Business

QIIB has reported a 3.2% year-on-year increase in net profit to QR368mn in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026. “The results for Q1-2026 reflect the success of the strategy adopted by the board of directors, which is centered on delivering balanced and sustainable growth, while maintaining a high level of discipline in risk management, particularly amid a global economic environment characterised by volatility and ongoing challenges,” said Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah al-Thani, QIIB chairman. QIIB has maintained a steady and balanced growth trajectory, supported by a favourable business environment provided by the Qatari economy, which continues to offer promising opportunities driven by economic stability and prudent policies, he added.QIIB chief executive officer Dr Abdulbasit Ahmed al-Shaibei said the bank’s net operating income reached QR517mn, a 2.4% growth on annualised basis. The bank continued to strengthen its operational efficiency, with the cost-to-income ratio at 19.4%, one of the most competitive levels in the banking sector. QIIB’s total assets reached QR61.7bn in Q1-2026, representing a 4% growth year-on-year, he said, adding financing assets surged 10.1% to QR43.9bn. Customer deposits rose 3.5% to QR43.8bn. These results reflect continued balanced growth across all key balance sheet components, according to al-Shaibei. Non-performing financing ratio declined to 2.6%, while the related coverage ratio reached 100%, underscoring the strength of the bank’s financing portfolio and the effectiveness of its risk management framework. The capital adequacy ratio, in line with Basel III requirements, stood at 20.8%, exceeding the minimum regulatory threshold and reflecting the bank’s solid capital base. The Q1-2026 results demonstrate QIIB’s ability to deliver stable performance despite global economic challenges, supported by the diversification of its income sources and the resilience of its business model. “QIIB adopts a proactive approach to risk management, taking into account evolving market dynamics while maintaining a careful balance between business growth and asset quality, ensuring the sustainability of its performance,” al-Shaibei said.

Qatar’s real estate market recorded an upward trend in demand and trust indicators between 2024 and 2025, with transactions among Qatari buyers doubling year-on-year, the Real Estate Regulatory Authority’s (Aqarat) top official announced Monday. Speaking at the ‘2nd Qatar Real Estate Brokers Forum’, Aqarat chairman Khaled bin Ahmed al-Obaidli said the performance reflected the effectiveness of existing legislation and regulatory incentives in attracting real estate investment. The forum brought together brokers and representatives of relevant entities to address the profession’s development amid shifting market conditions. It also explored ways to address these challenges by advancing legislation and strengthening professional awareness. It also reviewed the regulations governing real estate financing and their role in organising the market and supporting its stability to ensure balance among all stakeholders. “The real estate brokerage profession is one of the core pillars of market organisation, as it plays a key role in promoting transparency, building trust among stakeholders, and ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory frameworks, thereby safeguarding rights and supporting a stable investment environment,” he stated. Al-Obaidli said, “In line with the authority’s responsibilities, we continue to develop the regulatory framework of the brokerage profession by updating legislation, enhancing workforce capabilities, and reinforcing compliance with professional standards, in a manner that keeps pace with changes and contributes to the sustainability of the real estate sector.” He noted that the authority would introduce a competition to recognise the top three real estate brokers based on professional criteria, including regulatory compliance, professional practice, and contribution to transparency and investment attraction. The initiative, al-Obaidli also explained, aims to motivate outstanding brokers and foster a culture of positive competition, ultimately improving performance quality and elevating the brokerage profession as a key pillar of sector sustainability. The forum also featured a panel discussion between the authority and brokers, during which participants exchanged proposals to strengthening cooperation and improving service quality in the real estate sector. Al-Obaidli pointed out that the forum serves as an institutional platform for exchanging views and discussing challenges, and producing practical outcomes that raise the quality of brokerage services and the competitiveness of the sector at both local and regional levels. He added that forum reflects the authority’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with various stakeholders and supporting the development of the real estate sector in line with its aspirations for sustainable growth, while enhancing its competitiveness and investment appeal at both the local and regional levels.

Vodafone Qatar sustained its growth momentum in the first three months of 2026, reporting a net profit of QR201mn, reflecting a significant 24% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase, mainly driven by continued revenue growth across core services and ongoing focus on cost efficiency. Total revenue for the period increased by 7.1% y-o-y to QR914mn, due to sustained growth across the company’s core business lines, including mobility, managed services, fixed broadband, and Internet of Things (IoT). Service revenue grew by 9.4% to QR787mn. EBITDA for the period exceeded QR406mn, reflecting a 13.4% y-o-y growth, positively impacted by higher service revenue and disciplined cost management. As a result, EBITDA margin improved by 2.5ppts to 44.5%. On an underlying basis, excluding equipment revenue, EBITDA margin reached 50%. Vodafone Qatar is now serving 2.1mn mobile customers. The company generated robust operating free cash flow of QR258mn in Q1, supported by strong collections and disciplined working capital management. Net profit margin increased to 22%, up by 3.0ppts compared to the previous year. This performance translated into an annualised return on equity (ROE) of 15%, an improvement of 1.34ppts, demonstrating Vodafone Qatar’s continued focus on enhancing profitability and delivering sustainable value to its shareholders.

Speedinvest, a globally active European venture capital firm, has unveiled its first flagship fund investing in early growth-stage companies across the Middle East and Africa (MEA).The capital will be deployed across both early-stage and growth-stage opportunities in fintech and embedded finance, including applications in health, climate, AI (artificial intelligence), and consumer sectors, as well as core infrastructure verticals pivotal to the digital economy. The fund -- backed by Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Mubadala Investment Company, the European Investment Bank (EIB Global) -- formalises Speedinvest’s long-standing investment activity in the region and reflects a strategic extension of its European platform. This is supported by dedicated capital, local teams, and long-term partnerships designed to benefit both European and MEA-based startups as they scale globally. Speedinvest recently increased its presence in the region by joining QIA’s Fund of Funds programme, demonstrating its commitment to the startup ecosystem both in Qatar and the broader Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC). “We’re committed for the long haul, deploying patient, sector-focused capital to back visionary entrepreneurs across the Middle East and Africa, while bringing the added benefit of access to our broader global network and European portfolio to help founders build enduring global companies,” said Oliver Holle, chief executive officer and managing partner of Speedinvest. Speedinvest has been an early backer of several category-defining companies across MEA, including Moove, a leading mobility fintech operating globally and redefining access to vehicle ownership for ride-hailing and delivery drivers through its revenue-based financing model, and backed by strategic partners including Uber and Mubadala; FairMoney; Silq; Khazna; Abhi; Mophones; Flow48; Pemo; and Abwab. “When we established our Fund of Funds programme, we set out to attract top global VC funds to bring their knowledge and expertise to Doha and support Qatar’s VC ecosystem as well as startups across the GCC region. We are delighted to welcome Speedinvest to our cohort of partners and look forward to working together towards our shared mission of generating long-term value in Qatar and beyond,” said Haya al-Ghanim, Qatar Funds director at QIA. Ali Eid al-Mheiri, executive director, Diversified Assets, UAE Investments Platform, Mubadala Investment Company, said “the investment reflects our commitment to backing ADGM-anchored managers that support the growth of the UAE and the Mena (Middle East and North Africa) venture capital and startup ecosystem.” “Technology has the power to turn good ideas into real impact. By partnering with Speedinvest, we are enabling African innovators to scale, access new markets, and build sustainable businesses — creating shared opportunities for both Africa and Europe. In a world of fragmentation, we are building bridges,” said Karl Nehammer, vice president, EIB Global.

India and South Korea said on Monday ​that they would boost their economic ‌ties by expanding cooperation in energy, critical minerals, shipbuilding, semiconductors and steel as they ‌seek to double their trade to $50bn by ‌2030. New Delhi and Seoul also agreed to ‌resume and step up negotiations to give new energy to their 2010 trade agreement as India wants their trade to be more balanced and South Korea wants greater market access to the world’s fastest-growing major economy. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is in India for a three-day visit, the first South Korean presidential state visit to the country in eight years. He is accompanied by around 200 South Korean businesspeople. “We decided to upgrade the framework of economic cooperation between the two countries to create a new engine for shared growth,” Lee told reporters after talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two countries created a ministerial-level economic cooperation committee for the first time, Lee said, adding that they would strengthen cooperation in areas such as nuclear power plants, clean energy as well as trade and ‌investment. With the Iran war squeezing global energy supplies, India and South Korea would also continue to cooperate to ensure the stable supply of energy resources and key raw materials such as naphtha, Lee added. Modi said Lee’s visit was extremely significant and that the two countries had taken important decisions to boost two-way trade to $50bn by 2030 from around $27bn at present. “Today, we are laying the foundation for the success story of the next decade,” Modi said, as he recalled strong civilisational ties between the two countries that go back several centuries. Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said he held talks with his South Korean counterpart, Yeo Han-koo, and discussed ways to resume and revamp the trade pact and explored opportunities to deepen cooperation in the areas of industry, green ‌energy and digital trade. “We have agreed to ‌work on a fast track,” Goyal later told a joint business forum, which would include easing non-tariff barriers, rules of origin and expanding market access.

Qatar Chamber is inviting its members to attend the General Assembly Meeting on May 11, 2026, a press statement announced Monday. The AGM will be presided over by Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani. According to the agenda, the AGM will review the board of directors’ report on activities for the year ending December 31, 2025; the auditor’s report and final accounts; approve the 2026 budget; discharge the board; and appoint a new auditor for 2026. The chamber stated that if a quorum is not met at the first meeting, a second meeting will be held on June 4, 2026. The second meeting will be valid regardless of the number of attendees. The chamber also stated that only members who have settled their subscription fees up to the date of the first meeting on May 11, 2026, are eligible to attend. Registration will open two hours before the meeting. It clarified that individual establishments must be represented either by the owner personally or by an authorised representative whose name is registered in the commercial register.As for companies, the meeting must be attended by one of the authorised signatories on behalf of the company.

After more than a decade criticising the US central bank, former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh faces a mark-to-market moment in a Senate hearing on Tuesday when lawmakers will likely press the Fed chief nominee to flesh out his monetary policy and economic ideas ‌and calls for fundamental change. The hearing before the Senate Banking Committee is the next step in the 56-year-old financier’s still-controversial path to the Fed chief’s ​corner office in the central bank’s headquarters in Washington. ‌Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s last day in the top job is ostensibly May 15, but key Republicans have committed to blocking Warsh’s confirmation until ‌the Trump administration drops a criminal probe of Powell and the central bank that ‌they consider frivolous and a threat to its independence. It’s a critical moment ‌beyond the nuts and bolts of monetary policy, as the Fed faces the most intense challenges to its standing since the years immediately following World War Two. President Donald Trump ⁠has waged an aggressive campaign to gain more influence over the central bank, demanding that it push through big interest rate cuts and castigating policymakers when they failed to deliver. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also has been critical of the Fed amid discussion about overhauling its operations or striking a new “accord” between the central bank and the Treasury, agencies with distinct roles whose intermingling could raise concerns about efforts to monetise the country’s mounting debt. “Does Warsh voice unconditional support for Fed independence and distance himself from the administration’s call for steep rate cuts?” Deutsche Bank chief US economist Matthew Luzzetti and his colleagues wrote last week in a preview of the hearing. “Warsh will have to earn market trust and credibility around his commitment to achieving the inflation target; bona fides that always need to be earned by an incoming chair. The requirement could be more ​acute in the current context.” There’s plenty for lawmakers to work with. Inflation is stuck above the Fed’s 2% target; oil prices have skyrocketed thanks to the Iran war, though they receded last week; Trump thinks the central bank’s policy rate should be cut to 1%; artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies, two of Warsh’s interests as an investor, could reshape the economy. Warsh’s tight-money, inflation-hawk reputation has morphed ‌into a belief that lower interest rates are appropriate because of tech-driven ⁠productivity. The same thing has happened ​to a long-held conviction the Fed should shrink its $6.71tn balance sheet, a position he developed after serving as a governor when the central bank’s ​bond holdings initially exploded. As Trump mulled naming a successor for Powell over the past year, Warsh lobbed sharp criticisms at the Fed, calling for “regime change,” saying his role would be “knocking some heads,” and labeling Powell’s leadership “broken,” but without detailing how he would change things. His nomination caps years of op-eds, academic lectures, and television interviews, many through his position as the Shepard Family Distinguished Visiting Fellow in Economics at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, a center of Fed criticism among analysts who regard the recent era of policymaking as recklessly experimental. Warsh, who earned a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Stanford before graduating from Harvard Law School, has spoken of being influenced by key Hoover figures including monetarist scholar Milton Friedman and economist John Taylor. Both championed constrained forms of central banking,Friedman’s rooted in growth of the money supply, Taylor’s in an eponymous “Taylor Rule” relating recommended interest rates to the Fed’s dual inflation and employment goals. Warsh has lauded rule-based policymaking as “aspirational” while stopping short of committing to use it, raising questions that both critics and advocates of such an approach will be keen to understand. Warsh’s recent views about interest rates, and how Trump has influenced them, are also ‌likely to be a focus of the upcoming hearing, which will ‌be chaired by Senator Tim Scott, who, along with other Republican lawmakers, has been complimentary of Warsh’s nomination despite the divide over the conditions for proceeding with it. The nominee’s ideas about interest rates echo arguments former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan made ⁠during the 1990s about the impact of productivity on inflation, while also putting Warsh ⁠in sync with Trump’s call for lower rates. Trump said he would only nominate someone he was confident would lower borrowing costs. The Fed’s massive balance sheet also is a delicate issue. Expanded dramatically to fight the 2007-2009 financial crisis, large holdings of Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities are now a staple tool for controlling interest rates for the Fed to achieve its 2% inflation and maximum employment goals. A Fed governor during that crisis two decades ago, Warsh opposed the balance sheet’s seemingly open-ended growth alongside other conservative economists who felt it distorted financial markets. He chose to exit the central bank in 2011 rather than publicly break with then-Fed Chair Ben Bernanke through dissenting votes during policy debates still focused on lifting the economy out ​of its post-crisis sluggish growth. The hearing on Tuesday could replay that era.

QNB Group has announced that its head office building has achieved the Gold Level certification under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS).Coinciding with Earth Day, the achievement reflects the group’s continued commitment to advancing environmental sustainability, in line with sustainable development priorities of Qatar National Vision 2030.The certification was awarded by the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) under GSAS Operations, recognising the head office’s sustainable day-to-day operations.Yousef Ali al-Darwish, senior executive vice president of General Services, said:“The Gold GSAS certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to integrating sustainability into every facet of our operations, as well as our ongoing responsibility to our community, our employees, and our nation.“Since our establishment in 1964, QNB has evolved alongside Qatar’s development, and today we continue to build on that legacy by embedding sustainability at the core of our operations. On this Earth Day, we are proud to continue to be a leader for sustainable operations in the financial sector, directly aligning with the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030.”Dr Yousef al-Horr, founding chairman of GORD, said: “By opting for GSAS Operations, QNB Group has shown a clear understanding that the long-term operational carbon footprint of a building far exceeds the embodied carbon of its initial construction. This milestone reflects the organisation’s forward-looking leadership that recognises the importance of reducing emissions through continuous performance, efficiency, and accountability.”GSAS is a comprehensive system developed specifically for the climatic and cultural context of the Mena region, making it the ideal standard for assessing the environmental impact of buildings in the Gulf region. Achieving Gold certification underscores QNB's strong operational performance across key areas, including energy and water, efficiency, enhanced indoor environmental quality and effective waste management practices.GSAS Gold-certified buildings can achieve reductions in energy and water consumption of between 20% and 30% compared to conventional buildings, contributing to lower operational costs and improved resource efficiency. GSAS Operations certification moves beyond design, validating the effectiveness of daily operational practices managed by QNB’s Facilities Management team.Building on this achievement, QNB Group has also attained a 4-Star GSAS Design & Build certification for its Lusail headquarters development and is advancing GSAS Design for Fit-Out certification. This reflects a holistic approach to sustainability — extending environmental performance beyond core infrastructure into interior spaces, with a focus on energy efficiency, responsible material selection, indoor environmental quality, and the comfort and well-being of employees and visitors.The certifications collectively form a key component of QNB Group’s broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. By embedding sustainability across its operations and developments, QNB continues to support efficient resource management and contribute to the environmental pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030.

The world’s top oil traders warned that the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is increasing the risk of a global recession as fuel-demand takes a hit.The vital energy channel has been largely closed to non-Iranian shipping since war began at the end of February, choking off hundreds of millions of barrels of supply. Consumer nations have been using up buffer inventories that they hold for emergencies to cope with the shortfall.While international forecasters already acknowledge that conflict is sapping economic growth and oil demand, merchants including Vitol Group, Gunvor Group and Trafigura Group warned on Tuesday that the situation will get even worse if Hormuz doesn’t open up soon.“We’ve borrowed supply,” Vitol Group Chief Executive Officer Russell Hardy said at the FT Commodities Global Summit in Lausanne, pointing to drawdowns of inventories from a variety of sources. “But you can’t do that forever. There are recessionary consequences from having to ration that demand.”Benchmark oil futures rallied about 30% since the war began. They spiked to almost $120 a barrel in early March but have since subsided, trading near $95 on Tuesday amid tentative hopes the US and Iran can reach some kind of peace deal.Hardy said the war so far eliminated about 4mn barrels a day of demand, a figure that will rise if Hormuz stays shut.Tracking the electronic signals of tankers suggest that only a few are passing through Hormuz, including some that are linked to Iran but aren’t leaving the region. Some carriers are sneaking through with their transponders off.Gunvor’s head of research, Frederic Lasserre, told the FT event that the amount of lost consumption may need to double next month to 5mn barrels a day — roughly 5% of global supply — in order to balance markets, and that a three-month closure of the waterway could trigger a worldwide recession.Crude oil and refined product supplies from the Arabian Gulf have been slashed by roughly 13mn barrels a day since the war started, according to the International Energy Agency. While the agency projects a sharp drop of 1.5mn barrels a day in demand this quarter, it anticipates a recovery in the second half of the year.The consumption hit is so far most concentrated in Asia, but will spread as global prices react, according to Trafigura Group.“Demand destruction is happening in places that are not visible pricing centers,” Chief Economist Saad Rahim said at the event. “People are underestimating that loss of supply that then has to be met with some loss of demand somewhere else.”Petrochemical producers in China, Japan and South Korea have scaled back operations, reining in output of plastics used in everything from bottles to electrical appliances. Airlines in nations from Vietnam to the Netherlands are canceling flights or drawing up contingency plans to do so. Across Southeast Asia, harvest-ready rice fields are lying idle as fuel and fertilizer costs bite.“That adjustment is already happening, but if this continues it has to get larger and larger,” Rahim said of the need for demand to recalibrate in response to lower supply. “We’re at a critical inflection point.”The US was still in the dark on whether Iran will take part in fresh talks to end the war before a ceasefire expires on Wednesday, with the sides deadlocked on issues including access to Hormuz.Should there be a diplomatic resolution, “I think you have just about dodged the bullet,” Rahim said. But if the crisis drags on, “you just don’t have those molecules, somebody has to go without. So that means a contraction of economic activity.”Gunvor’s Lasserre told the conference that the trader is focused on three scenarios, ranging from the continued closure of Hormuz to a partial or full reopening.“If you don’t get any reopening in three months’ time, then the case becomes a macro issue where the world is about to fall into recession,” he said. “And then you have massive demand adjustment.”

Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC) reported net profit of QR33.7mn on gross revenues of QR318mn in the first quarter (Q1) of this year.The group’s operating plan saw January and February record net profit above plan, before the onset of regional disruption in March. Earnings per share for the quarter stood at QR0.058.March saw significant geopolitical turmoil that resulted in an 86% drop in vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and no large carriers calling at Hamad Port, GWC said.Qatar’s airspace was suspended between February 28 and March 4, eliminating over 3,000 tonnes of daily air freight capacity, while offshore oil and gas projects were also halted, it added.Despite far-reaching impacts of the severe supply chain stress the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) has experienced, and a rapidly changing landscape, GWC Group continued to focus on ensuring the safety of its people, fulfilling its commitments to its customers and safeguarding the continuity of supply chains in Qatar and the region.In Q1 2026, the group responded across three distinct corridors. In partnership with the Qatar government to safeguard strategic food supplies, GWC Group arranged dedicated vessel capacity to the GCC, with goods distributed onward through its warehousing assets in Oman and Jeddah to Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.The group also activated an air-land corridor via Riyadh, connecting air freight with its bonded cross-border land transport network to move essential food cargo into Qatar. Separately, for the first time, GWC Group operationalised a fully TIR-powered air-to-land corridor at Hamad International Airport, enabling Doha to serve as a regional redistribution hub for supply chains across all five GCC markets.“What unfolded in March tested every part of our organisation, and our people rose to meet it. Since our founding, GWC Group has held to one clear principle: to be present, reliable and responsible for Qatar and the region when it matters most," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, GWC Group chairman.Sheikh Abdulla bin Fahad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, GWC Group managing director, said when disruption struck, it worked with the government to secure strategic food supplies through a dedicated sea corridor into the GCC alongside new land and air routes."We activated three corridors simultaneously and built end-to-end supply chains in real time — leveraging our warehousing in Oman and Jeddah, our bonded land network through Saudi Arabia, and our regional reach into the UAE to move essential goods into Qatar and onward across the GCC," said Matthew Kearns, GWC Group CEO.GWC Group continued its regional expansion with a focus on Saudi Arabia, where its Jeddah facility is already supporting its operations.The group is progressing additional near-term leasing in Riyadh and Dammam and evaluating longer-term, demand-led options to expand its Saudi footprint in step with client demand.Its global divisions more than doubled their contribution to group net revenues over the past two years, reflecting the strategic progress of GWC's regional expansion.The group handles ocean freight volumes of up to 60,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) per year and air freight of up to 14,000 tonnes annually, while extending its global reach to more than 120 countries through a network of 550 freight offices and partners worldwide.These capabilities resulted in a 95% client retention rate and logistics parks occupancy averaging 90% across its three locations in Q1-2026.

Aamal Company is making new investments this year as it finds growth prospects across all its business divisions as "very bright""Given the relative stability of Qatar`s economic landscape and the prudent approach of our management team in making new investments, the growth prospects for Aamal in 2026 across all the business divisions are very bright," said its board report presented before shareholders at the annual general assembly meeting that approved 5% cash dividend."It is no secret that the region, including Qatar, has recently faced a number of challenges. Nevertheless, we have full confidence in the state’s ability to overcome these challenges," said Aamal Company chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, who presided over the general assembly, which also voted Sheikh Ali Abed al-Rahman al-Thani and Ibrahim Abdulla al-Derbasti as two independent members for the remaining two years of the current term (2026 and 2027).Highlighting that the recent global trade disruptions have not had any meaningful negative impacts on the ongoing development projects in Qatar and the larger Middle East and North Africa region; the report said Qatar has managed to be one of the strongest performing economies in the region in 2025 and the "outlook is positive for 2026 and the longer term."Infrastructure and building projects valued at QR11.5bn announced by Ashghal for road networks, buildings, drainage and public facilities generates demand for concrete, pipes and cables manufactured by Aamal in 2026, according to the report."Aamal will take advantage of the investment opportunities in the localisation programme - Tawteen, for the energy sector," it said.Ongoing projects such as the multi-phased expansion of Hamad International Airport City, Development of Ports, Rail network expansion and Development of coastline facilities across Qatar, will keep the industrial manufacturing sector active, it said.Projects in the oil and gas sector, such as the expansion of LNG (liquefied natural gas) facilities, will be drivers for the local manufacturing sector, it said.New trading partners will help ensure demand for bulk cargo freight services offered by Aamal Maritime, it added.On opportunities for its trading and distribution, it said the government investment in healthcare continues to underpin the growth of the division, particularly Aamal Medical and Ebn Sina Medical activities.Qatar’s government has given special attention to sports and community well-being activities by setting up facilities across Qatar, thereby increasing the demand for products and services related to sports and healthcare.It said allocation of QR25.4bn for healthcare sector will boost the demand for medical equipment, medicines and related services provided by Aamal.Arrival of new passenger vehicles brands to supplement demand for tyres and lubricants offered by Aamal.Finding that the property segment is expected to see regular demand from the ever-growing population, and from new business activities being set up across Qatar; it said City Center mall continues to benefit from its strategic location and from the completion of renovation and expansion works, including connectivity to Doha Metro."With a new and trendy digital façade, and addition of several new branded outlets, the footfall at the mall is expected to grow significantly in 2026, enhancing mall revenue," it said."The impetus given to the tourism and hospitality sector by the government, by developing several tourist attractions and organising several events attracting international travelers, will support the growth of Aamal Travels," it said.

United Development Company (UDC) reported a net profit of QR71mn on revenues of QR459mn in the first three months of 2026.The net profit attributable to the equity shareholders stood at QR73mn with basic earnings per share of QR0.021.UDC chairman Ahmed bin Ali al-Hammadi said, “UDC’s performance in the first quarter reflects the consistency of our long-term strategy and a disciplined approach to value creation. We continue to advance Gewan Island as a fully integrated destination, enhancing its appeal through a carefully curated mix of residential, retail, and leisure offerings, while also reinforcing the infrastructure and long-term positioning of The Pearl Island.”He added: “The commencement of works on the Perlita Villas project marks a strategic step in optimizing our portfolio and enhancing future returns. As market expectations evolve, our focus remains on delivering high-quality, future-ready developments that offer both resilience and long-term potential.“Real estate continues to stand out as a stable and dependable asset class, and UDC is well-positioned to deliver sustained value through its proven track record and strategic direction.”UDC President and CEO Yasser Salah al-Jaidah said, “Our first-quarter results reflect solid operational delivery and a stable commercial performance across our portfolio. Demand across our residential and retail offerings remains healthy, supported by steady progress across key developments on both The Pearl and Gewan Islands.“At the institutional level, we have introduced a ‘Framework of Excellence’ to guide our next phase of growth – one that is more disciplined, scalable, and resilient. This framework strengthens our ability to deliver consistent performance while remaining agile in a changing market environment.”He added: “We have also enhanced our commercial approach by introducing more flexible and customer-focused sales solutions. These initiatives are designed to improve accessibility, support investor confidence, and reinforce our overall value proposition, combining prime locations, quality developments, and integrated lifestyle offerings with tailored financial flexibility. As we move forward, our priority remains to sustain momentum and deliver long-term value to our shareholders.”In Q1, UDC continued to advance its development pipeline across The Pearl Island and Gewan Island. At The Pearl Island, the company completed the initial demolition phase of the Perlita Villas project and awarded the final phase covering 144 villas, alongside ongoing infrastructure enhancements, including road widening works.At Gewan Island, development activity remained on track, with the award of the car park project adding 385 parking spaces alongside the ongoing construction works at the Corinthia Gewan Island Hotel.On the commercial front, UDC maintained steady momentum, supported by continued demand across its portfolio. The company completed the handover of the remaining villa at Costa Malaz, alongside the continued sale of completed units at The Pearl Island and Crystal Residence at Gewan Island.Retail leasing activity also remained strong, with over 2,500sq m leased to a range of established brands, further strengthening the retail and lifestyle offering across The Pearl Island.

Nakilat achieved a net profit of QR439mn in the first quarter (Q1) compared to QR433mn the previous year."Despite the geopolitical challenges faced by Nakilat during Q1 2026, the company was able to maintain its operational performance and take immediate and effective measures to rationalise expenses and reduce negative impact across its various business sectors, especially in dry dock facilities, agency services, and towing services, which witnessed a noticeable decline in their operating rates," said Nakilat chief executive officer Abdullah al-Sulaiti.The company also continued to work around the clock to ensure high levels of reliability for its fleet, establish a culture of safety, and focus on providing services to customers at all times and under all conditions, he said.Nakilat incurred total expenses of QR766mn in the first three months of this year.The company’s fleet size stood at 72, including 69 liquefied natural gas carriers, two liquefied petroleum gases carriers and one FSRU (floating storage and regasification unit) at the end of three month ended March 2026.

The cumulative global impact of seven weeks of war in the Middle East will begin to emerge in the coming week, in a second round of business surveys from multiple countries. Whether the twin blows affecting growth and inflation seen in purchasing manager indexes after the first month of the Iran conflict intensified during month two will be a key focus. The initial take for April in economies from Australia to the US will be published on Thursday. Among those covered by Bloomberg forecasts, indexes in Germany, France, the euro zone and the UK are all anticipated to show broad deterioration, while the American indicators are seen little changed. Ultimately, the numbers may point to the degree that stagflation is lurking. That ominous term — evoking the noxious mix of surging prices and stalling growth of the 1970s — was cited by Chris Williamson, chief business economist at PMI-compiler S&P Global, when summing up risks highlighted by the overall global measure in March. The survey numbers follow a week of bleak stock-taking in Washington, where finance chiefs were warned by the International Monetary Fund of a range of potential outcomes that included a near-recession for the world. Notwithstanding the current Middle East ceasefire, the damage to growth and inflation can’t be easily undone. “Even if the war ends tomorrow, it would take quite some time for the recovery to kick in,” IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told Bloomberg Television. “The impact is already baked in.” For all the gloom, multiple policymakers remain cautious about how to respond. European Central Bank chief economist Philip Lane described how he and his colleagues may treat reports such as the PMIs when they set interest rates later this month. “We will have a rich set of survey data,” Lane said in Washington. “Of course, the people who are answering those surveys are looking at the same world we are looking at.”And for now, not many will have a decisive idea about what’s going to happen, he added. ECB officials will also get French business confidence on Thursday and Germany’s closely watched Ifo business climate gauge on Friday. Their Federal Reserve peers will see the University of Michigan’s sentiment index, also at the end of the week. But as Georgieva warned, even the most holistic analysis of the global economy by policymakers has its limits for now. “We all need to learn to operate in an environment of high and permanent uncertainty,” she said. “While a deal appears to be in sight that may bring an end to the current round of US-Iran hostilities and relief to energy markets, it’s unlikely to result in a full or lasting peace. Israel does not appear party to negotiations, and continues to regard Iran as a threat. Trust between the US and Iran remains low and already there appears to be different interpretations of key terms (e.g., Hormuz), all pointing to enduring tensions,” says Jennifer Welch and Adam Farrar, Bloomberg Economics. Elsewhere, a possible war-driven pickup in inflation numbers from Canada to the UK to South Africa, plus interest-rate decisions from Turkey to Indonesia, may be among the highlights. The week’s marquee US economic data release will be retail sales. Economists project a sizable jump in overall sales for March, largely due to sharply increased spending on gasoline. The figures aren’t adjusted for price changes, and drivers experienced costlier fill-ups because of the Iran war. Excluding gasoline and autos, however, economists anticipate Tuesday’s report will signal more tepid demand as high fuel costs prompted budget-constrained consumers to squeeze spending on other things. While the average price of gas has declined since earlier this month, it remains around $4 a gallon. S&P Global’s preliminary April PMIs come on Thursday, followed a day later by the University of Michigan’s final consumer sentiment index for April. The preliminary reading set a record low. Meanwhile, Kevin Warsh will appear before the Senate Banking committee on Tuesday in what may be the most anticipated confirmation hearing for a Fed chair nominee in decades. Investors will listen closely for how Warsh conceives of monetary policy that hews to President Donald Trump’s demands for lower interest rates while not alarming traders still wary of inflation, especially amid a war-driven oil price shock. “Issues they might ask Warsh about include: How independent Warsh intends to be from the wishes of the White House; how he regards the independence of the Reserve Banks; how he’d like to revise FOMC communications; and what scope he sees for the FOMC to cut its policy rate later this year,” says David Wilcox, director of US economic research, Bloomberg Economics.

Qatar and the Philippines are set to hold a virtual session of their Joint Economic, Commercial, and Technical Committee (JECTC) on April 27-28, as both countries move to deepen bilateral trade ties across a broad spectrum of economic sectors. The scheduled talks follow a series of high-level engagements between the two sides in recent months, including a business matching mission by the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to Doha and a B2B session with Qatar Chamber that put the scale of untapped trade potential into sharp focus. Qatar Chamber first vice chairman Mohammed bin Towar al-Kuwari noted that bilateral trade exchange reached nearly QR674mn in 2024, reflecting steady growth in economic ties. Al-Kuwari affirmed the chamber’s commitment to enhancing cooperation between the business communities of both countries, with a particular focus on food security and personal care products. Philippine ambassador to Qatar Mardomel Celo D Melicor has urged Qatari investors to view Manila as a strategic entry point into Southeast Asia, noting that the Philippines’ long-term vision, AmBisyon Natin 2040, complements Qatar National Vision 2030. “Beyond trade, we see significant potential for collaboration aligned with our shared long-term vision,” Melicor told Gulf Times earlier, citing prospects in agriculture, food security, renewable energy, healthcare, and digital transformation. On the trade side, DTI Export Marketing Bureau director Bianca Pearl R Sykimte pointed to a significant gap in the Philippines’ Gulf exporter base. While the country counts more than 1,200 food exporters, only 250 currently supply GCC markets. Philippine agri-food exports to Qatar reached $22mn in 2025, with bananas accounting for 21% and sauces and condiments contributing about 14.7%. “We believe these numbers can grow significantly if Qatar taps into the wider exporter base,” stated Sykimte, citing Filipino botanicals, such as moringa, pili oil, and rice bran oil are positioned to serve Qatar’s personal care market, where consumers value natural, halal-aligned, and climate-suited solutions. According to the DTI, the JECTC meeting is expected to build on these exchanges, with both governments aiming to translate accumulated commercial momentum into sustained trade partnerships. In an April 16 post on X, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) shared photos of a meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa P Lazaro and Qatar’s ambassador to the Philippines Ahmed bin Saad al-Hamidi. According to the MoFA post, discussions during the meeting focused on bilateral cooperation between Qatar and the Philippines.

Doha, which has been relatively “more resilient and stable”, could see the revival of initial public offerings or IPOs/listing in the energy sectors in the medium-to-long term in the post Iran-war scenario, according to KPMG in Qatar. The country could also witness capital reallocation from riskier GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) equity and bond markets to Qatar government bonds, KPMG Qatar said in its latest research note.On the emerging opportunities post war, it said while such conflicts present clear risks, they may also give rise to emerging opportunities, particularly when supported by proactive government interventions and support. “Despite increase in general risk perception, within the GCC, Qatar has been relatively more resilient and stable, which could in fact witness capital reallocation from riskier GCC equity and bond markets to Qatar government bonds,” it said, adding the medium-to-long term could see the revival of IPOs/listings in the energy sectors. Further, there could be opportunities for potential sovereign sukuk issuance, acceleration of green and sustainable finance issuance, it said. Highlighting that SWFs (sovereign wealth funds) and related investment companies could support local equity and bond markets through active participations, especially during sell offs; KPMG said there could be higher activity in commodity and derivate markets to hedge oil price volatility, manage foreign exchange (FX), commodity hedging and structured derivate products. On liquidity opportunities, the note stressed the enhanced liquidity through potential resilience and stimulus package, some of which based on recent local and regional precedents may include favourable repo rates, enhanced access to reserves, and regulatory reliefs on liquidity ratios. Further, special lending window facilities, FX swap lines could also boost overall liquidity, it suggested.Finding that persistent higher energy gas prices may increase fiscal revenues, which may enhance liquidity of Qatari energy and government-related enterprise (GRE) companies; the report said parking such enhanced liquidity in the local banking system may improve liquidity for banking sector over a period. In order to address the credit and default risk, KPMG said banks could launch specific products and financing solutions (takaful and non takaful) designed to cover war-risk and supply chain related disruptions.Further, banks can also offer structured emergency credit lines for SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and corporates affected indirectly by conflict, it said. “Government schemes such as state-backed credit guarantee, targeted subsidies to certain impacted sectors, moratoriums, capital buffer relief to facilitate credit lending activity have had successful precedents both regionally and globally to mitigate such risks,” KPMG said. About infrastructure financing, it said increased revenues of government due to persistent high energy prices could see investment in specialised sectors such defence and technology, ports, pipelines, food safety and storage and data infrastructure, which may also open financing opportunities (project financing, syndicate loans for giga projects and PPP or public private partnership financing solutions). In line with the Qatar Central Bank’s Third Financial Sector Strategy and the Qatar Financial Centre Digital Asset Framework vision to establish Qatar as a leading regional fintech and digital finance hub, KPMG said the post-conflict scenario could see potential to expand digital payments, cross-border settlements and digital trade financing solutions.“Accordingly, fintech regulatory sandbox to support digital trade finance solutions should be accelerated,” it recommended.

Strategists at some of Wall Street’s biggest banks are upbeat on the outlook for US earnings after a positive start to the first-quarter reporting season.The S&P 500 Index has climbed to a record high, brushing off concerns about the potential economic fallout from the Iran war. A surge in energy prices has boosted earnings prospects for oil companies, while renewed optimism over AI spending has boosted sentiment towards some tech stocks.About 81% of large-cap US companies have beaten earnings-per-share estimates so far, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence. Banks dominated last week’s reporting, with JPMorgan Chase & Co, Bank of America Corp, Citigroup Inc and Goldman Sachs Group Inc notching record stock-trading revenue.“Despite geopolitical risks, the earnings recovery remains intact driven by the return of positive operating leverage,” Morgan Stanley’s Michael Wilson said in a note, as sales rise faster than costs, boosting profits. The strategist pointed to accelerating EPS growth both on a trailing and forward basis as well as stability in earnings revisions as supporting an optimistic view.At JPMorgan, Mislav Matejka said earnings projections were being revised higher across all key regions.“While a renewed geopolitical escalation with meaningfully and consistently higher oil prices could weigh on earnings, Brent at $100 is still consistent with earnings upside,” Matejka wrote in a note. Brent crude has climbed 31% since the start of the Iran war and traded near $95 a barrel on Monday.Over at Goldman Sachs, a team led by Ben Snider pointed to a more complex dynamic beneath the surface. Snider said narrow pockets of strength in analyst earnings revisions have powered the latest rally.While consensus S&P 500 EPS estimates for this year and next are 4% above where they were in January, energy and information technology stocks account for almost all of the increase, the Goldman team said.Only two names — Micron Technology Inc and Exxon Mobil Corp — together account for more than 60% of the consensus increase in 2026 S&P 500 EPS estimates since the conflict began, the strategists wrote. The median company in the index has seen no revision to 2026 earnings estimates in the past few months, they said.“Just a handful of stocks has driven the vast majority of the upward revisions to S&P 500 earnings estimates in recent weeks,” Snider said.The US equity benchmark index closed at a record high on Friday, wrapping up its strongest week of 2026. But the Goldman strategists said the gains, like the bullish earnings revisions, weren’t broad-based. The team’s preferred measure of market breadth has dropped to its lowest levels in recent decades, aside from the Dot Com bubble and mid-2023.The test now is to see whether the heart of the first-quarter earnings season will lead to a broadening in upward profit revisions and in market strength. Progress in the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is particularly key for economy-linked cyclical names.Goldman projects S&P 500 EPS growth of 12% this year, broadly in line with top-down strategist consensus views, but below the 18% bottom-up consensus forecast. Risks are two-sided and skewed to the upside, the strategists wrote. Downside threats are weaker consumer demand and higher input costs linked to the war, while potential positives are tied to AI investment and productivity growth.

South Korea’s outgoing central bank governor said monetary and fiscal policy are becoming less sufficient as primary tools for steering the economy, urging structural reforms as he steps down after a four-year term in which he dealt with repeated systemic shocks.“It is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve economic stability and growth through monetary and fiscal policy alone,” Rhee Chang Yong said in his farewell address on Monday. “Despite the gradual weakening of the effectiveness of monetary and fiscal policy amid changes in the economic structure, public expectations for the role of policymakers remain elevated, shaped by past successes, widening the gap between the two.”He pointed to structural shifts in the foreign exchange market, noting that movements are no longer driven mainly by overseas investors, but are increasingly influenced by domestic entities such as companies, households and the state-run pension fund. Overseas investment by Koreans now fluctuates depending on a broader set of factors that include labor markets, tax policies, pension systems and geopolitical risks, rather than just interest rate differentials, he said.“Without institutional efforts to address these realities, attempting to manage the exchange rate solely through foreign exchange market intervention or interest rate policy, as in the past, could lead to greater side effects,” Rhee said.Rhee, who left the International Monetary Fund to take over the Bank of Korea in April 2022, has overseen the full policy spectrum during his four-year term. He pushed the policy rate to its highest level since 2008 as he segued from aggressive tightening aimed at taming post-Covid inflation to a measured easing cycle as growth concerns emerged.The governor added that addressing challenges such as low birth rates and slowing growth will require structural reforms in labor and education, rather than relying on short-term macroeconomic measures. He also said Korea’s recent economic stability, supported in part by strong semiconductor demand, comes with the risk of deeper structural imbalances and inequality stemming from heavy reliance on a single industry.Reflecting on his tenure, Rhee said the past four years required policymakers to move beyond anticipated boundaries, citing a succession of crises that included the global inflation surge following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, financial instability linked to property markets and the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, and a period of negative growth triggered by an unprecedented domestic political shock.He also highlighted efforts to improve communication through forward guidance and to strengthen the bank’s role as a policy think tank, reiterating his call for the institution to expand research into structural issues such as housing, regional development, youth employment and elderly poverty.Shin Hyun Song has been nominated to replace Rhee, and his confirmation process is still in progress.

Commercial Bank has announced key appointments to its senior management team, reinforcing its leadership structure to support strategic priorities, sustainable growth, and its continued commitment to developing national talent in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030. Eiman Mohamed al-Naemi joined Commercial Bank as Executive General Manager, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. Al-Naemi brings over 20 years of experience in Marketing and Corporate Communications in the banking sector, with specialised expertise in corporate visual identity, strategic public relations, and modern, digitally driven communications and marketing. She has consistently led brand transformation initiatives, delivered high-impact campaigns, and executed integrated communication strategies that enhance engagement and strengthen market positioning. Omran Youssef al-Sherawi has been appointed Executive General Manager, Treasury and Investments. Al-Sherawi brings over 20 years of experience in the banking sector, shaped by a broad range of roles across corporate banking, investment, and strategy.He has extensive expertise in asset-liability management, capital and financial market investments, trading, and treasury sales, driving the implementation of robust funding, liquidity, and investment strategies. Additionally, Nasser Abdulla al-Harmi recently joined Commercial Bank as Executive General Manager, Chief Human Capital Officer. Al-Harmi brings over 28 years of experience in human capital strategy, organisational transformation, and talent development. He possesses deep expertise in aligning workforce strategies with organisational goals, fostering a high-performance culture, and strengthening organisational capabilities to drive sustainable growth. Stephen Moss, Group CEO of Commercial Bank, said: “These appointments reflect our focus on empowering Qatari talent to take on impactful leadership roles and contribute to a resilient national workforce in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. Together, they will support the bank’s growth and deliver sustainable value for our customers and the communities we serve.”

Driven by a shared commitment to economic prosperity and sustainable development, bilateral trade between Malaysia and Qatar continues to demonstrate enduring resilience and dynamic growth, Badrul Hisham Hilal, Trade commissioner, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) in Dubai, has stated. Against this backdrop of expanding commercial ties, Hilal said MATRADE has formally invited Qatari businesses, investors, and industry leaders to participate in the ‘22nd Malaysia International Halal Showcase’ (MIHAS 2026), to be held on September 23-26 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur. Recognised globally as the world’s largest halal showcase, MIHAS serves as a robust marketplace for international and local players to seize opportunities well beyond traditional halal food and beverages, Hilal noted. The comprehensive event encompasses 14 diverse industry clusters, including halal pharmaceuticals, medical devices, Islamic finance, modest fashion, personal care and cosmetics, green technologies, and Muslim-friendly tourism. The 22nd edition builds on the record-breaking performance of its previous iteration, which generated QR5.57bn in concluded deals, featured 2,400 exhibition booths from 80 countries, and attracted over 50,340 trade visitors from 107 nations, he pointed out.To facilitate cross-border partnerships, MIHAS 2026 will feature a hybrid format incorporating AI-assisted business-matching suites designed to connect exhibitors and buyers from Qatar directly with relevant global counterparts through both in-person networking and live virtual chat sessions, Hilal further stated. Qatar’s delegates will also have access to knowledge-sharing sessions, conferences, and industry zones hosted by market leaders, with a focus on innovation and sustainable initiatives driving the modern halal economy, he said.MIHAS 2026 is uniquely positioned to bridge Middle Eastern innovation with Southeast Asian market opportunities, Hilal emphasised. Total bilateral trade between Malaysia and Qatar stood at QR3.10bn in 2025, with the first two months of 2026 already recording QR402.6mn, underscoring the commercial rationale for Qatari participation at the showcase. The event is hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and organised by MATRADE, in association with the Halal Development Corporation Berhad and the Department of Islamic Development of Malaysia.