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Key officials from the Philippines’ public and private sectors expressed collective optimism about robust investment collaboration with Qatar in tourism, agriculture, transportation, and trade.Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2025, Department of Tourism (DoT) Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar underscored the country’s unified presence in the event’s fourth edition, which will run until November 24 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).“Our participation in the event reflects the Department of Tourism’s keenness to not only promote the Philippines as a tourism destination but also to include halal tourism and Muslim-friendly tourism as our offering to the people of Qatar,” Valderrosa-Abubakar pointed out.**media[385855]**She added that the DoT’s participation, in partnership with the Embassy of the Philippines in the State of Qatar, was part of a broader effort to highlight the country’s readiness to welcome Muslim travellers and showcase its diverse tourism portfolio.From the provincial front, Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S Oaminal emphasised the natural attractions of Northern Mindanao as a key draw for international visitors. He said: “We have development initiatives on both our mountain and coastal areas; we have a beach resort that is multi-inspired because it has an ocean villa presentation and dolphin islands nearby.”He explained that tourism promotion was being positioned alongside trade and agriculture to strengthen ties with Qatar, noting that inbound missions from Doha to Mindanao could be complemented by outbound delegations from the province of Misamis Occidental.Meanwhile, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Enunina V Mangio highlighted the chamber’s direct engagement with Qatari counterparts.**media[385856]**“That’s why we’re bringing a group of individuals who are all engaged in different sectors, and we will try to match them with their counterparts in Qatar,” Mangio explained, adding that the PCCI is keen on sharing best practices, technology transfer, partnerships, and investment exchange.Today (November 25), the PCCI is meeting officials of Qatar Chamber to discuss co-operation relations and networking. The Philippine delegation comprises 40 people representing about 30 companies across sectors such as labour, real estate, monorails, construction, and water technology, Mangio noted.Aside from Qatar Chamber, Mangio said the PCCI delegation is expected to hold meetings with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Qatar Investment Authority, and tourism authorities.Mangio emphasised that the Philippines is ready to deepen its partnership with Qatar, leveraging tourism as a gateway to trade and investment, while ensuring that the PCCI will highlight the key role that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and regional provinces play in strengthening Qatar-Philippines investment ties.

The Smart City Expo Doha, slated from November 25-26 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), will focus on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in fields such as mobility, design, and urban management.During the event, more than 30 international experts will discuss how technological advances will help develop and transform cities in the Middle East to make them more efficient, sustainable, and liveable. Under the slogan ‘Beyond Connectivity: A Digital Solutions Pathway to a Smarter, Thriving Future’, Smart City Expo Doha 2025 will feature five main thematic areas: ‘Intelligent Digital Innovation’, ‘Disruptive Technology’, ‘Digital Economies and Talent of the Future’, ‘Connected Infrastructures’, and ‘Government of the Future’.Among the most prominent speakers is Kent Larson, an MIT professor specialising in urban design, microhousing, and autonomous mobility, who will provide his vision of how technology and human vision can shape the cities of the future. Meanwhile, AI and innovation expert Jesus Serrano will focus on how to use new technologies to achieve real and effective solutions. Reem al-Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Industry Affairs at the MCIT, will discuss the Qatari government’s strategy on urban transformation.Ghanim al-Muftah, a Qatari entrepreneur and FIFA ambassador who suffers from a disease that limits his mobility, will share his powerful testimony of resilience as well as his vision for inclusive design with attendees. The event, organised by Fira de Barcelona and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), will be featured at the inaugural Mobile World Congress (MWC) Doha, also happening at the DECC.Organised by the GSMA, in collaboration with MCIT, the first MWC event in the Mena region is expected to bring together more than 200 speakers and more than 200 exhibitors. The Smart City Expo World Congress is the world’s leading event on smart cities, bringing together 1,190 companies, 600 experts, and over 27,000 visitors in its latest edition, held in Barcelona two weeks ago.The Doha edition is part of the programme of local editions of this event that Fira organised outside Spain in 2025, including those in New York (the US), Curitiba (Brazil), Puebla (Mexico), Santiago del Estero (Argentina), Santiago de Chile (Chile), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Cartagena de Indias (Colombia), and Tuesday.City in Shanghai (China).

Qatar Development Bank (QDB) kicked off Monday the 11th edition of the ‘Rowad Entrepreneurship Conference’, which will run until November 19 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).Organised in collaboration with the Young Entrepreneurs Club, the three-day event will also host the second ‘Young Entrepreneurs Media Forum’, featuring participation from government and private organisations, media professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs.His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani led the opening ceremony of the conference, which carries the theme ‘Beyond Boundaries: Scaling, Sustaining, and Succeeding’.The event is held under the patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani.QDB CEO Abdulrahman bin Hesham al-Sowaidi said, “Today’s opening clearly demonstrates Rowad’s pivotal role in supporting entrepreneurship and fostering innovation and creative thinking at the national and regional levels.“The direct connections we've seen between companies and investors, and the knowledge sharing among experts and entrepreneurs, showcase this platform’s unique ability to forge new pathways for collaboration across Qatar's business ecosystem.”He added: “Rowad’s core mission is to create an environment where companies can access the knowledge, relationships, and opportunities they need to thrive. We want every innovator to gain valuable insights into market dynamics, enabling them to plan strategically and grow with confidence.”According to QDB, this year’s theme charts a strategic course for entrepreneurship, emphasising excellence in business model development, market expansion, and leveraging sustainability and innovation as competitive differentiators that attract investment.The 2025 edition offers a rich and diverse programme, including a startup exhibition that features innovative solutions from 120 local and international companies. The conference hosts over 100 speakers and experts, more than 30 specialised workshops, and 15 panel discussions organised across four thematic tracks.The sessions tackle critical topics for Qatar’s entrepreneurial ecosystem: strategies for scaling operations and entering new markets, leveraging global demand to refine products and services, prioritising sustainability, and embracing innovative solutions.An interactive pitch platform allows entrepreneurs to present their ventures to investors and explore funding opportunities, while dedicated meetings between startups and investors facilitate partnership building and investment discussions.The conference enjoys strong institutional support, with strategic partners including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, alongside strategic sponsor QNB Group.The 11th edition of Rowad builds on the conference’s established track record, strengthening Doha’s position as a dynamic innovation hub and premier entrepreneurship destination. Rowad is held as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).

His Excellency the Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad al-Mahmoud inaugurated the second edition of Qatar’s International Healthcare and Medical Exhibition and Conference (Qatar Medicare). Qatar Medicare brings together 100 local and international companies under one roof, 64 local and 36 international exhibitors.Organised by IFP Qatar in collaboration with Qatar Chamber (QC) and held under the patronage of the Ministry of Public Health, the event continues until Thursday, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).Chair of the Health Committee at Qatar Chamber Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani said: “The Qatar Chamber is committed to achieving self-sufficiency in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors. Qatar Medicare reflects the strong public-private collaboration driving Qatar’s healthcare landscape.”According to estimates by Fitch Solutions, a subsidiary of Fitch Ratings, Qatar’s healthcare sector is projected to experience accelerated growth, with total health expenditure expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 14% by 2029, reaching $11.5bn (QR41.86bn).This expansion is set to position Qatar as the third-largest healthcare market in the GCC and the tenth-largest in the Mena region.Commercial and Operations Director at IFP Qatar Hayat Bayan commented: “Qatar Medicare includes daily one-on-one meetings between exhibitors, visitors, and major hospitals from both the public and private sectors, in addition to panel discussions and workshops featuring more than 55 speakers, 25 presentations, five dialogue sessions, four workshops, training sessions, and an Open Stage segment that allows professionals two minutes each to share their work and expertise. The event will conclude with the Qatar Medicare 2025 Healthcare Excellence Awards, honouring 15 categories of outstanding healthcare institutions and individuals.”Dr Hadi Mohamad Abu Rasheed, Scientific Advisor at Qatar Cancer Society and member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the International Cancer Patients Alliance, emphasised: “The QCS is participating as a Silver Sponsor to enhance its awareness efforts on cancer prevention, early detection, and the importance of public education.”“It will also explore the latest technologies and potential partnerships to improve and innovate healthcare practices, contributing to raising community awareness and improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families,” he said.

The Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) is set to host Big 5 Construct Qatar, specialized in the construction sector, concurrently with INDEX Design Qatar, dedicated to interior design and fit-out solutions, with the participation of 25-plus countries. Running from Oct. 14 to 16, the two expos constitute a prime platform to showcase state-of-the-art products and innovative solutions in the areas of construction and interior decor, providing stakeholders and participants with an opportunity to foster collaboration and exchange knowledge, in terms of domestic perspectives and international expertise. They are expected to contribute to shaping the future contours of the construction sector and advancing the path of sustainable growth in Qatar, in addition to attracting dozens of domestic and international brands, showcasing the latest products, cutting-edge solutions, systems, and services from over 25 countries, including China, India, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. Thousands of visitors and specialists in the construction and design sectors are expected to pour into these events, particularly contractors, architectural engineers, entrepreneurs of ventures, alongside interior fit-out specialists, finishing experts, and distributors. The organization of these two major events comes at a time when the construction sector in Qatar is strikingly thriving, foremost among them the implementation of a mammoth project to advance infrastructure valued at QR81 billion under the superintendence of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) during the period 2025-2029. The project in question intends to develop the transportation sector, public facilities, as well as urban spaces, water systems, and beyond.