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Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed the importance of working to ensure that the truce in Gaza turns into a real peace. In a statement on the sidelines of the Mediterranean and Southern European Union (MED9) summit in Slovenia, Tajani said that there is a lot of work to be done and Italy is on the front lines, ready to reinforce the Carabinieri presence at the Rafah crossing. Tajani confirmed that the matter was discussed with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and added that Italy is working with Jordan and Egypt regarding Gaza. He also confirmed Italy will participate in the reconstruction conference, in addition to sending a delegation to Amman to participate in training, including in the field of healthcare.

Mbappe keeps on scoringReal take back top spot from BarcaGetafe finish game with nine menKylian Mbappe continued his impressive scoring streak as his 10th goal in nine league games earned Real Madrid a 1-0 win at Getafe on Sunday and sent his side back to the top of the LaLiga in a game where the hosts finished with nine men.Real struggled to find a way past a stubborn Getafe until Allan Nyom was sent off 13 minutes from time, one minute after coming off the bench, and Mbappe scored three minutes later.Alex Sancris was then sent off for a second booking before the end.Real are on 24 points, two ahead of Barcelona and the top two will go head-to-head in next Sunday's El Clasico. Getafe are 12th in the standings on 11 points.Real coach Xabi Alonso continued his habit of rotating the starting side, leaving both Vinicius Jr and Arda Guler on the bench while handing Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo rare starts. The game began with both sets of players standing still for 15 seconds, part of a protest organised by the Spanish Footballers' Association over LaLiga's decision to play December's match between Villarreal and Barcelona in the United States.In reality, the match took even longer to get going.Mbappe was a constant threat in the opening half, taking his side into the opposition area, but his own teammates often appeared to be operating on different wavelengths. Aurelien Tchouameni's shot from distance went narrowly over and on the stroke of halftime David Alaba's powerful free kick was parried away by the keeper with Federico Valverde's follow-up effort well off target.Getafe spent most of the opening half keeping Real at bay, but Sancris volleyed narrowly wide shortly before the break to fire a warning shot.With Real no closer to finding the net, Vinicius replaced the unimpressive Franco Mastantuono 10 minutes after the interval and Guler made his entrance after another uneventful 10 minutes.Nyom saw red for a foul on Vinicius and Real wasted little time in taking advantage. When Guler's defence-splitting pass found Mbappe with his back to goal, the French forward turned, took the ball into the area and smashed his shot past David Soria.Mbappe, who has also scored five in two Champions League games, and keeper Thibaut Courtois are the two players Alonso cannot do without this season, and Courtois denied Abu Kamara in added time to deny Getafe an equaliser.Before the top of the table clash with Barcelona, Real host Juventus on Wednesday in the Champions League.

Barcelona moved top of La Liga Saturday after Ronald Araujo struck deep in stoppage time to snatch the champions a 2-1 win over Girona. The defender, sent on as an emergency forward, netted in the 93rd minute to give Barca a one-point lead on Real Madrid, who visit Getafe Sunday. Elsewhere, Antony struck twice for Real Betis, fourth, to secure them a 2-2 comeback draw at third-place Villarreal. Following two consecutive defeats Hansi Flick’s Barca were only just able to edge Girona, 19th, thanks to Araujo’s late goal. Pedri Gonzalez slotted Barcelona ahead early on but Axel Witsel equalised with a superb overhead kick for a Girona side who came close to securing a deserved point. “We didn’t play our best match but we fought to the end and we scored that goal – it will give us confidence for the next matches, at least this is what I hope,” said Barca coach Flick. Flick brought Lamine Yamal back into the starting line-up after he recovered from the groin injury which kept him out of Spain’s recent World Cup qualifiers. The teenage winger also missed the 4-1 thrashing by Sevilla in Barcelona’s last La Liga outing, which the Catalans were only just able to bounce back from. With several players, including striker Robert Lewandowski out injured, Flick handed a league debut to 17-year-old forward Toni Fernandez. In line with the protest organised by the Spanish footballers’ association against Barca’s match against Villarreal in December which has been moved to Miami, both sets of players stood still for 15 seconds after the whistle blew for kick-off. Barca took the initiative and earned a 13th-minute lead after Jules Kounde and Yamal combined well, allowing midfielder Pedri to casually pass into the bottom right corner. Girona, who finished in the top four two seasons ago but have struggled ever since, soon found a way back level. Witsel produced a stunning overhead kick to equalise in the 20th minute and shock the hosts. The visitors broke behind Barcelona’s high line several times to create danger. Cristian Portu struck the post after getting in behind Barca’s defence and Girona spurned two more one-on-ones. Marcus Rashford struck the crossbar with a free-kick at the other end as a warning to the minnows. Flick made a surprising double change, withdrawing star players Yamal and Pedri despite chasing the game, with Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Olympiakos in mind, as well as next weekend’s Clasico. Paulo Gazzaniga made an excellent save at his near post to thwart Rashford, who also had a penalty appeal waved away.Flick sent on centre-back Araujo as a striker in the final stages in desperation and the Uruguayan delivered deep in stoppage time, finishing off Frenkie de Jong’s cross to snatch three points. Araujo ripped off his shirt in celebration as Barca claimed a victory which seemed improbable after a flat second-half display. “At the moment we’re leading the table so it’s a good situation, Real Madrid have to win tomorrow,” said Flick. “We are missing the dynamic we normally have... I miss this a little bit... we needed this goal and this victory today.” Flick was sent off in the final stages for dissent and is set for a touchline ban at the Santiago Bernabeu next weekend, and perhaps beyond after he made a gesture viewed as uncouth in Spain as he celebrated Araujo’s goal. Girona were left licking their wounds after a fifth defeat of the campaign. “We feel that we played a great game... (but) we had four or five clear chances and should have scored more to kill the game,” Witsel said. “It’s hard mentally to let in a goal like that, but we have to think about the first half (we played)... and keep that in mind for our next match.” Atletico Madrid host Osasuna later Saturday aiming to pull level on points with Betis. Former Manchester United winger Antony’s brace helped the Andalusians peg back Villarreal from two goals down, leaving the Yellow Submarine five points behind Barca and one ahead of Betis.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) general index opened higher on Wednesday, gaining 36.34 points, or 0.34%, to reach 10,782 points at the start of trading, compared to the previous session's close. The rise was driven by gains across most sectors. Telecommunications led the advance with an increase of 1.0%, followed by Banks and Financial Services (+0.39%), Transportation (+0.17%), Consumer Goods and Services (+0.14%), Industrials (+0.12%), and Insurance (+0.02%). The Real Estate sector was the only decliner, edging down 0.01%. By 10:00 am, QSE reported a turnover of QR 43.17 million from 19.66 million shares traded across 3,224 transactions.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index rose to 10,873 points at the beginning of Monday's trading, up 0.31%, or 33.44 points, compared to the previous session's close, supported by gains in six sectors. According to figures released by the QSE, Transportation went up (+0.82%), Real Estate (+0.50%), Consumer Goods and Services (+0.46%), Banks and Financial Services (+0.23%), Industrials (+0.14%), and Telecoms (+0.09%). Meanwhile, Insurance went down (-0.08%). As of 10:00 am, trading volume totaled 36.888 million shares, with a turnover of QR 71.389 million across 3208 transactions.

Barwa Real Estate Group has sold a land plot in Bahrain Bay, owned by GHIC Real Estate, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barwa Real Estate.Under the agreement, the sale of the 12,478 sqm plot will be completed according to the terms set forth in the agreement, Barwa said in a mandatory regulatory filing with the Qatar Stock Exchange.This transaction is part of Barwa Real Estate’s strategy to optimise its portfolio performance and divest non-income-generating assets, positively affecting the group’s financial indicators and contributing to sustainable growth in shareholder returns."There are no conflicts of interest among the contracting parties in this agreement," the filing said.

Qatar’s real estate market has shown resilience and “record achievement” amid global economic challenges, Qatar Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat) president Khaled Ahmed al-Obaidli announced Sunday at the opening of the ‘Qatar Real Estate Forum 2025’.The forum, now in its third edition under the theme ‘Aqarat’s Future’, was officially launched by HE the Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah, in the presence of high-level officials from Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, including regional and international developers and investors.In his opening speech at the forum’s third edition, al-Obaidli emphasised that the country’s real estate sector continues to maintain “its position as one of the most valuable assets” of Qatar, “despite the accelerating challenges facing the global economy”.“The Qatari real estate market sustained its strong performance through the end of the third quarter of this year, achieving a 54% increase in registered sales transactions and a 41% increase in total sales value compared to last year — a record achievement,” al-Obaidli emphasised.He also announced that Aqarat has issued licenses to 19 real estate developers, citing the authority’s launch of its strategic plan in December 2024. He said by H1-2025, “all relevant legislations were activated to support the achievements of the state’s goals.”“Furthermore, training programmes are being developed to enhance the capabilities of Qatari professionals and practitioners in the real estate field, including brokers, valuers, and property managers, in collaboration with local and international institutes and universities,” al-Obaidli pointed out.According to al-Obaidli, Aqarat also launched the ‘Real Estate Investor Journey’, in collaboration with national ministries and institutions, to further enhance investor experience.He noted that the initiative enables individuals to obtain property ownership documents and residency permits through a single, user-friendly digital platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), underscoring Aqarat’s leadership in innovation and service excellence.“In promoting Qatar’s unique real estate investment environment, the authority is also implementing an integrated plan to showcase the Qatari real estate market globally, reinforcing Qatar’s position as an international investment destination,” he stated.Al-Obaidli stressed that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the forum as a “guest of honour” highlights the symbolic and deep-rooted ties between the two Gulf nations, as well as shared aspirations for the real estate sector.He said: “We are honoured this year to welcome the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the ‘Guest of Honour’, reflecting the deep-rooted Gulf relations and the shared vision for a prosperous real estate future. We are also pleased to announce that the first meeting of the GCC Heads of Real Estate Authorities was held in Doha on October 11, 2025, in conjunction with the forum’s events.”Al-Obaidli also opened the forum with a strong message of regional co-operation: “We firmly believe that the future of the real estate sector is built on partnerships and regional integration. We look forward to constructive discussions and actionable outcomes that will contribute to advancing real estate development in Qatar and the wider region.”He said the forum will be highlighted by the launching of the ‘Qatar Real Estate Award’, which he described as “a prestigious national platform” aimed at honouring outstanding achievements that align with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. The winners will be announced during the forum’s activities, which will run until October 14 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), al-Obaidli added.

Kylian Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate have been ruled out of Monday's 2026 World Cup qualifier in Iceland where France could book their ticket to next year's tournament. Already suffering from a "small niggle" in his right ankle from playing for Real Madrid, Mbappe took two knocks during Friday's 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Azerbaijan in Paris, where he opened the scoring but was substituted before the end of the match.Liverpool defender Konate remained on the bench with a right thigh problem with his place against Iceland now taken by Marseille's Benjamin Pavard. Mbappe's absence adds to the long list of forwards unavailable for October's World Cup qualifiers, which includes Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Marcus Thuram and Bradley Barcola.After returning to the Clairefontaine training ground on Friday night, "the French team captain spoke with (coach) Didier Deschamps who acknowledged his absence", the French federation (FFF) said in a statement.Mbappe "has been released to his club (Real Madrid) and will not be replaced", the FFF added, confirming hours later that Konate "has returned to his club's availability".Konate had joined the team with a slight injury and "underwent treatment and a specific protocol but will not be able to play Monday in Reykjavik", the FFF said.Mbappe scored on the stroke of half-time against Azerbaijan and was then struck by a tackle from Rustam Ahmedzade. He took another knock to the same ankle late in the game, and was replaced by Florian Thauvin. "He has a sore ankle and he took a knock there. He preferred to come off; the pain was quite significant," Deschamps said after the French victory.Adrien Rabiot and the substitute Thauvin were also on the scoresheet as Deschamps's team remain unbeaten after three games and top of Group D. Les Bleus will book their passage to the United States, Canada and Mexico next year if they win in Iceland on Monday and Ukraine fail to beat Azerbaijan.Germany cruiseMeanwhile, captain Joshua Kimmich's double inspired four-time winners Germany to a 4-0 win over 10-man Luxembourg and to the top of Group A on goal difference with Slovakia and Northern Ireland, who await them in Belfast tomorrow. Germany showed the poise and swagger that had abandoned them so far in their World Cup qualifying campaign, losing away in Slovakia for the first time and edging past Northern Ireland at home.Kimmich converted a first-half penalty and tapped in from close range just after the break. David Raum's first-half free kick and a Serge Gnabry goal early in the second half secured the Germans an important victory. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann praised his team's "aggression and greed". "We could have scored one or two more, but it was a deserved win, one we absolutely wanted and needed," he added.Germany were eliminated at the group stage of the World Cup in 2018 and 2022. Lowly Luxembourg's task was made even harder when after only 20 minutes Dirk Carlson saw red and gave away a penalty for handball in the box.Northern Ireland kept alive their dream of appearing at their fourth World Cup and first since 1986 with a 2-0 home win over Slovakia courtesy of Patrik Hrosovsky's own goal and Trai Hume's stunning volley nine minutes from time to ignite the fans at Windsor Park. "It was a great night, good performance and the most important thing is the three points. I think we deserved it" said the Sunderland defender.Ukraine sit second in the group, five points adrift, after a captivating 5-3 win in Iceland. Switzerland maintained their perfect record to keep control of Group B with a 2-0 defeat of a Sweden side featuring Liverpool's new British transfer record signing Alexander Isak.Kosovo and Slovenia slogged it out for a goalless draw in the group's other game. Belgium, seeking a 13th appearance at the World Cup, were held to a goalless draw at home to North Macedonia, who famously downed Germany in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and now sit top of Group J, tantalisingly close to a first ever seat at football's high table next year.

Qatar’s massive investments in innovation and digital technologies will have a positive impact on the country’s property market, which is poised to become a regional real estate destination.Engineer Khaled bin Ahmed al-Obaidli, the chairman of the Qatar Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat), emphasised that the country’s real estate sector is undergoing a digital transformation aimed at simplifying investor experience and positioning Qatar as a regional hub for property development.Al-Obaidli explained that the use of artificial intelligence and digital platforms is essential for the sector’s future. “We want people’s experience to be easy, clear, and user-friendly,” he told Gulf Times, describing a vision where AI-powered systems guide users through property selection based on budget, family size, and location.“It should even direct a potential client to what the possibilities and good investments that would be worth exploring in Qatar, al-Obaidli pointed out.He also confirmed that Aqarat, along with other government ministries, is investing heavily in developing such platforms. “We are in the process of developing AI-powered platforms, AI agents, and other similar innovative technologies,” he explained.Al-Obaidli emphasised that the third edition of the Qatar Real Estate Forum will feature Saudi Arabia as the “host country.” The event will also introduce the ‘Qatar Real Estate Award 2025’.More than 50 experts from Qatar and abroad are expected to share insights during the forum, which will run from October 12 to 14 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, alongside Cityscape Qatar 2025, al-Obaidli noted.“We hope for more partnerships between our local companies and the international companies that are expected to participate in this year’s edition. We aim to provide a platform where landmark iconic ideas can be transformed into reality,” al-Obaidli said.He also said the Qatar Real Estate Forum is designed to facilitate collaboration, spark innovation, and deliver new products for Qatar and the wider Gulf region. “The third edition, organised under the theme ‘Aqarat’s Future’, continues to build on the success of the two previous editions, solidifying the forum’s position as a strategic platform that brings together decision-makers, experts, and investors,” he said.Earlier, al-Obaidli announced that Aqarat is positioning the Qatar Real Estate Award 2025 “as a strategic initiative to enhance regulatory impact and promote excellence across the country’s property sector.”In a statement, Aqarat described the Qatar Real Estate Award 2025 as "a dedicated platform to celebrate excellence and innovation” in Qatar’s real estate sector. “The award aims to honour pioneering projects and innovative ideas that enhance Qatar’s position as a leading global investment destination, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030,” Aqarat stated further.The award categories include ‘Best Residential Project’, which is evaluated on quality of life elements, building classification, green space ratio, community services and amenities, public utility integration, and resident satisfaction metrics.The ‘Best Sustainable Urban Development Project’ is assessed through architectural plans, construction materials, environmental certification (GSAS or LEED), efficiency reports, smart systems, EIA studies, and readiness for future technologies.The ‘Best Commercial/Office Real Estate Project’ is judged on work environment, digital infrastructure, proximity to business hubs, interior flexibility, and integration with public services.The ‘Best Rest Estate Investment’ award is based on feasibility studies, ROI indicators, occupancy/sales rates, market contribution, job creation, operations and maintenance (O&M) and expansion plans, and connectivity and integration with public utilities and community services.

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat) is positioning the ‘Qatar Real Estate Award 2025’ as a strategic initiative to enhance regulatory impact and promote excellence across the country’s property sector.Aqarat recently announced the launch of the awards event, which will be held alongside the third edition of the ‘Qatar Real Estate Forum’, organised by the authority from October 12-14 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).In a statement, Aqarat described the ‘Qatar Real Estate Award 2025’ as “a dedicated platform to celebrate excellence and innovation” in Qatar’s real estate sector. “The award aims to honour pioneering projects and innovative ideas that enhance Qatar’s position as a leading global investment destination, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030,” Aqarat stated further.The award categories include ‘Best Residential Project’, which is evaluated on quality of life elements, building classification, green space ratio, community services and amenities, public utility integration, and resident satisfaction metrics.The ‘Best Sustainable Urban Development Project’ is assessed through architectural plans, construction materials, environmental certification (GSAS or LEED), efficiency reports, smart systems, EIA studies, and readiness for future technologies.The ‘Best Commercial/Office Real Estate Project’ is judged on work environment, digital infrastructure, proximity to business hubs, interior flexibility, and integration with public services.The ‘Best Rest Estate Investment’ award is based on feasibility studies, ROI indicators, occupancy/sales rates, market contribution, job creation, operations and maintenance (O&M) and expansion plans, and connectivity and integration with public utilities and community services.Aqarat is inviting all real estate developers, consulting firms, and contractors to nominate their outstanding projects to Deadline for submission is on October 7, 2025.In his official message on the forum’s website, Aqarat chairman Khaled bin Ahmed al-Obaidli emphasised the broader significance of the forum and its alignment with Qatar’s national development goals.“The third edition also places strong emphasis on the pivotal role of government in shaping the sector. It highlights recent legislation and policies designed to create a safe and stimulating real estate environment, strengthen investor confidence, and establish a robust regulatory framework that ensures sustainable and well-organised growth, aligning with the goals of Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy 2024–2030,” al-Obaidli stated.He noted that this year’s edition will be devoted to the investor journey by reviewing the stages of investment and the best practices “that help investors maximise the promising opportunities offered by Qatar’s real estate market.”“Forum sessions will further examine ways to streamline procedures and enhance the overall investor experience, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a leading real estate investment destination distinguished by transparency, efficiency, and ease of doing business,” he pointed out.Al-Obaidli added: “In light of global transformations, this forum will feature a dedicated section on the latest digital innovations revolutionising the sector, including smart platforms and advanced data analytics.“These technologies play a vital role in enhancing transparency, facilitating investment, and unlocking new horizons for growth in Qatar’s real estate landscape. Moreover, the forum will highlight the most prominent projects that are shaping the future of the sector and defining Qatar’s urban and economic development trajectory.”

Kylian Mbappe struck a hat-trick as record 15-time Champions League winners Real Madrid romped to a 5-0 league phase win over Kairat in Kazakhstan Tuesday.Xabi Alonso’s side bounced back from their thrashing by city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday with an emphatic victory on the road, after travelling more than 7,000 kilometres. Mbappe put the hosts to the sword with his treble and Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Diaz wrapped up Madrid’s victory, which took them provisionally top of the table.Kairat, appearing in the tournament proper for the first time, beat Celtic in qualifying but could not handle Los Blancos, even after their long journey east, in particular French superstar Mbappe.“We can’t forget what happened this weekend (against Atletico) but we have to keep thinking about it, and working to be better each day and each week so we don’t have another night like that,” Mbappe said.The forward boasts 13 goals already this season in nine games across all competitions, but looked frustrated with himself when he missed a good chance in the second half.“My work is helping the team, doing what I can so that the team wins,” continued Mbappe. “If I have five chances, and I want to score five goals then I have to score five goals, that’s why Real Madrid bought me. I’ll work to be better and try to score more goals and be more efficient in front of goal.”Hosts Kairat lined up with 18-year-old Sherkhan Kalmurza in goal because of injuries to three other goalkeepers at the club. Kalmurza was to blame for Madrid’s opener, as he clumsily felled Franco Mastantuono.Mbappe, who had a shot saved earlier by the youngster, sent Kalmurza the wrong way from the spot in the 25th minute.The Frenchman was Madrid’s main threat, as has been the case all season, and whistled a shot narrowly wide of the far post before the break. Seven minutes into the second period Mbappe grabbed his second, after a long kick by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sent him through on goal.Mbappe gently dinked the ball over Kalmurza to net his fourth in the competition after a brace against Marseille in Madrid’s opener. “It was an enormous pass worth 80 percent of the goal, and I added the other 20 percent,” said Mbappe. The striker should have had his hat-trick after exchanging passes with Vinicius Junior but fired wide with just the goalkeeper to beat. At the other end, promising 17-year-old forward Dastan Satpayev, who will join Chelsea next summer, whipped a free-kick narrowly wide.Kairat thought they had won a penalty when Dani Ceballos was penalised for tripping Valery Gromyko, but it was cancelled after a VAR review. Mbappe then completed his treble after Arda Guler flicked the ball into his path on the edge of the box and he produced a razor-sharp finish. Camavinga, on as a substitute, nodded home after 83 minutes and Diaz rounded off Madrid’s rout in stoppage time.Atalanta come from behind to beat Club BruggeIn Bergamo, Italy, Atalanta came from behind to beat Belgium’s Club Brugge 2-1 at home with Mario Pasalic netting the winner after earning the penalty that led to the equaliser. The Croatia international, in his eighth season at the Serie A club, headed home in the 87th minute from a corner to win the game for the hosts, who were trailing with 16 minutes remaining.Christos Tzolis’ first-half strike gave the visitors the lead, but a penalty tucked away by Lazar Samardzic in the 74th minute brought Atalanta back into the game.The win gave the Italian outfit their first points of the campaign after they lost 4-0 to holders Paris St Germain in their opening league-stage fixture in mid-September, while Brugge already had three points after beating Monaco 4-1 at home.Brugge were first on the score sheet when an error from Marten de Roon allowed Carlos Forbs to tee up Tzolis, who jinked left and then right before firing home a curling effort in the 38th minute.Atalanta won a penalty when goalkeeper Nordin Jackers rushed out to try and tap the ball away from the feet of Pasalic but made contact with the midfielder and gave away the spotkick, which substitute Samardzic converted.Brugge might have snatched the lead back a minute later, but Romeo Vermant’s effort went narrowly wide with the goalkeeper out of position before home pressure told and Pasalic got in at the back post to head home the winner.

United Development Company (UDC) is sharpening its strategic focus to bolster investor confidence and drive economic diversification in Qatar’s real estate sector, ahead of the third edition of the Qatar Real Estate Forum, scheduled on October 14-16 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).“We have refined our mission, vision, and value promise, not as a departure from our strengths, but as a necessary shift to align with the opportunities and challenges ahead. Investor confidence comes from knowing that a company is not only resilient today but also prepared for the future,” UDC President and CEO Yasser Salah al-Jaidah told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.He said: “At UDC, we are applying our strategic choices to make that confidence tangible while delivering projects with consistency, diversifying our offerings to serve different market segments, and embedding sustainability and innovation into everything we do.”As the forum’s Platinum Sponsor, al-Jaidah emphasised that UDC is leveraging its strategic choices to deliver consistent project execution, diversify its offerings, and embed sustainability and innovation across its portfolio.“The message to investors is clear: UDC is future-ready,” al-Jaidah stressed, adding that the company is “building with long-term value in mind, and in doing so, reinforcing Qatar’s reputation as a stable and attractive real estate market, even in a shifting global economy.”Al-Jaidah emphasised Qatar’s political stability, sustained economic growth, and a clear legal framework that supports foreign ownership as key factors driving investment.“Within this landscape, The Pearl Island and Gewan Island have become more than real estate projects; they are destinations that embody Qatar’s ambition for world-class urban living,” he pointed out.He said, “What sets them apart is the combination of iconic architecture, premium lifestyle amenities, and state-of-the-art infrastructure, all anchored by an unrivalled waterfront setting. Investors are drawn not only to the strength of the assets, such as rental yields and long-term capital appreciation, but also to the quality of life these communities provide.“Ultimately, The Pearl and Gewan are proof of concept that in Qatar, investment in place-making can deliver both financial returns and vibrant, sustainable communities. That is the true appeal of investing with UDC.”Al-Jaidah underscored the importance of stakeholder collaboration in overcoming sector challenges: “Real estate is too complex to be solved in silos. At UDC, we work hand-in-hand with government agencies, financial institutions, contractors, and community representatives to ensure alignment from concept to completion.”He added that trust is built through transparent communication and consistent delivery. “We reinforce this with joint initiatives, regular engagement sessions, and shared performance metrics, so that stakeholders see themselves as partners in success, not just participants in a project,” he stressed.Speaking on market trends, al-Jaidah said Qatar’s luxury real estate segment remains “remarkably resilient,” where rents for premium apartments continue rising, particularly in prime districts like The Pearl and West Bay.Citing published data, al-Jaidah said residential sales are also seeing renewed momentum. “In Q1 2025, transaction volumes rose by 13.2% quarter-over-quarter, with sales values in areas such as The Pearl and Al Qassar jumping by over 50%,” he continued.He further said, “These trends reflect a growing appetite for mixed-use, sustainable, and tech-enabled living. In response, The Pearl Island and Gewan Island are positioned not just to keep pace with these shifts, but to lead them.”Asked about UDC’s strategic priorities for the next five years, and how the Qatar Real Estate Forum help advance those goals, al-Jaidah said: “At UDC, we are committed to creating inspiring destinations that provide lasting value and exceptional experiences. This is achieved through our focus on cost competitiveness, excellence and innovation, ensuring our projects meet and exceed stakeholder expectations.”He added: “The Qatar Real Estate Forum is an ideal platform to advance these goals. It allows us to engage directly with policymakers, investors, and peers, share our outlook for The Pearl Island and Gewan Island, and build partnerships that accelerate progress. For UDC, it’s about turning vision into action by creating destinations that not only inspire but also deliver lasting value for Qatar and beyond."