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The Follow-Up Committee of the Joint Qatari-Saudi Business Council recently held its first meeting in Riyadh.It was presided over by Hamad bin Ali al-Shuwair, chairman of the Saudi side, and Qatar Chamber board member Ali bin Abdullatif al-Misnad, who is also a member of the council. The meeting was also attended by Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Emadi, Qatar Chamber board member and member of the council.The meeting discussed ways to stimulate the role of the sectoral committees within the council, particularly the education and health sectors. It also reviewed a proposal to prepare a study on establishing a joint investment company aimed at enhancing economic integration between the two countries, in addition to intensifying communication with the relevant authorities and unifying delegations for foreign visits from both sides.Attendees also reviewed a number of topics, including the importance and advantages of Hamad Port for Saudi traders, customs tariffs on Qatari goods, and the temporary entry of equipment and vehicles from Qatar.In his remarks, al-Misnad noted that the formation of the committee reflects the mutual keenness of both sides to activate the outcomes of the joint business council’s meetings and translate its recommendations into practical steps that contribute to strengthening economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.Al-Misnad also stated that the committee plays a leading role in identifying the challenges facing the business community in both countries and working to address them, in addition to proposing initiatives that would enhance co-operation between business owners and open new opportunities for joint and mutual investments, thereby increasing trade exchange and strengthening bilateral economic partnership.He affirmed the chamber’s commitment to strengthening close co-operation with its Saudi counterparts through the Qatari-Saudi Business Council, in line with the deep-rooted fraternal and historical relations between the two countries and the wise directives of their leaderships aimed at promoting economic integration and developing strategic partnerships. 

His Excellency Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud al-Thani, the Qatar Central Bank Governor and Chairman of the Qatar Investment Authority, Monday met with Jacob Helberg, the US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs.  During the meeting, they exchanged views on a range of topics of mutual interest, and discussed ways to enhance bilateral co-operation in relevant fields.

His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani Saturday received a phone call from Angola's Minister of External Relations Tete Antonio.During the call, they discussed ways to advance bilateral co-operation between the two countries, as well as to promote a peaceful solution pathway between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda.HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Qatar's unyielding position, calling for conflicts to be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means, and for the respect of international law principles to strengthen stability, global peace, and security.

The committee responsible for the GCC Tourism Capital has announced Doha as the GCC Tourism Capital for 2026, within the framework of strengthening joint tourism cooperation among GCC member states. This decision has been approved by the ministers responsible for tourism across the Gulf Cooperation Council.  The selection follows a comprehensive strategic bid submitted by Qatar Tourism (QT), which outlined the Qatar’s long-term vision for tourism and showcased Doha’s strengths as a destination that balances cultural authenticity, urban innovation, sustainability and quality of life.  The bid aligns closely with national priorities focused on economic diversification and positions tourism as a key driver of sustainable growth.  His Excellency Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, chairman of QT and chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, said: “The selection of Doha as the GCC Tourism Capital for 2026 marks an important milestone that underscores the success of our leadership’s strategic vision in establishing tourism as a central pillar of the National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.  This recognition reflects the qualitative progress achieved in building an integrated and sustainable tourism ecosystem that is competitive at both regional and global levels, supported by world-class infrastructure, strong connectivity, and an exceptional visitor experience.” Doha’s selection was underpinned by a set of strategic pillars, including its advanced transport and mobility infrastructure.  This encompasses Hamad International Airport, internationally recognised for operational excellence; Qatar Airways’ global network connecting Doha to more than 170 destinations worldwide; and integrated metro and tram systems to enable seamless visitor movement across the city.  Qatar has also enhanced its tourism proposition through flexible visa policies via the Hayya platform, in addition to ensuring a competitive and investor-friendly business environment, strong regional and international partnerships, and global promotional campaigns that have elevated the country’s profile on the international tourism map.  The bid also outlined Doha’s capacity to provide a varied tourism experience, supported by advanced infrastructure for hosting events and conferences, as well as a calendar of cultural, sporting, and entertainment events.  These strengths are complemented by Qatar’s firm commitment to sustainability, heritage preservation, the development of eco-tourism, and a growing leadership position in medical and wellness tourism.  QT and Visit Qatar are set to announce further details in the coming period regarding the “GCC Tourism Capital” programme in Doha. This will include joint Gulf initiatives, promotional campaigns, and a year-round programme of community, cultural, and entertainment events, designed to deliver sustainable economic and tourism impact and further strengthen Doha’s position within the regional and global tourism landscape.

Her Excellency the Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad met Thursday with Assistant Minister and Director-General of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Keiichi Iwamoto, who is visiting Qatar.  Discussions during the meeting focused on the two countries' bilateral relations and ways to bolster them, especially in the area of international co-operation. The two sides also discussed prospects of expanding humanitarian and developmental partnerships, in addition to a host of topics of mutual interest. 

His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani stressed that Qatar is marking this year's anniversary of the founder, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, amid comprehensive achievements across all fields under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.The Prime Minister said the National Day slogan, "With You It Rises, From You It Awaits," underscores the country's confident steps toward the future, strengthened by the spirit of unity and belonging that binds the leadership, loyal citizens, and residents of Qatar. He noted that the slogan reflects the nation's expectation that all its people will contribute to sustaining Qatar's role as a leader in sustainable development, social welfare, and economic prosperity, while preserving the country's religious and national values, rooted in its Arab and Islamic heritage, and engaging creatively with global cultures and civilizations in the service of humanity.In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the PM said that National Day is an enduring occasion to renew loyalty to the country's wise leadership, draw inspiration from the sacrifices and achievements of past generations in defending the nation, and work diligently to continue the path of progress, development and growth. He stressed that successive generations would remain faithful to the principles laid down by the founder, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, ensuring that Qatar remains an oasis of security, peace, prosperity and noble human values.He said Qatar continues its development journey and is consolidating its leadership across sectors with clear vision and firm resolve, noting that the national economy has maintained strong growth while state institutions continue to translate Qatar National Vision 2030 into tangible outcomes, thanks to the wise directives of His Highness the Amir, particularly in energy, infrastructure, education, health care, social welfare, economic diversification, human capital development and innovation.In this context,he emphasised that the state and its institutions are moving steadily toward achieving the goals of Qatar's Third National Development Strategy for 2024-2030, which was developed under His Highness the Amir's guidance to realise the country's strategic priorities for this phase.On Qatar's efforts to strengthen regional and international security and stability, the PM said the country, through its active partnership with the international community, is doing everything it can to promote peace and international security and to advance sustainable development for all humanity. He added the founder had championed dialogue and peace, and that Qatar has followed this inherited path, with mediation becoming a firmly established principle enshrined in the Constitution, rather than merely a political option.He added that, through its quiet diplomacy and firmly established global credibility, Qatar has become a model in efforts to resolve complex conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means, as well as to prevent them through preventive diplomacy. He pointed to Qatar's mediation aimed at ending the war in the Gaza Strip, its positive contribution to facilitating a peace agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and its broader mediation efforts extending from Latin America to Africa and Asia.He said that Qatar's approach to mediation, together with its hosting of major global events such as the Second World Summit for Social Development, the first formal meeting of the United Nations General Assembly to be held outside New York or Geneva, underscores the country's firm commitment to peace, international solidarity and multilateral cooperation, and reflects its standing as a strategic partner of the United Nations. He added that these efforts have strengthened Qatar's global stature and its active role at both the regional and international levels.He also noted that Qatar's official bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games highlights the country's advanced position on the international sports stage and its organisational readiness, demonstrated by its widely praised hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.The PM noted that Qatar's international distinction also extends to its ranking at the top among Middle East and North Africa countries in the 2025 Global Peace Index as well as its placement eighth worldwide and first in the Arab world in the category of the safest and most socially peaceful countries. He said that these comprehensive achievements drive us to give even more for the present and future of the beloved nation, under the banner of the wise leadership. 

His Excellency the Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanem met separately Tuesday with ambassador of Iraq Mohammed Jaafar al-Sadr, ambassador of Indonesia Ridwan Hassan, and ambassador of Kazakhstan Arman Issagaliyev.**media[394489]**The meetings discussed bilateral relations between Qatar and each of Iraq, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan, and explored ways to enhance them, particularly in areas related to parliamentary co-operation.  

Her Excellency the Minister of State for International Co-operation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad met Wednesday with the visiting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky. Talks during the meeting focused on bilateral co-operation and ways to strengthen it, along with a range of matters of shared interest.  

The State of Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman signed an MoU aimed at strengthening partnership, trade and investment integration and encouraging exports between the two countries, on the sidelines of the 24th session of the Qatari-Omani Joint Committee, held during the period of Dec. 10-11 in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.Representing the Qatari side, His Excellency Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari signed the MoU, while the Minister of Finance of Oman represented the Omani side by signing.The MoU aims to enhance cooperation between the two sides in the areas of financing and credit facilities through Qatar Development Bank's (QDB) buyer credit program, which supports the implementation of projects included in the Omani Ministry of Finance's budget, and allows the utilization of Qatari capabilities in export and financing, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Qatari exports and contributing to the diversification of the two countries' economies.HE Minister of Finance also witnessed the signing of another MoU between QDB and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman, which aims to trade and facilitate exports between the two countries.During this event, His Excellency emphasized the importance of this agreement and its effective role, noting that the cooperation between the State of Qatar and Oman is based on a share vision to enhance economic integration.The signing of the MoUs represents a new step in the path of bilateral partnership that supports the two countries' efforts towards a more diversified and sustainable economy.The Qatari-Omani Joint Committee held its first meeting in Doha in April 1995, and its meetings have continued since then, alternating between the two countries, in order to strengthen the path of cooperation and joint coordination.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassim Mohammed Al Bedaiwi stressed the importance of evaluating and developing the digital infrastructure of the General Secretariat and its affiliated organizational units, to keep pace with developments in this field.This came during a workshop held by the General Directorate of Digital Transformation and Information Technology, at the headquarters of the GCC General Secretariat, with the participation of the assistant secretaries and heads of organizational units at the General Secretariat.The workshop aimed to review the efforts implemented and discuss the strategic guidelines for the future operational model for digital transformation. This workshop comes in support of decision-making and aligning digital initiatives with the institutional work needs of the GCC General Secretariat. 

His Excellency the Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani met with Spain's Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gomez, and the accompanying delegation. The meeting discussed bilateral cooperation in security fields and ways to enhance and further develop them, besides touching on issues of mutual concern. The meeting also witnessed the signing of a joint action plan between the interior ministries of the two countries in the areas of information exchange, counter-terrorism, and crime prevention, along with a joint statement between Lekhwiya and the Spanish interior ministry to advance security co-operation mechanisms. HE Sheikh Khalifa and Gomez signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.  

Qatar Chamber (QC) hosted on Monday a delegation from the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD). QC and TUSIAD held a meeting where the Qatari side was headed by HE First Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber, Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari while the Turkish delegation was led by TUSIAD board member, Cagatay Ozdoru.The meeting was also attended by HE Second Vice-Chairman of QC Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba, and board members Dr Mohamed bin Jawhar Al Mohamed and Shaheen bin Mohamed Al Mohannadi.The meeting touched on trade and economic relations between the two countries and ways to develop them, in addition to reviewing key areas of cooperation between the Qatari and Turkish private sectors. It also highlighted the investment climate and opportunities available in both countries.Mohamed bin Twar stressed the strength of economic relations between Qatar and Turkiye, noting that recent years have witnessed rapid growth in bilateral ties, supported by mutual visits at the level of leaders, officials, and business delegations, as well as the shared commitment to building strategic partnerships that serve the interests of both countries and open new horizons for the private sector.He noted that Turkiye is an important trading partner for Qatar, with the volume of trade exchange between the two countries reaching around QAR 4.5 billion last year.He pointed out that hundreds of Turkish companies are operating in Qatar across various sectors, including construction, infrastructure, industry, services, and logistics. He also stressed that Turkiye represents a key investment destination for Qatari business owners, with Qatari investments expanding in sectors such as real estate, food, industry, and tourism.QC First Vice-Chairman emphasised that the meeting presents an important opportunity to enhance cooperation between Qatari and Turkish companies and explore new partnerships in sectors of mutual interest. He also affirmed the Chamber's keenness to strengthen cooperation with economic institutions in Turkiye and its readiness to provide all forms of support to enable the private sectors in both countries to benefit from the available opportunities.For his part, Cagatay Ozdoru praised the close relations between Qatar and Turkiye, noting that TUSIAD is the largest and most influential organisation representing the business sector in Turkiye, encompassing major industrial and financial companies and business families.He highlighted the Turkish side's interest in forming commercial alliances with Qatari companies to establish investments in Turkiye, stressing that the Association can serve as a key reference for information required by Qatari investors seeking to invest in the Turkish market. He also called on Qatar Chamber to organise a visit for a Qatari business delegation to Turkiye to explore the available investment opportunities.QC Second Vice-Chairman Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba stressed the deep relations between the two countries, noting that many Qatari investors own significant investments in Turkiye and are looking forward to further expanding them. He added that, on the other hand, there are numerous investment opportunities in the Qatari market that Turkish businesspeople can seize, especially given the many advantages and incentives offered by the State of Qatar to attract foreign investments.The meeting concluded with a discussion session between business representatives from both sides, during which they explored prospects for future cooperation and the investment opportunities available in Qatar and Turkiye.