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His Excellency Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO), Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor al-Thani, affirmed that Qatar's hosting of WSJ Tech Live Qatar 2025 marks a major milestone in the country's strategic drive to strengthen its position as a global hub for dialogue on technology and the digital economy. The event, the first-ever WSJ Tech Live to be held in the Middle East and North Africa, runs from December 2-4 and brings together leading global figures in technology, innovation, and policymaking. In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE the GCO director underscored the unique significance of WSJ Tech Live Qatar 2025, noting that the event goes beyond merely showcasing the latest technological advancements. He said it is among the few global gatherings that bring together an exclusive group of leading CEOs from major international companies and institutions for in-depth strategic discussions on the future of technology, media, entertainment, and finance, and their impact on the global economy. He added that the event serves as a key platform for shaping influential visions and emerging trends across these vital sectors. His Excellency noted that Doha's selection to host this prominent event reflects the confidence of international institutions in Qatar's thriving technological ecosystem and its ability to attract leading investors, decision-makers, and experts from around the world. He said this also underscores the competitiveness of the national economy and highlights its role in stimulating innovation and attracting startups and talent. He further pointed out that the conference contributes to building bridges of co-operation and forging leading international partnerships that enhance digital transformation across the region, in line with Qatar's strategic direction to strengthen the knowledge-based economy and solidify its presence at the heart of the global dialogue on the future of technology. He explained that the Doha edition provides a unique opportunity to spotlight the country's efforts in developing its digital environment, as well as in supporting entrepreneurship and empowering the next generation of innovators. On the strategic importance of Doha hosting the first-ever WSJ Tech Live event in the region, His Excellency said that the conference is distinguished by its in-depth strategic discussions, driven by the high-level participation of leading CEOs, investors, and decision-makers from the global technology, media, entertainment, and finance sectors. He noted that this reflects the advanced position Qatar has attained as a destination for international dialogue on technology and the digital economy, as well as its success in building a sophisticated digital ecosystem, reliable infrastructure, and a talent-attracting environment. He added that the conference also addresses the rapid transformations unfolding in the talent, media, and entertainment sectors, in light of the rise of digital platforms and creator-driven content models. He said this contributes to shaping forward-looking discussions on the future of these industries and their growing role in building a more competitive global creative economy, thereby reinforcing Qatar's position at the forefront of dialogue on emerging trends in media and innovation. He also spoke about the conference's focus on the growing role of technology in transforming how audiences engage with sports through digital communities, noting that this contributes to shaping the future relationship between the public and the sports sector and highlights Qatar's role in this global transformation. He added that the conference further reinforces Qatar's position as an active partner in shaping the future of technology and as a global platform that brings together leaders and decision-makers in innovation and investment. Reviewing the event's contribution to supporting Qatar's transition toward a knowledge-based digital economy, His Excellency Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor al-Thani described digital transformation as a cornerstone of Qatar National Vision 2030. He said that WSJ Tech Live forms part of a broader strategic path pursued by the country to build a knowledge-based economy through three main tracks: attracting global technology leaders to foster high-level dialogue and open new horizons for partnerships, enabling startups and entrepreneurs to access international investors, and highlighting national experiences in digital transformation. He affirmed that the event strengthens Qatar's competitiveness and confirms its readiness to help lead the future of the digital economy. The Director of the Government Communications Office described the opportunities the WSJ Tech Live will offer to local entrepreneurs and talent as exceptional, noting that it will connect them directly with leading global figures in technology and innovation. He said participants will be able to benefit from international best practices, explore investment opportunities and strategic partnerships, and expand their professional networks. He added that the panel discussions and workshops will also provide valuable insights into the latest technological trends, enhancing participants’ ability to develop innovative projects and contribute to the growth of the innovation ecosystem in Qatar and the wider region. On the role of the partnership with Dow Jones in enhancing Qatar's global standing in digital innovation, His Excellency noted that Dow Jones, the owner of The Wall Street Journal, is regarded as a strategic partner in supporting Qatar's efforts to foster digital innovation and strengthen its position on the global technology and media map. He pointed out that the Government Communications Office signed an agreement last year with Dow Jones to host the WSJ Tech Live conference in Doha, reflecting the shared commitment of both sides to establishing a permanent global platform for dialogue on innovation and technology. He added that Dow Jones has also announced its intention to open an office in Qatar, a move that will further strengthen the environment for media and technology co-operation and facilitate the transfer of global best practices to the country. He affirmed that this partnership reflects Qatar's broader efforts to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy, attract high-quality investments, and empower local talent by connecting them with global innovation, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country's drive to strengthen its position as a regional and global hub for innovation and a catalyst for international partnerships across all digital sectors. His Excellency Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor al-Thani highlighted the events and sessions of the inaugural edition, the first of its kind in the region, noting that the calibre of participants and speakers, as well as the quality of the sessions and technologies on display, clearly distinguish it from other major technology events. He said that more than 200 senior executives from Fortune 500 companies, in addition to entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders from the technology, media, entertainment, and finance sectors, are taking part in the conference. He added that the conference program features high-level panel discussions on the future of sports and media in the digital age, the future of privacy, regulation, and consumer trust, talent development and content creation, financial technology and cryptocurrencies, as well as space and defence technologies. He noted that the program also includes visits to museums, heritage sites, and creative institutions, aimed at fostering networking among participants and introducing them to Qatar's rich cultural and creative landscape.

Reem Mohammed al-Mansoori, who serves as Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Community Development at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, affirmed that the digital economy represents the future of growth, and that the State of Qatar is working to diversify its economy and enhance the contribution of the ICT sector to GDP, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.Speaking during a session on designing the experiences economy at the MWC25 Conference in Doha, al-Mansoori said that the national digital transformation strategy for the next five years has set a clear target of having the ICT sector contribute 4 percent to GDP growth. She noted that the national digital agenda has laid the foundation for achieving an experience economy and creating a new generation of services based on data and artificial intelligence.She highlighted that Qatar has given high priority to AI technologies, launching a national strategy to build an infrastructure for sovereign AI, in addition to developing smart services across key sectors. She pointed to the completion of digital transformation roadmaps in infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, transportation, and logistics.Al-Mansoori added that the State of Qatar has successfully developed a highly advanced national digital platform based on cloud infrastructure, after attracting global cloud providers such as Google and Microsoft to establish data centres capable of supporting various sectors and enabling them to deliver digital solutions more quickly and efficiently.Regarding the sports sector, the Assistant Undersecretary explained that it was among the priority sectors for digital transformation in recent years. The ministry worked with partners to develop an integrated digital ecosystem that contributed to the success of the fan experience during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, through visitor-tracking systems, smart guidance applications, and fan engagement platforms.She said that the digital legacy of the World Cup has been capitalised on and developed within the tourism strategy, which aims to attract 6mn visitors annually and achieve QR34bn in tourism spending by 2030.She noted that the State of Qatar is redesigning its tourism-service ecosystem to deliver a comprehensive and innovative experience for visitors and residents, within the framework of the experience economy.On the development of digital skills, she underlined that the biggest global challenge lies in attracting talent. She noted that the Digital Agenda 2030 aims to create 26,000 new jobs in the digital economy, which requires collaboration with the education ecosystem, talent reskilling, and the launch of new programmes to attract specialists, including the recently announced digital-talent visa.In concluding her remarks al-Mansoori stressed that economic prosperity is the true measure of digital transformation success. She emphasised that every technological project or investment in the country must contribute to improving quality of life, supporting economic growth, and achieving Qatar’s long-term vision.

Qatar Chamber recently participated in the 39th meeting of the board of directors of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) and the ‘Invest in the Digital Economy Forum’, held in Amman, Jordan.The events came as part of the Islamic Chamber’s ongoing efforts to strengthen economic integration and advance the Islamic business sector globally.Qatar Chamber’s delegation included board members Dr Mohammed bin Jawhar al-Mohammad, Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Jalil al-Abdul Ghani, and Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Emadi.The meeting discussed mechanisms to foster economic co-operation among Islamic countries, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and support joint development projects.During the meeting, heads and representatives of chambers and unions from 16 Islamic countries, together with leading economic experts and decision-makers, reviewed the progress of the Islamic Chamber’s projects and initiatives, which aim to empower private sector organisations and support Muslim businesses in non-Islamic countries.It also reviewed the action plan prepared by the general secretariat, based on a study submitted by Qatar Chamber at the previous meeting. The study included three comparative analytical reports assessing the organisation’s performance against similar institutional models, alongside a set of proposals outlining the organisation’s future role and potential directions in the coming phase.Speaking at the meeting, al-Mohammad condemned the brutal attack on Qatar by the Zionist entity, emphasising that it occurred at a time when Qatar was actively seeking to promote peace and explore all avenues for a peaceful resolution in Gaza.He added that this attack on Qatar, as well as on other Arab and Islamic countries, calls for a reassessment of strategies and a reformulation of approaches within the framework of the Islamic Chamber, which represents the Islamic economy across 57 countries and advocates on behalf of the economic interests of the Muslim world.Al-Mohammad underscored the ICCD’s pivotal role in enhancing co-ordination among its member chambers and ensuring their active participation in international forums. He also highlighted the importance of encouraging chambers to collaborate, support initiatives launched by individual members, and motivate others to join these efforts.In this context, he pointed to the Jordan Chamber’s initiative in the digital field, emphasising that it should be supported as a successful model. Al-Mohammad also stressed the importance of establishing joint economic entities that serve the private sector and Islamic countries and societies, establishing Islamic banks with contributions from member chambers, and launching insurance companies, educational, health, and technical companies, as well as contracting and construction projects.During the meeting, Abdullah Saleh Kamel was re-elected by acclamation as president of the Islamic Chamber for a new term (2026-2030). The meeting further reviewed an update of the Palestine Initiative, launched by the Islamic Chamber during the 39th General Assembly in Qatar.The initiative aims to support SMEs in Palestine, empower youth to work remotely, and provide job opportunities with various companies and organisations worldwide through digital economy tools. It also seeks to enhance skills across multiple fields through targeted training, thereby contributing to Palestine’s integration into the global market and the development of a strong and resilient national economy despite existing challenges.