Qatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo and MAB Kargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo) have announced their intention to launch a Global Cargo Joint Business, which, subject to regulatory approval, will enable the carriers to further enhance existing service level to customers and partners across the global air freight market.The strategic collaboration will bring together the combined expertise and infrastructure of three leading players in the air cargo industry and is aimed at creating significant customer benefits.A streamlined product offering, enhanced connectivity, faster transit times, and new routing opportunities across their combined extensive networks will deliver greater value and service flexibility to customers worldwide. In parallel, the parties are jointly working at developing industry-leading harmonised safety and security standards for their customers.“This ground-breaking trilateral partnership will significantly improve the accessibility and efficiency of air freight, enabling customers to expand their global air freight.“By combining their resources, Qatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo and MASkargo plan to build a truly connected, more agile cargo network that will address the evolving needs of global trade and logistics” Qatar Airways said in a statement.Mark Drusch, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways Cargo said: “Today marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to redefine the global air cargo landscape. This agreement will bring together three strong players to offer unparalleled service and global connectivity, reinforcing our commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence.”David Shepherd, Chief Executive Officer at IAG Cargo said: “This agreement is a testament to our history of bringing businesses together. With years of experience in forging successful collaborations, we understand the real value they bring. This joint business not only unlocks choice and opportunities for our customers but also enhances connectivity for the businesses and industries they serve, further strengthening the role air cargo plays in facilitating global trade.”Mark Jason Thomas, Chief Executive Officer at MASkargo said: "This strategic collaboration marks a pivotal moment for MASkargo and the air cargo industry. We are excited to partner with Qatar Airways Cargo and IAG Cargo to deliver a new era of value and innovation to our customers. By leveraging our combined strengths and expertise, we will provide enhanced service offerings, expanded global reach, and cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving needs of the global market, ensuring greater efficiency and connectivity for our partners and customers.”The carriers expect to implement the agreement in the near future, subject to first obtaining the necessary regulatory clearances.

LuLu Hypermarket Qatar donated QR150,000 to Qatar Charity (QC) as part of its ongoing commitment to humanitarian causes, community support and corporate social responsibility. The contribution was made under LuLu’s annual ‘Shop & Donate’ initiative, specially launched during the holy month of Ramadan, in alignment with QC’s ‘Charity Partner’ (CP) Programme, a statement said.The donation cheque was handed over by Shaijan M O, regional director of LuLu Hypermarket Qatar, to Ahmad Yousef Fakhroo, chief communication officer, at QC. The handover ceremony took place at the LuLu Regional Office in Doha, in the presence of Shanavas P M, regional manager of LuLu Hypermarket Qatar, along with other officials from both organisations.Expressing his gratitude, Fakhroo thanked LuLu Hypermarket for its unwavering commitment to community welfare and social responsibility. He highlighted that the CP Programme is one of QC’s largest initiatives dedicated to promoting corporate social responsibility, offering private sector organisations strategic partnership opportunities to support global humanitarian projects.Fakhroo lauded LuLu Hypermarket’s consistent support for QC’s projects and campaigns, noting that their efforts contribute significantly to advancing community service and humanitarian activities both locally and internationally. In his remarks, Shaijan expressed his pride in partnering with QC, emphasising that initiatives like ‘Shop & Donate’ empower LuLu customers to actively contribute to meaningful humanitarian efforts.He further commended QC for its unwavering dedication to humanitarian and development work, describing QC as one of LuLu’s foremost partners in charitable initiatives. He reaffirmed LuLu’s continued commitment to supporting QC’s various programmes in the future.Over the past five years, LuLu Hypermarket Qatar and QC have built a strong collaboration through multiple co-operation agreements. These include enabling customers to contribute to charitable projects by donating at checkout counters across LuLu stores, promoting QC’s Khair Cards to encourage a culture of giving among shoppers, partnering under LuLu’s ‘Shop & Donate’ campaign to raise funds for humanitarian causes, and formalising a strategic partnership under the CP Programme.

QNB Group alongside Mastercard, a global leader in payment technology, successfully hosted the second edition of the Commercial Payments Forum Qatar, themed "Unlocking the Future of Commercial Payments."This year, the Forum welcomed a larger audience, drawing prominent corporate clients, financial leaders, and industry stakeholders to explore emerging trends, technologies, and strategies shaping the future of commercial payments.Commenting on the Forum, Senior Executive Vice President at QNB Group Retail Banking Adel Ali Al Malki, said: "We are extremely pleased with the remarkable success of this exclusive and unique Commercial Cards and Payments forum in Qatar. QNB continues to lead in bringing innovation, relevance and real value, benefiting our customers to run their businesses more efficiently. Together with Mastercard, we continue to empower businesses with future-ready solutions that enhance operational efficiency and financial agility."Country Manager for Kuwait and Qatar at Mastercard Erdem Cakar, said: "We are delighted to once again collaborate with our longstanding partners at QNB to further fuel the commercial payments landscape in Qatar. Mastercard will continue to deliver innovative payment solutions and share meaningful insights with our stakeholders as we showcase and support Qatar as a thriving economic and business hub."Two keynote sessions headlined the forum, presenting the opportunities available with Artificial Intelligence, Digital Humans, and the Metaverse, examining how these technologies are redefining the global payments landscape. They also delivered an insightful overview of global and regional macroeconomic trends, while also highlighting key microeconomic dynamics within the Qatari market.