tag

The availability of electric heavy-duty trucks remains "limited" in Qatar and the wider Gulf Co-operation Council or GCC, underscoring the urgent need to expand supply and attract manufacturers to the region, a PricewaterhouseCoopers or PwC study has said.Stressing that accelerating sustainable trucking offers significant, measurable climate benefits; PwC Middle East research shows that, under a government-led scenario, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar could avoid up to 2.6mn tonnes of carbon dioxide annually by 2035 – the equivalent of 2.6 years of Qatar’s current road freight emissions.PwC and TruKKer, the Middle East’s first and largest on-demand truck aggregator, in their joint research across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar found that electric heavy-duty truck availability in the GCC remains limited, especially in the crucial mid-weight segment (10–20 tonnes), hindering fleet diversification and slowing electrification.With only 15 zero-emission models available - 70% fewer than in Europe - and most internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles being second-hand imports, "the region needs to expand its EV model availability, attract OEMs, and tailor deployment strategies to accelerate sustainable road freight transformation."The report said ambitious commitments made by countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other GCC countries include nationwide electrification targets to public-private partnerships for clean transport.With GCC countries committing to net-zero targets, decarbonising heavy transport – one of the most emissions-intensive sectors – is essential, it said, adding without intervention, logistics emissions risk offsetting pervades into other areas.The shift to battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell trucks offers a chance to rethink mobility and reshape the region’s energy model, according to the report ‘Driving change – the future of sustainable heavy-duty trucks in the Middle East’.For economies built on hydrocarbons, road freight is both a challenge and an opportunity – a bridge between legacy systems and the cleaner, technology-led future outlined in Saudi Vision 2030, the UAE Net Zero by 2050, Qatar National Vision 2030 and vision programs of other GCC countries, it said.Scaling zero-emission trucks can cut emissions while driving industrial innovation and diversification, it added.“With smarter policy, investment and the right incentives, zero-emission trucks can soon outpace their combustion-engine counterparts not just environmentally but commercially. The GCC has everything it needs to lead this transition, including a fast-growing clean energy base, a strong logistics backbone, and the ambition to drive change," said Heiko Seitz, Global Transport and Logistics Leader, PwC Middle East.Calling for a confident and future-focused coordinated action plan; it said this is not only about reducing emissions, but on building a road freight system that is more efficient, more resilient, and ready for the next generation of growth.Clear regulations and subsidies can spark early demand, strong grid and charging networks will enable operations, cost optimisation through renewable integration will make fleets viable and localised solutions will ensure technology works in the Gulf region’s unique climate and logistics environment.

The participation of Qatar and several of its Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) neighbours in the recently-concluded Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur can be positioned as part of the Southeast Asian nation’s broader GCC engagement strategy, a senior official of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has said.Frame Malaysia’s halal diplomacy as a strategic move to deepen ties with Middle Eastern economies, using MIHAS 2025 as a launchpad. Highlight how Malaysia is not only exporting products but also exporting its halal governance model, offering technical expertise, certification frameworks, and collaborative platforms. Qatar’s participation can be positioned as part of a broader GCC engagement strategy.“The Middle East is undeniably a key priority for us, especially given the current geopolitical landscape and ongoing trade tensions. To address these challenges, we recognise the urgent need to diversify our export markets.“While we continue to engage with traditional partners in developed regions like Europe, we are also directing our focus towards emerging and rapidly growing markets, including the US. Notably, we have seen significant participation from various Middle Eastern nations,” MATRADE deputy CEO Abu Bakar Yusof told a press conference held on the sidelines of MIHAS 2025, which was formally opened by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.Aside from Qatar, other participating GCC countries include the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, noted Yusof, underscoring Malaysia’s keenness to deepen economic ties with Gulf nations through halal industry engagement.In January this year, Yusof stated that Malaysia has “successfully finalised” its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which he described as “an important mechanism for balancing our trade.”“Our collaboration is reciprocal, fostering two-way economic and trade relations between our countries. Additionally, we have been actively engaging with Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia,” he pointed out.He added: “As we move forward, we are strengthening our partnerships with these nations. In May of this year, under our Prime Minister’s leadership, Asean initiated an economic framework with the GCC countries.“Next steps include conducting a feasibility study aimed at further liberalising trade between Asean and the GCC. This initiative represents a promising avenue to enhance economic exchanges between our regions.”Dr Sirajuddin Sujaimee, director general of JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia), emphasised that Malaysia’s halal standards “are largely recognised as global benchmarks and are being adopted by many countries, including those in the GCC.”“Most of the international standards are derived from Malaysian standards. Thus, to date, almost all of our global standards are primarily based on Malaysian standards,” he pointed out.Earlier, participating companies from Qatar lauded MIHAS as a platform to enrich the Qatari market with a wide range of halal-certified products, especially amongst Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs).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 MIHAS 2025.Lari Group chairman Abdulrazaq Lari expressed full confidence in Malaysian halal standards, adding that Lari Group actively shares feedback with Malaysian suppliers to meet Qatari consumer preferences.Reji Sam, Group Brand manager of Al Majid Jawad, emphasised Malaysia’s reputation for stringent and consistent halal certification, contrasting it with the fluctuating standards in other countries. He added that MIHAS serves as a gateway to discovering new, unique F&B products that can meet rising demands.QNIE category supervisor Waqqas Jaffar lauded 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 views MIHAS as a strategic platform for exploring new offerings, especially in health-conscious categories.

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad in Morocco Nasser Bourita on the sidelines of the meetings of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. During the meeting, several topics were discussed, most notably the strategic partnership between the two sides and ways to enhance it. They also reviewed the latest preparations for the Gulf-Morocco Investment Forum, scheduled for early November. This forum comes within the framework of the GCC and the Kingdom of Morocco's commitment to strengthening investment and trade relations between them. GCC Secretary General also highlighted the importance the GCC attaches to its strategic partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco, and its firm positions and decisions in support of the Moroccan Sahara and the preservation of the security, stability and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco. He also praised Security Council Resolution 2756, issued on October 31, 2024, regarding the Moroccan Sahara.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasim Mohamed Albudaiwi said that the recent Israeli attack on the State of Qatar constitutes a blatant violation of international law, the United Nations Charter, and Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He added that Israel targeted residential facilities housing members of the negotiating delegation from the Hamas Political Bureau during ongoing talks and mediation efforts hosted by Doha to reach an agreement on Gaza. Albudaiwi made these remarks during his speech at the joint strategic partnership meeting between the GCC and the United States, held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting was co-chaired by Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al Yahya, and current GCC chair, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He highlighted that the Israeli attack endangered civilian lives in a residential area filled with schools, diplomatic missions, and kindergartens. He reaffirmed the GCC's full solidarity with Qatar, stressing that the security of the GCC states is indivisible and that any attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Regarding the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the Secretary-General said that the ongoing Israeli aggression, the crime of genocide being committed by Israeli forces, and the deliberate blockade that has caused famine pose serious threats to regional and international peace and security. He emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive ceasefire, the release of hostages and detainees, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and a just, comprehensive settlement leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions. On Syria, Albudaiwi underscored the importance of respecting Syrian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and rejecting foreign interference in its internal affairs. He reaffirmed that Syria's security and stability are essential to regional stability, condemned repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, and stressed adherence to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. Turning to Lebanon, he reiterated the GCC's steadfast support for Lebanon's sovereignty, security, and stability and highlighted the need for political and economic reforms to meet the aspirations of the Lebanese people for stability, prosperity, and development. He also emphasized the importance of safeguarding maritime security and waterways in the region, countering activities that threaten regional and global stability, including attacks on commercial vessels, threats to shipping routes, and targeting of oil installations in GCC states. During the joint ministerial meeting, Albudaiwi affirmed that the GCC-US partnership is a strategic necessity to ensure security, stability, and prosperity for all. He noted that the meeting reflects a strong commitment to strengthening this longstanding partnership, which has evolved over decades of close cooperation. He added that this partnership has been reinforced through five joint summits, most recently the Riyadh Summit in 2025, which witnessed the signing of trade and investment agreements exceeding $2 trillion. On the economic front, Albudaiwi reported that bilateral trade between the GCC and the United States surpassed $120 billion in 2024, supported by significant Gulf investments in the US economy. He also pointed to the depth of educational and cultural ties, noting that tens of thousands of Gulf students currently study at US universities and that hundreds of thousands have graduated from American institutions over the past six decades. He expressed hope that Gulf students will continue to study in the United States without facing any consular or procedural obstacles.

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi discusses with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain Jose Manuel Albares the strategic relations between the GCC countries and Spain and ways to cement and develop them in various fields.The meeting took place Tuesday on the sidelines of the meetings of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.While discussing and reviewing the latest developments regionally and internationally, GCC Secretary General praised Spain's great humanitarian position on the Palestinian issue as well as the crisis in Gaza, stressing that this approach reflects the values of solidarity and justice, and contributes to supporting international efforts aimed at ending the human suffering of the Palestinian people and achieving security and stability in the region.

The State of Qatar participated in the joint ministerial meeting between the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the French Republic, held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The delegation of the State of Qatar to the meeting was headed by His Excellency Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, discussed bilateral relations with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Muhammad Ishaq Dar on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the United States. The meeting addressed several topics, most notably a review of Gulf-Pakistan relations and ways to develop and strengthen them to serve their common interests, in line with the Joint Action Plan 2022-2026. The two sides also discussed developments regarding the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which was signed on Sep. 28, 2023. Furthermore, they exchanged views on the latest developments and issues in the region, particularly the serious violations committed by Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories, and their repercussions on security and stability in the Middle East.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi met with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The two sides reviewed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership and enhance relations between the GCC and Lebanon across various fields serve common interests.Talks also addressed recent positive developments in Lebanon aimed at achieving greater prosperity and security for its people, as well as the latest regional and international developments.The GCC Secretary-General reaffirmed the GCC's firm positions on Lebanon, including its continued support for the country's sovereignty, security, and stability, and its backing for the reform process and state-building efforts.Albudaiwi further underscored the importance of implementing UN Security Council resolutions on Lebanon, particularly Resolution 1701, as well as the Taif Agreement. He stressed that these steps are essential to restoring lasting security and stability, safeguarding Lebanon's territorial integrity and political independence, and ensuring the extension of state authority over all Lebanese territories.

The GCC Statistical Center revealed in a report on Monday that the total assets of commercial banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries increased by 10 percent in 2024, reaching approximately USD 3.5 trillion, compared to 2023.The report mentioned that the total deposits in these banks amounted to about USD 2.1 trillion in 2024, showing a 9.6 percent increase compared to 2023.The report also highlighted the rise in total loans provided by the banks, reaching nearly USD 2.1 trillion in 2024, an increase of 9.9 percent over 2023, with the private sector accounting for about 80.7 percent of the total loans.The statistics from the GCC Statistical Center showed a decline in the non-performing loan ratios across the GCC countries during the period from 2020 to 2024, with a noticeable variation in the loan-to-deposit ratios, ranging between 66 percent and 125 percent.Regarding capital adequacy, the GCC countries maintained high levels, surpassing the minimum threshold set by the Basel III Committee of 8 percent, with ratios ranging between 17.8 percent and 32 percent in 2024.On the financial performance front, commercial banks in the GCC countries witnessed significant growth in their net profits over the past four years, surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed enhancing the strategic partnership between the GCC and Egypt and expanding cooperation across multiple fields to serve shared interests, during a meeting held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday.Discussions also covered the latest regional and international developments, particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip and the serious violations committed by Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people. Both sides stressed the importance of concerted efforts to achieve a ceasefire, facilitate urgent humanitarian aid delivery, and end the crisis in order to safeguard regional and international security and stability.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi met with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.The meeting reviewed ways to support Syria at multiple levels, particularly efforts to improve the humanitarian and living conditions of the Syrian people. Discussions also addressed the importance of restoring political and security stability, advancing economic recovery, and promoting development.Albudaiwi stressed the need for concerted regional and international efforts to mobilize humanitarian and development assistance to help the Syrian people and government overcome current and future challenges.The two sides also exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments.

Qatar Investment and Innovation Conference has announced that the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has joined the upcoming edition 'Driving GCC Entrepreneurial Growth' as strategic partner. This high-level forum, organised by The Business Year and Msheireb Properties aims to foster dialogue between policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators from across the Gulf region.The partnership underscores MCIT's commitment to advancing Qatar's digital transformation, fostering innovation, and building a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem in line with the Third National Development Strategy, Qatar National Vision 2030, and Digital Agenda 2030. By focusing on emerging technologies, digital inclusion, and innovation-led growth, MCIT's participation emphasises the vital role of public-private collaboration in shaping the region's future as a knowledge-based economy.Faraj Jassim Abdulla, director of the Digital Economy Department at MCIT, stated: "Through the Qatar Investment and Innovation Conference, MCIT aims to empower entrepreneurs and innovators across the GCC by providing a platform to connect, share ideas, and explore growth opportunities. This conference is an excellent example of how public-private partnerships can strengthen the digital economy, accelerate innovation, and position Qatar as a leader in innovation and sustainable economic transformation."The conference, scheduled for November 3 at Barahat Msheireb, will convene senior leaders from government, investment, and the private sector to explore opportunities in entrepreneurship, innovation, and digital transformation across the GCC. Msheireb Downtown Doha will provide a fitting venue for these regional stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions on the role of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth, strategies for scaling start-ups, the evolving investment landscape, and the importance of public-private partnerships in strengthening global competitiveness.New to this year's edition is the “AI for Good Innovation Challenge”, hosted in collaboration with the AI for Good initiative YAILs and its Doha chapter. This dynamic segment will provide a global platform for showcasing emerging AI-driven solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), featuring emerging companies from across the GCC alongside main panel discussions with industry leaders and policymakers.As a Strategic Partner, MCIT will play a central role in shaping the programme, ensuring alignment with Qatar's national priorities and reinforcing the country's position as a regional hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.