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India secured their place in the Asia Cup final Wednesday as Abhishek Sharma starred with 75 in a comfortable 41-run win over Bangladesh in Dubai.The holders posted 168-6 batting first after stumbling following a quick start, but their spinners helped stifle Bangladesh to 127 all out.The result means Sri Lanka are out of the tournament, with Thursday’s Super Four match between Pakistan and Bangladesh to decide who faces India in Sunday’s final.Abhishek has enjoyed a remarkable start to his T20 international career with 783 runs from 22 matches at a strike-rate of 197.72.The opener set up victory with another brilliant innings, striking six sixes and five fours in his 37-ball blitz, which ended with a run-out caused by a mix-up with captain Suryakumar Yadav.Both Abhishek and fellow opener Shubman Gill, who made 29, started cautiously before the two took on left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, smashing 21 runs off the fourth over.Abhishek reached his fifty off just 25 balls after Gill fell to leg-spinner Rishad Hossain.Rishad quickly struck again with the wicket of the promoted Shivam Dube, before the dismissals of Abhishek and Suryakumar, for five off 11 balls, left India on 114-4. Hardik Pandya ensured India reached a competitive total with a 29-ball 38 with four fours and one six.Jasprit Bumrah struck first to send back opener Tanzid Hasan for one in the second over of Bangladesh’s chase, before Saif Hassan and Parvez Hossain Emon, who made 21, put on 42 runs to steady the innings.But Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Parvez and Bangladesh soon lost their way as the Indian spinners took charge. Saif, who survived four dropped catches, played a lone hand to raise Bangladesh hopes. Kuldeep struck twice with successive balls before Nasum played out the hat-trick ball. Saif finally fell in the 18th over for 69 to Bumrah and Bangladesh were bowled out in 19.3 overs.BRIEF SCORE:SIndia 168 for 6 (Abhishek 75, Hardik 38, Rishad 2-27) beat Bangladesh (Saif 69, Kuldeep 3-18, Bumrah 2-18, Varun 2-29) by 41 runs

Pakistan kept their Asia Cup campaign alive with a hard-fought five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a Super Four clash in Abu Dhabi Tuesday.With both teams having lost their opening fixtures of the second round, defeat wasn’t an option and Pakistan’s bowlers rose to the occasion tying Sri Lanka down to 133-8 on a featherbed of a pitch.Chasing what looked a modest target, Pakistan made heavy weather of it.After a brisk opening stand of 45, their innings went into free fall at 80-5.But a cool-headed 58-run partnership off 41 balls for the sixth wicket between Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat steadied the ship and saw them home with 12 deliveries in hand.Nawaz struck a breezy 38 off 24 balls, while Talat anchored the innings with an unbeaten 32 off 30.Earlier, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi set the tone with the new ball, nipping out Sri Lanka’s in-form openers inside his first two overs.The left-arm quick returned at the death to dismiss top-scorer Kamindu Mendis and closed with figures of three for 28 – a spell that put Pakistan on the front foot.Talat and Haris Rauf chipped in with two wickets apiece, while leggie Abrar Ahmed bowled with miserly precision, giving away just eight runs in his four overs and dismissing fellow leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.Sri Lanka, unbeaten in the first round with three wins on the trot, have hit a brick wall in the Super Four, losing to Bangladesh on Saturday and now to Pakistan.With only India left to play, their chances of making the final are hanging by a thread.Put in to bat, Sri Lanka slumped to 58-5 and looked set to be bundled out inside 20 overs.But Kamindu Mendis dug in, compiling a fighting 50 off 44 balls with three fours and two sixes, his third half-century in T20Is.He stitched together a 43-run stand with Chamika Karunaratne for the seventh wicket, but the former champions were still left high and dry.BRIEF SCORES:Pakistan 138 for 5 (Nawaz 38*, Talat 32*, Theekshana 2-24, Hasaranga 2-27) beat Sri Lanka 133 for 8 (Kamindu Mendis 50, Afridi 3-28, Talat 2-18, Rauf 2-37) by five wickets

Companies from Qatar that participated in the recently concluded Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur have lauded the event for its role in helping enrich the Qatari market with a wide range of innovative halal products.Companies such as Lari Group, Al Majid Jawad, and Qatar National Import & Export (QNIE) participated in the ‘Premium Buyers’ segment of the International Sourcing Programme (INSP), one of the key components of the four-day event held at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).Describing MIHAS 2025 as “busy, fruitful, and promising,” Lari Group chairman Abdulrazaq Lari noted that “Malaysian products are well-received in Qatar,” and explained that while the country has sufficient halal facilities, product variety remains a challenge, especially niche categories like confectionery.Moreover, Lari has expressed full confidence in Malaysian halal standards, adding that Lari Group actively shares feedback with Malaysian suppliers to meet Qatari consumer preferences. He lauded Malaysian companies for supplier responsiveness, particularly in tailoring product flavours to suit Qatari tastes. This ongoing exchange of feedback and adaptation exemplifies a productive and culturally sensitive business relationship, Lari said.Drawn by MIHAS 2025’s focus on halal products and rising demand in Qatar, Reji Sam, Group Brand manager of Al Majid Jawad, noted that participation in the exhibition marks the company’s first appearance at the event, despite longstanding relationships with Malaysian suppliers.He emphasised Malaysia’s reputation for stringent and consistent halal certification, contrasting it with the fluctuating standards in other countries. According to him, MIHAS serves as a gateway to discovering new, unique F&B products that can meet rising demands.Waqqas Jaffar, Category supervisor at Qatar National Import & Export (QNIE), praised the organisation and energy of MIHAS 2025, noting the enthusiasm of Malaysian companies eager to export to Qatar. With a limited number of halal brands currently available, Jaffar sees MIHAS as a strategic platform to explore new offerings, particularly in health-conscious categories.MATRADE announced earlier that the results from its flagship INSP are set to help MIHAS achieve its RM4.5bn sales targets. The INSP, a central pillar of the event, saw more than 4,000 physical business meetings arranged between 600 Malaysian sellers and 300 international buyers, including top-tier retailers and hypermarkets with combined annual revenues exceeding RM1.5tn.The programme, which also features a virtual component running until November 5, 2025, has already generated significant sales and is expected to surpass last year’s RM2.52bn achievement, thereby strengthening Malaysia’s trade ties across Asean, the GCC, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.MATRADE chairman Reezal Merican Naina Merican emphasised MIHAS’ role as a catalyst for Malaysia’s halal leadership: “The strong performance of the INSP this year underscores the global demand for Malaysia’s halal offerings. Through MIHAS and our digital platforms, we are enabling Malaysian exporters to connect with high-value global buyers and unlock new opportunities.”MATRADE CEO Mustafa Abdul Aziz emphasised that INSP is about building long-term business linkages: “The meetings conducted at the INSP are not just transactions, but opportunities for Malaysian exporters to forge lasting partnerships in high-value markets. This is how we position Malaysian halal products and services as trusted global brands.“One of the key strengths of the INSP is MATRADE’s ability to leverage our network of 48 overseas trade offices to curate carefully and pre-qualify buyers, which ensures that the business meetings are highly targeted, connecting Malaysian companies with buyers who have genuine demand. This, in turn, leads to successful business deals and long-lasting partnerships.”

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has presented an introductory video about the Qatar Sustainability Portal at Qatar’s pavilion in Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan.The video highlighted the country’s efforts in addressing climate change challenges and emphasised the importance of engaging various sectors in adopting responsible practices aligned with Qatar’s National Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

The AGCFF U-17 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 has kicked off at Grand Hamad Stadium, with Iraq and Kuwait ending in a 1-1 tie in the first match of the tournament. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia beat Bahrain 4-0 at Suheim bin Hamad Stadium in the second match of the day.The tournament is taking place in Qatar from 20 September to 3 October, bringing together young football talents from the region to compete for the coveted trophy. This is the first time that the competition is being held under the auspices of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF).“This tournament showcases the high calibre of young players from the Arabian Gulf. Over the next two weeks, Qatar will play host to future stars in the making. We invite fans to be part of this exciting competition and support emerging football talents from the region, while celebrating our shared passion for football,” said Jassim Sultan Al Rumaihi, AGCFF Secretary General.Hosts Qatar will play their first match on 21 September at Grand Hamad Stadium, 6pm, against Yemen, while UAE will take on Oman at 20:00 at Suheim bin Hamad Stadium. Both venues are accessible, ensuring a barrier-free experience for disabled fans.Fans can purchase tickets online from tickets.qfa.qa , starting from QAR 10. All tickets are digital.Participating teams include the eight member associations of the federation and have been divided into two groups. Group A features hosts Qatar, who will play alongside United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. Group B includes Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait.The AGCFF U-17 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 is a precursor to a spectacular line-up of tournaments scheduled for this winter. Hosts Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™, that will take place from 3-27 November at the state-of-the-art Competition Complex at Aspire Zone. This will be followed by the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ from 1-18 December.For inquiries regarding tickets, fans can email: [email protected] purchase accessibility tickets, fans can email: [email protected] all information related to the AGCFF U-17 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025, follow @AGCFF on all major social media platforms.

Lusail International Circuit (LIC) has announced an exclusive hospitality offering in collaboration with Cipriani Doha, elevating its hospitality experience and setting a new benchmark for premium Formula 1 hospitality.Renowned for its heritage of Italian elegance and four generations of tradition in which “to serve is to love”, Cipriani will bring its signature refinement to the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025. Guided by the brand’s philosophy of simplicity and quality, the experience will showcase Cipriani’s celebrated Venetian and Italian cuisine — including Carpaccio “alla Cipriani”, Baked Tagliolini and the iconic Vanilla Meringue — crafted with the finest ingredients and impeccable standards that have made Cipriani a global icon.The Cipriani experience will be hosted in Premiere Hospitality, located at the end of the Main Straight. Guests will enjoy climate-controlled indoor seating, an expansive outdoor terrace, and attached trackside grandstand access — providing outstanding views as the F1 cars accelerate down the straight and contest position into Turn 1.The experience will be complemented by a premium international beverage service, along with a selection of Cipriani’s classics. Exclusive live entertainment, including cultural performances and professional DJs, will create an elevated atmosphere under the lights of Lusail International Circuit.Hospitality packages are now available, but only a limited number of passes remain. The passes can be bought from here.

Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC) has been ranked ninth regionally in the transport and logistics category on Forbes Middle East’s Sustainability Leaders 2025 list, which features 126 companies and institutions.This recognition highlights GWC’s role in promoting sustainable development practices and supporting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives across the region.GWC Group Managing Director Sheikh Abdulla bin Fahad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani said: “We are proud to be recognised by Forbes Middle East for the third year in a row. This honour reflects our steadfast commitment to integrating ESG principles into our business model and highlights our ongoing efforts to provide sustainable logistics and supply chain solutions to our diverse clientele, in line with Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy, Qatar National Vision 2030, the National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”GWC’s Group Acting CEO Matthew Kearns stated: “Sustainability is a cornerstone for driving positive change, promoting responsible practices, and contributing to development. We achieve this by leveraging our capabilities, investing in the communities where we operate, strengthening governance, protecting the environment, and managing risks effectively.”He added: “This recognition reaffirms our commitment to adopting responsible initiatives and taking a proactive approach to sustainability. It further strengthens GWC’s position as a leader in ESG practices, demonstrated through a wide range of initiatives such as beach clean-ups, tree planting, wastewater treatment, energy conservation and emissions reduction, paperless processes, vehicle route optimisation, reduce-reuse-recycle initiatives, and resource consumption optimisation.”GWC’s Biobin initiative processed nearly 100 tonnes of food waste from its sites last year, transforming close to 40 tonnes into premium, nutrient-rich compost – enough to cover the equivalent of 14 FIFA football pitches.As part of the initiative, the recycled compost is donated to local agricultural projects including Education City Micro Farm, a community garden run by agriculture company Hadiqa that offers educational workshops for children in Doha, teaching them about gardening to create a more self-sufficient future.Forbes Middle East highlighted that the company has reduced Scope-1 carbon emissions by 3% and Scope-2 emissions by 0.2% compared with 2023 levels in 2024 and recycled more than 162,000m³ of treated wastewater at GWC Bu Sulba Warehousing Park, achieving a 6% year-on-year reduction in water consumption in the same year.In 2024, GWC also recycled over 2,200 tons of waste, with a bold target of cutting waste by 20% by 2030. The company remains committed to minimising landfill dependency and promoting sustainable solutions.In September 2024, GWC joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative, aligning itself with over 23,000 companies from some 166 countries worldwide committed to promoting responsible business practices and SDGs.

QIB Group CEO Bassel Gamal has been recognised in Forbes Middle East’s ‘Sustainability Leaders 2025’, a list celebrating executives who are advancing sustainability across the region’s largest companies.The achievement underscores the bank’s dedication to environmental management, robust ESG commitments, and innovative sustainability initiatives, affirming its influential role in promoting positive environmental impact and sustainable practices.QIB’s recognition aligns with the bank’s ongoing commitment to its ESG strategy, which includes the introduction of innovative, Shariah-compliant solutions and tools that empower customers and businesses to make more sustainable choices.This year’s Forbes Middle East list features 126 leaders across 15 industries, underscoring how sustainability is shifting from pledges to measurable action across the region. In the banks category, Gamal was recognised among the Middle East’s top 10 leading executives within the banking industry, affirming QIB’s leadership in sustainable finance and responsible banking.Gamal said, “We are pleased to be recognised by Forbes Middle East as a sustainability leader, reaffirming our strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility. This distinction validates our dedication to sustainability through tangible initiatives and recent milestones.“Our core strategy integrates sustainability into our business operations, rooted in our Islamic values and heritage. Over the past year, we have accelerated the integration of ESG principles across our organisation, aligning closely with Qatar National Vision 2030, Qatar Central Bank’s ESG & Sustainability Strategy for the Financial Sector, the National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and global best practices. This commitment strengthens our brand and enhances our financial resilience and long-term value for all stakeholders.”Recent QIB milestones include being the first bank in Qatar to adopt the Equator Principles, which has led the bank to embed a robust ESG Risk Assessment process in its credit review for all new finance requests. The bank has launched a sustainable deposit for institutional and corporate customers, which is in turn tagged to its sustainable asset portfolio. This product is aligned with QIB’s Sustainable Products Framework – guiding green and social financing.QIB has further introduced a carbon emissions tracker in the QIB Mobile App — Qatar’s first of its kind to help retail customers monitor the carbon footprint of their card transactions and encourage environmentally responsible purchasing behaviour through tailored sustainability tips. Additionally, QIB has collaborated with DHL to help lower its logistics emissions under the GoGreen Plus flagship, introduced a range of eco-friendly cards made from recycled plastic, and accelerated its shift to paperless banking through e-statements, digital onboarding, and smart printing.QIB’s current sustainability-related initiatives are aimed at embedding the assessment of climate risks within its risk management processes, leading to the evaluation of the potential impact of climate-related physical and transition risks on its wholesale banking portfolio, as per the guidelines laid down in Qatar Central Bank’s ESG Supervisory Principles for Banks.Forbes Middle East has unveiled its 2025 Sustainability Leaders list, spotlighting organisations across the Middle East that are driving measurable progress toward sustainable business goals. The evaluation considered demonstrable environmental impact, adherence to ESG principles, transparency, collaboration, initiatives delivered over the past year, and credible net-zero roadmaps. Within banking and financial services, the methodology placed particular emphasis on advancing sustainable finance.

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, has been named by Forbes Middle East as one of the region’s leading sustainability champions in its prestigious Sustainability Leaders 2025 list.QNB achieved the second ranking in the banking sector, reaffirming its strong commitment to advancing sustainable finance and responsible banking practices.In addition, QNB Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Abdulla Mubarak al-Khalifa, was recognised by Forbes Middle East as one of the Middle East’s Sustainability Leaders, in acknowledgment of his vision and leadership in driving the Bank’s sustainability agenda and embedding ESG principles across its operations.This dual recognition highlights QNB’s consistent efforts to integrate sustainability into its core strategy, supporting global climate action, promoting financial inclusion, and contributing to national and international sustainable development goals.QNB Group continues to strengthen its leadership in sustainability through green financing initiatives, and investments that promote environmental and social progress which reinforces its role as a regional pioneer in sustainable finance.QNB Group is one of the leading financial institutions in the Middle East and Africa and is ranked as the most valuable banking brand in the MEA region.Present in Some 28 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa, it offers tailored products and services supported by innovation and backed by a team of over 31,000 professionals dedicated to driving banking excellence, worldwide.

Coaches of the teams participating in the Gulf Cup for U-17 football, set to kick off Saturday in Doha, highlighted the tournament as a key step in building a generation of players with valuable international experience.Spanish coach Alvaro Mejia, leading the Qatari U-17 team, said the competition offers “an important test” as Qatar prepares for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November. He added that the tournament will help players gain experience, refine their skills, and adapt to different levels of competition.Iraq’s Jose Maria Zarco echoed the sentiment, noting his team is in good shape and the timing of the tournament is ideal for assessing player readiness.Saudi Arabia coach Abdulwahab Nasser al-Harbi emphasised the value of the Gulf Cup in preparing for upcoming events, including the World Cup, despite missing some players due to club commitments.Bahrain’s Croatian coach Olewo Klingor praised the organisation and described the tournament as “a major challenge and an important step” in developing young talent. Kuwait’s Tariq al-Khelaifi said the competition will aid preparations for Asian Cup qualifiers next month, while Yemen’s Samer Mohammed Saleh highlighted the opportunity for first-time international players to gain exposure.UAE coach Majid Salem Al Zaabi stressed the tournament’s role in preparing his squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, and Oman’s Ahmed Bait Saeed expressed enthusiasm for the strong competition and opportunities for interaction.The tournament opens tomorrow with Iraq facing Kuwait at 6pm at Grand Hamad Stadium, followed by Saudi Arabia vs. Bahrain at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium. Qatar will start its campaign tomorrow against Yemen at Grand Hamad Stadium, alongside UAE vs. Oman at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium.The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on September 30, with the final scheduled for October 3 at Grand Hamad Stadium.

The beauty of sport is its ability to surprise and Isaac Nader produced one of the biggest ever in international 1,500 metres finals as he won the world title Wednesday while Katie Moon was a more predictable winner of a third successive pole vault crown.Portugal had never had a medallist in the 1,500m but Nader's storming run in the home straight was enough for the 24-year-old to deny Jake Wightman of Britain a second title. "Some people criticised me and said I would never achieve this but here I am – world champion and the first Portuguese athlete to win a global gold in the 1,500m," said a beaming Nader.While Wightman celebrated his silver after an injury-plagued three years since he won the title in 2022, there was misery for reigning champion Josh Kerr after the Briton was left hopping along midway through the race, apparently with an injury.Even at 34, Moon is pretty much unbeatable in an event that has failed to match the heights of the men's event in which Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis broke the world record for the 14th time in Tokyo. Moon triumphed with a best vault of 4.90 metres, a considerable 16 centimetres shy of the world record set by Yelena Isinbayeva 16 years ago."It feels fun watching girls getting in shape in real life," said Moon. "I am 34 now and I have seen several athletes come in young and blossom. All my medals are special but this one is the one. The older you get, it gets harder."The men's long jump went to Italian Mattia Furlani, 20, who confirmed his Olympic bronze last year was no fluke with a winning effort of 8.39m. Defending champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece was totally out of sorts and finished 11th.One lesson to be learned is beware Kenyan women distance athletes called Faith. Faith Kipyegon romped to the 1500m title on Tuesday and Wednesday it was the turn of Faith Cherotich to triumph in the 3,000m steeplechase.Femke Bol has had the misfortune to compete in the 400m hurdes at a time when the phenomenon that is Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has been around.McLaughlin-Levrone, though, has turned her attention to the 400m flat and is favourite to add that world title to her tally Thursday.Bol, three times a minor medallist behind the American, can take advantage of her absence to retain her world crown, just as she did in the 2023 championships. Bol had far too much pace in her semi-final for former Olympic and world champion Dalilah Muhammad, who at 35 is 10 years older than the Dutchwoman.The climax to the men's event is a rematch of the three medallists from the 2021 Olympic final in Tokyo. Karsten Warholm, who set a memorable world record on that scorching day, takes on runner-up Rai Benjamin, who avenged that defeat in winning Olympic gold in Paris last year, with bronze medallist, 2022 world champion Alison dos Santos, completing the trio.The stage is set for perhaps the most keenly awaited clash in the field events, the men's javelin final Thursday, between Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan and the man he deposed in Paris last year India's Neeraj Chopra. However, the script came close to being torn up by Nadeem until he saved face in qualifying with his third and final throw.Chopra feels right at home in the stadium where he won Olympic gold four years ago, albeit with empty stands owing to Covid restrictions. "That Olympic gold medal changed everything for me," he said. "After winning it, I started to believe in myself."Nadeem may have pulled it out of the fire but it was not the case for another Olympic champion, Spanish triple jumper Jordan Diaz. The 24-year-old's dream of a full house of titles, he is also European champion, ended, as he pulled up with a quadriceps injury in qualifying.All the favourites in the men's and women's 200m – in which Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is bidding to become the first to achieve the individual sprint double since Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 2013 – eased into semi-finals.Joining them is 17-year-old Australian Gout Gout, of whom great things are expected. The Australia-born son of South Sudanese parents took his first experience of a global championships in his long stride. "It's a great experience for me, running against the big dogs," said Gout. After the action was followed by big crowds early in the champions, Wednesday's action attracted just shy of 36,000, leaving thousands of empty seats.

Qatar's family offices are in the path of shifting to "bold" venture capital (VC) investments, which have emerged as a powerful driver of growth, according to a top official of the Qatar Development Bank (QDB).In the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council), family offices are shifting from conservative wealth managers to bold venture investors, and "Qatar’s ecosystem is ready for this transformation," QDB chief executive officer Abdulrahman bin Hesham al-Sowaidi on Wednesday told the seventh edition of Investment Forum 2025, organised by QDB in association with Young Entrepreneurs Club."As Qatar moves with confidence towards 2030, opportunities have never been more exciting. Investment is yielding growth and the market is laden with potential," he said.Highlighting that QDB continues to be a key enabler for the nation's VC space, maintaining strong growth through 2025; he said QDB's direct and indirect investments (as of today) exceed QR350mn, resulting in more than 1,100 direct and indirect new jobs, thus contributing to a strong private sector capable of driving Qatar diversification."Our mandate has expanded beyond local boundaries in alignment with our new strategy, positioning Qatar as the centre of tomorrow's opportunities. We launched the Startup Qatar Investment Programme, opening Qatar's door to global founders, capital, and ideas," according to him.In two years, this programme has directed more than QR120mn into more than 30 companies, scaling their growth and projecting their reach beyond its borders, he said, adding "this is only the opening chapter."Following the success of the first phase, QDB expanded the programme's capacity further, attracting 177 applications from 27 countries."With more than 40 entrepreneurs already benefiting from this community, the programme is establishing itself as a true hub of global talent," according to al-Sowaidi.Stressing that a great economy is not built on capital alone, but on knowledge, on talent and on trust and it is why QDB continues to invest in people; he said through its VC training programme, more than 170 investors are now equipped to play a leading role in the VC landscape of tomorrow."By the end of 2024, private sector participation in the VC scene reached 57% of total investment, surpassing the 50% target set for the same year," according to him.The QDB official said VC funding in the Middle East nearly doubled in the first half of 2025, reaching about $1.35bn, despite a global VC slowdown."In Qatar and beyond, private capital from high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and venture funds has emerged as a powerful driver of growth," he said, adding globally, family offices are rethinking how to preserve and grow assets across generations, as assets under their management are projected to exceed $5tn by 2030, underscoring their rising influence in finance.Placing particular emphasis on the growing role of family offices both regionally and globally; al-Sowaidi said these institutions have become vital partners in shaping the future of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, leveraging accumulated expertise and directing investments toward the sectors of tomorrow.