Latest news with #GCO
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Web Summit organising committee maintains steady preparations for 2026 edition
DOHA: Government Communications Office (GCO) Director Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani has chaired the Web Summit Permanent Organizing Committee regular meeting to discuss the global event's 2026 edition. The meeting brought together representatives from the relevant government entities and strategic partners to prepare for the event scheduled for from February 1 to 4 next year. Sheikh Jassim affirmed that the strategic partnership with the Web Summit is part of the country's efforts to diversify its economy, accelerate digital transformation, and strengthen its position as a leading destination for technology and innovation in the region. He noted that the summit contributes to advancing the technological landscape in the country, opening wider horizons for entrepreneurs and startups, and enhancing Qatar's status on the global stage. He added that the high level of interest in participating in the Web Summit Qatar and the notable attention it has received reflect the strong desire within countries in the region to host technology events of this caliber. Qatar's hosting of the summit underscores its world-class infrastructure, distinguished national talent, and extensive experience in organizing major international events—all of which contribute to enhancing its influential role in the global technology and innovation ecosystem, he added. On the agenda were key topics, primarily the preparations for the participation of Qatar's delegation in the Lisbon Web Summit 2025, scheduled for next November. The significance of this participation lies in its support for the country's technology sector and in showcasing Qatar's innovation-friendly environment on the international stage. The committee meeting also discussed the plan to increase the number of participants in the third edition of Web Summit Qatar to approximately 30,000 attendees, along with the new discussion tracks to be introduced. These include the New Media Summit, Sports Summit, and Health Summit. The meeting also covered the selection of key speakers and participating entities. The Web Summit Qatar 2025, held last February, attracted 25,747 participants, 1,520 startups, and 723 investors from 124 countries, in addition to recording 325,000 connection requests between participants through the summit's app. With expansion plans for next year's edition, the summit continues to cement its position as the largest tech event in the region, contributing to the realization of Qatar National Vision 2030 and enhancing Doha's role as a global platform for discussions on technology and startups.
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Web Summit panel maintains steady preparations for 2026
QNA Doha Government Communications Office (GCO) Director HE Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani chaired on Thursday the Web Summit Permanent Organising Committee regular meeting to discuss the global event's 2026 edition. The meeting brought together representatives from the relevant government entities and strategic partners to prepare for the event scheduled for from February 1 to 4 next year. Sheikh Jassim affirmed that the strategic partnership with the Web Summit is part of the country's efforts to diversify its economy, accelerate digital transformation, and strengthen its position as a leading destination for technology and innovation in the region. He noted that the summit contributes to advancing the technological landscape in the country, opening wider horizons for entrepreneurs and startups, and enhancing Qatar's status on the global stage. He added that the high level of interest in participating in the Web Summit Qatar and the notable attention it has received reflect the strong desire within countries in the region to host technology events of this caliber. Qatar's hosting of the summit underscores its world-class infrastructure, distinguished national talent, and extensive experience in organizing major international events—all of which contribute to enhancing its influential role in the global technology and innovation ecosystem, he added. On the agenda were key topics, primarily the preparations for the participation of Qatar's delegation in the Lisbon Web Summit 2025, scheduled for next November. The significance of this participation lies in its support for the country's technology sector and in showcasing Qatar's innovation-friendly environment on the international stage. The committee meeting also discussed the plan to increase the number of participants in the third edition of Web Summit Qatar to approximately 30,000 attendees, along with the new discussion tracks to be introduced. These include the New Media Summit, Sports Summit, and Health Summit. The meeting also covered the selection of key speakers and participating entities. The Web Summit Qatar 2025, held last February, attracted 25,747 participants, 1,520 startups, and 723 investors from 124 countries, in addition to recording 325,000 connection requests between participants through the summit's app. With expansion plans for next year's edition, the summit continues to cement its position as the largest tech event in the region, contributing to the realization of Qatar National Vision 2030 and enhancing Doha's role as a global platform for discussions on technology and startups.
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Web Summit organising panel maintains steady preparations for 2026 edition
Government Communications Office (GCO) Director HE Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani on Thursday chaired the Web Summit Permanent Organizing Committee regular meeting to discuss the global event's 2026 edition. The meeting brought together representatives from the relevant government entities and strategic partners to prepare for the event scheduled for from February 1 to 4 next year. He affirmed that the strategic partnership with the Web Summit is part of the country's efforts to diversify its economy, accelerate digital transformation, and strengthen its position as a leading destination for technology and innovation in the region. He noted that the summit contributes to advancing the technological landscape in the country, opening wider horizons for entrepreneurs and startups, and enhancing Qatar's status on the global stage. (QNA) page 2
Business Wire
17-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Occident GCO, S.A.U. de Seguros y Reaseguros
AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of 'a+' (Excellent) of Occident GCO, S.A.U. de Seguros y Reaseguros (Occident) (Spain). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Grupo Catalana Occidente S.A. (GCO), the non-operating holding company of the GCO group. The ratings of Occident reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings also reflect the ratings lift from GCO, which reveals Occident's strategic importance to the GCO group, and its track record of financial and operational support from GCO. These rating actions acknowledge that in March 2025, GCO's majority shareholder, Inoc, S.A. (Inocsa), launched a voluntary takeover bid for all shares comprising the share capital of GCO, seeking the delisting of GCO's shares from the Spanish Stock Exchange. The offer is subject to the mandatory authorization of the Spanish Securities Market Commission. Occident's risk-adjusted capitalisation was at the strongest level at year-end 2024, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Additionally, the company's balance sheet strength assessment benefits from low reinsurance dependence, good liquidity and the absence of external debt. A partially offsetting factor is the company's lack of financial flexibility on a stand-alone basis, as capital is managed at the group level. Occident has a track record of strong operating performance, as evidenced by a five-year (2020-2024) weighted average return-on-equity and combined ratios of 21% and 88%, respectively, as calculated by AM Best, with balanced contributions from technical and investment incomes. The company has maintained strong and consistent underwriting performance across most non-life and life business segments despite competitive market conditions in its domestic market of Spain. Technical earnings are supported by its extensive agency network, which has been in place for a number of years and allows the organisation to manage the underwriting process tightly. Occident operates exclusively in Spain where it holds a top 10 position in several retail lines of business. The company benefits from a solid and diversified franchise with an established presence in all of Spain's regions and the various markets distribution channels. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments.
Qatar Tribune
29-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Web Summit Qatar 2026 planning begins with strategic Dublin meeting
DUBLIN: The Permanent Web Summit Qatar Organising Committee convened with Web Summit leadership in Dublin this week to advance preparations for the 2026 edition as one of the Middle East and North Africa's largest technology events, which will take place from February 1-4 in Doha. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organising Committee. The session brought together committee members, including representatives from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with key stakeholders from the Qatar Investment Authority and Qatar Airways. Also in attendance were Web Summit Founder and CEO Paddy Cosgrave and members of the summit's leadership team. The committee conducted a comprehensive review of the second edition, held in February 2025, establishing strategic priorities for the upcoming summit. Discussions centred on initiatives designed to strengthen the event's regional and global prominence while maximising its contributions to Qatar's National Vision. 'Web Summit has become a cornerstone of Qatar's journey towards establishing a robust knowledge-based economy and cementing our position as a global innovation hub,' Sheikh Jassim stated in his opening address. 'This event has served as a catalyst for strategic partnerships, entrepreneurial empowerment, and digital transformation, aligning seamlessly with the goals outlined in our Third National Development Strategy.' Sheikh Jassim added: 'Our planning sessions are focused on delivering a clear roadmap for continued summit growth. This includes enhancing content quality, attracting high-impact speakers, expanding international participation and delivering broader economic and cultural impact.' Sheikh Jassim also noted that the record turnout in the 2025 edition, which featured more than 25,000 attendees, marking a 67% increase from the inaugural event, reflects growing interest in Web Summit Qatar and reinforces its stature across the region. He emphasised that this momentum sets a high bar for delivering an exceptional 2026 edition next year. He reiterated the GCO's ongoing efforts to position the summit as a transformative platform that strengthens Qatar's role on the global innovation map and supports national development through the adoption of international best practices and full use of the country's unique strengths. The Web Summit team presented insights on the event's economic impact across host cities, including Doha. According to their findings, the event contributed to the growth of local startups, supported job creation and helped Qatar climb 14 places in global startup ecosystem rankings. The team projects that 30,000 participants will attend Web Summit Qatar 2026. Hosting Web Summit Qatar has delivered measurable results, advancing key strategic objectives while reinforcing Qatar's emergence as a leading global destination for digital innovation and entrepreneurship. Web Summit Qatar positions Doha as a key destination for innovators, investors and industry leaders. The event provides a forum for international dialogue on digital economy developments, supporting Qatar's efforts to build global partnerships in technology and entrepreneurship as part of the Qatar National Vision 2030. Founded in Dublin in 2009, Web Summit is the world's largest technology event, drawing over one million attendees globally through flagship events in Doha, Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro and Vancouver.
