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The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) has welcomed the Gulf bourses' unified investor relations' (IR) guideline 2025, saying it is expected to enhance the collective ability to attract quality institutional investments at the local, regional, and international levels.The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Financial Markets Committee launched the GCC exchanges unified investor relations’ guideline 2025.This guide aims to unify investor relations practices across the region, enhancing the quality and transparency of investor-focused communication in alignment with the global standards."We highly value this pioneering strategic initiative, which reflects the spirit of genuine cooperation and true integration among GCC financial markets, and represents a qualitative leap in the development of a unified and advanced investor relations framework in the region," said Abdulla Mohammed al-Ansari, chief executive officer of QSE.The issuance of this unified guide is a pivotal step toward embedding the highest standards of transparency, governance, and disclosure in financial markets, thereby enhancing our collective ability to attract quality institutional investments at the local, regional, and international levels, according him.The unified IR guideline provides listed companies with a structured framework for implementing transparent communication, effective disclosure, ESG or environmental, social and governance integration, and strategic stakeholder engagement.It is designed to support establishing credible investor relations functions and to strengthen engagement with both regional and international capital markets.The GCC financial markets committee, comprises Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Group, Dubai Financial Market, Bahrain Bourse, Saudi Exchange, Muscat Stock Exchange, QSE, and Boursa Kuwait.The committee aims to support the growth of regional capital markets, create an advanced capital market ecosystem in the GCC region, and elevate their position on the global stage.

Doha will next month host the seventh Gulf Businesswomen Forum, organised by the Federation of the Gulf Cooperation Council Chambers (FGCCC), in association with the Qatar Chamber and supported by the GCC General Secretariat.The forum, to be held under the theme “Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Investment”, will take place from November 12 to 13, 2025, at the Mandarin Oriental – Msheireb, Doha.It aims to promote entrepreneurship and sustainable investment among female business owners in GCC countries by showcasing mechanisms that support their participation in sustainable investment.The forum also seeks to explore ways of transitioning from traditional models to more innovative, digital-based approaches, in line with the Gulf region’s broader shift towards a knowledge economy.Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani, a board member of Qatar Chamber, said the forum aims to economically empower Gulf women and strengthen their contribution to economic development across the GCC countries.She underscored the chamber’s commitment to organising this important forum, given the vital role businesswomen play in driving the Gulf economy, improving the business environment, and broadening horizons for investment and entrepreneurship—aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the sustainable development strategies of the GCC countries.The forum serves as a valuable platform for Gulf businesswomen to exchange experiences and expertise, explore new opportunities for cooperation and partnership, and address the key challenges and prospects within various economic sectors.It also highlights inspiring success stories of female entrepreneurs and the main obstacles they encounter.Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi, secretary-general of the FGCCC, said the forum is being held at a significant time, amid a growing regional focus on empowering women and enhancing their role in leading entrepreneurial and investment ventures across the GCC countries.He reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to enhancing the economic role of women, stressing its firm belief that investing in Gulf women is an investment in a sustainable future and a diversified, competitive economy.

In recognition of its “outstanding efforts in supporting national employment and enhancing the participation of Qatari talents in the private sector”, QNB was honoured during the 11th meeting of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Ministers of Labour Committee, held recently in Kuwait.This recognition reaffirms QNB’s leading role in contributing to Qatar’s economic and social development by attracting national talent and providing quality job opportunities for Qatari youth.On this occasion, Khalil Ibrahim al-Ansari, executive vice president- HR Strategy and Integration, QNB Group Human Capital commented:“We are proud of this recognition, which reflects our strong commitment to supporting Qatar’s nationalisation plans and empowering Qatari talents to play a vital role in the private sector. Developing national human capital is a cornerstone of our strategy and long-term vision.QNB remains committed to its Qatarisation strategy through various initiatives and programmes that empower Qatari professionals, in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.QNB sponsors key initiatives in the financial sector in collaboration with academic and business partners, such as “Kawader Malia Programme,” which focuses on training and developing Qatari talent.

Qatar Charity (QC) was honoured in a ceremony accompanying the ministerial meetings of the ministers and heads of Civil Service, Labour, and Social Affairs Agencies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which took place in Kuwait. The honourary shield was received by QC CEO Yousuf bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, in the presence of several high-level dignitaries, including Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Shaikh Fahad Yusuf Saud al-Sabah, and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. Present also in the event were Qatar's Minister of Labour HE Dr Ali bin Samikh al-Marri, HE the Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali al-Nuaimi, and HE the President of the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa, along with other guests. QC was recognised as one of Qatar’s leading civil society organisations in the social and humanitarian sectors. The honour highlights its outstanding efforts in the fields of charitable and social work, as well as its tangible positive impact both locally and internationally. The honour also underscores QC's deep-rooted commitment to fulfilling its humanitarian responsibilities and achieving the goals of sustainable development. QC was also honoured in May with the GCC Housing Award for the 2024–2025 cycle, in the category of private sector and charitable organisations, during the 23rd GCC Housing Ministers Meeting in Kuwait.

Qatar has an important role to play in ensuring Gulf security, especially in the emerging scenario since the open war between Iran and Israel because of its role as a conflict resolution player, noted a Middle East security expert.“The effort that Qatar is making alongside Egypt in bringing Israel and Hamas to a ceasefire in Gaza is extremely significant to de-escalating tensions in the region. So, I think that is an important role that Qatar plays,” Hasan Alhasan, senior fellow for Middle East Policy, International Institute for Strategic Studies told Gulf Times.He was interacting with Gulf Times on the sidelines of a panel discussion ‘Rethinking Gulf Security Following the Iran- Israel War,’ organised by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs.“Qatar is a member of the GCC and obviously it received a lot of GCC support and solidarity during the Iranian attacks at the height of the war. So, I think Qatar is an important diplomatic player and it is using its good offices to broker de-escalation in conflict resolution,” explained the official.As for the readiness of the GCC countries to face any emerging security threats, Alhasan noted that there is significant military modernisation in the Gulf States including Qatar.He feels that the recent war between Iran and Israel has direct security destabilising spillover effects for the Arab Gulf states and the Arab Gulf states are beginning to perceive it increasingly.“I think Israel actually presents more of a direct threat because of the fact that it seems to have embraced the view of the region as an open battleground. This has direct security destabilising spillover effects for the Arab and the Gulf States,” he said.Alhasan highlighted there is a significant improvement in GCC defence and military capabilities over the past few years.“However the GCC states may not be capable of addressing the threat posed by Israel specifically as they continue to rely on Western defence technology. They continue to rely on their defence and security partnership with the US and those might not prove fully effective in deterring and defending against potential, theoretical and hypothetical threats,” he continued.The expert stated that Qatar and the other GCC states are already part of a defence and security alliance, which is called the GCC. “The GCC has a mutual defence undertaking that unites all of the GCC states together. So, the GCC states already have this sort of commitment to defending one another against external threats,” he underlined.“The question is whether the GCC states are actually taking concrete steps and measures for further defence integration to make sure that they can act as a single army in case of conflict. And this is where I think a lot of the work will have to be done to bring GCC military and defence capabilities more closely together to operate cohesively as a single military unit in case of any conflict,” added, Alhasan.

Saudi Arabia’s battered stock market is looking increasingly attractive to foreign investors because of rock-bottom valuations and bets that the oil price won’t drop much further.Investors from beyond the Arabian Gulf accounted for 41% of total Saudi equities buying in the week ended August 28, one of the highest ratios on record, according to Saudi stock exchange data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence.The flows signal that a rush of reforms making it easier for foreigners to buy Saudi stocks is working. For the time being, however, risks still have the upper hand with the Tadawul All Share Index down 11% year to date and domestic investors on the retreat, along with crude prices.Nishit Lakhotia, head of research at SICO Bank, said stock investors are currently pricing in a “worse-case scenario” for the Saudi market, which he expects to bottom out shortly, unless oil drops below $60 a barrel — which would amount to a roughly 10% drop from current levels.“We believe the momentum is still there in the economy, which does not warrant such depressed valuations,” he said. “While it’s hard to predict when exactly the market can turn, there will likely be a point — sooner than later — when smart investors will start buying.”The slump has made Saudi stocks look relatively attractive, with the benchmark index near the lowest price-to-earnings multiple in more than five years. Junaid Ansari, director of investment strategy and research at Kamco Investment Co, expects a sharp turnaround in sentiment from the fourth quarter, when investors start making allocations for 2026.“The Saudi market is an oversold market,” said Ansari. While foreigners have largely been net buyers, “the sellers are mainly institutions in Saudi Arabia which we believe are selling to focus on other investment opportunities in the Kingdom,” he said.Nevertheless, the weak oil market is weighing down Saudi assets. Brent crude is trading around $66 per barrel, well below the nation’s fiscal breakeven price of $94, according to Bloomberg Economics. If domestic investments by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund are included, the figure rises to $111.While foreigners accounted for about 35% of all Saudi stock purchases in August, continuing a strong trend, daily turnover on the market has dropped to the lowest level since 2023. This means that international investors are grabbing a bigger slice of a smaller pie.Still, the gloom over the kingdom’s stocks may be over-hyped, especially as a negative perception of earnings is in large part based on giants, such as Saudi Arabian Oil Company and Saudi Basic Industries Corp.Excluding Aramco and Sabic, Saudi stocks are showing roughly 7% profit growth, Kamco’s Ansari said. Even as the Tadawul index has declined, owners of Saudi National Bank and Saudi Telecom Co shares have seen 11% and 13% returns, respectively, so far this year.“Although earnings growth for 2025 and 2026 is among the lowest across emerging markets, valuations have become more attractive,” said Nenad Dinic, an emerging-markets equity strategist at Bank Julius Baer & Co Ltd.

The Gulf countries and the entire Middle East region are going through extraordinary times since the outbreak of open war between Iran and Israel in last June, noted several experts at a panel discussion.Organised by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs earlier this week, the discussion ‘ Rethinking Gulf Security Following the Iran- Israel War' brought four experts on the topic who delved deep into current developments and their implications. They felt that the outbreak of an open war between Iran and Israel in June has considerably intensified challenges to Gulf security.Sanam Vakil, director, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House said that the countries in the region are going through a period very much defined by geopolitical competition. She noted that there are a lot of questions about consistency in these countries' relationship with the United States and the reliability of US as a security partner.“Conflicts have doubled across the world, and we are, of course, seeing that in the region, but we don't have to look too far from the Middle East itself to see the devastating impact of a conflict. And multilateralism and the investment of the international community is not just stabilising conflicts. Settling conflicts is also proving to be ineffective. We see this very visibly in Gaza,” said Vakil.The panelists also noted that the region is confronting complicated questions including charting the future of Iran’s nuclear programme and Israel’s increasing incursions on Gaza, the West Bank, and the wider region.Hasan Alhasan, senior fellow for Middle East Policy, International Institute for Strategic Studies noted that Israel represents and presents an objective threat to the security of the Arab countries.“There are multiple reasons why that is the case. Most certainly, Israel started a war that I would be fairly confident in saying that probably most or at least perhaps all of the Gulf States did not want to be at war. I think Israel actually presents more of a direct threat because of the fact that it seems to have embraced the view of the region as an open battleground. This has direct security destabilising spillover effects for the Arab and the Gulf States,” explained Alhasan.The panel also noted that diplomatic efforts to revive a nuclear deal with Iran have been significantly undermined by the “12-day war.”According to Yasmine Farouk, director, Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Project, International Crisis Group, the picture is much more complex and difficult to manage. “It is very clear that there is a gap in how the US sees the conflicts and this conflict in this region and how the Gulf countries see them. The Gulf countries see the conflicts of the region as interconnected,” she pointed out.Shahram Akbarzadeh, nonresident senior fellow, Middle East Council said that there is a deep distrust, especially among the leadership of the international system, and how the United States manages to utilise the system to its full advantage. The session was moderated by Adel Abdel Ghafar, senior fellow, Foreign Policy Programme director, Middle East Council.

The General Authority of Customs (GAC) announced that HE Chairman of the Authority Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Jamal has been selected as Chairman of the Executive Council of the Customs Union Authority of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.In a statement, the authority stated that the Chairman of the General Authority of Customs was selected during the 14th meeting of the Executive Council of the Customs Union Authority, held in Kuwait.The election of the Chairman of the Council is based on the Union's bylaws that stipulate that the Chairman of the Executive Council be selected from among the representatives of the member states for a two-year renewable term.The GCC Customs Union Authority was established on June 1, 2012, pursuant to a decision taken by 32nd session of the GCC Supreme Council, held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in December 2011.It aims to oversee the implementation of the Customs Union Authority, facilitate the movement of goods between member states, and establish the GCC as a single market for the outside world.

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have signed a landmark agreement to strengthen co-operation in labour affairs and human resource development, marking a significant step in enhancing coordination and partnership between the two Gulf nations.The agreement was signed by Qatar’s Minister of Labour, Dr Ali bin Samikh al-Marri, and UAE Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Dr Abdulrahman Abdulmannan al-Awar.The signing forms part of Qatar’s strategic co-operation with governments and international organisations in the labour sector. It aims to enhance collaboration, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and promote best international practices in workforce development.Under the agreement, both parties will implement joint initiatives covering labour legislation and the regulation of employment relations, including recruitment policies, working conditions, occupational safety and health, and dispute resolution. The co-operation also encompasses systems for registering and employing job seekers, as well as programmes for training, upskilling, and requalifying the national workforce.The agreement will facilitate field visits to study best practices and exchange expertise in human resource development. It will also support joint labour-sector initiatives and enable the sharing of labour market data, publications, and the latest legislative developments.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) urged the international community on Wednesday to take immediate and deterrent measures to halt the inflammatory calls and dangerous practices of the Israeli occupation forces aimed at deepening settlement activity and annexing the occupied West Bank.In a statement, Secretary General of the GCC Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said that these inflammatory calls, made by a minister in the government of the Israeli occupation forces, confirm the occupation's continuous and systematic approach of destabilising security and stability in the region, reflecting its insistence on undermining peace opportunities and its blatant defiance of international conventions, as well as its continued violation of all laws and norms.He affirmed the GCC's support for the brotherly Palestinian people in confronting these aggressive statements and practices, and in backing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, first and foremost the establishment of their independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.​