Business

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.

Business

Gulf Times

QNB celebrates excellence in ‘Talent Development and Professional Certifications’ for 2025

QNB Group has announced a year of outstanding progress in talent development, professional learning, and capability-building achievements throughout 2025. In alignment with one of the bank’s core values—Fostering Career Development—QNB continues to champion a culture of continuous learning and professional growth across its local and international workforce.Throughout the year, QNB sponsored the completion of several professional certifications across a wide range of specialised fields, including but not limited to accounting, auditing, compliance, risk management, finance, information technology, anti-money laundering, and CIPD. These achievements reflect QNB’s commitment to supporting employees in obtaining globally recognised credentials that enhance their expertise and elevate the Bank’s professional excellence.2025 also marked the successful advancement of participants in the Emerging Leaders Program, who completed a comprehensive development journey designed to strengthen their leadership capabilities and readiness to assume future managerial responsibilities. Their accomplishments underscore QNB’s ongoing investment in preparing high-potential talent for leadership opportunities across the bank.In addition, QNB recognised the achievements of participants in the Kawader Programme, reflecting the bank’s commitment to empowering Qatari talent and supporting the nation’s long-term human capital development aspirations.QNB’s Learning & Development strategy continues to prioritise meaningful, high-impact development opportunities delivered through instructor-led training, digital learning, coaching, and on-the-job experiences. These initiatives reflect the bank’s strong commitment to building a future-ready workforce equipped with the capabilities required to support sustainable growth and long-term bank success.In recognition of the collective effort behind these achievements, QNB also expressed its appreciation to its strategic partners whose collaboration played a vital role in the success of its learning and development initiatives. The bank acknowledged the valuable contributions of the Ministry of Labour, Qatar Finance and Business Academy, HEC Paris in Doha, Qatar University, Doha University of Science and Technology, and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar. These partnerships continue to support QNB in delivering high-quality development programmes, fostering knowledge exchange, and strengthening the professional capabilities of its workforce in line with national priorities and international best practices.

With non-hydrocarbon sector spearheading expansion, Qatar’s GDP growth has been forecast to rise from 2.7% this year to 3.2% in 2026, according to Kuwait-based banking group NBK.

Qatar’s GDP growth forecast to rise to 3.2% in 2026 lifted by non-hydrocarbon sector

With non-hydrocarbon sector spearheading expansion, Qatar’s GDP growth has been forecast to rise from 2.7% this year to 3.2% in 2026, according to Kuwait-based banking group NBK.In its latest economic insight titled ‘Macroeconomic Outlook 2026-2027’, NBK noted that there will be gains, especially in Qatar’s trade and services segments.Tourism stands out, with visitor arrivals and hotel occupancy rates increasing year-on-year, leveraging the country’s FIFA World Cup and events legacy.The outlook is supported by investment and reform momentum under the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), which aims to shift economic growth from the public to the private sector by developing clusters in manufacturing, logistics, and tourism, alongside the LNG expansion plan with positive spillovers.Falling borrowing costs amid monetary easing should also lift consumption and credit demand.Meanwhile, NBK holds a conservative estimate for hydrocarbon sector growth (2.2% in 2026) due to slower LNG train rollout from the North Field East Expansion project, expected in H2, 2026.LNG capacity will rise significantly after that, increasing by 63% to 127mtpy by 2028. Inflation will average just 0.4% in 2025 amid deflation in housing rentals and transportation, accelerating to a still-contained 1.4% in 2026.Higher expenditures and lower energy receipts should see the public finances slip into a modest deficit in 2025-2026 of less than 1% of GDP. This will likely be short-lived as gas production ramps up in 2027, bringing sizeable volumetric gains to LNG exports.Public debt will continue trending lower (to 38.4% in 2026), supported by robust nominal GDP growth.Risks to the outlook include lower energy prices, reflecting a potential global economic downturn, and regional geopolitical hostilities (which materialised for a while in 2025 during the regional war albeit with limited economic impact for Qatar on that occasion).Large sovereign assets, NDS reforms, and a strong track record on project delivery bolster resilience and strengthen the outlook.“Economic growth in Qatar, Bahrain and Oman is forecast to mostly improve in 2026, lifted by looser monetary policy and sustained government reform drives.“A softer oil price environment will weigh on Bahrain’s fiscal accounts, with the deficit on a widening path despite consolidation efforts.“Meanwhile, Oman’s successful reform rollout continues to improve its economic prospects with nonoil growth accelerating. In Qatar, the outlook remains robust with solid non-hydrocarbon sector growth rates and imminent, albeit slightly delayed, inauguration of LNG expansion plants,” NBK said.