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The Shura Council participated in the parliamentary session as part of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Public Forum titled 'Promoting Multilateralism Through Digital Trade: What Role for Parliaments' organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in collaboration with the European Parliament, the session brought together parliamentarians and legislators from around the world, as well as representatives from the digital industry.HE member of the Shura Council Issa bin Ahmed al-Nasr represented the Council at this two-day event, which concluded at the WTO headquarters in Geneva. The parliamentary session discussed the contributions of parliamentarians and their role in formulating digital technology policies that promote inclusive growth and global cooperation, as well as modernizing trade governance.The session also highlighted the responsibilities of parliaments in designing legislation that supports cross-border digital trade, ensures equitable access for all, and reinforces the multilateral framework in an economy that increasingly utilizes digital technology.

The Shura Council participated in the parliamentary session as part of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Public Forum titled "Promoting Multilateralism Through Digital Trade: What Role for Parliaments" Organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in collaboration with the European Parliament, the session brought together parliamentarians and legislators from around the world, as well as representatives from the digital industry. His Excellency member of the Shura Council Issa bin Ahmed Al Nasr represented the Council at this two-day event, which concluded today at the WTO headquarters in Geneva. The parliamentary session discussed the contributions of parliamentarians and their role in formulating digital technology policies that promote inclusive growth and global cooperation, as well as modernizing trade governance. The session also highlighted the responsibilities of parliaments in designing legislation that supports cross-border digital trade, ensures equitable access for all, and reinforces the multilateral framework in an economy that increasingly utilizes digital technology.

Commercial Bank has signed a strategic agreement with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to enable Unified Payments Interface (UPI) QR code acceptance across its merchant network in Qatar. This milestone expands the global reach of UPI, strengthening its position as a trusted enabler of seamless cross-border digital payments. UPI is a widely used digital payment method in India, processing over 20bn transactions monthly as of August this year. Through this agreement, Commercial Bank will introduce UPI acceptance across its wide merchant base, offering customers reliable, real-time, and user-friendly payment options. The partnership will focus on broadening payment choices for Indian travellers elevating their payment experience across retail, hospitality, and F&B sectors.Shahnawaz Rashid, Executive General Manager and Head of Retail Banking, Commercial Bank said, “This collaboration with NPCI International reflects Commercial Bank’s commitment to innovation and responsiveness to market needs. UPI is a proven success in India, and we are proud to support its expansion in Qatar, enhancing convenience and customer experience across our network.”Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NPCI International, said, “We are happy to partner with Commercial Bank to expand UPI acceptance in Qatar. This collaboration will soon enable Indian travellers to experience the same convenience, simplicity and trust they experience when using UPI in India.” This agreement underlines Commercial Bank’s leadership in digital transformation, expanding secure and convenient payment solutions for customers while contributing to the future of cashless transactions in Qatar and NIPL’s commitment to expanding UPI’s global presence, enabling secure and convenient cross-border payments, advancing the future of cashless transactions.

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.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) Strategy 2025-30 focuses on environmental sustainability and digital transformation to ensure modern and inclusive transportation, a senior official has said.While talking to Qatar TV, Sheikha Dana bint Abdullah al-Thani, the head of the MoT’s Strategic Planning Department, said that the ministry’s strategy takes into account elements of environmental sustainability and digital transformation to ensure modern transportation that serves everyone.The MoT recently launched the strategy under the slogan Reaching Beyond Horizons.It features an ambitious roadmap focused on developing the transportation and mobility industry in Qatar and enhancing its role in economic growth, sustainability and innovation.The strategy is based on the ministry’s vision of “an integrated, secure, resilient, and sustainable transport ecosystem” and mission of “driving the development of the transport ecosystem towards high logistic efficiency while supporting the pillars of Qatar National Vision”.“The strategy is not limited to infrastructure, but rather focuses on people first and makes daily transportation a smoother and safer experience,” Sheikha Dana said. “The strategy takes into account elements of accessibility to serve everyone with high quality and sustainable efficiency.”One of the most prominent expected impacts of the strategy is reducing traffic congestion and travel time, which are hindrances to traffic safety, through developing roads and activating integrated public transportation while providing multiple flexible transportation options.These include public and smart transportation and bicycles in addition to improving air quality by reducing emissions and encouraging clean transportation methods.The MoT official said that the new strategy includes 42 initiatives and 152 projects.Sheikha Dana added that it represents a comprehensive roadmap for developing the country’s transportation sector, enabling economic growth through supporting logistics services and strengthening the mobility of people and goods as well as customer-centric services in addition to enhancing the utilisation of existing services and infrastructure.The projects and initiatives also ensure sustainability and resilience through policies and technologies that support reducing emissions and developing human capital.Sheikha Dana said that the strategy covers various transportation sectors including land and maritime transport.“There are supporting projects in the areas of digital transformation, sustainability and capacity development,” she stressed. “In its first phase, a group of vital projects and initiatives will be launched.”

Female participants have occupied an impressive “70%” of the training seats allocated to Qatari nationals last year by the Qatar Digital Academy (QDA), which has played a crucial role in advancing women’s leadership in the country’s digital sector.In its 2024 annual report, the QDA stated that Qatari women demonstrated strong dedication by filling “1,150” of the total training seats available to nationals. This, the report further stated, underlines the academy’s commitment to empowering women in technology, positioning the Middle East as a global leader in digital inclusion.According to the report, this significant female participation has contributed substantially to the region’s digital transformation efforts, reflecting the country’s progressive approach to building an inclusive digital workforce in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Digital Agenda 2030.The report noted that the academy has implemented a comprehensive evaluation framework to ensure training effectiveness, measuring key areas, including instructor expertise, virtual training delivery, training materials quality, learning effectiveness, return on investment, and learning environment.The annual report also revealed that participant satisfaction ratings have been exceptionally high across all metrics, with instructor evaluation scoring “94.21%”, course organisation achieving “91.69%”, and achievement of course objectives reaching “91.14%”.Training materials and content scored “90.21%”, while training delivery methodology achieved “89.90%”, resulting in an overall satisfaction score of “91.43%”.Meanwhile, the report stated that the academy’s success aligns with the sixth pillar of the Digital Agenda 2030, which aims to empower society to drive digital transformation and promote sustainable development.“At the core of QDA’s mission is empowering individuals and organisations, focusing on developing digital skills and nurturing local talent to ensure a workforce that is future-ready for the digital economy’s demands.“In 2024, QDA expanded its training programmes to include all workforce segments, including non-ICT professionals, contributing to enhanced digital proficiency across various sectors,” the report stated.It further explained: “This expansion aligns with the Digital Agenda’s ambitious goal of creating 26,000 new job opportunities by 2030 and increasing the percentage of the workforce employed in ICT to 10%, focusing on developing advanced digital skills and increasing the proportion of highly skilled workers,” the report stated.In the report, Duha al-Buhendi, director of the Digital Society and Digital Competencies Department at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), stressed that the academy’s decision to include non-ICT government employees has resulted in remarkable growth, with training programmes increasing by “94%” and awarded certifications rising by “150%.”“The QDA’s strategy focuses on empowering non-ICT employees with essential skills, such as cybersecurity, privacy management, and modern digital applications like artificial intelligence (Al), and cloud computing, enhancing their efficiency and transforming them into a more capable and future-ready workforce,” the report also stated.During the Web Summit Qatar held in February this year, al-Buhendi and Alex Dai, executive vice president at Huawei Gulf North, signed a partnership initiative to provide government employees with educational opportunities in crucial digital fields, including cloud computing, information technology, IoT, and other emerging digital technologies.“Under the terms of the partnership initiative, Huawei will provide digital training courses to government employees, granting them access to the Huawei Talent Platform. Employees will be able to create their own accounts and enrol in a diverse range of training programs, offering a flexible learning experience tailored to their professional needs and schedules,” the MCIT website stated.

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) has launched a pioneering proof of concept (POC), under its Digital Asset Lab, marking a significant step forward in the application of blockchain technology to Islamic finance.This development was enabled through the collaboration of a consortium of partners — AlRayan Bank, Blade Labs, and Hashgraph — each contributing unique expertise to a shared vision of financial innovation.The POC will demonstrate a blockchain-based digital receipt system (DRS) that can enhance transparency, efficiency, and regulatory compliance in Shariah-compliant asset-backed finance.The system will operate on HashSphere, a private permissioned distributed ledger technology (DLT) network built with Hedera technology, deployed on Google Cloud infrastructure provisioned through QFC’s lab.This initiative exemplifies a collaborative model where regulatory foresight, technical innovation, and domain expertise converge.The QFC serves as the orchestrator of the initiative, providing infrastructure support and subject matter expertise to guide the use case development.Hashgraph delivers and operates the underlying blockchain infrastructure, ensuring secure and scalable network performance, and Blade Labs leads the development of the DRS, including smart contracts and user interfaces tailored to Islamic finance use cases.AlRayan Bank plays a critical role in validating the system’s functionality, offering domain-specific insights and exploring commercialisation pathways, while Google Cloud enterprise-grade infrastructure is utilised for the initiative."Through our Digital Assets Lab, we’re proud to facilitate this pilot as a step forward in exploring how blockchain can bring greater efficiency and scalability to Shariah-compliant financial products. This initiative reflects our continued support for tokenisation, financial innovation, and collaboration aligned with the Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan," said QFC Authority chief executive officer Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida.Omar al-Emadi, acting Group chief executive officer of AlRayan Bank, said innnovation is a cornerstone of Islamic finance, and this initiative reflects its commitment to advancing Shariah-compliant financial solutions that meet the evolving needs of the market."Through our participation in this POC, we reaffirm our role in validating the system’s functionality and laying the groundwork for scalable, practical applications that can strengthen the future of Islamic finance while reinforcing Qatar’s position as a regional hub for financial innovation," he said.By participating in this POC, it is not only validating the system, but also helping pave the way for practical and scalable applications of blockchain technology in the Islamic finance sector, according to Houssam Itani, Group chief transformation officer, AlRayan Bank.Sami Mian, chief executive officer, Blade Labs, said the DRS POC will showcase that blockchain, smart contracts, and global identity standards can address the operational bottlenecks that currently prevent Islamic finance institutions from scaling certain Shariah-compliant asset-backed products."By providing a controlled environment to measure actual business outcomes, institutions can evaluate whether this technology approach solves problems worth solving before making larger commitments," he said.Eric Piscini, chief executive officer, Hashgraph, said it is built to deliver the trust, performance, and regulatory confidence that today’s financial systems demand."Backed by the scalability and security of Hedera’s enterprise-grade technology, this collaboration highlights how the right infrastructure can unlock new possibilities in both Islamic finance and broader financial innovation," according to him.

HE Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor al-Thani met with a delegation from Meta led by Head of Service Industries for the Middle East and Africa Joachim Marciano.Discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening co-operation to develop national talent, on the sidelines of a training programme organised by the GCO on digital advertising strategies in collaboration with leading global digital platforms.

HE Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani met with a delegation from Meta led by Head of Service Industries for the Middle East and Africa Joachim Marciano.Discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation to develop national talent, on the sidelines of a training program organised by the GCO on digital advertising strategies in collaboration with leading global digital platforms.

As part of its commitment to fostering a dynamic digital business ecosystem and supporting the growth of startups in their journey towards market readiness, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), signed co-operation agreements with six leading organisations to support the third cohort of TASMU Accelerator.The Cohort Champions include QNB, Deloitte, and Ooredoo, who will each award QR200,000 to three top-performing startups during the Demo Day, in recognition of their innovative solutions and their contribution to advancing Qatar's digital transformation.The Strategic Partners include Commercial Bank, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and Qatar Development Bank (QDB). Commercial Bank will provide free accounts to start-ups without a minimum deposit requirement, QFC will provide technical and business advisory services, support with licensing procedures, and offer incentives to companies nominated by the TASMU Accelerator, provided their activities fall within the scope of those authorised by or through QFC.QDB will ensure startups qualify for the Talent Community programme, in addition to offering up to six months of free housing and creating opportunities for co-investment through its investment arm.Speaking at the ceremony, Eman al-Kuwari, Director of the Digital Innovation Department at MCIT, said, "The signing of these agreements reflects our shared commitment to start-ups, and the importance of empowering them to generate tangible impact and succeed in building a business environment that fosters innovation."She emphasised the importance of institutional integration, knowledge exchange and collaboration with digital innovation leaders to support startups in expanding their operations and accelerating their entry into the local market through building a strong network of strategic partnerships with local and global institutions, reinforcing Qatar's position as a regional hub for digital innovation.These collaborations will further reinforce the progress of the TASMU Accelerator and consolidate its role as a leading national platform for supporting digital entrepreneurs. The programme has already gained broad international recognition, with its third cohort attracting more than 1,000 applications from 77 countries. This strong response underscores the accelerator's ability to attract top talent and innovative ideas from diverse markets, and to position itself as a gateway connecting global innovators with Qatar's entrepreneurial ecosystem.These agreements aim to strengthen the capacity of the third cohort of start-ups to enter the Qatari market, expand their operations and develop innovative solutions aligned with the Digital Agenda 2030 and the Qatar National Vision 2030, supporting the country's transition towards the digital economy.

The Government Communication Office (GCO) is organising a comprehensive course on 'Digital Advertising Strategies' for representatives from government and semi-government entities this week. The program aims to strengthen national competencies and enhance institutional communication teams' ability to effectively leverage digital tools and platforms for promotional campaigns in alignment with Qatar's national priorities.Running from Aug. 31 - Sept. 4, the course is being delivered in partnership with major international platforms, including Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok, Google, YouTube, X, Snapchat and Amazon.The course brings together 72 communication and media directors and officials from 44 government and semi-government entities across the country to develop strategic planning in digital advertising while building expertise in utilising global digital platforms"The Government Communication Office remains committed to developing our national workforce's skills and equipping them with the latest digital communication tools and knowledge," said HE GCO Director Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani. "This strengthens their ability to design and execute effective promotional campaigns that keep pace with the rapidly evolving global media landscape while supporting Qatar's comprehensive development, in line with our Third National Development Strategy."HE Sheikh Jassim emphasised the value of strategic partnerships with leading global institutions and digital platforms, noting: " Through such collaborations, we deliver targeted training programs that meet specific government sector requirements, bring world-class expertise to our local talent, ensuring they remain at the forefront of digital communication and advertising innovation."The five-day curriculum covers essential digital marketing foundations and best practices for the government sector, with a focus on developing content strategies. Participants will learn to strategically deploy these platforms in government campaigns to maximise reach, impact and communication effectiveness.The program includes practical workshops featuring case studies of successful Qatari government campaigns, allowing participants to analyse outcomes and identify proven strategies. Attendees will develop end-to-end digital campaigns that reflect national priorities, from initial planning and development through to performance measurement.This training course is part of a comprehensive professional development series organised by the GCO to enhance Qatar's institutional communication capabilities. The initiative focuses on building national expertise in media and digital advertising, positioning government communication as a strategic driver in achieving the Third National Development Strategy.

People mostly mix between digitisation and digitalisation. However, in business matters and services it would be very important to differentiate between digitisation and digitalisation.Understanding the key differences between these two terms is essential when formulating business strategy. Also, there are some legal implications here regarding data protection, authenticity of the docs for evidence purposes and acceptance before Courts.In brief, digitisation means to convert something into a digital format, and usually refers to encoding of data and documents. While, digitalisation means to convert business processes to use digital technologies, instead of similar things or offline systems such as paper or whiteboards.In a nutshell, digitisation refers to information, while digitalisation refers to processes.Appreciating the difference is important because they are genuinely different things to business matters, each requiring different resources, approaches and tools. Whether you are using the term digitise or digitalise, make sure you are referring to the right thing to avoid confusion, misunderstandings and could be legal repercussions.Digitisation is basically the process of taking analogue information, such as documents, sounds or photographs, and converting into a digital format that can be stored and accessed on computers, mobile phones and other digital devices.In business, digitisation may involve scanning old documents into PDFs, converting printed photographs into image files, or transforming printed reports into meaningful data that can be manipulated and analysed. Some digitisation projects may include going back over years of business records and information and converting them into a digital format for easy reference and other logistical purposes. The original content may be stored or destroyed, or may degrade over time, as in the case of magnetic tapes.In other cases, it may be that any new information being captured in a business is now created and stored primarily in a digital format, with any physical forms being only secondary copies. We have to mention that, the law regulates this process of keeping the old data and storing them in magnetic tapes. This is sensitive work to be undertaken by experienced personnel and requires careful attention, as courts may ask for them.For digitalisation, there is still some debate around the exact meaning, which means that people sometimes use it to describe digitisation. However, the general consensus is that digitalisation refers to the conversion of processes or interactions into their digital equivalents. And because all business processes and interactions involve people in some way, it would be more accurate to say that digitalisation is the reorganisation of these business activities around digital technologies.Examples include moving from sending physical letters via the postal service to using email, or from having in-person meetings to using online video conferencing tools. The Zoom meetings were very helpful and useful during Covid-19 and sure will continue for practical reasons.Digitalisation of a business is also likely to be an ongoing exercise, as new technologies emerge that allow further digitalisation of processes and interactions in many times and for many purposes.I believe, the distinction between digitisation and digitalisation is clear. However, the mixture is there which makes unnecessary confusion. Dr AbdelGadir Warsama Ghalib is a corporate legal counsel. Email: [email protected]