logo
Msheireb Properties and Qatar Investment Authority announce strategic partnership

Msheireb Properties and Qatar Investment Authority announce strategic partnership

Zawya3 days ago

Doha, Qatar: Msheireb Properties, Qatar's leading sustainable real estate developer, has signed a strategic partnership with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar. This partnership aims to accelerate the expansion of smart, sustainable urban projects within Qatar.
Under the agreement, QIA has acquired a 49% stake in Msheireb Properties, underlining its confidence in Msheireb Properties' pioneering approach and integrated model for developing sustainable and human-centric smart cities. Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development retains its majority share of 51%.
The partnership aims to fast-track innovative, human-centric real estate initiatives aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country's drive for economic diversification and environmental sustainability.
It also aligns with QIA's mandate to support the development of a competitive Qatari economy and support the advancement of Qatar's Third National Development Strategy (NDS3).
The collaboration opens new avenues for Msheireb Properties to expand its award-winning model, following the success of Msheireb Downtown Doha, the first fully redeveloped and sustainable city district in the world.
The partnership reinforces Qatar's ambition to lead as a global hub for sustainable development, especially in light of international efforts to reduce emissions and achieve carbon neutrality. Msheireb Downtown Doha has received global recognition for its integration of smart technologies, resilient infrastructure, and Qatari-inspired architecture.
As cities worldwide race to reduce emissions, this Qatari-backed partnership signals a bold move to lead the booming smart cities sector, with sustainability at its core.
About Msheireb Properties
Msheireb Properties, backed by Qatar Foundation and Qatar Investment Authority, is Qatar's leading sustainable real estate developer. The company has pioneered sustainable urban development in Qatar, supporting the goals of Qatar's 2030 Vision.
Its mission is to change how people think about urban living and improve their overall quality of life through innovations that encourage social interaction, respect for culture, and greater care for the environment.
The signature Msheireb Downtown Doha development, is one of the smartest, most sustainable city districts globally. It employs a new approach to urban planning by combining traditional methods and modern technology to preserve Qatar's environment and cultural identity. All buildings are either Gold or Platinum LEED-certified.
Msheireb Downtown Doha is an integrated city that embraces modern, fully furnished residential units, a range of mixed-use and commercial buildings that offer a wide array of retail and business services, and cultural facilities. It is also the home to Msheireb Museums, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Al Wadi Hotel Doha - MGallery Collection, Park Hyatt Hotel, Msheireb Galleria, and Barahat Msheireb - the biggest open-air covered pedestrian square in the region.
The company also developed Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, the Middle East's first and largest wellness destination. Located in northern Qatar, the resort offers two distinct experiences: Zulal Serenity, a wellness haven for individuals and couples, and Zulal Discovery, a world-first wellness offering for families. The resort is pioneering in its integration of Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM) with contemporary wellness practices.
About QIA
Qatar Investment Authority ('QIA') is the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar. QIA was founded in 2005 to invest and manage the state reserve funds. QIA is among the largest and most active sovereign wealth funds globally. QIA invests across a wide range of asset classes and regions as well as in partnership with leading institutions around the world to build a global and diversified investment portfolio with a long-term perspective that can deliver sustainable returns and contribute to the prosperity of the State of Qatar.
Media Contact: media@qia.qa

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dubai ranked number 1 globally for creative industry FDI
Dubai ranked number 1 globally for creative industry FDI

Arabian Business

time2 hours ago

  • Arabian Business

Dubai ranked number 1 globally for creative industry FDI

Dubai has once again been named the world's top destination for greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) in the cultural and creative industries (CCI), securing the No. 1 spot in the Financial Times fDi Markets rankings for 2024. This marks the third consecutive year the emirate has outperformed global cities like London, Singapore, and New York. In 2024, Dubai attracted 971 creative sector projects, an 8 per cent increase from 2023, bringing in AED18.86bn ($5.1bn) in capital, up nearly 60 per cent year-on-year. Dubai foreign investment in creative industries These investments generated 23,517 new jobs, highlighting the city's growing appeal as a creative economy powerhouse. Key sectors driving this growth include: Advertising and PR Film production Gaming Education AI-powered software design According to the Dubai FDI Monitor, greenfield, wholly-owned ventures made up 76.5 per cent of all projects, reflecting strong investor commitment. The United States led with 23.2 per cent of capital inflows, followed by India, the UK, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia. India stood out in job creation and project volume. Pro-business reforms, like allowing free zone firms to operate onshore and slashing bureaucracy, combined with robust IP laws and cutting-edge infrastructure, continue to make Dubai a magnet for global creatives and investors. As outlined in the 'Creative Dubai' report, the city is emerging as a global hub for design, immersive tech, and AI innovation—cementing its reputation as a leading destination for creative enterprise in 2025 and beyond.

UAE shoppers want 1-click, biometric checkouts for safer online payments: Visa
UAE shoppers want 1-click, biometric checkouts for safer online payments: Visa

Arabian Business

time5 hours ago

  • Arabian Business

UAE shoppers want 1-click, biometric checkouts for safer online payments: Visa

Consumers across the UAE are calling for more secure and seamless online shopping experiences, according to Visa's latest Checkout Friction Report. Despite the rapid growth of ecommerce and digital adoption in the region, key challenges at the checkout stage continue to hinder consumer satisfaction and business performance. Based on a survey of more than 2,000 online shoppers across the GCC, the report shows that security concerns and complex payment steps are the top barriers to smooth transactions. Online shopping in the UAE In the UAE, 40 per cent of shoppers cite fear of fraud as their biggest concern, while 37 per cent are frustrated by the need to repeatedly enter card details. Shopping frequency is high, with one in three UAE consumers buying groceries online multiple times a week, and categories like fashion, entertainment, and electronics seeing regular purchases monthly. However, friction during checkout can lead to abandoned carts and lost revenue for retailers. Visa's research underscores a growing preference for advanced payment technologies. A significant 67 per cent of UAE shoppers said they would adopt biometric authentication like fingerprint or face ID to check out online. Additionally, 65 per cent support a unified registration process for digital payments across websites. The report also highlights that 82 per cent of consumers would shop online more frequently if one-click checkout options were widely available, and 66 per cent are likely to use Visa's 'Click to Pay with Biometrics' feature. This solution simplifies online shopping by eliminating manual card entry, using secure device-based biometric authentication to speed up and protect the transaction process. Salima Gutieva, Visa's VP and Country Manager for UAE, said: 'Challenges in the online checkout process have direct implications for businesses, resulting in lost revenue, and hampering both customer acquisition and retention. 'Today's consumers expect – and deserve – a more seamless and secure eCommerce experience. That's why Visa is working with partners to enable solutions like Click to Pay, which leverages biometrics and tokenisation to eliminate key pain points and deliver a more convenient shopping experience.

Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio to Launch 830 Million New Leones (€34 Million) Solar Minigrid Project, Powering Sierra Leone's Green Future
Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio to Launch 830 Million New Leones (€34 Million) Solar Minigrid Project, Powering Sierra Leone's Green Future

Zawya

time5 hours ago

  • Zawya

Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio to Launch 830 Million New Leones (€34 Million) Solar Minigrid Project, Powering Sierra Leone's Green Future

In a landmark step toward sustainable development and inclusive energy access, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio is set to officially launch the Salone Off-grid Renewable Energy Acceleration Initiative (SOGREA), a €34 million (approximately 830 million New Leones) solar minigrid project that will significantly advance Sierra Leone's green energy future. Hosted by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the initiative is a collaborative effort between the Government of Sierra Leone, the European Union (EU), and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). SOGREA aims to increase energy access in rural communities across the country by 2027, deploying at least 5.2 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar generation capacity through the installation of minigrids. The project is set to benefit 25,000 households and 2,800 businesses across approximately 60 communities, offering them reliable, clean, and affordable electricity for the first time. To brief the President on the status and next steps of the project, EU Ambassador Jacek Jankowski, accompanied by Dr. Kandeh Yumkella and other private sector partners, visited State House today. The high-level delegation engaged President Bio on the technical, regulatory, and financial readiness of the initiative, and reaffirmed their collective commitment to ensuring its success. Speaking during the meeting, President Bio expressed deep appreciation to the EU for their steadfast partnership and support in fulfilling his administration's promise of inclusive development across Sierra Leone. 'Taking energy to the people is key,' the President emphasized. 'This project is a significant milestone. It demonstrates mutual trust and confidence with our partners, especially at a time when development assistance is dwindling globally. This shows we still enjoy goodwill.' He further assured the visitors of his government's commitment to building the necessary legal and regulatory frameworks: 'I am aware of the revised regulations for the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC), and my government will ensure Parliament sets the required legal framework to support implementation.' The President added, 'Together, we will make electricity accessible to all and no one will be left behind.' At the heart of SOGREA's success is its catalytic investment model, which blends public and private sector support to create a sustainable ecosystem for minigrid development. Energy Sector lead, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, a driving force behind the initiative, explained that over the last two years, critical groundwork has been laid, including the revision of existing regulations under the EWRC Act and the design of investment incentives to attract private developers. He confirmed that implementation agreements have been signed and that President Bio will officially launch the project. Ambassador Jacek Jankowski, Head of the EU Delegation to Sierra Leone, underscored the importance of the initiative as a major milestone in the country's pursuit of clean energy and rural transformation. 'We are proud to support a project of this magnitude,' he said. 'The EU's total investment stands at €34 million, including €22 million in direct investment support and technical assistance, while the Government of Sierra Leone is contributing 50 million Leones.' The project was developed in partnership with UNOPS, with a focus on enabling private sector entities to develop, finance, own, and operate solar minigrids. Ambassador Jankowski noted that the investment model includes reimbursement schemes, leveraging of additional financing, and regulatory mechanisms to bridge the gap between tariffs and what rural communities can afford. He highlighted the strategic involvement of key institutions such as SLEWRC and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Unit, which will guide implementation and ensure long-term regulatory stability. Beyond powering homes and businesses, the SOGREA initiative is expected to create jobs, stimulate local economies, and empower women and youth, particularly in off-grid and underserved regions. By supporting President Bio's 'Big Five Game Changers', especially in technology and innovation, the initiative reinforces Sierra Leone's commitment to becoming a hub for green investment and renewable energy development in West Africa. As the country moves steadily toward universal electricity access, the launch of SOGREA marks a defining moment in Sierra Leone's journey toward climate resilience and inclusive growth. With strong international partnerships and a forward-looking energy policy, Sierra Leone is lighting the path to a sustainable, empowered future, one solar grid at a time. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store