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QIIB has received another “prestigious” accolade, with Global Business Review naming the bank as the winner of the ‘Best Mobile Banking Application Qatar 2025’ award.This recognition underscores QIIB’s excellence in developing an integrated mobile banking application that reflects the latest advancements in digital technology within the banking sector.According to the Global Business Review jury, QIIB Mobile Banking App distinguishes itself as a smart and comprehensive platform that enables customers to perform a wide range of transactions while also offering innovative interactive features designed in direct response to customer feedback and needs.QIIB Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdulbasit Ahmad al-Shaibei said: “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our alignment with the Third Financial Sector Strategy launched by Qatar Central Bank, especially in the areas of digital services and advanced technology.“The award also reaffirms QIIB’s leadership in digital banking and demonstrates our success in developing a mobile banking application that ranks among the best in the region, offering innovative services that meet our customers’ needs and provide them with an outstanding banking experience.“From the very beginning, our goal has been to deliver a smart, secure, and user-friendly platform that empowers customers to manage their banking transactions anytime and anywhere. This achievement reflects our digital transformation strategy and ongoing commitment to investing in the latest technologies.”Dr al-Shaibei emphasised that the award serves as further motivation to continue developing the bank’s mobile app and enhancing its features and services in line with customer expectations.He noted: “Customer satisfaction is the true measure of success for any financial institution. We remain committed to continuously listening to our customers and developing solutions that make their lives easier and add real value to their banking experience.”This latest award further strengthens the track record of the QIIB Mobile Banking App, which has already received numerous regional and international awards and recognitions in digital banking.QIIB was awarded the ‘Excellence in Mobile Banking Innovation Qatar 2025’ by Gazet International, and previously received the ‘Excellence in Mobile Banking’ award at Finnovex Qatar 2024.QIIB has also won other prestigious honours, including ‘Best Bank for Digital Transformation Qatar 2025’ and ‘Best Retail Bank Qatar 2025’ from World Economic Magazine, as well as regional awards from institutions specialising in the banking industry.

The Qatar Chamber (QC) held a meeting on Tuesday with a business delegation from the Republic of South Africa, headed by Director of Export Promotion at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition Zanelli Sani. The Qatari side was led by QC Board Member Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Obaidli, with the participation of a distinguished group of Qatari business community, company representatives, and their South African counterparts. The meeting reviewed trade and economic relations between Qatar and South Africa and ways to strengthen them. It also reviewed the investment climate and opportunities available across various sectors in both countries, and the key incentives and facilities provided by each side to stimulate foreign investment. In his remarks, Al Obaidli said the meeting reflects the two countries' keenness to enhance cooperation and build genuine partnerships between their private sectors. He noted that bilateral relations have witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, highlighting that South Africa is an important trading partner for Qatar, with the volume of trade exchange reaching about QR 630 million last year. He also reaffirmed the Chamber's commitment to providing all necessary support and facilities to strengthen partnerships between the Qatari and South African business communities. For her part, Zanelli Sani thanked the Qatar Chamber for its commitment to hosting this important meeting between business leaders from both sides. She stressed that the gathering represents a valuable opportunity to review the investment climate in both countries and to discuss prospects for cooperation and partnership between the Qatari and South African private sectors.She also noted that South Africa shares with Qatar a common vision for economic diversification. She pointed out that the delegation includes several leading companies in the medical equipment and agricultural products sectors, highlighting the wide scope for cooperation between companies from both countries in these and other industries. During the meeting, the delegation delivered presentations on investment opportunities in South Africa, offering a brief overview of the national economy, the key incentives available to foreign investors, and the most promising opportunities in sectors such as mining, electric vehicles, batteries, energy, gas, manufacturing, technology, and innovation.

Expressing solidarity with Qatar, the Indian Business and Professionals Council (IBPC) Wednesday said Doha will emerge stronger as it has the natural ability to overcome challenges with strength. "We express our profound sorrow and condemn the recent attack on Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We stand in unwavering solidarity with the people and the visionary leadership of Qatar," Thaha Muhammed Abdul Kareem, president, IBPC Qatar said. Highlighting that Qatar has been a beacon of peace and a welcoming second home for the expatriates, where shared dreams have flourished; he said the Indian diaspora in Qatar holds a deep love and affection for this country, its culture, and its people. Qatar's commitment to global peace and mediation efforts has been exemplary, facilitating dialogue in regional conflicts and promoting humanitarian aid worldwide, according to him. "Qatar's resilience during difficult times has always been truly commendable, showcasing its ability to navigate complex challenges and emerge stronger. We have full faith in Qatar's ability to overcome this challenge with grace and strength," he said, adding "the Indian business and professionals community in Qatar is dedicated to contributing to Qatar's growth, strengthening bonds of friendship and commerce between our nations. Together, we champion peace and build a prosperous future for all."

The Kerala Business Forum (KBF) has expressed its deepest condolences and heartfelt solidarity with the leadership, government, and people of Qatar, following the tragic incident in Doha on September 9, 2025."We stand firmly with the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the Government of Qatar during this difficult time. Qatar has consistently upheld its role as a beacon of peace, dialogue, and mediation in the region, and such an attack represents not only a grave loss of innocent lives but also a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and its peace-building mission." KBF general secretary Abdulgafoor Makkatteri, said."On behalf of the KBF and its members, we extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and pray for strength and comfort for them. We also reaffirm our unwavering support to the State of Qatar in its continued efforts to promote peace, stability, and security in the region," he added.

Qatar and Oman Wednesday called for efforts to activate the business council and develop a joint executive action plan to boost trade as Muscat outlines 78 investment opportunities for Qatari investors in variegated fields.Oman showcased investment opportunities in fisheries, food and pharmaceutical industries, manufacturing, technology, minerals, renewable energy, tourism, and agriculture at a meeting hosted by Qatar Chamber (QC) with Qais bin Mohammed al-Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion of Oman, and his accompanying delegation.Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, Qatar Chamber chairman, who received the delegation, said the bilteral economic relations have witnessed remarkable development in recent years, as the volume of trade exchange between Qatar and Oman reached about QR6.2bn in 2024, recording a growth of 17% on an annualised basis.Apart from exploring the possibility of organising an annual Qatari-Omani trade exhibition, the meeting "underlined the need to activate the Qatari-Omani business council and to develop a joint executive action plan aimed at boosting trade exchange and expanding areas of cooperation."Highlighting the promising and diverse opportunities in both countries, Sheikh Khalifa said they provide a solid foundation for enhancing cooperation and implementing joint projects of added value.He called on business owners in both countries to explore the investment opportunities available in both sides.The Omani minister said the Qatari-Omani business forum, held on the sidelines of the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Oman, had a significant impact on strengthening relations between the business communities of the two countries and paved the way for further cooperation between companies on both sides.He said that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are in the process of entering into several free trade agreements with a number of countries, which will create greater opportunities for cooperation between Qatari and Omani investors to access foreign markets.The Omani delegation highlighted that the 22 free economic and industrial zones provide investment opportunities in logistics, food industries, tourism, mining, education, innovation, technology, health, and additional sectors.Rashid bin Hamad al-Athba, second vice-chairman of the Qatar Chamber, said Qatari businessmen enjoy strong ties with their Omani counterparts and highlighted the shared desire to further enhance this cooperation, with the aim of contributing to stimulating mutual and joint investments and strengthening trade exchange between the two countries.

The US-Qatar Business Council–Doha (USQBC Doha) in partnership with the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, hosted a virtual session to connect US firms with Qatar’s dynamic innovation ecosystem.The webinar highlighted Qatar’s R&D and innovation landscape, and introduced QRDI Council’s strategic programmes, funding opportunities, and pathways for cross-border collaboration with US startups, researchers, and corporate innovation teams in advanced and emerging technologies.The session supported the Third Qatar National Development Strategy (NDS3), which prioritises economic diversification through science, technology, and innovation.By facilitating direct access to Qatar’s innovation platforms and fostering structured exchange between the US and Qatari markets, the event advances USQBC Doha’s mission to deepen bilateral ties and promote innovation-driven growth.QRDI Council’s expertise and strategic initiatives underscore the alignment between institutional offerings and Qatar’s long-term development vision.“Qatar is rapidly emerging as a global hub for innovation, and USQBC Doha is committed to advancing partnerships that position US and Qatari firms at the forefront of this transformation. By linking cutting edge American capabilities with Qatar’s national innovation priorities, we are creating pathways for longterm growth, shared prosperity, and meaningful collaboration across both ecosystems," said Sheikha Mayes H al-Thani, Managing Director of USQBC Doha.“Through our partnership with QRDI Council, we are accelerating cross-border collaboration, unlocking growth pathways, and supporting national innovation priorities.”Hind Zaki, Senior Program Director, Global Innovation Alliances & Partnerships at QRDI Council, said:“By connecting global innovators with our strategic programmes, we create high-value opportunities that benefit both Qatar and international markets. These collaborations reinforce Qatar’s role as the region’s gateway for piloting and innovation, while actively supporting companies in their ability to scale regionally.”This webinar is part of an ongoing collaboration between USQBC Doha and the QRDI Council to create channels for US companies to engage with Qatar’s innovation ecosystem to expand technology and knowledge exchange, strengthen economic ties, and open new opportunities across both economies.USQBC Doha is a strategic platform advancing commercial engagement within and between the US and Qatar. At the intersection of business, policy, and investment, it provides institutional access, market intelligence, and targeted facilitation across high-impact sectors. Through dialogue, partnerships, and sector initiatives, USQBC Doha strengthens bilateral economic ties, supports private sector growth, and fosters innovation aligned with national development goals.QRDI Council is a government entity with the mission to support research, development and innovation (RDI) activities as well as to develop RDI talent in Qatar. The Council strives to make Qatar a top destination for global talent and a pioneering research, innovation, and development hub with its motto“locally empowered, globally connected.”Playing a pivotal role within the Qatar National Development Strategy, the QRDI Council is actively shaping the Innovation component of the Economic Diversification goal. The Council’s commitment underlines its unwavering dedication to the Qatar National Vision 2030.QRDI Council aims to make Qatar a global innovation hub and a top choice for R&D centres worldwide, seeing RDI as vital for Qatar's growth and prosperity.

Giorgio Armani's death leaves a vacuum at the top of his billion-dollar luxury business, an independent empire he built up over 50 years spanning hotels to haute couture.Born into a modest family in northern Italy, Armani, who died on Thursday aged 91, became one of the richest men in the world and the fourth richest in Italy.His net worth was estimated at $11.8bn, according to *Forbes magazine.From his historic headquarters in Milan, Armani led an empire employing more than 9,000 staff at the end of 2023, and with revenues of €2.3bn ($2.7bn) in 2024, according to the group.More than 600 stores worldwide sell Armani brands under several lines: Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, A|X Armani Exchange, and EA7.The group also licenses eyewear from EssilorLuxottica, and perfumes and cosmetics from L'Oreal.Armani is also active in the hotel, restaurant and real-estate industries, with building collaborations in China, Miami and Brazil.A sports enthusiast, the designer owned the Olimpia Milano basketball team and designed formalwear for Juventus and the Italian national football team.Armani had no direct heirs, but he had long planned for his succession, keen for the integrity and independence of the group to outlast him.According to the Italian press, a new statute has been ready since 2016 for his death. It would see the creation of six classes of shares with specific voting rights and governance prerogatives.In this new structure, a central role is expected to be played by the Giorgio Armani Foundation, which holds 0.1% of the Armani group's capital, and by the designer's close relatives and friends.These include his nieces Silvana and Roberta Armani, his nephew Andrea Camerana, his sister Rosanna Armani, and his right-hand man Leo Dell'Orco."I would like the succession to be organic and not a moment of rupture," he told the *Financial Times in an interview published just days before his death."My plans for succession consist of a gradual transition of the responsibilities that I have always handled to those closest to me," he said, "such as Leo Dell'Orco, the members of my family and the entire working team".Armani owned numerous properties in Italy and abroad. In addition to his main residence in Milan, on Via Borgonuovo, the designer regularly sought refuge in his villa on the island of Pantelleria, in his summer residence in Forte dei Marmi, an upscale seaside resort in Tuscany, or in his "Villa Rosa", south of Milan.He had numerous other residences abroad, notably in France — in Paris and Saint-Tropez — and in Saint Moritz, Switzerland.A few days before his death, Armani completed the acquisition of the "Capannina di Franceschi", the legendary Forte dei Marmi club where he met his partner Sergio Galeotti, with whom he went on to found Giorgio Armani in 1975.Armani remained one of the few independent luxury groups, at a time when most designers were being bought out by conglomerates.After years under Armani's tight control, his death raises the question of what happens next to a company so closely associated with one man.Luca Solca, analyst at research group Bernstein, said the Armani group benefited from being "a little more universal" than others, attracting a wide audience, much like Ralph Lauren."There is certainly a lot of interest in acquiring the group — it remains to be seen if there are any sellers after the succession," he told AFP.It is a difficult time for the luxury industry, hit by slowing growth in China and the uncertain global economic outlook.The Armani group has not been spared, reporting a 6% drop in revenue in 2024.But Armani kept investing — €332mn over the year — notably renovating its stores in New York and Milan and opening a new one in Paris.It has also taken its online sales operations in-house."I am convinced that pursuing consistency and continuity, avoiding chasing immediate gains, is the best strategy to ensure success in the long run," Armani said this year.

As part of its commitment to fostering a dynamic digital business ecosystem and supporting the growth of startups in their journey towards market readiness, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), signed co-operation agreements with six leading organisations to support the third cohort of TASMU Accelerator.The Cohort Champions include QNB, Deloitte, and Ooredoo, who will each award QR200,000 to three top-performing startups during the Demo Day, in recognition of their innovative solutions and their contribution to advancing Qatar's digital transformation.The Strategic Partners include Commercial Bank, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and Qatar Development Bank (QDB). Commercial Bank will provide free accounts to start-ups without a minimum deposit requirement, QFC will provide technical and business advisory services, support with licensing procedures, and offer incentives to companies nominated by the TASMU Accelerator, provided their activities fall within the scope of those authorised by or through QFC.QDB will ensure startups qualify for the Talent Community programme, in addition to offering up to six months of free housing and creating opportunities for co-investment through its investment arm.Speaking at the ceremony, Eman al-Kuwari, Director of the Digital Innovation Department at MCIT, said, "The signing of these agreements reflects our shared commitment to start-ups, and the importance of empowering them to generate tangible impact and succeed in building a business environment that fosters innovation."She emphasised the importance of institutional integration, knowledge exchange and collaboration with digital innovation leaders to support startups in expanding their operations and accelerating their entry into the local market through building a strong network of strategic partnerships with local and global institutions, reinforcing Qatar's position as a regional hub for digital innovation.These collaborations will further reinforce the progress of the TASMU Accelerator and consolidate its role as a leading national platform for supporting digital entrepreneurs. The programme has already gained broad international recognition, with its third cohort attracting more than 1,000 applications from 77 countries. This strong response underscores the accelerator's ability to attract top talent and innovative ideas from diverse markets, and to position itself as a gateway connecting global innovators with Qatar's entrepreneurial ecosystem.These agreements aim to strengthen the capacity of the third cohort of start-ups to enter the Qatari market, expand their operations and develop innovative solutions aligned with the Digital Agenda 2030 and the Qatar National Vision 2030, supporting the country's transition towards the digital economy.

Second-quarter GDP growth upgraded to 3.3% paceInvestment in AI, consumer spending drive upward revisionWeekly jobless claims fall 5,000 to 229,000The US economy grew faster than initially thought in the second quarter, in part driven by business investment in intellectual property such as artificial intelligence, but tariffs on imports continued to cloud the outlook.The upgrade to gross domestic product reported by the Commerce Department on Thursday also reflected upward revisions to consumer spending as well as business investment in equipment. That resulted in a measure of underlying domestic demand also being revised higher. With the Federal Reserve focused on a softening labour market, economists expected the US central bank to resume cutting interest rates next month."I doubt this moves the needle for the Fed, but at the margin, these revisions work against the case for urgency to cut rates," said Stephen Stanley, chief US economist at Santander US Capital Markets.GDP increased at a 3.3% annualised rate last quarter, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) said in its second estimate. The economy was initially reported to have grown at a 3.0% pace in the second quarter. Economists polled by Reuters had expected GDP growth would be raised to a 3.1% rate.The economy contracted at a 0.5% pace in the January-March quarter, which was the first GDP decline in three years.The manner in which President Donald Trump's administration has implemented the tariffs, including escalations and 90-day pauses, has muddied the waters, making it challenging to parse economic data. A front-loading of imports as businesses rushed to beat the duties pulled down GDP in the first quarter before snapping back as the flow of foreign merchandise ebbed.Neither first- nor second-quarter GDP readings are a true reflection of the economy's health because of the wild swings in imports. To get a better read of the economy, economists are focusing on the final sales to private domestic purchasers measure, which excludes trade, inventories and government spending.This measure, also viewed by policymakers as a barometer of underlying economic growth, increased at an upwardly revised 1.9% pace last quarter, matching the first quarter's pace.Domestic demand was initially estimated to have grown at a 1.2% rate. The revision reflected upgrades to consumer spending, the economy's main engine, which is now estimated to have increased at a 1.6% rate. That was up from the previously reported 1.4% pace.Business spending on intellectual property products grew at a 12.8% rate, double the initially estimated 6.4% pace."Investment related to AI is helping mask some of the weakness elsewhere in the economy, but the good news is that there is little sign that this support is set to fade anytime soon," said Ryan Sweet, chief economist at Oxford Economics.Growth in business investment in equipment was upgraded to a 7.4% pace from the 4.8% rate estimated last month.Still, economists expect a lacklustre second half, which would limit economic growth to about 1.5% for the full year because of tariffs. That reading would be down from 2.8% in 2024.The BEA also reported that profits from current production with inventory valuation and capital consumption adjustments rebounded $65.5bn last quarter. Profits decreased $90.6bn in the January-March period.But further increases are likely to be hampered by Trump's protectionist trade policy, which has raised the nation's average import duty to its highest level in a century, inflicting pain on companies ranging from retailers to manufacturers.Caterpillar this month warned tariffs could cost the economic bellwether up to $1.5bn this year.In July, General Motors' second-quarter earnings took a $1.1bn hit from the duties and the automaker anticipated more pain in the third quarter. Clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch on Wednesday warned that higher tariffs on countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and India would increase costs by $90mn this year.Fed Chair Jerome Powell last week signalled a possible interest rate cut at the central bank's September 16-17 policy meeting, in a nod to rising labour market risks, but also added that inflation remained a threat.The Fed has kept its benchmark overnight interest rate in the 4.25%-4.50% range since December.News on the labour market remained mixed, with a report from the Labor Department showing initial claims for state unemployment benefits decreased 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 229,000 for the week ended August 23. The labour market is stuck in a no-hire, no-fire mode due to tariffs.The number of people receiving benefits after an initial week of aid, a proxy for hiring, fell 7,000 to a seasonally adjusted 1.954mn during the week ending August 16, the claims report showed. The so-called continuing claims data covered the week during which the government surveyed households for August's unemployment rate.Continuing claims rose slightly between the July and August survey weeks, leaving some economists expecting the unemployment rate will rise to 4.3% in August from 4.2% in July.

Mwani Qatar, which is responsible for managing the nation's seaports and shipping terminals, has hosted master’s students in Business Analytics from Qatar University as part of an academic partnership programme.The objective was to bridge academic knowledge with real-world applications in the ports and logistics sector, Mwani Qatar said on X.The students are working on applied projects aimed at generating practical recommendations to support the economy and advance Qatar’s strategic goals.

The US-Qatar Business Council–Doha (USQBC Doha) and the AI Trust Foundation (AITF) hosted 'AI Market Exchange: Unlocking Opportunity across the US and Qatar Ecosystems', a virtual forum designed to strengthen cross-border collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI).The closed-door forum convened AI founders and leaders from both countries to explore how each ecosystem’s strengths can be leveraged for mutual advancement.The session came at a timely moment, aligning with Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), the US commitment to supporting its AI industry, and ongoing bilateral efforts to advance commercial co-operation.Amna al-Kaabi, Head of Emerging Technologies at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), delivered a presentation highlighting opportunities within Qatar’s AI landscape. Following her remarks, participants joined breakout discussions led by industry leaders, including Chady Haddad (Microsoft Qatar); Michael Jordan (AST); Dr Ali Alaboudy (Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council); Huzayfa Patel (Qatar Financial Centre), and Prof Prasanna Kumar (Business Optima).These sessions surfaced actionable insights and forged new connections between US and Qatari participants. Sheikha Mayes bint Hamad al-Thani, Managing Director at USQBC Doha, said “AI is not only reshaping industries but also redefining the future of global competitiveness. By aligning the strengths of US-Qatar relations and building on our solid commercial partnership, we can accelerate innovation, expand knowledge transfer, and position both countries as contributors to global AI leadership.”Leah Perry, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors at AITF, said cross-border collaboration is essential for responsible AI innovation and for building commercially vibrant, resilient AI ecosystems. "We proudly support USQBC Doha’s work and partnership to bridge ecosystems and unlock shared value across regions and sectors,” Perry added.The AI Market Exchange is part of USQBC Doha and AITF’s ongoing partnership to accelerate responsible AI innovation across talent, capital, and policy levers. The two organisations will continue to develop platforms that connect the US and Qatari stakeholders and expand opportunities for strategic co-operation in AI.

Techno Q has reported net profit of QR9.8mn on revenues of QR103mn in the first half (H1) of 2025.The majority of the revenue (70.27%) was generated by the company’s core activities relating to the audiovisual systems, hospitality solutions, business solutions and lighting systems.The subsidiary, Techno Q Security Systems accounted for 29.38% of the revenue, primarily from ELV (extra low voltage) and security systems services. A minor contribution came from operations in Saudi Arabia.The H1-2025 performance translated into a gross profit of QR33.6mn."Our H1 performance reflects disciplined execution, margin expansion, and a stronger balance sheet... With a healthy secured backlog and a robust pipeline of Qatar-hosted events, we are confident in our ability to capture additional opportunities across ICT (information, communication and technology), security systems, hospitality solutions, and systems integration," said Zeyad al-Jaidah, co-founder and managing director of Techno Q.However, net earnings declined from QR12.9mn in H1-2024, resulting in a net margin to ease to 9.5% in H1-2025 against 11.7% the year-ago period.Techno Q continues to be in a strong financial position with its total equity at QR120.8mn.The company significantly reduced its bank financing by 60.33% year-on-year to QR0.4mn in H1-2025.The group strengthened its liquidity with cash rising from QR56.1mn in H1-2024 to QR73.4mn in H1-2025, while borrowings decreased from QR1.1mn to QR0.4mn and despite 2024 dividend payments of QR12mn.As a result, total net cash improved from QR43.2mn in H1- 2024 to QR61mn in H1-2025, reflecting enhanced financial flexibility and lower leverage.