AGP Executive Report

Qatar’s Investment Pull: Qatar’s business climate is drawing more foreign-backed activity, with about 3,295 new companies set up in Q1 2026 under full foreign ownership—up 66% year-on-year—boosted by regulatory and digital-government reforms. GCC Earnings Snapshot: GCC-listed firms posted record Q1 2026 net profits of $67.9bn, up 15.5% y/y, led by energy, banking and other gains, while telecom and transport drag. Finance Leadership: Qatar’s Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari was named 2026 Leadership Visionary Award by the Union of Arab Banks, citing stronger financial policy and international cooperation. Food Security in Focus: Al Anaam Factory processed nearly 6,500 Eid Al Adha sacrifice animals, taking about 45% of Qatar’s slaughtered total during the season. Private Sector Resilience: Qatar Chamber says private firms helped stabilize logistics, food security and healthcare resilience amid Strait of Hormuz disruption and regional tensions. Global Trade & Energy Watch: LNG markets may be losing their “relative calm” as tighter supply balances meet seasonal demand and storage competition. World Cup Build-Up: Qatar fans are set to support the national team in Group B, with 1,000 supporters arranged via charter flights and match invitations for students across the US and Canada. Eid Aid Reach: QRCS’s Eid Al Adha Sacrifice campaign hit 247,344 beneficiaries in Qatar and 13 countries across Asia and Africa. Real Estate Abroad: Qatari Diar opened SEVEN at London’s Southbank Place, completing a £1bn mixed-use development with Canary Wharf Group.

Qatar Heat Safety: Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health urged residents to beat soaring temperatures by drinking cool water every 15–20 minutes, taking shaded breaks, eating light, and wearing loose, light clothing, while the Labour Ministry bans outdoor work from 10am–3:30pm in summer until Sept 15. Qatar Airways Connectivity: Qatar Airways will ramp up Doha–Dubai capacity to five daily flights in phases from June 5, using Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft, as regional travel demand rebounds. Sports & AI Skills: Qatar Olympic Academy launched Qatar’s first “Generative AI for Sports Leaders” programme with Google Cloud, focusing on responsible AI use across planning, communications, fan engagement and event operations. Regional Energy Shock: Strait of Hormuz disruption continues to reshape energy markets; Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said US energy firms are the main beneficiaries, while LNG demand is expected to weaken as supply losses mount. Global Business Signals: Africa Finance Corporation raised a record $2bn syndicated loan to scale infrastructure and industrial platforms, with broad participation across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Aviation Watch: Boeing’s 787 ramp-up faces supply-chain pinch points, including engine delivery delays and passenger-seat certification backlogs.

Qatar Airways Connectivity: Qatar Airways will boost Doha–Dubai services to five daily flights from 5 June 2026, adding capacity in phases (three flights from today, fourth from 15 June, with a fifth resumed in summer), using Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft. Qatar Central Bank Payments: The Qatar Central Bank has expanded acceptance of its HIMYAN card in Bahrain, following earlier HIMYAN service expansion steps. Undersea Security: Seventeen countries, including Qatar, launched the GUIDE framework at the Shangri-La Dialogue to share best practices and improve early warning for attacks or damage to subsea telecoms and energy cables. World Cup Business & Travel: FIFA will expand AI moderation at the 2026 World Cup to cut abusive messages, while some fans say costs and travel concerns are keeping them away; separately, the US Embassy in Jerusalem issued a travel alert citing “high tensions” and keeping Qatar at Level 3. Energy & Shipping Risk: Oil prices ended the week lower on US-Iran diplomatic moves, but the Strait of Hormuz remains a key risk for global energy flows, including LNG routes relevant to Qatar. Finance/Markets: Quantinuum closed an upsized $1.68bn Nasdaq IPO, underscoring continued investor appetite for tech listings.

Digital Trust & Cybersecurity: Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency launched the ‘National Digital Safety Index’ to measure digital safety awareness and cybersecurity knowledge across age groups, with results issued twice a year to guide future campaigns and education. Aviation & Connectivity: Qatar Airways will ramp up Doha–Dubai capacity from two to five daily flights, adding a third flight immediately, a fourth from June 15, and a fifth during the summer season, using Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft. Sports Tech & Leadership: Qatar Olympic Academy ran a ‘Generative AI for Leaders in Sport’ programme with Google Cloud, training over 70 participants from Qatar and abroad on practical uses of generative AI for sports institutions. Finance & Investment Services: WTW received Dubai Financial Services Authority approval to operate regulated investment advisory and fund access from DIFC, aiming to expand services for wealth managers and family offices across the region. Business Climate: Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim said Qatar’s public-private partnership and efficient handling of global challenges are strengthening investor confidence, as the chamber held its second General Assembly meeting. Geopolitics & Markets: OECD warned that a prolonged Persian Gulf conflict could push global growth toward recession, with higher energy and food costs feeding inflation. World Cup Business Angle: FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights in India secured by Zee5, with live streaming on Zee5 and dedicated Unite8 Sports channels.

QCB & Payments: Qatar Central Bank says its HIMYAN national card is now accepted in Bahrain, expanding GCC payment integration with purchase and cash-withdrawal access. Qatar Economy & Investment: Qatar’s diversification push is driving sustained growth, with IMO data citing 38-fold GDP expansion over three decades, ~6% average growth in the last 15 years, and 2025 FDI inflows rising to QR165.4bn. Qatar Business Networks: Qatar Chamber launched the Qatar Commercial and Industrial Directory 2025-26 to boost B2B communication, backed by QNB and other sponsors. Transport Oversight: MoT inspected 66 app-based limousine vehicles during Eid Al Adha; three were found violating safety/reliability/service rules and faced legal action. Regional Risk & Travel: The US issued updated security alerts for Americans across the Middle East; Qatar remains under Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” guidance. Energy Markets: LNG market sentiment is shifting as Strait of Hormuz disruptions cut flows, but analysts note supply from outside the Gulf has helped cushion losses. World Cup Business & Qatar Support: DAAM signed funding with QFA to back the Qatari Fans Delegation for FIFA World Cup 2026, covering travel, flights via Qatar Airways, and logistics.

Qatar Chamber Diplomacy: Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim met ambassadors from Germany, France, Australia and Jordan to discuss boosting trade, investment climates and private-sector partnerships. GCC Payments Integration: Qatar Central Bank expanded regional reach by enabling Bahrain acceptance for the HIMYAN national payment card, following the earlier Kuwait rollout. Innovation & Education: Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar and HBKU’s Lifeline Hackathon 2026 set a record with 284 students building offline tech solutions for health and sustainability. Climate Finance Push: The Global Carbon Council signed an MoU with CIFOR-ICRAF to scale high-integrity nature-based solutions and narrow the $7tn nature-finance gap. Biomedical Breakthrough: Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar professor Prof. Hilal Lashuel won a $9m, three-year Parkinson’s grant to target toxic protein aggregates. World Cup Business & Talent: Qatar’s FIFA experience continues to support global sport, while Qatar’s Olympic bid file appoints Fatima Al Kuwari as CEO. Regional Markets Watch: Gulf stocks edged up on ceasefire hopes, but investors stayed cautious amid Iran-war and Strait of Hormuz uncertainty.

Olympics 2036 Bid Leadership: Qatar has appointed Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari as CEO of the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2036 bid file, tasking her with leading the bid’s strategy, operations and coordination with local and international partners. Transport & Safety Policy: The Ministry of Transport launched an updated Qatar Bicycle Master Plan to expand safe, connected cycling and micromobility; separately, QGOSM adopted new technical controls allowing an extra six-month tyre sales period only if approved requirements are met, with warranties extended by three months. Trade & Compliance: The US proposed new Section 301 tariffs on 60 economies over forced-labour enforcement failures, listing Qatar among the countries facing additional duties. Regional Risk for Business: US-Iran tensions escalated again, with strikes affecting Kuwait and Bahrain and raising uncertainty around Strait of Hormuz-linked trade and energy flows. Qatar’s Business Outreach: Qatar Chamber held meetings with ambassadors from Germany, France, Australia and Jordan to discuss trade, investment and private-sector partnerships. Sports Diplomacy & Legacy: LOC CEO Jassim Al Jassim highlighted Qatar’s World Cup 2022 hosting legacy and its role in supporting preparations for FIFA World Cup 2026 at a sports diplomacy summit in Washington.

Private-Sector Push: Qatar’s MoCI says it’s strengthening the business ecosystem under Qatar National Vision 2030, with moves to improve financing access, supportive regulations, and wider private participation, including public-private partnership frameworks for long-term public projects. QSE Snapshot: Qatar Stock Exchange closed Tuesday down 0.30% to 10,407.45 points; 126.3m shares traded for about QAR 371.2m. Education & Mobility: Qatar Foundation signed three new study-abroad partnerships with US universities (Hampton, Xavier, Prairie View A&M) to expand student mobility and cross-cultural exchange via Education City. Cyber & Data Privacy: NCSA highlighted a five-tier data classification approach to help organisations manage and secure data based on sensitivity and audience. Food Security: MoMunicipality licensed 45 livestock and animal production projects in 2025 to boost local meat, dairy, poultry and egg output. Qatar-Canada Culture: Three Qatar-based designers from M7 debuted in North America at Fashion Art Toronto as part of the Qatar-Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture. Business & Trade Risk: US proposed new Section 301 tariffs on imports from 60 economies over forced-labour enforcement failures, with Qatar listed among the countries.

Qatar SME Push: Qatar Development Bank CEO Abdulrahman bin Hesham al-Sowaidi says SME financing is still under 3% of total private-sector lending, with outstanding SME funding around QR17bn, as Qatar’s entrepreneurship drive is highlighted in the Al-Tanmiya Podcast under NDS3. Education Investment: Qatar’s education sector is projected to nearly double to $13.22bn by 2034, supported by a QR21.8bn 2026 budget allocation and a PPP plan to deliver 45 new public schools. Study-Abroad Partnerships: Qatar Foundation signs three new study-abroad deals with US universities (Hampton, Xavier, Prairie View A&M) to expand student mobility via Education City. Startup Compliance Relief: Startup Grind Doha partners with ArcPath Partners to offer preferential corporate services (entity setup, compliance, HR, payroll, accounting) to reduce admin burdens on founders. Trade Diplomacy: Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed meets Pakistan’s commerce minister to discuss boosting commercial and investment ties. Humanitarian Aid: Qatar Charity distributes food baskets in Somalia under “The Greatest Days” campaign, reaching 1,854 people across vulnerable Yemeni, Syrian and Sudanese communities and Somali IDPs. Business Governance: Qatar Chamber holds its second General Assembly on June 4 to review 2025 performance and approve the 2026 budget.

Qatar–Uzbek Trade Push: Qatar Chamber met Uzbekistan’s chamber in Tashkent to boost bilateral trade, activate the Qatari-Uzbek Joint Business Council, and explore deals in areas including halal. Business Regulation Update: Qatar’s MoCI is updating existing companies’ commercial activity classifications from June 1 under the GCC unified economic guide, aiming to improve transparency and data quality without changing business registrations. Exports Watch: Qatar’s Export Unit Value Index rose to 120.99 in Q1 2026, up 10.19% vs Q4 2025 and 4.44% year-on-year, led by mineral fuels and related materials. Logistics Surge: Mwani Qatar says Hamad, Ruwais and Doha ports handled 73,173 TEUs in May (+44% vs April), alongside higher bulk cargo and livestock volumes. Workplace Safety: Qatar’s Labour Ministry launched a heat-stress awareness campaign ahead of summer working-hour restrictions. Digital Skills Drive: MCIT convened industry leaders for a Digital Skills Framework roundtable, building a national standard of digital competencies. AI Investment: QIA doubled down on Anthropic, joining a $65bn Series H round, as the firm also moves toward an IPO filing. Energy & Shipping Risk: An MSC container ship was damaged by an explosion off Iraq, renewing Gulf security concerns for commercial routes. World Cup Money & Media: FIFA struck a World Cup broadcast deal with India’s Zee, while Qatar’s football squad news and World Cup-related club compensation continue to dominate sports-business talk.

Maritime Disruption: A Panama-flagged MSC Sariska V was hit by an “unknown projectile” near the Iran–Kuwait border, with conflicting reports ranging from drone/missile damage to mechanical issues; the ship was reportedly bound for Qatar, underlining how Gulf tensions keep spilling into trade routes. Qatar Courts & Consumer Rights: Qatar’s Investment and Commerce Court upheld a QR155,000-plus ruling against an event company after a wedding was cancelled during COVID-19, ordering a refund and compensation. Banking & Awards: Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) won four Global Finance Awards, including “Best Bank in Qatar,” and reported strong 2025 results plus solid Q1 2026 profit. Worker Safety in Summer: Qatar’s Ministry of Labour launched a heat-stress awareness push ahead of the June 1–Sep 15 outdoor work restrictions (10:00am–3:30pm), with partners including MoPH and major private firms. Healthcare Access: PHCC expanded weekend services by adding Al Waab Health Center to its roster, boosting community access. Digital & Sports Leadership: Qatar Olympic Academy delivered its first “Generative AI for Sports Leaders” course with Google, while a survey found high confidence in Qatar’s economy and government despite regional tensions. Trade & Logistics: Mwani Qatar said ports handled over 73,000 containers in May (+44% month-on-month), signaling continued momentum in maritime activity.

Qatar Airways Cargo: The airline says it carried over 1.43 million tonnes of chargeable weight in 2025/26, holding a 12% global market share and clearing 93% of Doha’s cargo backlog by end-March after regional disruptions. Digital Payments: Qatar’s payment system hit 73.533 million transactions in April 2026 (+29% YoY) worth QR111.854bn (+77% YoY), with transfer payments driving most of the value. Excise Tax Update: Qatar’s General Tax Authority published a guide for the new tiered volumetric excise model on sweetened drinks, starting July 6, 2026, with rates rising by sugar content per 100ml. Health Campaigns: PHCC ran World Hypertension Day awareness (May 13-21) and is pushing smokers toward cessation clinics; it also launched “Ahlan for Oral Health 2026” for older adults. STEM & Innovation: UDST hosted its 2026 Student Symposium on Innovation and Enterprise, while the Ministry of Education’s STEM HUB expands school-based innovation via olympiads, incubators and camps. Education City Culture: Qatar National Library unveiled a June programme spanning parenting support, open-access publishing guidance, and regional history themes. STEM HUB & BRGCC: Qatar also highlighted STEM HUB’s unified innovation platform, and the Belt & Road General Chamber of Commerce named Vivian Chen as its Middle East chapter president. Regional Trade & Energy: India-Oman CEPA kicks in today (June 1), with analysts pointing to Oman’s ports outside the Strait of Hormuz as a hedge for Gulf disruptions. Markets: Gulf stocks mostly eased as Iran-US strikes and Lebanon escalation weighed on sentiment, with Qatar’s index down more than 1%.

Qatar Digital Push: Qatar’s Digital Agenda 2030 is set to invest QR40bn in the non-hydrocarbon economy, aiming to create about 26,000 jobs, while the Digital Incubation Center backs 521 emerging firms with QR747mn in financing and trains thousands through the Qatar Digital Academy. Quantum-Safe Connectivity: Ooredoo Qatar, with HBKU and the Ministry of Defence, has launched Qatar’s first quantum-safe end-to-end communications link using quantum key distribution inside its operational network. Excise Tax Rules: The General Tax Authority issued a guide for the new tiered volumetric excise tax on sweetened drinks from July 6, 2026, with rates rising by sugar content per 100ml. Central Bank Meets Investors: Qatar Central Bank Governor and QIA Chairman Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed met Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan to discuss global finance and investment. Cybersecurity & Digital Trust: A Qatar expert argues the next competitive edge is “digital trust,” not just cybersecurity spending, as scams and online fraud remain widespread. Strait of Hormuz Transit: Qatar says it opposes a permanent Hormuz toll but is open to a temporary fee if linked to demining, while U.S. support is credited with rising ship transits. Health & CSR: Qatar Islamic Bank ran World No Tobacco Day activities with Qatar Cancer Society, including education sessions and on-site support. Eid Care Numbers: PHCC reported 18,769 patients across 21 health centers during Eid Al-Adha, with urgent care handling 8,566 cases. Qatar Hajj Update: The official Qatari Hajj Mission returns home on Monday after a smooth pilgrimage season.

Strait of Hormuz Policy: Qatar says it opposes permanent Hormuz transit tolls, but is open to temporary fees if they’re tied to specific security work like demining. Regional Security Diplomacy: At Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, Qatar’s Deputy PM Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani reiterated the consumer cost concern, while Singapore and Qatar officials also met to review regional security cooperation. US-Iran Negotiations: The US warned it is “more than capable” of resuming war if talks fail, as Iran pushes back on “must” language and keeps frozen-asset and sanctions issues central. Maritime Risk & Trade: The US says it disabled another ship attempting to breach its blockade, underscoring how Hormuz disruptions keep pressuring global energy flows. Qatar Digital Push: Qatar is highlighted as a digital trailblazer under Digital Agenda 2030, with QR40bn earmarked for the non-hydrocarbon economy and support for hundreds of emerging tech firms. Cybersecurity Focus: A Doha expert warns Middle East cybercrime is increasingly psychological, urging everyday security habits and trusted digital ecosystems. Public Health: World No Tobacco Day (May 31) spotlights Qatar’s efforts to curb smoking and nicotine addiction. Business & Travel Tech: Loyalty apps in Qatar are expanding across banking, aviation and retail, turning points into data-driven offers. Legal/Corporate Case: Russia sentenced a Disney program manager, Jugal Daterao, to 2.5 years over drug charges after a customs check at Sheremetyevo; he was reportedly traveling from Qatar.

Qatar Retail Real Estate: ValuStrat says Qatar’s retail real estate stayed broadly stable in Q1 2026, with total supply at 5.7m sqm GLA and organised retail at 2.5m sqm, while unorganised space added about 6,250 sqm mainly in Al Aziziyah and Fereej Al Soudan. MoCI Single Window: Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry will resume Single Window Services on 31 May after Eid Al Adha closure, while online services remain available 24/7. Healthcare & ADHD: HBKU research found children with ADHD improved more when psychosocial interventions (CBT/parent training) were added to medication than with medication alone. Career Guidance: A Qatari career coach urges parents to back children’s passions instead of pushing law/medicine choices based on family expectations. Banking Fraud Claims (South Africa): Two Nedbank customers have taken similar fraud-loss complaints to the National Financial Ombud Scheme, questioning banks’ fraud explanations and settlement handling. Energy/Geopolitics: US-Iran talks remain tense as Washington signals it could resume war if conditions aren’t met, with Strait of Hormuz access and nuclear red lines at the centre. Sports & Qatar Links: Qatar’s Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah was buried after a large public funeral; and Messi is named to captain Argentina for the 2026 World Cup.

Qatar Digital Trade & Transport: Qatar’s Ministry of Transport automated 14 new maritime e-services, covering big-vessel transactions and seafarers’ affairs, letting users apply anytime online. Qatar Retail & Consumer Finance: PayLater’s CEO says BNPL in Qatar is a budgeting tool when used responsibly, with Eid demand shaping merchant readiness and disciplined risk controls. Qatar Business & Industry: Qatar’s industrial sector posted strong Q1 momentum, with 17 new factories starting production and food manufacturing capacity expanding to meet local demand. Qatar Energy & LNG: QatarEnergy extended LNG force majeure into mid-August, with Edison reporting affected cargoes and replacement needs. Qatar Economy & Markets: Qatar’s Q1 budget deficit was reported at about $2.7–2.83bn as oil and gas revenues softened. Regional Geopolitics With Local Impact: Iran’s top negotiator said Tehran trusts actions, not US words, as a draft US-Iran ceasefire extension framework awaits Trump approval; Hormuz remains a flashpoint for energy and trade. Qatar in Diplomacy: Qatar’s Deputy PM attended the Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 opening in Singapore, with Iran and Middle East tensions on the agenda. Sports & Tourism Pulse: Doha residents are increasingly choosing staycations during Eid as travel costs and regional uncertainty push demand closer to home.