AGP Executive Report

Qatar-Ireland Diplomacy: Qatar’s PM and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman met Ireland’s Helen McEntee and witnessed an MoU on political consultations, aiming to deepen bilateral ties and coordinate on regional stability. QSE Watch: The Qatar Stock Exchange general index edged up 0.07% (7.45 points) at the start of trading, led by real estate and consumer goods, with turnover reaching QAR 44.9m by 10:00am. Banking & Fintech: QNB won ABF Wholesale Banking awards for Qatar domestic open banking and cash management, highlighting its API ecosystem for corporate payments and real-time account services. Ports & Logistics: Mwani Qatar reported strong H1 performance: 493,105 TEUs and 866 vessel calls across Hamad, Doha and Ruwais ports, supporting steady trade flows. Maritime Update: Qatar’s Ministry of Transport lifted restrictions so all maritime navigation activities can resume normally, following coordination on Iran-Qatar shipping resumption. Industrial Policy: MoCI and QatarEnergy signed ToR for allocating hydrocarbon-derived resources to qualifying industrial investments and developing a medium industries area in Mesaieed. Education Pipeline: The MoEHE announced registration for the Tomouh scholarship programme (Nov 15–Dec 30) to prepare Qatari teachers. Business Spotlight: Desert Mountain Energy CEO Robert Rohlfing discussed helium expansion in New Mexico amid tightening global supply. Markets Macro: OPEC+ is unlikely to defend a price floor and will focus on oil availability as Hormuz remains only partially normalized, keeping Brent below $85 a key scenario.

Maritime Trade Reopens: Qatar has lifted a week-long suspension and authorised the immediate, unhindered resumption of nationwide maritime navigation for all vessel types, easing pressure on coastal fishing and sailing while keeping authorities on high alert. Energy & Industry Policy: MoCI and QatarEnergy signed Terms of Reference for a joint governance framework to evaluate and allocate hydrocarbon-derived resources (gas, power and related inputs) for downstream industrial investment, including plans to develop a new medium industries area in Mesaieed Industrial City. Banking & Payments: QNB won ABF Wholesale Banking Awards for Qatar Domestic Open Banking Initiative of the Year and Qatar Domestic Cash Management Bank of the Year, highlighting its open-banking and cash-management API ecosystem. Sustainability in Business: Mazzraty launched “Partners in Motion” to support retail delivery partners with electric bikes to cut costs and improve home-delivery efficiency. Corporate Green Actions: QIB marked International Plastic Bag Free Day with an internal tote-bag awareness drive for employees. Environment Skills: Qatar’s Environment and Climate Change ministry wrapped up summer training for QU and UDST students on green development and natural resource management. Local Diplomacy: Qatar and North Macedonia held talks in Doha and signed agreements on political consultations, diplomatic training and visa exemptions.

Qatar Finance: Qatar’s commercial banks’ assets rose 6% year-on-year to QR2.2tn in May, supported by liquidity, lending growth and continued investment, according to Qatar Central Bank data. Maritime Trade: Iran–Qatar maritime trade resumed after a roughly five-month suspension, with Deir el-Khali–Al Ruwais links restarting following coordination between Doha and Iranian authorities. Ports & Logistics: Mwani Qatar reported June growth across Qatar’s ports: 121 vessels (+21%), 78,000 TEUs (+13%), and bulk cargo up 40% month-on-month. Banking Digital Push: QIIB launched “QIIB Online Shop,” letting customers redeem rewards points instantly for products, digital gift cards and e-vouchers via mobile and internet banking. Property Costs: UDC cut 2026 Master Community Service Charges for The Pearl and Gewan Islands from QR3.50/sqm to QR3.00/sqm, with credits applied in upcoming invoices. Education & Skills: Qatar plans four new STEM secondary schools next academic year to boost science and tech graduates, aiming to exceed the 18% target by 2030. Health Advisory: HMC urged travellers with chronic conditions to plan early, carry enough medication, and consult doctors 4–6 weeks before departure. Sustainability & Community: Mowasalat hosted sustainability ambassadors at Lusail’s electric bus depot, while Al Meera and QNB rolled out “Bagging a Better Tomorrow” to reduce single-use plastic bags.

Qatar’s Business & Finance Spotlight: Ahlibank published its first standalone ESG report, setting up an ESG Unit, a cross-functional working group and a C-suite committee as it moves from ESG ambition to structured implementation. Trade & Logistics: Qatar Ports handled over 78,000 TEUs in June, with cargo volumes rising. Digital & Human Capital: A Qatar-focused interview highlights how early exposure to AI tools can build children’s digital skills for the innovation economy, while a separate Qatar education podcast episode discusses aligning scholarships and TVET with labour-market needs. Sustainability & Energy Risk: An El Niño explainer flags rising economic risk for Gulf states via food-price shocks, maritime route pressure and public-budget strain. Qatar in the Region: Qatar’s role in US-Iran diplomacy remains in focus as indirect talks continue in Doha, with maritime security through the Strait of Hormuz a key theme. Community & Humanitarian Aid: QRCS launched an emergency response for Venezuela’s earthquakes, sending 24 tons of medical and relief supplies via Qatar’s airlift; Qatar Charity also expanded paediatric cardiac care in Sudan. Business Recognition: Commercial Bank won “Best Use of AI in Financial Services” at MEED’s MENA Banking Excellence awards.

Qatar Startup Scene: A new ecosystem study finds Qatar’s startup founders are becoming more diverse and more globally focused, with more young Qatari graduates and mid-career professionals building ventures beyond the domestic market. Sustainable Waste Management: Al Rayyan’s waste separation programme is expanding, with 1,117 blue recycling bins and 1,117 grey organic-waste bins distributed in June and distribution continuing through July. Banking & Rates: QNB says the US Fed is likely to stay hawkish under new chair Kevin Warsh, with further rate hikes expected as inflation remains above target. Humanitarian Relief: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) launched an emergency airlift response to Venezuela’s earthquakes, sending medical and relief supplies and specialists. Energy & Trade Ripple Effects: Pakistan procured a spot LNG cargo at $17.37/mmBtu for July 10-11, citing uncertainty over Qatar LNG supplies amid regional disruption. Regional Diplomacy Watch: Qatar and Pakistan held separate Doha meetings with US and Iranian negotiators, with Qatar reporting “positive progress” on a 14-point MoU ahead of the next round after Iran’s funeral processions.

Qatar–Singapore Labour Ties: Qatar’s Minister of Labour Ali bin Samikh Al Marri met Singapore’s Manpower leadership to review labour cooperation, including the MoU framework, and discussed ways to strengthen workforce training and social protection. Sustainability Diplomacy: Qatar took part in a sustainability forum in North Macedonia focused on turning sustainability into a competitive advantage and building more resilient institutions. Corporate Spin-off with QIA Link: BASF and Carlyle completed the coatings carve-out, launching Surventis as an independent company; Surventis starts operations with about €3.9bn in annual sales and Qatar Investment Authority is a majority partner alongside Carlyle. AI Investment Signal: Ayar Labs raised $500m in a Series E at a $3.75bn valuation, with Qatar Investment Authority among new investors, backing optical interconnect tech for AI data centers. Labour Market & Skills: Qatar’s labour ministry also highlighted ongoing efforts to upgrade legislative and regulatory frameworks and invest in human capital. Energy & Trade Watch: Markets tracked US–Iran Doha talks, while European gas prices rose on storage worries, underscoring how regional tensions still feed into energy costs.

Qatar-US-Iran Diplomacy: Indirect US-Iran talks in Doha wrapped up without a major breakthrough, with mediators calling it “positive progress” but leaving key issues—especially freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz—unresolved; the focus reportedly stayed on maritime traffic and limited financial incentives, while Iran also warned tankers to use approved routes. Qatar Economy & Markets: The Qatar Stock Exchange closed the week down 0.69% to 10,211 points, with transportation the biggest drag and real estate the top gainer; analysts say next week’s first-half results could set the market’s next direction. Business & Services: UDST achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification for its institution-wide quality management system, while Kahramaa launched a 2026 customer satisfaction survey (July–November) with Nielsen Consultancy. Regional Trade & Security: CENTCOM chief Brad Cooper met regional military leaders in Bahrain, including Qatar, to strengthen security cooperation and back the free flow of commerce through Hormuz. Aviation: Qatar Airways confirmed it will resume flights to Canberra in December (pushed from September), aiming to improve access to Melbourne. Retail & Food Trade: Pakistan Fruit Festival runs July 2–8 across 15 almeera outlets in Doha, boosting summer produce trade and food security ties.

Qatar’s Investment Pulse: Invest Qatar’s 2025 report highlights $3.4bn in FDI capex across 373 projects, with new projects up 52% and over half in greenfield ventures—plus a strong tilt toward medium-to-high tech. Qatar Airways Expands Africa Links: The airline launched its inaugural Port Sudan route with three weekly flights, boosting connectivity via Hamad International Airport. Payments for Small Merchants: Visa rolled out smartphone-based payment tools under Visa Accept/Direct, aiming to help micro and small businesses in markets like Qatar run payments and payouts from one device. QSE Watch: Qatar Stock Exchange closed the week down 0.69% to 10,211 points, with transport hit hardest and real estate the top gainer; analysts point to next week’s H1 results as the key catalyst. Regional Trade Security: The US and 12 Middle East countries agreed to intensify efforts to keep trade flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, with Qatar among participants. US-Iran Mediation Update: Doha talks continued amid uncertainty over frozen assets and Hormuz navigation, while Iran reiterated it will use force to compel vessels to follow its approved routes. Education Milestone: Qatar approved first-round General Secondary Certificate results for 2025-2026, with a 90.10% pass rate in the daytime scientific track and 10,898 students scoring 70%+

US-Iran Mediation in Doha: Qatar said indirect talks with Iran and the U.S. on the Strait of Hormuz delivered “positive progress” on the June memorandum, but lasting peace is still unclear; the next round is expected after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral processions. Energy Markets: Oil slid for a third straight day as Hormuz traffic gradually improves and supply-disruption fears ease, with Brent near $70 and WTI also down. Frozen Funds Mechanism: Iran’s deputy foreign minister said Tehran plans to use part of its frozen assets in Qatar to buy “required goods,” while Iran also raised concerns about U.S. compliance and violations in Doha talks. Qatar Finance & Business: Franklin Templeton is expanding in the region with a new Qatar entity under the Qatar Financial Centre; Dukhan Bank won a MENA award for its business card offering; Commercial Bank held a career day with the Ministry of Labour. Digital & Services: Vodafone Qatar highlighted talent investment for Qatar’s digital future; YouTube rolled out supervised kid accounts across MENA including Qatar. Healthcare & Community: Sidra Medicine celebrated the Class of 2026; PHCC ran oral health awareness and screenings for Qatar Rail staff. Qatar Economy Pulse: QSE opened slightly lower (down 0.11%) with banks under pressure.

Qatar-US-Iran Diplomacy: Indirect US and Iranian technical talks in Doha wrapped up with “positive progress” on the MoU, focusing on Strait of Hormuz shipping and frozen-asset implementation; Iran says a monitoring “communication channel” will be set up by Thursday and that part of the $6bn frozen funds will be used to buy humanitarian goods. Mediation Update: Qatar and Pakistan also reported positive progress in separate Doha sessions with US and Iran on the Islamabad MoU, with the next meeting planned after Iran’s late Supreme Leader’s funeral processions. QFC & Asset Management: Franklin Templeton is expanding in Qatar via a QFC entity after initial regulatory authorisation, aiming to deepen Doha’s role as a regional hub for global asset managers. Banking & Qatarisation: Commercial Bank, with the Ministry of Labour, held a Career Day to recruit and develop Qatari talent for the financial sector. Infrastructure & Sustainability: Qatari Diar registered two Guinness World Records for Lusail City’s district cooling network (123.5 km) and its chilled-water storage tank, citing up to 14% energy-efficiency gains. Business & Lifestyle: Qatar Airways and Visit Qatar partnered with Fanatics for an invitation-only Qatar hospitality lounge at Fanatics Fest NYC (July 16-19).

Qatar Investment Spotlight: Invest Qatar’s 2025 annual report says Qatar attracted $3.4bn FDI capex across 373 projects, creating 15,051 jobs—with over half of capex in greenfield and nearly half in medium-to-high tech. Qatar Business & Education: Qatar Foundation’s Education City launches a summer “of discovery” with camps and workshops across sports and learning, aimed at building future-ready skills. Qatar Finance & Governance: Region Trade Bank (RTB) appoints a new board of international experts to strengthen financial integrity, sanctions policy and payment systems as Iraq’s banking sector connects regionally. Qatar Tax & Compliance: Qatar’s General Tax Authority runs a workshop on Capital Gains Tax valuation, covering approved methods and IFRS 13 to help taxpayers comply. Qatar Diplomacy Meets Markets: US-Iran indirect technical talks in Doha focus on frozen assets and Strait of Hormuz shipping; Iran says no direct meetings are planned, keeping oil and regional sentiment sensitive. Regional Investment Push: Iraq plans an Energy and Development Fund open to regional and international investors, inviting Qatar alongside Saudi and UAE. Aviation & Routes: Qatar Airways restores 35 weekly flights to Colombo, while new long-haul links are also announced across the region.

US-Iran Mediation in Doha: Qatar’s Foreign Affairs says US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Doha for talks with mediators, but no direct US-Iran high-level meeting is planned; technical discussions continue and the Strait of Hormuz remains central, with Qatar stressing freedom of navigation under international maritime law and clarifying it acts only as an intermediary for frozen Iranian funds. Oil & Markets: WTI slid to about $69.50 and Brent to around $79.92 as investors weighed the uncertain Doha track; still, US stocks ended June with their strongest quarterly gains since 2020, led by tech and semiconductors. Satellite Deal: Türkiye’s Turksat and Qatar-based Es’hailSat signed a strategic partnership for the Es’hail-3/Türksat-Biruni Ka-band project, with Qatar financing and capacity-sharing aimed at commercial growth. Qatar Aviation/Banking: Qatar’s QCAA won ACAO Executive Council seats and committee roles; QIB rolled out an enhanced corporate app for digital banking. Cyber Risk: A Gulf cybersecurity executive warned Qatar to prepare for more automated, targeted, persistent attacks as AI lowers barriers and critical sectors become bigger targets.

Qatar–Türkiye Space Deal: Es’hailSat and Türksat signed a strategic partnership in Doha to jointly develop Qatar’s third satellite, Es’hail-3/Turksat-Biruni, with Thales Alenia Space contracted to design and build the high-throughput Ka-band satellite, aiming to expand secure connectivity across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Central Asia. Doha US–Iran Diplomacy: Qatar said technical meetings between the US and Iran are continuing but no high-level meeting is scheduled in Doha, as Washington sends Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff and markets watch the fragile ceasefire’s impact on shipping and energy. Hormuz LNG Outlook: Shell warned Hormuz disruptions could keep global LNG trade flat this year, even as it expects demand to surge by 2050, with the Strait’s recovery still uncertain. Qatar Real Estate: Qatar’s property market stayed active in May with QR1.732bn in transactions across 425 deals, led by Doha by value and Al Rayyan by number of properties sold. QNB Regional Finance: QNB Group will sponsor APLMA’s 2026 conference in Singapore and discuss the Asia–Middle East corridor, cross-border lending and alternative currencies. Local Business & Community: Qatar’s Ministry of Awqaf held Friday sermons in about 600 mosques to warn against drug abuse, while Qatar Chamber joined Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber meetings in Brussels to strengthen private-sector links.

US-Iran Talks in Doha: After a weekend flare-up, the US says high-level meetings with Iran’s delegation will take place in Qatar on Tuesday, with technical talks continuing alongside, while Iran disputes the schedule details—keeping the Strait of Hormuz’s future and shipping risk front and center. Markets React: Wall Street rebounded as investors priced in de-escalation; the Dow closed above 52,000 for the first time, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 also higher, while oil rose but stayed sensitive to any renewed disruption risk. Hormuz Shipping Reality Check: Even with the strait “open,” reports point to far lower effective commercial transits and contested routing, with enforcement and insurance costs still weighing on trade flows. Qatar Energy & Trade Signals: Qatar-linked LNG and gas market updates highlight how Hormuz tensions and regional supply changes are feeding into pricing and bunker costs. Qatar Business Moves: Dr. Badr Al Hajri was appointed to Cascade Natural Resources’ board as the Qatar-backed firm backs a $165m rare-earth investment plan. Regional Economy Watch: GCC ministers discussed a regional water interconnection project to strengthen water security across member states. Pakistan Capital Markets: SECP approved 10 IPOs in H1 2026, with nine already raising over Rs20bn, signaling continued investor appetite despite regional uncertainty.

US-Iran De-escalation in Doha: The US and Iran agreed to “stand down” and let commercial vessels move freely through the Strait of Hormuz, with technical talks continuing and a new round of negotiations set for Doha on Tuesday—helping calm markets and easing some oil-shipping fears. Qatar as Mediation Hub: Qatar remains the key venue as the US-Iran MoU framework (brokered via Pakistan and Qatar) faces fresh tests after weekend strikes, while officials discuss implementation details. Frozen Funds Update: Iran’s president says $6bn of frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar will be released back to Tehran, with talk of a further $6bn—an issue tied to sanctions relief and the wider deal. QSE Opens Higher: Qatar Stock Exchange’s general index edged up at the start of trading, led by telecoms, industrials, real estate and banks, while insurance and transportation lagged. HMC Boosts Pediatric Allergy Care: Hamad Medical Corporation launched specialized pediatric allergy testing services, including skin allergy testing and food/drug challenge tests, to improve early diagnosis and care. Qatar Airways Network Shift: Qatar Airways removed upcoming A380 flights to Guangzhou and is cutting A380 services to Australia, reshaping its long-haul schedule. Qatar Tourism Outlook: Qatar expects a stronger second-half 2026 tourism rebound after 1.13m visitors in Q1, supported by summer offers and events. MoCI Tightens Compliance: Qatar’s MoCI ran inspection campaigns to enforce intellectual property rules, targeting unauthorized public display and transmission of audiovisual works.

Education & Social Support: Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education is offering over 3,000 free study seats for eligible Qatari students at participating private schools, with families applying via the “Maarif” platform and voucher values covering fees while schools absorb any extra cost. SME & Business Resilience: A Qatar-based expert says entrepreneurs who do diagnostic groundwork before scaling or entering new markets are better able to withstand shocks, stressing clarity on “why,” a realistic view of finances, and a small set of trusted advisers. Banking Digital Upgrade: Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) has launched an enhanced Corporate App for corporate and SME clients, adding a new Arabic/English interface and tools for transfers, payments, approvals, deposit monitoring and service requests. Compliance & AML Focus: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with the Financial Information Unit and CPAs, ran a workshop on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing compliance, including challenges in reporting suspicious transactions via the “Ekhtar” platform. Workplace Health: Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health held a heat-stress awareness workshop for about 160 occupational health and safety officials, aiming to reduce heat-related injuries in outdoor work. Tourism Outlook: Qatar expects a surge in summer visitors in the second half of 2026, after drawing 1.13mn visitors in Q1, supported by a packed events calendar despite higher travel costs and regional tensions. Real Estate Recognition: Msheireb Properties CEO Eng. Ali Al Kuwari was named CEO of the Year by both Gulf Business Real Estate Awards and Real Estate Asia Awards, highlighting Qatar’s sustainable property leadership. Finance Diplomacy: Qatar Central Bank Governor met the Bank of England and ECB President in Basel to discuss banking and financial cooperation.