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The last decade has seen Qatar evolve into one of the fastest-growing digital economies in the Middle East. From online banking to food delivery, digital services are transforming the way people live, shop, and interact. At the heart of this transformation lies e-commerce—a sector that has seen exponential growth, powered by tech-savvy consumers, expanding retailer networks, and the surge of mobile-first shopping. Yet one often overlooked driver of this growth is the rise of coupon platforms, which are quietly reshaping how shoppers save, how retailers attract new customers, and how the digital economy in Qatar builds resilience for the future.A Nation Going DigitalQatar’s ambitious National Vision 2030 emphasizes diversification, innovation, and sustainability. The country’s young population, coupled with one of the world’s highest smartphone penetration rates, has made it an ideal market for e-commerce adoption. Global retailers like IKEA, H&M, adidas, and Bloomingdale’s now cater directly to Qatari shoppers online, while homegrown players such as Snoonu and Talabat are redefining last-mile delivery.E-commerce revenues in Qatar are projected to grow consistently, with fashion, electronics, groceries, and lifestyle goods leading the charge. The convenience of shopping online has become second nature, and platforms that provide added value, such as verified coupon websites, are playing a pivotal role in shaping consumer behavior.The Power of Coupons in the Digital EraCoupons are no longer pieces of paper tucked into newspapers. In today’s digital world, they have become a core part of the online shopping experience. In Qatar, shoppers increasingly search for deals before completing their purchases, looking for platforms that guarantee genuine and verified codes. This is where GC Coupons, Qatar’s leading coupon website, stands out.Founded to make savings accessible to all, GC Coupons has grown into the most trusted destination for shoppers across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the wider Gulf. It partners with over 2,000 leading online retailers, ensuring that customers never pay full price when they don’t have to. Millions of shoppers rely on the platform every year to save money—at no cost to them.Retailers That Define Qatar’s Shopping CultureGC Coupons’ influence is seen in the breadth of retailers it works with. For Qatar’s digitally savvy population, this includes everything from everyday essentials to luxury indulgences. Shoppers can find discounts for Noon, Carrefour, IKEA, Samsung, Bloomingdale's, H&M, adidas, Max Fashion, Dyson, Talabat, Snoonu, Calo, Mumzworld, Crocs, ALDO, MARGABi, SHEIN, Temu, Puma, Damas Jewellery, Crate & Barrel, Jeeny, Eyewa, THAT Concept Store, Level Shoes, Izil Beauty, Reef Perfumes, CAFU, Namshi, Centrepoint, Whites, West Elm, Splash, Bath & Body Works, Baytonia, and American Eagle—among many others.Each of these brands plays a role in the country’s consumer landscape, and GC Coupons helps bring them closer to shoppers by lowering the cost barrier. Whether it’s a family shopping for groceries on Carrefour, a student looking for a fashion deal on SHEIN, or a professional ordering lunch from Snoonu, coupons drive more transactions while building loyalty for retailers.Exclusive Codes That Build TrustIn a crowded e-commerce environment, trust is a premium currency. Shoppers in Qatar are wary of unreliable codes that waste time or don’t apply at checkout. GC Coupons has differentiated itself by ensuring that every code is verified and updated. This reliability has not only built consumer trust but also strengthened retailer partnerships.By offering exclusive coupon codes for leading retailers, GC Coupons also provides brands with a direct channel to attract price-conscious yet quality-driven customers. For example, Noon deals and Namshi offers through GC Coupons have become go-to options for shoppers during major sale events like White Friday, Ramadan, and back-to-school seasons.Driving the Future of Local PlatformsLocal players such as Snoonu, Talabat, and Calo have redefined convenience in Qatar’s e-commerce ecosystem. By integrating with coupon platforms, they benefit from enhanced visibility and a broader customer base. For consumers, the value is twofold: they enjoy savings on platforms they already use daily, while supporting local innovation that drives Qatar’s digital economy. For instance, GC Coupons’ Snoonu vouchers highlight how discounts extend beyond global retailers to local businesses, empowering them to compete with international giants.Fashion, Lifestyle, and Luxury—For LessFashion remains one of the largest online spending categories in Qatar. From fast-fashion brands like Max Fashion and H&M to luxury retailers like Bloomingdale’s and Level Shoes, GC Coupons ensures that style does not come with a prohibitive price tag. Through codes like Max Fashion discounts, shoppers can stay trendy without overspending. Luxury-focused Qatari consumers also turn to GC Coupons for savings on items that were once thought of as non-discountable—from high-end perfumes at Reef and Damas Jewellery to furniture at Crate & Barrel and West Elm.Everyday Savings That Add UpFor many households in Qatar, online shopping has moved from occasional indulgence to daily necessity. Groceries from Carrefour, home essentials from Baytonia, and deliveries from Talabat or Snoonu now form part of weekly routines. Even fuel delivery through CAFU can be optimized with discounts. By providing verified coupons, GC Coupons turns everyday transactions into opportunities for meaningful savings.The Broader Economic ImpactThe benefits of coupon platforms extend beyond consumers. For retailers, working with GC Coupons means increased conversions, reduced cart abandonment, and measurable ROI from marketing campaigns. For Qatar’s digital economy, coupon usage encourages more online transactions, greater trust in digital platforms, and a stronger overall ecosystem.In fact, platforms like GC Coupons play a role in bridging international and local players. Global retailers expand into the Gulf region with confidence when they see a strong coupon culture fostering consumer engagement. Local businesses, meanwhile, get an opportunity to compete on equal footing, using coupon partnerships as a growth lever.Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter of Savings TechAs Qatar continues to invest in digital infrastructure, the role of coupon platforms will only grow. Mobile-first experiences, exclusive coupon codes, and partnerships across sectors will remain critical. Already, GC Coupons is leading this evolution with an app that provides shoppers with instant access to verified codes across multiple categories, including electronics and food delivery.Innovations such as personalized coupon recommendations, AI-driven shopping insights, and deeper integrations with local loyalty programs are also on the horizon. In many ways, coupon technology is evolving into a new branch of fintech—what some industry observers are calling “savings tech.”ConclusionQatar’s digital economy is thriving, and coupon platforms are one of its unsung heroes. By bridging consumers and retailers, platforms like GC Coupons—Qatar’s leading coupon website—not only save shoppers money but also fuel the growth of e-commerce across the Gulf. With over 2,000 retailer partnerships and millions of satisfied customers, GC Coupons has established itself as the region’s most trusted coupon platform.Whether it’s a family shopping for groceries, a student buying fashion, or a professional booking travel, the message is clear: in Digital Qatar, every riyal saved counts—and GC Coupons is making sure those savings are always within reach.For those looking to explore deals today, GC Coupons offers an unmatched variety—from Noon promotions to 6th Street bargains—all just a click away.

Despite the challenges posed by higher US tariff rates, the global economy will remain largely resilient against the uncertainty and the disruptions in global trade flows, according to QNB.At the beginning of the year, the global outlook pointed to steady economic growth, against a backdrop of cautious optimism. Tailwinds included the policy rate cutting cycles by major central banks, resilient growth of the US economy, cyclical recoveries in China and the Euro Area, and constructive overall investor sentiment, QNB noted in an economic commentary.Growth in both Advanced Economies (AE) and Developing Economies (DE) was initially expected to remain unchanged compared to last year, adding up to a world economic expansion rate of 3.3%.But the optimistic tone began to shift as the new US administration embarked on an aggressive agenda of policy change, with sweeping implications for the global macroeconomic landscape.On April 2, a day that came to be known as “Liberation Day,” President Trump announced sweeping tariffs, including a 10% baseline levy on all imports, and higher rates on selected countries.Financial markets reacted sharply to the announcements, with global stocks tumbling on fears of broader and deeper trade wars, as well as tainted policy credibility.The outlook narrative then debated the odds of a world recession. At its worst moment, growth expectations for the global economy dropped from the recent peak by 0.5 percentage point (p.p.) to 2.8%, a significant downgrade in a very short period of time.Since then, asset prices have recovered, with key indices reaching new highs, as the more negative trade-war scenarios were ruled out, AI-driven growth tailwinds regained the spotlight, and corporate profits remained robust.According to QNB, growth expectations have stabilised and even slightly recovered. The group of AE, which represents 40% of the world economy, is now expected to grow 1.5% this year, from a low of 1.4%.More significantly, after falling 0.5 p.p. to 3.7%, expectations for growth in the Developing Economies (DE) climbed to 4.1%, re-gaining most of the previous losses.Thus, recovering growth projections across the AE and DE groups are contributing to improving the outlook for global economic growth, which is expected to reach 3%.In QNB’s view, despite the challenges posed by higher US tariff rates, the global economy will remain largely resilient against the uncertainty and the disruptions in global trade flows.QNB has discussed two key factors that support its view of an improving global economic outlook.First, the US administration has concluded a first set of negotiations, which helped moderate uncertainty and discard the most extreme negative scenarios. The initially unyielding position of President Trump shifted towards pragmatism as deals were reached with the UK, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and the EU, among others, narrowing the range of potential tariff rates for the rest of the world. Furthermore, even as the US has become more protectionist, the rest of the world is largely continuing to move in the opposite direction.From the European Union (EU) to Asia and Latin America, most major economies continue to view trade as essential to their growth models, and are actively pursuing deeper integration via new or deeper trade agreements. Even as the world adjusts to a more protectionist US, the outlook on global trade has improved, contributing to a less pessimistic growth scenario.Second, monetary policy easing cycles by major central banks will contribute to improve overall financial conditions and the stability of the global economy. Bringing inflation under control has allowed the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank (ECB), the two most important central banks in the AE, to start their interest rate cutting cycles.In the US, the Federal Reserve is set to cut its policy interest rate by 125 basis points over the next year, while the ECB could implement one more cut, bringing its benchmark rate to 1.75%. Stock markets have staged a notable recovery backed by resilient corporate earnings, while corporate credit spreads are narrowing, signalling improved market sentiment and easier credit for firms.The Financial Conditions Index (FCI) provides an informative summary of the overall state of markets, and is signalling that improving conditions are reducing borrowing costs for households and business, adding support to consumption and investment.“All in all, the global outlook initially deteriorated sharply after the US tariff announcements, but pessimism has gradually subsided on the back of improving prospects for international trade and better financial conditions supporting consumption and investment, leading to a broad based upgrade of performance expected across the AE and the DE,” QNB added.

Driven by the public sector, loans disbursed by the local banks in Qatar increased by 1.1% MoM to QR1,406.9bn in July, according to QNB Financial Services (QNBFS).Total public sector loans expanded by 4.5% MoM (+9.5% on FY2024) in July.The government segment (represents 35% of public sector loans) was the main driver for the public sector gains with an expansion of 7.2% MoM (+32.7% on FY2024), while the government institutions segment (represents 61% of total public sector loans) increased by 3.3% MoM (+0.4% on FY2024).Further, the semi-government institutions segment contributed immaterially, moving up by 1.1% MoM (-0.9% compared to FY2024) during July.Total private sector loans were flat MoM (+2.6% vs. FY2024) during July with negligible contribution across all segments.Outside Qatar loans were flat MoM (and compared to year-end 2024) in July, QNBFS said in its ‘Qatar Monthly Key Banking Indicators’.Loan provisions to gross loans moved up to 4.2% MoM in July, compared to 3.9% (as of year-end 2024).Loan provisions have increased 11.8% compared to year-end 2024 as banks have been provisioning for Stage 2 and Stage 3 loans mainly emanating from contracting and real estate sectors.On a positive note, Stage 3 loans have remained stable.Loans grew by an average 5.4% over the past five years (2020-2024), QNBFS noted.Banking sector total assets remained flat MoM (+3.4% vs. year-end 2024) in July 2025 at QR2.117tn.With loans growth outpacing deposits during July 2025, the loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) came in at 134% compared to 132% in June.Public sector deposits climbed up by 0.6% MoM (+3.4% compared to FY2024) in July.Looking at segment details, the government segment (represents 34% of public sector deposits) moved up by 1.6% MoM (+4% compared to FY2024).On the other hand, the government institutions’ (represents 54% of public sector deposits) was flat MoM (+4.1% vs. FY2024), while the semi-government institutions’ segment (represents 12% of public sector deposits) increased by 1.9% MoM (-1.6% vs. FY2024) during July 2025.Non-resident deposits contracted by 3.2% MoM (-2.2% vs. FY2024) during July 2025. Non-resident deposits as a percentage of declined from 19.2% in June 2025 to 18.7% in July 2025 (FY2025: 19.5%).Private sector deposits remained flat MoM (+2.9% compared to FY2024) in July.On the private sector front, companies and institutions was flat MoM (Flat compared to FY2024). Moreover, the consumer segment also remained flat MoM (+5.2% compared to FY2024).The overall loan book increased by 1.1% MoM in July 2025, aided by public sector loans.Qatar banking sector liquid assets to total assets stood at 31% in July compared to 32% in June, which remains in a strong position, QNBFS said.

HE Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed al-Thani met with Minister of Transport and Logistic Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Eng Saleh bin Nasser al-Jasser Thursday.The two ministers discussed aspects of bilateral co-operation in transportation, and ways to propel them to new heights, particularly in logistic services that support that vital industry.They also discussed the common opportunities that can be utilized by the two countries thanks to their unique geographical locations, thereby enhancing their leading regional and international positions in sustainable transportation.The meeting was attended by HE the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport Mohammed Abdullah al-Maadeed, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the State of Qatar Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan al-Saud, Vice-Minister of Transport and Logistic Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr Rumaih bin Mohammed al-Rumaih, and several other officials from both sides.

Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) has been recognised with two Telly Awards for a video produced by its Production and Digital Media Services department in support of the university’s Executive Education Programme.The video was recognised in two categories: a “Non-Broadcast Video for an Educational Institution” and a “Craft Award for Editing”, with the latter acknowledging the work of production support specialist Haidar Helmi.The Telly Awards honour excellence in video and television across all screens and receive more than 13,000 entries annually from around the world.Winners are selected by a judging council of more than 250 industry experts from production companies, advertising agencies, and major networks, including Adobe, Netflix, and Meta Creative Shop.Past winners include organisations such as the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), National Geographic, and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.NU-Q dean and chief executive Marwan M Kraidy said that the recognition reflects the commitment and talent of the university’s staff.“The creative and technical skills of our production team may not always be visible, but they are essential to our academic mission and to the experience we offer students, faculty, and partners,” he said.For Production and Digital Media Services director Rami al-Badry, the recognition highlights the collaborative spirit that drives the department’s work.“Every project we take on is built on close collaboration with colleagues across the university,” he said.“This video is one example of how our team works hand in hand with academic and administrative units to translate ideas into high-quality productions,” al-Badry added. “Having that work recognised is a proud moment, because it shows what we can accomplish together in support of the academic mission.”The Executive Education programme at the NU-Q offers advanced training in communication, media, and leadership to professionals in the region.With these awards, the NU-Q is recognised among a wide range of global institutions and organisations for its high-quality digital and media production, a statement added.