Business

CEO of Media City Qatar and member of the Organising Committee of the "Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg" Jassim Mohamed al-Khori said the Forum has directly contributed over QR177.5mn to Qatar's GDP and created more than 900 full-time jobs between 2022 and 2024.This came during a press conference held Sunday to mark the official countdown to the fifth edition taking place on May 20-22 in Doha.Al-Khori added that the event has also delivered measurable results for the nation’s international visibility. In 2024 alone, the Forum reached over 300mn homes, delivered QR67.6mn in marketing value, and contributed to an 18% increase in global positive perception of Qatar.He pointed out that the Forum has succeeded in topping the list of the most prominent global economic forums, becoming one of the largest and most influential events on the international scene, highlighting the most prominent economic transformations taking place globally. Over the course of its five editions, including the current one, the forum has hosted more than 7,500 participants from more than 150 countries. This expansion is accompanied by a continuous effort to attract an elite group of distinguished speakers, whose number has reached more than 350, including heads of state, global CEOs, and founders of major international companies.Al-Khori explained that the Forum continues to set new standards. The 2024 edition marked a significant milestone, with approximately 70% of participating CEOs being female, while 23% of the speakers were female, reflecting the Forum's commitment to inclusive representation and diversity in its presentations.He added that this year's theme of "The Road to 2030: Transforming the Global Economy", will spotlight global economic shifts and the Gulf’s influence in shaping the decade ahead. It also comes at a time when development programmes across the region are entering critical phases, while the forum focuses on the driving forces that will shape the final years of this pivotal phase.Among the speakers at the press conference was Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and member of the Organising Committee Mubarak bin Ajlan al-Kuwari. He said: "Qatar has always believed in the power of dialogue to shape progress. The Forum reflects that belief by bringing together global voices at a time when common understanding is urgently needed. Each edition builds new bridges, and as organisers, we remain focused on creating a space where real cooperation can take root."Al-Kuwari added that the committee is focused on facilitating the process of attracting participants and providing them with the best possible conditions, ensuring they have an exceptional visit to Doha. This will enhance Qatar's standing with them and encourage them to return in the future as tourists or even investors. He noted that the forum is a unique platform for introducing Qatari culture and bringing visitors closer to the local community in all its components.Representative of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and member of the Organising Committee Saleh bin Majid al-Khulaifi said, "The Qatar Economic Forum is where policy, business, and innovation come together to tackle the big questions facing the global economy"."It is a platform for collaboration across sectors and across borders, with Qatar hosting the kinds of conversations that help unlock shared economic opportunity."This year's Forum will bring together over 2,500 global leaders across five key pillars: geopolitics, globalisation and trade; energy supplies and security; technology hype and reality; business and investment outlook; and sports and entertainment. The speaker lineup includes prominent figures such as heads of state, ministers, and CEOs.Some confirmed speakers include HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi; HE the Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari; HE the Governor of the Qatar Central Bank and Chairperson of the Qatar Investment Authority Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud al-Thani; HE the Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah, HE the Chairperson of Qatar Tourism Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, the President of Real Estate Regulatory Authority Khalid al-Obaidli and HE the Managing Director of Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Hassan al-Thawadi.Among the distinguished international speakers are Chair and CEO of ConocoPhillips Ryan M Lance; Executive Vice-President at The Trump Organisation Donald Trump Jr; and CEO, Asset & Wealth Management, JP Morgan Mary Callahan Erdoes, with Elon Musk joining virtually.

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

President Donald Trump’s personal style matches that of the Gulf: He likes straightforward deal-making, directly with a powerful leader, and is comfortable with large investments. He clearly feels at home in the region, which is the destination of his first formal visit abroad since his inauguration in January – not counting attending the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome shortly before. Yet it would be wrong to suppose that the visit to the Gulf in mid-May, which included a visit to Qatar, was mostly about pomp and flattery, or even that it was just about deal-making. There were substantive diplomatic and strategic matters to discuss, while the economic deals involved were substantial. Part of the President’s strategic aim is to reduce the USA’s security commitment and expenditure overseas. For this to be effective, it helps to have reliable partners. The US values the role of Saudi and Qatari leaders in acting as mediators between warring parties in Israel-Gaza, and Ukraine-Russia. In both cases there is little sign of progress, but President Trump is not the first western leader to find progress in such entrenched conflicts elusive. A significant diplomatic headline from this visit has been President Trump’s announcement of an ending of sanctions on Syria, after 45 years – prompting celebrations in the country. This followed the lead of Gulf states in recognising the regime of President Ahmed al-Sharaa who came to power after the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December last year. The announcement came after President Trump spoke with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia. Nonetheless, the trade deals announced during President Trump’s Middle Eastern tour are substantial. Qatar Airways agreed a huge aircraft order with Boeing and GE Aerospace, consisting of a $96bnb agreement to acquire up to 210 US-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines, the White House announced. This is Boeing’s largest-ever widebody order and largest-ever 787 order. In March this year Badr Mohammed al-Meer, the chief executive of Qatar Airways, said that the airline plans to increase capacity from 50mn passengers per year to 80mn by the end of the decade. At the time, he was considering both Boeing and Airbus for new orders. Also on his tour, President Trump visited the Al Udeid US Air Base in Qatar, where he made a speech. Another announcement from the Gulf visit is that Saudi Arabia concluded an arms deal from the USA worth $142bn, in addition to a commercial investment package in the US of $600bn. Also of significance was the strengthening of links between the US and Gulf states in AI and related technologies. Alongside the President’s entourage were the most important business leaders in the USA, including from investment and technology sectors. They included Larry Fink of BlackRock, Sam Altman of OpenAI, Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, and Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia. Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates signed deals giving them access to the advanced chips produced by Nvidia and AMD required for advanced artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Nvidia will sell more than 18,000 of its latest AI chips to the Saudi company Humain, Nvidia’s CEO Huang confirmed during the visit. This is part of a strategic partnership between the two companies. Humain is investing in what the two companies describe as ‘hyperscale’ data centres, intended to be a foundational infrastructure for training and deploying sovereign AI models at scale. The aim is that this will enable companies in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere ‘to accelerate innovation and digital transformation’. The Trump administration has rescinded the Biden-era diffusion rule, which restricted export of high-end chips, including to Middle East countries, with the aim of limiting the potential diffusion of US technology to enemies of the US. This risk has diminished as China’s AI and chip technology is now similarly advanced, so export restrictions would increase the chance that countries would source the technology from China instead. AMD will supply chips and software for data centres in Saudi Arabia and the United States in a $10bn project, according to a joint announcement by Humain and AMD. President Trump and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, President of the UAE, attended the unveiling of Phase 1 of a planned 5GW AI campus in Abu Dhabi, the largest outside the US. From the Gulf states’ point of view, it makes sense to remain allies of the USA, for both security and commercial reasons. There is little of the tensions over trade that characterise the US-China relationship, and both sides see the alliance as bolstering security. It is significant that President Trump made the Gulf states his first destination for a formal visit, rather than western nations such as Canada, Mexico or European countries prioritised by previous US presidents. He did not visit Israel. This shows that he regards the Gulf nations as of fundamental importance in terms of both strategic alliance and economic opportunities. The author is a Qatari banker, with many years of experience in the banking sector in senior positions.

Commercial Bank has partnered with Visa to launch the Visa Installments Solution (VIS) in Qatar.Commercial Bank is the "first merchant acquiring bank globally" to offer this innovative solution for eCommerce through Cybersource, a Visa Acceptance Solutions offering.This milestone allows credit cardholders in Qatar to access convenient installment payment options when shopping online.Visa Installments Solution empowers credit cardholders to split their purchases into smaller, manageable payments. Available to all eligible credit cardholders, this feature is designed to provide financial flexibility, making large purchases easier and more affordable.“This is a landmark moment for us,” said Shahnawaz Rashid, Executive General Manager and Head of Retail Banking of Commercial Bank.“We are excited to be the first merchant acquirer globally to bring Visa Installments to the eCommerce space through our partnership with Visa. It demonstrates our dedication to innovation and delivering world-class financial solutions to our customers.“As more consumers look for flexible payment options, this collaboration offers a secure, seamless way to make high-value purchases more manageable.”"We are delighted to see Visa Installments Solution officially live in Qatar. This is the result of Visa's efforts in line with the Qatari government’s digital commerce agenda to enable local banks and merchants in bringing innovative solutions to the country’s retail sector. Our partnership with Commercial Bank – the first acquiring bank globally to enable VIS for eCommerce through Cybersource, is also a testament to Visa’s commitment to delivering an enhanced digital retail journey for consumers in Qatar who seek financial empowerment and deserve better, more rewarding payment experiences,” said Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Visa’s Senior Vice-President and Group Country Manager for GCC.The partnership reflects the growing consumer demand for installment payment options that cater to their financial preferences. Visa, Commercial Bank, and local merchants are committed to providing cardholders with greater control over their finances through secure, accessible, and rewarding payment experiences.Commercial Bank’s implementation of Visa’s real-time, API-based Installment Solution unites key players in the payment ecosystem, including issuing banks, payment processors, merchants, and payment facilitators.By leveraging this solution, Commercial Bank as an acquiring bank can offer merchants value-added services that help increase sales volume and improve conversion rates.Meanwhile, issuing banks benefit from enhanced cardholder engagement and loyalty, making this a comprehensive solution for all stakeholders in the payments landscape.Qatar joins a growing list of markets—alongside Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the UAE—in adopting Visa Installments, reshaping the checkout experience for online consumers globally.ends

Commercial Bank, a leader in innovative digital banking solutions, successfully hosted the 3rd Qatar Banks Fraud Management Forum (QBFMF) recently.The event brought together senior representatives dedicated to combating financial fraud from Qatari banks, Financial Crimes Compliance department of Qatar Central Bank’s (QCB), payment service providers, and the Economic & Cyber Crime Combating Department at the Ministry of Interior (MOI).The QBFMF was established to strengthen collaboration among banks in Qatar, to combat a wide range of financial crimes through shared insights, coordinated strategies, and unified action.Abdulla al-Fadli, Executive General Manager and Chief Compliance Officer at Commercial Bank, said: “This forum underscores the important role trust, transparency, and real-time information play in staying ahead of evolving global threats. For us, fraud management isn’t just a strategy but a core pillar of our values.“As custodians of customers’ money and personal data, we strive to build a robust anti-fraud infrastructure that ensures long-term safety and security.”On behalf of QBFMF, Abdulla al-Fadli presented a special award of appreciation to Captain Fahad al-Shahrani of MOI’s Economic & Cyber Crime Combating Department in recognition of his outstanding efforts in successfully combating financial crime within Qatar, and specifically, the recent successful dismantling of a criminal network.Salim al-Kuwari, Director of Financial Crimes Compliance at Qatar Central Bank, shared his strategic vision in setting a strong anti-fraud foundation within Qatar’s banking sector.Adding a global perspective, Charles Lobo, Regional Risk Officer at Visa CEMEA, provided valuable insights into emerging payment risks and the measures Visa employs to counter and mitigate these threats.Shivanka De Zoysa, Head of Anti-Fraud Control & Investigations at Commercial Bank, said: “We would like to extend our gratitude to all members and invitees for their participation. The forum reaffirmed our collective commitment to enhancing Qatar’s financial integrity through continued collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility.”

Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali al-Thani, QICCA board member for International Relations, has recently launched his new book "Alternative Means for Resolving Commercial Disputes".In the presence of Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, who is also chairman of QICCA, Sheikh Thani held the launch ceremony during the 34th edition of the Doha International Book Fair, which concluded Saturday.The ceremony was attended by QICCA secretary-general Ebrahim Shahbeck, along with QICCA’s legal advisor, several members of the board of directors of the Qatar Lawyers Association, lawyers, and other stakeholders.Published by Lusail University Press, the book explores key mechanisms for resolving commercial disputes outside traditional courts. It covers negotiation, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration, with detailed insights into their principles, processes, and application under Qatari and international legal systems.It also examines both free and institutional arbitration, the advantages and limitations of each, types of arbitration agreements, and procedural aspects, including how arbitral awards are issued and challenged under Qatari law.

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

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

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

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

Outlining the advantages of converting family entities into listed companies, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has showcased its bespoke services available for them in their transformation journey.A high-level seminar ‘Sustainability in Single Family Offices (SFOs)’ was organised by MoCI where the ministry showcased a set of tailored services, including advisory for transforming family businesses into joint-stock companies and potentially listing them on the Qatar Stock Exchange, a move that would contribute to the deepening of capital markets.The event was attended by Ayed Manahi al-Qahtani, Assistant Undersecretary for Trade Affairs, and brought together representatives of top family enterprises, entrepreneurs, legal and accounting firms, and members of the Qatar Association of Certified Public Accountants.Highlighting the vital role of family businesses in national economy, the seminar reviewed the current landscape of family enterprises registered with the ministry and explored mechanisms for establishing new family entities. Participants examined the advantages and challenges facing family businesses, with a focus on enabling their evolution into joint-stock companies with longer-term continuity prospects.The seminar also discussed the strategic challenges faced by family businesses, the importance of effective succession planning, and the need for institutional governance structures to safeguard legacy and ensure operational resilience. The seminar covered regional case studies in the areas of family enterprises.The event is part of the ministry’s broader efforts to enhance the national business and investment climate. By promoting the sustainability and long-term growth of commercial enterprises, the MoCI aims to enhance investor confidence, strengthen public-private collaboration, and advance the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

The Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA) on Thursday said creating a resilient financial sector is essential to long term growth.Addressing a QFMA conference, its chairman and Qatar Central Bank governor Sheikh Bandar bin Mohamed bin Saoud al-Thani also said the development of Qatar's capital markets is a key aspect of the country's overall financial strategy."We are accelerating our transition towards a diversified, knowledge-based economy supported by resilient, sustainable, inclusive and future-ready financial systems," he said.The central bank collaborates closely with the QFMA to drive forward-looking policies promoting growth, capital formation and innovation, he added.Sheikh Bandar highlighted that strengthening market infrastructure and broadening investment opportunities aim to attract global capital and support the private sector."We seek to ensure stability, foster confidence, and create an environment where investment and innovation thrive," according to him.The QFMA, he said, play a vital role in enhancing the performance of the country's financial markets, providing an attractive investment environment for both local and foreign capital."The QFMA embraces a new era to strengthen both our domestic and cross-border financial ecosystems, ensuring that Qatar remains at the forefront of governance, innovation and sustainable growth," he said.On the Qatar Stock Exchange's upgrade to emerging market status, he said it was a landmark achievement enhancing liquidity and attracting global investors.

HE the Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari met with US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, who is currently visiting the country.During the meeting, bilateral relations and aspects of co-operation were reviewed.The developments in the economy, investment, and trade fields were also discussed.

Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud al-Thani, Governor of Qatar Central Bank and Chairman of Qatar Investment Authority, met Stephen Schwarzman, chairman, chief executive officer and co-founder of Blackstone.During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments in global finance and investment, along with other related topics.

HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, chaired the energy sector’s 25th annual Qatarisation Review meeting in the presence of senior executives and representatives from the companies participating in the Energy Sector Strategic Qatarisation Plan.Al-Kaabi congratulated the participating companies on their achievements throughout the past 25 years and reaffirmed that Qatarisation continues to remain a key strategic objective for Qatar’s energy sector.Al-Kaabi said: “I am pleased to note the dedicated efforts by Qatar’s energy sector to deliver on our commitments. And, on our 25th anniversary, I can comfortably say that Qatarisation has grown beyond being a policy into becoming a transformative force that is enabling more and more achievements across our sector.”The Minister praised efforts to further improve their Strategic Workforce & Qatarisation Planning processes and to ensure that plans are aligned with each organisation’s vision and corporate objectives.He also provided an overview of some of the energy sector’s strategic projects and investments across the energy value chain, which require the development of a workforce that will help maximise returns on those investments.“This is why Qatarisation is an important part of our growth plans, allowing us to ensure a pipeline of national talent that can lead our companies now, and in the future.”Concluding his remarks, al-Kaabi said: “We have never wavered in our commitment to giving opportunities to young Qataris to build rewarding careers and to develop our national competencies in almost every field.”The Minister presented the Annual Qatarisation Crystal Awards, which are given to companies in recognition of their achievements in four categories.This year’s recipients are: Qatalum for ‘Support and Liaison with the Education Sector’, Q-Chem for ‘Supporting Qatarisation’, North Oil Company (NOC) for ‘Support for Learning and Development’, and Kahramaa for ‘Best Qatarisation Progress’.Minister al-Kaabi also presented the Annual Qatarisation Certificates, which recognise companies with the most significant improvements since the previous calendar year in three categories. This year’s recipients are: Oryx GTL for ‘Support and Liaison with the Education Sector’, Qapco for ‘Supporting Qatarisation’ and Gulf Drilling International (GDI) for ‘Support for Learning and Development’.

Qatar’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Qetaifan Projects, which is one of the first real estate development companies to express its willingness to comply with the requirements for implementing real estate development projects.This step is one of the initiatives emanating from Aqarat’s regulatory role in licensing developers and real estate development projects, and promoting the principles of transparency and accountability in the real estate market.Aqarat Chairman Khalid bin Ahmed al-Obaidli noted, “Today, we value the role of Qetaifan Projects as one of the first companies to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to comply with the requirements for implementing real estate development projects and to adhere to the terms and laws of the Authority.“This reflects its professional commitment and keenness to co-operate with the Authority in establishing a regulated and transparent real estate environment.”This step represents an exemplary model for strengthening public-private partnerships, achieving the interests of investors, preserving the rights of buyers, and contributing to the development of a sustainable real estate market in line with the country’s strategic directions and Qatar National Vision 2030. Qetaifan Projects Chairman and Managing Director Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman al-Thani stated, “Since the establishment of Qetaifan Projects, we have been committed to following the best international practices in real estate development, based on our belief in the importance of applying standards of transparency and professionalism in all stages of real estate development, from market research to completion.“Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority is the culmination of this approach and reflects our institutional commitment to this sector in a manner that serves the interests of both investors and consumers.” He added, “We are confident that this co-operation will contribute to establishing greater credibility and transparency in the real estate market, in line with the country’s efforts to advance this vital sector and create a successful investment environment that attracts local and international capital.”Aqarat has affirmed its continued efforts to strengthen partnerships with real estate developers to ensure compliance with market laws and regulations.The Authority also continues its efforts to support real estate projects that meet regulatory requirements.“We call on all developers to emulate these initiatives to ensure a safe and sustainable real estate environment,” Aqarat added.

Qatar and Hong Kong are establishing a framework of co-operation to share sector-specific insights and facilitate market access for businesses from both regions.In this regard, the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and a heads of terms (HoT) with Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL).The signings – which mark a significant step in advancing trade, investment, and financial collaboration between Qatar and Hong Kong – recently took place during the visit of the business delegation from Hong Kong and Mainland China led by John Lee, the chief executive of Hong Kong Administrative Region of China, to Doha.Highlighting that the MoU with HKTDC establishes a framework of co-operation to share sector-specific insights and facilitate market access for businesses from both regions; the QFC said the two parties will also collaborate in organising and supporting trade-related events such as forums and exhibitions, as well as cross-promote initiatives through their digital platforms. The agreement also includes provisions to promote Qatar’s services internationally via HKTDC’s platforms and provide regulatory guidance to Hong Kong companies entering the Qatari market through the QFC.The HOT with HSIL outlines joint efforts to increase market presence through stakeholder engagement and by leveraging each party’s network and platforms. It includes co-operation on potential events and workshops, public education on capital markets, and data exchange. Additionally, the two parties will explore the feasibility of developing and promoting financial indices aligned with their strategic goals.“These partnerships with HKTDC and HSIL mark an important milestone in our efforts to deepen strategic ties with Hong Kong and enhance Qatar’s global connectivity. By fostering greater collaboration in trade, investment, and capital markets development, we are creating new pathways for growth and innovation that benefit both economies,” said QFCA chief executive officer Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida.Dr Peter Lam Kin-ngok, chairman of the HKTDC, said with closer ties established through the signing of MoUs, there will be plenty of room to collaborate between its delegates and the QFC community.His remarks reflect HKTDC’s commitment to facilitating deeper economic engagement and creating mutually beneficial opportunities for businesses in both regions.These agreements underscore QFC’s commitment to expanding Qatar’s global reach and strengthening its position as a hub for capital markets and international business. They also reflect the shared vision of Qatar and Hong Kong to foster long-term collaboration, paving the way for new investment and business opportunities between the two regions.

HE Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud al-Thani, Governor of Qatar Central Bank and Chairman of Qatar Investment Authority, met Elon Musk, Founder of SpaceX and xAI, in Doha, yesterday. During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments in global finance and investment, along with other related topics.

Commercial Bank, a leader in innovative digital banking solutions, has unveiled its all-new Corporate Mobile Banking App, setting a new standard for business banking in the region. This state-of-the-art mobile app has been redesigned to transform how corporate clients manage their financial operations by delivering unprecedented speed, security, and convenience through their smartphones. Commercial Bank has consistently pioneered innovative banking solutions, with this new app representing the latest milestone in this journey. The application enables businesses to execute all critical banking operations remotely, from initiating and approving single and bulk transfers to managing corporate cards and generating official bank letters, all protected by advanced biometric authentication. The Corporate Mobile Banking App’s revolutionary features deliver complete banking autonomy to corporate clients. Businesses can now approve high-volume transactions, process Wage Protection System payments, settle utility and tax payments to the General Tax Authority, generate critical bank documents, and execute instant transfers through Fawran, all through an intuitive mobile interface. Security being a priority, the app also incorporates biometric login protocols and CB Safe ID verification. Commenting on the launch, Fahad Badar, Executive General Manager and Chief Wholesale and International Banking Officer of Commercial Bank, said: “Qatar’s dynamic business environment demands banking solutions that keep pace with commercial needs while maintaining rigorous security standards. This app effectively transforms mobile devices into a comprehensive financial tool, by combining cutting-edge technology with user-centric design to empower businesses to conduct operations with unprecedented efficiency.” The CB Corporate Mobile Banking App is now available for download on iOS and Android platforms.

The 50th annual meeting of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), hosted by Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), yesterday concluded with member states and capital market experts calling for efforts to establish principles that relevant on a global scale and prepared for the future, especially in the digital age.Suggesting that IOSCO must evolve into the leader in building trust within digital capital markets, QFMA chief executive officer Dr Tamy bin Ahmad al-Binali said: “We need to establish principles that are not only relevant on a global scale but also prepared for the future, with a strong focus on protecting investors in every jurisdiction, regardless of size. Let this meeting mark an important moment where we commit to guiding the digital age with courage, clarity, and a united determination.”Highlighting that in 2023, global trading volumes in digital assets reached record levels, with some months exceeding $10tn; he said this trend highlights the rapid changes occurring in the market.At the same time, many financial institutions have reported using AI (artificial intelligence) tools for various market functions, he said, adding regulators are also increasingly adopting AI to improve surveillance, compliance oversight, and data-driven supervision.“These developments are not future trends; they are current realities,” al-Binali said.The three-day meeting discussed key challenges and opportunities in regulating and developing financial markets, and ways to enhance transparency and financial stability regionally and internationally.“Throughout financial crises, systemic shocks, and waves of innovation, IOSCO has remained committed to its mission: to protect investors, uphold market integrity, and safeguard financial stability. Now, as we reach the frontier of artificial intelligence, crypto-assets, and real-time supervision, we are once again called to lead rather than simply react,” al-Binali said.IOSCO has taken significant action by issuing global guidance on the regulation of crypto-assets, decentralised finance, and the responsible use of AI in capital markets, according to him.“However, the work ahead involves more than just creating rules. It is important to focus on implementation and capacity building. Most importantly, we must ensure that investor protection remains our top priority throughout this rapid transformation,” he said.From Qatar’s perspective, the digital transformation is a strategic initiative that is closely aligned with National Vision 2030, he said, adding this vision places digital innovation at the core of a knowledge-based and globally connected economy.The third financial sector strategy supports this vision by highlighting the importance of fintech, digital resilience, and agile regulation.In line with these national strategies, he said the QFMA’s 2023–27 strategic plan focuses on several key areas, including a fintech sandbox, tokenisation frameworks, smart contracts, robo-advisory services, and advanced regulatory technology (Regtech) and supervisory technology (Suptech) systems.“Additionally, we collaborate with regional and global partners to ensure that our frameworks remain adaptive, compatible, and driven by innovation. This approach reflects Qatar’s commitment to leading the way in establishing credible and future-ready digital regulations,” he said.