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Qatar Media Corporation announced the launch of a new economic television channel called QBC, the first of its kind in Qatar. The channel will broadcast in 4K and will be supported by accompanying digital platforms, providing in-depth economic coverage, connecting Qatar to global markets and audiences.**media[440217]**His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Media Corporation, said the launch responds to the nation’s ambition to support the national economy and highlight its growing achievements across key sectors. He noted that the channel will reflect developments across the Qatari, Gulf, and global economies, stressing that investment in media is a cornerstone of sustainable development for future generations. He added that the launch marks a strategic milestone in the Corporation’s media plan to expand its portfolio of specialised channels. Issa Abdullah Al Hetmi, Acting Director of QBC, said the channel’s test transmission will start on 5 May 2026 at 9:00 a.m. He added that QBC will feature a wide range of economic programmes and specialised news bulletins, with real-time reports and in-depth analysis spanning key sectors including energy, finance, technology, stock markets, and real estate. This will enhance its credibility among investors, decision-makers, and the wider public.**media[440218]**Al Hetmi said the channel marks a major milestone in strengthening business and economic journalism. He noted that QBC has brought in a hand-picked team of specialists, built a network of correspondents across leading global financial centres, and deployed the latest broadcast technologies to deliver accurate, exclusive content. He added that the channel has secured strategic partnerships with leading global economic agencies to provide direct market updates, further strengthening its standing as a pioneering platform that empowers audiences and opens up new horizons for future economic opportunities. Qatar Media Corporation said it remains committed to growing its portfolio of specialised media platforms to reflect national priorities and strengthen its professional presence across the media landscape, guided by a vision that responds to today’s needs while anticipating future opportunities. 

Dukhan Bank has reported a net profit of QR429.5mn in the first three months of 2026, leading to earnings per share of QR0.075. Total equity in Q1 2026 stood at QR15.6bn, reflecting a 2.5% increase from December 31, 2025. Net banking income reached QR687mn in Q1 2026. Despite challenging macroeconomic dynamics, Dukhan Bank continues to focus on revenue diversification and strengthening of non-finance income streams, along with prudent management of funding costs. Operational efficiency also remained a key strategic focus, with continued optimisation efforts enhancing overall profitability. Dukhan Bank expanded its asset base to reach the highest levels at QR126.5bn as of March 2026, an increase of 2% compared to December 31, 2025. The asset mix comprised financing assets, which stood at QR91.0bn, representing 72% of total assets. This was complemented by investment securities amounting to QR25.9bn, accounting for 21% of the total asset base. Reflecting Dukhan Bank’s strong credit risk discipline and proactive portfolio management, the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio stood at 4.2% as of March 2026 (December 2025: 4.2%). The Stage 3 coverage ratio remained strong at 75.7% (December 2025: 75.7%), further underscoring its robust approach to credit provisioning and risk mitigation. The bank maintained a strong capital position as of March 31, 2026. The total capital adequacy ratio stood at 19.1% (December 2025: 18.2%), comfortably above the Qatar Central Bank minimum requirement of 14.6%. Dukhan Bank continued to strengthen and diversify its funding base by leveraging its long-standing client relationships and maintaining a balanced maturity profile. Total deposits increased by 3.5 % to QR90.9bn, reaching historic levels that highlight customers’ confidence and the strength of the bank’s value chain. These developments supported a robust liquidity position, with the regulatory loan-to-deposit ratio improving to 95.4% (December 2025: 98.1%). Both the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) and Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) remained comfortably above regulatory thresholds throughout the year. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, executive board member and managing director, said Dukhan Bank delivered a solid financial performance in Q1 2026, building on the strong momentum established in recent periods and reflecting the underlying strength and resilience of the bank’s business model. He said, “Our results reflect a disciplined approach to growth, underpinned by a well-managed balance sheet, a diversified financing portfolio, and a stable funding base. Continued customer confidence and a clear focus on operational efficiency and asset quality remain central to sustaining this performance. “During the quarter, we also progressed our strategic priorities, particularly in digital transformation. The rollout of new capabilities, including QDI-integrated onboarding and enhancements to local transfer services through Tahweel, has strengthened convenience, speed, and accessibility across key customer touchpoints.” Sheikh Mohammed said the bank continued to deepen its engagement within the broader financial ecosystem through targeted partnerships and collaborations, supporting innovation across key areas while contributing to the development of Qatar’s digital economy. “These achievements are anchored in our commitment to strong governance, prudent risk management, and financial resilience, ensuring that our growth remains sustainable and aligned with our Islamic values. “Looking ahead, we will continue to build on this momentum, with a clear focus on disciplined execution, innovation, and long-term value creation, while supporting Qatar’s economic development in line with Qatar National Vision 2030,” he added. Recent geopolitical developments introduced a degree of uncertainty across the GCC, with potential implications for energy markets, trade flows, and regional economic activity. Within this context, Dukhan Bank has maintained stable operations, supported by a well-established operating framework, prudent risk management, and continued investment in digital capabilities. These factors have enabled the bank to provide consistent, secure, and reliable services to its customers. The bank’s Business Continuity and Crisis Management frameworks remained integral to its operational resilience. Through disciplined execution, robust infrastructure, and ongoing coordination with regulators and relevant stakeholders, the bank has ensured continuity of operations while maintaining a strong control environment. The Qatari banking sector continues to demonstrate sound fundamentals, characterised by strong capitalisation and liquidity. In response to recent developments, Qatar Central Bank has introduced a range of precautionary measures aimed at supporting liquidity conditions and preserving financial stability. These measures provide an additional layer of assurance for the continued smooth functioning of the financial system. Going forward, Dukhan Bank will continue to focus on maintaining prudent liquidity and capital positions, while supporting its customers and advancing its strategic priorities in a measured and disciplined manner. 

Doha Bank has reported net profit of QR234mn in the first quarter (Q1) of this year.However, the net earnings saw decrease of 6.8% compared with the corresponding period of 2025.Total assets reached QR121.2bn in Q1-2026, representing 5.1% increase on annualised basis. Net loans and advances increased by 14% year-on-year to QR70.5bn. Net operating income for the quarter was QR708.5mn.Customer deposits grew by 12.8% year-on-year to QR56.6bn in Q1-2026. The investment portfolio fell 4.1% year-on-year to QR35.1bn in the review period.“In light of the situation witnessed across the region during the first quarter, the bank worked in close and continuous coordination with the central bank to ensure full alignment with regulatory guidance and the stability of the financial system," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Fahad al-Thani, Doha Bank chairman.Abdulrahman bin Fahad bin Faisal al-Thani, Group chief executive officer, said the financial performance continues to improve as a result of several measures that have been implemented during the Himma transformation.“The bank continues to maintain stable capital and liquidity positions,” he said, highlighting that the common equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio reached 12.06% and the total capital adequacy ratio was strong at 17.86%.Liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) continues to be high at 138%. The total equity reached QR15bn, showing an increase of 2.6% compared with last year same period, according to him.As the region navigated the challenging environment, the bank has activated its well tested business continuity and crisis management frameworks to ensure uninterrupted operations and client service, he said."We maintain strong liquidity buffers, a diversified funding base, and capital levels well above regulatory requirements, providing resilience under stress scenarios. The management is conducting enhanced monitoring and frequent stress testing, while our governance and risk controls remain fully engaged to respond swiftly as conditions evolve," he added.Looking ahead, Doha Bank remains focused on innovation, sustainability, and responsible growth, continuing to support Qatar’s national priorities and reinforcing its role as a trusted financial partner in achieving the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030, according to Sheikh Mohammed.“These achievements mark the continuation of the transformative chapter for Doha Bank,” Sheikh Abdulrahman said, adding “we are building a future-ready financial institution that not only delivers shareholder value but contributes meaningfully to the national agenda - advancing Qatar’s knowledge economy, investing in our youth, supporting sustainability, and leading with digital innovation." 

B2Press has launched a fully self-service, end-to-end press release distribution platform that enables companies to distribute press releases with guaranteed media coverage in 75 countries and 24 languages, all in just four simple steps. Based in Amsterdam and operating globally since, B2Press pioneered the “pay-as-you-go” model in the PR industry. Now, with its new platform, the online PR service brings content creation, targeting, distribution, and performance reporting into a single, intuitive interface, allowing brands to manage global PR campaigns with the same ease and speed as making an online purchase. 10 years of expertise, now in self-service form“Marking our 10th anniversary, the launch of this new platform is a turning point, the most advanced representation of B2Press’s founding vision,” said Ediz Tokabaş, Managing Partner at B2Press.  “Our model, which we’ve refined over the past decade and enhanced with an unrivaled media network, is now more accessible than ever through technology and innovation. With this platform, brands can deliver press releases directly to journalists in specific markets, regions, or worldwide, backed by guaranteed coverage through collaborations with leading media outlets.”B2Press’s media network spans over 300,000 journalists via more than 30 leading global news agencies. Regional targeting options include Europe, the Americas, Asia, and MENA, alongside global or country-specific campaigns. Market-specific partnerships ensure placements in top-tier media outlets in each target region. A measurable return on public relations investmentHighlighting the value of professional media exposure, Tokabaş noted: “The average earned media value for campaigns is $8.3 for every dollar spent. Today, AI language models draw heavily from reputable news sources, making a brand’s digital presence more important than ever. Our platform ensures brands of any size, from startups and NGOs to multinationals, can appear in the most visited, most trusted outlets in their chosen markets.” B2Press’s transparent pricing model removes subscription commitments, hidden costs, and long negotiations, making premium PR access available on-demand. From targeting to reporting in 4 steps From content creation and audience targeting to distribution and performance reporting, the entire PR process is managed seamlessly on a single platform, which combines transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing with a payment system that supports the world’s most popular payment networks. This opens the door to professional media access for everyone making impactful PR both accessible and affordable. The process for B2Press’ newly launched platform is straightforward. After creating an account in less than 10 seconds for free, the users choose the target markets and preferred distribution package. Then they upload their press releases or request B2Press’s editorial services, including translation or localization. Finally, users launch the campaign and track guaranteed results through a powerful dashboard with white-label reporting options for agencies and corporate teams. Add-ons include exclusive market agreements and enhanced visibility options for brands looking to amplify their reach further. 

QNB Group’s Q4-2025 net profit increased 2% year-on-year (y-o-y) to reach QR17.0bn ($4.7bn), as announced during the board of directors meeting Tuesday.Profit before Pillar Two Taxes reached QR18.4bn ($5.1bn), up by 10% y-o-y. Operating income increased by 8% to reach QR4.8bn ($12.3bn), reflecting the group’s ability to maintain successful growth across a range of revenue sources.Total assets as on December 31, 2025, reached QR1,391bn ($382bn), a 7% y-o-y increase, mainly driven by growth in loans and advances by 12% to reach QR1,018bn ($280bn).Customer deposits increased by 8% to reach QR955bn ($262bn) from December 31, 2024, as a result of the successful diversification of deposit generation from QNB’s network presence.QNB Group’s efficiency (cost-to-income) ratio stood at 23.3%, which is considered “one of the best ratios” among large financial institutions in the MEA region.The ratio of non-performing loans to gross loans stood at 2.6% as on December 31, 2025, “one of the lowest” amongst financial institutions in the MEA region, reflecting the high quality of the group’s loan book and the effective management of credit risk. In addition, the loan loss coverage ratio stood at 100%, which reflects the prudent approach adopted by the group towards non-performing loans.Total equity increased to QR125bn ($34bn), up by 10% y-o-y. Earnings per share reached QR1.74 ($0.48).QNB Group’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) as on December 31, 2025 amounted to 19.3%. Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) and Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) for the same period amounted to 144% and 105%, respectively. These ratios are higher than the regulatory minimum requirements of the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) and Basel III reforms requirements.The board of directors have recommended to the General Assembly the distribution of a cash dividend of 37.5% of the nominal share value (QR0.375 per share) for the second half of the year ended December 31, 2025, after taking into account the record net profit reported by QNB Group for the financial year 2025.The total dividend distribution for the year ended December 31, 2025, amounts to 72.5% of the nominal share value (QR0.725 per share).The annual financial results for 2025, along with the proposed profit distribution, are subject to QCB approval and the General Assembly. 

As the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 concluded, Vodafone Qatar successfully delivered on its role as the Official Technology Sponsor, supporting the tournament with connectivity solutions that enabled seamless fan experiences and smooth tournament operations.Vodafone Qatar’s advanced network infrastructure supported more than 2mn subscribers, delivering nationwide 5G coverage, high-speed fibre connectivity, and secure communication links across tournament venues. Fans, visitors, and organisers benefited from reliable services that enhanced both match-day experiences and overall tournament operations.During match periods, users made over 17mn minutes of voice calls and consumed more than 1,600TB of data. Despite this high traffic, the network maintained consistently high availability and performance, achieving a 99.9% call setup success rate (CSSR), ensuring uninterrupted access for fans, broadcasters, and organisers.Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim al-Thani, CEO of Vodafone Qatar, said: “Vodafone Qatar is committed to supporting the country’s efforts in hosting world-class sports events, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030. Through continued investment in advanced connectivity infrastructure, we continue to foster a healthier society and enhance how people experience and participate in sporting activities.”The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 underscored the country’s commitment to sporting excellence, innovation, and global connectivity. Vodafone Qatar remains dedicated to supporting major sporting events and strengthening community connections through cutting-edge technology.To find out more about Vodafone Qatar’s products, services, and sponsorships, visit www.vodafone.qa 

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), in partnership with the National Planning Council, is conducting the National Immunization Coverage Survey in the State of Qatar. The fieldwork for this survey will take place from Sept. 24 to Dec. 24, 2025. This National Immunization Coverage Survey is the first of its kind in the country. It aims to scientifically and systematically measure vaccination coverage rates and their related determinants. The survey is designed to strengthen health security and ensure the continued provision of the highest levels of protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. The survey targeted a random sample of more than 11,000 households, representing all residents of Qatar, both citizens and expatriates, who have children aged between one year and under seven years. Data will be collected from the children's guardians through home visits and by reviewing their vaccination cards. The Ministry of Public Health held a press conference today, to announce the survey, during which the Director of the Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control Department at the Ministry, Dr. Hamad Eid Al Rumaihi, Director of Statistical Operations at the National Planning Council Saud Matar Al Shammari, spoke. Dr. Hamad Eid Al Rumaihi said, "This national survey reaffirms the Ministry of Public Health's commitment to protecting individuals and society in Qatar from health risks related to vaccine-preventable communicable diseases." He added: "The survey results will provide a comprehensive national database that will help develop the national immunization program, improve vaccination outreach to all targeted groups in Qatar, and continue making progress in addressing challenges." For his part, Saud Matar Al Shammari confirmed that all preparations have been completed for the commencement of the fieldwork, noting that participating researchers have received intensive training to ensure the quality of data collection and to guarantee genuine representation of the various segments of Qatari society. He stressed that all data collected will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. He added: "Immunizing children directly contributes to achieving the third Sustainable Development Goal (Good Health and Well-being) by reducing deaths and diseases that vaccines can prevent. It is an effective and cost-efficient health intervention to strengthen health systems and achieve universal health coverage." The survey will be implemented in collaboration with the World Health Organization and in accordance with international standards adopted in this field, ensuring the data quality and the reliability of the results. This collaboration also extends the strategic partnership between the MoPH and the National Planning Council, which has previously resulted in the implementation of several national health surveys, such as the National Survey for Measuring Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases, the National Ageing Survey, and other surveys that have provided essential data to support and develop health policies and services in Qatar. It is worth mentioning that the National Immunization Program at the MoPH, established in 1979, continues to develop its services regularly. Vaccinations are free of charge at 31 health centers affiliated with the Primary Health Care Corporation and 71 private health institutions. The national immunization schedule includes 15 vaccines that protect against 17 diseases, from birth up to 18 years of age. The Ministry of Public Health invites all families participating in the survey to fully cooperate with the field teams and researchers. Participation in this survey is an essential national contribution towards building a healthy and safe future for our children. The public may contact the unified health sector call center at (16000) for any inquiries regarding the survey and its field team.

Universal healthcare coverage for all citizens is a challenge for all governments. The better the treatment and freer the access, the longer the waiting lists. There is invariably a case of finite resources trying to meet demand that is effectively infinite, or at least inexorably rising. Healthcare inflation has outstripped general inflation, reaching 10-12% in many countries, and people’s expectations of both availability of health services and the standard of care rise. Also, increased life expectancy can mean that people are living longer, but sometimes with chronic conditions. Qatar is pursuing a smart policy of boosting private sector healthcare and health tourism while maintaining universal coverage. Can it square the circle of combining quality and accessibility? So the approach of Qatar merits attention. Health is a national priority beneath the Qatar Vision framework. State provision is of a high standard, through the Hamad Medical Corporation. The HMC runs the country’s principal not-for-profit hospital, the Hamad General Hospital, which is to be the subject of a major three-year renovation programme. While services will remain open during the refurbishment, some outpatient and inpatient services will be relocated. Renovation will include upgrading buildings for inpatients. There will be single rooms, higher standard facilities and investment in new technology. During the renovation, Ministers have perceived an opportunity to maintain or enhance health services for citizens and expats, while boosting the private sector and developing health tourism. In May HE the Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud met representatives of the insurance sector, as part of a policy to encourage the development of health insurance. In 2013-2015 the Government set up a state-run insurance scheme called SEHA, but there were problems with costs and over-claiming, subsequently it perceives partnership with private insurance providers as a superior approach. Meanwhile, the Government has signed contracts with four private sector hospitals to provide treatment for uninsured patients on public hospital waiting lists. The state will pick up the cost in full. This reduces waiting lists while helping to develop private sector provision, in terms of both quality and scale. An additional advantage in developing a strong private medical sector is to make Qatar a favoured destination for health tourism. This was confirmed at the Qatar Economic Forum 2025, held in May, where HE Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, the Chairman of Qatar Tourism, said that positioning Qatar as a destination for health tourists was a strategic aim. Major investment in hotels, transport facilities and other key aspects of infrastructure in preparation for the FIFA World Cup in 2022 means that facilities in the country are world class. In addition, there is a high-quality, well-regarded national airline. Private sector hospitals have high-standard facilities and highly skilled doctors, helped by a favourable visa programme. Health spending has reached 12% of the national budget, which is high by international standards. There is investment in technology, including specialist AI applications that can help with diagnosis and treatment. Qatar is preparing a medical visa programme, to smooth the bureaucracy for a health tourist visitor. Omar al-Jaber, head of the Tourism Development Sector at Visit Qatar, has stated that this measure will encourage visitors for wellness and preventative treatments at resorts, as well as advanced medical procedures such as surgical operations. All the elements are in place for Qatar to compete directly with other nations that attract health tourists, such as Singapore, Dubai and Thailand. This sector is long-established globally, and has become diversified to include wellness destination and places for recuperation. Qatar now hosts a centre, the Zulal Wellness Resort, run by the Chiva-Som branded wellness retreat, established in Thailand 30 years ago. In terms of tourism, Qatar has been successful in attracting visitors for stopover tours, helped by the high reputation of Qatar Airways and the geographical location of the Gulf in between major continents. Health tourism and wellness stays would typically be longer than the four or five days of a stopover visit. Attention has been paid to every aspect of a tourist’s visit: transport infrastructure, quality of hotels, friendliness of welcome, cleanliness of resorts, personal security and quality of attractions. There is a target for the Qatar state to attract 6mn-7mn visitors by 2030, with tourism reaching 15% of GDP. Helped by investment in healthcare as well as infrastructure for vacation visits, this is looking like a feasible target. The author is a Qatari banker, with many years of experience in the banking sector in senior positions.