Real estate future lies in adapting to AI, data centre sustainability
DOHA
Participants in the Qatar Economic Forum 2025, powered by Bloomberg, discussed the future of the real estate sector amid global economic shifts, technological advancements, and changing patterns of investment and residential demand.
During a panel discussion titled 'Global Real Estate Horizons: Navigating Growth and Demand,' participants emphasized that real estate will remain a key pillar of global investment.
However, its success will depend on investors' ability to adapt to transformations and shift flexibly toward emerging sectors such as healthcare, data centers, and sustainable energy.
In this context, CEO of Related Companies Jeff T. Blau said that venture capital is still available but needs to be allocated more selectively. He noted that cross-border investments dropped by 57 percent in Q1 2025, reflecting global caution. However, he also pointed to signs of clear recovery in major markets.
Blau added that in the US alone, real estate transactions reached USD 93 billion in Q1 2025, a 37 percent increase compared to the same period last year. In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), the figure reached USD 55 billion, a 41 percent increase. In Asia, it stood at USD 36 billion, up by 20 percent.
He said that investing in data centers and modern office spaces has become a priority driven by the rise of artificial intelligence, but warned that this opportunity is time-sensitive and must be seized wisely.
For his part, CapitaLand Investment Group CEO Chee Koon Lee said that regional integration among Arabian Gulf countries is a key attraction, noting that tourists often travel between Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai as a single destination.
Lee also stressed that the real estate environment in the Gulf, especially in terms of safety, quality of education, and infrastructure, constitutes a long-term draw. He added that Gulf nations possess advanced digital infrastructure.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
2 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Real estate transactions total QR 326 million in one week
QNA Doha Qatar's real estate sector continued to demonstrate robust performance during the second week of August, with the total value of transactions recorded by the Real Estate Registration Department at the Ministry of Justice reaching QR 326 million. According to the department's weekly bulletin covering the period from August 10 to August 14, the value of sale contracts for different property categories amounted to QR 293,609,761, while transactions related to residential units registered under the joint real estate bulletin of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Municipality were valued at QR 32,410,656. The properties traded during the week reflected a diverse mix of real estate assets, highlighting both investor and end-user demand across Qatar's property market. The list of transactions included vacant plots of land, houses, a residential building, a commercial building, a residential structure, and a number of residential units in popular developments. This variety underscores the continued appetite for both raw land for development and ready-built assets in established neighborhoods. Sales transactions were spread across several key municipalities, with the highest concentrations recorded in Al Rayyan and Doha, which remain the leading hubs of real estate activity. Significant deals were also witnessed in Al Wakrah, Al Daayen, and Umm Salal, reflecting the growing interest spurred by urban expansion and new infrastructure projects. In addition, activity in Al Shamal, Al Khor, and Al Thakhira pointed to a gradual rise in demand in northern and coastal regions of the country. Beyond the traditional urban centers, premium locations such as The Pearl Island, Lusail (Zone 69), and Al Kharayej also registered notable transactions, reaffirming sustained demand for upscale residential and mixed-use developments. The Ministry of Justice noted that the steady pace of transactions highlights investor confidence in Qatar's property sector. Supported by solid economic fundamentals, continued infrastructure expansion, and the state's economic diversification drive under Qatar National Vision 2030, the real estate sector remains one of the key pillars of the national economy. The weekly real estate bulletin, the ministry added, serves as a transparent reference point to monitor market performance, providing valuable insights for investors, stakeholders, and policymakers alike. With transactions crossing QR 326 million during the week, the report reaffirms the resilience and attractiveness of Qatar's real estate market, which continues to play a vital role in the country's sustainable economic growth.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
‘Dhareeba' portal advances digital transformation in line with Digital Agenda 2030
QNA Doha The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the General Tax Authority (GTA) have released a joint white paper on the digital transformation of the 'Dhareeba' portal. The white paper highlights the progress made in digitising tax services in Qatar and outlines a forward-looking vision to further enhance the platform's efficiency. This includes facilitating electronic declarations and payments, issuing tax certificates, and offering additional services that improve the way individuals and businesses securely and effectively interact with government services. The white paper also showcases the key benefits achieved by the Dhareeba portal since its launch in 2020. It has significantly simplified tax-related processes, including taxpayer registration, filing, andpayment. According to the data presented, users of the portal saved approximately 300 minutes compared to traditional methods, a testament to the effectiveness of digital transformation in saving time and effort. Both MCIT and GTA affirmed that this white paper is part of ongoing efforts to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 and realize the objectives of the Digital Agenda 2030, as Qatar seeks to become a global leader in digital government by offering advanced agile services that meet the expectations of both individuals andbusinesses. MCIT Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Government Affairs Mashael Ali Al Hammadi said, 'This joint white paper on the Dhareeba portal is a significant step that highlights Qatar's progress in digitizing government services and the positive impact of digital solutions on operational efficiency and the taxpayer experience. These efforts reflect the Ministry's commitment to promoting integration among government entities and adopting data- and analytics-driven best practices, all in alignment with the Digital Agenda 2030, which aims to build a smart, efficient, and citizen-centricgovernment'. For his part, GTA Deputy President for Support Services Ismail Mohammed Alsayed Almansouri said, 'In line with the Authority's vision to build a fully integrated, flexible, and reliable digital tax ecosystem that focuses on enhancing the taxpayer experience and promoting integration with other government entities, the 'Dhareeba' portal represents a major milestone in the delivery and management of tax services. It has become a leading model in simplifying procedures, improving operational efficiency, and offering a seamless, effective experience for both individuals and businesses'.
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Trump administration in talks to take 10 percent stake in Intel: Report
Agencies The Trump administration is in talks to take a 10% stake in Intel by converting some or all of the struggling company's Chips Act grants into equity, Bloomberg News reported, citing a White House official and other people familiar with the matter. Shares of Intel , opens new tab fell about 3% on Monday, after rallying last week on hopes of U.S. federal support. A 10% stake in the American chipmaker would be worth about $10 billion. Intel has been slated to receive a combined $10.9 billion in Chips Act grants for commercial and military production, and the figure is roughly enough to pay for the government's holding, according to the Bloomberg report on Monday. Intel declined to comment on the report, while the White House did not respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Media reports said last week that the U.S. government may buy a stake in Intel, after a meeting between CEO Lip-Bu Tan and President Donald Trump that was sparked by Trump's demand for the new Intel chief's resignation over his ties to Chinese firms. Federal backing could give Intel more breathing room to revive its loss-making foundry business, analysts have said, but it still suffers from a weak product roadmap and challenges in attracting customers to its new factories. 'The fact that the U.S. government is stepping in to save a blue-chip American company likely means that Intel's competitive position was much worse than what anybody feared,' said David Wagner, head of equity and portfolio manager at Intel shareholder Aptus Capital Advisors. Wagner added that while he was skeptical about the U.S. government investing taxpayer money into U.S. companies, it was better than having Intel become a state-owned entity. Trump, who said the meeting with Tan was 'very interesting' one, has taken an unprecedented approach to corporate interventions. He has pushed for multibillion-dollar government tie-ups in semiconductors and rare earths, such as a pay-for-play deal with Nvidia , opens new tab and an arrangement with rare earth producer MP Materials , opens new tab to secure critical minerals.
