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Southeast Asian leaders at a ‌summit yesterday stressed an urgent need to co-ordinate their response to the impacts of the ​Middle East crisis, as they aim to ‌ease pressure from an energy shock that has rattled their oil import-reliant economies.Meeting on the ‌Philippine island of Cebu, ⁠leaders of the Association of ‌Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) called for a harmonised strategy to ‌ensure energy and food security and head off future crises in a region particularly exposed to a nearly 70-day blockade ⁠of the critical Strait of Hormuz.The chair of Asean, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, said the fallout from the war in Iran had created a domino effect of disruption and highlighted the need for "foresight, coordination, and concrete and collective action"."The recent crisis is a stark reminder of how vulnerable our our economies remain to sudden shifts in the international order and consequently, the global economy." he said at a retreat of the leaders."A few weeks worth of disruptions will take years to be corrected."CO-ORDINATION CHALLENGEAsean economic ministers on Thursday "identified practical, concrete response measures" to ​ensure energy and food security, according to a statement, but the proposals lacked specific details.They included diversifying suppliers and routes and developing a crisis communication protocol, but it was unclear what, if any, action might be taken.The region, with a population of nearly 700mn people and economies worth a combined $3.8tn, ⁠faces significant risks from the ​Iran war, and the Philippines — among the first countries in the world to declare an energy ​emergency — has pushed for approval of a voluntary, commercial-based Asean oil-sharing framework agreement.But coordination remains a big challenge for Asean. Despite rapid growth of its individual economies, integration has been slow, with vast differences between its 11 members and no central authority to ensure compliance with Asean agreements and initiatives.Asean leaders stressed the need to create mechanisms to withstand future crises, with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, saying energy supply pressures were very high and would not ease anytime soon."Asean must be ready for a long-term disruption. Our resilience must be built proactively with a clear forward-looking approach. This means we must be ready for any eventualities," he said.In a reference to the South China Sea and the 900km (550-mile) long Malacca Strait, the world's busiest waterway for international trade, Prabowo said it ‌was vital Asean prevent trade route disruptions in ‌its own backyard.His remarks come just two ⁠weeks after his own finance minister made waves by openly musing about ways countries could impose tolls on ships as a ⁠way to monetise the strait, before noting it ⁠would not be possible.PUSH TO RATIFY FUEL-SHARING PACTThe Asean leaders are expected to call for a negotiated settlement between the US and Iran as well as a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for about 130 vessels a day and a fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies prior to the conflict.Leaders will urge Asean members to complete the domestic processes required to approve a fuel-sharing pact, ensuring its "earliest possible entry into force", according to a ​working draft of a statement seen by Reuters on Thursday.Though the war has dominated talks in Cebu so far, progress was made in other areas on Thursday, with Marcos calling a meeting of the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia amid a fragile ceasefire, resulting in an agreement to restart engagement after two rounds of deadly border conflict last year.Foreign ministers also agreed to hold a virtual meeting with their counterpart from Myanmar, which is eager to normalise ties with Asean and allow its leadership to participate in its summits following a ban imposed after a 2021 military coup led to nationwide demonstrations that spiralled into civil war.The crisis in Myanmar has long divided the bloc, with some members ‌seeking engagement with a new, ​nominally civilian government led by former junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who became president recently after a one-sided election swept by a pro-military party. 

Qatar's Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has signed a contract with the Korean Ministry of Intellectual Property and the Korea Intellectual Property Strategy Agency, as part the the National Intellectual Property Strategy which aims to develop the intellectual property ecosystem and enhance the innovation environment in the country.The agreement was signed by His Excellency Mohammed bin Hassan al-Malki, Undersecretary of the MoCI, and Young-sun Kim, Minister of Intellectual Property, and Byung-soo Yoon, President of the Korea Intellectual Property Strategy Agency, in the presence of a number of officials from both sides.Both parties emphasised the importance of strengthening co-operation between Qatar and Korea in intellectual property, in a manner that contributes to building national capacities and benefiting from Korea’s advanced expertise in developing innovation-supportive strategies, a statement explained.Under the agreement, the Korea Intellectual Property Strategy Agency will prepare a comprehensive national intellectual property strategic plan, including an analysis of the current environment, the identification of vision, objectives, strategic priorities, and performance indicators.The signing of this project represents a strategic step toward developing an integrated national framework for intellectual property, contributing to enhanced economic competitiveness and supporting the transition toward a knowledge- and innovation-based economy, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy, the statement added. 

His Excellency the Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari revealed Wednesday key features of the State of Qatar's General Budget for the year 2026, including sectoral expenditure distribution, government contracting plans, and the financing of the Third National Development Strategy.During the press conference, held on the occasion of the announcement of the 2026 State Budget on Tuesday, he presented a comprehensive overview of the expected economic indicators for the current year 2025, along with several initiatives by the Ministry of Finance to empower and engage the Qatari private sector.HE the Minister of Finance affirmed that the new budget represents a continuation of the balanced fiscal approach adopted by the State, aiming to achieve financial sustainability, enhance economic growth, improve public spending efficiency, and provide an investment-friendly environment, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.HE al-Kuwari stated that the total expenditure for the 2026 budget amounts to QR220.8bn, distributed as follows: QR69.5bn allocated for salaries and wages, QR81.5bn for current expenditures, QR7bn for minor capital expenditures, and QR62.8bn for major capital expenditures.In his review of the main sector allocations in the new budget, he noted that the education sector is allocated QR21.8bn, while the health sector receives QR25.4bn, up from QR22bn in 2025. This reflects the state's continued commitment to developing human capital and improving the quality of public services.He explained that the municipality and environment sector is allocated QR22.2bn, the sports sector QR7.6bn, commercial affairs QR4.1bn, transportation QR4.1bn, communications QR3.8bn, and social services QR2.8bn, reflecting a balanced distribution of spending across vital sectors.HE the Minister of Finance pointed out that the total expected revenues for the 2026 fiscal year amount to QR199bn (QR155bn from oil and gas revenues, and QR44bn from non-oil revenues), compared to total revenues of QR197bn in 2025 (QR154bn from oil revenues and QR43bn from non-oil revenues).This reflects an improvement in oil revenues and continued growth in non-oil revenues, attributed to the state's continued conservative approach in estimating oil and gas revenues, based on an average oil price of $55 per barrel, to enhance financial flexibility and ensure spending stability.Regarding the government contracting plan for 2026, His Excellency highlighted key sectors, noting that the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) plans to issue tenders worth QR49bn, the Ministry of Public Health QR2.6bn, the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corp (Kahramaa) QR7.2bn, and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education QR2.3bn.He explained that the total number of tenders offered to the private sector amounts to approximately 4,464 tenders with an estimated value exceeding QR70bn, as part of the 2026 Government Procurement Plan Forum, reflecting the state's direction toward enhancing public-private partnerships.In this context, His Excellency referred to several initiatives by the Ministry of Finance to empower and engage the private sector, including a review of the state's infrastructure projects for the next five years to assess their feasibility for private sector implementation, and transferring suitable projects to the relevant committee at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.Work is also underway to issue a mandatory list of national products that government entities must purchase, giving priority to national products in government procurement.The first phase is expected to include more than 1,000 national products. At the same time, the ministry aims for an annual growth rate of no less than 10% in the value of local content in government procurement, with the actual annual growth rate exceeding the target, resulting in a national economic impact of QR9bn during 2025.While reviewing the initiatives and projects of the Third National Development Strategy for the period 2024-2030, His Excellency revealed an allocation of approximately QR32.7bn for its implementation.He explained that the strategy is based on seven national strategic outcomes, including sustainable economic growth (QR10.8bn), outstanding government institutions (QR3.1bn), environmental sustainability (QR0.9bn), financial sustainability (QR1.3bn), a future-ready workforce (QR0.9bn), a cohesive society (QR0.6bn), and high quality of life (QR4bn).HE al-Kuwari confirmed that Qatar's credit rating is among the best in the region and the world, reflecting confidence in the Qatari economy.He noted that fiscal discipline is one of the main pillars of the country's high credit rating, in addition to the continued enhancement of human resource efficiency, strengthening of financial reserves, expenditure control, and sound strategic planning to deal with crises.In his remarks on key economic indicators for the current year, HE the Minister of Finance stated that the GDP growth rate is expected to reach 2.9% according to IMF estimates, with non-hydrocarbon GDP growing by 4.4% and hydrocarbon GDP by 0.1%.He explained that the annual inflation rate for the year through last October is expected to be 0.7%, one of the lowest rates in the region, with expectations that inflation will remain low in the medium term.He also noted that Qatar received 4.4mn tourists by the end of November. 

The General Secretariat of the Shura Council Wednesday launched its institutional strategy for 2025-2030, in the presence of His Excellency Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim; His Excellency Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali al-Mohannadi and His Excellency President of the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau and Secretary‑General of the National Planning Council Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa, along with several Their Excellencies members of the Council.**media[389290]**The strategy is designed to strengthen the Council's legislative and oversight functions, raise the efficiency of administrative and operational work, and promote digital transformation and institutional innovation in line with international best practices. It is anchored in a vision of consolidating the Council's institutional presence, guided by values of efficiency, responsibility, teamwork, excellence, and sustainability.**media[389292]**In remarks at the ceremony, His Excellency Secretary‑General of the Shura Council, Nayef bin Mohammed al- Mahmoud, said the strategy was the product of institutional work and a comprehensive development programme based on a clear vision for advancing the Council's mission. He noted that its foundations were inspired by the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and that its preparation involved a review of documents and legislation governing the Council's work to ensure alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy.**media[389291]**Al-Mahmoud explained that the plan sets out six main objectives: strengthening governance in institutional administration, improving operational efficiency through digital transformation and innovation, supporting legislative and oversight work, developing partnerships and cooperation at local and international levels, building future‑ready human capital, and enhancing community engagement. He added that the strategy includes 46 projects to be implemented over the next five years, describing it as a new phase in institutional development that provides a practical framework to support the Council's work and reinforce its role in public life. Concluding his speech, al-Mahmoud expressed appreciation to the Speaker, members of the Council, and all contributors to the strategy, voicing hope that its implementation will strengthen parliamentary work and the Council's national role in the coming period, noting that this step builds on an institutional journey dating back to the Council's establishment in 1972.

Doha's fixed income market Monday got the much-needed stimulus with Ahlibank Qatar becoming the first corporate entity to list its bond in the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE).The listing of Ahlibank Qatar’s a QR500mn, 4.45%; three-year fixed rate note in the QSE comes two years after the Qatar Central Bank launched the third Financial Sector Strategy, which aims to further develop the financial sector in the country as part of the National Vision 2030.The bonds have started trading after a direct listing. The listing marks the first corporate bond issuance to be listed and traded on the Exchange and represents an important milestone in the development and diversification of Qatar’s capital markets.The bonds, which come under its broader $2bn euro medium-term note programme, are traded under the ticker “CA01”, and the indicative (reference) price for the first day of trading was set at 100% of the bond’s nominal value (QR1,000). A 10% price fluctuation limit — upward and downward — is applicable.The net proceeds from each issue of notes will be lent by the issuer (ABQ Finance) to the guarantor (Ahlibank Qatar) and will be used by the guarantor for its general corporate purposes, which include making a profit, or as otherwise specified in the final terms.A bell-ringing ceremony was held at the QSE to mark this milestone occasion. The event was attended by Dr Tamy bin Ahmad al-Binali, chief executive officer of the Qatar Financial Markets Authority; Abdullah Mohammed al-Ansari, chief executive officer of the QSE; Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim al-Thani, chief executive officer of Edaa; and Hassan Ahmed al-Efrangi, chief executive officer of Ahli Bank. Their presence underscored the high level of co-ordination and institutional alignment among the key entities of Qatar’s financial sector.Ahli Bank has long been a key contributor to Qatar’s financial landscape. The issuance of its inaugural QAR denominated corporate bonds supports the Bank’s efforts to diversify its funding sources, strengthen its capital structure, and enhance long-term financial stability. As one of the country’s established financial institutions, Ahli Bank continues to play an important role in delivering banking solutions and supporting economic development.The listing advances several priorities under the third financial sector strategy. These include market development, financial sector competitiveness, diversification of investment instruments, and broader access for investors. It expands the range of opportunities available to market participants and reinforces the depth and maturity of Qatar’s financial market.The QFMA, QSE, Edaa and Ahli Bank worked closely together to ensure a smooth and efficient listing process consistent with international standards. Their collaboration reflects a unified effort to strengthen market infrastructure, enhance regulatory coordination, and support greater participation from both local and international investors.Qatar’s capital market institutions continue to work to introduce new products and advance initiatives that reinforce the pillars of the Third Financial Sector Strategy. These efforts aim to enhance liquidity, improve market accessibility, and support the evolving needs of issuers and investors.One of the primary goals of developing Qatar’s financial markets is to encourage Qatari companies to raise funds from domestic sources and reduce their reliance on foreign funding. An important initiative in this context will be to establish general guidelines and policies to encourage corporate debt instruments issuance by Qatari companies.

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.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has launched the National Strategy to Combat Desertification 2025-30, as part of Qatar's efforts to protect its natural resources, enhance their sustainability, and mitigate land degradation and the impacts of drought, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy 2024-30.The strategy aims to establish a comprehensive national framework to combat desertification and achieve land degradation neutrality by improving the efficiency of natural resource management and strengthening supportive legislation and policies, thereby contributing to the protection of ecosystems and the achievement of sustainable development.In his remarks during the launch ceremony, HE the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie affirmed that desertification and the depletion of natural resources pose escalating environmental challenges that require collective efforts both locally and globally.He emphasised that the launch of this national strategy reflects Qatar's commitment to protecting the environment and honouring its international obligations, particularly under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).HE Dr al-Subaie said that the strategy is based on advanced scientific and technical foundations and aims to enhance the State's capacity to address the effects of drought and desertification, protect vegetation cover, and ensure biodiversity sustainability, in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.He added that the strategy encompasses six key outcomes: protecting ecosystems and reducing factors contributing to desertification and drought; promoting sustainable management of natural resources; strengthening vegetation cover and rehabilitating affected environments; building capacity and supporting scientific research and innovation; developing legislation, policies, and effective governance; and enhancing community participation and national and international partnerships.HE Dr al-Subaie noted that these pillars form the foundation for the programmes and projects that the ministry will implement in partnership with national and international entities, as well as local communities.He added that the ministry, as the national focal point for the UNCCD, co-ordinated efforts with relevant stakeholders in the public and private sectors and civil society institutions to prepare the strategy, which includes practical programmes and projects, most notably the rehabilitation of terrestrial environments, cultivation of native plant species, establishment of nurseries for the propagation of local species, and the updating of legislation governing the use of natural resources.HE Dr al-Subaie added that the ministry is leading the implementation of the strategy in co-operation with concerned entities through an integrated institutional and operational framework that includes regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, clear identification of responsibilities and authorities, and the provision of the necessary human, technical, and financial resources.The minister further noted the activation of modern technological tools for monitoring and management to ensure the effective and sustainable execution of all programs and projects.He called for greater collaboration among national sectors to ensure the effective implementation of the strategy and the achievement of its objectives in addressing desertification, protecting the environment, and ensuring sustainability for future generations.Assistant Undersecretary for Protection and Natural Reserves Affairs Dr Ibrahim Abdul Latif al-Muslimani said that the launch of the strategy comes as part of the ministry's efforts to establish an integrated national approach to address desertification and related environmental challenges.He said that the strategy represents a comprehensive framework that promotes ecosystem protection, rehabilitation of affected environments, and development and sustainability of vegetation cover, in addition to strengthening sound management of natural resources.Dr al-Muslimani stressed the importance of raising environmental awareness across all segments of society, developing training programmes and institutional capacity-building, and promoting scientific research and innovation in the field of sustainable land management.He pointed out that the preparation of the strategy came in response to the environmental challenges facing Qatar, including the scarcity of natural resources, fragile vegetation cover, and encroachment of sand dunes.Adel Mohammed al-Yafei, the head of the Wildlife Development Department’s Plant Wildlife Section, said that the National Strategy to Combat Desertification, is a milestone in the ministry's record of achievements.He said that the strategy seeks to develop early warning and environmental monitoring systems, stabilise sand dunes, mitigate the effects of climate change, and promote balanced management of water, soil, and mineral resources.The official added that the strategy includes projects to rehabilitate affected ecosystems, improve the efficiency of agricultural land use, and enhance research and innovation through the adoption of smart agriculture technologies and the use of artificial intelligence applications in natural resource management, as well as promoting applied studies related to combating desertification.Al-Yafei noted that the Wildlife Development Department continues to implement national programmes to combat desertification through integrated policies aimed at rehabilitating degraded rangelands, cultivating native plant species, expanding the establishment of national nurseries to propagate and preserve local flora, and enforcing ministerial decisions to curb overgrazing and combat invasive plant species that threaten local ecosystems.He said that the department is committed to applying clear measures to protect vegetation cover and wildlife within development projects at all stages of implementation, in a way that strengthens environmental balance and supports national efforts to combat desertification and land degradation.The launch ceremony was attended by HE the Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah, HE the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al-Mahmoud, and Public Works Authority (Ashghal) President engineer Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Meer, along with assistant undersecretaries, senior officials from environmental, academic, and research sectors, and representatives of national institutions and the private sector.

Doha's national manufacturing strategy, which reinforces broader diversification by targeting high-value industries, will not only have ripple effect beyond industries but also slated to drive growth in infrastructure and real estate, alongside priority sectors, through trickle-down effect, according to KPMG in Qatar."The National Manufacturing Strategy serves as a central pillar within the Third National Development Strategy, reinforcing Qatar’s broader diversification agenda by targeting high-value, innovation-driven industrial growth, and positioning manufacturing as a core engine for building long-term economic resilience," KPMG in Qatar said in an article posted on a social media.Combining short-term, low-cost quick-win projects with longer-term, high-impact investments reflects a dual-track strategy that builds early momentum, lays the groundwork for systemic transformation, manages risk, and sustains stakeholder engagement through visible progress, according to the article.Highlighting the need for empowered execution through cohesive partnerships; the report said effective implementation hinges not only on the right strategy but also on the right actors, with the emphasis on solid, capable partnerships reflecting the recognition that policy ambition must be matched by public and private institutional capacity to drive results at scale.Suggesting priority sectors as growth catalysts; it said the targeted sectors are not only economically viable but are strategically selected to build competitive advantage by aligning with Qatar’s natural strengths, while the increased focus on industrialisation is expected to drive growth in the infrastructure and realty sectors alongside the priority sectors in the strategy.The priority sectors are pharmaceuticals, chemicals and petrochemicals, plastics, food and beverage, metal and fabricated metals, and construction materials, according to the national manufacturing strategy.On unlocking the potential in pharmaceuticals, KPMG in Qatar said it enhances national health security through local production of essential medicines by offering high value-added potential and opportunities for skilled employment.On plastics, which utilises petrochemical outputs to create high demand consumer and industrial products; the article said it encourages innovation in packaging, construction, and manufacturing applications.About focus on metals and fabricated metals, it facilitates infrastructure and industrial development through critical inputs by promoting higher value-added activities in metalworking and product assembly.On the potential in chemicals and petrochemicals, the article said it leverages Qatar’s abundant hydrocarbon resources for downstream diversification, supporting export growth and global competitiveness in industrial chemicals."As Qatar advances its national manufacturing strategy, the ripple effects will extend beyond industry, shaping the country’s infrastructure and real estate landscape in critical ways," it said, adding increased manufacturing activity would drive demand for purpose-built industrial zones, logistics hubs, and warehousing facilities.KPMG noted demand for accommodation, office space, and complementary developments such as retail and food and beverage outlets is likely to increase around emerging manufacturing clusters, supporting broader patterns of urban expansion.Growth in manufacturing would require robust transportation networks, utilities, sustainable, Eco-friendly, digital infrastructure to ensure seamless operations and connectivity, it said, adding coordinated planning will be essential to balance industrial growth with sustainability, zoning efficiency, and urban liveability.Highlighting that Qatar already has a well-established built environment, comprising extensive infrastructure and real estate developments distributed across various zones; it said further expansion of these sectors is expected to generate significant trickle-down effects across other areas of the economy."The evolution of these sectors has been shaped by a series of economic, geopolitical, and global events over the past decade, each influencing demand patterns and driving shifts in growth and investment across the broader landscape," it said.

Anchoring its agenda on the implementation of the Third National Development Strategy and the long-term goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030, the Cabinet Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating efforts across all sectors under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani chaired the Cabinet’s regular session at the Amiri Diwan, where he urged ministers to double down on performance in the coming period to meet the objectives set out in the national strategy and vision.Following the meeting, HE Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali al-Mohannadi stated the following:At the outset of the meeting, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed Their Excellencies the ministers on the resumption of the Cabinet sessions following the summer break.The Cabinet reviewed the completion of preparations for the 2025-2026 academic year, which will mark the opening of new schools, further development of curricula, and the strengthening of the requirements and foundations of the educational process.As such, the Cabinet hoped that a terrific academic year would abound with successes and achievements in terms of a wholesome educational environment, through which the goals of the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030 will be accomplished in the areas of education.The Cabinet considered the items on the agenda and approved a draft decision issued by the Minister of Commerce and Industry to promulgate the executive regulations of Law No. (8) of 2020 on the Regulation of the Auditing Profession.This draft decision is prepared in implementation of Article (55) of Law No. (8) of 2020 and reflects the Ministry's commitment to ensuring that legislative tools keep pace with developments in the field of auditing.The Cabinet also decided to take the necessary measures to ratify the charter establishing the World Water Council.In addition, it decided to approve the draft technical cooperation agreement between Qatar’s Supreme Judicial Council and the United Nations, represented by the United Nations Regional Institute for Crime and Justice Research, and the draft memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of public prosecution between the Public Prosecution of the State of Qatar and the Public Prosecution of the Republic of Albania.Furthermore, the Cabinet decided to approve the draft executive programme of the memorandum of understanding between the governments of Qatar and Oman in the agricultural, animal, and fisheries fields for 2025-2027.Finally, the Cabinet wrapped up its meeting by examining four reports and taking the appropriate decisions accordingly, which included the first semi-annual report for 2025 on the budget allocated for cybersecurity projects in government entities, the first report on the activities of the National Ports Security Committee, a report on the outcomes of the participation of HE Minister of Social Development and Family in the 44th session of the Arab Women's Committee, the regional preparatory meeting for the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), and a report on the outcomes of the participation of HE Minister of Municipality in the 28th meeting of the Ministers of Municipal Affairs of the Gulf Co-operation Council countries.

GCC will need to invest an estimated $12bn to $25bn in recycling infrastructure by 2045 to position itself as a circular plastics hub, according to industry assessments.A new report from KAPSARC and Strategy& Middle East, part of the PwC network, finds that the Gulf Co-operation Council could play a critical role in closing the global gap in recycled plastics — with demand projected to outstrip supply by up to 35mn tonnes by 2030.Although demand for recycled plastics is rising by 8% annually — outpacing the 2% annual growth in virgin plastics — supply continues to lag behind.Despite growing momentum, less than 70% of global demand for recycled materials is being met. The shortfall is expected to reach 35mn tonnes by 2030.Today, GCC countries generate around 10mn tonnes of plastic waste annually but only 10% is recycled, reused or recovered. This ratio is on par with the global average, yet behind leaders like China and other OECD countries.In Saudi Arabia, the plastics and chemical sectors contribute 6%–9% of GDP, underscoring the region’s economic exposure to global shifts in plastics demand and the opportunity to lead in circularity.Devesh Katiyar, Partner, at Strategy& Middle East, said, “With global mechanical recycling still under 10% and pressure mounting from ESG mandates, carbon regulations, and shifting consumer preferences, there is a growing mismatch between supply and demand.“Unless addressed, this imbalance could delay climate progress and reinforce reliance on virgin plastics. The GCC is uniquely positioned to bridge this gap by leveraging its petrochemical strengths for circular solutions.”Globally, chemical recycling — especially pyrolysis — is gaining momentum, but its commercial viability depends on feedstock availability, energy prices, and plant efficiency.Modelling by KAPSARC and Strategy& shows that chemical recycling plants in the GCC that are embedded in petrochemical clusters can break even at plastic waste feedstock prices of $240 to $280 per metric tonne. Even at higher prices of $450 to $500 per tonne, profitability is still achievable, provided recycled plastics continue to command a market premium over virgin materials.Jayanth Mantri, Principal, at Strategy& Middle East, commented, “The economics of chemical recycling are compelling for the GCC, especially when integrated into existing systems and supported by the region’s competitive energy costs. Unlike traditional petrochemicals, chemical recycling is knowledge-intensive and offers potentially higher economic multipliers and innovation-driven growth.”Low-cost energy and existing infrastructure make the GCC well-positioned to lead. According to the report, success requires progress on three fronts: feedstock access, regulatory certainty, as well as innovation and consumer awareness.To ensure stable feedstock supply and global market access, the GCC must establish formal plastic waste trade corridors with Asia, Africa, and Europe.This includes upgrading ports, customs systems, and cross-border traceability infrastructure in line with international standards — securing inbound waste streams and enabling outbound exports of certified recycled resins.To reduce reliance on foreign policy shifts, the region must also accelerate domestic regulatory reform. Key priorities include extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, recycled content mandates, pricing reform for virgin polymers, and harmonised quality and safety standards across the GCC.Scaling circularity will also depend on investment in chemical recycling, smart sorting systems, and blockchain traceability tools. Government co-funding can support R&D in partnership with industry, while consumer incentives and awareness campaigns will help drive demand and improve waste segregation.The report also calls for blended financing to help build a modern circular plastics ecosystem, noting that GCC nations should leverage sovereign wealth funds, PPPs, and de-risking mechanisms to mobilise capital and attract global players.