Qatar has continued to enhance its legal environment with a number of legislative reforms and amendments over the recent period to pave the way for a more welcoming environment for business and protection of human rights inclusive of all sections of the society.In October, Law No 25 of 2025 was issued amending the Civil Human Resources Law No 15 of 2016, giving more incentives for public sector employees to exercise their creativity and improve their skills and performance as the law gave more rewards and privileges for productivity and excellent performance.The law put special focus on maintaining work-life balance that gave room for boosting family ties and raising children. For instance, female employees can start leave from the eighth month of pregnancy and extend it by up to three months with full pay. Besides, the new law allowed them to work from the seventh month of pregnancy until childbirth. This law makes evaluations based mainly on the actual performance of employees and encourage them to go forward with higher rewards for exceptional performance, including bonuses up to QR120,000 per year.Further in the same year, the Ministry of Justice introduced Law No 19 of 2025 amending and reforming certain provisions of the Legal Profession Law promulgated by Law No 23 of 2006, to respond to the requirements of the massive development and progress that the country has undergone in all fields over the past few years.The amendments are considered a quantum leap in modernising the legal sector, enhancing the rule of law, and increasing opportunities for legal professionals. For instance the new law allowed layers to register in the commercial registry and own shares or stakes in joint-stock companies, provided they do not manage them or engage in commercial activities themselves. It also permits lawyers to promote their services through traditional and electronic means. The attorney fees are subject to a direct agreement between the lawyer and their client according to the new law, with the possibility of agreeing on a fee not exceeding 25% of any amount awarded to the client in the target case.In the meantime, the issuance of Law No 22 of 2025 on Persons with Disabilities in October this year is considered a major milestone in advancing inclusion and equal opportunities in Qatar. The law has founded a comprehensive legal framework to protect and maintain the rights of persons with disabilities, ensuring their full and effective participation within the society on an equal basis. Further, the guarantee and respect the rights of children with disabilities, preserving their identity, developing their abilities and skills, and enhance their inclusion and participation in the society. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability or due to disability, in addition to ensuring equality between women and men with disabilities in the enjoyment of all rights and fundamental freedoms.Violators of the stipulations of the law receive strict penalties that can go up to five years in jail or a fine of up to QR500,000.Law No 10 of 2025, issued in June, amending specific provisions of Law No 21 of 2018, on the regulation of business events in the country. It focuses on updating the regulatory framework for organising conferences, exhibitions, and related commercial gatherings. The law is part of Qatar's efforts to enhance its position as a destination for international business meetings and exhibitions.The Judicial Enforcement Law No 4 of 2024, issued in October last year, has considerably modernised legal execution through the establishment of establishing a specialised Enforcement Court, digitalised procedures, and streamlining processes for faster judgment fulfilment. Among the key features bank cheques and fixed-term rental agreements were recognised as direct executive instruments where the judge's powers over these issues were expanded to speed up the litigation processes.Accordingly, Qatar has been constantly updating and enhancing its regal system to further promote transparency, accountability, protection and inclusion of all members and categories of the society and speed up progress and business opportunities that mainly aim to improve the lives of its people.

Qatar’s startup ecosystem is not only a catalyst for innovation, but it is a powerful engine for job creation and transformation of the workforce, Invest Qatar stated in a report. Titled ‘Qatar’s Startup Environment’, the report noted that startups, particularly in the tech sector, are known for their high job multipliers. It also stated that each startup can create between “1.1 and 6 jobs on average”, depending on its scale and sector. “It has been proven that the number of startups in the economy is positively correlated with GDP growth. Research shows a positive correlation between the number of startups and GDP growth,” the report pointed out. Based on these estimates, the report stated that a thriving ecosystem in Qatar could boost annual GDP by up to “2.5% through job creation alone”, a figure that aligns with the country’s goal of expanding its skilled labour force. “The expansion of the ICT sector is particularly beneficial since it contributes to the digital economy — a market that is responsible for 15.5% of global GDP and has grown 2.5 times faster than the global GDP in the last decade. ICT investments are also proven to boost economic growth and global competitiveness,” the report continued. The report emphasises that startups are responsible for high levels of job creation globally. Citing the US, for example, the report stated that startups contributed an estimated 3mn jobs annually between 1995 and 2005. The report stated: “With a successful ecosystem in place, up to 6,000 direct and indirect jobs could be created annually in Qatar’s economy because of the large job multiplier. Qatar’s strategy to shift towards a highly skilled labour force mirrors successful models in Estonia and Singapore, where a high concentration of engineers and tech sector employees significantly contributes to their leading startup ecosystems. ” The report emphasised that the country’s emphasis on human capital is embedded in Qatar National Vision 2030, which calls for a modern educational system that encourages analytical thinking, creativity, and innovation. “To further support human development, Qatar will aspire to be an active centre in the fields of scientific research and intellectual activity. Qatar aims to build a modern, world-class educational system that provides first-rate education. The system will also encourage analytical and critical thinking, as well as creativity and innovation,” the report stated. According to the report, the startup ecosystem supports this vision by offering training, mentorship, and capacity-building programs that prepare Qataris for high-growth industries. The report showed that job creation is not just a metric, but it is a strategic outcome. It also pointed to startups as a sector that is helping Qatar build an agile and skilled workforce that is ready to lead in a diversified economy.

A spell of cold weather is expected to affect Qatar and several Gulf countries in the days leading up to the New Year, as meteorologists warn of a cold air mass moving southwards across the region.In Qatar, temperatures are forecast to drop steadily, prompting residents and visitors to brace for cooler days and chilly nights. According to AccuWeather, nighttime temperatures in the coming days are expected to range between 12°C and 16°C, while daytime highs will hover between 20°C and 24°C. The Qatar Meteorology Department (MET) said temperatures between midnight and 6am on December 29 will range from 20°C to 22°C, but will feel closer to 19°C, with less than a 5% chance of rain during the day.**media[398270]**MET forecasts also indicate that the cold will intensify further in the days ahead, with “feels-like” temperatures dropping to around 12°C, particularly during the early morning hours. Visibility is expected to remain moderate to good from midnight to late morning through much of the coming week.As winter conditions set in, jackets and sweatshirts have become a common sight across Doha. Outdoor enthusiasts, including walkers and joggers, as well as gym-goers, have been taking extra precautions during workouts as temperatures dip.**media[398271]**Elsewhere in the Gulf, similar conditions are expected. In Kuwait, meteorologist Issa Ramadan warned that a cold wave driven by the passage of a cold air front will bring noticeably lower temperatures, especially at night and during early mornings.**media[398272]**North-westerly winds, ranging from moderate to occasionally strong, are expected to increase the sensation of cold, particularly in open and desert areas. Residents have been urged to take precautions during late-night and early-morning hours.**media[398273]**Other Gulf countries are also likely to feel the effects of the cold air mass, with cooler-than-usual temperatures expected across parts of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain as the New Year approaches. Meteorologists across the region continue to advise caution, particularly for those outdoors at night, as the Gulf experiences one of its coldest spells of the season.