tag

Qatar Exports has concluded its 2025 trade mission to Oman, with participation from more than 45 Qatari firms, with the value of potential deals exceeding QR223mn.The mission represented a new milestone in advancing trade and investment cooperation between Qatar and Oman.It aligns with the joint statement issued earlier this year, which reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to supporting the private sector, intensifying efforts to increase trade exchange, and enhancing economic integration between the two countries."The strong coordination and joint efforts throughout this mission reflect the depth of economic relations between Qatar and Oman, and the real potential both countries share for building meaningful regional and international partnerships grounded in mutual interests," said Khalid Abdulla al-Mana, Qstar Development Bank (QDB) Vice President of Enterprise Development and Executive Director of Qatar Exports.Through Qatar Exports, QDB is committed to promoting Qatari products in Gulf and global markets, he said, adding "we will continue to support national exporters by building their capabilities and opening doors to new markets, helping them compete globally as part of our broader strategy to grow Qatar’s export ecosystem.”The mission brought together senior Qatari and Omani officials and featured in-depth bilateral discussions between the two sides, alongside a series of meetings and an exhibition for Qatari companies that highlighted the diversity and quality of Qatari products.In total, the program included 350 bilateral meetings, the mission’s activities attracted more than 450 visitors, and the value of potential deals exceeded QR223mn.

R.Tulsian and Co proudly announces its approval as an official In-Country Value (ICV) Certifier in Qatar. This milestone further strengthens the firm’s commitment to supporting Qatar’s economic diversification goals while reinforcing its position as one of the most trusted audit and advisory firms in the region.The ICV program is a cornerstone of Qatar’s efforts to enhance local economic participation, encourage private-sector growth, and increase the use of local services, suppliers, and workforce. As a recognized ICV Certifier, R.Tulsian and Co. will now be authorized to assess, verify, and issue ICV certificates for companies across industries, enabling them to participate more effectively in Qatar’s procurement ecosystem.A Landmark for the FirmWith more than six decades of professional heritage and a growing international footprint across India,US,UK,Saudi Arabia,Oman,UAE, Bahrain and now Qatar, R. Tulsian & Co. has consistently been at the forefront of innovation and client service. The Qatar Branch has quickly emerged as a trusted partner for corporates, SMEs, and associates in the region, particularly in the areas of audit, assurance, and compliance.“Becoming an ICV Certifier in Qatar is both an honor and a responsibility,” said Shashwat Tulsian, Partner. “This approval recognizes our technical strength, global best practices, and local expertise. More importantly, it allows us to play a direct role in advancing Qatar’s vision for sustainable economic development.”Supporting Businesses, Driving ImpactThe firm’s role as a certifier is to deliver fair, transparent, and independent assessments in line with ICV requirements. Through this role, R. Tulsian & Co. helps ensure consistency in certification and contributes to the smooth functioning of the ICV framework in Qatar.About R. Tulsian & Co. LLPEstablished over 60 years ago, R. Tulsian & Co. LLP is a leading audit, assurance, and advisory firm with offices across the US, UK, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar. Thefirm’s Qatar Branch focuses on audit, compliance, and advisory services for corporates and SMEs, bringing global expertise combined with deep local understanding. Its approval as an ICV Certifier marks another step in its journey to support regional growth and economic transformation.For media inquiries, please contact:Shashwat TulsianPartnerR. Tulsian & Co- Qatar Branch+974-33063032

Qatar National Bank (QNB) expects further upside for gold over the medium and long term, despite the sharp rally in recent months and the significant risks of short-term corrections.In its Weekly Economic Commentary, QNB stated that consensus among leading research houses suggests gold prices are likely to remain well supported at around USD 4,000 per troy ounce, with an estimated upside of 10–15% over the next twelve months.Gold has once again proven its value in providing robust returns during periods of global uncertainty. In fact, it has been one of the standout global asset classes in recent years, consistently demonstrating remarkable resilience. Since the post-pandemic normalization in 2022, gold prices have gained around 105%, significantly outperforming most global benchmarks, including equities, bonds, and commodities.This broad-based outperformance underscores gold’s unique position as both a store of value and a macro hedge in an era defined by three converging structural forces: strong global growth in money supply, geopolitical fragmentation, and central bank reserve diversification.Since the onset of the pandemic, an unprecedented expansion of fiscal and monetary policy has undermined confidence in the stability of currencies in major advanced economies. At the same time, a series of geopolitical shocks — from the U.S.-China strategic rivalry to conflicts in Eastern Europe — have fueled demand for safe and jurisdictionally neutral assets. Furthermore, the steady accumulation of gold by emerging market central banks, often as a deliberate strategy to reduce dependency on established reserve currencies, has added a new layer of sustained, price-insensitive demand.Gold appears “fairly” priced, if not undervalued, against USD money supply (M2). Since the Bretton Woods agreements of 1944, which established the post-Second World War economic order, the USD long-term price of gold has tended to move directionally in line with M2 growth. Much of the recent upward movement in gold prices could therefore be seen as a catch-up following a long period of undervaluation since 2010, combined with continued strong USD issuance. Current prices would still need to rise by approximately 34% to reach QNB’s modeled fair value. Importantly, M2 has been accelerating in recent years, growing at a compound annual rate of 7.5%. In other words, there are no clear signs of overvaluation, and one of the main drivers of prices — USD issuance — continues to expand rapidly.Positioning by both central banks and private investors in gold also suggests further potential for price appreciation. Geopolitical fragmentation continues to amplify gold’s appeal as a jurisdictionally neutral asset outside the reach of financial “weaponization.”According to the World Gold Council, following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, central banks’ additional demand for gold more than doubled — from around 450 tons per year to over 1,000 tons per year. Despite this increase in official demand, there remains considerable room for a longer-term accumulation trend. While large advanced economies tend to hold around 25% of their foreign exchange (FX) reserves in gold, major emerging-market central banks hold less than 12% of their FX reserves in the metal.

President Xi Jinping said China has reached a consensus with the United States on economic and trade issues, state media reported, after meeting Thursday with US leader Donald Trump. Trump and Xi met for the first time since 2019 in Busan, South Korea, engaging in closely-watched talks, as their two countries remain locked in a blistering trade war.The tussle between the world's top two economies, which encompasses everything from rare earths to soybeans and port fees, has rocked markets and gummed up supply chains for months. On Thursday, Xi told Trump that the two countries "should have positive interactions on the regional and international stage", Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.Xi said that teams from both sides had "exchanged in-depth views on important economic and trade issues and reached a consensus on resolving them", according to the Xinhua readout which offered no details on specific agreements reached."Both teams should refine and finalise follow-up work as soon as possible, maintain and implement the consensus and provide tangible results to set minds at ease about the economies of China, the United States and the world," he added.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan agreed to launch an Economic Cooperation Framework and affirmed mutual desire to strengthen trade and investment relations to serve their common interests.In a joint statement released today, the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif agreed during their meeting held in Riyadh yesterday (Monday) to launch an Economic Cooperation Framework between the two countries.As part of the framework, the statement said, several strategic and high-impact projects will be discussed in the economic, trade, investment, and development fields that will contribute to strengthening cooperation between the two governments, enhancing the pivotal role of the private sector, and increasing trade exchange between the two countries.Priority sectors include energy, industry, mining, information technology, tourism, agriculture, and food security.Both sides are currently studying several joint economic projects, including signing a memorandum of understanding for the electricity interconnection project between the Kingdom and Pakistan, in addition to signing a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of energy between the two nations.This framework reaffirms the two countries' shared vision toward building a sustainable partnership across various economic, trade, and investment fields.

Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump affirmed at their summit in Tokyo to bolster cooperation on defense and the economy.On the security front, Takaichi and Trump are likely to have confirmed the importance of reinforcing the alliance's deterrence and response capabilities amid growing challenges posed by China and North Korea, while Washington is calling for allies to spend more on defense, Japan news agency (Kyodo) reported.Takaichi and Trump signed documents, including one on cooperation to secure and supply critical minerals, including rare earths, in an effort to enhance economic security, according to Kyodo.Takaichi described the Japan-US alliance as "the greatest alliance in the world."She is expected to stress her plan, pledged in her parliamentary speech last week, to increase Japan's defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product by March, two years ahead of the previously set goal of fiscal 2027, Kyodo added.Japan has been raising its defense budget significantly since the fiscal 2027 target was set when the government in late 2022 revised its long-term National Security Strategy, which Takaichi has vowed to update next year.The two sides are also expected to have affirmed the steady implementation of a trade agreement struck in July, which includes a Japanese commitment to invest $550 billion in key US industries such as semiconductors, critical minerals and shipbuilding as well as increased purchases by Japan of US agricultural and other products.Based on the bilateral deal, Trump lowered US tariffs on goods from Japan, reducing the levy on automobiles to 15 percent from the previous rate of 27.5 percent.Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Seoul next Thursday, the next stop on his Asian tour.

The State of Qatar emphasized the importance of the international community continuing to intensify its efforts to enhance cybersecurity and expand avenues of cooperation, particularly between developed and developing countries, in order to ensure the utilization and preservation of digital gains. Qatar stressed that cyberspace and its related uses provide vast opportunities for promoting economic development and achieving human well-being. This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani before the UN General Assembly's First Committee at its 80th session on Other Disarmament Measures and International Security, held at UN headquarters in New York. Sheikh Abdulrahman explained that progress in the digital and technological fields has offered smart and low-cost solutions to many development-related issues, while also enhancing social communication through modern and advanced networks. He noted that while such progress offers wide-ranging opportunities in various areas of technology, it also brings increasing cybersecurity risks, which now pose threats to all forms of digital activity — including attacks targeting vital telecommunications and digital infrastructure, resulting in serious material and moral damage, privacy violations, and obstacles to economic development efforts. He added that information security and cybersecurity have become major concerns for the international community — particularly for governments, public institutions, banks, financial bodies, and private sector entities. He pointed out that growing global awareness of these threats led to the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, which Qatar signed during the official ceremony held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Oct. 25, 2025. He further added that, as part of its efforts to exchange expertise and knowledge in the field of information and communications technology at both regional and international levels, the State of Qatar has continued its active participation in the meetings of the Open-ended Working Group on the Security of Information and Communication Technology (2021-2025), whose work concluded in July 2025, pointing out that the State of Qatar welcomed the group's consensus-adopted final report, expressing hope that its recommendations would be implemented to strengthen cybersecurity and international cooperation in the safe use of ICTs - including the future permanent mechanism on ICT security in the context of international security. He also noted that, reaffirming the State of Qatar's commitment to promoting responsible behavior in cyberspace, the National Cyber Security Agency organized a side event titled "Qatar's Successful Experience in Implementing the UN Norms for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace" on July 7, 2025, during the Eleventh Substantive Session of the Open-Ended Working Group. The event, he said, aimed to highlight Qatar's successful model in adopting UN cybersecurity standards through its achievements and implemented initiatives. The Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, referred to Qatar's participation in the Fourth Meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Cybersecurity, held on Sept. 8, 2025, in the sisterly State of Kuwait, during which 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 were approved.

As the echoes of artillery subsided and the dust of war lifted from Gaza's skies, over two million Palestinians began the arduous journey of reclaiming the breath of life, following months of systematic killing, starvation, and destruction of all basic living foundations.The recent Israeli war spared no corner of Gaza, its firepower devastated infrastructure, halted economic activity, and turned homes and shops into silent rubble, leaving residents grappling with harsh realities that test their resilience amid unhealed wounds.With the initial days of the ceasefire, life began to stir slowly and unevenly in Gaza's markets that had remained empty of people and goods during the aggression, after commercial crossings were closed and the Israeli occupation blocked the flow of food and essential supplies.As the shelling ceased and some displaced families began to return, tentative attempts at economic recovery emerged, yet they face immense obstacles due to the ongoing Israeli blockade and restrictions on merchandise movement.Today, Gaza's markets seem to awaken from beneath the ruins. Partially destroyed shops opened their doors amid streets littered with debris, while merchants attempted to arrange what remains of their goods on worn tables, hoping to attract customers exhausted by poverty and soaring prices.Although some essential goods gradually returned to markets, most Palestinian families continue to struggle to meet daily needs due to skyrocketed prices, low income, and lack of liquidity.The war's flames destroyed everything sustaining Gazans' livelihoods, thousands of shops shuttered, small factories were brought to standstill, and purchasing power fell to unprecedented levels. Even after the ceasefire, suffering remains etched on citizens' faces, who endure daily struggles for a basic meal while standing in long queues for limited aid that barely covers their needs.Qatari News Agency (QNA) toured central and local markets where the scene reflected a mix of hope and pain. Some shops resumed operations after owners repaired what could be salvaged, while others remained closed, consumed by destruction or deprived of financial resources.Items previously absent during the war, vegetables, certain fruits, legumes, canned goods, and staples such as rice, oil, sugar, flour, and cleaning materials, began pouring into markets.Yet prices remain high compared to pre-war levels, having surged to dozens of times their original value during the aggression. Fresh and frozen meats, dairy, and eggs remain scarce due to continued Israeli restrictions that limit their entry to sufficient quantities.Khaled Abu Mar'a, a food trader in Khan Yunis, said the markets witnessed some kind of relative recovery after the war's end, though still far from the minimum required to restart the local economy.People tried to bring in essential goods through commercial crossings immediately after the ceasefire took effect, but the Israeli occupation still prevents the entry of meat, dairy, eggs, and milk in normal quantities. Only extremely limited amounts reached the enclave, which sustained high prices and made it difficult for citizens to meet daily needs, Abu Mar'a told QNA.He affirmed that people come to the markets with hope, but leave empty-handed, shocked by prices. Today, the citizen must choose between buying a little food or saving the remaining money for medicine or cooking fuel.In the popular market of Deir al-Balah, the elderly Aliyan Faris walks with heavy steps, inspecting bags of grains and loaves of bread in small shops partially reopened, attempting to purchase some food for his grandchildren who lost their father during the war. Yet, he ultimately returns empty-handed, as soaring prices and scarce funds have made acquiring necessities nearly impossible.During the war, Gazans lived almost without food, dreaming of a single loaf of bread. After the shelling ceased, they hoped things would improve, but the reality had changed little, Faris told QNA. Faris added that he lost his job, his source of income, and his shop that once supported his family. Today, he survives on aid, which is hardly sufficient.Faris's story mirrors that of thousands of Gazan families who encountered the same fate. Many live in tents or partially destroyed houses, struggling to endure poverty, hunger, and cold, while no real signs of economic recovery are evident. Despite the ceasefire, the Israeli occupation persistently blocks the entry of aid into Gaza.Director of the Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Ismail Al Thawabta, emphasized that since the ceasefire took effect, only 1,000 humanitarian aid trucks have entered the Strip out of 6,600 agreed upon.The average number of trucks entering daily does not exceed 89, out of 600 that should enter regularly, reflecting the ongoing strangulation and starvation policy imposed on over two million Palestinians in the embattled Strip, he tells QNA.He highlighted that these quantities are insufficient by far, underlining the urgent requirement for a steady flow of aid, including food, medical, and relief supplies, as well as fuel and cooking gas to maintain essential services such as water, electricity, and health.Economist Ahmed Abu Qamar stated that economic data indicate only 15 percent of the enclave's actual market needs have been met since the war began, highlighting the depth of the crisis and the occupation's persistent economic trickle as a tool of collective pressure.Aid trucks roll into the enclave in dribs and drabs, literally in the dozens, far below the 600 trucks required to meet basic needs. This substantial gap has caused severe price fluctuations, supply disruptions, and made the local market hostage to political and field dynamics, Abu Qamar added.He noted that the recent slight decline in some prices has not materially improved living standards, with poverty exceeding 90 percent and unemployment reaching around 83 percent, among the highest globally.The partial closure of crossings and delays in aid delivery continue to impede any chance of Gaza's economic recovery, which reels from structural distortion due to the blockade and repeated wars.In a recent report, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics confirmed that Gaza has been mired in a maelstrom of unprecedented unemployment two years after the Israeli war. During the onslaught, unemployment exceeded 80 percent, driving the number of jobless to record levels and deepening the social and humanitarian crisis.The report highlighted that the war decimated Gaza's economic infrastructure almost entirely, where factories and production facilities ceased operations, and transport, communication, and energy networks were damaged, making the resumption of economic life extremely difficult.Despite weeks passing since the ceasefire, Gaza continues to endure the consequences of an unfinished war: destruction remains evident, the economy paralyzed, and Gazans struggle to survive amid hunger, blockade, and a lack of prospects.Today, Gazans attempt to rise from beneath the rubble with bare hands and hearts heavy with hope, aware that the road to recovery remains long and arduous as long as Israel persists in its policies of economic strangulation and deprivation.In Gaza, the war may have ended militarily, but it continues to rage in daily life, where people struggle each morning to prove that life can emerge even from the ashes.

The 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related summits kicked off today in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability.' The summit will continue until October 28, with the participation of leaders of ASEAN member states, in addition to representatives from partner countries such as China, the US, Japan, and India.Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized in his opening remarks the importance of strengthening regional cooperation in addressing global economic and geopolitical challenges.He said rising competition and increasing uncertainty are not only testing ASEAN's economies, but also ASEAN's collective resolve to maintain faith in cooperation. ASEAN's strength lies in the conviction that respect and rationality still bind member states together, he added.During the summit, leaders will discuss a range of key issues, including enhancing regional economic integration, stimulating sustainable economic growth, improving connectivity among ASEAN countries, and enhancing cooperation in the fields of the digital economy, clean energy, and artificial intelligence.Progress made in implementing the 18 key economic goals under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship will also be reviewed.The ASEAN summit comes at a sensitive time, as the region faces economic and geopolitical challenges that require a coordinated response from the member state countries. The discussions and decisions taken are expected to contribute to strengthening ASEAN's role as a key axis of stability and prosperity in the Southeast Asian region.

Chinese and US delegations convened in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday for talks on economic and trade issues, according to Xinhua news agency.China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that both sides would hold consultations on key matters concerning China-US economic and trade relations, in line with the important consensus reached between the two heads of state during their phone calls earlier this year.The Chinese delegation was led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, accompanied by Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang and Vice Minister of Finance Liao Min. The US delegation was headed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.Bessent and He Lifeng are negotiating to ease the recently escalated trade measures imposed by both countries on each other. The discussions are also expected to lay the groundwork for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for next Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea.

The summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump will take place, but will likely be postponed to a later date, said Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Russian president's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries.In an interview with CNN, Dmitriev, who is visiting the US, said that the meeting between Putin and Trump had not been canceled, as the US president described it, and that the two leaders will likely meet at a later date."I believe Russia and the US and Ukraine are actually quite close to a diplomatic solution," the Russian envoy said.Last week, US President Donald Trump announced that he would meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Hungary to try to end the war in Ukraine, before later announcing the cancellation of the summit.

Minister of Labour of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mohamed Abdel Aziz Gibran discussed with His Excellency Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Obaidli, Board Member of the Qatar Chamber, ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the economic and investment fields and to encourage Qatari investors to enter the Egyptian market. The two sides also reviewed Egypt's labor law during the meeting and explored mechanisms to overcome challenges facing investors in the Egyptian labor market. During the discussions, he reviewed the latest amendments to the Egyptian Labour Law, which include the establishment of an emergency fund to support workers and struggling companies, as well as the creation of an entity dedicated to training and upgrading workers' skills. He noted that the new law aims to foster a stimulating work environment conducive to investment and to support a secure and stable investment climate in Egypt. The meeting also reviewed the outcomes of the Minister's recent visit to Qatar, during which he met with representatives of the Qatari private sector. The visit resulted in positive understandings aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of labor, training, and employment. For his part, Al Obaidli praised the deep fraternal relations between Qatar and Egypt, affirming the Qatar Chamber's keenness to expand cooperation between the two countries across economic, commercial, and investment domains.