‘Italy proud to be Qatar's largest trading partner in Europe, third globally'
Italian Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H E Maria Tripodi said Italy is Qatar's largest trading partner in Europe and third largest globally. 'In my meeting this morning with the Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs H E Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed, we emphasised the special relationship that binds Qatar with Italy, the first European and third global trade partner to Doha. This is an achievement of which our country is proud, for the contribution we have made within the ambitious 'Vision 2030' of Qatar,' the Undersecretary of State said. She was speaking at an event to mark Italian Design Day yesterday.
Tripodi said the occasion served as a celebration of Italian design, as well as of the success of commercial relations between Italy and Qatar. Through the annual Italian Design Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy celebrates the creativity, functionality, and good taste of Italian products worldwide, She added.
'Even more satisfying is the ability we have shown as a nation to work together here in Qatar, with the contribution of everyone: businesses, individuals, and institutions. I want all of you to know that we are at your service to make Italy grow together, both at the Farnesina in Rome and here in Doha, at our Embassy and the Italian Trade Office,' Tripodi added.
Some design projects by the students of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) were displayed on the occasion. The undersecretary of state said art and design was an important connection between the two countries. 'Our cultures are becoming increasingly interconnected, and our young people can more and more appreciate the opportunities of connections between Italy and Qatar as a chance for growth, understanding, and for building lasting relationships for the future.'
Addressing the event, Ambassador of Italy to Qatar H E Paolo Toschi highlighted Qatar-Italy ties especially in areas of art, design and culture. 'Design is an important part of our relations. It connects minds, it connects technology, business, people. And it connects Italy and Qatar.'
The Ambassador also emphasised Qatar-Italy collaboration for peace and stability in the region and beyond. 'This is a year of special energy. We have ahead of us time of uncertainty and unsolved issues regionally and globally.
'Definitely there are a lot of questions. We in Italy and Qatar are convinced that to address these questions, these issues, we need dialogue, we need a conversation, and we need to work together in spirit of cooperation and friendship, and our friendship with Qatar is an example of how we can do this. Together we are strong,' Ambassador Toschi concluded.
Addressing the gathering, VCUarts Qatar's Dean Amir Berbić said it was a pivotal time in Qatar-Italy cultural partnership with recent announcement of Qatar to have a permanent pavilion at Venice Biennale. 'We value very much the connection that is developed between VCUarts Qatar campus and the Italian creative community both here in Qatar and abroad. We are so fortunate to have some of Italy's most talented and creative people teaching our students at VCUarts Qatar. They are truly making an amazing impact on the school by being at the top of their fields as designers, artists, and scholars and immersing our students in incredible educational experiences.'
© Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TECHx
an hour ago
- TECHx
META Gamers Prioritise Performance, Not Whole PC Rebuilds
Home » Tech Market Insights » META Gamers Prioritise Performance, Not Whole PC Rebuilds META Gamers are shifting focus to GPU upgrades over full PC builds. Discover why performance, not price, is shaping gaming hardware trends across the region. According to CONTEXT data, GPU sales have seen sharp growth since March, especially in the UAE, where May marked a peak in high-end graphics card demand. Türkiye tells a different story, one of price-savvy players opting for mid-range GPUs with optimal performance-to-cost ratios. Meanwhile, other categories like gaming monitors are seeing temporary dips, as budgets shift toward graphics horsepower. The takeaway? META's gaming community is evolving, and vendors will need to adapt to a smarter, more focused upgrade culture. The Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa (META) region is solidifying its position as a critical hub in the global gaming hardware market. Driven by a youthful, tech-savvy demographic and substantial public and private investment, the region is witnessing an unprecedented rise in demand for high-performance gaming gear. However, recent analysis by CONTEXT reveals a nuanced trend that challenges conventional assumptions about gaming hardware consumption: META gamers are exhibiting a distinct preference for upgrading individual components, particularly Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), without a corresponding uplift in full-system desktop PC sales. This sophisticated component-upgrade behaviour, in contrast to patterns observed in the European market, suggests a mature and price-conscious landscape that necessitates a recalibrated approach for vendors and channel partners. The rise of component upgrades over full systems Drawing on the latest distribution sales data from CONTEXT, it is evident that gaming GPUs are gaining significant traction across META, albeit with a delay compared to Europe. The demand for new generation GPUs is a primary driver of this growth. Yet, this increase in GPU sales has not translated into a significant rise in desktop PC sales for the gaming segment. This indicates that META gamers are prioritising targeted upgrades of specific components rather than investing in entirely new systems. This divergence from typical upgrade cycles seen elsewhere highlights a market that is not simply growing, but changing in its purchasing habits. Key drivers behind META's unique market Several factors underpin META's unique component-focused growth. The youthful demographic, with a large segment of the population under 30 years old, represents an enthusiastic gaming audience with disposable income. Furthermore, the considerable growth of Esports, now a mainstream phenomenon with significant government backing for tournaments and talent development, is directly fuelling demand for high-end performance hardware. Government initiatives, such as Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the UAE's Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, are also fostering essential infrastructure development and industry support. These macro trends create a fertile ground for high-performance hardware, but the specific focus on components suggests a discerning consumer base. Regional variations in GPU demand A closer examination of GPU performance by country, as discussed in the recent CONTEXT META Monthly webinar, reveals distinct regional nuances. Both the UAE and Türkiye have demonstrated substantial GPU growth since March, with revenue trends significantly exceeding previous years. The UAE, for instance, experienced a notable peak in GPU performance in May, driven by a strong appetite for high-end GPUs, further bolstered by a large expatriate population with considerable disposable income. This segment actively seeks premium components to enhance their gaming experience. Conversely, Türkiye, with its large and passionate PC gaming community, exhibits a different dynamic. While a dedicated enthusiast segment still opts for high-end GPUs, the market is highly price-sensitive, with mid-range GPUs offering a strong price-to-performance ratio proving very popular. This highlights a segmentation within the market, where affordability plays a crucial role in purchasing decisions for a significant portion of gamers. Impact on other hardware segments This component-centric trend also explains shifts in other hardware categories. For example, the gaming monitor segment has seen noticeable declines in sales as anticipated by CONTEXT. This downturn is largely attributed to the reallocation of gaming budgets towards GPU purchases. Despite this, demand for gaming monitors persists and is expected to rebound once the new generation of GPUs is adopted, thereby enhancing visual performance for gaming. This reinforces the idea of a strategic, phased upgrade approach by consumers. Within the monitor market, value dynamics vary significantly across countries. The UAE shows widespread adoption of high refresh rate and high-resolution monitors, driven by the competitive Esports scene that demands displays with low response times and adaptive sync technologies. Saudi Arabia, a booming market, also exhibits a clear preference for high refresh rate, 144Hz and above, and high-resolution displays, with curved and ultra-wide monitors gaining significant traction for their immersive experience. In Türkiye, while there is a growing trend towards adopting high refresh rate monitors, 1080p resolution remains mainstream for many, and affordability is a key factor in purchasing decisions. South Africa, while not as widespread in high-end monitor adoption as in other countries, shows growing interest in displays with higher refresh rates and better colour accuracy, especially within its competitive gaming community. Despite the overall decline in gaming monitor revenue, 27-inch and 32-inch models continue to perform better than trends of previous years. This suggests that underlying demand remains present and is poised for a rebound as GPU upgrades become more prevalent. This further underscores the intertwined nature of component upgrades and their cascading effects on other hardware categories. Strategic implications for channel partners In conclusion, the META region presents a compelling and complex market for gaming hardware. Unlike some established markets, it is not simply absorbing new technology but is demonstrating a sophisticated, component-upgrade behaviour driven by performance demands, price sensitivity, and changing gaming trends. For hardware manufacturers and distributors, understanding this nuanced consumer behaviour is paramount. A channel strategy that acknowledges and caters to this focused component upgrade cycle, rather than solely pushing full-system sales, will be critical for engaging effectively with META's dynamic and growing gaming community.
Gulf Business
3 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Qatar weighs in on global tokenisation rules with new policy report
Henk J. Hoogendoorn, QFC's chief financial sector officer. (Image: Supplied) Qatar is setting its sights on becoming a key player in global tokenisation frameworks as the market heads towards a potential $16tn by 2030. The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) has unveiled a The projection for a $16tn market comes from Boston Consulting Group and ADDX, which estimate tokenisation could represent around 10 per cent of global GDP Drawing on insights from the inaugural Digital Assets Policy Roundtable held in Doha alongside the Qatar Economic Forum earlier this year, the report, entitled The findings highlight five priorities: align cross‑border regulations, invest in core infrastructure, embed financial inclusion, coordinate AI‑blockchain governance and establish public‑private 'tokenisation labs' to validate real‑world use cases. 'Tokenisation can unlock real value by making assets more accessible and easier to transfer,' said Yousuf Mohamed Al‑Jaida, CEO of the QFC. 'To realise this potential, we need a clear system that combines robust regulation, secure custody and practical application. This will create a trusted environment that enables institutional adoption and drives sustainable market growth.' Pragmatism before perfection The report urges a measured, infrastructure‑first approach to tokenisation. 'Tokenisation must serve a purpose,' said Henk J. Hoogendoorn, QFC's chief financial sector officer. 'It should democratise access and create real‑world value. Qatar is committed to making tokenisation of real‑world assets a success.' Maha Al‑Saadi, head of regulatory Affairs at QFC and moderator of the roundtable, added: 'Regulatory clarity is not a luxury, it is a prerequisite for scalable tokenisation. Our goal is to bridge global standards with local implementation to ensure digital assets can operate within a trusted and secure environment.' Speakers at the Inaugural Digital Assets Policy Roundtable hosted by Qatar Financial Centre alongside Qatar Economic Forum. From Left: Patrick Tan (HELIX), Zane Suren (Zodia Custody), Shaun Swan (QFCRA), Mohammel Al-MXXX) Heinz Konzett (Lichtenstein), Henk J. Hoogendoorn (QFC), Arjun Vir Singh (ADL), Saloi Benbaha (XDC Network), Giovanni Everduin (CBI), Sandra Ro (GBBC), Jorge Carrassco (FTI), Tanvi Singh (GBBC), Michal Gromek (Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime), Maha Al-Saadi (QFC), Oscar Wendel (Global Stratalogues), Bashir Kazour (Taurus). Co‑author of the report and founder of Global Stratalogues, Oscar Wendel, said: 'This report distils the collective intelligence of global thought leaders, financial experts and regulators. It is designed to help lay the policy foundations for inclusive and interoperable digital asset markets worldwide.' Oscar Wendel, Founder & Chairman, Global Stratalogues and co-author of the report, closes the Inaugural Policy Roundtable in Doha. Regional momentum The Gulf is emerging as a testbed for tokenisation innovation. In Dubai, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has introduced a regulated framework for asset‑referenced virtual assets, enabling tokenised real estate offerings. One recent example saw In January, Dubai‑based The QFC's report, With a focus on clear rules, strong infrastructure and inclusion, Doha is making a play to turn tokenisation's promise into a lasting pillar of Gulf and global finance.
Gulf Today
3 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Tesla's UK sales drop 60% year-on-year last month
Tesla's new car sales in Britain dropped nearly 60 per cent to 987 units in July from a year earlier, figures from industry body Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed on Tuesday. Data last week showed registrations of new Tesla cars in several key European markets fell in July, despite a revamp to its signature Model Y, as the EV maker struggles with a backlash against CEO Elon Musk's political views, regulatory challenges and rising competition. Overall, new car registrations in Britain fell about 5 per cent year-on-year in July to 140,154 units, the SMMT said, with growth in battery electric vehicle sales moderating to 9.1 per cent in the month. Battery electric vehicles are now projected to account for 23.8 per cent of new registrations in 2025, slightly up from SMMT's previous forecast of 23.5 per cent. 'July's dip shows yet again the new car market's sensitivity to external factors, and the pressing need for consumer certainty,' SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said in a statement. The new electric car grant offers a helpful financial boost to encourage people to buy BEVs. However, it's still unclear which models will be eligible, so some buyers are waiting, the SMMT said. 'Confirming which models qualify for the new EV grant, alongside compelling manufacturer discounts on a huge choice of exciting new vehicles, should send a strong signal to buyers that now is the time to switch,' Hawes said. Reuters
