Special offers of the week: 25
The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team has put together some sweet deals for you to make the most of this week. It's time to go shopping!
Groceries: Qatar Consumption Complexes
End the month right with a full stock of groceries and get big savings from Qatar Consumption Complexes' special offers!
Validity: Until 28 May 2025
Instagram: @qcc.qa
Electronics: Starlink
Thinking of upgrading to the iPhone 16? Check out Starlink's bundle offer at QR 3,679 including protective case, screen cover, and charger!
Validity: Until 31 May 2025
Instagram: @starlinkqa
Website: www.starlink.qa
Fashion: Printemps Doha
Time to do your Eid Al Adha shopping! Don't miss Printemps Doha's Eid Promotion and get special prices on select items from various designer brands.
Beauty: Watsons
Great news ladies! Watsons' Beauty Super Sale is here offering up to 50% off on makeup, skincare, haircare bodycare, and more.
Validity: Until 3 June 2025
Instagram: @watsonsgcc
Home: IKEA
Make sure your home is ready for the Eid holiday! Shop fantastic deals on furniture, decor, and homeware at IKEA, now offering further reductions on its items.
Toys: LuLu Hypermarket
Spoil the kids with new toys and games this week and shop amazing deals at LuLu Hypermarket's Toy Fest!
Automobile: GMC
Drive away with a brand-new GMC Yukon Elevation and make no monthly payments for an entire year with only a 25% down payment!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ILoveQatar.net
an hour ago
- ILoveQatar.net
Qatar Rail to host 'Back to School' event at Sport City Metro Station from 19 August to 2 September 2025
As part of its preparations for the new school academic year, Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail), in collaboration with a group of school supplies providers in Qatar, is organising the second edition of the 'Back to School' event at Sport City Station in Doha Metro, from 19 August to 2 September 2025. This event is part of the 'Metro Events' series, which Qatar Rail organises for the public at metro stations throughout the year. The initiative is a key pillar of the company's long-term strategic plan to transform metro stations into vibrant destinations and thriving communities, fostering active engagement with the public, enhancing collaboration with both public and private sector partners, and creating greater opportunities for building long-term strategic partnerships. The event, hosted at the Sport City Station on the metro's Gold Line, offers the public and customers an opportunity to explore exclusive offers from bookstores and retailers specialising in school supplies as the new school academic year approaches. Additionally, several retail spaces within Sport City Station have been allocated to bookstores to display their various promotional products amongst other retailers offering school supplies and related items, available daily from 10 am to 10 pm. As part of the event, from 4 pm to 8 pm on weekdays and from 4 pm to 9 pm during weekends, a range of free activities will be offered for children and families. These include an interactive gaming zone, painting, colouring, and art experiences, along with various competitions and challenges, in collaboration with Qatar Rail partners, offering opportunities to win valuable prizes. On the sidelines of the event, Qatar Rail will announce the new 365-Day metropass – an annual pass priced at QR 990 that offers customers unlimited journeys across the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks. An exclusive Early Bird promotion will be available to event visitors, allowing them to pre-book the pass during the event and enjoy a 20% discount. Early Bird vouchers can be collected exclusively at the event between 19 and 31 August 2025 and redeemed at any Doha Metro gold club office or Lusail Tram ticketing office between 1 and 30 September 2025, with the original voucher required at the time of purchase. The public can easily access the event through the metro's three lines by heading to Sport City Station on the Gold Line or directly through the station entrance adjacent to the parking facilities around Khalifa International Stadium. All the latest updates from the event's daily schedule of activities, can be followed through Qatar Rail's social media channels.
Qatar Tribune
21 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar's foreign trade powers economic growth, strengthens global connectivity
QNA Doha Qatar's foreign trade witnessed significant growth, marked by an expansion in the number of trade partners and diversification in import and export activities. Data indicates that the country's foreign trade volume increased by 1.3 percent in 2024, reaching QR476.281 billion, compared to QR470.224 billion in 2023. According to data from the National Planning Council, the total value of Qatari exports—including domestic goods and re-exports—stood at QR345.961 billion in 2024, compared to QR355.815 billion theprevious year. Imports reached QR130.319 billion, up from QR114.409 billion in 2023. Consequently, Qatar's trade surplus (the difference between total exports and imports) for the year stood at QR215.642 billion. In terms of trade balance by economic regions or trade partners, Asia ranked first among Qatar's trading partners, with trade volume totaling QR319.432 billion in 2024. Exports to Asia reached QR267.077 billion, accounting for 77.2 percent of Qatar's total exports, while imports from Asia were QR 52.355 billion, or 40.2 percent of total imports. The trade surplus with Asia stood at QR214.722 billion. According to National Planning Council data obtained by Qatar News Agency (QNA), the European Union ranked second among Qatar's main trading partners, with trade volume amounting to QR60.892 billion. Exports to the EU totaled QR27.914 billion (8.1 percent of total exports), while imports reached QR32.978 billion, representing 25.3 percent of total imports, resulting in a trade deficit of QR5.064 billion. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries ranked third in terms of economic regions for Qatar. Total trade volume with the GCC stood at QR52.080 billion, with exports amounting to QR37.183 billion (10.7 percent of total exports), and imports reaching QR14.897 billion (11.4 percent of total imports). The trade surplus with GCC countries amounted to QR22.287 billion. The United States of America ranked fourth, with a total trade volume of QR22.328 billion. Exports to the US were QR5.475 billion (1.6 percent of total exports), while imports stood at QR16.853 billion (12.9 percent of total imports), resulting in a trade deficit of QR11.377 billion. Other European countries ranked fifth with a trade volume of QR 5.883 billion, followed by other countries from the Americas in sixth place with QR4.437 billion. Other Arab countries ranked seventh with QR4.176 billion, while Oceania came in eighth with QR3.150 billion. Africa (excluding Arab countries) recorded a trade volume of QR2.442 billion, and other unspecified countries ranked tenth with a trade volume of QR1.460 billion. Regarding the main destination countries for Qatari exports, China ranked first with exports totaling QR68.889 billion, followed by South Korea with QR46.680 billion, India with QR40.593 billion, Japan with QR24.459 billion, Singapore with QR24.271 billion, and other countries accounting for QR141.069 billion. As for the main countries of origin for Qatari imports, China led with imports valued at QR19.668 billion, followed by the US with QR16.853 billion, Italy with QR7.401 billion, India with QR7.078 billion, Japan with QR 6.715 billion, and other countries accounting for QR72.605 billion. On the top of the list of exports came mineral fuels, lubricants, and similar materials at QR 289.776 billion in 2024, according to the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC). This was followed by chemicals and chemical products valued at QR27.625 billion, and machinery and transport equipment worth QR12.535 billion. Machinery and transport equipment topped Qatar's imports list with a value of QR53.155 billion in 2024, up from QR45.625 billion in 2023. This was followed by miscellaneous manufactured articles valued at QR19.933 billion, while imports of food and live animals amounted to QR13.688 billion. Due to the pivotal role of foreign trade in the economic and social development, Qatar has recognised since the early 1990s the importance of integrating its economy with foreign economies. This realisation prompted a comprehensive review of Qatar's trade policies and foreign investment regulations in accordance with international standards. According to the 'Qatar Economic Outlook Report 2021 - 2023' released in January 2022 , the average ratio of total merchandise exports to GDP during the period 2017–2020 was approximately 41.2 percent. The average proportion of the state's public revenues from oil and gas accounted for about 74.1 percent of total hydrocarbon exports. Additionally, import activities help supply local markets with consumer, intermediate, and capital goods to meet the demands of economic and social development. According to World Bank statistics for 2019, Qatar ranked 42nd globally in total exports among exporting countries. Moreover, data from the International Trade Centre (ITC) in 2019 showed that Qatar ranked 64th in total imports among importing countries. In 2019, Qatar's trade partners numbered approximately 144 countries for imports and 156 countries for exports. Tracing the evolution of Qatar's trade policies and foreign investment, and from the perspective of benefiting from the positive effects of economic openness and liberalization of trade and foreign investment, Qatar began in the early 1990s to modernize its legal framework for international trade and investment. This included commitments related to international obligations as well as domestic laws and regulations, culminating in Qatar's accession to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) on April 7, 1994. After GATT was replaced by the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on January 1, 1995, Qatar ratified WTO commitments within its national legislation under Decree No. 24 of 1995, issued on December 3, 1995, pursuant to the protocol of Qatar's accession to the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO. Qatar officially joined the WTO on January 13, 1996. Qatar hosted the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference in November 2001, which facilitated negotiations on regulations concerning agriculture, services, and intellectual property. Qatar's participation in founding the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in May 1981 led to its ratification of dozens of agreements on the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments (RPPI), as well as the economic, commercial, and technical cooperation (ECTC). According to Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement of 1995, which stipulated the creation of a mechanism to review trade policies to assist member countries in conducting periodic reviews of trade policies and practices—and following a recent amendment requiring each member state to conduct a trade policy review every seven years—Qatar conducted three such reviews: the first on February 21, 2005, the second on April 22, 2014, and the third on April 6 and 8, 2021. The latest statistics indicate that Qatar's economic openness index with foreign economies reached about 90.8% of GDP during the period 2017–2020, especially with the significant increase in trade exchange rates of exports and imports of goods and services between Qatar and many countries worldwide.
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
GIS net profit rises 14% to QR408 million in H1 2025
Tribune News Network Doha Gulf International Services (GIS), one of Qatar's largest diversified services groups with operations spanning drilling, aviation, insurance, and catering, has reported a net profit of QR408 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2025. The result represents a robust 14 percent increase compared to the QR356 million earned in the first half of 2024, underlining the Group's ability to capitalize on market opportunities and execute its strategic growth initiatives effectively. Earnings per share rose to QR 0.219 in the first half of 2025, up from QR 0.192 a year earlier. Group revenue reached QR 2.47 billion, a year-on-year increase of 17 percent, while EBITDA expanded by a notable 31 percent to QR 802 million from QR 613 million in the first half of 2024. Management attributed the improvement to strong performances across all major business segments, with drilling operations benefiting from recent rig acquisitions, aviation supported by growth in maintenance and flying services, and insurance boosted by new medical contracts. The drilling segment delivered a standout performance during the first half of 2025, with revenue surging 36 percent year-on-year to QR 987 million and net profit climbing 56 percent to QR 141 million. Growth was primarily fueled by the full consolidation of revenues from Gulf Drill and Gulf Jack-Up, following GIS's acquisition of three high-specification jack-up rigs in 2024. Enhanced utilization levels across offshore rigs, lift boats, and barge operations further supported the strong results. Operationally, the segment secured two major long-term contracts during the first half. One offshore rig, which completed its previous contract at the end of the second quarter of 2025, is undergoing preparation for redeployment under a new four-year contract with an optional three-year extension, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2025. Another offshore rig successfully renewed its contract for a five-year period. These developments significantly strengthen GIS's revenue visibility and align with its strategy of sustainable growth and asset optimisation. The aviation segment, operated through Gulf Helicopters Company (GHC), recorded revenue of QR612 million for the first half of 2025, up 7 percent from QR 571 million a year earlier. The increase was driven by robust performance in the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) division, supported by third-party engine overhaul work, as well as higher flying hours across domestic and international operations. A key development during the period was the successful renewal of a major domestic contract, ensuring long-term operational stability. On the fleet modernization front, GHC took delivery of two new helicopters in the first half of 2025, adding to the three received in 2024. One additional aircraft is expected before year-end, with four more scheduled for delivery after 2025 under the optional portion of the renewal program. Despite revenue growth, net profit for the segment fell 6 percent to QR 176 million, primarily due to higher maintenance costs, increased consultancy expenses linked to aircraft acquisitions, and the absence of last year's one-off insurance recoveries. Al Koot Insurance and Reinsurance Company, the Group's insurance arm, posted an 8 percent increase in revenue to QR 655 million in the first half of2025, aided by newly secured medical insurance contracts. The company also maintained its market leadership in Qatar's energy insurance sector, offering the largest capacity for mega-energy risks while expanding coverage in non-energy lines. However, net profit declined 9 percent year-on-year to QR70 million, weighed down by higher claims in both medical and general insurance, along with increased staffing costs. Progress continues on Al Koot's planned initial public offering (IPO) on the Qatar Stock Exchange. Financial and legal due diligence, as well as valuation exercises, are currently underway in collaboration with appointed advisors. GIS's catering arm, Amwaj, reported a 6 percent increase in its share of revenue to QR216 million for the first half of 2025, supported by stronger performance in catering, support services, and food trading. The share of net profit rose by 32 percent to QR15 million, reflecting operational efficiencies and higher volumes. While first-half results showed solid growth compared to last year, performance moderated in the second quarter. Group revenue slipped 1 percent to QR1.23 billion in the second quarter of 2025 from QR1.24 billion in the first quarter of 2025. Net profit fell 16 percent to QR186 million, mainly due to reduced activity in the drilling and aviation segments. The drilling segment saw one rig go off contract in May 2025 ahead of redeployment later in the year, while aviation revenues declined after the completion of major third-party MRO work and the clearing of a maintenance backlog in the first quarter. The insurance segment, however, posted quarter-on-quarter gains in both revenue and profit, aided by higher earned premiums and fair value investment gains. As of June 30, 2025, GIS held total assets of QR 11.7 billion, compared with QR 12.1 billion at year-end 2024. Cash and short-term investments stood at QR 0.9 billion, down from QR 1.2 billion, primarily due to dividend payments and loan repayments in the drilling segment. Total debt declined slightly to QR 5.4 billion from QR 5.6 billion. GIS management reaffirmed its focus on securing long-term contracts, modernizing its aviation fleet, optimizing asset utilization in drilling, and strengthening its insurance offerings. The company expects these strategies to underpin sustainable growth and shareholder value creation in the years ahead. The Group will hold an earnings call for investors on August 20 at 1.30 pm Doha time to discuss financial results, operational performance, and future plans.
