Latest news with #WebSummitQatar2025
Qatar Tribune
09-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar hosts over 80 major events a year: Official
QNA Doha Executive Director to the Permanent Committee for Organising Conferences (PCOC) Mubarak Ajlan Mubarak Al Kuwari has said that over 80 major international events now take place in Qatar every year, across diplomacy, technology, sports, trade and culture. Al Kuwari noted that many are strategically coordinated by the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences (PCOC), aligning global conversations with Qatar's national vision. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), he said that these events have made Qatar a venue for dialogue and innovative solutions, adding that when people think of Qatar today, they no longer picture just a small desert nation in the Gulf, but see a connectivity hub that brings the world together and a trusted international partner. He noted that the Doha Forum and Qatar Economic Forum brought together more than 8,500 people from over 160 countries. Almost half of them came from abroad to exchange ideas on everything from global development to humanitarian crises. He added that Web Summit Qatar 2025 saw more than 25,000 participants, 1,520 startups, and hundreds of investors and companies gathered in Doha, transforming the capital into a livewire of innovation and tech energy. Al Kuwari highlighted Qatar's role as a trusted international partner. From high-level GCC summits to interfaith dialogues and ministerial meetings, Qatar continues to be the place where the region, and increasingly the world, comes to talk, listen, and collaborate. 'In less than a decade, Qatar has evolved into a thriving international hub, and at the heart of this transformation lies a powerful force: events. From cultural festivals to global summits, Qatar's deliberate investment in hosting meaningful, world-class gatherings is reshaping its place on the map, and in the minds of millions,' he said. He added that the past year alone saw over five million international visitors arrive in Qatar, marking a 25 percent jump from 2023. Nearly 10 million hotel room nights were sold, a record that speaks to the country's growing magnetism. And 2025 is already off to a strong start, with 1.5 million international visitors in just the first quarter, with average hotel occupancy hitting 71 percent. He noted that visitors were arriving from across the Gulf, Europe, Asia and beyond, drawn by the country's relentless rhythm of events. Al Kuwari said that none of this would be possible without the deep foundation Qatar has built over the years, starting with Hamad International Airport, repeatedly named one of the world's best, connects Doha to more than 170 cities. Inside the country, the sleek Doha Metro and network of highways make it easy for visitors to get where they need to go, whether it's a business summit at a state-of-the-art convention center or a cultural gathering in Katara. He described all the factors feeding into Qatar's hosting of the events were a winning formula. Al Kuwari pointed to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), 51 percent of international visitors in 2025 came by air, 34 percent by land, and 15 percent by sea, a testament to the country's multi-access strategy. He noted that Qatar has built not just connections, but confidence: this year, Doha was ranked the second safest city in the world, giving both event organisers and tourists peace of mind. Al Kuwarisaid that none of this momentum came out of nowhere, as the State of Qatar proved its hosting credentials on the world's biggest stage during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and that legacy continues to ripple outward. The numbers tell a compelling story: Qatar's events industry is expected to grow by over 11 percent annually, reaching nearly $4.65 billion by 2032.
Qatar Tribune
09-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
‘Qatar hosts over 80 major events a year'
QNA Doha Executive Director to the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences (PCOC) HE Mubarak Ajlan Mubarak Al Kuwari has said that over 80 major international events take place in the State of Qatar every year, across diplomacy, technology, sports, trade and said many are strategically coordinated by the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences (PCOC), aligning global conversations with Qatar's national vision. Al Kuwari said these events have made the State of Qatar a venue for dialogue and innovative solutions, adding that when people think of Qatar today, they no longer picture just a small desert nation in the Gulf, but see a connectivity hub that brings the world together and a trusted international partner. He noted that the Doha Forum and Qatar Economic Forum brought together more than 8,500 people from over 160 countries. Almost half of them came from abroad to exchange ideas on everything from global development to humanitarian crises. He added that Web Summit Qatar 2025 saw more than 25,000 participants, 1,520 startups, and hundreds of investors and companies gathered in Doha, transforming the capital into a livewire of innovation and tech 16
Express Tribune
17-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
C/A slips back into $103m deficit
Listen to article Pakistan recorded a current account deficit of $103 million in May 2025, narrowing from a deficit of $235 million in the same month last year but reversing the $47 million surplus seen in April 2025. Although Pakistan posted a rare current account surplus of $1.8 billion during the first eleven months of FY25 — marking a significant turnaround from the $1.6 billion deficit recorded in the same period last yearexperts caution that underlying external sector vulnerabilities remain a cause for concern. "The trade deficit expanded in May 2025, increasing to $3.2 billion compared to $2.2 billion in the same period last year," wrote AHL. The overall trade balance posted a deficit of $27 billion in 11MFY25, up from $23 billion during the same period last year. "We expect the country to post a current account surplus of $1.6 billion in FY25 after 14 years," said the brokerage house. "This growth is mainly due to an increase in remittances by 26% year-on-year to $38.1 billion, in our view." The surplus was largely driven by a sharp 26% year-on-year jump in workers' remittances, which soared to $38.1 billion. This inflow has helped cushion the impact of a widening trade deficit, as goods imports surged by 11% to $54.1 billion, outpacing the modest 4% growth in goods exports that stood at $29.7 billion. Exports faced a fresh blow in May 2025, slipping by 19% year-on-year to $2.4 billion, while technology exports, once seen as a potential growth engine, edged down 1% to $329 million. This underperformance underscores Pakistan's struggle to diversify and expand its export base. Nasheed Malik of Topline Securities noted that Pakistan recorded monthly IT exports worth $329 million in May 2025, reflecting a slight decline of 1% year-on-year but an increase of 4% on a month-on-month basis. These exports were also higher than the 12-month average of $314 million. Notably, this marked the first year-on-year decline in IT exports after 19 consecutive months of growth. Export proceeds averaged $16.5 million per day in May 2025, up from $15.9 million in April 2025. Cumulatively, IT exports reached approximately $3.5 billion during 11MFY25, showing a strong 19% year-on-year increase. This impressive growth is attributed to several key factors: the expansion of Pakistani IT companies' client base globally, especially in the GCC region; the relaxation by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) of the permissible retention limit in Exporters' Specialised Foreign Currency Accounts from 35% to 50%; the allowance of equity investment abroad through these accounts; and the stability of the Pakistani rupee, which has encouraged exporters to repatriate a larger portion of their earnings. Pakistani IT firms have also been actively engaging with international clients, as demonstrated by their participation in major global events such as LEAP 2025 in Saudi Arabia and Web Summit Qatar 2025, said Malik. A significant development in FY25 is the SBP's introduction of a new category — Equity Investment Abroad (EIA) — specifically for export-oriented IT companies. Under this provision, IT exporters can now acquire equity stakes in foreign entities by utilising up to 50% of the proceeds from their specialised foreign currency accounts. This measure is expected to further boost the confidence of IT exporters and incentivise the repatriation of export earnings to Pakistan. Meanwhile, the services sector remains in deficit, posting a gap of $2.7 billion for the period, as service exports failed to offset persistent import demand. The primary income deficit, largely reflecting profit repatriation and interest payments on external debt, stood at a hefty $7.9 billion in 11MFY25. Adding to the concern is the sharp decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, which dropped to $1.98 billion, indicating foreign investors' cautious stance amid Pakistan's challenging economic and political landscape. Analysts warn that the recent surplus is not structural but cyclical, heavily reliant on remittances and import compression. "If imports rebound or remittance growth slows, the surplus could swiftly reverse," a market observer noted. The outlook for the external account remains uncertain, with potential risks stemming from volatile global oil prices and rising debt servicing needs, both of which could strain Pakistan's fragile external position. In May 2025, Pakistan's primary income deficit narrowed significantly by 47% year-on-year to $777 million, compared to $1,478 million in May 2024, largely due to the absence of hefty profit repatriation recorded in the same period last year. However, on a month-on-month basis, the deficit widened by 31%. Meanwhile, the balance on secondary income improved by 12% year-on-year, rising to $3.9 billion in May 2025 from $3.5 billion in May 2024, supported by strong inflows such as workers' remittances. On a month-on-month comparison, however, secondary income declined by 13% from $3.5 billion recorded in April 2025.
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Thailand Showcases Climate Tech Startups at Web Summit Qatar 2025 to Accelerate Green Innovation on Global Stage
BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 7 May 2025 - The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), or NIA, is opening up new international opportunities by leading four Thai startups specializing in environmental technologies (Climate Tech/Green Tech) to participate in the Web Summit Qatar 2025 in its capital Doha. The event serves as a gateway for Thai innovation to enter the global market, bringing together startups, experts, and international investors to exchange insights and showcase cutting-edge solutions. This move comes amid booming global demand for green technology. The environmental tech sector is expected to grow at an average rate of 25% annually over the next ten years, underscoring a unique opportunity for Thailand to cultivate and launch a new generation of climate/green tech startups—potentially propelling them to unicorn status. Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), noted that the global sustainability movement is gaining significant momentum. SMEs, startups, and industrial sectors worldwide are rapidly integrating technology to drive sustainable innovation. As a result, startups that develop solutions for environmental preservation and climate change mitigation are attracting increasing attention from both consumers and investors—domestically and abroad. The surging global appetite for these technologies reinforces their massive market potential, with projections suggesting a sustained average growth rate of 25% annually for the next decade. Thai startups are well equipped with innovation capabilities comparable to their international counterparts. However, a lack of opportunities and readiness in structured business management has often hindered their full potential for expansion into global markets. As the nation's designated Focal Conductor for innovation, the NIA is therefore committed to providing comprehensive support—including funding, opportunities, and knowledge development—to empower Thai startups to grow with greater strength and readiness for international expansion. A particular focus is being placed on accelerating the development of startups in the fields of environmental technology and sustainability, with the ambition of nurturing more Thai unicorns—startups valued at over 1 billion US dollars—over the coming years. To achieve this, it is crucial to stimulate investment through collaborative efforts between the public sector, private enterprises, and academic institutions. One key initiative towards this goal is the Unicorn Factory Thailand project, which aims to enhance the capabilities of promising startups and unlock new opportunities to propel them onto the global stage. The program will feature workshops targeted at startups in the Series A stage and beyond, covering vital areas such as building sustainable businesses, expanding investor and partner networks, strategies for international market entry, and gaining opportunities to pitch at leading global technology and innovation showcases. Dr. Krithpaka further added that over the past year, the NIA successfully created new business opportunities and connected four growth-stage Thai startups, along with one winning student team from the Startup Thailand League 2024, to the global stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024—a leading global technology and startup conference and exhibition. During the event, the delegation also engaged in discussions with partner organizations supporting startup development in the United States. These engagements provided valuable exposure for Thai startups, enabling them to explore market expansion strategies and gain access to networks of investors, experts, and global business partners. In 2025, the NIA remains committed to driving Thai startups towards international markets by continually building new business opportunities. This year, four promising Thai startups in the fields of Climate Tech and Green Tech have been selected for further internationalization efforts. These are: 1. – developers of intelligent energy management systems; 2. ION ENERGY CORPORATION – a leading provider of residential solar energy solutions in Thailand, offering integrated energy management and payment platforms for PPA/EPC clients; 3. VEKIN (Thailand) – creators of the AI Carbon Editor tool, designed to analyze and manage carbon emissions for corporate and industrial sectors; and 4. MUI Robotics – developers of intelligent robotics and automation systems for applications in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and agriculture. These four startups are showcasing their innovations, presenting business plans, and engaging directly with investors and international markets at Web Summit Qatar 2025, held in Doha, Qatar. As the Middle East's largest technology and startup conference, the event brings together startups, investors, major corporations, public and private sector organizations, and technology leaders from across industries to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and strengthen the international startup ecosystem. The summit expects more than 25,000 attendees, featuring 1,520 startup companies, 723 investors, and 167 partners from around the world. Notably, the Thai startups' booths attracted strong interest from investors and businesses across multiple countries, resulting in numerous business discussions and information exchanges. 'The NIA aims to produce one to two new homegrown unicorns within the next three years, focusing on startups in the FoodTech and GreenTech sectors,' stated Dr Krithpaka. 'These sectors have considerable market demand, particularly GreenTech, which is proving especially promising. Organizations of all sizes—from large corporations to SMEs—are actively seeking solutions to environmental challenges, spurred in part by the growing pressure of carbon taxes imposed on fossil fuel emissions. This has created significant demand for environmental innovations, providing fertile ground for the emergence of high-growth startups in this space. Investment in environmental and sustainability-focused technologies continues to rise, both in Thailand and abroad. Thailand, in particular, offers a unique combination of factors that position its startups for global expansion: abundant space and resources, as well as real-world environmental challenges that make it an ideal sandbox environment for piloting environmental technologies. These technologies can be trialed across industries under the country's Green Transformation framework—whether through the adoption of renewable energy, boosting energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or mitigating pollution. There is capital available—both from end-users and from investors—and there is strong momentum in the ecosystem. All of this makes Thailand a viable launchpad for unicorns.' Mr Phattananat Wongwan, Chief Growth Officer (CGO) of MUI Robotics Co Ltd, stated that MUI Robotics' technologies are already being widely adopted within Thai industries, thanks to their ability to address environmental concerns within industrial production processes. With the support of the NIA, MUI Robotics has been able to accelerate its growth and extend its reach into international markets. In particular, the opportunity to meet with investors and showcase their solutions at Web Summit Qatar 2025 has significantly raised the profile of Thai innovation and helped gain recognition from overseas investors. 'Our technologies go beyond solving local environmental challenges—they're applicable to industrial problems on a global scale,' said Mr Phattananat. He emphasized that government support is key to enabling more startups to emerge and thrive. 'If the government continues to champion and invest in the startup ecosystem, especially in the Climate Tech and Green Tech sectors, Thai startups will be well positioned for sustainable growth on the world stage.' Mr Pamekitti Puktalae, Technical Product at AltoTech Global Co Ltd, remarked that many industries today are striving to position themselves as leaders in sustainability. This demand creates opportunities for startups developing environmental solutions—whether by creating carbon-neutral spaces or providing ESG-supporting tools—to step in and add real value. He continued, 'NIA's support in enabling AltoTech, which integrates AI and IoT to address sustainability challenges, to showcase our capabilities at Web Summit Qatar 2025 has opened a crucial gateway for Thai startups to enter the global stage. A market like Qatar, which prioritizes sustainability and smart infrastructure, is an ideal fit. Participating in this event has not only allowed us to engage with global stakeholders and gain insights into international market demands, but also helped us fine-tune our solutions to align with diverse expectations and accelerate our global expansion.' 'Additionally,' he added, 'this opportunity has significantly boosted the credibility of Thai entrepreneurs, which in turn has increased our visibility and appeal to both domestic and international investors.'
Zawya
07-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: QIA's $1bln Fund of Funds programme set to highlight Startup Grind talk
Qatar - Leading venture capital (VC) firms under the Qatar Investment Authority's (QIA) $1bn Fund of Fund programme will discuss how this will impact the country's startup ecosystem during a Startup Grind Qatar event scheduled for April 16 at Workinton Alfardan Centre. Moderated by European Business Angels Network board member Marcel Dridje, the panellists include A-Typical Ventures founding & managing partner Alina Truhina; Rasmal Ventures partner Soumaya Ben Beya Dridje; Deerfield Management operating partner Dr Mussaad al-Razouki; B Capital principal Rishabh Aggarwal; and Human Capital operating partner Pradeep Desu. According to Startup Grind Qatar, the panel discussion will explore the plans and strategies of these VCs for Qatar and the region and how startups and stakeholders in Qatar can leverage their presence in the country. Startup Grind Qatar underscored QIA's $1bn Fund of Fund programme, stating this 'has changed Qatar's startup ecosystem.' The programme, Startup Grind Qatar further explained, 'is designed to bolster investments in startups as Qatar looks to grow the local startup ecosystem exponentially.' At the inaugural Web Summit Qatar held in Doha last February 2024, QIA launched the programme, which aims to 'develop a vibrant start-up and venture capital ecosystem in Qatar, spurring investment, growth, and innovation.' The QIA website stated, 'The programme aims to help close the current funding gap for entrepreneurs by providing financial resources while facilitating broader ecosystem support (e.g. helping to navigate the local landscape, supporting business introductions), bringing global best practices and capabilities to Qatar.' It further explained, 'By nurturing a robust venture capital ecosystem, the fund will help boost economic diversification, target sector growth, support local talent development, and promote sustainability across Qatar.' Aside from providing $1bn worth of funding to VC fund managers, the programme also aims to 'invest indirectly through existing venture capital funds and make targeted direct co-investments, and partner with fund managers with demonstrable track records of positive returns and commitment to Qatar.' During Web Summit Qatar 2025, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani lauded the programme on its first anniversary, saying the QIA 'had fulfilled its commitment' in setting up the programme and for selecting an initial 'six leading global investment entities to deploy capital internationally, regionally, and locally.' QIA also announced at Web Summit Qatar 2025 its investments in B Capital and Deerfield. Both firms, which will be opening their regional headquarters in Doha this year, join Rasmal Ventures, Utopia Capital Management, Builders VC, and Human Capital 'as the first investment firms to participate' in the programme. Earlier, Gulf Times had reported that Utopia, backed by QIA and Qatar Development Bank (QDB), launched A-Typical Ventures during Web Summit Qatar 2025. 'A-Typical Ventures will launch a venture studio, and it is actively seeking the region's entrepreneurs looking to scale innovations and drive economic diversification across sectors, such as fintech, healthtech, e-commerce, logistics and mobility, and climatetech,' the paper further stated. © Gulf Times Newspaper 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Peter Alagos
