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Qatar’s real estate market has shown resilience and “record achievement” amid global economic challenges, Qatar Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat) president Khaled Ahmed al-Obaidli announced Sunday at the opening of the ‘Qatar Real Estate Forum 2025’.The forum, now in its third edition under the theme ‘Aqarat’s Future’, was officially launched by HE the Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah, in the presence of high-level officials from Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, including regional and international developers and investors.In his opening speech at the forum’s third edition, al-Obaidli emphasised that the country’s real estate sector continues to maintain “its position as one of the most valuable assets” of Qatar, “despite the accelerating challenges facing the global economy”.“The Qatari real estate market sustained its strong performance through the end of the third quarter of this year, achieving a 54% increase in registered sales transactions and a 41% increase in total sales value compared to last year — a record achievement,” al-Obaidli emphasised.He also announced that Aqarat has issued licenses to 19 real estate developers, citing the authority’s launch of its strategic plan in December 2024. He said by H1-2025, “all relevant legislations were activated to support the achievements of the state’s goals.”“Furthermore, training programmes are being developed to enhance the capabilities of Qatari professionals and practitioners in the real estate field, including brokers, valuers, and property managers, in collaboration with local and international institutes and universities,” al-Obaidli pointed out.According to al-Obaidli, Aqarat also launched the ‘Real Estate Investor Journey’, in collaboration with national ministries and institutions, to further enhance investor experience.He noted that the initiative enables individuals to obtain property ownership documents and residency permits through a single, user-friendly digital platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), underscoring Aqarat’s leadership in innovation and service excellence.“In promoting Qatar’s unique real estate investment environment, the authority is also implementing an integrated plan to showcase the Qatari real estate market globally, reinforcing Qatar’s position as an international investment destination,” he stated.Al-Obaidli stressed that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the forum as a “guest of honour” highlights the symbolic and deep-rooted ties between the two Gulf nations, as well as shared aspirations for the real estate sector.He said: “We are honoured this year to welcome the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the ‘Guest of Honour’, reflecting the deep-rooted Gulf relations and the shared vision for a prosperous real estate future. We are also pleased to announce that the first meeting of the GCC Heads of Real Estate Authorities was held in Doha on October 11, 2025, in conjunction with the forum’s events.”Al-Obaidli also opened the forum with a strong message of regional co-operation: “We firmly believe that the future of the real estate sector is built on partnerships and regional integration. We look forward to constructive discussions and actionable outcomes that will contribute to advancing real estate development in Qatar and the wider region.”He said the forum will be highlighted by the launching of the ‘Qatar Real Estate Award’, which he described as “a prestigious national platform” aimed at honouring outstanding achievements that align with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. The winners will be announced during the forum’s activities, which will run until October 14 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), al-Obaidli added.

United Development Company (UDC) is sharpening its strategic focus to bolster investor confidence and drive economic diversification in Qatar’s real estate sector, ahead of the third edition of the Qatar Real Estate Forum, scheduled on October 14-16 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).“We have refined our mission, vision, and value promise, not as a departure from our strengths, but as a necessary shift to align with the opportunities and challenges ahead. Investor confidence comes from knowing that a company is not only resilient today but also prepared for the future,” UDC President and CEO Yasser Salah al-Jaidah told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.He said: “At UDC, we are applying our strategic choices to make that confidence tangible while delivering projects with consistency, diversifying our offerings to serve different market segments, and embedding sustainability and innovation into everything we do.”As the forum’s Platinum Sponsor, al-Jaidah emphasised that UDC is leveraging its strategic choices to deliver consistent project execution, diversify its offerings, and embed sustainability and innovation across its portfolio.“The message to investors is clear: UDC is future-ready,” al-Jaidah stressed, adding that the company is “building with long-term value in mind, and in doing so, reinforcing Qatar’s reputation as a stable and attractive real estate market, even in a shifting global economy.”Al-Jaidah emphasised Qatar’s political stability, sustained economic growth, and a clear legal framework that supports foreign ownership as key factors driving investment.“Within this landscape, The Pearl Island and Gewan Island have become more than real estate projects; they are destinations that embody Qatar’s ambition for world-class urban living,” he pointed out.He said, “What sets them apart is the combination of iconic architecture, premium lifestyle amenities, and state-of-the-art infrastructure, all anchored by an unrivalled waterfront setting. Investors are drawn not only to the strength of the assets, such as rental yields and long-term capital appreciation, but also to the quality of life these communities provide.“Ultimately, The Pearl and Gewan are proof of concept that in Qatar, investment in place-making can deliver both financial returns and vibrant, sustainable communities. That is the true appeal of investing with UDC.”Al-Jaidah underscored the importance of stakeholder collaboration in overcoming sector challenges: “Real estate is too complex to be solved in silos. At UDC, we work hand-in-hand with government agencies, financial institutions, contractors, and community representatives to ensure alignment from concept to completion.”He added that trust is built through transparent communication and consistent delivery. “We reinforce this with joint initiatives, regular engagement sessions, and shared performance metrics, so that stakeholders see themselves as partners in success, not just participants in a project,” he stressed.Speaking on market trends, al-Jaidah said Qatar’s luxury real estate segment remains “remarkably resilient,” where rents for premium apartments continue rising, particularly in prime districts like The Pearl and West Bay.Citing published data, al-Jaidah said residential sales are also seeing renewed momentum. “In Q1 2025, transaction volumes rose by 13.2% quarter-over-quarter, with sales values in areas such as The Pearl and Al Qassar jumping by over 50%,” he continued.He further said, “These trends reflect a growing appetite for mixed-use, sustainable, and tech-enabled living. In response, The Pearl Island and Gewan Island are positioned not just to keep pace with these shifts, but to lead them.”Asked about UDC’s strategic priorities for the next five years, and how the Qatar Real Estate Forum help advance those goals, al-Jaidah said: “At UDC, we are committed to creating inspiring destinations that provide lasting value and exceptional experiences. This is achieved through our focus on cost competitiveness, excellence and innovation, ensuring our projects meet and exceed stakeholder expectations.”He added: “The Qatar Real Estate Forum is an ideal platform to advance these goals. It allows us to engage directly with policymakers, investors, and peers, share our outlook for The Pearl Island and Gewan Island, and build partnerships that accelerate progress. For UDC, it’s about turning vision into action by creating destinations that not only inspire but also deliver lasting value for Qatar and beyond."

United Development Company (UDC) is positioning its development philosophy as a cornerstone for engaging in critical discussions at the third edition of the Qatar Real Estate Forum, which will be held on October 14-16 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).UDC president and CEO Yasser Salah al-Jaidah said the company’s role in the forum goes beyond showcasing its developments. “Our priority is to contribute strategic insights and proven practices that demonstrate how real estate can deliver lasting economic and social value,” al-Jaidah told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.He noted that UDC, a Platinum Sponsor of this year’s forum, will share lessons from the company’s experience in sustainable development, smart infrastructure, and integrated community living, demonstrating how these principles are being embedded into new projects that support Qatar’s growth.“Equally important, through high-level discussions and bilateral engagements, we aim to help shape the dialogue into concrete outcomes, whether that is in the form of creating tangible investment opportunities, forging innovative partnerships, or offering practical insights that can help inform future policy directions. In this way, UDC directly supports the forum’s ambition to move from vision to measurable impact,” he emphasised.Asked how does UDC’s vision align with the strategic goals of the forum’s third edition, al-Jaidah explained that the company’s vision “is to be the regional leader in real estate development and management,” which is guided by UDC’s ‘Value Promise and Strategic Choices’ of putting customers and communities first, driving cost competitiveness, pursuing operational excellence, and advancing growth through innovation.He continued: “This aligns closely with the third edition of the Qatar Real Estate Forum, which is focused on reinforcing investor confidence and showcasing the strength and efficiency of Qatar’s real estate system. The forum’s emphasis on transparency, streamlined policies, and the integration of digital platforms mirrors our own commitment to operational excellence and innovation. And its role as a hub for public–private dialogue reflects our belief in trust-based partnerships that create long-term value.“Through developments like The Pearl Island and Gewan Island, we demonstrate how this vision translates into secure investments, vibrant communities, and resilient growth, outcomes that are directly in line with both the forum’s objectives and the pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030.”Al-Jaidah also underscored how UDC supports the Third National Development Strategy 2024–2030 and the broader goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, saying the company’s developments “are not merely real estate projects.”“They are transformative platforms that bring Qatar National Vision 2030’s pillars to life with economic diversification, social development, environmental sustainability, and human capital advancement. Within the framework of the Third National Development Strategy, we see our role as crafting destinations that attract investment, embody innovation, and elevate quality of life,” al-Jaidah explained.He added: “At The Pearl Island, we have set a global benchmark with the Largest Pneumatic Waste Management Network, while on Gewan Island’s Crystal Walk is one of the region’s largest outdoor air-conditioned retail promenades, an innovation that enhances comfort, elevates community experiences, and adds distinctive value for investors and residents alike. These initiatives reflect our ‘Customer and Community First’ approach, while reinforcing Qatar’s position as a hub for world-class living and investment opportunities.”

The third edition of the annual Qatar Real Estate Forum will see the participation of Saudi Arabia with several government entities involved in the real estate sector, in a step aimed at promoting integration and the exchange of expertise between the two countries.While addressing a press conference on Tuesday, engineer Khalid bin Ahmed al-Obaidli, president of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat) said Saudi Arabia will be the guest of honour at the event to realise a strategic partnership with Qatar.Under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, the forum will be held on October 14-16 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) in conjunction with the Cityscape Qatar.Organised by Aqarat the event will address pivotal issues to foster the sector's growth. The first topic focuses on the Government’s Role in the sector highlighting legislation and policies that ensure a safe and stimulating investment environment.The second topic will be dedicated to Real Estate Technology (PropTech) showcasing the latest digital solutions aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency. The third topic will address the Investor's Journey offering key guidance to enable investors to maximise available opportunities and streamline procedures. In its fourth topic, the forum will showcase Major and Promising Projects that open new horizons for development and progress in Qatar.Aqarat president noted that this edition builds on the success of previous ones and embodies the ongoing efforts to solidify Qatar's position as a leading real estate and investment destination.The forum serves as an annual platform for investors, experts and real estate developers to explore promising opportunities in the Qatari real estate market, enhance confidence in the sector and foster collaboration among various stakeholders thereby supporting the development path aligned with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.Al-Obaidli explained that Aqarat has developed a comprehensive and integrated media plan for this edition in addition to launching the forum's official website.The press conference also featured the signing of official sponsorship agreements. Qatar Investment Authority is the official sponsor. Qatari Diar, Barwa Real Estate Company, United Development Company and Qetaifan Projects are platinum sponsors. Gold sponsors are Al Waab City and GMG Holding. Lesha Bank is media sponsor. Qatar Living and Ain Riyadh are media partners.