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QNB Group announced the “successful adoption” of JP Morgan’s Kinexys Digital Payments network for USD clearing, marking a major milestone in QNB’s cross-border payments modernisation journey. QNB is the first Qatar-based bank to go live on Kinexys Digital Payments, the scalable blockchain deposit account network from JP Morgan, one of the world’s largest USD clearing banks , for all no-deduct outbound USD clearing and settlement. Through Kinexys Digital Payments, QNB can process USD payments with faster settlement times, delivering improved speed, reliability, and predictability of USD flows. The blockchain-based payment rails are designed to be no-deduct and aim to ensure full preservation of payment amount until reaching the final beneficiary. The Kinexys Digital Payments network reaches the global and diverse JP Morgan USD clearing client base, progressively enabled for direct payouts, which enables QNB to deliver a next-generation cross-border payment experience. Akshika Gupta, Global Head of Client Solutions for Kinexys Digital Payments, Kinexys by JP Morgan, said: “QNB’s movement of all no-deduct USD clearing to the Kinexys Digital Payments network is a significant moment, highlighting its commitment to forward looking innovation for itself and its clients. QNB’s adoption of Kinexys Digital Payments continues to grow, and we are delighted to continue our collaboration in the region.” This collaboration aligns with QNB’s long-term objective of enhancing global payments capabilities and clearing efficiency, reducing reliance on multi-leg settlement paths. It also reinforces the bank’s commitment to improve client satisfaction with faster and more reliable settlements through its participation in a modern, blockchain-based correspondent banking ecosystem. QNB said it is “committed to providing its clients with seamless and future-ready” payment solutions. The adoption of JP Morgan’s Kinexys Digital Payments network represents a major step in QNB’s journey to modernize cross-border payments. By leveraging blockchain technology, QNB is enhancing the speed, transparency, and reliability of USD settlements for its clients. This milestone reflects its commitment to innovation and to delivering a seamless payment experience for customers worldwide. 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.

A top LuLu Group executive has called on Indian companies to shift from “transactional trade” to strategic investment and view Qatar as a launchpad for global markets.Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the Qatar-India Joint Business Council meeting organised in Doha by Qatar Chamber, Dr Mohamed Althaf, Global Director of LuLu Group International, underscored Qatar’s world-class infrastructure, favourable tax regime, and access to major international trade corridors. He said: “Indian companies should look to Qatar as a springboard for global markets... they should think that this country also offers enormous infrastructure in terms of business, trade, and investments.”Dr Althaf noted that Qatar “has crossed beyond outdated models on commodity exchange” and “the buy and sell type of transaction,” and emphasised that the LNG-rich Gulf state has positioned itself as an investment destination with world-class infrastructure.He pointed to the recent visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to India, emphasising the reciprocal engagement of major investment houses “as signs of a maturing partnership”. “What we are looking at now is inward investment into Qatar, joint ventures, collaborations, and co-creative businesses,” Dr Althaf stressed.Dr Althaf emphasised that Qatar’s economic platform is well-positioned to support Indian firms in the smart manufacturing and digital transformation sectors, saying: “They have access to global markets and investment houses. India also has tremendous potential in terms of a lot of good startups and technology firms. That will be a very good synergy.”

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, announced the license approval has been received for a digital-first banking entity, ezbank, from the Central Bank of Egypt.This milestone reflects the Group’s commitment to supporting the Central Bank of Egypt’s vision for financial inclusion and digital transformation, as well as the government’s broader economic development strategy. The license approval for ezbank is an important step in Egypt’s ongoing efforts to transform the banking sector. By securing the approval, ezbank positions itself at the forefront of this transformation, reflecting Egypt’s growing role as a hub for innovation and financial inclusion.ezbank will combine advanced digital technology with international best practices to offer seamless financial services to a broad customer base. The bank will use mobile-first platforms, AI-driven tools, and smart risk management to make transactions easier, increase access, and support Egypt’s digital economy.

QNB Group, one of the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, has posted a nine-month net profit of QR12.8bn, up 1% on the same period last year.Net profit before ‘Pillar Two Taxes’ reached QR13.9bn in nine months that ended on September 30, which is an increase of 9% compared to September 2024.Operating income increased by 9% to reach QR33.3bn, which reflects QNB Group’s “ability to maintain successful growth” across a range of revenue sources.Total assets (as on September 30, 2025) reached QR1,389bn, an increase of 9% on September 30, 2024, mainly driven by growth in loans and advances (by 11%) to reach QR1,001bn.Customer deposits increased by 6% to reach QR963bn (as on September 30, 2025) from the same period last year.QNB Group’s efficiency (cost to income) ratio stood at 23.3%, which is considered “one of the best ratios” among large financial institutions in the MEA region.The ratio of non-performing loans to gross loans stood at 2.9% (as on September 30, 2025), which is “one of the lowest” amongst financial institutions in the MEA region.This, QNB noted, reflects the “high quality” of the Group’s loan book and the effective management of credit risk.In addition, loan loss coverage ratio stood at 100%, which reflects the “prudent approach” adopted by QNB Group towards non-performing loans.Total equity (at the end of September this year) increased to QR121bn, up 7% on September 2024.Earnings per share reached QR1.31 in September this year.QNB Group’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) (as on September 30, 2025), amounted to 19.5%. Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) and Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR - as on September 30, 2025), amounted to 151% and 105% respectively.These ratios are higher than the regulatory minimum requirements of the QCB and Basel III reforms requirements.Group statistics: QNB Group’s presence spans some 28 countries across three continents operating from approximately 900 locations, over 5,000 ATMs supported by more than 31,000 staff.

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa , announced the successful refinancing of its $1.5bn unsecured syndicated term loan facility. QNB Group CEO Abdulla Mubarak al-Khalifa, commented:“This refinancing attracted the interest of global and regional banks and helped us further broaden our investor base. The issuance was substantially oversubscribed at very competitive all-in pricing, which despite challenging global markets demonstrates our standing as a high-quality issuer.” The $1.5bn facility, with a maturity of five years, was well supported by both regional and international banks with significant oversubscription. Global Coordinators of the facility were HSBC, DBS, and SCB, and Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners were Mizuho, Barclays and JPM. HSBC was mandated as the Documentation Coordinator, DBS as Syndication Coordinator and Mizuho as Facility Agent.

Alfardan Automotive, a division of Alfardan Group, has announced a landmark collaboration with First Finance Company, a subsidiary of Dukhan Bank Group, introducing a permanent financing programme that sets new standards for accessibility and flexibility in premium vehicle ownership.The long-term initiative reflects the group’s commitment to delivering customer-focused solutions that enhance every stage of the automotive journey. The official signing ceremony recently took place at the Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle (SV) showroom at Burj Alfardan in Lusail City, in the presence of representatives from both parties, marking the beginning of this permanent initiative that will benefit both existing and prospective customers.The programme, which is now available across Alfardan Automotive showrooms, offers customers a suite of benefits designed to make ownership more attainable and convenient. Through the partnership, Alfardan Automotive and First Finance are setting a new benchmark for convenience and peace of mind in premium automotive retail.Samer Bou Dargham, chief sales officer at Alfardan Automotive, said: “The collaboration with First Finance Company reflects our ongoing dedication to customer satisfaction and our leadership in the automotive market. By embedding flexible, innovative financing solutions into the ownership experience, we are not only meeting today’s customer needs but also building the foundation for lasting trust and loyalty.”Eslah Assem, First Finance CEO, said: “We are proud of this strategic partnership, which will represent a qualitative leap in the world of car financing in Qatar, providing customers with multiple financing options that suit their needs. Signing this agreement is part of our successive steps to strengthen First Finance's position as a leading company in the Qatari market and the region.“This is in line with our approach, which is primarily based on enabling our customers to transform their aspirations into reality by providing seamless services and processes, and innovative solutions that comply with the provisions of Islamic Shariah. We are pleased with this cooperation and hope to build upon it in the future.”First Finance offers financing services to all bank customers, regardless of whether they work in the public or private sector. This makes it a strategic financing partner relied upon by all Alfardan Automobiles customers, including both Qataris and residents.First Finance also allows its customers to obtain advance credit approvals for financing through the company's mobile application, the FFC Mobile App, before the customer even visits its headquarters.By embedding financing into the heart of its customer experience, Alfardan Automotive is reaffirming its role as a forward-thinking industry leader, one that goes beyond sales to create holistic ownership experiences. More than a milestone, this collaboration is an additional step that sets the tone for how automotive retail in Qatar will evolve in the years ahead.

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, announced the license approval has been received for a digital-first banking entity- ezbank, from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) in cooperation with Ajlan & Bros Holding, with a capital of SR2.5bn.This milestone, in cooperation with Ajlan & Bros Holding, reflects a commitment to supporting QNB Group’s vision for financial inclusion and digital transformation, as well as the broader economic development strategy.With ezbank, the goal is to introduce a new model of customer-centric banking built around innovation, efficiency, and accessibility.The license approval for ezbank is an important step in QNB Group’s ongoing efforts to transform the banking sector in the markets in which it operates, across 28 countries in three continents.The entity aims to offer a digital-first banking experience that is simple, inclusive, and secure, and to provide innovative solutions for the youth and entrepreneurs.The bank will use mobile-first platforms, AI-driven tools, and smart risk management to make transactions easier, increase access, and support digital economy.

Qatar is gearing up to establish an advanced production plant centred on free-form design-for-manufacturing-and-assembly (DFMA) and energy-optimisation technologies to boost the country’s high-value manufacturing.The building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) assembly facility — combining geometry-agnostic, model-to-module mass-customisation with smart-factory workflows and just-in-time delivery — is one among the three projects envisaged. In this regard, the Qatar Financial Centre-based EnergyX, JMJ Group Holding, and Hexa Tech have entered into a pact to establish a trio of industrial initiatives in the country.At a ceremony marking the signing of the memorandum of understanding, Korean ambassador to Qatar Hyunsoo Yun and KOTRA Director General Hyuna Kim joined Sheikh Jabor bin Mansour bin Jabor al-Thani, chairman and managing director of JMJ Group Holding; Anas C Maideen, managing director of Hexa Tech; and EnergyX’s chief executive officers, Sean Sunghyun Park and Jean-Jacques Dandrieux.While the MoU is a framework, the scope is ambitious and directly aligned with Qatar’s drive to localise production, diversify the economy, and export Gulf-made solutions across Middle East and North Africa (Mena).The pact would accelerate the deployment of energy-optimised, free-form DFMA building systems, and also mark Mena’s first commercial rollout of UHPC (ultra-high performance concrete) underground safety-cabinet systems—sharpening global focus on Qatar’s smart-city tech leadership.“Qatar can shorten supply chains, improve delivery certainty, and nurture skilled roles across engineering, fabrication, quality, and operations,” said EnergyX founder and chief executive officer Sean Park told Gulf Times.The 3D-printing and smart-node engineering will deploy cutting-edge 3D-printing machinery to fabricate complex cast components for exterior (and interior) applications, enabling distinctive architectural forms while compressing production timelines.EnergyX and its South Korean parent will lead the delivery and implementation of its free-form DFMA, building energy optimisation, BIPV, and UHPC technologies; lead capital planning and coordination for the production plant; oversee technical and operational management; and procure and implement 3D-printing machinery and the engineering systems required to utilise it.JMJ Group Holding and Hexa Tech (Qatar) will arrange the advanced manufacturing sites; secure required business licences, permits, and approvals; provide local logistics; and lead sales, marketing, and business development across the Middle East.JMJ Group Holding - a leading real estate development and investment company - continues to shape Qatar’s skyline through strategic partnerships with Qetaifan Projects, GORD, and Zaha Hadid Architects.“With JMJ Group and Hexa Tech driving regional sales and marketing, Qatar could emerge as a Middle East hub for advanced façades and energy-generating building systems,” Park said.

Mekdam Holding Group has bagged a contract from Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO) to execute a strategic contract valued at QR203.9mn.The contract covers the supply of Tier-1 manpower to support major industrial projects, notably the carbon capture and storage (CCS) project and the QatarEnergy urea project.This contract -- which represents a significant step towards strengthening the operational capabilities of national industrial projects -- will run for a duration of five years, starting on October 1, 2025, with an option to extend for an additional five years, Mekdam said in a regulatory filing with the Qatar Stock Exchange.Under the agreement, Mekdam will provide a highly qualified workforce in line with the highest international standards, ensuring that QAFCO’s requirements are met efficiently across all phases of project execution and operations.Winning this strategic contract reflects the confidence that leading national institutions place in the capabilities and expertise of Mekdam Holding Group.It also reaffirms the group’s firm commitment to delivering advanced technical solutions that align with the state’s vision for the development of the energy sector and related industries.

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.

Qatar has strengthened its role in Middle East space market with $220mn civil space investments and expected to grow 5% annually through 2033, according to Boston Consulting Group (BCG)."Qatar, alongside the UAE and Saudi Arabia, represents the core of the region’s civil space investments, each contributing actively to the Gulf Cooperation Council's or GCC’s emergence as a hub for space innovation and ambition," BCG said in its latest report.Qatar, with a $220mn investment in civil space activities for 2024, contributes around 5% of the market today and holds just under 5% downstream services market share, strengthening the GCC’s collective leadership and offering a strong foundation for future growth, it said.Downstream refers to ongoing operations and services, while upstream includes spacecraft design and manufacturing, launch facilities, and ground operations. Downstream markets are increasingly merging with the digital industry, adopting technologies like AI (artificial intelligence) and cloud computing for efficient mass data collection and processing.The UAE has demonstrated a strategic commitment to space, with $443mn invested in civil space in 2024, corresponding to approximately 40–45% of government spending across the MEA (Middle East and Africa) region, whose space market is valued at $18bn.The UAE is positioned to capture more than 50% of the region’s downstream services market share, including satellite communications and earth observation, according to BCG.Saudi Arabia, with a comparable $220mn investment in 2024, accounts for an estimated 20–25% share of government space spending in the region and is expected to hold more than 20% of the regional downstream services market"All three markets are projected to grow at or above the global space economy compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% through 2033, underscoring the region’s long-term commitment and momentum.Qatar's Es'hailSat plays a crucial role in regional satellite communications, while the UAE's Mars Hope Probe showcases successful international collaboration frameworks."What we're witnessing across the GCC is a comprehensive understanding that space industry success requires simultaneous excellence across multiple dimensions, financial commitment, partnership strategy, risk management, and policy integration, while maintaining patience for long-term returns in a rapidly evolving global landscape," Thibault Werle, Managing Director and Partner at BCG, said.Saudi Arabia's partnerships with NASA and Axiom, along with private sector participation from entities like Neo Space Group, demonstrate the effectiveness of hybrid investment models.