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Greg Abel earns wide praise from shareholders for his leadership and management abilities at Berkshire Hathaway, but the leadership created by his predecessor and mentor Warren Buffett has begun to fade.Empty seats and diminished crowds were ‌noticeable throughout Berkshire's annual shareholder weekend in Omaha, Nebraska, the first since Abel succeeded Buffett as chief executive officer in January, ​according to Reuters' observations.Abel presided at Berkshire's annual ‌meeting in a downtown arena, without Buffett on stage, though the 95-year-old billionaire watched from the audience and spoke briefly ‌there.Shareholders came away impressed with ⁠Abel's knowledge of Berkshire's operations, which ‌sprawl across many industries including insurance, railroads, energy, manufacturing and retail.But he's ‌not the same draw as the Oracle of Omaha or late Vice-Chairman Charlie Munger, who died in 2023, who viewed themselves more as ⁠teachers when regaling shareholders in decades of prior meetings."I was a little bit disappointed," said Xiao Zhang, a private investor from Boston. "In previous years, Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger sat on the stage, sharing their investing experiences and also life experiences and philosophies. This year, I didn't hear something like that."Other shareholders said Buffett and Munger laid the groundwork for Abel, instilling his respect for the conglomerate's culture. Berkshire, these shareholders say, will do just fine with a new CEO as its face."They built something to outlast them," said John Wichita, a utility systems analyst from Omaha, referring to Buffett and Munger. "And I think it will. And the ideas they presented are much more powerful than their physical presence, ​in a way.""Picture with the Gecko! There's no line!" So shouted a staffer mid-Friday afternoon outside the Geico display at Berkshire's annual shareholder shopping event featuring Berkshire-owned businesses, in an exhibit hall next to the arena, referring to the car insurer's mascot.Lines were fewer and shorter. By the time registers were closing on ‌Saturday, See's had hundreds of unsold boxes of Berkshire ⁠commemorative chocolates.The main event was also less of a draw. Buffett drew capacity crowds. But a Reuters reporter and photographer estimated that around 12,000 of the arena's approximately 18,000 seats were occupied when Abel started this year's annual meeting.Berkshire did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside business hours about attendance and merchandise sales.Lines to get in the arena before its 7 am opening were also shorter, according to the Reuters reporters, though some still arrived early."I've watched it online, but flying here and communicating with people face to face is a better way to learn the meaning of value investing," said Chandler Thien, a freelance writer from Beijing. "It was worth it to pay money for this trip."Many who stayed for the meeting came away impressed."Greg did a good job," said Alexandra Cook, an accounting and finance professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida, who brought four students with her. "He had a job to ‌do to reassure shareholders, and he did that. It was ‌clear he knew the operations intimately, and it wasn't ⁠just Warren's opinion that that was the case."Others felt differently."Most people are here for investing knowledge and life philosophies. It was one of the reasons ⁠I was drawn to Berkshire," said Sophia Deng, who runs an ⁠artificial intelligence startup in San Francisco. "With Greg Abel, the emphasis was very, very different. It (became) more of an operational excellence conference, and it's not what I'm interested in as much."Deng plans to keep her Berkshire shares, but not buy more.Some said the cost of travel, or resistance to traveling to the United States from other countries, may have dampened attendance.But others see Berkshire - as a stock and for its culture - as a safe haven from torment elsewhere, and liked how Abel and other Berkshire executives who shared the stage focused on the company's future."In light of everything that's going on ​in the world, there doesn't seem to be a lot of hope and positivity," said Julie Vargas, a healthcare logistics manager from Omaha. "Having someone tell us what's going to possibly happen and where we can look forward is a positive step in the right direction."Cindy Chin, CEO and chief space officer of Planetary Systems AI, said staying the course is also part of Berkshire's appeal."We have a lot of volatility in geopolitics, but Berkshire's investing philosophy has always been staying true to value investors and shareholders, and I don't think that's going to change," she said. "This is Warren and Charlie's legacy, and being here is still someplace special."Abel is 63, and has signaled he would like to run Berkshire for a long time, perhaps decades.He has shareholders' respect. He may need more to ensure that shareholders continue viewing Berkshire, and the shareholder weekend, as something special."The throngs ‌of shareholders may abandon the meeting ​with the lack of the unique homespun feel of Warren's wit," said Richard Callahan, a retail banker at BMO in Omaha. "Abel may grow into it. But he's no Warren Buffett." 

Qatar Insurance reported a net profit of QR217mn in Q1 2026, up 6% year-on-year (y-o-y) from QR205mn, according to Qatar Insurance Group chairman Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal bin Thani Jasim al-Thani.Sheikh Hamad told the board of directors’ meeting that net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent amounted to QR205mn. Earnings per share for the period stood at QR0.030.The company’s well-diversified investment portfolio again proved its merits and resilience in Q1 2026. In an exceptionally volatile market environment, Qatar Insurance’s high-quality book generated solid investment income of QR238mn in Q1 2026, compared to QR216mn in the same period last year.Return on Investment for Q1 2026 came in at 5.3%, compared to 4.9% in Q1 2025. The book, which is mainly composed of a stable and conservative combination of bonds, cash, equities, and real estate, amounted to assets under management of QR18bn in Q1 2026, up from QR17.7bn in Q1 2025.Gross Written Premiums (GWP) totalled QR3.2bn, up by 13% y-o-y, while Insurance Service Result stood at QR130mn in Q1 2026, reflecting a significant 70% y-o-y increase.Despite the ongoing challenges, overall in Q1 2026, Qatar Insurance generated 56% of its GWPs in its domestic and MENA operations, with 44% stemming from its international business.Sheikh Hamad said the company’s Q1 2026 financial results confirm its resilience and strategic direction.“In a turbulent first quarter marked by the conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Qatar Insurance’s underwriting portfolio continued to generate consistent, stable, and reliable returns due to its robust diversification strategy of balancing our strong growth business generated in Qatar and the MENA region, with income from our international operations and investment portfolio, which once again provided a strong contribution to our results in highly volatile financial markets,” he said.Salem al-Mannai, Qatar Insurance Group CEO, said: “Despite this challenging first quarter, Qatar Insurance further expanded its products and services in Qatar, the MENA region with our presence in Dubai, Oman and Kuwait, and internationally through our Antares Lloyds Syndicate along with operations in Bermuda, Europe and Asia Pacific.“Whilst already benefiting from our regional spread, we further built our diversification and strengthened our resilience through a well-balanced product portfolio, generating attractive growth and returns with our personal non-life, life and medical book, and our commercial lines business in Qatar and the Mena region, and internationally in marine and other speciality lines through our reinsurance book.”He added: “We further strengthened our investments in technology, particularly during this period of uncertainty and disruption. Our pioneering role in insurtech and fintech, along with our award-winning app for motorists, has proven invaluable in maintaining seamless services for our customers.” 

Barwa Real Estate has reported net profit of QR239.7mn attributable to the shareholders of the parent in the first three months of this year compared to QR239.5mn the same period of the previous year.The earnings-per-share (EPS) amounted to QR0.0616 for the three-month ended March 31, 2026 against QR0.0615 during the same period of the previous year. 

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. 

A basic principle of corporate governance (CG) relates to the board of directors of the company, wherein the company shall be headed by an effective, collegial and informative board. Herein, if you are a board member, you need to ask yourself, where do we stand in this? To achieve the goal, all members of the board of directors should understand the role and responsibilities of the board as stipulated in the “Company Law”, the relevant articles and memorandum of association of the company, the board charter, the corporate culture and the corporate governance code. This stand or mission, in particular, highlights that the role of the board of directors is different from the role of the shareholders of the company (whose interests the board serves) and, also, the role of the executives officers working in the company. In particular, members of the board of directors should fully understand the board’s fiduciary duties of care and degree of loyalty to the company and the shareholders. Members of the board of directors are responsible both individually and collectively for performing these responsibilities, which cannot be transferred or delegated to other persons in the company. When a new director is appointed, the chairman of the board assisted by the legal advisor and compliance officer of the company, should review the board’s role and duties with all members of the board of directors, particularly covering the legal and regulatory requirements and the code of corporate governance. The company should have a written appointment letteragreement with each member of the board of directors including the powers and duties of the director in addition to other matters relating to his appointment including his term, the time commitment envisaged, the committee assignment if any, his remuneration and expense reimbursement entitlement, and his access to independent professional advice when and if needed. The board of directors should consider adopting a formal board “charter” or other statement specifying matters which are reserved to it, which should include, but need not be limited to the specific items stated in the Company Law. An alternative is a formal statement or by-law stating the functions and authority delegated to the officers as mentioned in the Company Law. The board of directors should be collegial and deliberative for the sake of gaining the benefit of each member of the board, its judgment and experience. The chairman should take an active lead in promoting mutual trust, open discussion, constructive dissent and support for decisions after they have been made. The board of directors should meet frequently, usually more than the minimum required by law. All members of the board of directors should attend the meetings, and the board should maintain informal communication between meetings. Unexcused absence(s) is not welcomed as it may disturb the functions of the board of directors and indicates that the person is not the type of those needed for an efficient board directorship as stipulated in the corporate governance code. Regarding attendance, more control measures are required and continuous absence could lead to termination of membership. Commitment and accountability reflect the effectiveness of the board and are essentially required and should be observed by all members of the board of directors, taking into account that they are supposed to excel and give good example to all related parties in the company, the shareholders and community stakeholders. If you are a board member, you need to ask yourself where you stand in this and if you are effective enough to make the board more effective, as required for corporate governance purposes. An active role by each board member will lead to the best corporate governance results.Dr AbdelGadir Warsama Ghalib is a corporate legal counsel. Email: [email protected] 

Dukhan Bank shareholders Sunday approved the board’s proposal to increase the aggregate maximum limit of its mid-term sukuk issuance from $2bn to $3bn. The plan features flexibility to issue sukuk through a special purpose vehicle established either within or outside Qatar, as determined by the board, and comes as a series of strategic financing and capital optimisation measures aimed at enhancing its funding flexibility and supporting long-term growth objectives. A decision in this regard was taken at the extraordinary general assembly meeting held Sunday. The assembly also authorised the board to make necessary amendments to the programme, including the replacement or re-domiciliation of the current issuer, BBG Sukuk (Cayman Islands), to another suitable jurisdiction, including the Qatar Financial Centre, if required. The assembly also approved the issuance of capital instruments eligible for inclusion in Additional Tier 1 capital of up to QR4bn, provided that such instruments are not convertible into ordinary shares of the bank. In this regard, the board of directors was authorised to determine the size, structure, terms and conditions, issuance currency, and listing venue of such instruments, as well as to take all necessary actions related to their issuance and listing, in accordance with the Qatar Central Bank regulations and other relevant supervisory authorities. The general assembly approved the board’s proposal to distribute an additional cash dividend of 8% of the nominal value per share, equivalent to QR0.08 per share, for the second half of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. This brings the total cash dividends for the fiscal year 2025 to 16% of the nominal value per share, equivalent to QR0.16 per share. Sheikh Abdulla bin Fahad bin Jassim al-Thani, chairman of Dukhan Bank, said the performance reflects the strength of its business model, the continued trust of its customers and shareholders, and its ability to navigate a dynamic operating environment while maintaining a clear focus on long-term value creation. Throughout the year, the bank accelerated its investments in digital capabilities to further enhance customer experience, with advancements across technology, payments, and card-related services enabling more seamless, accessible, and convenient Shariah-compliant banking solutions aligned with evolving customer needs. “Looking ahead, Dukhan Bank will continue to build on these solid foundations, with a focus on innovation, service excellence, and prudent growth, while prioritizing the creation of sustainable value for all stakeholders and contributing to Qatar’s broader economic and social development,” he affirmed. 

Shareholders of Doha Bank have approved the board of directors’ recommendation to distribute cash dividends of QR0.15 per share, equivalent to 15% of the nominal value, Doha Bank chairman Sheikh Fahad bin Mohammed bin Jabor al-Thani has announced during a recently held Annual General Assembly.During the meeting, Sheikh Fahad also announced that Doha Bank achieved a net profit of QR932mn in 2025, representing a growth of 8.6% compared to the previous year. After recognizing a tax provision of QR106mn, net profit amounted to QR826mn. Total assets reached QR120.2bn, reflecting a growth of 9% compared to the previous year.Net loans and advances stood at QR67.7bn, registering an increase of 11% year-on-year (y-o-y). Customer deposits grew by QR6.9bn or 13.5% to reach QR57.7bn. The investment portfolio reached QR36.8bn, recording a growth of 7.5% y-o-y. The total shareholders’ equity reached QR15.6bn, showing an increase of 5.3% compared to last year. The bank also maintained a strong capital adequacy ratio of 18.94%.The net operating income for 2025 was QR2.6bn, while net fee and commission income grew by 2.7% to reach QR413mn. The earnings per share reached QR0.27 with return on average shareholders’ equity of 5.89% and the return on average assets of 0.72%.Sheikh Fahad said, “As part of advancing its strategic transformation journey, the bank will continue throughout 2026 to build on the achievements realized to date, with a clear emphasis on the disciplined execution of its initiatives and the enhancement of their long-term, sustainable impact.“The bank will also continue to invest in technology and the development of its human capital, recognising both as core enablers of growth and key drivers of its competitive advantage.”According to Sheikh Fahad, Doha Bank further reaffirms its commitment to embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across its operations, reflecting its adoption of responsible banking practices that contribute to the creation of sustainable, long-term value for all stakeholders.He added: “Against the backdrop of rapid developments in the financial services sector, the bank remains committed to keeping pace with digital transformation and enhancing its operational efficiency, thereby enabling it to deliver differentiated, high-quality services to its customers, generate superior value for its shareholders, and continue playing an active role in supporting the economy and the wider community.” 

Shareholders of Ooredoo have approved the board of directors' recommendation to distribute a cash dividend of QR0.75 per share during its Annual General Meeting, presided over Sheikh Faisal bin Thani al-Thani, chairman of Ooredoo.Addressing the meeting, Sheikh Faisal highlighted the Ooredoo Group’s continued progress in executing its strategy and strengthening its position as a leading digital infrastructure provider across the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia.Sheikh Faisal said, “2025 marked another important milestone in Ooredoo’s journey as we continued the disciplined execution of our strategy, delivering strong financial performance and further reinforcing our position as a leading provider of digital infrastructure across our markets.”“For the fourth consecutive year, we recorded strong growth across all key financial metrics, closing 2025 with record-high earnings that exceeded $1bn in normalised net profit,” he added. 

Nebras Energy is enhancing its global presence, even as it strengthens domestic operations through higher generating capacity stations and replacing older, lower-efficiency stations with newer and more efficient ones."Nebras Energy continues to strengthen its global presence, achieving sustainable growth and outstanding success in project development and investments worldwide," said its board report, presented before shareholders at the annual general assembly meeting, which approved 75% dividends.Nebras Energy is working with EDF (France), Sojitz (Japan), and Kyudan (Japan) on the construction of the 1,574 MW “Syrdarya 2” combined-cycle power plant project in Uzbekistan, with it holding a 3.33% stake. Commercial operation is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2026.Nebras is also working with EDF, Siemens (Germany), and Stone City (Netherlands) on the development of the 1,590 MW Surkhandraya combined-cycle power plant in Uzbekistan.The company holds a 35% stake in the project, which is expected to commence commercial operation in 2027.In December 2025, Nebras, along with Etihad W&E of the UAE and Bahwan of Oman, secured the Misfah project to build a 1,700 MW combined-cycle power plant in Oman, with it being the largest shareholder at 49%. It is slated to commence in the second quarter (Q2) of 2029.Also in December 2025, Nebras, along with KOWEPO of Korea, Etihad W&E, and Bahwan, secured the Duqm project to build an 877 MW combined-cycle power plant in Oman, with it holding a 30% stake. Commercial operation is expected to commence in Q2-2029.At the end of 2025, the company’s gross capacity reached 28.7 GW of electricity and 651mn gallons of water per day, distributed across 40 operational and development assets in 11 countries.On the domestic front, its future investment plans are based on meeting the growing demand for electricity and water by establishing stations with higher generating capacity and replacing older, lower-efficiency stations with newer and more efficient stations.Nebras has prioritised meeting Qatar’s electricity and water needs consistently through the operation, maintenance, and management of its power and water generating plants.Nebras operates in accordance with state guidelines and the Qatar National Vision 2030 to take advantage of all available opportunities to diversify energy sources.On Facility (E) “Ras Abu Fontas Power Company”, which has a total capacity of 2,410 MW of electricity and 110mn gallons per day of desalinated water; Nebras Energy said production at the plant is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2028, with full design capacity expected in the first half of 2029.Construction work on the RAF Peaker Unit project started in early 2025, with commercial operation scheduled to begin in early 2027. 

Aamal Company has reported a 2.5% year-on-year rise in net profit to QR443.3mn in 2025 and suggested a 5% dividend to shareholders.Total revenues were however down 5% to QR2bn in the review period."2025 was a strong year for Aamal, reflecting the resilience of our diversified business model and the disciplined execution of our strategy across our four sectors: property, trading and distribution, industrial manufacturing, and managed services," said Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, Aamal chairman.Aamal vice-chairman and managing director Sheikh Mohamed bin Faisal al-Thani said its performance in 2025 reflects the company’s disciplined approach to operational execution, sustained strategic delivery and unwavering commitment to robust governance standards.**media[421135]**"Supported by Qatar’s positive economic outlook and continued development initiatives, we remain confident in Aamal’s ability to capitalise on emerging opportunities and deliver sustainable growth,” he added.Aamal’s industrial manufacturing delivered a robust performance in 2025 with revenue up 5.1% to QR198.7mn and total net profit by 23.1% to QR76mn. This was driven by strong contributions from project‑led businesses, operational enhancements and expansion into new export markets, which were partially offset by supply chain frictions and weaknesses in certain markets.Terming the outlook for the industrial segment as "positive", Aamal said it is well positioned in key markets, with strengthened operational capacity, targeted investments and an expanding export presence driving diversification and resilience.Continued alignment with high growth sectors such as infrastructure and oil and gas, together with capacity enhancements and new product offerings, supports a robust pipeline of opportunities across the region and puts the division in good stead to navigate any potential challenges.The trading and distribution segment recorded revenues of QR1.36bn and net profit of QR112.8mn, down 8.4% and 3.4% respectively on an annualised basis, primarily driven by challenged performances from Ebn Sina Medical and Aamal Medical due to changing market dynamics that affected demand.Aamal Property segment saw both revenue and net profit continue to grow 1.7% and 1% respectively and contribute positively to the group’s overall results. This was driven by strong leasing, high occupancy and sustained cash generation across the portfolio.In particular, City Center Doha continued to benefit from its recent 4,000 sqm expansion and targeted initiatives to enhance the mall’s appeal to shoppers and retailers, with a refreshed tenant mix and an improved F&B offering supporting footfall and leasing momentum.Managed services segment was a strong performer in 2025 recording a 5% increase in revenue and 4.2% in net profit year-on-year with all business units achieving solid results.Rashid bin Ali al-Mansoori, chief executive officer of Aamal said 2025 was a year of focused execution, strategic portfolio optimisation, and disciplined growth for Aamal across its four sectors."Looking ahead to 2026, supported by Qatar’s continued economic development and infrastructure project momentum, we will remain focused on operational efficiency, selective expansion, and value-accretive opportunities across our four sectors, ensuring Aamal is well positioned to deliver sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value," according to him. 

QIIB has reported a 7.2% year-on-year increase in net profit to QR1.35bn in 2025 and recommended a total 53% dividend.Earnings-per-share (EPS) increased to QR 0.82 in 2025, reflecting the lender’s ability to deliver sustainable value to its shareholders.The results demonstrate QIIB’s continued strong performance and balanced growth across all financial indicators, underpinned by the strength of the Qatari economy, efficient operational and credit policies, and commitment to global best practices in governance and risk management.Total assets amounted to QR62.6bn, representing a 4.4% yearly growth; while financing assets rose by 6.7% to QR41bn."The 2025 results underscore QIIB’s robust financial position and the success of our strategy in achieving balanced, sustainable growth," said Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah al-Thani, its chairman.The board has recommended an additional 29% (QR0.29 a share) cash dividend, bringing the total dividends for the year to 53%. This recommendation remains subject to approval by the Qatar Central Bank and the general assembly of shareholders.Total deposits rose 4.6% year-on-year to QR43.3bn in 2025, reflecting customers’ growing trust in QIIB’s comprehensive Shariah-compliant banking solutions across both the retail and corporate segments."2025 was a year of qualitative achievements; we accelerated digital transformation, expanded our product suite, and solidified our presence in local capital markets," said Dr Abdulbasit Ahmed al-Shaibei, QIIB chief executive officer.Sheikh Khalid said the bank has consistently strengthened its financial and operational indicators while maintaining high levels of efficiency and asset quality; “reinforcing the confidence of our shareholders and customers alike"."In 2025, the bank further optimised operational efficiency, achieving a cost-to-income ratio of 18.6%, among the best in the local banking sector. We also maintained high asset quality, with the non-performing financing ratio at 2.9% and a coverage ratio of 100%, validating the effectiveness of our risk management framework," Dr al-Shaibei said.Total equity reached QR10.1bn, while the capital adequacy ratio (Basel III) stood at 20.1%, well above the regulatory requirement, according to him.On digital innovation and strategic partnerships, he said the year 2025 marked significant milestones in QIIB’s digital journey. The bank invested heavily in technological infrastructure and expanded its mobile and internet banking services.In this regard, he highlighted that QIIB is the first bank in Qatar to launch the ‘SWIFT GPI Tracker’ on its mobile app and introduced the innovative 'Click to Pay' feature in collaboration with Visa.The bank also forged high-impact partnerships, including a strategic alliance with national carrier Qatar Airways to launch a first-of-its-kind co-branded product, allowing customers to earn ‘Avios’. Furthermore, QIIB signed a memorandum of understanding with United Development Company (UDC) to facilitate real estate financing in the 'Hazoom Lusail' project.QIIB also listed its first Sukuk on the Qatar Stock Exchange by the end of 2025, aimed at diversifying funding sources and supporting the local Islamic debt market.

Legal Perspective Shareholders are the owners of the company as they have the shares that constitute the company. With this in mind, I would like to stress the point that it is important for each shareholder, particularly, in joint-stock companies to learn that the company law gives shareholders certain legal rights and protection against some specifics by the company or the Board or other 3rd parties. The shareholders, it goes without saying, are supposed to know their rights and their duties as well, in their company. The statutory protection given to shareholders is provided for in the company law, wherein, the different assemblies of the company are not authorised nor allowed to take, add or amend any of the legal rights conferred on the shareholder by the law particularly the company law. This important statutory right has been vested with all shareholders regardless of the fact that they are individuals or institutions, small or big, smart or dull, active or otherwise, etc. This legal stand constitutes a healthy environment and should give each shareholder the necessary boost and charisma to preserve such statutory rights and to maintain them all through his holder-ship. It would be very interesting to mention that many shareholders in many companies are either ignorant about this de jure situation or merely they don’t understand that this statutory right and privilege should be maintained and exercised all through their equity shareholding. In certain instances, it has been observed that the general assembly has gone astray in relation to certain rights of shareholders. A good example, could be the emergence of certain discussions in some issues during the general assembly and their refusal for discussion because they are not included in the agenda as required by the law. This could be a good excuse to escape from the situation. This practice, to my knowledge, happens frequently as there is provision that says, only issues in the agenda are to be discussed. However, this provision should not be taken as absolute prohibition otherwise this will be against the intention of the lawlegislature. It should be clear that decisions or resolutions taken in such instances could be considered illegal, void “ab initio” and of no effect. Particularly, when such matters raised for discussion are of prime importance for the company and or there is urgent need to discuss and deliberate during the on-going session. The door for discussion should be open and not closed for good. The chairman presiding the session should have a key of wisdom and professionalism. The shareholders statutory rights are many, such as the right to attend meetings, right to participate in discussions, right to call for meetings due to certain reasons and ultimately, the right to exercise the voting powers and the like. At certain times there could be difference of opinion in relation to certain issues between the Board, the executive management on one hand and shareholders on the other hand. We believe this is normal and encourageable, however, the differences shall not affect or jeopardise the statutory rights given to the shareholders as attending assemblies or participation in discussing any issue during meetings. Differences or disagreements could happen when the shareholders are active or knowledgeable, for example, when the company is planning a merger or acquisition, increase or decrease of the capital or involvement in mega projects, etc. There are examples wherein extensive debates had been going on in many countries between the shareholders and the management regarding such important issues. Some companies, have changed or stopped certain projects after facing justifiable resistance from the shareholders. Each shareholder, and likewise each company, shall work to achieve this result in good faith and high spirit to the betterment of the company and the shareholders who own the company through all tenure. Dr AbdelGadir Warsama Ghalib is a corporate legal counsel. Email: [email protected]