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The ICAI Doha Chapter recently organised a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) session titled ‘Deep Dive into IFRS 18 Requirements’, gathering over 120 finance and audit professionals.In his opening remarks, ICAI chairperson Kishore Alex shared glimpses of completed and upcoming technical sessions and member engagement programmes.The technical session on IFRS 18 was led by Uzair Jokhio Mohammad, director – Audit & Assurance, Deloitte, and Ajay Tripathi, director – Audit & Assurance, Deloitte.Both experts provided a comprehensive analysis of IFRS 18 implementation, key disclosure requirements, expected challenges, and the strategic impact on financial reporting. The session also included interactive discussions and practical insights, making it highly beneficial for industry professionals.The chapter also congratulated Shanavas Bava, who has been appointed as a community adviser by the Ministry of Labour. His remarkable achievement marked not just a personal milestone but a moment of collective pride for the entire ICAI Doha Chapter.ICAI Doha Chapter also celebrated International Men’s Day by presenting gifts to all male members attending the session, acknowledging their role in creating a balanced and progressive community.In the concluding address, secretary Dewaki Nandan Tibrewal thanked the speakers for their expertise and time, as well as Deloitte for their support, and acknowledged sponsors, volunteers, and attendees for making the event a success. 

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) – Doha Chapter recently organised a CPE session titled ‘Investing Right: From Regulations to Real Estate’, bringing together 140 participants comprising finance and investment professionals.The session was inaugurated by Doha Chapter chairperson Kishore Alex, who emphasised the chapter’s commitment to equipping members with current knowledge on global financial and regulatory trends. The event featured two speakers who offered complementary perspectives on regulatory reforms and investment avenues.BNW Developments chairman and founder Ankur Aggarwal shared expert insights on ‘Real Estate Investment Opportunities in the GCC and India – Scope and Growth’. Drawing on his extensive real-estate experience, Aggarwal discussed key growth sectors, sustainable development trends, and regulatory enablers driving property markets across India and the Gulf. He also highlighted practical strategies for investors to evaluate projects, manage risk, and capitalise on the robust investment outlook in both regions.Jomon K George, founder and managing partner, JVR & Associates and former chairman of SIRC of ICAI, delivered an in-depth presentation on ‘India Update – FEMA, Taxation and ICAI Regulatory Developments’.He elaborated on India’s macroeconomic strength, the new Income Tax Act 2025, non-resident taxation updates, the changing regulatory landscape under NFRA and BRSR, and the evolving expectations from the chartered accountant profession in the digital era. His session provided members with practical clarity on the cross-border compliance framework and its implications for Indian professionals abroad.The event also featured a felicitation ceremony for the recently qualified chartered accountants from the September 2025 examination at the Doha examination centre. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by vice-chairperson Arun Somanath, who acknowledged the speakers, sponsors, and volunteers.

Startup Grind Doha Chapter recently hosted the ‘All Star Pitch Battle’, highlighting the strength and creativity of Qatar’s startup ecosystem, with over 150 people from the ecosystem attending the event held at Qatar Chamber’s headquarters in Lusail.The event, held in partnership with the Youth Entrepreneurship Club (YEC) and Qatar Chamber, and sponsored by Builders VC Mena, underscored Qatar’s growing position as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, aligning with the nation’s vision of cultivating a vibrant and globally competitive startup landscape.The journey began with 51 startups in Qatar applying, of which 21 were selected to pitch at the event. The pitch battle is part of a global Startup Grind programme, held across more than 150 chapters worldwide, uniting founders and innovators from diverse markets on one global stage.The following are the winners of the Doha edition: Be My Sense (first place), PitchPro.me (second place), paintit.ai (third place), and Meta Souq (Most Creative Pitch Award). Be My Sense received $1,500, a trophy, and advanced to represent Qatar in the regional semi-finals.Be My Sense stood out for its impactful solution, an AI-powered platform designed to empower the hearing-impaired community. Through real-time sign language translation, the platform breaks communication barriers in education, entertainment, and daily life, placing accessibility at the heart of digital innovation.Tarik Sultan of Builders VC Mena said: “The All Star Pitch Battle showcased the ambition and originality that’s defining Qatar’s emerging startup ecosystem. The entrepreneurs who took the stage were not simply presenting ideas; they were offering solutions with the potential to scale globally. At Builders VC Mena, we believe platforms like this are critical in giving founders the visibility, networks, and confidence to translate vision into lasting value.”YEC vice-president Abdulrahman Tariq al-Emadi said: “Our partnership with Startup Grind Doha in the All Star Pitch Battle reflects our commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs in Qatar.“By providing a platform for startups to showcase their talent, we are helping to inspire innovation, build confidence, and strengthen the foundations of a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.”The competition was judged by Sultan, Alina Truhina of A-typical Ventures, Hayfa al-Abdulla (Qatar Science & Technology Park), Omair Alnaimi (Ministry of Communications and Information Technology), Marcel Dridje (EBAN GCC Ambassador), Firas Sleiman (Kaic), and Majed Lababidi (Alchemist Doha).Startup Grind Doha director Indica Amarasinghe said: “The All Star Pitch Battle was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of the incredible talent and creativity in Qatar’s startup ecosystem. We are proud to provide a platform for these entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and connect with global opportunities.”

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Doha Chapter has organised a knowledge session on value added tax or VAT, e-invoicing and in-country value (ICV) readiness, engaging participants to deepen their understanding of evolving taxation and regulatory frameworks in the country.The event featured two speakers from MBG Corporate Services. Peeyush Joardar, chief executive officer, Indirect Taxation, delivered an insightful presentation on VAT and e-invoicing compliance, emphasising global best practices and their implications for businesses in Qatar, while Prashan Begwani, partner (Audit and Assurance Services), elaborated on ICV readiness and advisory, explaining how organisations can align their operations with Qatar’s strategic economic objectives.The interactive session saw active engagement from participants, who raised pertinent queries on VAT implementation challenges, digital invoicing systems, and practical approaches to ICV certifications which were addressed by both speakers.The event commenced with a solemn remembrance of TN Manoharan, a distinguished chartered accountant who passed away on July 30 in India.