tag

Qatar and Oman Wednesday called for efforts to activate the business council and develop a joint executive action plan to boost trade as Muscat outlines 78 investment opportunities for Qatari investors in variegated fields.Oman showcased investment opportunities in fisheries, food and pharmaceutical industries, manufacturing, technology, minerals, renewable energy, tourism, and agriculture at a meeting hosted by Qatar Chamber (QC) with Qais bin Mohammed al-Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion of Oman, and his accompanying delegation.Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, Qatar Chamber chairman, who received the delegation, said the bilteral economic relations have witnessed remarkable development in recent years, as the volume of trade exchange between Qatar and Oman reached about QR6.2bn in 2024, recording a growth of 17% on an annualised basis.Apart from exploring the possibility of organising an annual Qatari-Omani trade exhibition, the meeting "underlined the need to activate the Qatari-Omani business council and to develop a joint executive action plan aimed at boosting trade exchange and expanding areas of cooperation."Highlighting the promising and diverse opportunities in both countries, Sheikh Khalifa said they provide a solid foundation for enhancing cooperation and implementing joint projects of added value.He called on business owners in both countries to explore the investment opportunities available in both sides.The Omani minister said the Qatari-Omani business forum, held on the sidelines of the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Oman, had a significant impact on strengthening relations between the business communities of the two countries and paved the way for further cooperation between companies on both sides.He said that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are in the process of entering into several free trade agreements with a number of countries, which will create greater opportunities for cooperation between Qatari and Omani investors to access foreign markets.The Omani delegation highlighted that the 22 free economic and industrial zones provide investment opportunities in logistics, food industries, tourism, mining, education, innovation, technology, health, and additional sectors.Rashid bin Hamad al-Athba, second vice-chairman of the Qatar Chamber, said Qatari businessmen enjoy strong ties with their Omani counterparts and highlighted the shared desire to further enhance this cooperation, with the aim of contributing to stimulating mutual and joint investments and strengthening trade exchange between the two countries.

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.

The Investment and Trade Court has signed a cooperation agreement with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), aimed at strengthening partnership and exchanging expertise in the field of intellectual property rights protection.The agreement was signed by President of the Investment and Trade Court Judge Khalid bin Ali al-Obaidli and Director of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center Ignacio De Castro Llamas, in the presence of Director of the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Department at Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) Abdulbasit al-Ajji, along with a number of judges and court officials.The agreement focuses on supporting the development of an advanced judicial environment capable of keeping pace with best international practices, thereby enhancing the court’s role in protecting intellectual property rights and improving the investment climate in the State of Qatar.Al-Obaidli stated that the agreement reflects the Investment and Trade Court’s commitment to engaging with leading international institutions and benefiting from their expertise, which strengthens Qatar’s position as a developed centre for intellectual property protection and the resolution of commercial and investment disputes.Following the signing, the WIPO delegation toured the court’s facilities, where they were briefed on its various departments and the mechanisms it employs to adjudicate commercial and investment cases.They praised the advanced capabilities and infrastructure they observed, which reflect the court’s status as a pioneering judicial institution both locally and internationally.

Qatar's Investment and Trade Court has reported a 98% case resolution rate in the 2024-25 judicial year.In a statement Monday, the Court said it handled 11,529 cases between September 2024 and June 30, 2025, including 8,924 first-instance cases, 262 urgent cases, and 2,243 appeals.The statement added that the same period saw the establishment of specialised chambers to handle disputes related to construction and contracting, commercial papers, and insurance companies and the activation of E-litigation.The Investment and Trade Court President, Judge Khalid bin Ali al-Obaidli, hailed the accomplishment during the court's Fourth Assembly, held via video conferencing.He expressed pride in the efforts of the honourable judges and their vital role in advancing the course of justice."Our meeting today provides an opportunity to evaluate what has been accomplished, and to discuss future plans to enhance the Court's performance, while reinforcing the values of justice and efficiency," al-Obaidli said in a statement on the Court's website. "The achievements of the past year were the result of your collective dedication and constructive collaboration."The assembly approved the formation of the first-instance and appellate chambers for the 2025-26 judicial season.According to official statistics, the average case duration across all levels was 19 days. The average duration of cases in First Instance Panels (multi-judge benches) was 47 days, while the average in First Instance—Single Judge Circuits was 22 days.In the appeals chambers, the average case duration was 36 days, and in urgent and interim matters, it was 28 days.The Court was established under Law No 21 of 2021, which represented a qualitative leap in the judicial sector. The Court has significantly contributed to expediting dispute resolution in trade and investment cases, while enhancing the Qatari business environment in line with the country's broader digital transformation initiatives.

Most of President Donald Trump’s global tariffs were ruled illegal by a federal appeals court that found he exceeded his authority by imposing them through an emergency law, but the judges let the levies stay in place while the case proceeds.The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on Friday upheld an earlier ruling by the Court of International Trade that Trump wrongfully invoked the law to hit nations across the globe with steep tariffs. But the appellate judges said the lower court should revisit its decision to block the tariffs for everyone, rather than just the parties in the case.“The statute bestows significant authority on the President to undertake a number of actions in response to a declared national emergency, but none of these actions explicitly include the power to impose tariffs, duties, or the like, or the power to tax,” the court said.Friday’s 7-4 decision extends the suspense over whether Trump’s tariffs will ultimately stand. The case had been expected to next go to the Supreme Court for a final ruling. The administration could now turn to the justices, who have largely backed the president on other matters. But the White House could also let the Court of International Trade revisit the matter first.‘Total Disaster’ “ALL TARIFFS ARE STILL IN EFFECT!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social shortly after the decision was issued.“Today a Highly Partisan Appeals Court incorrectly said that our Tariffs should be removed, but they know the US of America will win in the end,” the president said. “If these Tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the Country.”Trillions of dollars of global trade are embroiled in the legal fight. A final ruling tossing Trump’s tariffs would upend his much ballyhooed trade deals. The administration also would be forced to contend with demands to refund tariffs that were already paid.In telling the lower court to reconsider how broadly its ruling should apply, the Federal Circuit pointed to the Supreme Court’s recent decision on Trump’s efforts to restrict automatic birthright citizenship. That ruling barred federal judges from issuing so-called universal injunctions that go beyond the parties in a case and apply nationwide.”But the Supreme Court left open the possibility that judges in some cases could use other legal mechanisms to reach the same outcome. Indeed, several judges re-issued nationwide injunctions against Trump’s birthright citizenship restrictions, saying the sweeping orders were still appropriate under the new Supreme Court standard.The two cases at the centre of the ruling were filed by Democratic-led states and a group of small businesses. They have argued all along that a ruling against the tariffs must apply across the nation. That issue may now become a focus of further arguments.The tariff cases challenged Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to sidestep Congress and issue the tariffs, arguing that he did so to force trading partners to negotiate rather than to address any legitimate national emergency. IEEPA does not mention tariffs and had never been used in such a manner.“Notably, when drafting IEEPA, Congress did not use the term ‘tariff’ or any of its synonyms, like ‘duty’ or ‘tax,’” the court said. “There are numerous statutes that do delegate to the President the power to impose tariffs; in each of these statutes that we have identified, Congress has used clear and precise terms to delegate tariff power.”Tim Brightbill, a trade attorney at Wiley Rein who isn’t involved in the case, said the appeals court had concluded that even if IEEPA had permitted the president tariff powers, “the government exceeded its authority with the breadth and scope of these worldwide tariffs.” Administration officials have prepared options to pursue additional tariffs through other federal authorities, even amid an expected appeal, according to a person familiar.The administration had already turned increasingly to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to pursue levies against categories of goods, from lumber to semiconductors.Other legal options lack the swift, immediate impact of the president’s original manoeuvre under IEEPA, which has fewer hurdles because it’s intended to be used in emergencies.In its May 30 ruling, the Court of International Trade found Trump improperly used IEEPA to impose the tariffs, agreeing that such power is vested in Congress by the Constitution. The Federal Circuit judges similarly signalled scepticism of Trump’s claim of broad tariff authority under IEEPA during July 31 oral arguments.Fearing that the court might rule the tariffs illegal and invalidate them immediately, the administration earlier on Friday filed statements by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning of dire foreign policy consequences if the court took such action. Bessent said it would lead to “dangerous diplomatic embarrassment” for the US.

Qatar Chamber has affirmed that Qatar enjoys close co-operation with Nepal, particularly in the economic and trade fields, noting the wide scope for collaboration between the Qatari private sector and its Nepali counterpart.This came during the meeting of board member of Qatar Chamber Mohamed bin Ahmed al-Obaidli with President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chandra Dhakal where both sides discussed areas of co-operation and investment opportunities available in the two countries, as well as the activation of the Qatari-Nepali Joint Business Council.Al-Obaidli stressed that Nepal is an important country for Qatar and Qatari investors, given its large population and abundant investment opportunities. He also pointed to Qatar’s keen interest in investing in Asian markets, which represent significant growth potential. He added that Qatar has become a major hub for business and investment, with strong interest in sectors such as banking, digitalisation, and trade.Dhakal praised Qatar’s success in developing its infrastructure and achieving remarkable progress. He highlighted the numerous investment opportunities in Nepal that are open to Qatari investors, particularly in the tourism, mining, and services sectors.He further noted that Nepal offers a range of incentives for foreign investors, calling on Qatari businessmen to explore these opportunities and build partnerships with their Nepali counterparts.He also underscored the importance of activating the Qatari-Nepali Joint Business Council to help strengthen co-operation between the business sectors of both countries and to increase joint meetings between businessmen to explore opportunities for partnership and collaboration.