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Qatar has cemented its place among the world’s most competitive economies by ranking second globally in the labour market index of the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook — a landmark achievement underlining its success in attracting talent, strengthening business efficiency and advancing Qatar National Vision 2030.  Economists said the ranking reflected the strength and flexibility of the national economy, sustained labour reforms, digital transformation, modern infrastructure and improvements in government services and the investment environment.  Qatar Chamber Acting General Manager Ali Bu Sherbak al-Mansori said the achievement demonstrated the success of economic policies and legislative and regulatory reforms introduced in recent years. These had helped build a competitive labour market that safeguarded the rights of both workers and employers.  He told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the ranking would bolster local and international business confidence in Qatar’s stable and transparent investment environment, supported by advanced infrastructure and business-friendly legislation.  Al-Mansori said the private sector was benefiting directly through easier access to specialised talent and expertise, enabling Qatari companies to grow, expand and compete regionally and internationally.  The ranking would also support the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.  He said Qatar Chamber would continue working with government bodies to strengthen public-private partnerships and create a more competitive and sustainable business environment.  The achievement follows the National Planning Council’s announcement on June 23 that Qatar ranked first regionally and among the world’s five leading economies for economic resilience in the same 2026 IMD yearbook.  Qatar also ranked first globally for its balance of trade and recorded the world’s lowest unemployment, youth unemployment and long-term unemployment rates, while maintaining one of the highest national savings rates.  Economic expert Dr Abdullah al-Khater said Qatar’s latest ranking resulted from sustained efforts to improve the working environment, implement labour market strategies and develop business incubators, research centres and educational institutions supporting skills and human capital.  He said Qatar’s hosting of major sporting and economic events had equipped young people and public and private institutions with valuable practical, technical and organisational expertise.  This had helped attract international talent, companies and investment. Al-Khater added that Qatar’s growing competitiveness would accelerate the adoption of modern management practices and digital transformation, saving time and resources while advancing the country’s development agenda.  The milestone builds on Qatar’s strong performance across several international indices. In the 2025 Global Peace Index, it ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 27th globally among 163 countries, improving by two places.  It was also rated eighth globally and first in the Arab world among the safest and most socially peaceful countries.  Qatar entered the global top 10 of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook for the first time in 2025, ranking ninth overall. Its Business Efficiency ranking rose from 11th to fifth, while it retained seventh place in both Economic Performance and Government Efficiency.  The country also advanced three places in infrastructure and ranked among the top 20 of the 69 economies covered by the 2025 IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking.  It has secured strong positions in indices covering innovation, healthcare, food security, digital transformation, public transport and soft power.  GCC-Stat said Qatar’s second-place labour market ranking reflected the market’s efficiency, attractiveness and ability to draw skilled professionals.  It added that the wider GCC results demonstrated the success of economic policies and structural reforms aimed at improving business environments and promoting sustainable development.  The Switzerland-based IMD publishes the World Competitiveness Yearbook annually, assessing participating economies across Economic Performance, Government Efficiency, Business Efficiency and Infrastructure.  The report is widely used by policymakers, investors and business leaders.

Kuwait Bourse closed trading on Sunday as the All Share Index lost 4.11 points to reach 8,775.99 points, a decrease of 0.05 percent. As many as 780.3 million shares valued at KWD 138.2 million (roughly USD 483.7 million) were traded via 38,117 transactions. The Main Market Index went up by 63.12 points to reach 8,491.54 points, an increase of 0.75 percent, through 551.5 million shares done via 26,978 transactions valued at KWD 73.8 million (roughly USD 225 million). The Premier Market Index lost 21.09 points to reach 9,280.56, down by 0.23 percent, through 228.8 million shares done via 11,139 transactions valued at KWD 64.3 million (roughly USD 196.11 million). Meanwhile, the bourse Main 50 Index went down by 32.31 points to reach 8,712.31 points, a decrease of 0.37 percent, through stock volume of 348 million shares done in 14,844 deals at a value of KWD 48.3 million (roughly USD 169 million).

Kuwait Bourse closed trading on Thursday as the All Share Index lost 31.48 points to reach 8,780.10 points, a decrease of 0.36 percent. As many as 695.9 million shares valued at KWD 126.4 million (roughly USD 385.5 million) were traded via 33,042 transactions. The Main Market Index rose 4.77 points to reach 8,428.42 points, up by 0.06 percent, through 452.6 million shares done via 22,357 transactions valued at KWD 59.15 million (roughly USD 180.4 million). The Premier Market Index lost 42.08 points to reach 9,301.65 points, down by 0.45 percent, through 243.3 million shares done via 10,685 transactions valued at KWD 67.3 million (roughly USD 205.2 million). Meanwhile, the bourse Main 50 Index gained 0.49 points to reach 8,744.62 points, up by 0.01 percent, through stock volume of 255.9 million shares done in 11,841deals at a value of KWD 36.5 million (roughly USD 111.3 million).

Kuwait Bourse closed trading on Sunday as the All Share Index gained 68.20 points to reach 8,784.83 points, an increase of 0.78 percent. As many as 514.3 million shares valued at KWD 104.6 million (roughly USD 319 million) were traded via 24,040 transactions.The Main Market Index went up by 66.27 points to reach 8,002.73 points, up by 0.84 percent, through 316.9 million shares done via 15,462 transactions valued at KWD 46.19 million (roughly USD 140.8 million).The Premier Market Index gained 72.05 points to reach 9,413.99 points, up by 0.77 percent, through 197.3 million shares done via 8,578 transactions valued at KWD 58.4 million (roughly USD 178.12 million).Meanwhile, the bourse Main 50 Index went up by 80.86 points to reach 8,251.41 points, up by 0.99 percent, through stock volume of 250 million shares done in 10,531 deals at a value of KWD 38.5 million (roughly USD 117.4 million).