AGP Executive Report

Qatar Economy & Policy: Qatar Central Bank says real GDP grew 2.9% in 2025, with non-hydrocarbon GDP up 4.8% and inflation contained at 0.5%, while tourism hit 5.1m arrivals; real estate prices stayed stable. Real Estate Regulation: Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality issued Law No. 8 of 2026 amending the 2008 leasing law to streamline procedures, protect lease rights, and improve dispute resolution; it takes effect Sept 3, 2026. Healthcare & Families: Sidra Medicine partnered with The View Hospital to offer umbilical cord blood banking to eligible expectant families in Qatar. Local Agriculture & Food Security: The 11th Local Dates Festival in Doha drew about 110,000 visitors and sold 183,268kg of dates, supporting local farmers and food security goals. Business & Events: Qatar Event Show (QES) returns Sept 1–3, 2026 with an ~80% larger exhibition floor, first dedicated events awards, and expects 5,000+ delegates. Regional Trade/Shipping Watch: Strait of Hormuz uncertainty continues as talks and mediation signals swirl; tanker tracking shows many transits with missing signals, raising planning and insurance risks. Education Links: The US and Pakistan signed a five-year education exchange deal expanding Fulbright and university collaboration. Qatar Telecom Benchmark: Kearney’s Global Telecom Health Index ranks Qatar and the UAE as the healthiest telco markets in the region.

Islamic Finance & Digital Banking: Qatar Islamic International Bank (QIIB) picked up two Global Business Magazine Awards for 2026—Mobile Banking Experience Qatar and Excellence in Product Innovation (Islamic Finance)—citing its secure mobile app and Shariah-led product innovation. Qatar Business Climate: A new Invest Qatar-linked snapshot says Qatar’s regulatory overhaul and infrastructure push under NDS3 helped lift global rankings, including first place in General Infrastructure (Global Innovation Index) and fourth in ICT Development (ITU). FDI Flows: Qatar’s inward FDI rose 3.3% in Q1 2026 to QR172.2bn, while Qatari outward investment increased 3.5% to QR221.7bn, pointing to broader international confidence. Corporate Community Work: Commercial Bank ran its annual blood donation drive with Hamad Medical Corporation, while Qatar Charity distributed 161 food baskets in Tanzania’s Pwani region to support 1,127 vulnerable people. Airline Security: Qatar Airways warned passengers about fake social media accounts impersonating the airline and requesting sensitive details, urging use of verified channels only. Sports Partnerships: QSL signed Education Above All (EAA) as CSR partner and also brought Zoom Live on board as business partner for the Doha Bank Stars League and Qatar Cup.

Qatar Inward Investment: Qatar’s inward FDI rose 3.3% to QR172.2bn in Q1 2026, while outward FDI climbed 3.5% to QR221.7bn, with mining, finance and manufacturing driving most inflows. Qatari Tech & Skills: MCIT graduated 10 companies from the third cohort of its Scale Now programme and launched a fourth cohort of 12, backing growth in sectors like industrial tech, health tech and logistics. Cyber & Data Privacy: Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency ran a virtual seminar on personal data privacy, stressing compliance with Qatar’s 2016 privacy law to strengthen digital trust. Qatar Airways Fraud Alert: The airline warned passengers about fake social media accounts impersonating Qatar Airways and asking for passwords, OTPs or banking details. Qatari Real Estate: ValuStrat reported a prime-vs-secondary split in office leasing: Lusail led with 4.5% rent growth, while secondary areas saw pressure. Regional Energy Shock: Markets stayed cautious as Hormuz reopening talks faced Iran’s demand for US concessions; Qatar’s index fell 0.5% amid broader Gulf softness. Qatari Investment Abroad: Qatari Diar launched the first phase of its $29.7bn Alam Al-Roum project on Egypt’s North Coast, targeting a fully integrated city and tourism destination.

Qatar FDI Watch: Qatar’s inward foreign direct investment rose 3.3% to QR172.2bn in Q1 2026, while Qatari outward investment climbed 3.5% to QR221.7bn, according to the NPC survey with QCB support—highlighting momentum in both inbound capital and overseas expansion. Tech & Skills Pipeline: MCIT graduated 10 tech firms from the third Scale Now cohort and launched a fourth cohort of 12, spanning industrial, health, media, agri, e-commerce, enterprise and logistics solutions. Qatari Diar Egypt Push: Qatari Diar kicked off Phase 1 of its $29.7bn Alam Al Roum on Egypt’s North Coast, with first handovers targeted for 2030 and a plan to create 250,000+ jobs on completion. Banking Rewards: QIB named two new QR1mn winners in the 9th Misk Account edition, doubling the number of millionaires this year and keeping a large prize pool of QR26mn. Community & Social Programs: MoSDF launched the second Financial Awareness Programme edition, while NPC and Qatar Science Club ran Data Summer Camp 2026 for about 40 students. Business Resilience: QCB said Qatar’s reserves and highly liquid, well-capitalised banking sector are acting as shock absorbers amid regional trade and maritime disruptions. Markets: Gulf bourses were mostly subdued, with Qatar’s index down 0.1% and Industries Qatar falling 0.9%.

FDI Watch: Qatar’s National Planning Council says inward FDI rose 3.3% in Q1 2026 to about QAR 172.2bn, while outward FDI climbed 3.5% to about QAR 221.7bn, with growth tied to non-hydrocarbon investment push. Startup Pipeline: MCIT wrapped up the third cycle of its Wasel programme and kicked off the fourth with 12 new tech firms; across three cycles, companies raised about $13.8m, struck 388 B2B deals, and saw average revenue growth of 32%. Mega-Project in Egypt: Qatari Diar launched the first phase of its $29.7bn Alam Al Roum luxury development on Egypt’s North Coast, targeting 2030 handover and aiming for 250,000 jobs at full build-out. Youth Skills: NPC and Qatar Science Club ran Data Summer Camp 2026 (Aug 8–12) for ~40 high school students, training data and digital transformation skills with Microsoft Qatar. Family Finance: Qatar’s Ministry of Social Development and Family launched the second edition of its Financial Awareness programme, including a “Family Budget” workshop with the Investment and Commercial Court and the Qatar Association of Certified Public Accountants. Banking Perks: QNB and Mastercard concluded a debit-card campaign awarding a McLaren Artura Spider grand prize, while Dukhan Bank runs a Harrods UK 10% cash-bonus promotion for eligible cardholders. Cyber Safety: NCSA warned Qatar residents against clicking unsolicited travel-offer links on WhatsApp, flagging fraud and malware risks.

Qatar–Healthcare & Trade: Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine has joined QMED 2026 as a Gold Sponsor for the event’s third edition, set for Oct 14–16 at the Qatar National Convention Centre under the Ministry of Public Health patronage, highlighting deeper public-private collaboration and new healthcare services. Sustainability in Procurement: Qatar businesses are shifting sustainability from “campaign” to everyday buying decisions, with demand rising for reusable and recycled office and event products as firms align purchases with Qatar National Vision 2030. ASEAN–Qatar Ties: ASEAN marked its 59th anniversary as Qatar became an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner, with cooperation expected to expand across connectivity, energy, transport, education and sustainable development. Qatar–Strait of Hormuz: Qatar condemned an Iranian missile attack on an ADNOC-linked tanker while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a breach of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 and urging unconditional reopening and freedom of navigation. Regional Security Watch: The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye is being framed as a potential “Muslim NATO” style collective defence step, with analysts debating how it could reshape regional security and diplomacy. Finance Markets: S&P says Qatar’s higher debt issuances helped cushion regional contractions in H1 2026, even as Middle East sustainable bond volumes fell amid geopolitical pressure. Professional Accounting Community: PICPA Doha inducted new officers for FY 2026–2027, setting a course focused on ethics, continuous development and professional excellence.

Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned an Iranian missile attack on an ADNOC tanker while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a blatant breach of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, and reiterating Qatar’s demand for the strait to reopen without conditions to protect freedom of navigation and global trade. Regional Security Shift: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, treating an attack on any member as an attack on all—an escalation that Iran has already warned will not guarantee Saudi security. Qatar Business & Finance: QNB said the US labour market remains resilient despite hiring moderation, with energy-price shocks from the US-Iran conflict weighing on confidence but unemployment broadly stable. Qatar Economy & Markets: Muscat Stock Exchange ended the week higher for a second straight week, while Qatar’s own market chatter includes ongoing focus on investment climate and data access. Energy Prices Watch: Gold prices surged in Pakistan as bullion rose, while oil and shipping concerns tied to Hormuz disruption continued to move energy sentiment.

Qatar Business & Trade: Qatar Chamber says better access to reliable company information is strengthening the investment climate, pointing to its Commercial and Industrial Directory 2025-2026 as a practical bridge for investors and businesses. Qatar-ASEAN: Qatar-Asean ties keep deepening, with two-way trade nearing $15bn annually and new cooperation in energy, fintech, digital innovation and investment after Qatar’s sectoral dialogue partner status. Qatar Economy & People: Qatar’s 2026 Summer Plan is rolling out 550+ education, sports and community activities nationwide, including entrepreneurship and wellness programmes through youth centres and partners. Qatar Aviation: Qatar Airways’ next flagship business seat, QSuite Next Gen, is set to roll out on future aircraft (including 777-9 and A350-1000), as the airline refreshes its premium cabin strategy. Regional Security (Gulf impact): Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, with an “attack on one, attack on all” clause, amid heightened Iran-linked regional tensions and shipping disruption risks. Energy Markets: European gas prices edged up but stayed on track for a second weekly decline as mediation hopes around Hormuz cooled risk premiums, while LNG traffic remains constrained. Global Corporate/Finance: ConocoPhillips reiterated a 2029 free-cash-flow inflection, while the US Senate passed tougher sanctions on Russia and Iran, adding uncertainty for any deal-linked reconstruction narratives.

AI Infrastructure Investment: Ooredoo is backing Indosat’s Zankore AI compute platform in Indonesia with an $800m investment, aiming for 200MW capacity in 2027 and scaling to 1GW, with Nvidia and Nokia supplying key hardware and networking. Regional Security & Trade Risk: Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, pledging that an attack on one is an attack on all—raising new strategic questions for regional stability and shipping-linked risk. Energy & Shipping Economics: With Strait of Hormuz traffic sharply disrupted, Iran’s leverage is being framed as a coercive tool; meanwhile, reports say India has shifted LPG sourcing, with the US overtaking Gulf suppliers after Hormuz disruptions. Qatar Business & Mobility: Qatar’s mediation role in US-Iran talks is cited as a factor in market sentiment, while Qatar Airways’ network updates and GCC arrivals growth point to continued resilience in travel demand. Local Finance & Consumer Signals: Qatar banking sector assets were reported steady at QR2.2tn in June, alongside gold price moves in the wider region.

Qatar-UK Defense Ties: Qatar’s Defense Ministry says Deputy PM and Defense Minister Sheikh Saoud met UK Air Chief Marshal Sir Harvey Smyth to discuss expanding defense cooperation and joint coordination, building on the 2025 Defence Assurance Arrangement aimed at boosting interoperability. QSE Market Pulse: The Qatar Stock Exchange rallied this week, with the benchmark index up 1.9% to 10,112.25 as foreign institutional buying returned and regional tensions eased; trading value rose 8.6% to QR1.698bn. Ooredoo’s AI Push: Ooredoo announced an $800m investment in Indonesia’s Zankore, a 1GW AI compute and neocloud platform backed by Indosat, Nokia and NVIDIA, targeting 1GW capacity and positioning Ooredoo for Southeast Asia’s AI infrastructure boom. Smart Marine Monitoring: MoECC showcased its “Smart Observer” boat to monitor marine environments using remote operation and advanced sensing for automated data collection, supporting Qatar’s National Development Strategy 2030. Gaza Diplomacy: Qatar joined a joint statement by foreign ministers condemning Israeli attacks on healthcare and civilian infrastructure in Gaza as grave breaches of international law, warning the violence could derail the Gaza roadmap’s second phase. Gold Moves: QNB data shows gold in Qatar rose 5.40% this week to $4,262.84/oz, alongside gains in silver and platinum. Qatar Toy Festival: The 4th Qatar Toy Festival drew a record 148,000+ visitors at DECC, with 480 stage shows and a parallel summer camp for children. Regional Energy Risk: Reports say Iran warned Gulf states it could target electricity and critical infrastructure if the US attacks Iranian energy facilities, adding to uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz.

Gaza Diplomacy: Qatar joined Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt and Türkiye in a joint statement condemning Israel’s ongoing violations in Gaza, especially attacks on healthcare facilities and civilian infrastructure, warning they breach international law and could derail the Gaza conflict roadmap’s second phase. Qatar Airways Network: Qatar Airways will resume flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil from Aug 8, restoring connectivity across the Gulf as schedules normalise. Qatar Stock Exchange: Doha’s QSE index slipped 0.68% to 10,112.25 points; 112.3m shares traded for about QAR 321.3m, with more decliners than advancers. AI Infrastructure Investment: Ooredoo is backing Indonesia’s Zankore AI compute and neocloud platform with about $800m, targeting 1GW of NVIDIA DSX capacity and first 200MW in H1 2027. FIFA Governance Fallout: FIFA apologised to member associations over its withdrawn World Cup rights sale plan and reaffirmed support for Gianni Infantino after a crisis meeting in Morocco. Regional Energy Risk: Iran warned Gulf states it could target oil, power and water infrastructure unless they persuade Washington to end strikes, as Hormuz talks remain central to market uncertainty.

QDB & AI Investment: Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has invested in Spain-based Multiverse Computing, backing its EUR 500m Series C and aiming to set up Doha as the firm’s regional headquarters for “efficient sovereign AI.” Strait of Hormuz Talks: Iran and Oman say technical and political discussions are progressing on reopening Hormuz, with Iran insisting the deal is between Tehran and Muscat, while Qatar says it won’t set timelines and focuses on containing escalation. Gulf Energy Risk: Iran warns Gulf states that any new US strikes could trigger retaliation against critical energy infrastructure across the region, raising uncertainty for shipping and fuel markets. FIFA Governance Fallout: FIFA apologized to member associations over mistakes in its abandoned World Cup commercial-rights sell-off and reaffirmed full support for Gianni Infantino after a Morocco crisis meeting. Qatar Digital Services: The Ministry of Endowments launched “Hader,” a digital platform to streamline mosque administration for imams and callers to prayer. Local Business Pulse: Old Doha Port’s fish market sees a sales boost as the local fishing season resumes, improving supply and stabilising prices. Qatar Airways & Events: Qatar Airways is named Official Travel Partner of Qatar Boat Show 2026, offering discounted fares for visitors. Qatar Finance: Al Mahhar Holding reported H1 net profit up 8.1% to QR28.8mn, supported by stronger rental and service income.

Qatar-US-Iran Diplomacy: Qatar’s mediation push is gaining traction as officials say progress is being made toward a short-term US-Iran arrangement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump suggesting an announcement could come within days; markets are reacting to the shifting odds and competing claims on who controls shipping lanes. Energy & Markets: Gold jumped toward $4,200 as oil eased on de-escalation hopes, while global stocks climbed after record closes in the US; Brent is back around $80 as investors weigh fragile peace headlines against still-thin tanker traffic. Shipping Watch: Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb traffic stayed near steady with limited transits reported, underscoring how quickly disruptions can hit energy, fertilizer and industrial trade. Qatar Airways & Travel: Qatar Airways’ US network shows mixed signals—Philadelphia services resumed, but overall US capacity is down year-on-year—while Bilt and Qatar Airways Privilege Club expanded a rent-to-Avios deal. Qatar Finance/Banking: Dukhan Bank went live on Kinexys blockchain deposit accounts, and QNB partnered with the Autism Parents Platform to promote inclusion. FIFA Governance Spillover: Qatar-linked attention continues as FIFA’s Infantino faces a crisis meeting in Morocco amid backlash over a World Cup commercial rights plan, with UN agencies in Geneva also trying to manage scrutiny over collaborations.

Strait of Hormuz Diplomacy: Qatar said mediators are making progress to end the US-Iran war and reopen Hormuz, while Iran denies direct talks with Washington; US officials also signalled a deal could come “today or tomorrow,” pushing oil lower and lifting global risk sentiment. Markets & Energy: Wall Street hit fresh records on strong AI-linked earnings (notably Palantir and Caterpillar), while Brent slid below $80; Asian shares surged as tech demand hopes returned and bond yields steadied. Qatar Inflation Signal: Qatar’s industrial PPI rose 2.75% in May, led by higher mining and crude petroleum/natural gas prices. Qatar Policy & Society: QNB partnered with the Autism Parents Platform to promote inclusion; Qatar’s MoPH and partners ran awareness on blood cancer; Media City Qatar’s “Nabd Qatar” soundtrack is now on Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment. Marine Regulation: Qatar banned kingfish fishing with gill nets from Aug 15 to Oct 31, allowing only line fishing. FIFA Fallout: Arsène Wenger and FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström distanced themselves from Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan as the leadership crisis deepened.

Qatar Mediation & Markets: Qatar said a draft 14-point framework to restart US-Iran negotiations is circulating, aiming for a short-term ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran denies direct talks and says it’s working with Oman on a shipping corridor; US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that a deal could come “today or tomorrow,” helping lift Gulf equities even as another projectile strike was reported near Oman, keeping oil and shipping risk front and centre. Qatar Central Bank: QCB Governor Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed Al-Thani met Kuwait’s ambassador to review cooperation, with a focus on banking and finance links. Banking Innovation: Dukhan Bank became Qatar’s first Islamic bank to go live on Kinexys by J.P. Morgan’s Blockchain Deposit Account network, targeting faster 24/7 cross-border payments for corporate and institutional clients. Qatar Exchange: Qatar Exchange Index ETF published interim results for the six months to June 30, 2026, showing NAV of QAR 398.82m (QAR 9.82 per unit). Education & Research: Qatar Precision Health Institute partnered with Qatar National Library to put Genome Heroes genomics learning materials (ages 6–14) on Manara, Qatar’s open-access research repository. Logistics & Trade: Emirates SkyCargo launched a Boeing 777 freighter service on Taipei–Hyderabad–Dubai to boost high-value cargo connectivity. Sports Business: Qatar Racing will take over as title sponsor of British Champions Day at Ascot, replacing QIPCO for the next three years.

Qatar’s Diversification Push: Oxford Business Group says non-hydrocarbon sectors now make up 65.5% of Qatar’s GDP, driven by construction, trade, tourism, logistics, ICT and financial services, with LNG revenues helping fund the shift. Tourism Tech Upgrade: Qatar Tourism’s Hayya platform won a Silver Stevie Award for Government Technology, highlighting faster e-visa processing and AI-enabled automation. Water Security Move: Ashghal rolled out a smart irrigation pilot using treated wastewater, sensors and smart controls, cutting irrigation water use by 25%. Healthcare Endowment: Awqaf launched a “Cancer Patients Treatment Endowment” to fund ongoing cancer care through endowment returns. Business Diplomacy: Qatar Chamber met UAE’s AIM Congress organisers to discuss boosting investment and business cooperation. Regional Gaza Update: Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye condemned Israeli attacks on healthcare and civilians, urging full ceasefire implementation. Global Markets Watch: US stocks rose and oil fell after Trump paused Iran strikes and floated “last chance” talks—while Iran denied negotiations, keeping uncertainty high. Sports Governance Shock: English and Welsh FAs withdrew support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino as confidence in his leadership collapses.