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Qatari lenders were seen to have the highest operational efficiency within the Gulf banks during the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, according to Kamco Invest, a regional non-banking finance entity."Qatari banks continued to boast the lowest cost-to-income ratio in the GCC that reached a seven-quarter low level of 36.6% during Q2-2025," Kamco said in its latest report.At the country level, the aggregates for Qatari banks showed a 110bps (basis points) plunge, followed by the UAE and Saudi Arabia banks with 70bps and 60bps fall respectively, it said.The aggregate operating expenses for the listed banks in the GCC continued to decline for the second consecutive quarter reaching a three-quarter low level during Q2-2025, Kamco noted.Total operating expenses for the GCC banking sector stood at $13.4bn during Q2 with a quarter-on-quarter decline of 1.5% and a year-on-year growth of 6.9%.The quarterly decline showed mixed trends at the country level with three countries showing an increase and the remaining three showing a decline.The UAE-listed banks showed the biggest fall in operating costs during the quarter that reached $4.6bn from $4.9bn in Q1-2025.Qatari and Bahraini banks also showed declines of 4.5% and 4%, respectively, it said, adding on the other hand, Kuwait banks reported the biggest increase of 4.4% with total operating expenses reaching $1.6bn in Q2-2025.The quarterly increase reported by Saudi and Omani banks was marginal, it added.The decline in operating expenses resulted in a marginal drop in the cost-to-income ratio for the GCC banking sector that once again went below the 40% mark during Q2-2025. The ratio fell by 50bps to 39.5% at the end of the quarter compared to 40% during Q1-2025, reflecting a drop in the ratio for three of six country aggregates.The report found that the Qatari banks' loan-to-deposit ratio was at 90.3% during Q2-2025, an improvement from 89.6% during Q1-2025.The aggregate loan-to-deposit ratio for the GCC banking sector remained elevated above the 80% mark at the end of Q2-2025."The ratio has remained consistently above 80% over the last five quarters and reflects improving asset utilisation as well as better margins to offset pressure from lowering interest rates," it said.Total customer deposits of listed GCC banks reached a new record high at the end of Q2-2025 at $2.74tn, registering a quarter-on-quarter growth of 3.5%.The growth was broad-based as seen in higher quarterly customer deposits in all countries in the GCC.At the country level, Kuwaiti banks saw the strongest growth in deposits at $334.8bn after a quarter-on-quarter growth of 4.7%.The UAE-listed banks were next with a quarterly deposits growth of 4.1% to $941bn, the highest in the GCC, followed by banks in Saudi Arabia with a growth of 3.9% to $858.8bn. Banks in Bahrain, Oman and Qatar, have reported slightly smaller customer deposit growth during the quarter, it said.

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed the announcement by the sisterly Arab Republic of Syria of reaching a roadmap to resolve the crisis in the As-Suwayda Governorate.Albudaiwi commended the efforts of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United States of America in supporting this announcement, which will contribute to enhancing security and peace in the Arab Republic of Syria and achieving the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people for stability, development, and prosperity.

Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, praised the outcomes of the extraordinary session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Supreme Council and the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit, held in Doha Monday, which expressed support for the State of Qatar in confronting the Israeli aggression and reaffirmed the categorical rejection of any violation of international law and international norms. Chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting, the Crown Prince reiterated the Kingdom's strongest condemnation of the attacks by the Israeli occupation authorities in the region, and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's full solidarity with Qatar and its support for all measures to safeguard its security and preserve its sovereignty.

Qatar Chamber hosted Monday a trade delegation from Saudi Arabia, representing the Export Development Authority and headed by its vice-president for Services Exports, Saud al-Qablan.Qatar Chamber board member Ali bin Abdullatif al-Misnad received the delegation, in the presence of several other board members, Qatari businessmen, and members of the Saudi delegation.Al-Misnad emphasised the shared commitment to strengthening trade and investment co-operation between the two countries, as well as exploring partnerships and alliances between Qatari businessmen and their Saudi counterparts.He highlighted the strong fraternal relations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which, “under the wise leadership of both countries,” are witnessing remarkable development across various fields, particularly in the commercial and economic spheres. He noted that trade exchange between the two countries recorded significant growth over the past year, rising from QR2.97bn in 2023 to approximately QR4.88bn in 2024, a 65% increase.Al-Misnad affirmed Qatar Chamber’s keenness to support investors and businessmen by providing all facilities that contribute to developing fruitful partnerships, achieving mutual interests, and enhancing both countries’ positions on the regional and global economic map.He also called on investors and companies in both countries to explore available investment opportunities, with a focus on non-oil sectors that support sustainable development in line with the National Vision 2030 of both Qatar and Saudi Arabia.Al-Qablan affirmed that Saudi-Qatari relations are longstanding and continue to expand and grow. He noted that the delegation comprises representatives of 26 Saudi companies operating across six sectors: construction, transportation, logistics, information and communications technology, health, education, and consulting services.He said these companies are eager to invest in the Qatari market, achieve greater integration with the Qatari private sector, exchange expertise, and enhance trade between the two countries.Qatar Chamber board member Dr Mohamed bin Jawhar al-Mohamed emphasised the importance of strengthening economic integration and cooperation among the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries, stressing that the private sector can play a pivotal role in this regard.Board member Abdulrahman al-Ansari stated that numerous opportunities exist for co-operation and partnership between Qatari and Saudi companies across key sectors.He highlighted that the companies represented in the delegation possess extensive experience and operate in areas aligned with the needs of the Qatari market, paving the way for successful partnerships and strategic alliances.

The Middle East is racing to the front of the global hydrogen economy, with GCC countries leveraging ultra-low-cost renewables, world-class infrastructure, and decisive policy backing, according to Al-Attiyah Foundation.Qatar is advancing its landmark 1.2mn tonnes per year Blue Ammonia Project in Mesaieed Industrial City, scheduled to begin operations in 2026, alongside new green hydrogen initiatives that build on its global LNG leadership.Saudi Arabia has achieved record-breaking solar tariffs close to one US cent per kilowatt hour and Oman is targeting more than 8mn tonnes of renewables-based hydrogen by mid-century.In 2024, global hydrogen demand reached nearly 100mn tonnes, but less than one percent was supplied from low-carbon sources, and green hydrogen represented only a fraction of that. More than 60 countries have now published national hydrogen strategies, but most of them remain aspirational.The majority are aiming to position themselves as exporters, while only a small number in Asia and Europe have declared intentions to be importers. This imbalance exposes the risk of a growing gap between supply ambitions and credible demand, raising doubts about whether many of these strategies can be realised in practice.The new Al-Attiyah Foundation research paper, ‘Charting National Hydrogen Strategies for Future Trade’, examines how the Gulf states’ abundant solar and wind resources, competitive renewable energy prices, existing export infrastructure, and policy coherence are allowing the region to progress with projects that are already bankable and capable of scaling.The United Arab Emirates continues to expand its clean energy capacity through Masdar and other entities, tying renewable generation to hydrogen and ammonia projects for both domestic and export use.Qatar, through its Mesaieed development and wider portfolio of hydrogen-linked ventures, is cementing its position at the forefront of the sector.Hydrogen offers pathways to decarbonise hard-to-abate industries such as steel, aluminium, cement and fertilisers, and the Gulf states are already embedding hydrogen into these sectors.Doing so reduces the risks of overreliance on export markets, ensures that domestic demand anchors early projects, and positions the region to capture premium margins from low-carbon products. For Europe and Asia, where demand will outstrip domestic supply, partnerships with Middle Eastern producers are likely to become essential to achieving climate goals.The Al-Attiyah Foundation noted that the next five years will determine whether global hydrogen strategies succeed or stall.Many nations face uncertainty due to policy fragmentation, limited carbon pricing, and hesitant offtakers unwilling to pay a green premium.The GCC, by contrast, combines decisive leadership with structural advantages that give it a commanding position.

The State of Qatar took part in the 15th meeting of the Committee of Heads and Directors of Tax Administrations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held recently in the State of Kuwait. Qatar's delegation was led by HE President of the General Tax Authority (GTA) Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Jaham Al Kuwari. The meeting addressed several vital topics related to strengthening regional tax cooperation and the exchange of successful experiences among member states. These discussions support the development of integrated tax policies aimed at fostering the region's economies and stimulating the investment environment. Deliberations focused on mechanisms to enhance the efficiency of GCC tax systems through continuous coordination and the modernization of legislative and procedural frameworks. This aims to improve the fairness and transparency of the tax system and advance effective economic integration among the council's nations. The participants also affirmed the importance of periodic meetings in developing institutional capacities in the tax field and aligning tax policies to serve economic diversification programs and contribute to achieving sustainable development across the Gulf states. The General Tax Authority's participation in this meeting reflects its firm commitment to promoting cooperation and its openness to the exchange of knowledge and expertise. This contributes to building a flexible and stimulating tax system for growth and investment and strengthens the position of GCC countries on the global economic map.

Qatar participated in the fourth meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Cybersecurity of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), held on Monday, in Kuwait. The Qatari delegation was headed by HE President of the National Cybersecurity Agency Eng Abdulrahman bin Ali al-Farahid al-Malki. During the meeting, the committee approved the execution plan for the GCC Cybersecurity Strategy, as well as the framework for international cooperation among GCC member states in the field of cybersecurity. The committee also reviewed and endorsed the outcomes and reports of its subsidiary committees, in addition to discussing a number of key topics aimed at strengthening joint efforts to ensure a safe and resilient Gulf cyberspace. (QNA)

The State of Qatar participated in the fourth meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Cybersecurity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held on Monday, in the State of Kuwait. The Qatari delegation was headed by HE President of the National Cyber Security Agency Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki. During the meeting, the committee approved the execution plan for the GCC Cybersecurity Strategy, as well as the framework for international cooperation among GCC member states in the field of cybersecurity. The committee also reviewed and endorsed the outcomes and reports of its subsidiary committees, in addition to discussing a number of key topics aimed at strengthening joint efforts to ensure a safe and resilient Gulf cyberspace.

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.