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Qatar’s growing shift towards digital and appointment-based services is reducing the time residents spend waiting for healthcare, government and banking services, as online transactions, mobile applications and virtual platforms increasingly allow people to complete procedures without joining a physical queue.From hospital appointments and document attestations to government transactions and banking services, public institutions and major service providers have introduced digital platforms, virtual services, appointment systems, and streamlined procedures to improve access and reduce delays.Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has documented significant reductions in waiting periods following changes to patient pathways and service procedures over the years.An earlier HMC annual report showed that improvements implemented across six clinics at Hamad General Hospital reduced average waiting times from 29 days to 7 days. Waiting times for MRI scans also fell from an average of 75 days to about two weeks.HMC subsequently reported further improvements in different areas of its healthcare system. Its 2016 annual report said the introduction of a fast-track system in one service area resulted in a 33% reduction in waiting times.In 2017, streamlined processes at the Communicable Disease Centre reduced waiting periods for outpatient clinic appointments from around seven weeks to between two and three weeks, according to HMC’s annual report that year.More recent figures indicate that improving access and reducing delays remains a key priority. HMC’s 2025 Annual Report speaks of improved access for Qatari patients under one initiative, with 75% seen within two weeks and an average wait of 15 days.The figures largely measure the time patients wait to access appointments and diagnostic services rather than the number of minutes spent in hospital waiting rooms. However, they illustrate how changes in scheduling, capacity and patient pathways can address delays before patients arrive for treatment.At the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), managing patient flow is particularly significant given the large number of people using Qatar’s health centres.PHCC’s 2024 Annual Report said its facilities recorded 5,169,998 visits during the year, averaging more than 430,000 per month.Despite the volume, PHCC reported that 76% of patients were seen in clinics within 30 minutes. Virtual consultations accounted for 8% of consultations, providing another way for some patients to access healthcare without physically visiting a health centre.Speaking to Gulf Times, Doha resident Adele R said virtual consultations save her time and effort by allowing her to consult a doctor without travelling to a health centre and waiting in a queue.“Over the phone, the doctor reviews my test results and prescribes the medicines I need. I only have to go to the PHCC pharmacy to collect them, and that’s it. It makes things much easier for us,” she said.PHCC has also expanded appointment-based and remote services, including medication home delivery, which can further reduce the need for some patients to visit healthcare facilities.The move towards reducing physical queues is also evident across government services as Qatar expands its digital infrastructure and integrates services offered by different entities.Government entities operating through Qatar’s integrated service centres completed 46,786 transactions in June 2026 alone, according to figures released by the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau this month.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) accounted for the largest share, with 18,385 services, followed by the Ministry of Justice with 10,672 and the Ministry of Labour with 7,755.The integrated service-centre model brings services from different government entities together, enabling users to access multiple services through centralised locations rather than making separate visits to different government offices.At the same time, a growing number of transactions can be completed partly or entirely online, further reducing the need to queue at physical service counters.MoFA’s electronic document-attestation services provide an example of how a traditionally counter-based process has been redesigned.Through MoFA’s electronic attestation services, users can access the system through Tawtheeq and submit applications online, with cases reviewed within one working day. Following approval and payment, document pickup and delivery can also be arranged through Qatar Post.The system can reduce the need for users to visit an office to submit documents, follow up on applications or collect completed paperwork.MoFA expanded its digital services in October 2024 with the launch of additional electronic document-attestation services through its website. These included the electronic attestation of police clearance certificates issued by the Ministry of Interior and educational certificates issued by government schools and authenticated by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.In December that year, the ministry introduced another online service enabling users to complete document-attestation procedures abroad, as part of efforts to digitise and simplify services for beneficiaries.These developments form part of Qatar’s wider digital-government strategy, which seeks to provide more integrated and beneficiary-centred public services through shared platforms and greater connectivity among government entities.The strategy builds on earlier e-government initiatives aimed at developing shared government information and communications technology infrastructure and “whole-of-government” applications.By allowing applications, payments and other procedures to be completed electronically, digital services can reduce the number of occasions when residents need to travel to government offices, wait at service counters and make repeat visits to complete a single transaction.A similar approach is increasingly evident in banking, where many routine transactions that once required a branch visit can now be completed online or through mobile applications.QNB has incorporated queue-management functions into its mobile banking services, allowing customers to check waiting times at participating retail and corporate branches, book appointments or obtain a queue ticket through the application after selecting a branch.The feature allows customers to assess wait times and plan their visits, rather than arriving at a branch without knowing how long they may have to wait.At the same time, QNB’s internet and mobile banking platforms allow customers to carry out numerous transactions remotely, while digital account-opening services further reduce reliance on physical branch visits.Physical visits and queues, however, remain necessary for many transactions and services, including medical examinations, specialised consultations, biometrics, original-document requirements and cases requiring face-to-face assistance. 

Qatar Financial Information Unit (QFIU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), on the sidelines of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Plenary and Working Group Meetings held in Paris, France. The meetings brought together representatives of FATF member jurisdictions, as well as regional bodies and international organizations.The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation and facilitate the exchange of financial intelligence and information in accordance with the respective legal frameworks of both parties, thereby supporting efforts to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and related predicate offences.The signing of the MoU represents a further step in expanding QFIU's international cooperation network and enhancing collaboration with counterpart financial intelligence units worldwide. 

In many jurisdictions, there are certain laws to regulate virtual assets, same as non-virtual assets. Based on such laws, there are certain terms related to virtual assets language, such as “virtual assets”, “virtual token”, “virtual assets platform”, “distributed ledger technology”, “virtual asset provider”, “virtual asset portfolio”, etc. Also, there are certain legal provisions governing, the regulation of virtual assets transactions and activities.Moreover, to understand this issue better, there are certain important provisions in the law governing the conduct of the activity. They specifically provide that, any person shall be prohibited from engaging in the activity of virtual assets, unless authorized by the competent authority. Such authorization shall be issued in compliance with clear legislations and all requirements and procedures shall be approved by the relevant concerned body.Any person wishing to conduct this activity must be baseddomiciled in the jurisdiction and if a person wishes to conduct the activity within the jurisdiction, he must obtain prior approvals before starting the licensing process from the licensing authority.Virtual assets activity shall be conducted within the limits, rules and controls specified in the authorization clearly mentioned in the license. Certain virtual assets activities are subject to the control of the authority according to the law which include, among others, operation and management of virtual asset platform operations, exchange between virtual assets and domestic or foreign currencies and between one or more forms of virtual assets, transfer of virtual assets, custody and management of virtual assets or control over them, virtual asset portfolio services, virtual token offering and trading services.The authority may undertake classification and identification of all activities and establish the rules and controls for their practice, or add any virtual asset-related activities practices or services to the activities. On the other hand, it shall make a list of virtual asset-related activities, business practices, services and products that are not to be traded or conducted.The relevant authorization may be waived only with the prior consent of the authority. However, any assignment in contravention shall be null and void. Moreover, the authority may, for reasons related to public interest or regulation of dealing and trading in virtual assets, take some actions and measures to suspend authorization, restrict, re-operate the execution of any controls or internal policies issued by the virtual asset service providers, or suspend the activity of any of the virtual asset service providers, in exceptional circumstances or in case a threat to the proper and regular functioning occurs, or suspend or cease dealing with any virtual assets, whether traded in the virtual asset platform or any operation related to their offering and issue, in accordance with the laws.By this, hopefully, all important issues in such special laws are clear. However, potential investors shall be more careful while indulging into such investment venture as it is not risk-free, but, full of many unavoidable risks.Dr AbdelGadir Warsama Ghalib is a corporate legal counsel.  

Mastercard announced that QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, was granted a Mastercard licence to extend its issuing and acquiring activities in Syria, enabling it to provide Mastercard payment solutions, accepted locally and internationally, to individuals and businesses.  The move, which follows the memorandum of understanding signed between Mastercard and the Central Bank of Syria in September to support the modernisation of the country’s digital payments infrastructure, will expand access to seamless, secure and innovative digital transactions.  The alliance marks an important milestone for Mastercard and QNB in their joint efforts to enhance digital banking experience, drive financial inclusion and create new opportunities through technology.  This collaboration also reflects QNB’s commitment to spearheading digital innovation across its international network and underscores QNB Group’s dedication to fostering more resilient growth in this high potential market. Together, QNB and Mastercard aim to contribute to the evolution of Syria’s payments landscape. “At Mastercard, we are deepening our commitment to Syria as early investors in a market undergoing meaningful transformation.  By empowering our partner banks, we are enabling millions of citizens to access modern financial services and laying the foundations for a robust, future-ready payments ecosystem.  Our work supports the country’s vision for sustainable economic progress, delivered with full respect for regulatory and compliance standards,” said Adam Jones, division president, West Arabia, Mastercard.  QNB Group Chief Business Officer Yousef Mahmoud al-Neama said: “We are proud of this new step, which comes within the strategic plans of QNB Group to expand its business in the region, as the Syrian market he is seen as economically promising, given the development and modernisation of the banking sector in this sisterly country.”

Real estate transactions in Qatar totaled QAR 755.677 million between October 12 and 16, 2025, according to the Ministry of Justice’s latest weekly report.The Real Estate Registration Department said sales worth QAR 718,453,909 were recorded in registered property contracts, while residential unit transactions amounted to QAR 37,224,019.The traded properties included vacant land plots, houses, residential buildings, residential complexes, commercial shops, an administrative building, and residential units.Sales were concentrated in the municipalities of Al Wakra, Al Rayyan, Doha, Al Daayen, Umm Slal, Al Shamal, Al Khor and Al Thakhira, and Al Sheehaniya, as well as in areas such as The Pearl Island, Al Kharayej, Lusail 69, Al Mashaf, Al Wukair, and Umm Al Amad.During the previous week, between October 5 and 9, the total value of real estate transactions exceeded QAR 555 million.

The Muscat Stock Exchange recorded its highest weekly trading volume of the year last week, driven by increased activity in bank stocks and other leading companies, as most public joint-stock companies concluded the release of their preliminary Q3 financial results. Trading value rose to OMR 240.9 million, up from OMR 190.8 million the previous week, marking a 26.2 percent increase. The number of executed transactions also climbed from 19,529 to 25,171. The main index gained 40 points to close at 5,289, while the financial sector index rose by 169 points to 8,923. The industrial sector index added 32 points, and the services sector index increased by 4 points. Meanwhile, the Sharia index declined by 4 points to close at 461. According to trading data released by the Muscat Stock Exchange, the total market capitalization of listed securities fell to OMR 30.596 billion, reflecting weekly losses of OMR 108.5 million, impacted by a drop in the market value of bonds and sukuk, which fell below the OMR 5 billion threshold.During the week, prices rose for 38 securities, while 30 declined and another 30 remained unchanged.

Qatar witnessed a total of 55.08mn transactions valued at QR16.68bn through the country's payment system in September 2025, according to the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) data.Qatar Payment System (QPS) is designed on the concept of real-time gross settlement (RTGS) and electronic straight through processing (e-STP).The point-of-sales constituted 51% of the payment system transaction, followed by e-commerce 25%, Fawran or instant payment system at 22% and Qatar Mobile Payment or QMP at 2% in the review period.There were 42.43mn card transactions through point-of-sales – which enables merchants to process payments and log transactions – valued at QR8.46bn in September 2025.The e-commerce transaction winessed as many as 10.09mn transactions valued at QR4.23bn in the review period.Fawran -- a real-time payment service in Qatar, allowing users to send and receive money instantly and securely within the country -- registered as many as 2.21mn transactions valued at QR3.69bn in September 2025.There have been a total of 3.39mn total registered Fawran accounts in September this year.QMP – which allows immediate transfer of funds between registered customers through any registered payment service providers – saw as many as 359,462 transactions valued at QR294.63mn in September 2025. There has been a total of 1.21mn registered wallets in the review period.The QMP is a centralised payment system that was launched in 2020, to enable individuals and corporates to perform instant fund transfers between e-wallets within payment service providers in Qatar.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index closed lower on Tuesday, declining by 90.03 points, or 0.83 percent, to reach 10,745.92 points. During the session, a total of 117,734,869 shares were traded, with a value of QAR 371,044,552.716, through 22,553 transactions across all sectors. Shares of 11 companies rose during the session, while 33 companies saw their stocks decline. 8 companies maintained their previous closing price. At the end of the trading session, the market capitalization stood at QAR 643,449,830,619.294, compared to QAR 650,556,894,582.019 in the previous session.

Kuwait Bourse closed trading on Tuesday as the All Share Index gained 18.51 points to reach 8,858.82 points, an increase of 0.21 percent. As many as 769.6 million shares valued at KWD 158 million (roughly USD 483 million) were traded via 36,887 transactions. The Main Market Index went down by 101.42 points to reach 8,478.29 points, down by 1.18 percent, through 517.2 million shares sold via 24,954 transactions valued at KWD 78.6 million (roughly USD 239.7 million). The Premier Market Index gained 49.39 points to reach 9,391.46 points, up by 0.53 percent, through 252.4 million shares sold via 11,933 transactions valued at KWD 79.4 million (roughly USD 242.17 million). Meanwhile, the bourse's Main 50 Index went down by 13.60 points to reach 8,853.77 points, down by 0.15 percent, through stock volume of 355.4 million shares done in 15,966 deals at a value of KWD 56.4 million (roughly USD 172 million).

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index rose 10.81 points, or 0.10%, at the beginning of trading on Tuesday, reaching 10,846 points, compared to last closing. QSE was supported by a rise in five sectors: Consumer Goods and Services (+0.50%); Industrials (+0.23%); Banks and Financial Services (+0.08%); Transportation (+0.02%); and Insurance (+0.01%). In contrast, Real Estate slipped (-0.06%), as did Telecoms (-0.27%). By 10:00 am, 25.764 million shares had been traded in 3,191 transactions valued at QR 60.558 million.

Kuwait Bourse closed trading on Sunday as the All Share Index lost 4.11 points to reach 8,775.99 points, a decrease of 0.05 percent. As many as 780.3 million shares valued at KWD 138.2 million (roughly USD 483.7 million) were traded via 38,117 transactions. The Main Market Index went up by 63.12 points to reach 8,491.54 points, an increase of 0.75 percent, through 551.5 million shares done via 26,978 transactions valued at KWD 73.8 million (roughly USD 225 million). The Premier Market Index lost 21.09 points to reach 9,280.56, down by 0.23 percent, through 228.8 million shares done via 11,139 transactions valued at KWD 64.3 million (roughly USD 196.11 million). Meanwhile, the bourse Main 50 Index went down by 32.31 points to reach 8,712.31 points, a decrease of 0.37 percent, through stock volume of 348 million shares done in 14,844 deals at a value of KWD 48.3 million (roughly USD 169 million).

Kuwait Bourse closed trading on Thursday as the All Share Index lost 31.48 points to reach 8,780.10 points, a decrease of 0.36 percent. As many as 695.9 million shares valued at KWD 126.4 million (roughly USD 385.5 million) were traded via 33,042 transactions. The Main Market Index rose 4.77 points to reach 8,428.42 points, up by 0.06 percent, through 452.6 million shares done via 22,357 transactions valued at KWD 59.15 million (roughly USD 180.4 million). The Premier Market Index lost 42.08 points to reach 9,301.65 points, down by 0.45 percent, through 243.3 million shares done via 10,685 transactions valued at KWD 67.3 million (roughly USD 205.2 million). Meanwhile, the bourse Main 50 Index gained 0.49 points to reach 8,744.62 points, up by 0.01 percent, through stock volume of 255.9 million shares done in 11,841deals at a value of KWD 36.5 million (roughly USD 111.3 million).