone Qatar were among the gainers in the main market.In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares appreciate in value.The foreign institutions’ net profit booking increased substantially to QR83.24mn compared to QR40.93mn on October 16.The Gulf individual investors’ net selling expanded notably to QR2.58mn against QR0.86mn the previous day.The domestic institutions’ net buying decreased considerably to QR148.36mn compared to QR204.15mn on Wednesday.However, the Arab institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.09mn against net sellers of QR0.39mn on October 16.The Qatari individuals’ net selling weakened significantly to QR46.17mn compared to QR100.55mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking shrank drastically to QR9.67mn against QR27.58mn on Wednesday.The foreign individual investors’ net selling eased markedly to QR4.68mn compared to QR22.83mn on October 16.The Arab individual investors’ net profit booking fell noticeably to QR2.11mn against QR11.02mn the previous day.Trade volumes in the main market rose 9% to 189.28mn shares, value by 13% to QR598.58mn and transactions by 25% to 16,309.The venture market saw a 96% contraction in trade volumes to 0.04mn equities, 96% in value to QR0.11mn and 88% in deals to 10.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) will publish a daily report on shares bought back by listed companies.The report – updated daily after trading sessions starting October 17 – will be available in the disclosures section under Shares Buy Back Report on the home page of QSE website.The move comes after the Qatar Financial Markets Authority's (QFMA) decision No (3) of 2024 regarding regulations for share buybacks.The QFMA had in July this year issued 18-point new controls for a company's buyback of its own shares with the intention of selling.These new controls – which stipulate that the company shall be committed to funding buyback transactions from the balance of its voluntary reserves and realised profits and shall be prohibited from funding the buybacks in any other manner – fall within the framework of the QFMAs endeavours to develop the Qatari capital market and bolster investor confidence.These new controls represent a major step towards enhancing investor protection and ensuring market stability, which, in turn, will enhance corporate governance as well as the efficiency of the Qatari capital market.The new controls stipulated that the QFMA and the market shall be notified of the board's resolution to buyback a percentage of the company's shares immediately upon its issuance.The QFMA and the market shall be notified of the board of directors' resolution to buyback a maximum of 10% of the fully-paid issued shares or to purchase the shares in excess of the ownership limit stipulated in the company's Articles of Association within two days as of the date of the issuance of the board of directors' resolution approving the buyback transaction, whilst attaching the documents required by the QFMA to finalise the transaction thereof.The company should complete the execution of the buyback transaction within a period not exceeding six months as of the date of the QFMA's approval.In case the transaction is not completed, the company shall be committed to justify the same to QFMA during the first business day following the end of prescribed period.The company shall sell the repurchased shares after the lapse of the prohibition period and no later than 24 months as of the date of the last buyback. If the selling transaction is not executed within the period, the matter has to be reported to the QFMA for taking appropriate measures.

Earnings sentiments overshadowed the regional uncertainties in the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), which on Tuesday gained as much as 165 points on an across the board buying and capitalisation added more than QR9bn.The domestic institutions were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 1.57% to 10,642.47 points, recovering from an intraday low of 10,480 points.The telecom, banks and transport counters witnessed higher than average demand in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated to 1.74%.More than 80% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR9.26bn or 1.5% jump to QR626.4bn on the back of large cap segments.However, local retail investors were increasingly bearish in the main market, which saw 0.05mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.11mn trade across seven deals.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The foreign institutions were seen increasingly into net selling in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The foreign individuals were increasingly net sellers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index gained 1.57%, the All Islamic Index by 1.29% and the All Share Index by 1.5% in the main market.The telecom sector index shot up 2.36%, banks and financial services (1.79%), transport (1.73%), industrials (1%), realty (1%), insurance (0.999%) and consumer goods and services (0.53%).Major movers in the main bourse included Ooredoo, Qatar German Medical Devices, Doha Insurance, Masraf Al Rayan, Nakilat, Qatar Islamic Bank, Commercial Bank, Doha Bank, QNB, Industries Qatar, Estithmar Holding, Mazaya Qatar, Barwa and Milaha. In the venture market, both Al Mahhar Holding and Techno Q saw their shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, Vodafone Qatar, Meeza, Dlala, Qatar National Cement and Al Meera were among the shakers in the main market.The domestic funds’ net buying increased substantially to QR192.39mn compared to QR46.63mn on October 14.However, the Qatari individuals’ net selling grew significantly to QR77.63mn against QR0.51mn the previous day.The foreign funds’ net profit booking strengthened drastically to QR50.64mn compared to QR24.65mn on Sunday.The foreign individual investors’ net selling expanded markedly to QR27.54mn against QR18.1mn on October 14.The Gulf institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR27.22mn compared with net buyers of QR0.58mn the previous day.The Arab individual investors’ net profit booking rose noticeably to QR7.68mn against QR4.38mn on Sunday.The Gulf retail investors were net sellers to the extent of QR1.69mn compared with net buyers of QR0.42mn on October 14.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the fifth straight session.Trade volumes in the main market grew 22% to 223.68mn shares, value by 96% to QR710.79mn and transactions by 43% to 20,672.In the venture market, trade volumes grew almost six-fold to 1.11mn equities and value almost quadrupled to QR2.56mn on more than doubled deals to 90.

The Arab iron and steel industry, whose production at present is low against global levels, need to reinforce its position on the international front; requiring innovation and investments in advanced technology, HE Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, told the 17th Arab Steel Summit, which got underway on Monday.“This year witnessed a strong demand for steel across the region, driven by big infrastructure projects and a robust real estate market. However, Arab countries produce around 40mn tonnes of iron and steel annually out of a global production of around 2bn tonnes,” HE al-Kaabi told the summit in the presence of Arab Iron and Steel Union (AISU) chairman Awwad al-Khaldi and its Secretary-General, Dr Kamel Djoudi.This (lower production vis-à-vis global output) highlights the challenge to enhance (the Arab region’s) position on the global map and to stimulate the growth of the industry and enhance its competitiveness on all levels, HE al-Kaabi added.Stressing the need to find proper solutions to strike a balance among economic, social and governmental goals, particularly on lowering the carbon footprint, which is the cornerstone of all sustainability strategies; he said Qatar Steel, since 1978, has maintained a low carbon footprint, thanks to the use of the Midrex technology and use of electrical arc ovens, which lowered carbon dioxide emissions to less than 50% of the global average.The Arab steel industry must dedicate special interest to investing in advanced technologies and the innovation culture because the future belongs to those who are able to invest in research, development and AI (artificial intelligence) processes, he said.Finding that the world has seen a rise in demand on iron and steel across the region, owing to mega-infrastructure projects and the booming realty market in several Arab capitals and cities; HE al-Kaabi said the strategic value of the iron and steel industry is rising as the requirements are increasing in order to boost development and advancement.The event, organised by the AISU under the theme, ‘The Future of the Iron and Steel Industry in the Arab World’, saw HE al-Kaabi and al-Khaldi jointly inaugurate the International Iron and Steel Exhibition."The steel industry plays a pivotal role in the economic development of the Arab region. Its importance extends beyond providing a fundamental building material to driving industrialisation, creating jobs, and enhancing energy security. A strong and competitive steel industry is essential for the region's sustainable growth and prosperity,” AISU said.

Seeking the removal of protectionist measures that hinder the growth of steel industry, Qatar on Monday suggested regional integration through more bilateral and multilateral pacts and efforts by Arab steel producers to capitalise on the opportunities in the rapidly growing emerging markets such as Asia and Africa."We are seeing really a very rapid growth in demand in Asia and Africa...This throws greater opportunities for the Arab countries to tap into these markets and to try to optimise the production and qualities of their products in order really to meet the growth in these regions," Sultan al-Khater, consultant to HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry, told the 17th Arab Steel Summit, which got underway on Monday.Apart from tapping the markets, he said, there was a need for additional investments and focus on technology.His comments come amidst an update released by Tthe World Steel Association on short range outlook for 2024 and 2025, which forecasts that steel demand in other emerging economies of the world, such as the Middle East and North Africa and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regions, is expected to rebound in 2024 after a significant slowdown over 2022-23.In this regard, al-Khater highlighted that infrastructure projects in Africa are "tremendous", which offer larger scope for the Arab steel producers.Stressing that energy security is a pivotal element for this industry, he said Qatar has tapped into this field and since the early 1990s, and the country has demonstrated to the world that it can contribute to the ecosystem, growth and development worldwide by producing clean energy.Highlighting that Qatar's industrial and free zones are attracting investors and industries due to the advantage of global access, low cost energy and incentives as tax exemptions and waivers; he said Arab steel producers have to tap into these opportunities and open up to the markets around the region.This came as response to remark made by Joachim Schroeder, chairman and chief executive officer of Research and Consulting Group, that the European steel manufacturers now have difficult time due to energy prices, "which have gone over the roof".Reminding that the trade policy and protectionist measures are hindering the growth of steel and other industries; al-Khater said there are lots of corridors and paths that can be taken to mitigate the negative impacts (of those protectionist measures)."We need to look at increasing more of regional integration and alignments, among countries and steel producers and suppliers by (going in for) more bilateral as well and multilateral agreements and free trade agreements in order to mitigate these kind of barriers," he said, adding the Arab steel producers could benefit from the economic blocs that exist today within the North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf Cooperation Council."There are so many agreements that facilitate the exchange and the momentum that the steel industry needs," said al-Khater.