Business

The net profits of companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) increased by 2.45% to QR 41.1 billion by the end of the third quarter of 2025, compared to QR 40.1 billion during the same period last year.According to data published Sunday on the QSE website, all listed companies have disclosed their financial statements for the period ending September 30, 2025, except for Al Faleh Educational Holding, which reports its results as of August 31 each year.

QatarEnergy has awarded Samsung C&T Corporation the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for a landmark carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project to serve QatarEnergy’s existing LNG production facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City.The new project will capture and sequester up to 4.1mn tons of CO₂ per year , making it one of the world’s largest of its kind and placing Qatar at the forefront of global large-scale carbon capture deployment, reinforcing its leadership role in providing responsible and sustainable energy.His Excellency the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, His Excellency Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, who is also the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, welcomed the award as an important step and said: “This milestone project builds upon our growing carbon capture and sequestration capabilities, which reinforce our position as a reliable provider of affordable lower-carbon energy. “All our LNG expansion projects will deploy CCS technologies, with an aim to capture over 11 MTPY of CO2 by 2035.”Minister al-Kaabi added: “By implementing important environmental aspects of QatarEnergy’s sustainability strategy, our CCS projects will enable a significant reduction in Green House Gas emissions and will greatly support Qatar’s National Climate Change Action Plan. To achieve this, we are pleased to partner with Samsung C&T Corporation, and we look forward to the successful execution of this world-scale project.”QatarEnergy launched its first CCS project in 2019 with a capacity of 2.2 MTPY. Two other ongoing CCS projects will serve the North Field East and North Field South expansion projects, capturing and storing 2.1 MTPY and 1.2 MTPY of CO2 respectively.

The Qatari German Medical Devices (QGMD) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dawa Holdi Egypt and Dawa USA, as part of its strategy to strengthen its regional and international presence.This partnership aims to introduce the company’s products to the Egyptian market to meet essential medical needs, localise their manufacturing in Egypt, and expand across the African continent through the marketing and distribution of medical products.The MoU also seeks to increase the volume of Qatari exports to European and American markets, the company said in its regulatory filing with the Qatar Stock Exchange.QGMD affirms that this step comes as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance its operational and financial performance, in a way that positively reflects on its shareholders and strengthens its position in the medical manufacturing sector at both the regional and global levels.

The Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA) recently hosted a team from Web Summit Qatar, led by Dima Wahbeh, deputy country manager at Web Summit Qatar, alongside other QBWA members.The meeting aimed to explore ways of co-operation and the exchange of expertise in the fields of innovation and technology, and was part of QBWA’s strategic vision to empower Qatari women and enhance their presence in the global economic landscape.The meeting discussed opportunities for collaboration between the QBWA and the Web Summit Qatar team. Both parties agreed to expand the scope of partnership and participation in the upcoming 2026 edition of Web Summit Qatar in February.Vice-chairwoman Aisha Hussain Alfardan emphasised that the meeting reflects QBWA’s commitment to strengthening its presence at major global events hosted by Qatar, foremost among them, Web Summit, one of the world’s leading platforms in technology and innovation. She highlighted the summit’s remarkable success in previous editions, attracting prominent tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors from around the globe.Alfardan further explained that QBWA’s collaboration with global platforms, such as Web Summit, is aligned with its vision to empower Qatari women and enhance their presence in the digital economy and technology-driven innovation.She noted that this partnership will open new opportunities for women entrepreneurs to gain experience in modern technologies and develop their ventures using innovative digital solutions. She added that QBWA is keen to diversify its activities across multiple sectors, in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to build a knowledge-based economy and foster innovation and creativity.Wahbeh commended the significant role played by the QBWA in supporting and empowering women, noting that this collaboration reflects Web Summit’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, and developing women’s participation in technology and digital entrepreneurship.She affirmed that Web Summit’s ‘Women in Tech’ programme is one of the global summit’s key pillars, designed to increase women’s representation in the tech sector and empower them to play an active role in shaping the future of the digital economy.Wahbeh added that collaboration with QBWA represents an important step in highlighting the success stories of Qatari women and showcasing their pioneering experiences in innovation and entrepreneurship — contributions that will enrich the summit’s content and strengthen Qatar’s position as a regional hub for excellence in this field.Both parties concluded the meeting by emphasising the importance of continuing collaboration and joint efforts in the coming period, in preparation for a distinguished participation by QBWA at Web Summit 2026. Both sides expressed optimism that their cooperation will further advance innovation and the empowerment of Qatari women in entrepreneurship and technology.

QNB Group and the Qatar Chamber have signed a sponsorship agreement for the Seventh Gulf Businesswomen Forum, under which QNB will sponsor the event as a Strategic Partner.The agreement was signed by Qatar Chamber acting general manager Ali Bu Sherbak al-Mansouri and QNB Group executive vice-president of SME Banking Ismail Mohamed al-Emadi, in the presence of Federation of GCC Chambers (FGCCC) secretary-general Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi and Qatar Chamber board member Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani, who is also chairperson of the Qatari Businesswomen Forum.Organised by the FGCCC, in co-operation with the Qatar Chamber and with the support of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Co-operation Council, the forum will be held under the slogan ‘Entrepreneurship and Investment Sustainability’ on November 12-13 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Msheireb, Doha.The forum aims to strengthen entrepreneurship and promote sustainable investment among businesswomen in GCC countries. It will highlight mechanisms for supporting women’s participation in sustainable investment and explore ways to transition from traditional business models to more innovative, digital, and knowledge-driven approaches, in line with the GCC’s collective vision for a knowledge-based economy.Al-Mansouri said, “We highly value QNB Group’ s sponsorship of the forum, which reflects the bank’s steadfast commitment to supporting Qatari and Gulf women, enhancing their participation in driving economic transformation, and representing the private sector in regional and international arenas.”He emphasised that the partnership with QNB represents a significant contribution to the success of the forum, reinforcing its position as a leading Gulf platform for dialogue and networking among businesswomen, as well as a venue for exchanging expertise, exploring investment opportunities, and fostering co-operation on future projects.QNB Group’s sponsorship represents a strategic platform for the economic empowerment of female business owners in GCC countries, reflecting its commitment to supporting their role in accelerating the transition towards a knowledge economy in the region.The sponsorship also supports the ongoing partnership with Qatar Chamber, reflecting joint efforts to promote women’s business entrepreneurship to more innovative and digital-based approaches, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the sustainable development strategies of GCC countries.

The 2025 HSBC Global Economist Roadshow, brought together almost 100 clients, partners, and senior executives to discuss global economic trends and Qatar’s strengthening role as a driver of growth and innovation across the Gulf.Opening the event, Arhab Ghandour, HSBC Qatar Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, said: “Built on strong fundamentals and a clear national vision, Qatar’s economy continues to navigate change with purpose.“Our commitment to Qatar’s future is long-term and strategic, and our relocation to Msheireb underscores our belief in innovation, sustainability, and progress. Together with our partners and clients, we are helping shape what comes next.”Rising gas production and strategic reform choices are set to make Qatar GCC’s fastest-growing economy in 2026, HSBC noted.Held amid a complex global environment marked by geopolitical shifts, evolving trade corridors, and technological disruption, this year Roadshow provided insights into the opportunities and challenges shaping the world economy and their implications for Qatar and the wider region.Sharing insights on global and regional trends, Janet Henry, HSBC Global Chief Economist, said: “The Fed should be able to cut rates by another 50bps as the softening labour market tips the balance back to easing, but with sticky inflation and a relatively resilient economy supported by fiscal stimulus, the markets seem to be pricing in too many rate cuts in 2026.”Paul Mackel, HSBC Global Head of FX Research, added that “the US dollar has had a volatile year so far, initially riding on a wave of optimism before suffering one of its largest defeats. The outlook still points to a soft USD in the months ahead.”Meanwhile, Simon Williams, HSBC Chief Economist for CEEMEA, commented: “Rising gas production will see already high levels of wealth rise further in the coming two years, and should position Qatar as the fastest-growing economy in the Gulf next year. Momentum in the non-gas sector will depend on the strategic choices policymakers take to give Qatar an edge in what has become a highly competitive region.”The event reaffirmed HSBC’s role as a trusted partner supporting Qatar’s long-term vision for sustainable growth, diversification, and innovation as we as its role in helping clients navigate change and capture opportunity.

QNB Group has announced a strategic partnership with TransferMate, the world’s leading provider of embedded B2B payments infrastructure as a service, to expand global receivables and local account solutions for QNB corporate customers worldwide. The partnership enables QNB, which is the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, to integrate TransferMate’s award-winning technology directly into its platform, providing corporate clients with access to a broader network of international multicurrency collections and local accounts capabilities. Through this collaboration, the bank’s customers will now be able to invoice and receive cross-border payments in multiple currencies, benefiting from reduced transaction times and fees, improved cash flow management and enhanced visibility and reconciliation. QNB Group constantly strives to provide its customers with new and innovative solutions to support their business needs. This platform enables them to receive international payments in multiple currencies seamlessly, which is considered is a game-changer for its clients. This marks TransferMate’s first banking partnership in the Middle East, capitalising on the strategic alliances the fintech has established with major financial institutions and global notable brands. The partnership marks a major milestone in QNB’s ongoing digital transformation journey and reinforces its position as a leader in delivering future-ready banking services.

Alfardan Automotive has proudly announced the opening of its state-of-the-art automotive and spare parts logistics hub at Umm Alhoul Free Zone. This milestone marks a major step forward in Alfardan Automotive’s strategic vision to enhance operational excellence, expand its logistics capabilities, and reinforce Qatar’s growing position as a regional leader in mobility and supply chain innovation. Located near Hamad Port, the new Alfardan Automotive Trading facility spans over 67,000 square-metre and has been developed as part of Alfardan Automotive’s long-term investment to deliver world-class automotive operations and customer service capabilities. **media[376116]** The facility includes a 12,860 square-metre built-up area and a 24 work bays Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) centre. It specialises in automotive and spare parts logistics, servicing passenger vehicles, motorcycles, heavy equipment, and related components. The hub is designed to handle a wide range of logistics functions, including indoor and outdoor vehicle storage with a total capacity of approximately 1,500 units, as well as temperature-controlled bays tailored for luxury vehicles. In addition, the 5,800 square-metre Alfardan Commercial warehouse accommodates premium tires, batteries, lubricants, and paints, ensuring seamless supply chain operations that meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency. The hub incorporates advanced logistics and inventory management systems to optimise import, and storage operations. The new hub underscores Alfardan Automotive’s enduring commitment to providing its partners and customers with exceptional service while driving innovation across the automotive value chain. **media[376117]** Omar Hussain Alfardan, Managing Director of Alfardan Corporation, commented: “Alfardan Automotive has built a long-standing legacy in Qatar’s luxury automotive market, delivering cutting-edge products while maintaining exceptional customer care and industry best practices. The opening of our regional logistics hub represents an extension of this commitment, offering a qualitatively elevated level of logistical services that enhances our operational capabilities, supports our dealership networks, and complements Qatar’s broader trading and economic activities. This hub reinforces the country’s growth as a regional centre for logistics and mobility, reflecting our shared vision for economic growth and sustainable development.” Developed in partnership with the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ), the project reflects a shared vision to position Qatar as a premier destination for automotive logistics and advanced mobility services. QFZ has provided a world-class environment and infrastructure framework that enables strategic investments, such as Alfardan Automotive Trading’s new hub to thrive and contribute to Qatar’s national development objectives. This landmark facility will serve as a cornerstone for Alfardan Automotive’s future growth, empowering its brands and partners to deliver even greater efficiency, customer satisfaction, and sustainable progress within the mobility sector.

Legal PerspectiveDue to increasing need to utilise new technologies in business, many new solutions are offered to help in this arena. We mention, in this connection, that RegTech, as a sub-industry of Fintech, is reaching high funding and it will continue to grow as businesses work hard to stay compliant with the new and existing regulations.The growth of this new industry is due to many factors and reasons including, among other things, noticeable volume of regulatory requirements, big fines in cases of non-compliance, clear activity in the use of technology especially after Covid-19, increased funding for RegTech companies, etc.This new technology, no doubt, offers safer, faster and more efficient workflows and therefore institutions are expected to increase spending on RegTech solutions to streamline their role and future business.It goes without saying that, the increased digitalisation, particularly in banking, has given rise to a number of challenges, both to regulators and likewise to executors. There has been a remarkable increase in the services provided. However, at the same time, there is also remarkable increase in new crimes, cyber-crimes, including data breaches, cyber hacks, risk of money laundering, and fraud.By using technology, the RegTech companies have started proving that they can do a better job than normal legacy systems particularly with reference to the detection of illegal activities. As we see, at present, RegTech companies operate in various areas of the financial and regulatory space.In the financial sector, as example, the regulators across the globe have come up with a number of mandates to increase transparency and reduce risk. The sheer volume of new norms for compliance added, increased or complicated the troubles facing the financial institutions. It has been noticed that, highly regulated industries such as the banking industry is facing ever-increasing regulatory compliance obligations.Herein, modern new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), biometrics and machine learning, can be utilised by the banking and financial industries to address challenges for regulatory compliance. RegTech companies are using these technologies in their solutions to make regulatory compliance processes more efficient and effective.RegTech solutions have various applications such as financial crime detection and prevention, cybercrime supervision, tracking and recording compliance activities, centralisation and timely submission of regulatory filings and streamlining market review workflows.Needless to say that, they can help compliance departments achieve a greater return on investment by increasing operational efficiencies, reducing operational costs and mitigating the risk of breach of regulatory norms. It’s good to follow and adopt this new activity, however, the need for human professionals is irreplaceable and the professional minds along with the new machine’s abilities shall work in collaboration to benefit our society for a prosperous future.Dr AbdelGadir Warsama Ghalib is a corporate legal counsel. Email: [email protected]

Qatar National Bank (QNB) expects further upside for gold over the medium and long term, despite the sharp rally in recent months and the significant risks of short-term corrections.In its Weekly Economic Commentary, QNB stated that consensus among leading research houses suggests gold prices are likely to remain well supported at around USD 4,000 per troy ounce, with an estimated upside of 10–15% over the next twelve months.Gold has once again proven its value in providing robust returns during periods of global uncertainty. In fact, it has been one of the standout global asset classes in recent years, consistently demonstrating remarkable resilience. Since the post-pandemic normalization in 2022, gold prices have gained around 105%, significantly outperforming most global benchmarks, including equities, bonds, and commodities.This broad-based outperformance underscores gold’s unique position as both a store of value and a macro hedge in an era defined by three converging structural forces: strong global growth in money supply, geopolitical fragmentation, and central bank reserve diversification.Since the onset of the pandemic, an unprecedented expansion of fiscal and monetary policy has undermined confidence in the stability of currencies in major advanced economies. At the same time, a series of geopolitical shocks — from the U.S.-China strategic rivalry to conflicts in Eastern Europe — have fueled demand for safe and jurisdictionally neutral assets. Furthermore, the steady accumulation of gold by emerging market central banks, often as a deliberate strategy to reduce dependency on established reserve currencies, has added a new layer of sustained, price-insensitive demand.Gold appears “fairly” priced, if not undervalued, against USD money supply (M2). Since the Bretton Woods agreements of 1944, which established the post-Second World War economic order, the USD long-term price of gold has tended to move directionally in line with M2 growth. Much of the recent upward movement in gold prices could therefore be seen as a catch-up following a long period of undervaluation since 2010, combined with continued strong USD issuance. Current prices would still need to rise by approximately 34% to reach QNB’s modeled fair value. Importantly, M2 has been accelerating in recent years, growing at a compound annual rate of 7.5%. In other words, there are no clear signs of overvaluation, and one of the main drivers of prices — USD issuance — continues to expand rapidly.Positioning by both central banks and private investors in gold also suggests further potential for price appreciation. Geopolitical fragmentation continues to amplify gold’s appeal as a jurisdictionally neutral asset outside the reach of financial “weaponization.”According to the World Gold Council, following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, central banks’ additional demand for gold more than doubled — from around 450 tons per year to over 1,000 tons per year. Despite this increase in official demand, there remains considerable room for a longer-term accumulation trend. While large advanced economies tend to hold around 25% of their foreign exchange (FX) reserves in gold, major emerging-market central banks hold less than 12% of their FX reserves in the metal.

Qatar Airways has been named the 'Best Airline in the World' at the Business Traveller Awards 2025. Held at the Sky Garden in London, the Business Traveller Awards ceremony brought together influential figures from across the travel and hospitality industry to celebrate outstanding achievements. Qatar Airways was recognised by a panel of industry experts, each bringing decades of experience and a sharp eye for excellence, for its role in advancing the aviation industry. Qatar Airways was also awarded Best Business Class in the World, Best Economy Class in the World, Best Frequent Flyer Programme in the World, Best Airline Lounge in the World (Al Mourjan Lounges, DOH), and Best Airline Between Europe and the Middle East. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori said: "We are honoured to receive these prestigious accolades that reflect our unwavering commitment to excellence. Being named World's Best Airline, alongside recognition for our Business and Economy Class cabins, loyalty programme, and lounges, is a testament to our dedication to delivering unparalleled experiences, to our customers at each travel touchpoint. These awards reaffirm our position as a global leader and top innovator in the industry, and inspire us to continue setting new leading standards for comfort, connectivity and service." Ink Global Chief Commercial Officer Michael Keating said: "Qatar Airways performed outstandingly well in this year's Business Traveller Awards, winning five of the seven global airline categories and six awards in total. From its industry-leading Business Class product to exceptional inflight service and innovations such as free Starlink Wi-Fi, Qatar Airways is a truly deserving winner. We were delighted to celebrate their success at the Global Awards ceremony in London, and Business Traveller looks forward to seeing how the airline continues to pioneer world-class travel in the years ahead." These recognitions mark another milestone in what has been an outstanding year for Qatar Airways, as the airline continues to expand its global network of over 170 destinations globally, elevate its product offerings, and drive innovation in service excellence. As the national carrier of the State of Qatar, Qatar Airways remains committed to delivering world-class hospitality, elevating the passenger experience, and earning the trust and loyalty of travellers across the globe.

Capt Abdulla Mohamed al-Khanji, chief executive officer of Mwani Qatar, has been chosen as the “Personality of the Year” at the annual The Maritime Standard (TMS) Awards 2025 ceremony, held at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai.The award recognises outstanding individuals who have made remarkable contributions to advancing the maritime industry and enhancing its overall performance and efficiency.With more than 22 years of experience in the maritime industry, Captain al-Khanji has held numerous leadership positions that have significantly contributed to enhancing Qatar’s global standing in maritime transport and trade.This recognition comes as part of the TMS' mission to celebrate outstanding leaders who have driven progress in maritime infrastructure, logistics services, and port competitiveness across the region. It highlights the widespread appreciation of Mwani Qatar’s efforts to promote innovation and deliver world-class services in the ports and maritime transport sectors.Held annually in the presence of senior executives and industry leaders from around the world, TMS awards have become one of the most prestigious platforms celebrating excellence and innovation across the shipping, ports, and maritime industries, particularly in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Categories include shipping company of the year, terminal operator of the year, and woman in shipping award.

Scale Now, which enables Qatari founded technology companies to become global competitors, has secured deals valued at $12.9mn, positioning Qatar as a regional hub for digital innovation, according to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT).Of the $12.9mn in deals secured, as much as $7.2mn was in B2B (business-to-business) and $5.7mn in direct investments, said a MCIT presentation made recently after roping in four more partners – Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Invest Qatar, QDB (Qatar Development Bank) and Qatar Research Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council - for the programme."Scale Now is more than a programme; it is a coordinated national platform turning digital innovation into tangible economic impact," MCIT said.About $7.2mn in B2B (business to business) transactions; the presentation said it demonstrated strong market validation and confidence in Qatar’s scale-up ecosystem.The Cycle 1 had secured $5.7mn in direct investments through a mix of private funding, grants, and investor partnerships.The participating entities from Cycle 1 reported sustained growth, validating the effectiveness of the programme’s capability-building and market access model, it said, highlighting more than 50% average revenue growth and one successful international market expansion in Cycle 1.The Cycle 1 brought together six market-ready companies delivering solutions from digital payments and marketplaces to airport operations and immersive media.It saw Mzad Qatar, providing a multi-category marketplace with a digital auction platform that connects buyers and sellers; SkipCash, enabling businesses to implement secure online payment solutions through a streamlined digital platform; and EMMA Systems, delivering airport software that improves operational efficiency and data management.The Cycle 1 also saw ADGS, offering behavioural biometrics and predictive maintenance powered by proprietary AI models; SPONIX, providing immersive video solutions and virtual advertising that enable engaging real-time content during live events; and ClassTap, offering flexible access to more than 3,000 fitness studios and classes through a subscription platform.Scale Now contributes directly to Qatar's Digital Agenda 2030's national employment target by equipping founders and creating high-value digital roles across tech sectors, aiming more than 26,000 ICT (information, communication and technology) jobs by 2030."Through its collaborative model, Scale Now is enabling Qatari-founded technology companies to become global competitors, strengthening the nation’s economic resilience, export potential, and job creation capacity," it said.By providing tailored mentorship, strategic partnerships, investment readiness and facilitating access to pilot opportunities, the programme helps high-potential companies transform proven traction into sustainable growth. It strengthens Qatar’s digital economy, aligns with the Digital Agenda 2030 and positions the country as a global hub for innovation and expansion."We will refer high-potential companies from Startup Qatar to future Scale Now cohorts, support access to funding and grants, and help shape a connected, resilient ecosystem where innovation and entrepreneurship thrive," Invest Qatar had said.Invest Qatar serves as the gateway for foreign investors and entrepreneurs, guiding them through each stage of their business journey — from exploration to expansion — by providing comprehensive insights, market knowledge and facilitating connections with key government and private sector stakeholders.

The US Federal Reserve rate cut and easing of the US-China trade tensions had their positive influence on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), where bullish sentiments prevailed for the second consecutive week. The Gulf institutions were seen increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index settled 0.73% higher this week which saw the market heavyweight Industries Qatar (IQ) report QR3.4bn net profit in the first nine months (9M) of 2025. The telecom and insurance counters witnessed higher than average demand in the main bourse this week which saw Nakilat report net profit of QR1.31bn in January-September 2025. The Gulf retail investor turned net buyers in the main market this week which saw Ooredoo Group’s 9M-2025 net profit at QR3.1bn. The overall sentiments was seen upbeat in the market that otherwise saw shakers outnumber movers this week, which saw Aamal Company approved the sale of IMO Qatar to Frijns Structural Steel Middle East for QR6.5mn. The domestic institutions were seen increasingly net profit takers in the main bourse this week which saw Qamco report net profit of QR534mn in 9M-2025. The local retail investors were also increasingly bearish in the main market this week which saw Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding report a net profit of QR520mn in January-September 2025. The foreign individuals turned net sellers in the main bourse this week which saw a total of 0.06mn AlRayan Bank-sponsored exchange traded fund QATR worth QR0.13mn trade across 23 deals. The foreign funds were seen net profit takers in the main market this week which saw a total of 0.06mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange traded fund QETF worth QR0.6mn trade across 54 transactions. The Islamic index was seen gaining faster than the other indices of the main market this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. Market capitalisation added QR4.14bn or 0.64% to QR654.74n on the back of small and midcap segments this week which saw no trading of treasury bills. Trade turnover fell amidst higher volumes in the main market, while the junior bourse saw declines in turnover and volumes this week which saw the consumer goods, industrials and realty sectors together constitute more than three-fourth of the total trade volumes. The Total Return Index rose 0.73%, the All Share Index by 0.62% and the All Islamic Index by 0.81% this week which saw Meeza report net profit of QR42.4mn in January-September 2025. The telecom sector index surged 2.48%, insurance (2.32%), real estate (0.68%), industrials (0.52%), banks and financial services (0.48%) and consumer goods and services (0.44%), while transport was down 0.08% this week which saw Mekdam Holding Group’s 9M-2025 net profit at QR27.8mn. The market was skewed towards shakers with as many as 28 constituents reporting declines, while 22 gained and two were unchanged this week which saw Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance report net profit of QR93.08mn in 9M-2025. Major movers in the main market included QLM, Qatar German Medical Devices, Beema, Ooredoo, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Qatar Islamic Bank, Woqod, IQ, Qatar Insurance, Al Khaleej Takaful and Ezdan. In the juniour bourse, Techno Q saw its shares appreciate this week. Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Baladna, Qamco, Qatar Oman Investment, Mannai Corporation, Alijarah Holding, Qatar Electricity and Water, Aamal Company, Mazaya Qatar and Gulf Warehousing were among the shakers in the main market this week. The Gulf institutions’ net buying increased substantially to QR191.29mn compared to QR36.59mn the week ended October 23. The Gulf individual investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.61mn against net profit takers of QR6.35mn the previous week. However, the domestic institutions’ net selling strengthened significantly to QR102.18mn compared to QR5.12mn a week ago. The Qatari individuals’ net selling expanded noticeably to QR78.59mn against QR63.59mn the week ended October 23. The foreign retail investors were net profit takers to the extent of QR7.85mn compared with net buyers of QR5.17mn the previous week. The foreign institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR2.53mn against net buyers of QR32.94mn a week ago. The Arab individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR1.75mn compared with net buyers of QR0.33mn the week ended October 23. The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net buyers to the tune of QR0.02mn the previous week. The main market saw 7% contraction in trade volumes to 551.21mn shares but on 14% jump in value to QR1.65bn and less than 1% in deals to 94,631 this week. In the venture market, trade volumes tanked 67% to 0.12mn equities, value by 68% to QR0.27mn and transactions by 65% to 45.

The Swiss Business Council Qatar (SwissBCQ) held a ceremony on Wednesday to celebrate the 2025 Swiss Excellence Awards and the council’s 10th anniversary. Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Swiss Confederation Mohammed bin Jaham al-Kuwari received the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to consolidating co-operation between the two countries and his role in advancing Qatar-Switzerland relations in the economic, technological, cultural, and other fields. The Council annually celebrates the Swiss Excellence Awards to honour individuals and institutions that have contributed to enhancing Qatari-Swiss relations and establishing a solid foundation for co-operation in the areas of innovation, sustainability, and business. Established in 2015, the SwissBCQ aims to support Swiss companies and professionals in Qatar through a platform and network of shared interests. It also facilitates business opportunities for members, connects them with representatives of the public and private sectors in Qatar and Switzerland, organises cultural and social events between the two countries, and collaborates with other business councils in Qatar and the region. In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), al-Kuwari expressed his gratitude for the honour he received, considering it a new milestone in further strengthening bilateral relations between Qatar and Switzerland. Co-operation between Qatar and the Swiss Confederation has witnessed remarkable development in recent years across various fields, particularly in the technological, cultural, and economic sectors, he said, adding that co-operation between the two sides is progressing in the right direction and will continue to develop in the near future, thanks to the strong ties binding the two countries. For her part, ambassador of Switzerland to the State of Qatar Florence Tinguely Mattli commended the efforts of al-Kuwari and his significant role in strengthening relations between the two countries. She emphasised that co-operation between Qatar and Switzerland has been showing a remarkable annual increase, thanks to the two countries’ desire to develop and enhance relations in all sectors, including energy, culture, technology, economy, and other vital areas. President of the SwissBCQ Dr Fariborz Samadian affirmed that the Council has significantly contributed to supporting economic co-operation between Qatar and Switzerland and is working to further develop it. He commended the efforts of Qatar’s ambassador in Bern and his tangible role in supporting co-operation and bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Qatar Stock Exchange yesterday saw foreign funds turn bullish as its key barometer gained as much as 29 points, a day after the Qatar Central Bank reduced key rate, following the move by the US Federal Reserve. The telecom, insurance and transport counters witnessed higher than average demand as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.26% to 10,956.78 points. The market, which saw a rollercoaster ride throughout the session, had touched an intraday low of 10,925 points. The Arab individuals were seen bullish in the main market, whose year-to-date gains improved further to 3.65%. The Gulf funds continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR1.62bn or 0.25% to QR654.74bn, mainly on small cap segments. The domestic institutions were seen increasingly net profit takers in the main market, which saw as many as 230 exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank) valued at QR530 trade across three deals. The local retail investors were also increasingly net sellers in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the rise. The Islamic index was seen outperforming the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The foreign retail investors were seen bearish in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. The Total Return Index rose 0.26%, the All Share Index by 0.23% and the All Islamic Index by 0.32% in the main market. The telecom sector index shot up 2.68%, insurance (1.2%), transport (0.42%), real estate (0.27%) and banks and financial services (0.11%); while industrials declined 0.24% and consumer goods and services 0.09%. As many as 24 stocks gained, while 24 declined and four were unchanged. Major gainers in the main market included QLM, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Ooredoo, Al Khaleej Takaful, Qatar Insurance, Gulf International Services and Nakilat. Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Meeza, Inma Holding, Lesha Bank, Al Mahhar Holding, Industries Qatar and Qamco were among the shakers in the junior bourse. The foreign institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR30.79mn compared with net sellers of QR8.65mn the previous day. The Arab retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR1.77mn against net sellers of QR1.5mn on October 29. However, the domestic institutions’ net selling increased substantially to QR44.43mn compared to QR19.25mn on Wednesday. The local individual investors’ net selling expanded significantly to QR30.14mn against QR22.12mn the previous day. The foreign individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR7.86mn compared with net buyers of QR1.25mn on October 29. The Gulf individual investors’ net profit booking increased marginally to QR0.28mn against QR0.06mn on Wednesday. The Gulf institutions’ net buying decreased marginally to QR50.17mn compared to QR50.33mn the previous day. The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the fifth straight session. The main market saw a 6% jump in trade volumes to 113.32mn shares, 22% surge in value to QR365.17mn and 27% in deals to 25,070. In the venture market, a total of 0.02mn equities valued at QR0.05mn changed hands across three transactions.

Qatar Chamber recently participated in the Business Advisory and Development Council (BAB) meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), which concluded yesterday at the Expo Centre Dubai in the UAE.Qatar Chamber board member Mohamed bin Ahmed al-Obaidli led the chamber’s delegation, which included Noura Salman al-Ameri, member of the chamber’s Tourism Committee, and Hamad Ali Muaiqal al-Marri, director of the Committees and Business Councils Affairs Department.Held under the theme ‘Building Diversified and Interconnected Economies: Private Sector Strategies’ and focusing on the food, agriculture, and tourism sectors, the meeting aimed to promote public-private collaboration as a lever for economic diversification, connectivity, and integration, while enhancing opportunities in tourism, agriculture, SMEs, and entrepreneurship. It also sought to identify innovative solutions to strengthen regional connectivity and mobilise investment in innovation and digitalisation across the Mena region.During the opening session, al-Obaidli highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships as a key driver of economic diversification in Qatar. He noted that Qatar’s experience in fostering such partnerships serves as an inspiring model, as the country has successfully transformed collaboration between the public and private sectors into a key driver for attracting investments and enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy, in line with its national vision for sustainable development.He stressed that public-private partnerships represent one of the most important pillars for building a resilient and adaptive economy.Al-Obaidli pointed out that activating Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) contributes to diversifying the national economy by expanding the production base and developing promising sectors, such as renewable energy, manufacturing industries, and the digital economy, in addition to improving spending efficiency and implementing vital projects according to the highest standards, thus ensuring the continuity of services in all circumstances.He further emphasised the importance of involving the private sector in formulating and implementing development strategies, enabling it to be a true partner in achieving economic and social development.

Some 845 new hotel keys are scheduled for delivery in Qatar in 2025, with the majority concentrated in 4 and 5-star categories, according to researcher ValuStrat.Total hospitality stock in the country has been estimated at 41,240 keys, ValuStrat said in a recent report.A majority – 68% of the total stock comprised 4 to 5-star hotels – whereas 7.7% was classified within the 1-star to 3-star category, while the remaining 24.3% consisted of hotel apartments, it said.For the second quarter (Q2, 2025), the Average Daily Rate (ADR) was QR453, an increment of 6.5% YoY.Whilst the Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) was QR322, a jump of 21.2% was seen from Q2 last year, supported by events such as the Toy and Food Festivals, exhibitions, Eid celebrations, and MICE activities.Average daily rates were QR653.5 for 5-star hotels, QR233.2 for 3-star hotels, and QR187.2 for 4-star hotels, ValuStrat noted.Average hotel occupancy was at 71%, an increase of 13.2% yearly.The total visitor count increased by 1.1mn compared to the previous quarter, reaching 2.6mn in H1 and reflecting a 3% YoY increase.Travellers from GCC nations accounted for 36% of the total, it said.According to the researcher, total retail supply in Qatar was recorded at 5.5mn sq m gross leasable area (GLA). Organised spaces comprised 2.5mn sq m GLA while unorganised amounted to 3mn sq m GLA.The median monthly rate for shopping centres in the second quarter decreased by 2% quarterly at QR178.8 per sq m, noting a drop of 5.9% yearly.Median monthly rents for street retail inside Doha stabilised QoQ while reducing by 5% yearly.Outside Doha, median monthly rents were down by 1% QoQ and 3% YoY.Street retail rents inside Doha over most locations remained unchanged or observed nominal increases quarterly, while a YoY decrease of close to 10% was noted in Al Sadd, Fereej Bin Mahmoud, Muntazah and Al Bidda.Street retail rents outside Doha largely held steady on a quarterly basis, with the exception of Abu Hamour, Al Khor and Umm Salal Mohammad, which recorded declines of up to 10% compared to the first quarter of 2025.On an annual scale, similar reductions were observed, ValuStrat noted.

Volkswagen reported its first quarterly loss for five years Thursday, topping €1bn, as the German auto giant struggles with US tariffs and a troubled electric shift at subsidiary Porsche. The loss in the July-to-September period amounted to €1.07bn ($1.24bn) and was the first suffered by Europe's biggest carmaker since the second quarter of 2020, when it was hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The 10-brand manufacturer, whose models range from Skoda to Seat and Audi, warned that US President Donald Trump's tariff blitz was costing it €5bn on an annual basis. "The result is much weaker compared to the same period last year," Volkswagen finance boss Arno Antlitz said. "Higher tariffs, adjusting the product strategy at Porsche and write downs to Porsche's value cost €7.5bn." It is the latest bad news for VW and the wider German auto industry, and reflects broader problems for traditional manufacturers in Europe's struggling top economy. Beyond tariffs and the slower than expected shift to electric cars, fierce competition in key market China has hammered German manufacturers and their suppliers. Long the jewel in Volkswagen's crown, Porsche in recent years has become a headache for the wider group amid intense pressure from local competitors in China and weak demand for electric sports cars that lack the thrill of noisy petrol engines. Volkswagen in September warned of a bumper €5.1bn hit to its core profit for the year after Porsche cut profit targets and said it would carry on selling petrol vehicles for longer than previously planned. Volkswagen absorbed costs from Porsche's changed strategy and also wrote down the value of its shares in the Stuttgart-based sports car maker. The automotive giant is also dealing with US tariffs on car exports from the European Union, subject to a tariff of 15 % under an EU-US deal unveiled late July. Even before Trump unleashed his tariffs, VW was struggling. The group struck a deal with unions last December to cut 35,000 jobs by 2030, mostly at its namesake brand, as part of wider plans to save €15bn a year. Another headache emerged earlier this month after Dutch officials took control of the Netherlands-based but Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia, citing national security concerns. That prompted authorities in Beijing to ban the export of Nexperia chips out of China. BBVA Spanish banking giant BBVA on Thursday reported "record" profits in the first nine months of the year, a period defined by uncertainty surrounding its failed attempt to swallow smaller rival Sabadell. BBVA is smarting from this month's resounding rejection by Sabadell shareholders of the hostile takeover bid that dashed its dream of creating a new European banking colossus. But the saga did not appear to affect the performance of Spain's second-largest bank, which announced €7.98bn ($9.3bn) in net profit, up 4.7% on the first nine months of 2024. The arrival of 8.7mn new customers and "solid business activity" that saw lending increase, particularly in Mexico and Spain, drove the growth, BBVA said in a statement. The bank, which has a large footprint in Turkiye and Latin America, said it would accelerate a plan to buy back shares and pay the "highest interim dividend" to its shareholders in the coming days. Lufthansa Shares in Lufthansa soared on Thursday after the German airline giant reported better-than-expected earnings and said it believed 2025 was a "turning point" after a turbulent period. Net profit from July to September dropped 12% to €966mn ($1.1bn) from the same quarter last year, with the group pointing to weaker demand on transatlantic routes and fierce competition in Europe. But this was above analyst expectations, and Lufthansa's shares jumped around four % in morning trade in Frankfurt. Lufthansa — which operates Eurowings, Austrian, Swiss and Brussels Airlines and has acquired a stake in Italy's ITA — saw profits tumble in 2024 due to walkouts and aircraft delivery delays. This prompted the group to launch a turnaround programme, and it last month announced plans to cut 4,000 jobs, mainly administrative roles in Germany. But CEO Carsten Spohr said the picture was now improving due to a pick-up in aircraft deliveries as well as "strict cost management and numerous efficiency measures". "2025 marks a positive turning point," he said in a statement, vowing to "continue to work intensively" on turning around the business. Lufthansa, Europe's biggest airline group in terms of sales, maintained its outlook for the year, expecting operating profit significantly above last year's figure of €1.6bn. Profits were pulled down in the third quarter due to a slowdown on lucrative transatlantic routes. Lufthansa had already forecast a slowdown on these routes earlier this year, amid a reluctance among Europeans to travel to the US since the return of US President Donald Trump to the White House. TotalEnergies French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies reported on Thursday a sharp increase in third-quarter net profit despite lower crude prices as its production rose. The company said net income grew around 61% to $3.7bn compared to the same period last year, even as oil prices fell by more than $10 per barrel year-on-year. Chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said in a statement that the company's "strong financials" were underpinned by production growth of more than four % and improved downstream results. "In the context of continued uncertainty in the geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, oil prices are trending downwards," TotalEnergies said in the statement. The company noted that there was an "abundant supply" of oil due to Opec+ countries and other nations, including the US, Brazil and Guyana, raising output. Samsung Electronics South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics posted on Thursday a 32% rise in profits on-year for the third quarter, driven by AI-fuelled market demand for memory chips. The artificial intelligence industry has provided a major boost to South Korea's Samsung and SK hynix, two of the world's leading memory chip makers, as their products have become indispensable for AI infrastructure. Samsung's latest earnings report marks a sharp turnaround for the company, which saw its profits plunge more than 50% on-year in the second quarter due to the impact of US curbs on AI chip exports to China. "Operating profit increased to 12.2tn won ($8.5bn). The Device Solutions (DS) Division reported a 19% increase in sales quarter-on-quarter, with the Memory Business setting an all-time high for quarterly sales," the company said in its earnings statement. Its smartphone division logged an 11% rise quarter-on-quarter in revenue "due to the successful launch of new foldable phones and solid flagship sales", it added. "Looking ahead to Q4, the rapid growth of the AI industry is expected to open up new market opportunities for both the DS and DX Divisions," it said, referring to its chips and smartphone units. The current boom in AI has pushed up prices and shipments of conventional NAND and DRAM memory chips, alongside soaring demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in AI servers. Samsung said it would invest 40.9tn won in its semiconductor facilities this year to meet this growing demand. "The DS division will focus on transitioning to advanced processes and reinforcing existing production lines to meet demand for high-value products," the company said. Samsung signed in July a $16.5bn deal with Tesla under which it will provide the electric car maker with AI6 chips through the end of 2033. The agreement is expected to provide a major boost to Samsung, which has faced headwinds in its foundry business, lagging rivals SK Hynix and Taiwan's TSMC in the race for cutting-edge artificial intelligence chips. Airbus European plane-maker Airbus said Wednesday its third-quarter net profit surged by 14% to €1.1bn ($1.28bn) on the back of strong military and helicopter sales. Revenues likewise rose by 14% compared to the same period a year ago, and by 7% in the first nine months of the year to more than €47bn euros — with over €9bn coming from the defence division. The overall results for the first three quarters of 2025 "reflect the level of commercial aircraft deliveries and a solid performance in the Defence and Space and Helicopters businesses", said chief executive Guillaume Faury in the earnings statement. He said deliveries were strong "amid a complex and dynamic operating environment" and the firm was looking to "create a new European leader" in the space market along with aerospace companies Leonardo and Thales. Net commercial aircraft orders over the first three quarters totalled 514 and the company "continues to ramp up" production of its medium-range A320 line, it said. The medium-haul segment accounts for most orders by airlines, and Airbus took the lead over its rival Boeing when it introduced a new generation of its A320 family of aircraft that offered considerable fuel savings. Airbus said it aimed for around 820 commercial aircraft deliveries in 2025, assuming "no additional disruptions to global trade or the world economy." Its US rival Boeing has retaken the lead in terms of orders in 2025 as it benefits from the aggressive trade lobbying of US President Donald Trump. Shell British oil and gas giant Shell on Thursday said its net profit rose 24% in the third quarter as trading margins and sales volumes improved, despite falling oil prices. Profit after tax jumped to $5.3bn in the three months to the end of September, compared to $4.3bn one year earlier, Shell said in a statement. "Despite continued volatility, our strong delivery this quarter enables us to commence another $3.5bn of (share) buybacks for the next three months," said chief executive Wael Sawan. Stripping out exceptional items, adjusted earnings fell nearly 10% but still exceeded market expectations. The company also reported a reduction in net debt from the previous quarter. Shell's profits had struggled in the first half of the year on lower oil and gas prices. Energy prices have come under pressure this year on concerns that US President Donald Trump's tariffs will hurt economic growth, while Opec+ nations have produced more oil. As for Shell, "most of the (profit) beat came from the upstream division which is benefitting from increased production in Brazil and the recently renamed Gulf of America", said Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown. He added that Shell benefited from a boost to gas trading, which "typically does well in volatile times and can counter price weakness". Shell's share price was flat in London morning deals following the update. Along with rival BP, Shell has scaled back various climate objectives to focus more on oil and gas in order to raise profits. In July, Shell started up its liquefied natural gas project in Canada, expected to ship 14mn tonnes of LNG from British Columbia to Asia each year. As it focuses on its fossil fuels business, Shell last month announced it had abandoned construction of one of Europe's largest biofuel plants in the Netherlands. The renewables biofuel factory was intended to produce sustainable aviation fuel and diesel from waster, but faced unfavourable market conditions. BP is set to report its third-quarter results next week, after surpassing earnings expectations in the second quarter.

Global rating agency Moody's has assigned ‘(P)Aa2’ rating and "stable" outlook to Qatar's Global Sukuk Ventures’ issuance programme. The rating agency assigned a foreign-currency backed senior unsecured MTN (medium-term note) rating of ‘(P)Aa2’ to the trust certificate issuance programme of Global Sukuk Ventures, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) incorporated in Qatar and wholly owned by the government of Qatar. The trust certificates issued by the SPV will constitute direct, unconditional and unsubordinated obligations of the sovereign, which will rank pari passu with all current and future senior unsecured external debt of the Government of Qatar. The proceeds of the issuances are intended for general budget purposes. Proceeds from any green instrument issuances are intended to finance new or refinance existing projects eligible under the government's green financing framework. The rating mirrors the government of Qatar's Aa2 long-term issuer rating and stable outlook. "We note that our sukuk ratings do not express an opinion on the structures' compliance with Shariah Law," Moody's said. Qatar's Aa2 ratings are supported by its vast hydrocarbon reserves, exceptionally high per-capita income and the government's very strong balance sheet. These strengths provide significant shock-absorption capacity and mitigate the sovereign's high economic and fiscal exposure to declines in hydrocarbon demand and prices, longer-term risks related to global carbon transition, and risks arising from regional geopolitical tensions, the rating agency said. Highlighting that the stable outlook reflects a balance of risks at the current rating level; Moody's said a scenario where hydrocarbon demand and prices decline significantly and durably, "potentially as a result of a more rapid global carbon transition than we currently expect, would result in a material fiscal deterioration." On the other hand, potentially faster and more significant progress on economic and fiscal diversification poses an upside risk to the credit profile. "Longer-term risks related to carbon transition are also mitigated by Qatar's track record of policy effectiveness and access to ample financial buffers that the government can use to accelerate and sustain economic diversification," it said. Furthermore, demand for Qatar's hydrocarbon export mix, which is dominated by LNG (liquefied natural gas), is likely to peak considerably later than demand for other fossil fuels, allowing the sovereign more time to adjust, including by broadening its government revenue base. Near-term risks related to elevated regional geopolitical tensions are balanced by the government's very large stock of financial assets, which are available to buffer temporary declines in exports and government revenue even in a very low-probability scenario where maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted due to an escalating regional conflict, according to Moody's.