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The US Chamber of Commerce is bullish on US-Qatar commercial relationship reaching new heights.Khush Choksy, Senior Vice-President of the Chamber for Middle East, Central Asia and Türkiye, was in Qatar recently and held several meetings with key stakeholders in the public and private sectors, including the Minister of Finance, the Minister of ICT, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, the CEO of the Qatar Financial Center, and leadership of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and the USQBC Doha. He said that in the energy, tech, financial, health care, transport, and tourism sectors significant growth will take place with US businesses actively engaged.The US Chamber continues to highlight Qatar’s role as a hub for American investment in energy and technology. He emphasised that LNG expansion remains a major draw, with US firms closely watching opportunities in the North Field.“They’re all very interested in the expansion of the North Field. That’s going to be very big,” Choksy pointed out.On the technology side, the US Chamber’s affiliates in the region (AmCham MENA) participated in the recently concluded Web Summit Qatar to connect American companies with Qatari counterparts. Choksy said the event showcased the scale of US participation, with many American company booths drawing large crowds.Choksy praised Qatar’s low-cost energy, fibre connectivity, and policy frameworks, saying these have created a strong platform for US tech firms. Choksy pointed to the technology framework introduced several years ago as a turning point: “You have the energy, low-cost energy. You have the nodes and the fiber coming in. But most importantly...the whole ICT framework that Qatar put in place.”He also hailed Qatar’s ability to leverage sports infrastructure for broader economic growth. “Following the 2022 FIFA World Cup, visitor numbers surged from 2.7mn in 2022 to 6mn in 2025. They’ve really leveraged upon the World Cup and the presence and the infrastructure to grow,” Choksy stressed.Beyond energy and technology, Choksy emphasised that critical minerals are becoming a new area of cooperation, citing Qatar as the eighth Pax Silica signatory. He also said the US Chamber is strengthening institutional linkages in Doha, citing the US-Qatar Business Council Doha (USQBC Doha) as its formal partner.“Additionally we are really looking at third-country co-operation with the US, Qatar, and Syria, and we hope to organise a dedicated session on this during the upcoming Qatar Economic Forum,” Choksy told *Gulf Times.Choksy noted that partnerships are already emerging, adding: “We think that there’s a perfect match between American companies, large Qatari private sector enterprises, and Syrian businesses.” 

The US-Qatar Business Council – Doha (USQBC Doha) hosted a welcome reception for the visiting US Chamber of Commerce (USCC) delegation, bringing together senior representatives from the public and private sectors to mark the continued strength of US–Qatar commercial ties.The reception provided an opportunity for key stakeholders from the public and private sectors to connect and reaffirm the importance of sustained engagement across the US-Qatar economic corridor. The gathering reflected the shared commitment of USQBC Doha and the USCC to fostering constructive dialogue, strengthening institutional relationships, and supporting a favourable environment for bilateral trade and investment.Held against the backdrop of Qatar’s recent accession to Pax Silica, the event highlighted the evolving scope of US–Qatar economic co-operation across both established and emerging industries.USQBC Doha continues to serve as a platform for economic diplomacy, private sector engagement, and investment facilitation, supporting initiatives that align commercial opportunity with national development priorities in both countries.“USQBC Doha is pleased to welcome the US Chamber delegation to Qatar at a time of strong momentum in our bilateral economic relationship,” said Sheikha Mayes Hamad al-Thani, managing director of USQBC Doha.“The US Chamber of Commerce is a valued strategic partner in advancing private-sector collaboration between our two countries. Through our close co-operation, we aim to strengthen institutional linkages, support business-to-business engagement, and help translate the depth of the US-Qatar relationship into tangible, long-term commercial partnerships across priority sectors,” she said.The event drew participation from a broad cross-section of stakeholders, underscoring the importance of co-ordinated engagement between the public and private sectors in advancing shared economic objectives.“The US-Qatar commercial relationship continues to thrive, driven by shared values, mutual interests, and a commitment to fostering innovation and growth,” said Khush Choksy, senior vice-president for Middle East, Central Asia, and Turkiye, and senior vice-president for International Member Relations at the USCC.“This event underscores the importance of sustained collaboration between our public and private sectors, and we are proud to work alongside USQBC Doha to deepen ties, unlock new opportunities, and support the long-term prosperity of both our nations,” he added.The reception forms part of USQBC Doha’s broader mission to advance economic diplomacy, facilitate market access, support high-impact partnerships, and lead strategic engagement that translates US–Qatar economic co-operation into sustainable commercial outcomes and long-term growth for both economies.USQBC Doha is a strategic platform for advancing bilateral commercial engagement between the US and Qatar. Positioned at the intersection of business, policy, and investment, USQBC Doha enables cross-border collaboration by providing institutional access, market intelligence, and targeted facilitation to stakeholders operating across high-impact sectors.The council engages stakeholders through strategic dialogue, institutional partnerships, and sector-specific initiatives that align with national development goals and evolving market needs.USQBC Doha contributes to the advancement of the US-Qatar economic relationship by facilitating impactful collaboration, promoting sustainable private sector growth, and enabling innovation across key industries.The USCC is the world’s largest business organisation. Its members range from the small businesses and chambers of commerce across the country that support their communities, to the leading industry associations and global corporations that innovate and solve for the world’s challenges, to the emerging and fast-growing industries that are shaping the future. The US Chamber’s International Division is the cornerstone of its global advocacy efforts, representing the interests of American businesses in markets worldwide. With a team of over 70 regional and policy experts, the division leads initiatives across more than 25 country- and region-specific business councils and programmes, including Qatar, to promote global trade and investment. 

Qatar’s unique mix of digital infrastructure, young demographics, and high-income economy could allow it to skip traditional e-commerce stages and move directly into agentic AI-driven retail, according to a top official of LuLu Group. “Many people believe that concepts like agentic technology are new and will become widely accepted. However, I feel that’s not the case; technology has always existed. Today, it’s more about a country’s readiness to embrace it,” stated LuLu Group Global director Dr Mohamed Althaf. “This is where Qatar stands out from other nations. Given its size, geography, and the focus of its economy, Qatar is well-positioned to implement these technologies effectively. As a result, they can potentially leapfrog many steps that other countries might have to take to adopt agentic solutions,” Dr Althaf told Gulf Times. Speaking about payment gateways leading the way, Dr Althaf said that, unlike other markets where payment systems lag behind commerce adoption, Qatar is prioritising agentic payment gateways first. He emphasised that “there is much discussion about making agentic pay available from Qatar” and that trust infrastructure is being prioritised by authorities in Qatar. Dr Althaf also underscored that while readiness is high, “cybersecurity will determine the pace of adoption.” He explained, “If I leave my system open for 100 bots to crawl, the readiness must be from a cybersecurity point of view.” Speaking about efficiency versus human oversight, Dr Althaf pointed out that agentic retail could become “ruthless,” with bots always choosing the cheapest option. He noted that LuLu’s counter-strategy is to keep the “Human-in-the-Loop” (HITL) framework in mind. “Whatever we do, we will keep the human element, so that nothing gets done on its own,” he further explained. Dr Althaf stated that retailers rarely invent technology but are the ones that are quick to adopt it once proven, citing barcodes and QR codes. According to Dr Althaf, LuLu is looking to implement agentic AI first in back-end processes — receiving, logistics, and B2B events — before rolling it out to customers. “Our priority will not be in the customer-facing aspect...we will get into the agentic space much faster in B2B,” Dr Althaf said. Dr Althaf shared lessons from past hype cycles, comparing agentic retail to blockchain and the metaverse — technologies, he noted, “promised revolutions but delivered unevenly.” “Even if agentic commerce will not happen as we envisage, the backbone of that technology will definitely impact our lives,” he said. 

Air cargo has consistently proven itself as a crucial stabiliser for the global economy; its inherent agility successfully blunting the impact of the 2025 tariff cycle and mitigating the severe disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.The air cargo segment is a vital cornerstone of global commerce, acting as a crucial enabler of international trade, particularly for time-sensitive and high-value goods. While accounting for a mere 1% of world trade volume, it represents an estimated 35% of its total value, moving goods worth more than $8tn annually.Global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), rose 3.3% year-on-year (y-o-y) as of October, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).Activity was surprisingly strong as importers front-loaded shipments ahead of tariff changes. Demand has remained firm since, though growth is expected to moderate later in the year. For 2025, IATA now projects 3.1% y-o-y growth, an upward revision from 0.7% in our June forecast.Cargo traffic in Asia-Pacific is expected to grow by 8.5% y-o-y this year. Year-to-date or YTD (January-October) data shows broad-based strength across nearly all routes, led by the Europe corridor, which expanded by 10.6%.Chinese exporters diverted shipments affected by US tariffs to other trading partners and adopted strategies such as adding intermediate stops or shifting production to countries outside the tariff lists.While this substitution effect materialised quickly, it might not be sustainable if future tariffs target rerouting practices, the global trade body of airlines noted.The low pricing that supported inventory reductions might not persist, reinforcing our more cautious outlook for 2026.Europe is forecast to grow by 2.5% in 2025. Among Europe’s international routes, only those with Asia (+10.6%) and North America (+7.1%) expanded, as per October YTD data.Africa and Latin America are expected to grow by 3.0% and 4.0%, respectively.In contrast, the Middle East and North America are likely to contract by 1.5% and 1.2%, driven by tariffs in North America and geopolitical tensions combined with easing ocean freight disruptions in the Red Sea for the Middle East.Global air freight yields averaged $2.4/kg YTD through October, about 30% above 2019 levels. Yields were slightly stronger in the first quarter, growing by approximately 4% y-o-y, supported by front-loading and a high base from early 2024. However, momentum weakened from the second quarter onward, with average y-o-y declines of 2.6%, reaching a low of -5.4% in September, but improving again in October to -4.0% y-o-y.In contrast, sea freight rates fell sharply in both monthly and yearly terms, making ocean shipping more attractive and reducing air cargo’s relative price competitiveness.Demand growth by cargo hold type shows a clear divergence: dedicated freighters’ CTK rose by mere 1.4%, reflecting limited expansion on the freighter side due to persistent supply chain bottlenecks, while belly cargo surged by 7.8% YTD through October.Aircraft delivery delays continue to hamper fleet expansion, also on the cargo side.Delays in wide-body freighter deliveries, with the Boeing 777X-F pushed to 2028 and Airbus A350F to late 2027, are leading operators to stretch existing fleets and rely on passenger aircraft conversions.However, the pool of suitable passenger aircraft is shrinking due to limited availability of new passenger aircraft. This sustained supply shortfall is driving up air freight rates, particularly for dedicated freighters, and is likely to take years to unwind. Medium wide-bodies, notably the Airbus A330 and Boeing 767, dominate the conversion market as immediate, though costlier, substitutes for delayed next-generation freighters.The global cargo load factor reached 45.3% in October 2025 YTD, broadly unchanged from 2024. While demand growth is expected to slow in 2026, steady air cargo demand amid global uncertainties and persistent capacity constraints should keep load factors broadly flat.For 2026, IATA expects air cargo demand to continue to expand, albeit at a slower pace than in 2025, in line with softening global trade.The slowdown is unlikely to be as pronounced as the general trade deceleration, as air cargo continues to benefit from rising demand for high-value, time-sensitive goods, particularly driven by e-commerce and semiconductors.Persistent global uncertainties around tariffs and supply chain disruptions will reinforce air transport’s role as the most reliable mode of delivery.Overall, IATA forecasts 2.6% growth for the industry in 2026, led by Asia-Pacific at 6%. Other regions should grow around 2%, while the Middle East will stagnate, and North America will edge down by 0.5%.Undoubtedly, air cargo industry's ability to provide speed, security, and flexibility makes it an indispensable component of the modern, interconnected global economy, enabling businesses to meet demanding customer expectations and adapt to volatile market conditions.Pratap John is Business Editor at Gulf Times. X handle: @PratapJohn. 

Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) achieved a major milestone by reducing the time required to establish a company in the country to two days.After a meeting chaired by HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani to review the performance of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the third quarter, MoCI noted, “The number of active commercial licences rose by 6.79%. Additionally, 4,631 new non-Qatari companies were established.” The meeting reviewed the key achievements of the third quarter and discussed detailed performance indicators across the ministry’s sectors and administrative units.Participants also examined existing challenges and proposed solutions to strengthen the implementation of plans and programmes, improve efficiency, and enhance institutional performance and service quality.The meeting was attended by HE the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed bin Hassan al-Malki besides senior officials.MoCI said the Commercial Affairs Sector demonstrated significant progress across its key performance indicators. The number of new commercial registrations increased by 81.5% compared to the same period in 2024, while active main and subsidiary registrations grew by 18.1%.It said the ‘Single Window’ platform added five new electronic services in the third quarter, bringing the total to 13 since the beginning of 2025.It processed 72,500 transactions, 89% of which were submitted electronically, achieving a customer satisfaction rate of 94%.In the Industrial and Business Development Sector, the contribution of manufacturing industries to GDP reached QR13.44bn in the second quarter and QR26.84bn in the first half of 2025.During the third quarter, some 30 factories were evaluated under the Smart Industry Readiness Index.During the same period, the Ministry enhanced collaboration with the private sector to identify and address challenges, resolving 35% of reported issues.As many as 12 PPP projects were studied during the year—three more than in the previous quarter—while four new projects were launched and one awarded in the third quarter.The Consumer Affairs Sector also recorded “positive” results, MoCI said.The number of specialised licences issued increased by 30.87% compared to the third quarter of 2024, with the issuance period reduced to one day.Processing times for pricing requests of goods and services also decreased compared to previous quarters.The number of ration card beneficiaries rose by 2.61%, and the number of fodder distributors increased by 96.9% year-on-year.MoCI reviewed the safety levels and strategic reserves of essential commodities and fodder, and successfully resolved more than 8,000 consumer complaints.At the market monitoring level, MoCI conducted 73,747 inspection campaigns across all administrative units, underscoring its commitment to market regulation and consumer protection.The meeting highlighted several notable achievements, including the entry into force of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between Qatar and Türkiye on August 1, aimed to reinforce mutual trade relations and ease investment restrictions. The Ministry also launched an electronic platform for public-private partnership (PPP) projects and introduced 20 new e-services spanning specialised licensing, market monitoring, competition protection, consumer protection, and combatting commercial fraud.During the third quarter, the Ministry rolled out the Single Window’s ‘Sharikati’ on mobile application, alongside a voluntary review programme for merger and acquisition projects. The Ministry also secured first place and received the Golden Award in the 11th National Cyber Drill.Other key developments included merging the land, sea and air freight activities under a single commercial registration, introducing a temporary commercial licence for service providers in the Sealine area, publishing the updated Industrial Sectors Directory, and issuing a comprehensive guide on trade name procedures.MoCI also organised the Public–Private Dialogue Forum, strengthened its strategic partnership with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and exempted certain categories of citizens from fees for the issuance or replacement of ration cards.HE Sheikh Faisal emphasised the importance of maintaining a results-driven, efficiency-based approach, advancing digital transformation, and continuously improving services to enhance the competitiveness of national economy in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has issued a circular compelling operators of commercial, industrial, and public establishments to record the prices of commodities and services on the ministry's website through online services.The move is part of MoCI’s efforts to promote the business environment and ensure transparent pricing in the domestic market.The circular aims to enable operators to easily record and update price data via the website, contributing to the development of an accurate and up-to-date nationwide database of commodity and service prices, the ministry highlighted in a statement Sunday.The statement further indicated that this procedure supports digital transformation efforts and enhances the mechanisms for monitoring prices in the domestic market, fostering transaction transparency while maintaining a balance between the interests of businesses and consumers.In addition, MoCI stressed the importance of accuracy in the data submitted during the registration process, in accordance with the provisions of Law No 12 of 1972 regarding compulsory pricing and profit margin regulations and their amendments, particularly Articles (1), (6), (9), and (10), which govern suppliers' obligations in alignment with the law and its executive regulations.The ministry further noted that it will continue to co-ordinate with operators of commercial activities to streamline the registration process and ensure enforcement of the relevant measures, in pursuit of stabilising the market and safeguarding consumers' rights.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has launched 20 new electronic services on its official website as part of the 2024–30 digital transformation strategy. The initiative aims to achieve excellence in governmental service provision and enhance user experience through full digital transformation in line with National Vision 2030. Affirming that the launch of these e-Services marks a significant step towards comprehensive digital transformation, MOCI said this development contributes to faster transactions, streamlined procedures, and enhanced service quality, ultimately strengthening Qatar’s business environment and competitiveness regionally and internationally. The ministry said users can access the new e-Services via its website through the e-Services section, using the National Authentication System (NAS) to ensure data security and confidentiality. The initiative seeks to simplify procedures, accelerate transaction processing, and improve efficiency, thereby enhancing services for consumers and investors and strengthening institutional excellence in government service provision. The newly launched services cover a wide range of MOCI's activities, including specialised licensing, market monitoring for goods and services, and price assessment for commercial establishments. They also include services related to competition and consumer protection, and combating commercial fraud, such as product recalls, handling and tracking complaints, and enabling users to submit complaints electronically and monitor inspection activities. Additionally, the new services integrate directly with the General Authority of Customs to facilitate product registration after customs clearance. Users can also view company information, track applications, and monitor their status through this service. These e-Services serve all user categories interacting with the ministry, including companies with recalled products, citizens and residents reporting consumer law violations, and business owners registering goods and services.

A delegation from the Qatar Chamber has concluded a visit to several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain, aimed at strengthening ties with regional chambers of commerce and business leaders. The Chamber's delegation was headed by Board Member Eng. Ali bin Abdullatif Al Misnad, and included meetings with the Bahrain Chamber, Riyadh Chamber, Dubai Chamber, and Sharjah Chamber. In a Qatar Chamber statement Saturday, the discussions focused on mechanisms for forming sectoral committees and developing their work plans, as well as discussing successful practices, performance evaluation methods, and digital systems used to manage committee operations. During a meeting with Chairman of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce Eng. Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al Obaikan, Al Misnad emphasized Qatar Chamber's commitment to strengthening cooperation with GCC chambers of commerce and businesspeople. He highlighted the importance of enhancing collaboration between the committee departments of Qatar and Riyadh chambers through the exchange of experiences and successful practices that can further develop the work of commercial chambers, increasing their contribution to supporting the private sector and representing its interests. He further noted that sectoral committees in commercial chambers are among the most effective tools, as they work on identifying challenges facing various economic sectors and contribute to addressing them in cooperation with relevant authorities. For his part, Director of the Department of Committees and Business Councils Affairs Hamad Ali Al Marri said that the main objective of the visit was to learn about the leading experiences in the functioning of sectoral committees in Gulf chambers and to benefit from the best practices in this field.

HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani, made a field visit to several factories operating in the food and beverage manufacturing sector at the Small and Medium Industries Zone Saturday.The visit reflects the ministry’s commitment to monitoring developments in the national industrial sector and understanding its needs and future plans. During the tour, the minister was briefed on the factories’ key products, production capacities, processes, and latest technologies. He also reviewed their expansion and developmental plans.HE Sheikh Faisal reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to advancing the growth of the industrial sector, in line with the National Manufacturing Strategy and the Third National Development Strategy. He emphasised the ministry’s continued efforts to provide facilities and incentives for national factories, enhance the industrial business environment, streamline procedures, and engage with investors, thereby fostering high-quality investments and supporting the development of national industries.

Legal Perspective To promote international trade, there is a great need for financial guarantees to support exports and imports. In this respect, the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) “Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees” (URDG 758) and the United Nations Convention on Independent Guarantees and Standby Letters of Credit (ISDGP) are both giving international guidelines for guarantees. The UN endorsed the “URDG 758” in 2011 to promote a kind of clarity, predictability, sustainability and great harmonisation in international trade. Both are relating to guarantees, one for "demand" guarantees whereas the other for "independent" guarantees. While the URDG 758 rules have been developed and published by the ICC with the intention to promote and to specify rules for "demand" guarantees, needed for international trade purposes. With this understanding in mind, we say that the UN Convention is intended as an international convention for "independent" guarantees and standby letters of credit. To explain more, we take the opportunity to highlight some features of the URDG and the UN Convention. The URDG 758 rules govern demand guarantees, which are forms of financial security used in international trade to ensure performance or payment. The current edition, URDG 758, came into force on 2010. The UN endorsed the URDG 758 in 2011 with the aim of harmonising international trade law and at the same time to remove all legal obstacles to enhance international trade. The URDG 758 mainly aims to provide clarity, precision, and predictability in demand guarantee practices. Regarding the ISDGP, we can say that, this is an international convention created by the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). The Convention, provides a legal framework for independent guarantees and standby letters of credit, which are also common in international trade frequent transactions. The UN Convention and the URDG often cover similar areas and are sometimes used in conjunction or in comparison to one another; the two resemble the two sides of the coin. Harmonisation is taken as a relationship and significance to both, the URDG and the UN Convention enable them to work towards harmonising trade practices and laws related to guarantees in their different shapes. The UN's endorsement of the URDG 758 signifies the clear support of the international community for these rules and their role in modernising trade. With reference to application, it is left for the parties to a guarantee who can choose which rules to apply. For the URDG, important to say, the guarantee itself expressly indicates it is subject to the URDG and for them to be applicable. The United Nations Convention on Independent Guarantees and Standby Letters as UCP and URDG are issued with the aim of developing different international trade relations. The UNICITRAL and the UN endorses ICC Demand Guarantee Rules the “URDG 758, and this endorsement reinforces the ICC mandate of removing legal different obstacles to international trade by actively and progressively modernising procedures and enhancing relative laws and regulations. International trade, deserves all support to promote international ties and peaceful relations between all parts of the world. An “independent” guarantee, like a “demand guarantee”, creates a primary direct obligation for the guarantor, separate from the underlying contract and requires payment upon presentation of a demand. The key difference is that a demand guarantee is a specific type of independent guarantee, where the payment is triggered by a simple written demand by the beneficiary, regardless of the underlying contract's performance. In contrast, other independent guarantees may have more specific conditions for payment that are tied to the main agreement. Dr AbdelGadir Warsama Ghalib is a corporate legal counsel. Email: [email protected]

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.

The Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, represented by its Businesswomen Committee, during the symposium on ‘Leadership and Management Development’ held in Muscat.The event was held under the patronage of Sayyid Loay bin Ghalib al-Said and aimed to enhance the capacities of women professionals and empower them to lead the future with confidence and competence.This collaboration reflects QBWA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the capabilities of women entrepreneurs and supporting them in transforming challenges into investment and development opportunities through the cultivation of confident, future-oriented female leadership.As part of the symposium, Aisha Hussain Alfardan, vice-chairwoman of QBWA, delivered a keynote presentation titled ‘Personal Empowerment, Internal Transformation, and Self-Leadership’. In her remarks, she emphasised that true strength begins from within, and that self-leadership and internal transformation are essential foundations for any form of sustainable development be it at the individual, societal, or national level.Alfardan shared her personal and professional journey, which led her to firmly believe that authentic empowerment starts with self-belief. She noted that the moment a woman realises her potential is the moment she becomes a catalyst for change and progress.She also underscored that empowering women to make decisions and access equal opportunities in the workplace enhances their capacity to lead transformative change.She expressed her pride in sharing her perspective and experience on self-empowerment and leadership, affirming that these elements are the foundation of sustainable leadership. Her work with QBWA, she noted, is a living example of how self-leadership can drive meaningful social impact.Alfardan also participated in a high-level panel discussion titled ‘Inspiring Leadership in a Rapidly Changing World: Between Empowerment and Crisis Management’. The session explored how inspirational leadership shapes workplace environments, how leadership principles translate under pressure, and how institutional leaders can empower teams and foster a culture of innovation.Joining Alfardan on the panel were Ayman bin Hamad al-Busaidi, vice-chairman of SABCO Group; Dr Aflah bin Said al-Hadhrami, general manager at Petroleum Development Oman; and Swati Mandela, president of the Mandela Institute for Humanity.The discussion examined the role of leadership in balancing empowerment with crisis management, with a focus on nurturing women's leadership capabilities and addressing the unique challenges they face in Arab societies.The symposium featured an interactive dialogue titled ‘Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing World’, where Dr Amer Bin Awad al-Rawas, chairman of the Concordia Group, discussed the challenges facing business leaders amid regional and international shifts, explored the opportunities emerging from current economic transformations, and addressed strategies for balancing challenges and opportunities to enhance business sustainability.The symposium concluded with the official MoU signing between Alfardan and Areej Bint Mohsin al-Zaabi, chairwoman of the Businesswomen Committee at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.The MoU aims to enhance economic, commercial, and investment co-operation between Qatar and Oman and to facilitate investment processes in both directions. It reaffirms both parties’ commitment to exchanging expertise, supporting women’s empowerment efforts, and highlighting the pivotal role women play in driving economic growth and entrepreneurship.Commenting on the occasion, Alfardan stated: “At the Qatari Businesswomen Association, we firmly believe that strategic regional partnerships, such as this agreement with the Businesswomen Committee in the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, lay the foundation for enhancing trade and investment between our countries. Women’s empowerment is not achieved through awareness alone, but through building sustainable ecosystems that translate into tangible opportunities on the ground.”From her side, al-Zaabi said: “Signing this MoU with the Qatari Businesswomen Association represents a significant step toward unifying Gulf efforts to support women entrepreneurs and enhance knowledge and trade exchange between Omani and Qatari women. We believe that joint cooperation is the key to fostering a culture of innovation, competitiveness, and meaningful participation of women in economic development.”The initiative reflects QBWA’s dedication to establishing a comprehensive platform for empowering women and enhancing their social and economic presence. It is part of a broader strategy to expand the association’s local, regional, and international impact by forging partnerships with institutions that share its mission to elevate women’s status across all sectors.