Qatar PMI Rises in August as Outlook Remains Strongly Positive
CEO Foreword
Dear Colleagues,
This month, the QFC activities underscored some of the fundamental elements of our growth strategy: collaboration and commitment to promoting entrepreneurship and sustainability.
We brought the 4th IFSB Innovation Forum to Qatar under the patronage of the Qatar Central Bank in collaboration with the Islamic Finance Services Board. The forum is one of the most relevant events in the international financial community today, with objectives that resonate with the work we are doing within the financial industry to promote sustainable financial instruments and services and transparent regulations.
This year, the forum introduced in-depth discussions exploring opportunities to leverage regulations and maximise digital technologies, fintech, and Islamic financial instruments to advance the global sustainability agenda.
QFC also held the 2nd session of the Conference on Fiscal Policy and Economic Development in partnership with Qatar University. Titled "Global Tax Reform & its Implications on Gulf States", the event saw the participation of financial and tax policymakers, as well as researchers and experts in the legal and financial domains, highlighting solutions that can facilitate the adoption of the agreed upon global tax reform and align Qatar with international standards and practices.
We also held an Angel Investment Masterclass together with Qatar FinTech Hub. Angel investors are crucial to developing entrepreneurship. In this masterclass, we brought potential investors up to speed on the benefits of angel investing and the dynamics of the angel investing ecosystem in Qatar.
It pleases me that within our backyard, the QFCA Operations Group has set out to express their gratitude to the blue-collar workers who have been working hard to ready the road infrastructure around West Bay before the FIFA World Cup 2022. As part of their CSR initiative, the group prepared and distributed 300 food and refreshment packets, which the workers received with appreciation.
In addition, through the collaborative efforts of IT and Client Affairs, we made significant enhancements to our e-Services portal, making it easier for our clients to access data and avail of services. We have automated the service request creation process, restructured documents for easier data validation and prevention of duplication, improved the notification system and provided round-the-clock access to our unique services.
These innovations advance our efforts in further easing business operations and increasing productivity, by helping our firms save valuable time.
I look forward to seeing more initiatives that amplify our efforts to grow and diversify Qatar’s economy and meet our commitment to creating an equitable future for everyone.
Sincerely,
QFC Events
Qatar & Global Insights Hub
QFC News Highlights
Local Business News Highlights
Qatar soon to house NEBI region’s first trade finance centre
Qatar soon to house NEBI region’s first trade finance centreQatar’s GDP rises 6.3% to QR171.97 bn in Q2
Qatar’s GDP rises 6.3% to QR171.97 bn in Q2Private sector exports reach QR8.9 billion, up 21 per cent in Q2
Private sector exports reach QR8.9 billion, up 21 per cent in Q2World Cup to pace Qatar international tourism revenue by 116 per cent in 2022, says Sheikh Mohamed
World Cup to pace Qatar international tourism revenue by 116 per cent in 2022, says Sheikh MohamedAmir, Egyptian president witness signing of several MoUsWe expect the profits from Qatar World Cup to reach $17 billion: Nasser Al Khater
Amir, Egyptian president witness signing of several MoUsWe expect the profits from Qatar World Cup to reach $17 billion: Nasser Al KhaterIPA Qatar, EY first real estate report reveals investment opportunities, promising growth
IPA Qatar, EY first real estate report reveals investment opportunities, promising growthQatar to have its first public-private sewage plant in 2026
Qatar to have its first public-private sewage plant in 2026Qatari investments in Turkiye set to further expand
Qatari investments in Turkiye set to further expandInternational Business News Highlights
Dubai's Jafza trade jumps 19% to $123.8bln despite supply chain issues
Dubai's Jafza trade jumps 19% to $123.8bln despite supply chain issuesDIFC reports 11% rise in companies joining financial centre in first half of 2022
DIFC reports 11% rise in companies joining financial centre in first half of 2022Inflation in GCC is ‘significantly lower’ amid economic recovery, Kamco Invest says
Inflation in GCC is ‘significantly lower’ amid economic recovery, Kamco Invest saysSaudi PPP deal to enhance digital economy in MENA region: World Bank
Saudi PPP deal to enhance digital economy in MENA region: World BankBahrain attracts $52mln in venture capital
Bahrain attracts $52mln in venture capitalMENA startups see 260% funding increase in August 2022: Wamda
MENA startups see 260% funding increase in August 2022: WamdaMENA can lead the world in green steel production - Report
MENA can lead the world in green steel production - ReportGCC to post 6.7% GDP growth despite oil price easing
GCC to post 6.7% GDP growth despite oil price easingGlobal FDI Annual Report 2022: Volatility set to continue
Global FDI Annual Report 2022: Volatility set to continueArab merchandise trade surpasses $2trn in 2021
Arab merchandise trade surpasses $2trn in 2021SDG-related FDI increased by 38.5% in 2021
SDG-related FDI increased by 38.5% in 2021Global Sukuk issuance projected to settle at $185bn in 2022, reaching $257bn by 2027
Global Sukuk issuance projected to settle at $185bn in 2022, reaching $257bn by 2027Moody’s cuts growth forecasts for G20 economies as financial conditions tighten
Moody’s cuts growth forecasts for G20 economies as financial conditions tightenSustainability Development Goals
IOM-led Asia-Gulf Countries Dialogue on the Implementation of the Global Compact for Safe Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) held in Doha
As a part of the Doha initiative, IOM, in collaboration with the Qatar government, organised an inter-regional dialogue between Asia and the Gulf on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). The three-day event held in Doha on 13-15 September 2022 convened officials from twelve countries, civil society representatives, university academics and personnel, as well as other stakeholders from both regions, to engage in knowledge exchange and in-depth dialogue.
The discussions helped identify mutual GCM priority areas for both regions and prepare the next round of GCM Regional Reviews in the Asia Pacific and the Arab states, which is expected to take place in 2024. Additionally, they provided guidelines for facilitating a coordinated whole-of-government and whole-of-society regional approach in the spirit of GCM’s principles and support to governments in the implementation of migration priorities at national, regional, and cross-regional levels.
Market Trends
FocusEconomics
Qatar’s economy should have accelerated in the second quarter of 2022. The non-oil private-sector PMI averaged at the highest level on record in the quarter, aided by the vanishing impact of COVID-19.
FocusEconomics
Moody's
Qatar and Oman are the among the Gulf countries to benefit the most from high oil prices. Elevated oil prices during the next two years will lead to a significant improvement in the fiscal and external positions of GCC sovereigns, partly reversing their sharp deterioration in their balance sheet since 2015.
Moody's
Alpen Capital
Qatar’s travel and tourism spending revenues stood at $16.5 billion in 2021, with hotel room supply expanding at the quickest rate in the GCC at a CAGR of 10.1 per cent between 2016 and 2021.
Alpen Capital