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CEO Foreword
The past two months have been marked by strong momentum and notable achievements for the QFC. We welcomed 168 new firms and signed Memoranda of Understanding with the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye (the Investment and Finance Office), the Astana International Financial Centre Authority (AIFC), and Doha Bank. Our partnerships with the Investment and Finance Office and AIFC strengthen Qatar’s bilateral relations with key markets through joint initiatives in investment promotion, regulatory alignment, knowledge sharing, and capacity building. Meanwhile, our collaboration with Doha Bank bolsters our efforts to support innovation and the growth of the local fintech and digital ecosystem.
To help our firms grow and expand, we hosted a QFC Turkish companies meet-up, providing a platform for direct dialogue with Turkish businesses within the QFC and the wider Turkish business community. We also continued our support for the International Conference on Islamic Finance, reinforcing our strategic partnership with Hamad Bin Khalifa University and our commitment to advancing the industry.
The Digital Assets Lab also had a notable accomplishment with the launch of a pioneering blockchain-based proof of concept in Islamic finance. Finally, our Deputy CEO, Nasser Al-Taweel, was named in the Legal 500 GC Powerlist Middle East 2025, a testament to the leadership and expertise that propel the QFC forward.
In this edition of the newsletter, we explore emerging opportunities in the financial sector’s talent landscape and how we can build a future-ready industry by addressing tomorrow’s skills and workforce needs. We also highlight QFC’s Elite service, which underscores our dedication to client-centric excellence.
Thank you for your continued interest and support.
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida
Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Financial Centre
Firms Registered with QFC in September and October
Total Number of Firms
Three Memoranda of Understanding signed
Momentum across the economy
Qatar’s latest indicators point to solid momentum across the real economy. Residential sales reached $2.52 billion in Q2, fuelled by strong apartment demand and renewed interest in land. That strength continued into Q3, with 1,250+ transactions worth QR 4.49 billion, showing that activity is broad rather than seasonal.
Business formation is accelerating as well, with commercial registrations up 81.5 per cent in Q3. Manufacturing added $7.36 billion to GDP in the first half, and major players like Industries Qatar delivered $925 million in profit over nine months. With stable deposits and bank assets up 3.4 per cent, the private sector is clearly gaining pace as credit conditions ease.
The corporate sector is showing continued strength, with listed companies posting a 3.8 per cent earnings gain in Q2. The broader financial ecosystem is also gaining recognition, as Doha climed 11 places in the Global Financial Centres Index.
Energy expansion and financial strength
Qatar’s long-term fundamentals remain anchored by natural gas. New global LNG liquefaction capacity through 2030 is expected to be driven largely by Qatar and the United States, reaffirming the country’s role in global energy security. That expansion underpins forecasts of medium-term GDP growth averaging 4 percent, with output projected to exceed 6 per cent in 2026.
With the next phase of LNG development coming online, Qatar’s budget surplus is expected to triple by 2026, providing room for continued investment in infrastructure, diversification, and innovation.
QCB’s foreign reserves also continued to build, rising 3.08 per cent in September, adding another layer of macro stability as global markets face ongoing volatility.
Innovation and technology take centre stage
Technology policy moved sharply forward over the past two months. MCIT hosted its AI and XR Sandbox Open Demo Day, showcasing early-stage solutions in immersive tech, enterprise AI, and next-generation user interfaces. The ministry also launched a new Technology Radar to guide national adoption of emerging technologies.
International partnerships are reinforcing this momentum. Qatar and Korea advanced toward a strategic AI partnership, while the country climbed to 48th in the Global Innovation Index, reflecting progress in digital readiness, talent development, and R&D capacity.
Qatar’s digital government initiatives also earned regional recognition, with the country winning three awards at the GCC e-Government Awards 2025.
Building a Future-Ready Financial Sector
Qatar’s financial sector is at a pivotal moment, with a clear opportunity to strengthen its talent base for the future. A recent skills study by the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) shows that while the sector is currently dominated by experienced professionals, mainly men aged 35 to 54, there’s significant room to bring in more women and young talent who can offer fresh perspectives and innovative thinking.
The good news is that core leadership and high-skilled roles are already well-supported, giving the sector a strong foundation to build on. Now the focus is shifting towards enhancing skills in administrative roles and accelerating capabilities in areas like AI, automation and cybersecurity ̵ fields that are reshaping finance globally. As traditional expertise remains a strength, blending it with digital skills will unlock the next wave of growth.
This moment also presents an opportunity to attract and retain more female leaders and empower young professionals, ensuring a smooth transition of knowledge and leadership in the years ahead. By reducing reliance on expatriate talent and investing in local skills, Qatar can build a more sustainable and self-sufficient financial ecosystem.
The Policy Brief highlights a proactive path forward: creating a coordinated ecosystem between government, industry and academia to align talent development with national goals and global trends. This will support a culture of lifelong learning, ensure training keeps pace with new technologies and broaden access to opportunities, particularly for women and youth, embedding diversity and inclusion at the heart of the sector.
With regular skills assessments, ongoing research and collaboration across institutions, Qatar’s financial sector is well positioned to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s strengths, building a more competitive, innovative and resilient future.
You can access and explore the Policy Brief by clicking here.
Maha Tawfik
Head of Monitoring and Labor Affairs, Employment Standards Office, QFC
Platinum Onboarding Service: Redefining the business incorporation experience
Imagine completing your business incorporation in as little as an hour. That’s the promise of the QFC Platinum Onboarding Service, Qatar’s ultra-accelerated solution for investors and entrepreneurs seeking a seamless and speedy entry into the country’s dynamic business ecosystem.
At the heart of Platinum Onboarding Service is a commitment to meeting QFC clients’ unique requirements with personalised guidance, seamless support, and meticulous attention to detail. From navigating the QFC online application and managing the submission of all required documentation to delivering post-onboarding assistance, clients receive hands-on support from a dedicated Executive while retaining control over final approvals.
With Platinum Onboarding Service, Tax and Computer Cards are issued within just one hour to residents in Doha after the submission of the final application form. Bank accounts can be set up just as quickly through introductions to QFC-aligned banking partners, with end-to-end coordination for compliance and account activation. Dedicated aftercare continues until the client transitions to their Relationship Manager, creating a truly efficient and effortless onboarding journey that allows them to focus immediately on their business priorities.
This level of personalised attention extends beyond paperwork. Paired with a comprehensive concierge service, clients enjoy a one-time VIP meet & greet at the airport, complete with a chauffeur to their hotel; local orientation; visa support; and coordination of education and healthcare services, including the timely scheduling of appointments with approved providers.
Platinum Onboarding Service transforms what is often a complex process into a streamlined, premium experience̵̵̵̵̵ ̵ from incorporation and mobilisation to full business operation.
Click here to learn more about Platinum Onboarding Service and get started.
World Economic Forum
Chief Economists' Outlook: September 2025
The global economy is undergoing a period of profound transformation, marked by persistent short-term disruption and heightened uncertainty as well as long-term structural change. This edition explores the long-term reconfiguration of the global order, where trade realignments, fiscal imbalances and AI-driven transformation present systemic risks and new opportunities.
EY
Unlocking strategic advantage: Generative AI in wealth and asset management
Generative AI has swiftly emerged as a pivotal strategic capability for wealth and asset management firms. In early 2025, an EY team conducted research into the evolving demand for and investments in GenAI applications across 100 wealth and asset managers. The results showed that 95% of firms have scaled their adoption to multiple use cases, with an overwhelming 78% already exploring agentic AI to unlock deeper strategic advantages.
Flourish Digitals
From Web Summit to empowering brands across GCC
Flourish Digitals was established on the QFC platform in 2023 and has since become the GCC’s leading LinkedIn content agency, empowering personal and corporate brands across the region to fully harness the platform’s potential. Through targeted content and strategic community management, Flourish Digitals helps its clients grow their businesses by turning LinkedIn into a powerful asset.
Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Hassan, Founder, Flourish Digitals, recalls how the company began its journey with the QFC: “In early 2023, I was in Canada when I came across an ad for the Web Summit and learned it would be held in Qatar. The event was a real eye-opener; I enjoyed the networking and the fresh perspectives from people from all over the world. As I was leaving, a friend told me about the offer of QFC to Web Summit attendees: support in setting up a business in Qatar, assistance with approvals, and waived fees. I cancelled my flight back to Canada, and here I am, in a new chapter in Qatar with Flourish Digitals.”
Click here to learn more about Flourish Digitals and other QFC firms.
