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Doha's fixed income market Monday got the much-needed stimulus with Ahlibank Qatar becoming the first corporate entity to list its bond in the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE).The listing of Ahlibank Qatar’s a QR500mn, 4.45%; three-year fixed rate note in the QSE comes two years after the Qatar Central Bank launched the third Financial Sector Strategy, which aims to further develop the financial sector in the country as part of the National Vision 2030.The bonds have started trading after a direct listing. The listing marks the first corporate bond issuance to be listed and traded on the Exchange and represents an important milestone in the development and diversification of Qatar’s capital markets.The bonds, which come under its broader $2bn euro medium-term note programme, are traded under the ticker “CA01”, and the indicative (reference) price for the first day of trading was set at 100% of the bond’s nominal value (QR1,000). A 10% price fluctuation limit — upward and downward — is applicable.The net proceeds from each issue of notes will be lent by the issuer (ABQ Finance) to the guarantor (Ahlibank Qatar) and will be used by the guarantor for its general corporate purposes, which include making a profit, or as otherwise specified in the final terms.A bell-ringing ceremony was held at the QSE to mark this milestone occasion. The event was attended by Dr Tamy bin Ahmad al-Binali, chief executive officer of the Qatar Financial Markets Authority; Abdullah Mohammed al-Ansari, chief executive officer of the QSE; Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim al-Thani, chief executive officer of Edaa; and Hassan Ahmed al-Efrangi, chief executive officer of Ahli Bank. Their presence underscored the high level of co-ordination and institutional alignment among the key entities of Qatar’s financial sector.Ahli Bank has long been a key contributor to Qatar’s financial landscape. The issuance of its inaugural QAR denominated corporate bonds supports the Bank’s efforts to diversify its funding sources, strengthen its capital structure, and enhance long-term financial stability. As one of the country’s established financial institutions, Ahli Bank continues to play an important role in delivering banking solutions and supporting economic development.The listing advances several priorities under the third financial sector strategy. These include market development, financial sector competitiveness, diversification of investment instruments, and broader access for investors. It expands the range of opportunities available to market participants and reinforces the depth and maturity of Qatar’s financial market.The QFMA, QSE, Edaa and Ahli Bank worked closely together to ensure a smooth and efficient listing process consistent with international standards. Their collaboration reflects a unified effort to strengthen market infrastructure, enhance regulatory coordination, and support greater participation from both local and international investors.Qatar’s capital market institutions continue to work to introduce new products and advance initiatives that reinforce the pillars of the Third Financial Sector Strategy. These efforts aim to enhance liquidity, improve market accessibility, and support the evolving needs of issuers and investors.One of the primary goals of developing Qatar’s financial markets is to encourage Qatari companies to raise funds from domestic sources and reduce their reliance on foreign funding. An important initiative in this context will be to establish general guidelines and policies to encourage corporate debt instruments issuance by Qatari companies.

Invest Qatar, the Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar, and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) Monday entered into a strategic partnership aimed at deepening economic and investment co-operation between Qatar and Poland.This collaboration, formalised during the Poland-Qatar Investment Forum hosted by the Embassy of Poland in Doha, reflects a shared commitment to promoting mutual interests and unlocking new opportunities for businesses in both countries.The strategic partnership establishes the framework for exchanging information and data between both parties to support and strengthen investment flows between Qatar and Poland.Under the agreement, Invest Qatar will provide Polish companies with comprehensive support, including insights into Qatar’s business and regulatory landscape, guidance on investment opportunities, assistance with business setup and introductions to key stakeholders. The agency will also offer aftercare services to Polish firms already operating in Qatar, ensuring a seamless experience for new and existing investors.PAIH will support Invest Qatar in promoting business opportunities in Qatar to Polish companies, as well as refer interested investors looking to enter the market. Additionally, PAIH and Invest Qatar will collaborate to participate in joint events, workshops and conferences aimed at strengthening business exchange and bilateral investment between Qatar and Poland."This partnership with PAIH marks a new chapter in the long-standing relationship between Qatar and Poland that has been built on mutual respect, shared values and a commitment to progress. Through this collaboration, we aim to open new avenues for economic growth, support Polish companies to explore the wealth of opportunities available in Qatar and foster meaningful partnerships that drive innovation and long-term growth,” said Sheikh Ali Alwaleed al-Thani, chief executive officer, Invest Qatar.Łukasz Gwiazdowski, deputy chairman of PAIH, said it is pleased to join forces with Invest Qatar to support Polish companies in expanding their global footprint."This collaboration will not only facilitate access to new markets but also foster significant connections between our business communities. We look forward to working together to drive investment and create lasting value for both economies,” he added.This collaboration aligns with Invest Qatar’s commitment to position Qatar as a reliable long-term strategic partner to nations and businesses around the world while supporting its national economic diversification objectives. It also reaffirms the close and historic ties between Qatar and Poland, with diplomatic relations being established over 35 years ago.This is exemplified by the significant trade and commercial ties between the two countries, with trade reaching approximately QR4.2bn in 2024, and the presence of over 35 Polish companies operating across a variety of sectors in Qatar, including professional services, logistics and technology.

Doha, whose energy sector remains a global benchmark, is rapidly expanding into high growth areas, making it the most attractive investment destinations in the region, according to the top official of Invest Qatar."While our energy sector remains a global benchmark, we are rapidly expanding into high growth areas such as technology and digital services, healthcare and life sciences, logistics and supply chain innovation, financial services and fintech," Invest Qatar chief executive officer Sheikh Ali Alwaleed al-Thani told Poland Qatar Investment Forum, organised by Polish Embassy and Polish Investment and Trade Agency, in partnership with LuLu and Comarch.To support the development of these sectors, Invest Qatar recently announced a $1bn incentive programme to make Qatar one of the most attractive destinations for strategic investments in the region. It is designed to support new investment, digitise existing operations and create high-skilled jobs, fostering robust growth in the R&D (research and development) ecosystem.Highlighting that Qatar today is home to around 35 Polish companies, which play a vital role in supporting the country's economic diversification and development; he said "the opportunities for Polish businesses in Qatar are not only growing, but they are also evolving in exciting and impactful ways."Polish companies operate across a wide variety of sectors in Qatar, including professional services, logistics and technology, reaffirming the breadth of opportunities available in Qatar, he said at the forum, which also witnessed signing of memorandum of understanding between Invest Qatar and Polish Trade and Investment Agency as well as between Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) and Employers of Qatar."At Invest Qatar, we are committed to supporting Polish businesses at every step of the investment journey, whether you are exploring the market or seeking partnerships or expanding existing operations," Sheikh Ali said.Polish ambassador to Qatar Tomasz Sadziński said more than 30 Polish businesses are represented at the forum from sectors such as energy, IT, automation, infrastructure, food, fashion, consulting, and legal.Highlighting that investing in Poland is even more important today, Łukasz Gwiazdowski, deputy chairman of Polish Investment and Trade Agency, said investing in Poland means investing in a secure, confident, strong European economy, the fastest growing European economy, the sixth European economy and the 20th worldwide economy."Today, investing in Poland is a huge investment for the future. Today is the right moment to invest in Poland, thinking about the European market, thinking about the gateway of the East," according to him.Sheikh Mansoor bin Jassim al-Thani, member, QBA, said over the last five years, the trade exchange between Qatar and Poland has witnessed notable growth of 23%, reaching approximately QR4.8bn in 2023 against QR3.9bn in 2018.**media[385552]**Finding "excellent opportunity" for Qatari and Polish companies to explore collaboration in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, logistics, trade, transport, technology, healthcare, agriculture and advanced manufacturing; he said through joint ventures, knowledge exchange and strategic partnership, the companies can leverage each other's strength to create long-term value, drive innovation and expand into new regional and global markets."Together, we can build partnerships that go beyond traditional trade to include technology, transport, capacity building and sustainable investment models that benefit all nations and elevate our economy, co-operation to new levels," he said.Joanna Makowiecka-Gatza, president, Employers of Poland, said the agreement signed with QBA signifies an active way for Qatar to support Polish businesses and, conversely, to support Qatari partners and the Polish market."Our bilateral relations have enormous potential for further development. We want to be present in Qatar, not mainly to get to know each other, but actually to create trust," she said.

The World Innovation Summit for Education ( WISE12) got underway Monday with Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF), calling for a shared global commitment to “education that strengthens the values of truth, justice, and beauty” in the age of Artificial Intelligence.**media[385838]**The opening plenary of the summit was attended by Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice Chairperson of QF, several global dignitaries, ministers and other invited guests with over 4,000 delegates from around the globe.**media[385839]**Held under the theme ‘Humanity.io: Human Values at the Heart of Education’, WISE 12 has brought together leaders, policymakers, educators, innovators, and other education stakeholders. Over the two days of the conference they will examine how bold but human-centered systemic changes can ensure education remains adaptable, accessible, and relevant for the learners and societies of the present and future.**media[385835]**Opening the summit, Her Highness Sheikha Moza highlighted the value and human role of education, especially amid the rapid changes in the field of Artificial Intelligence. “Here at the WISE Summit, we believe that education is not a public sector service like any other; instead, it is an indisputable and inalienable right. It is a fundamental pillar upon which humanity, justice and progress are built. Education should not be treated as a commodity, nor as a privilege, nor as a favor granted from one person to another,” said Her Highness Sheikha Moza.**media[385834]**“By placing human values at the heart of the educational process, we embark on a restoration project, both for science and for humanity: for science, by ensuring it does not become a force for harm; and for humanity, by reclaiming the essence of our humanity and dignity. Our shared commitment is an education that strengthens the values of truth, justice, and beauty, and our ultimate goal is a science in service to humanity – science that liberates, not enslaves.” Her Highness continued.**media[385833]**The biennial international gathering of education expertise and innovation is advancing the conversation on education’s purpose, its role in serving humanity amid rapid technological progress, and how equity, empathy, and human dignity can remain at the core of its future transformation.**media[385832]**Addressing the gathering at WISE 12’s opening session, Her Excellency Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed al-Khater, Minister of Education and Higher Education, said: “We meet in a world where technologies are accelerating to the point where they seem to outpace humanity itself, while in reality they are an extension of humanity’s constant quest for understanding. From this quest, ideas were born.**media[385831]**“From ideas, tools were made, and from these tools, the technology that we today consider a revolution was formed, which is essentially a reflection of the human mind in its attempt to understand, innovate, and leave its mark on this world.”**media[385840]**Following a performance from Syrian singer-songwriter Faia Younan, who also reflected on being an artist in the age of AI, the opening session saw keynote speaker Mo Gawdat, former chief business officer at Google X and now a bestselling author, reflected on why education can be the point at which human values and the technological possibilities of AI align for the good of humanity.And in a discussion with the opening plenary’s moderator, filmmaker and journalist, Amjad Alnour, acclaimed Moroccan-American author Laila Lalami shared her thoughts on how education can safeguard human voices in a time when AI has become a storyteller itself; and intertwining art and education to preserve language, emotion, and empathy in a fast-moving, fast-changing world.The summit will conclude today with a closing plenary where the winner of the WISE Prize for Education 2025 will be announced.

Qatar has reached another important benchmark in its digital transformation. According to the October 2025 Speedtest Global Index, the country now ranks #2 in the world for median mobile download speed, recording 587 Mbps, second only to the UAE. This milestone comes at a pivotal moment. This week, Doha hosts Mobile World Congress (MWC Doha, November 25-26) the first time the global event is held in Doha. And in just a few weeks, Qatar will host the AI Summit (December 10-12 2025), bringing global leaders in artificial intelligence, policy and innovation together in Doha.These developments underscore Qatar’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub for digital innovation, investment, and talent. The country’s rise in mobile speed is closely linked to the core pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030. Strong digital infrastructure supports economic diversification by enabling new industries to emerge and grow, while also contributing to human development through enhanced digital skills, education, and innovation capacity. It further lays the foundation for smarter public services, from healthcare to mobility, aligned with the nation’s broader modernization goals. At the same time, a high level of digital readiness strengthens Qatar’s competitiveness as a business environment, increasingly influencing the decisions of global companies looking to invest and expand in the region. In recent weeks, operators in the country have also been testing next-generation uplink performance on 5G Advanced (5G-A), reaching real-world speeds above 600 Mbps.Top 10 (Oct 2025)1. UAE – 748 Mbps2. Qatar – 587 Mbps3. Kuwait – 422 Mbps4. South Korea – 371 Mbps5. Bulgaria – 316 Mbps6. Brazil – 309 Mbps7. Bahrain – 303 Mbps8. Brunei – 280 Mbps9. Denmark – 271 Mbps10. Saudi Arabia – 270 MbpsQatar’s rise in international rankings reflects a clear forward trajectory and growing strength in the digital sector. To build on this progress, continued nationwide performance will be important, along with steady advancement of 5G-A and early readiness for 6G. Supporting emerging areas such as AI, immersive media, industrial IoT, and smart mobility will also help position the country for the next wave of technological opportunities. At the same time, aligning digital infrastructure with the broader economic transformation outlined in Vision 2030 will remain a key part of sustaining this development over time.

Inspired by arguably the most popular character from the history of Arab literature, Juha embodies the rich folkloric traditions of the region. Often depicted as a clumsy and slow-witted man who finds himself in humorous situations due to his strange antics, Juha’s tales, wildly popular across generations in the Arab world, always ends up in a revelation of profound wisdom.The beloved folklore hero will come to life, joining in the festivities of the FIFA Arab Cup, that will once again unite Arab fans for a unique celebration of the region’s vibrant culture and shared passion for football. A total of 16 teams will have a chance to lift the coveted Arab Cup trophy.Nine of the highest FIFA ranked teams have qualified automatically, while 14 teams will vie for the remaining 7 spots in a series of qualifiers. The qualifying matches will be held ahead of the tournament on November 25-26 in Qatar. Arab Cup ticket are available at: www.roadtoqatar.qa, with prices starting from QR25.Supporters can also purchase a Follow My Team ticket, which will enable them to attend all matches of their team of choice during the group stage. Throughout the competition, fans will also be treated to a variety of entertainment and cultural activities.All tickets will be digital and will include accessible seating options for disabled fans. Disabled fans wishing to request accessible seats can do so by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. The opening match will take place on 1 December at Al Bayt Stadium featuring hosts Qatar and the winner of Palestine v Libya.The Final will be held on 18 December at the iconic Lusail Stadium. Other stadiums that will host matches during the tournament are Ahmad Bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International and Stadium 974. The Arab Cup is part of several tournaments that Qatar will be hosting up until the end of the year, including the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 from November 3-27.Qatar will also be hosting the second edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup on December 10, 13, and 17.

The Film Committee at Media City Qatar has signed a landmark agreement with Company 3, the award-winning global post-production and visual effects powerhouse, to establish a dedicated post-production and VFX studio in Doha.This agreement - signed during the Doha Film Festival 2025, marks a pivotal milestone in Qatar's creative industries development and underscores Qatar's growing reputation as the Middle East's emerging media capital, offering state-of-the-art infrastructure, world-class talent, and a progressive creative ecosystem.HE Managing Director of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) and Chairman of Qatar Film Committee, Hassan Al Thawadi, said that "this partnership embodies Qatar's vision to support the very best creators in Qatar, the region and the Global South.""With Company 3's world-renowned expertise in visual storytelling and our commitment to building advanced creative infrastructure, Doha is poised to become a destination for world-class post-production and visual effects," His Excellency added.As part of the agreement, the Film Committee and Company 3 will jointly research, explore, and evaluate the development of a post-production and visual effects studio operated by Company 3 in Qatar. This will be the first phase of a long-term partnership.Company 3 will provide technical, creative, and operational guidance to shape the foundation for a high-end post-production environment in the region. The Film Committee will support the collaboration through a structured funding and facilitation framework, reflecting Qatar's ambition to become the production and post-production hub for the Middle East and Africa.For his part, CEO of Company 3, Stefan Sonnenfeld, expressed his anticipation for cooperation, saying, "The Film Committee's forward-thinking approach to developing a sustainable creative ecosystem aligns perfectly with our mission to empower storytellers through technology and artistry.""This partnership represents the foundation for a new era of post-production excellence in the Middle East," Sonnenfeld added.Through this collaboration, the company will bring its global expertise and technical excellence to the region, helping to design creative workflows, develop local and regional talent, and provide access to world-leading infrastructure and tools.The Film Committee will coordinate with local stakeholders and government partners to ensure the project contributes to the nation's broader creative economy goals. Responsibilities include logistical coordination, operational support, and a funding framework for the exploration phase - ensuring that the partnership between QFC and Company 3 delivers meaningful outcomes across creative, technological, and training dimensions.The collaboration also includes consultation on the creation of a local production and post-production rebate scheme, part of Qatar's broader ambition to attract leading studios, streamers, and filmmakers to the country.

Qatar Airways has increased capacity to Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, Shanghai, and Singapore this winter season to meet the global demand on these routes. This increase in flight frequency is part of the airline's broader winter schedule enhancements, which have already introduced additional frequencies to more than 15 major destinations, including Cape Town, Dublin, London, Phuket, and Toronto.In a statement, the airline said that the growing demand for Qatar Airways' travel experience resulted in the airline offering nearly 3,000 additional flights this year. Starting 17 December 2025, Qatar Airways flights to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) will increase from 14 to 17 weekly flights. The additional services will offer seamless connections between Southeast Asia and Jeddah, London, and Paris through Doha.Effective 15 December 2025 until 28 March 2026, Qatar Airways' services to Lagos (LOS) will increase from 10 to 14 weekly. The increased frequency enhances connectivity between the Nigeria and Qatar Airways' extensive global network of over 170 destinations, facilitating smoother travel for both business and leisure passengers to Delhi, Guangzhou, and London. Effective 01 January to 28 March 2026, services will rise from 7 to 10 weekly flights to meet growing inbound and outbound demand from China. This frequency increase will further enhance connectivity between Asia and Qatar Airways' key destinations across Algiers, São Paulo, and Warsaw.From 12 January 2026, Qatar Airways will deploy the Airbus A380 on select flights to Singapore, offering enhanced capacity and an elevated premium experience. The airline's global connectivity is supported by its diverse fleet of aircraft that includes a mix of Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 equipped with ultra-high-speed Starlink on-board Wi-Fi. Qatar Airways is the first airline in the world to fully equip and operate over 100 widebody aircraft with Starlink, and the first carrier in the MENA region to offer the service. Passengers in both Premium and Economy cabins enjoy free, gate-to-gate Wi-Fi, with speeds of up to 500 Mbps per aircraft.

The State of Qatar participated in the Core Focus Group meeting within the Global Coalition Against ISIS, held in Abu Dhabi, with broad participation from international bodies concerned with combating terrorism.The State of Qatar was represented by HE Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Faisal bin Abdullah Al Hanzab.His Excellency expressed appreciation for the efforts made to organize this meeting during his speech and affirmed the State of Qatar's full support for the work of the Core Focus Group in preventing the resurgence of ISIS in Syria and Iraq, through strengthening civil cooperation in combating terrorism, supporting rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, and countering the organization's financing, movements and propaganda.His Excellency reiterated the State of Qatar's firm commitment to the mission and objectives of the global coalition, and its support for all efforts to mobilize all necessary resources to enhance security and stability in both the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic and the sisterly Republic of Iraq

Qatar Chamber (QC) discussed on Sunday with Portuguese Industrial Association (AIP), bilateral trade and economic relations between Qatar and Portugal and ways to further develop them, to strengthen ties between the business communities of both countries and enhance the role of the Qatari and Portuguese private sectors.This came in a meeting between Acting Director-General of Qatar Chamber Ali Bu Sharbak Al Mansori, Director of AIP Pina Pires and AIP Project Partner Manul Campos, held at QC's headquarters.In his remarks, Al Mansori praised the strong relations between the two countries, particularly in the commercial and economic fields. He noted that bilateral trade between Qatar and Portugal reached QAR 441 million in 2024, stressing the Chamber's commitment to deepening trade relations with Portugal and expanding partnerships between Qatari companies and their Portuguese counterparts.For her part, Filomena affirmed the interest of Portuguese business owners in exploring available investment opportunities in Qatar and establishing partnerships with Qatari businesspersons and investors -whether in Qatar or Portugal- across various sectors including industry, trade, construction, agriculture, transport, and communications. She invited private sector companies in Qatar to visit Portugal and learn more about the opportunities available there.She added that the visit aims to enhance cooperation and coordination with the Qatar Chamber in organizing joint business events and meetings targeting Qatari and Portuguese companies, as well as hosting trade fairs to showcase the products and services of the private sectors in both countries, pointing out that AIP is the largest business association in Portugal, functioning also as a chamber of commerce and industry.

The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) yesterday launched its mobile application, enabling users to access data, reports, and all updates instantly and efficiently.This initiative is aimed at enhancing the user experience and keeping pace with technological advancements and the requirements of digital transformation within the financial sector.This launch aligns with the Third Financial Sector Strategy and supports Qatar National Vision 2030, which seeks to build a knowledge-based digital economy.The mobile application has been designed according to the latest technical standards, with a user-friendly interface that allows for easy browsing and searching.The mobile application can be downloaded through the App Store.

The State of Qatar participated in the meeting of the Palestine Donor Group for 2025, held in Brussels, chaired by Director-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf at the European Commission Stefano Sannino.The high-level meeting brought together key international partners and donors to reaffirm collective support for the Palestinian people, strengthen coordination on development and humanitarian efforts, and discuss strategies to address the urgent political, economic, and social needs on the ground.The State of Qatar was represented by Deputy Director General of Risk and Compliance Sector at Qatar Fund for Development Abdulla Ahmed Al Fehani.Al Fehani underscored the international unwavering commitment to humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and long-term stability in Palestine by stating: "At the outset of my remarks, I would like to highly commend this European initiative, which comes at a pivotal moment in the history of our central cause. It affirms a growing international commitment to ending the humanitarian suffering in the occupied Palestinian territory, strengthening the resilience of the Palestinian people, and supporting their institutions."During the session, he also highlighted Qatar’s ongoing initiatives aimed at supporting essential services, infrastructure projects, and socioeconomic resilience, emphasizing the importance of continued international engagement at this critical moment.Qatar’s participation in the Brussels meeting reflects its long-standing diplomatic commitment to supporting peace, stability, and development in the region, as well as its dedication to advancing coordinated international efforts through multilateral platforms.