Latest news with #SatyendraPathak
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Project Qatar 2025 kicks off with participation of 200 local and international companies
Satyendra Pathak Doha Under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Project Qatar 2025 kicked off on Monday with participation of over 200 local and international companies. Organised by IFP Qatar, the exhibition is held under the theme 'Innovation & Sustainability: Qatar's Path to 2030' and supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal). The opening ceremony of Project Qatar 2025 was graced by a distinguished gathering of dignitaries and official delegations. Among the prominent attendees were Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Aamal Company and Vice Chairman of Al Faisal Holding Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Thani and Hernán Lombardi, minister of economic development for the Government of the City of Buenos Aires. Ambassadors representing participating nations also joined the event, underscoring its international significance. Reflecting on the impressive turnout, IFP Qatar General Manager Haidar Mshaimesh expressed pride in the exhibition's continued reputation as a trusted platform for industry leaders and global markets. Mshaimesh highlighted that the 21st edition of Project Qatar signifies a pivotal evolution in the event's scope, marking a notable expansion in sectoral diversity. This year's exhibition places a strong emphasis on emerging sectors such as smart manufacturing, sustainable construction, and digital innovation—underscoring Qatar's strategic commitment to attracting foreign investment and global expertise in support of its ongoing and future development initiatives. He emphasised that Project Qatar continues to serve as a powerful conduit for fostering meaningful partnerships between Qatari enterprises and international firms. Through targeted collaboration with global organizations, the exhibition draws both exhibitors and visitors from key international markets, promoting cross-border cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the establishment of joint ventures. Over the past two decades, Project Qatar has adapted dynamically to the evolving construction landscape and broader economic trends. Originally focused on traditional sectors such as building materials and infrastructure, the exhibition has since expanded to encompass advanced technologies, green building solutions, and Industry 4.0 applications. This year, the event introduces a dedicated 'Qatar Smart Manufacturing Exhibition', which serves as a showcase for next-generation innovations aligned with the Qatar National Manufacturing Strategy 2024–2030. The new exhibition zone features state-of-the-art demonstrations in automation, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), smart logistics, sustainable production systems, and digital industrial transformation. These cutting-edge solutions are set to play a critical role in enhancing local manufacturing capabilities, advancing self-sufficiency, and positioning Qatar as a competitive hub for global industrial partnerships. All these efforts are in step with the broader goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, which envisions a diversified, knowledge-based economy empowered by innovation and sustainability. A wide spectrum of governmental, semi-governmental, and leading private sector entities is taking part in the 21st edition of Project Qatar, underscoring the event's stature as a premier platform for industrial and economic collaboration. The exhibition enjoys strong institutional support, with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry serving as the Official Partner and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) as the Strategic Partner. Other government entities such as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology are participating as Government Partners, while Qatar Tourism and KAHRAMAA are onboard as Sustainability Partners. Private sector support is equally prominent, with Al Sraiya Holding Group joining as the Platinum Sponsor. Aamal, QTerminals, and GETP Group are contributing as Gold Sponsors. DHL has come on board as the Logistics Partner, while Reda Chemicals is supporting as the Silver Sponsor. Mosanada is participating as the Bronze Sponsor, with LG contributing as the Smart Solutions Sponsor. Istidama is the Environmental Solutions Partner, and Gulf Crafts is the Innovative Branding Sponsor. The event also benefits from the support of several prominent media and digital media partners, further amplifying its reach and impact. On the international front, the Republic of Argentina is this year's Country of Honour, participating under the banner of Qatar's Years of Culture initiative. Launched in 2012 by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, this initiative reflects Qatar's vision of promoting intercultural dialogue, global peace, and mutual understanding through cultural collaboration. Speaking on Argentina's participation, His Excellency Hernán Lombardi, Minister of Economic Development of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, noted that Argentina is showcasing a delegation of emerging tech companies seeking collaboration across diverse economic sectors. He emphasized that such initiatives are key to deepening ties between Qatar and Argentina, building lasting connections between the two nations. According to him, the future of global cooperation lies not only in shared history but in shared opportunity, and the Years of Culture initiative has become a powerful platform for this transformation—uniting innovation with mutual respect. The exhibition also includes the Nile Property Expo, the most prominent international real estate investment exhibition focused on Egypt. Making its debut in Doha, this 15th edition of the expo highlights the growing investment and commercial ties between Qatar and Egypt. Dr. Bassem Kalila, Chairman of Expo Republic, which organizes the event, said that their global marketing strategy aims to spotlight the immense opportunities within Egypt's real estate sector. This year's expo features flagship projects such as the New Administrative Capital, New Alamein, and Mostakbal City, as well as premium developments along Egypt's North Coast. These projects offer high-quality construction, timely delivery, and flexible payment plans, catering to the preferences of regional investors. A carefully selected group of Egypt's top developers is participating in the event, offering a wide range of competitive investment opportunities. Complementing the exhibition is a robust four-day conference program aligned with the theme 'Innovation & Sustainability: Qatar's Path to 2030.' The conference is designed to spark thought leadership, innovation, and dialogue on key topics shaping Qatar's economic and industrial landscape. More than 70 experts and speakers from both the public and private sectors are contributing through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and technical workshops.
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Project Qatar kicks off with participation of over 200 firms
Satyendra Pathak Doha Under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Project Qatar 2025 kicked off on Monday with the participation of over 200 local and international companies. Organised by IFP Qatar, the exhibition is being held under the theme 'Innovation & Sustainability: Qatar's Path to 2030' and supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal). IFP Qatar General Manager Haidar Mshaimesh highlighted the exhibition's role in advancing strategic partnerships between Qatari and global companies, especially in emerging sectors like smart manufacturing and sustainable construction. Argentina is participating as the country of honour with a tech-focused delegation, while the Nile Property Expo debuts in Doha, showcasing major Egyptian real estate projects. The four-day event features over 70 speakers from the public and private sectors. Sessions spotlight topics such as smart cities, AI in construction, sustainability, and green technologies. Qatar University and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology support youth innovation, with a special focus on youth innovation. Project Qatar 2025 continues to serve as a key platform for fostering innovation, attracting investment, and accelerating progress towards Qatar National Vision 2030. page 11
Qatar Tribune
23-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QSE bull run continues as stocks gain for 6th week in row
Satyendra Pathak Doha The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) posted a robust performance this week, with the benchmark QSE Index climbing 199.67 points, or 1.9 percent, to close at 10,774.29 points. The market rally for the sixth consecutive week was supported by gains in key blue-chip stocks and a notable rise in trading activity, reflecting renewed investor confidence. Market capitalisation rose in tandem, increasing by 1.9 percent to reach QR636.5 billion from QR624.6 billion in the previous trading week. Of the 53 companies traded, a significant majority—41 stocks—registered gains, while only 12 ended in the red. Qatar German for Medical Devices (QGMD) emerged as the week's top gainer, soaring 13.2 percent. On the other end of the spectrum, Vodafone Qatar was the worst performing stock, shedding 4.9 percent over the week. Leading the rally were heavyweights Qatar Islamic Bank, Industries Qatar and QNB Group. Qatar Islamic Bank made the largest contribution to the index, adding 76.54 points, followed by Industries Qatar and QNB Group, which contributed 27.25 points and 23.60 points respectively. Trading activity picked up considerably during the week. The total traded value rose by 36.3 percent to QR3,194.1 million from QR2,343.7 million in the prior week. Estithmar Holding was the top value traded stock, with transactions totaling QR247.9 million. In terms of volume, the market saw a 35.9 percent jump, with 1,475.4 million shares changing hands compared to 1,085.3 million shares the previous week. The number of transactions also surged by 37.6 percent, reaching 132,263. Mazaya Real Estate Development topped the volume chart, accounting for 139 million shares. Foreign institutional investors continued to show confidence in Qatari equities, registering net buying of QR184.1 million, though slightly down from QR199.3 million the week before. Meanwhile, Qatari institutions remained on the sell side with net selling of QR63.5 million. Foreign retail investors turned bullish with net buying of QR15.4 million, reversing the prior week's net selling of QR36.8 million. In contrast, Qatari retail investors continued to offload equities, recording net selling of QR136.0 million compared to QR109.4 million in the previous week. Despite the strong weekly performance, global foreign institutions remain net sellers of Qatari equities year-to-date by $149.1 million. Similarly, GCC institutions are net short by $35.9 million YTD. The market's upward trajectory this week, backed by institutional interest and stronger trading volumes, paints a cautiously optimistic picture. However, continued foreign outflows on a year-to-date basis suggest that investor sentiment could remain sensitive to global macroeconomic developments and regional dynamics.
Qatar Tribune
20-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar aims to build diversified, innovation-driven economy: PM
Satyendra Pathak Doha Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Tuesday reaffirmed Qatar's ambition to build a diversified and prosperous economy rooted in knowledge and innovation. Embracing the technological revolution, the PM said, Qatar seeks to create an economy defined by flexibility, adaptability, and global competitiveness. Delivering the opening remarks at the fifth edition of the Qatar Economic Forum (QEF), Powered by Bloomberg, under the theme 'The Road to 2030: Transforming the Global Economy', the PM emphasised Qatar's vision to become a beacon of technological advancement and a global hub for investment and business. This vision, he noted, is grounded in trust and reliability—principles that guide the country's approach across energy, investment, and diplomacy. The prime minister highlighted ongoing efforts to translate this vision into reality by strategically diversifying foreign investments to enhance economic resilience and build a sustainable, long-term economic foundation. In this context, he pointed to the Qatar Investment Authority's (QIA) continued pursuit of its long-term strategy through strategic global partnerships. This year alone, QIA has made substantial investments spanning the United States, Africa, and China that reflect strong confidence in the dynamism and future potential of global, especially emerging, markets. On the domestic front, the prime minister stated that Qatar's economy maintained its positive trajectory in 2024, achieving real GDP growth of 2.4 percent and reaching a total output of QR713 billion. He attributed the growth primarily to robust expansion in non-oil sectors, which grew by 3.4 percent year-on-year—underscoring steady progress toward the goals outlined in Qatar's Third National Development Strategy. He further highlighted that foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows are expected to reach QR 9.9 billion by the end of 2024, reflecting growing international confidence in the strength and resilience of the Qatari economy. To sustain this momentum, Qatar continues to enhance its legislative and administrative frameworks, making the business environment more efficient, transparent, and attractive to global investors. In line with these efforts, he announced the launch of the first package of investment incentives, aimed at investors and focused on strategic sectors such as advanced manufacturing, modern technology, and logistics services. He described the package as a significant step toward stimulating growth in key areas that will form the backbone of Qatar's future economy. In addition to industrial expansion, the prime minister said, 'This year witnessed the launch of the Simaisma Project, one of the largest entertainment projects in the region. It is also a major driver of the real estate and tourism sectors and an effective engine for integrated development.' In the realm of innovation and digital transformation, the prime minister stated that Qatar has firmly established itself as a rising hub for emerging technologies. He highlighted the successful hosting of the second edition of the Web Summit in Doha in February 2025, which drew over 25,000 participants from 124 countries. He noted that the event played a pivotal role in fostering meaningful connections between emerging technology ecosystems in Asia and Africa and major international corporations and sovereign wealth funds, further cementing Qatar's position as a global platform for digital convergence. Further validating this momentum, the prime minister announced that Qatar has secured the hosting rights for the Mobile World Congress (MWC) for the next five years, with the inaugural edition set to take place in November. This achievement, he said, places Qatar prominently on the map of the global digital economy. To align with these advancements and ensure meaningful participation in such landmark events, the prime minister revealed that Qatar will soon launch a major new initiative aimed at achieving international recognition in the digital domain. Details of the project are expected to be unveiled later this year. These achievements, he emphasised, reflect Qatar's unwavering commitment to harnessing its role as a global economic and investment hub and to building a future anchored in diversity, innovation, and sustainability. The prime minister elaborated on the dire and escalating humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, emphasizing that despite the relentless efforts of Qatar—working in close partnership with of Egypt and the United States—to end the ongoing war, every opportunity for de-escalation continues to be tragically squandered. The recent release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander initially signaled a potential opening to halt the violence and initiate a broader ceasefire. However, instead of seizing this moment for peace, it was met with a renewed and intensified campaign of bombardment—resulting in the deaths of numerous innocent civilians. Hestrongly condemned this reckless and unjustifiable escalation, stating that such actions only serve to undermine any remaining prospects for a peaceful resolution. He affirmed that Qatar remains unwavering in its commitment to diplomacy. Together with its partners, Qatar will persist in its efforts until the war is brought to an end, all hostages and detainees are released, and meaningful relief reaches the people of Gaza—steering the region away from the constant threat of further devastation. On the Syrian crisis, the prime minister welcomed the United States' decision to lift sanctions on Syria, describing it as a meaningful step forward. He expressed hope that additional measures would follow, sending a clear signal that nations emerging from conflict must be given a real and full chance to rebuild, heal, and envision a better future. Underscoring Qatar's guiding philosophy, he stated that political stability and economic prosperity are deeply interconnected and cannot be pursued in isolation. It is on this foundation, he noted, that Qatar has built its proactive foreign policy—rooted in principled mediation and constructive engagement to resolve conflicts. For Qatar, he emphasised, peace is not just an ideal but the very cornerstone of sustainable development. He further reflected that every diplomatic initiative Qatar undertakes is an investment in a future that is more stable, secure, and prosperous. When a young student in Gaza completes his education, or a Syrian family is able to return home after years of displacement, it becomes clear how profoundly stability shapes human lives and revitalizes economies. In conclusion, the PM expressed hope that the forum's discussions would bear meaningful outcomes, paving the way for sincere and productive dialogue, and fostering new economic partnerships that advance the cause of sustainable development both regionally and globally.
Qatar Tribune
20-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
GCC well-positioned to withstand global headwinds: QCB chief
Satyendra Pathak Doha Qatar Central Bank Governor Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani delivered a comprehensive and forward-looking assessment of the global and regional financial landscape during the panel discussion on 'Financial Markets: Balancing Risk and Return' held on the first day of Qatar Economic Forum 2025. His remarks underscored the growing complexity of economic conditions worldwide while highlighting the relative resilience of the Gulf region, particularly Qatar, in navigating these challenges. The governor began by addressing the broader global economic outlook. He noted that even before the most recent increase in tariff measures, the world economy was already expected to experience a slowdown. This deceleration is being driven by a combination of structural and geopolitical factors, including rising geopolitical tensions, demographic shifts such as the shrinking of the working-age population in many economies, and environmental transformations. These elements, he emphasized, are reshaping the trajectory of global economic growth and demanding more adaptive financial strategies. He further acknowledged that the recent escalation in the global trade war has added new layers of uncertainty and risk. However, the governor offered a cautiously optimistic perspective, pointing to current data indicating that the risk of an imminent global economic recession remains low. This observation provides some reassurance to markets that, despite mounting tensions, a full-blown contraction may be avoidable in thenear term. Turning to the financial sector, the governor noted the strengthened position of regulated financial institutions. Over recent years, reforms and tighter oversight have increased their resilience and capacity to manage shocks. However, he expressed concern about the rise of non-bank financial institutions, whose rapid growth and less transparent operations present emerging risks. These entities, he noted, remain outside the full scope of regulatory frameworks, and their long-term implications for financial stability are still unclear. Another key point raised was the rising level of public debt across many countries. The Governor warned that this trend could significantly constrain the ability of governments to implement the kind of large-scale fiscal interventions seen during previous crises. As debt burdens grow, the fiscal space for future stimulus becomes increasingly limited, making economic recovery efforts potentially more difficult in the event of renewed downturns. Focusing on the regional implications, the Governor emphasized that the recent U.S. tariff measures are not expected to have a major direct impact on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Qatar. The United States represents only a small portion of the region's trade, accounting for about 3 to 4 percent of the GCC's total exports and less than 2 percent of Qatar's. As such, the immediate effects of these tariffs on the region's trade performance are likely to be minimal. Finally, the Governor highlighted the financial strength and policy flexibility of GCC countries as a key advantage. With sound fiscal positions and healthy reserves, these nations are well-equipped to support their economies through potential external pressures. This financial stability, he stressed, will be instrumental in preserving growth and investor confidence in the region.
