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The Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting investors and enabling business continuity throughout its ecosystem, as part of the country’s coordinated national response to ongoing regional developments.Building on Qatar’s comprehensive package of targeted relief measures, the QFZ has implemented a range of financial, operational, and advisory support initiatives designed to sustain investor confidence and enable continued growth within its free zones.“Our investors remain at the center of our priorities. The measures we have implemented reflect the strength and responsiveness of our ecosystem, and our deep commitment to ensuring business continuity and sustained growth under all circumstances," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Bin Faisal al-Thani, chief executive officer of the QFZ.In support of these initiatives, the QFZ has introduced a suite of measures developed with national stakeholders, including streamlined customs procedures, fast-track coordination mechanisms, and dedicated support channels.Together, these measures ensure seamless transit, efficient re-export of goods, and uninterrupted business continuity for its investor base, which now exceeds 800 companies from more than 60 countries.The QFZ is also implementing flexible support measures for investors, including waivers and deferrals in eligible cases, to assist businesses in maintaining momentum and continuity."Aligned with Qatar’s coordinated national approach, we continue to provide a stable and supportive environment where our investors have the clarity and flexibility needed to navigate evolving conditions with confidence,” Sheikh Mohammed said.The QFZ continues to play a key role in advancing Qatar’s economic diversification by providing world-class infrastructure, strategic connectivity, and an investor-centric ecosystem for high-value industries. 

CEO of Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ), Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal al-Thani met on Thursday with ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the State of Qatar, Dr Ashraf Khodjaev, reports QNA. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in investment attraction between the two countries. The meeting also highlighted the investment opportunities and outstanding benefits offered by Qatar's free zones to attract Uzbek companies to invest and establish their businesses in Qatar. The meeting was attended by senior officials from QFZ and was followed by an introductory tour of the Business Innovation Park at Ras Bufontas Free Zone. 

Australia and the European Union signed ‌a free trade agreement on Tuesday after eight years of negotiations, removing tariffs on almost ​all goods and potentially easing EU access ‌to Australian critical minerals. However, some Australian agricultural exports, including beef and sheep meat, will face ‌quotas.Australian farmers ⁠criticised the pact for offering ‌what they called "subpar" access to the bloc, while French ‌farmers argued the quotas were too generous. The deal follows intensified talks amid sharply higher US tariffs under the ⁠Trump administration and growing Western concerns over China's dominant position in rare earths and other critical minerals. The two sides also signed an agreement to deepen security and defence cooperation."The EU and Australia may be geographically far apart but we couldn't be closer in terms of how we see the world," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. "With these dynamic new partnerships on security and defence, as well as trade, we are moving even closer together."The agreement will remove more than 99% of tariffs on ​EU goods exports to Australia, saving companies €1bn ($1.2bn) a year. EU exports to Australia are expected to grow by up to 33% over the next decade. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the deal would be worth about A$10bn ($7bn) annually to the Australian economy. He ⁠said scrapping almost all ​import tariffs on Australian critical minerals entering the EU would help stabilise global supply chains."For both ​Europe and Australia, getting China right is a strategic imperative, and this is why bringing to life our critical minerals partnership will be crucial to our success," von der Leyen told Australia's parliament. "We cannot be over-dependent on any supplier for such crucial ingredients, and that is precisely why we need each other."The agreement also underscores Europe's growing engagement in the Indo-Pacific, following trade accords concluded with Indonesia in September and India in January. EU industry groups including BusinessEurope and the European Services Forum welcomed the deal."Australia's resources potential is still far from being fully tapped by us," said Volker Treier, head of foreign trade at the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce.Australian tariffs will drop to zero from day one ‌for European fruit, vegetables ‌and chocolates, and over three years for cheeses. The ⁠EU will remove tariffs for many agricultural products but will maintain quotas for some key exports.For beef — ⁠a major sticking point that derailed talks in 2023 — ⁠the EU will open two tariff-rate quotas totalling 30,600 metric tons, with about 55% of that volume entering duty-free.French farmers, who have protested against increased beef imports expected under the EU-Mercosur deal, voiced concern. France's National Bovine Federation said von der Leyen was continuing to undermine the beef industry. Hamish McIntyre, president of the National Farmers Federation in Australia, said Australian farmers were "extremely disappointed that negotiations for a free trade deal with the European Union have concluded without commercially meaningful ​agricultural market access gains since Australia last walked away from negotiations." 

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met Singapore's Prime Minister ‌Lawrence Wong Monday for ​a summit ‌aimed at expanding co-operation in ‌fields ⁠such ‌as artificial intelligence and ‌nuclear energy, during a state visit to ⁠the city-state.At a joint press conference, Lee and Wong announced the start of negotiations to upgrade the countries' existing free trade agreement, which took effect in 2006.The ​countries also signed five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for co-operation in fields such ‌as small modular ⁠reactors (SMRs) for ​nuclear power generation, AI and ​other scientific fields such as quantum and space satellites, South Korea's Blue House said.Other partnerships will include co-operation on investment between Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek and its asset management unit Seviora Group with state-run Korea Development Bank, ‌Lee told the ‌press conference."Singapore ⁠is a meaningful place where ⁠the historic US-North ⁠Korea summit was held in 2018," Lee said. "I trust that you will continue to play a constructive role for peace on the Korean Peninsula ​and in the region."Wong and Lee exchanged views on the impact of the situation in the Middle East, including on global security, energy, and supply chains, and agreed on their hope that stability and ‌peace would be ​restored, Lee said. 

Animal activists have been turning up the heat on Milan Fashion Week to adopt a fully fur-free policy, with dozens of protesters demonstrating outside the Giorgio Armani show Sunday.Although the Armani Group went fur-free a decade ago, activists hope the powerful luxury company can pressure the National Chamber of Italian Fashion (CNMI), which organises fashion week, to disallow brands which use fur from participating.Sunday's demonstration was one of several protests carried out this week in Milan by international anti-fur activists organised under the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT).Behind a barricade and large banner saying "Milan Fashion Week Go Fur-Free", activists with a megaphone yelled "Shame on you for what you do!" as Armani guests left the show.Use of fur in the global fashion industry has dramatically fallen in recent years due to concerns about animal cruelty, changing trends and new synthetic alternatives.However, there remain notable holdouts, such as Fendi, owned by French conglomerate LVMH, a storied Italian luxury brand whose roots are in fur.Pierre-Emmanuel Angeloglou, the chief executive of Fendi, sits on the board of directors of the CNMI along with brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Ermenegildo Zegna, which have already rejected fur.Campaigners hope the anti-fur designers can convince Milan Fashion Week to ban fur, as London and New York have done.Smaller fashion weeks, including in Berlin, Copenhagen and Amsterdam, have also gone fur-free."It won't be Fendi that helps us reach our goal, because they have no interest in pushing this issue forward, but other brands might be able to contribute," Alberto Bianchi, 25, one of the protest's organisers, told AFP.The CNMI did not respond to an AFP request for comment.The activists had demonstrated on Wednesday outside Fendi's Milan headquarters where its runway show took place.Inside, newly seated designer Maria Grazia Chiuri showed a collection that included "remodelled" furs, or old furs reworked.Bianchi said that focus on recycling could possibly be seen as "a step forward" but cautioned that LVMH is still actively investing in the use of fur."I see it as a one-off move maybe to do a bit of greenwashing," he said. "As long as we still have fur farms in Europe and we still have the possibility of importing it, it's a gesture that doesn't change the underlying idea."The coalition won a victory in late January when pressure campaigns led to shipping giant DHL and cosmetics company Wella withdrawing as sponsors of Milan Fashion Week.Later this month, the European Commission is expected to rule on a 2023 citizens' initiative that called on the EU to ban fur farms and the killing of animals such as mink, foxes, raccoon dogs or chinchillas solely for their pelts.Activists cite the cruelty inherent in fur farming, in which the animals are crammed into tiny wire battery cages before being gassed or electrocuted.Milan Fashion Week ends today, with focus now turning to Paris Fashion Week – which similarly does not have an anti-fur policy. 

In a former warehouse tucked along Street 15 in Doha’s Industrial Area, 13 artists are betting that culture moves faster than cranes. As small and medium industries relocate to newly developed free zones and rents dip across Sanaiyya, Gubgub Studios has seized a rare window of affordability, transforming raw square meters into Qatar’s first artist-run, grassroots studio collective and staking a claim in the Gulf’s evolving creative map.**media[420897]**The vast space still bears traces of its industrial past: high trusses, concrete floors, and wide loading doors. But inside, scaffolding now stands beside stretched canvases, and the scent of sawdust blends with the scent of fresh paint. What might once have been a storage space for machinery has become a living arts hub, complete with shared studios, a basic wood shop and print facilities, photography and printing equipment, a small library, and a modular area for exhibitions, screenings and talks.**media[420898]**Led by 13 locally based artists, Gubgub Studios describes itself as the Gulf’s first independent, grassroots, artist-run platform. Yet for co-founder Sebastian Betancur Montoya, independence is not the point. “Yes, we are a grassroots artist-run platform, but rather than independence, we are interested in interdependency. Collaboration, collectivity, and crosspollination are at the core of our ethos, we are keen on growing together alongside other institutions and initiatives. “In this same line of thought, we don’t see GubGub Studios existing outside the institutionality; we instead consider ourselves another building block in the larger Arts and Culture infrastructure of the country and the region,” Montoya told Gulf Times.**media[420899]**That positioning, neither oppositional nor dependent, reflects the collective’s broader ambition: to expand the ecosystem rather than compete within it, he said. While Qatar’s cultural sector has grown rapidly over the past decade, much of its infrastructure remains institutionally driven. Gubgub proposes a complementary model, rooted in peer exchange, shared resources and artist-led programming. The timing, according to co-founder Habeeb Abou Futtaim, has been years in the making. “Regarding the timing, the moment had been right for a while. Some of the conversations that led to GubGub Studios go back 10 years, in the midst of the momentum created by the first cohort of the Fire Station residence; these conversations ramified and oftentimes circled back, just to reaffirm to us the local art community’s need for long-term studio spaces,” he said.**media[420900]**What followed was less a straight path than a prolonged search. “For the last few years, some of the current members looked into old villas, commercial storefronts, and abandoned buildings; while also writing grant applications, drafting business plans, learning about the commercial normative in Qatar, and fantasising about figuring out a viable art space model for our context,” Abou Futtaim said. The breakthrough came when they learned of newly available warehouses around Street 15. As industries shifted outward, real estate prices became feasible. “We then jumped into phone calls, invited others, grabbed a coffee, and came up with a plan,” he said. “The news about Art Basel coming to town felt reaffirming and gave us a timeline to work towards. GubGub Studios is the result of synergies, trial and error, longing for community, and our steadfast belief in art as a tool to imagine and build better futures.” The Industrial Area itself has become integral to that imagination. Surrounded by fabricators, material suppliers and workshops, artists at Gubgub operate within walking distance of tools and expertise rarely accessible in more polished districts. “The generous physical space and the availability of all sorts of industrial processes and materials a stone's throw away, allow us to work on larger scales, experiment with unfamiliar mediums, and develop complex projects, such as painting on a 10-metre canvas, hanging sculptures from the trusses, or pitching a dozen of camping tents indoors,” said co-founder Yousuf Bahzad. Scale, however, is only part of the story. “What has really made a mark in our approach to artmaking is the organic conversation and interactions derived from the diversity of practices, knowledge, and lived experiences coming together under a shared space,” he added. Bahzad said those exchanges extend beyond the 13 founding artists. “It’s also the contractors who come to do work and become regular tea and coffee companion, the curious friends showing up to take photos and play music, the neighbors who lend us scaffolding and gift us furniture, the nuts vendor, the generous patrons, scholars and art community, the guys at the nearby grocery stores and food stalls for whom we are no longer strangers, and even the visiting stray cats and dogs that have become a tad too comfortable with art.” If the Industrial Area provides raw material, continuity provides structure. Affordable, stable studio space remains rare across the region, where artists often navigate short-term residencies or temporary arrangements. At Gubgub, members have 24/7 access, shared amenities and the possibility of long-term tenancy. For co-founder Hana Al-Saadi, that stability reshapes both mindset and ambition, saying: “It’s mainly a challenge to the way we envision our practices. It allows us to develop different bodies of work in parallel but also forces us to think in long-term projects, which is steering us to become more intentional about the goals we are working towards in terms of exhibiting, positioning our work in the market, or finding other platforms to further our research.” Beyond the physical benefits, she noted a collective aspect: “Aside from the physical space, GubGub Studios feels bigger than our individual work and has garnered a good deal of attention in the art world, which is opening doors for us collectively as a project and for the artists professionally. It is still early to understand how this is influencing us as artists, but we are open and excited to put in the work to discover what’s to come.” According to the group, balancing experimentation with professional development remains central to that process. The collective acknowledges that artistic growth is rarely linear. Some members may pursue rigorous, sustained inquiry into a single medium; others may move through periods of fluid exploration. The cooperative structure is designed to accommodate both, providing space to take risks without immediate market pressure. Financially, Montoya said the model rests on shared responsibility. “We are fortunate that the current individual share to cover the space expenses is fairly moderate; also, we operate under a cooperative model and have devised mechanisms to support us as members in case of an unforeseen financial circumstance. This affords us the freedom to operate without having the market dictate the artistic outcomes,” At the same time, the collective is planning for sustainability. “As a self-funded platform, our future plans aim towards achieving at least partial self-sufficiency through different channels we are exploring, such as international funding, commercial activities, venue rental, private sponsorship, and exchange partnerships,” he added. Programming will play a key role in that strategy. Co-founder Rola Khayyat said the studio intends to expand its offerings beyond shared workspace. “At GubGub Studios we are also working towards expanding our programmes to offer residences and exchanges for international artists, chefs, and curators, as well as developing publications, exhibitions, workshops, talks, and film screenings,” she said. “These, aside of giving back and activating the community, are also opportunities for us to expand professionally by acquiring new skills, creating social impact, and building professional networks.” The ambition is not simply to occupy a warehouse, but to seed a durable network, one that links artists to fabricators in the neighbourhood, to international collaborators, and to a broader public curious about what emerges from behind industrial doors. 

Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Qatar Duty Free (QDF) look forward to hosting over 4mn passengers from around the world during the month of Ramadan. The award-winning terminal will feature a variety of unique experiences, designed to create moments of reflection and connection throughout the holy month.This year's highlight is The Orchard, the indoor garden that serves as the centerpiece of the airport's Ramadan transformation.**media[419546]**Drawing inspiration from the lunar cycle; the mesmerizing installation encapsulates the essence of the holy month, and represents the various phases of the moon. From the initial crescent that signals the start of Ramadan to the final crescent that marks the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. As passengers move through The Orchard this Ramadan, evolving lights, sculptural forms and interactive features transform the garden pathways into moments of pause and contemplation, where the lunar phases are revealed and passengers are invited to engage with the cyclical intention of the holy month.**media[419547]**Calm majlis-style areas inspired by traditional spaces of gathering across the region, are arranged throughout the lower level of the tropical garden, with ambient lighting. At sunset, a dedicated lighting experience is activated across the space, shifting the atmosphere to a warm glow that marks the close of the day's fast and reflects the communal nature of Ramadan evenings. Qatar Duty Free's renowned hospitality also fills the terminal this Ramadan.**media[419548]**Complimentary Arabic coffee and dates at Iftar, Suhoor pop-ups, and special in-restaurant Iftar menus invite passengers to share in daily moments of reflection and celebration, while bespoke light installations including lanterns, coffee pots and canons illuminate the concourse, invoking fond memories of Ramadan, both past and present.In-store, passengers can also discover curated Ramadan collections and giftsets across fashion, beauty, and confectionary -- a perfect treat for oneself or gift for loved ones. On 14th night of Ramadan, the airport will host traditional Qatari Garangao festivities, celebrating community and marking the halfway point of the month of fasting.In Souq Al Matar and across the terminal, passengers can discover cultural activations including Sadu weaving, bisht tailoring, henna artistry, and falconry. Children will fill the space with traditional Garangao songs while sweets are distributed by airport staff, reflecting the night's spirit of generosity and joy.This moment of pause extends into the airport and retailer's Ramadan campaign, 'For Moments Like These'. Capturing the journey of an intrepid young boy who sets out from home, bag in hand, to meet his father at the airport just in time to sit down and break their fast together -- the campaign speaks to the values of intention and togetherness during the Holy Month. Hamad International Airport welcomes passengers throughout the holy month with spaces to break fast, gather in prayer and spend time together before departure.All passengers journeying through Hamad International Airport are encouraged to arrive early and experience The Orchard during Ramadan before their flight. 

CEO of the Qatar Free Zones Authority, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal al-Thani, recently met with Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Panama, Julio Molto at Ras Bufontas Free Zone, reports QNA. The meeting reviewed ways to enhance co-operation and exchange expertise in trade and investment between the two countries. Investment opportunities and the exceptional advantages offered by Qatar's free zones, supported by the country's advanced infrastructure, were also presented. 

Hamad International Airport’s duty free sales' share to total sales was seen highest among the Middle Eastern airports and its revenue dependence on duty free was also seen higher, according to The Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East, the trade group representing over 600 airports across 44 countries and territories.The Middle Eastern airports otherwise saw electronics spend climb 14% as passengers increasingly leveraged tax advantages and sought out airport-exclusive collections unavailable in malls, a shift toward more deliberate, value-driven purchasing at the airport, revealing a fundamental change in airport retail dynamics, revealing a fundamental change in airport retail dynamics, said ‘Travel Retail Study in the Post-Pandemic Era', developed by ACI Asia Pacific and Middle East, in partnership with Auran and Steer."Duty-free has become the financial backbone of airports across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, delivering a significant share of retail revenue and driving commercial performance at major hub," it said.Highlighting that in the Middle East, duty-free is not just important, it is central to airport economics; it said within total sale, the duty-free sales shares are consistently high across the region, with Qatar at 38%, followed by the UAE 36%, Bahrain at 34%, Saudi Arabia 31% and Oman 31%."The revenue dependence is even higher, around 60% in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and over 50% across the UAE, Bahrain and Oman," said the study.The Middle East duty-free baskets favour confectionery and perfumes, while Asia-Pacific and Oceania hubs are more premium and alcohol-driven, it said, adding across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, airport retail performance shows strong uniformity, with the same categories consistently leading sales.Luxury goods and perfumes and cosmetics rank as the top two categories in both regions, reinforcing airports as trusted destinations for premium, duty-free and gifting purchases. Electronics typically rank third, supported by pricing advantages and last-minute convenience, and together these top three categories generate the highest net margins for airports.Beyond the top tier, regional preferences emerge, with local products performing strongly in Asia-Pacific, while confectionery and impulse gifting categories show greater strength in the Middle East.As much as 56% of responding airports held their commercial revenue is now stronger than 2019 levels, it said, adding as much as 44% of airports also expect higher commercial revenue per passenger in the next 12 months.Referring to the UAE and Saudi Arabia; it said outbound travelers from these nations are now top spenders, characterised by high disposable income and a strong gifting culture."The strongest spenders today originate from China, India, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, reflecting the specific traveller segments, trip purposes, and purchasing behaviours that these markets currently generate," it said.The study also points out that younger travelers are now driving spend, while passenger behaviour, rather than sheer traffic volumes, has become the defining factor of airport travel retail performance."Airports that align their commercial strategies with evolving passenger behaviour are better equipped to manage revenue volatility, sustain investment capacity, and remain competitive over the long term,” said Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia Pacific and Middle East.The study found Gen Zs (1997-2012) and Millennials (1981-1996) spend 3.5 times higher than Gen X (1965-80) & Boomers (1946-64).Gen Zs are four times more likely than Boomers to buy electronics, it said, adding Gen Zs are 2.5 times more likely than Boomers to buy luxury products and Boomers are 1.4 times more likely than Gen Z to buy confectionary products. 

His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al Thani; Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity of the State of Libya Abdulhamid Mohammed Dbeibah; and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Antonio Tajani witnessed in Misrata Tuesday the signing ceremony of a strategic partnership agreement for the development and expansion of the port terminal in the Misrata Free Zone.The agreement is between the Misrata Free Zone and Qatari, Italian, and Swiss companies. A lineup of senior officials from the two countries attended the signing ceremony. Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani affirmed that the signing of the agreement reflects the close and growing relations between Qatar and Libya in all fields, noting the two countries' constant keenness to explore new investment opportunities that serve the interests of the two brotherly peoples.

Hundreds of prisoners, including a former government minister and a model, walked free in Myanmar Sunday after the junta announced annual independence day pardons, a week after the start of an election that watchdogs have denounced as sham. The military grabbed power in a 2021 coup that triggered civil war, pitting pro-democracy rebels against junta forces, with thousands of activists since arrested. A dozen buses full of released prisoners exited Yangon’s Insein prison Sunday morning, with some waving to crowds of well-wishers. Family members outside Insein - notorious for alleged brutal rights abuses - held up signs with the names of their jailed loved ones, unsure if they would be among those freed. One man, who declined to be named due to security concerns, said he was hoping to see his father, who was jailed for “doing politics”. Ex-information minister Ye Htut was among those freed, after serving more than two years of a 10-year sentence for sedition and incitement against the military. “I was informed about my release early Sunday morning. I didn’t expect that,” Ye Htut said adding that he had been held in isolation and was not allowed family visits while detained. He was the presidential spokesman under the military government of Thein Sein, which ceded power to democratic figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi following landmark elections in 2015. Ye Htut was sentenced in late 2023, weeks after he was arrested for spreading “wrong information” on social media. In total, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing pardoned 6,134 imprisoned Myanmar nationals, the National Defence and Security Council said, adding that 52 foreign prisoners would also be released and deported. The yearly prisoner amnesty was announced as the country marks 78 years of independence from British colonial rule. Several freed men and women embraced relatives in tears outside Insein. Some who spoke said they had been arrested for drugs, theft and other non-political crimes. “I am very happy to reunite with my family,” said 35-year-old Yazar Tun, as he held one of his three children outside the prison. He said he served around eight months of a year-long sentence for loitering. Prominent model and former doctor Nang Mwe San was also among those released. She was arrested in 2022 on a charge of “harming culture and dignity” for posting allegedly explicit videos online. Myanmar’s junta opened voting in a phased month-long election a week ago, with its leaders pledging the poll would bring democracy and national reconciliation. However, rights advocates and Western diplomats have condemned it as a sham and an effort to rebrand martial rule. The pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has a decisive lead in the first phase, winning 90% of the lower house seats announced so far, according to official results published in state media on Saturday and Sunday. Many analysts describe the USDP as a civilian proxy of the military. Two more phases of voting are scheduled for January 11 and 25. The massively popular but dissolved National League for Democracy (NLD) of Suu Kyi did not appear on ballots, and she has been jailed since the coup. The military overturned the results of the last poll in 2020 after the NLD defeated the USDP by a landslide. The military and USDP then alleged massive voter fraud, claims that international monitors say were unfounded. The junta has said turnout in the first phase last week exceeded 50% of eligible voters, below the 2020 participation rate of around 70%. Myanmar frequently grants amnesty to thousands of prisoners to commemorate holidays or Buddhist festivals. A key aide to Suu Kyi was among hundreds of prisoners freed in a pre-election amnesty in November. The junta said that month it was dropping sentences for more than 3,000 prisoners, after they were prosecuted under post-coup legislation restricting free speech. 

His Excellency CEO of the Qatar Free Zones (QFZ) Authority Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal al-Thani said that Qatar National Day is a cherished national occasion to recall the values upon which the State of Qatar was founded, the values of faith, responsibility, and hard work, adding that these are the same principles that today guide the country towards achieving comprehensive development and enhancing its position on the global arena.Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of the country's National Day, Sheikh Mohammed extended his warm congratulations to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the leader and patron of Qatar's advancement, and to His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, whose foresighted vision laid the foundations for the country's development and put it on path towards a bright future.He added that recalling the role of the Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani is not merely a remembrance of the founding history, but a reminder of today's responsibility towards the future, adding that loyalty and belonging in the context of institutions and the economy mean converting the national vision into tangible outcomes, which include quality investments, sustainable job opportunities, a diversified economy, and international leadership supported by trust and achievement.He noted that the authority continues to perform its role as a catalyst for the growth of value-added sectors, in line with the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030) and the Third National Development Strategy, particularly with regard to attracting foreign direct investment, developing human capital, and achieving environmental and economic sustainability.On a personal level, he said that Qatar National Day is a moment to reflect on and assess institutional responsibility in achieving real economic impact, and evaluating the extent of actual contribution to supporting the stability of the state and its sustainable growth, adding that it is also an occasion to renew the collective commitment to diligent, results-driven work that befits the aspirations of the nation and its leadership.Regarding the QFZ's most prominent achievements in 2025, he said that the authority continued its role in supporting the transition towards a diversified, knowledge-based economy, thanks to an investment base of more than 800 companies licensed in the free zones, providing over 12,000 jobs, with cumulative investments approaching $5bn by the end of 2025.He pointed out that this year marked a shift from attracting investments to operating advanced industrial and technological facilities.In the aviation sector, the Safran Group opened its regional office in the free zones in cooperation with Qatar Airways, enhancing the country's capabilities in aircraft engine maintenance and data analytics.In the logistics sector, FedEx Logistics opened a new facility at the Ras Bufontas Free Zone, thus, strengthening Qatar's position as a key hub for international trade and supply chains.For its part, Alfardan Automotive inaugurated an advanced logistics centre in Umm Alhoul Free Zone.In the maritime sector, the MARSA port project in Umm Alhoul Free Zone was advanced through the signing of two memorandums of understanding (MoUs), with Feadship, and with Marina Port Vell, enhancing Qatar's position as a regional hub for maritime services, marine industries, and luxury yachts.The QFZ also signed strategic agreements with global partners, most notably a strategic MoU with WuXi Biologics, the leading Chinese international company in biologics research, development, and manufacturing, an important step aimed at strengthening Qatar's pharmaceutical ecosystem, driving research, development, and innovation in this field, and cooperating in the local manufacturing of biologic products.QFZ's co-operation in 2025 also included signing an agreement with Samsung C&T Corporation to implement innovative projects in renewable energy and low-carbon digital infrastructure, as well as an MoU with Russia's BIOCAD to develop biologics research, development, and manufacturing facilities.At the local level, the Authority signed an agreement with Jusour to support training national talents to meet the needs of advanced sectors in the free zones.Regarding new projects supporting digital transformation and contributing to the growth of the emerging technology sector, he said that the QFZ continues to enable the state's digital transformation by developing advanced technological infrastructure that enhances the local economy's readiness for next-generation applications.The year 2025 has been pivotal in this regard, with the free zones witnessing an expansion in the presence of global and local digital companies, in addition to the growth of cloud infrastructure and data centres, he noted.The Google Cloud Center of Excellence emerged as one of the key pillars in building digital capabilities, offering specialised training programs this year in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data analytics, contributing to the development of national talent and support for the private sector.The free zones also saw digital companies such as Kingdee, Quantiphi, and Qcloud expand data centre capabilities in Ras Bufontas Free Zone, as part of building an integrated digital ecosystem that supports artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, forming a foundation for emerging technologies.Digital transformation also strengthens joint projects with Samsung C&T Corporation, which combine digital innovation and sustainability through the development of smart energy solutions and low-carbon infrastructure.Technological advancement has extended to the maritime sector, where the MARSA port project introduced advanced digital systems for marina management and marine maintenance, an initiative showcased during the QFZ's participation in the Monaco Yacht Show 2025.These initiatives contribute to supporting the implementation of Qatar's Digital Agenda 2030 and consolidating the position of the free zones as a leading platform for innovation and advanced technologies in the region.Regarding QFZ's key strategic priorities for the coming year, His Excellency said that the authority will focus on developing a more flexible and competitive investment ecosystem that supports achieving the targets of the Third National Development Strategy to reach $100bn in foreign direct investment over the coming years.The QFZ's priorities include enhancing the regulatory environment through the development of a dual licensing model, which allows companies to operate in the free zones and the local market through an integrated operational mechanism, enabling greater flexibility in expansion, production, and export.The Authority is also working to enhance its investment services by simplifying procedures, expanding digital services, and improving investor experience from establishment through to operation.As part of strengthening national competitiveness, QFZ is focusing on reinforcing economic and logistical integration between the free zones and national infrastructure at ports and the airport, creating a coherent operational network that facilitates the movement of goods and supports companies' expansion into regional and global markets.The authority also seeks to develop a regulatory and operational framework that enables investors to establish centres of excellence and research and development facilities in the free zones, in co-operation with universities and national institutions. This aims to enhance innovation, link future industries with applied research, and create high-quality job opportunities for Qatari talent.Sustainability remains a central pillar in the coming year's plans, adopting low-carbon energy solutions, enhancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, and ensuring that new projects align with the state's goals of improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.He concluded his statement to QNA by saying that these priorities aim to enhance the ability of the free zones to attract high-value investments, expand their contribution to driving economic growth, and consolidate the position of the State of Qatar as a leading global destination for investment and innovation.