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The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Tuesday remained almost flat, after a 20-day bull-run, despite selling pressure in insurance, telecom, realty and consumer goods counters..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[165545]**The foreign institutions were seen net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index settled at 10,006.07 points, although it recovered from an intraday low of 9,986 points.The local retail investors were increasingly net sellers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses were at 7.61%.The Gulf individuals were increasingly bearish in the main bourse, whose capitalisation shrank QR0.25bn or 0.04% to QR577.34bn on the back of microcap segments.The foreign funds continued to be net sellers but with lesser intensity in the main market, which saw 0.18mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.41mn trade across 18 deals.As much as 60% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills and sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen declining faster than the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decrease.The Total Return Index was unchanged, while the All Share Index was down 0.05% and the All Islamic Index by 0.26% in the main market.The insurance sector index tanked 1.58%, telecom (1.14%), realty (0.28%) and consumer goods and services (0.23%); while banks and financial services gained 0.15%, transport (0.1%) and industrials (0.04%).Major losers in the main market included Doha Insurance, Beema, Qatar National Cement, Qatar Insurance, Qatari German Medical Devices, Doha Bank, Qamco and Ooredoo.Nevertheless, Mekdam Holding, Al Meera, Gulf International Services, QLM and Al Khaleej Takaful were among the gainers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding and Techno Q saw their shares appreciate in value.The foreign institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR16.78mn compared with net buyers of QR21.08mn on July 1.The Qatari retail investors’ net selling increased substantially to QR27.52mn against QR17.88mn the previous day.The Gulf individual investors’ net profit booking grew marginally to QR0.45mn compared to QR0.22mn on Monday.However, the domestic institutions’ net buying increased significantly to QR53.33mn against QR29.58mn on July 1.The Arab individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR1.56mn compared with net sellers of QR7.15mn the previous day.The foreign retail investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.71mn against net profit takers of QR4.1mn on Monday.The Gulf institutions’ net selling weakened drastically to QR10.83mn compared to QR20.99mn on July 1.The Arab institutions’ net profit booking eased perceptibly to QR0.01mn against QR0.33mn the previous day.Trade volumes in the main market declined 7% to 124.4mn shares, value by 2% to QR397.51mn and transactions by 3% to 15,918.The venture market saw a 172-fold jump in trade volume to 10.3mn equities and 71-fold in value to QR15.53mn on almost quadrupled deals to 79.

Qatar's ports achieved the second-highest monthly container handling rate in June 2024, with over 144,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), registering a 51% jump over the same period last year, according to the official data.This growth was accompanied by a rise in handling volumes of general and bulk cargo as well as livestock and RORO (vehicles) as Qatar's maritime sector saw more vessels calling on Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais ports, according to the data of Mwani Qatar.The positive momentum in the ports reflects the optimistic outlook, especially for the country’s non-energy private sector, as indicated by the latest purchasing managers’ index of the Qatar Financial Centre.The number of ships calling on Qatar's three ports stood at 242 in June 2024, which saw 22.64% increase year-on-year but was flat on a monthly basis.Hamad Port, whose strategic geographical location offers opportunities to create cargo movement towards the upper Gulf, supporting countries such as Kuwait and Iraq and south towards Oman, saw as many as 123 vessels call (excluding military) in the review period.A total of 1,323 ships had called on the three ports during the first six months of this year.The general and bulk cargo handled through the three ports surged 162.51% on an annualised basis to 56,934 freight tonnes in June 2024. However, it was seen declining 73.33% month-on-month in June 2024.Hamad Port – whose multi-use terminal is designed to serve the supply chains for the RORO, grains and livestock – handled 34,768 freight tonnes of breakbulk in June 2024.A total of 873,208 freight tonnes of general and bulk cargoes were handled by the three ports during January-June 2024.The container handling through the three ports saw 50.98 and 17.29% year-on-year and month-on-month jump respectively to 144,884 TEUs in June this year.The container terminals have been designed to address the increasing trade volume, enhance ease of doing business and support economic diversification, which is one of the most vital goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030.Hamad Port, which is the largest eco-friendly project in the region and internationally recognised as one of the largest green ports in the world, saw 144,749 TEUs this June.The container volume at the three ports totalled 706,983 TEUs during January-June 2024.The three ports handled 15,680 RORO in June 2024, which registered 107.87% and 47.48% growth year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in June 2024.Hamad Port alone handled 15,644 units this May. A total of 55,944 RORO units were handled by three ports during January-June 2024.Qatar's automobile sector has been witnessing stronger sales, especially in heavy equipment, private motorcycles and private vehicles, according to the latest data of the National Planning Council.The three ports were seen handling 59,129 livestock in June 2024, which zoomed 149.15% and 1.29% on an annualised and monthly basis respectively. As many as 358,201 livestock heads were handled by three ports during the first six months of this year.The building materials traffic through the three ports stood at 22,504 tonnes this June, which declined 45.3% and 43.87% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively.As much as 229,415 tonnes of building materials were handled by Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais ports during January-June this year.

Global insurance rating agency A M Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of "B++" (Good) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “bbb” (Good) of Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance Company QPSC (QGIRC).The ratings reflect QGIRC’s consolidated balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as "very strong", as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).QGIRC’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation at the "very strong" level, as measured by Best’s capital adequacy ratio (BCAR).The rating agency projects the company’s prospective risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain at least at the "very strong" level, supported by internal capital generation.QGIRC’s earnings have been supported by a track record of adequate underwriting profitability, with it generally reporting positive technical results. However, over the past six years (2018-23), it has reported cumulative unrealised investment losses of QR2.4bn (of which QR1.3bn was in 2023), which have more than offset its profitable underwriting performance.The rating agency expects prospective operating results to be supported by the company’s increased focus on selective underwriting and a reduction in investment risk.QGIRC has implemented robust corrective actions since governance failures under the previous management team, which contributed to material write-downs in asset values in recent years. However, the ERM assessment considers A M Best’s expectation that the new management team will continue to develop its risk management framework and risk culture.QGIRC’s balance sheet is highly concentrated, with just two real estate holdings accounting for over one-third of the company’s investment portfolio, exposing it to "significant" capital volatility, which is evident by the 27.2% capital reduction in 2023 due to revaluations.Further offsetting balance sheet strength factors include QGIRC’s high reinsurance dependence and borrowings of a generally short duration, which expose the company to refinancing risk.The outlook of these credit ratings is "negative" reflect the continued pressure on QGIRC’s ERM and operating performance assessments.The company has reported material unrealised losses arising from its concentrated real estate investment portfolio, which have resulted in it reporting net losses in three of the past five years (2019-23). Additionally, whilst QGIRC has taken remedial actions to strengthen internal controls, processes and governance, A M Best views the company’s risk management capabilities in certain key risk areas as not yet time-tested.

Robust growth in exports of petroleum gases and re-exports led Qatar to post a 0.9% month-on-month jump in trade surplus to QR17.59bn in May 2024, according to the official estimates.Total exports (valued free on board) totalled QR28.1bn, while the total imports (cost, insurance and freight) amounted to QR10.51bn in the review period, said the figures released by the National Planning Council.However, the overall trade surplus shrank 3.5% year-on-year in May 2024.The country's total exports of domestic goods amounted to QR26.64bn, which shot up 1.1% on a monthly basis, even as it fell 0.7% on an annualised basis in May 2024.The country’s exports of petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons soared 8.5% month-on-month to QR17.14bn, even as those of crude declined by 15.3% to QR4.19bn, non-crude by 12.6% to QR2.04bn and other commodities by 0.5% to QR3.27bn in May 2024.On a yearly basis, the exports of petroleum gases were seen declining 0.9% and crude by 6.3%; while those of non-crude and other commodities grew 3.6% and 5.4% respectively in the review period.Petroleum gases accounted for 64.34% of the total exports compared to 64.44% a year-ago period, crude 15.73% (16.66%), non-crude 7.66% (7.34%) and others 12.27% (11.55%).In May 2024, Qatar's shipments to China amounted to QR4.76bn or 16.9% of the total exports of the country, followed by South Korea QR3.66bn (13%), India QR3.11bn (11.1%), Singapore QR2.4bn (8.5%) and the UAE QR2.1bn (7.5%).On a monthly basis, the country's exports to the UAE zoomed 29.55%, Singapore by 11.52% and India by 4.6%; while those to South Korea and China declined 13.79% and 8.24% respectively in the review period.On a yearly basis, Qatar's exports to the UAE shot up 37.52%, Singapore by 23.71%, South Korea by 2.9%, China by 2.48% and India by 0.61% in May 2024.The country’s re-exports were valued at QR1.46bn, which registered 30.7% and 49.2% growth month-on-month and year-on-year respectively in the review period.Qatar's total imports showed a 4.6% and 9.6% increase on monthly and yearly basis respectively in May 2024.The country's imports from China amounted to QR1.58bn or 15% of the total imports; followed by the US QR1.33bn (12.6%), Japan QR0.74bn (7%), Germany QR0.56bn (5.4%) and Italy by QR0.53bn (5.1%) in the review period.On a monthly basis, the country's imports from Germany soared 51.75%, China by 19.52%, Japan by 18.62% and Italy by 11.34%; whereas those from the US shrank 10.46% in May 2024.On a yearly basis, Qatar's imports from Japan expanded 196.79%, Germany by 20.56%, Italy by 13.92% and China by 12.78%; while those from the US decreased by 28.23% in the review period.In May 2024, "Motor Cars & Other Motor Vehicles for the Transport of Persons”, was at the top of the imported group and valued at QR0.8bn, which increased 72.3% year-on-year.In second place was "Parts of Aeroplanes or Helicopters" with a value of QR0.4bn, showing an annual increase of 50% in May 2024.The "Electrical Apparatus for Line Telephony/Telegraphy, Telephone Sets Etc. and Parts Thereof" group saw imports of QR0.3bn, which however decreased 20% on an annualised basis in May 2024.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) yesterday remained under bullish spell for the 18th consecutive day with its key index gaining more than 90 points and inch towards 10,000 levels, reflecting the overall optimism in the regional markets in view of firm world oil prices.The foreign institutions were seen increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.92% to 9,966.57 points, recovering from an intraday low of 9,853 points.The transport, consumer goods and telecom counters witnessed higher than average demand in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated further to 8.02%.As much as 62% of the traded constituents extended gains in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR4.2bn or 0.74% to QR575.03bn on the back of midcap segments.The Arab retail investors turned net buyers, albeit at lower levels, in the main market, which saw 0.04mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.1mn trade across 13 deals.The Gulf funds’ weakened net selling had its influence in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds and treasury bills.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The Total Return Index gained 0.92%, the All Share Index by 0.79% and the All Islamic Index by 0.7% in the main market.The transport sector index surged 2.06%, consumer goods and services (1.16%), telecom (0.93%), banks and financial services (0.77%), insurance (0.46%), real estate (0.35%) and industrials (0.3%).Major movers in the main market included Nakilat, Dukhan Bank, Estithmar Holding, Woqod, Commercial Bank, Masraf Al Rayan, Gulf International Services, Barwa and Ooredoo.Nevertheless, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, Mazaya Qatar, Inma Holding, Ahlibank Qatar and Zad Holding were among the losers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value; while Al Mahhar Holding was rather flat.The foreign institutions’ net buying increased substantially to QR38.86mn compared to QR11.51mn on June 26.The Arab retail investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.73mn against net profit takers of QR4.49mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking declined significantly to QR16.42mn compared to QR49.11mn on Wednesday.The foreign individual investors’ net selling weakened perceptibly to QR2.48mn against QR4.93mn on June 26.However, the Qatari retail investors were net sellers to the extent of QR37.73mn compared with net buyers of QR0.02mn the previous day.The Gulf individual investors turned net sellers to the tune of QR0.11mn against net buyers of QR0.01mn on Wednesday.The domestic institutions’ net buying declined drastically to QR17.15mn compared to QR46.97mn on June 26.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net buyers of QR0.01mn the previous day.Trade volumes in the main market soared 26% to 170.06mn shares, value by 3% to QR511.17mn and transactions by 14% to 18,831.The venture market saw an 82% plunge in trade volume to 0.42mn equities, 83% in value to QR1.54mn and 76% in deals to 131.

Qatar Electronic Systems Company (Techno Q) – a leading systems integrator in audiovisual, lighting systems and business solutions – on Wednesday made the debut on the Qatar Stock Exchange’s Venture Market (QEVM) with its shares vaulting as much as 45% against its reference price.Techno Q made it to the trading ring through “direct listing”, a common mechanism in all the regional markets, which allows companies to be listed without an initial public offering or IPO.Techno Q chairman Abul Latif al-Jaidah; Zeyad al-Jaidah, managing director; Abdulla al-Ansari, chief executive officer, along with other senior company officials rang the customary bell to mark its advent in the junior bourse. QSE acting chief executive officer Abdul Aziz Nasser al-Emadi, Qatar Financial Centre Authority chief executive officer Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida and other senior officials of the QSE were present on the occasion.The stock’s opening price was QR3.81, and the last transaction price was QR3.67. The highest price reached was QR4.2 (45% higher than the reference price of QR2.9) during the trading session and the lowest price was QR3.48.Starting from the second day of trading, the stock price will be allowed to fluctuate by 10% up and down, as is the case for other companies listed on the market."The listing of this company will increase the depth of the market and unlock opportunities to expand our investor base and access to capital while providing investors with the opportunity to invest in leading Qatari companies," said al-Emadi.The QSE's venture market, which has less stringent listing norms, have so far seen listing of four companies, achieving a growth rate of one listing each year, since its inception in 2021. However, two of them have already been transferred to the main market.Terming Techno Q’s listing as a historic feat for the company, partners, and stakeholders; Zeyad al-Jaidah said "our journey to becoming a regional systems integrator is a culmination of 28 years of planning, persistence, and passion."Highlighting that the company has been looking forward to the listing since 2012, he said since it started doing bigger projects, there was a realisation that the only way forward to grow, whether inside or outside Qatar, was by being listed in the stock market."We feel that by being listed in the stock market, the company will be taken more seriously, will give more confidence, not just to the employees of the company, (0:36) that they are dealing now with a listed company," he said, adding for the clients, they would be more confident that the projects are being signed with a public shareholding entity."As a technology company, we feel that being in the stock market (1:36) gives the investor a window to invest in the future technology," he said."As only the fourth company to list on the QEVM, we understand the task at hand, but our Techno Q DNA demonstrates we are prepared to take on the challenge of this new chapter,” according to al-Ansari.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) yesterday entered the 16th consecutive day of bullish run, having gained more than 55 points on the back of higher than average demand, especially in consumer goods and banking counters.The foreign individuals turned net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.57% to 9,827.42 points, although it touched an intraday high of 9,866 points.The Gulf retail investors were seen net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated to 9.26%.The domestic institutions continued to be net buyers but with lesser vigour in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR2.74bn or 0.48% to QR568.73bn on the back of small cap segments.The local retail investors’ weakened net profit booking had its influence in the main market, which saw 0.1mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.27mn trade across 16 deals.The Gulf funds’ lower net selling also had its say in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds and treasury bills.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The Total Return Index gained 0.57%, the All Share Index by 0.55% and the All Islamic Index by 0.08% in the main market.The consumer goods and services sector index shot up 1.22%, banks and financial services (1%) and industrials (0.39%); while telecom declined 1.11%, transport (0.41%), realty (0.32%) and insurance (0.28%).As much as 54% of the traded constituents extended gains with major movers being Commercial Bank, Dlala, Doha Bank, Woqod, Qatar Oman Investment and QNB.Nevertheless, Al Khaleej Takaful, Widam Food, Milaha, Ooredoo, QIIB, Mannai Corporation and Gulf International Services were among the shakers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.The foreign retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR3.69mn compared with net sellers of QR5.06mn on June 24.The Gulf individual investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.55mn against net sellers of QR0.87mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking declined substantially to QR3.94mn compared to QR20.49mn on Monday.The Qatari individual investors’ net selling weakened significantly to QR4.97mn against QR17.42mn on June 24.The Arab retail investors’ net buying decreased perceptibly to QR0.7mn compared to QR2.39mn the previous day.However, the Arab institutions were net sellers to the extent of QR0.46mn against net buyers of QR0.27mn on Monday.The domestic institutions’ net buying weakened drastically to QR4.18mn compared to QR30.33mn on June 24.The foreign institutions’ net buying shrank noticeably to QR0.65mn against QR15.63mn the previous day.Trade volumes in the main market soared 23% to 148.87mn shares, value by 8% to QR427.34mn and transactions by 10% to 16,437.The venture market saw as many as 0.11mn equities valued at QR0.18mn changed hands across 20 deals.

The Qatar Financial Market Authority (QFMA) received as many as 12 applications for acquisition with six of them materialising, valued at QR1bn during 2023.These deals varied between direct and indirect acquisitions inside and outside Qatar, and included many sectors such as industrials, transportation, insurance, and telecoms, the QFMA said in its 2023 annual report, which was released recently.During 2023, in addition, as many as five acquisitions were processed, and one transaction was cancelled. The five indirect acquisitions completed in Qatar were in the industrials, telecom and transportation sectors during the review period. One indirect acquisition completed outside the country was in the insurance sector during 2023.Among those under process are one direct and indirect acquisition in Qatar in the transportation sector; two indirect acquisitions in the UAE in the industrials sector; one indirect acquisition in the industrial sector outside Qatar; one direct and indirect acquisition in the industrial sector in the country and one indirect acquisition in the industrial sector outside the state.2023 witnessed "remarkable" activity in the number of offering and listing applications approved by the QFMA, whereas one company was offered for public subscription and two companies were listed in the main market through the direct listing mechanism.A company was transferred from the venture market to the main market, while the venture market saw a direct listing mechanism.The sectors represented by these entities included insurance, banking, consumer goods and services, and industrials, where the number of companies grew during 2023 to reach 51 compared to 47 during 2022 with an annual growth rate of 8.5%.The public offering was made by Meeza, while Beema and Dukhan Bank made entry into the main market through direct listing. In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding was directly listed, while Mekdam Holding was transferred from the junior bourse to the main market during 2023.The volume of capital listed on the QSE during 2023 through direct offerings and listings in the main market amounted to QR6.083bn, and in the secondary market was QR207mn, which contributes “positively to increasing the depth and attractiveness” of the capital market in the country.During 2023, capital increase through bonus shares was seen in Zad Holding and Al Meera; while Mekdam Holding resorted to capital enhancement through rights issue. In the case of Mazaya Qatar, capital reduction was witnessed.During 2023, the book building mechanism was implemented for the first time in Qatar, supporting more realistic pricing, as it depends on the desire and seriousness of qualified investors with experience in buying the shares offered for subscription, which reflects positively on investors' confidence in the market.

Qatar Electronic Systems Company (Techno Q) – a leading systems integrator in audiovisual, lighting systems and business solutions – will today start trading on the Qatar Stock Exchange’s Venture Market (QEVM).With this, the number of companies listed on the QEVM will become two. Since its inception, the junior bourse has seen listing of three entities, the two of which later got shifted to the main market.As many as 84.5mn shares of Techno Q are being listed through direct listing (without offering shares for public subscription). It will be listed with the symbol "TQES".The reference price for the share has been set at QR2.9 (including QR1.9 premium), based on the company's documents. Market capitalisation is QR245.05mn at listing valuation.On the first day of listing, the company’s price will be floated, while from the second day, the price will be allowed to fluctuate by 10%, up or down, as is the case for other companies listed on the market.The company is aiming at QR1bn revenues for which it has chalked out multi-pronged strategies, which includes acquisitions and joint ventures as well as expanding and strengthening overseas operations.It is increasing efforts on the group’s expansion strategy to neighbouring markets, mainly Saudi Arabia, where the group established a 100% owned subsidiary at the beginning of 2023 to focus on AV, ELV and hospitality related projects, as well as Oman, where the group holds 98% equity interest in QIS to focus on similar projects in this neighbouring country.In 2023, the company reported revenues of QR269.4mn at a compound annual growth rate of 17.1% over the past three years, and net income of QR19.7mn. As per its listing prospectus, revenues were QR330.92mn in 2022 with a vast majority of it coming from projects.Techno Q was established in Qatar in 1996 operating in the AV, hospitality and lighting segment through its own operation and in the ELV and security systems segment through its fully owned subsidiary Techno Q Security Systems.Over its 28 years of operations, the group’s portfolio include the design and execution of cutting-edge race electronics for a premier international racing competition in Qatar, the creation and setup of sophisticated security access control systems for a number of football stadiums for a globally recognised sporting event, and the supply and installation of a comprehensive CCTV and Access Control Systems for Qatar’s largest hospital.

Qatar reported a robust growth in new registrations of trailers, motorcycles, heavy equipment and private vehicles as the country's automobile sector saw as many as 7,011 new registrations in April 2024, according to the National Planning Council (NPC) data.The new vehicles registered a 2.9% year-on-year growth, even as it declined 10.5% month-on-month in the review period, which saw a total of 6,188 driving licenses issued with non-Qatari males constituting 4,916 or 80% of the total, non-Qatari females 892 or 14%, Qatari males 275 or 4% and Qatari females 105 or 2%.As many as 43 trailers were registered in April 2024, which zoomed 186.7% and 16.2% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively. These constituted 0.61% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The registration of new private motorcycles stood at 185 units, which increased 28.5% on an annualised basis but shrank 17.8% month-on-month in April 2024. These constituted 2.64% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The registration of new heavy equipment stood at 133, which constituted 1.9% of the total registrations this April. Their registrations had seen 17.7% and 46.2% surge year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in the review period.The registration of new private vehicles stood at 5,642; which shot up 9.9% on an annualised basis but declined 6.6% on monthly basis in April 2024. Such vehicles constituted 80.47% of the total new vehicles registered in the country in the review period.The registration of new private transport vehicles stood at 951; which was up 6.1% on a yearly basis while it tanked 23.3% on monthly basis in April 2024. Such vehicles constituted 13.56% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The new registration of other non-specified vehicles stood at 57 units, which plummeted 89% and 71.9% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in April 2024. They constituted 0.81% of the total new vehicles registered in the country in the review period.The registration was renewed in 66,924 vehicles, which saw a 16.7% jump on a yearly basis but shrank 10.8% month-on-month in April 2024. It constituted 56.28% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The transfer of ownership was reported in 28,247 vehicles in April 2024, which declined 2% and 15.4% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively. It constituted 23.76% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The lost/damaged vehicles stood at 9,655 units, which shot up 200.6% and 0.6% on yearly and monthly basis respectively in April 2024. They constituted 8.12% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The modified vehicles’ registration stood at 3,237; which tanked 29.2% and 13.9% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in April 2024. They constituted 2.72% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The number of vehicles meant for exports stood at 2,061 units, which zoomed 56.7% year-on-year but fell 23.3% on a monthly basis in April 2024. It constituted 1.73% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The number of cancelled vehicles was 1,621; gaining 12.4% on an annualised basis but was down 8.7% on monthly basis this April. They constituted 1.36% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The re-registration was done in 111 vehicles, which shrank 53.9% and 9.8% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in April 2024. They constituted 0.9% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The clearing of vehicle-related processes stood at 118,907 units, which grew 14.8% year-on-year but contracted 11.5% on a monthly basis in the review period.

The Qatar Stock Exchange yesterday entered the 13th consecutive day of bullish run, having gained more than 15 points on the back of buying support from domestic institutions.The transport and industrials counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.16% to 9,702.17 points, although it touched an intraday high of 9,730 points.The local retail investors were seen net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated further to 10.42%.The Arab individuals were increasingly net buyers in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR0.3bn or 0.05% to QR563.01bn on the back of microcap segments.The foreign retail investors turned bullish in the main market, which saw 0.03mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.08mn trade across 11 deals.However, the foreign institutions were increasingly net profit takers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds and treasury bills.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The Total Return Index gained 0.16%, the All Share Index by 0.03% and the All Islamic Index by 0.03% in the main market.The transport sector index shot up 1.69% and industrials 0.59%; while consumer goods and services declined 1.68%, real estate (1.5%), insurance (1.05%), telecom (0.45%) and banks and financial services (0.03%).Major movers included Milaha, Al Khaleej Takaful, Doha Insurance, Dukhan Bank, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Dlala, Qatari German Medial Devices, Industries Qatar and Estithmar Holding.Nevertheless, Al Meera, Zad Holding, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Qatar Insurance, United Development Company, Doha Bank, QIIB, Woqod, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Barwa, Vodafone Qatar and Nakilat were among the losers in the main bourse.In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.The domestic institutions’ net buying increased drastically to QR157.42mn compared to QR39.04mn on June 19.The Qatari individuals were net buyers to the tune of QR11.4mn against net sellers of QR2.9mn the previous day.The Arab individual investors’ net buying strengthened perceptibly to QR5.67mn compared to QR2.98mn on Wednesday.The foreign retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR2.04mn against net sellers of QR1.27mn on June 19.However, the foreign institutions’ net selling grew substantially to QR172.74mn compared to QR37.06mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking expanded noticeably to QR3.07mn against QR0.5mn on Wednesday.The Gulf individual investors’ net selling increased marginally to QR0.7mn compared to QR0.29mn on June 19.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the 13th straight session.Trade volumes in the main market soared 82% to 169.03mn shares and value more than doubled to QR767.61mn on 19% jump in transactions to 16,029.

Close on the heels of Qatar laying the foundation for the central bank digital currency (CBDC) regime, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) blog has said CBDC appears to be an important priority for oil exporters and the Gulf countries."CBDCs can potentially help improve the efficiency of cross-border payment services. This appears to be an important priority for oil exporters and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE," an IMF blog said, quoting a recent departmental paper 'Central Bank Digital Currencies in the Middle East and Central Asia.'Reasoning for the priority, the report said it was because cross-border payments tend to have frictions like varying data formats and operating rules across regions and complex compliance checks. CBDCs that can address these inefficiencies could significantly cut transaction costs.Some countries have already introduced cross-border technology platforms to address these issues and promote digital currency payments between countries, it said, highlighting the Buna cross-border payment system, created by the Arab Monetary Fund in 2020.The IMF blog said almost two-thirds of countries in the Middle East and Central Asia are exploring adopting a CBDC as a way to promote financial inclusion and improve the efficiency of cross-border payments.Many of the 19 countries currently exploring a CBDC are at the research stage. Bahrain, Georgia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have moved to the more advanced “proof-of-concept” stage. Kazakhstan is the most advanced after two pilot programmes for the digital tinge.The Qatar Central Bank recently said it has developed the infrastructure for the CBDC project, which will enter its first experimental phase extending to October 2024.It aims to achieve a set of primary objectives, including leveraging artificial intelligence technologies, distributed ledger technology, and emerging technologies and establish a strong foundation to enhance liquidity by expanding participation in financial market facilities, considering the aspects related to information security during project implementation.The IMF blog said CBDCs can advance financial inclusion by fostering competition in the payments market and allowing for transactions to be settled more directly and with less intermediation, in turn lowering the cost of financial services and making them more accessible.Highlighting that deposits make up a large share of bank funding in the region, about 83%; it said because a CBDC may compete with bank deposits, it could weigh on bank profits and lending and have implications for financial stability.However, lenders in the region generally have adequate capital levels, profit margins, and liquidity buffers, and their relatively high concentration may limit strains on deposits, it said, adding large banks are especially dominant in the GCC countries.In the GCC, financial systems are large, having grown in recent years thanks to buoyant economic activity fuelled by large hydrocarbon proceeds and abundant liquidity.

The Qatar Stock Exchange on Wednesday reopened after the Eid holidays, with a 20-point gain, thus extending the bullish run for the 12th straight session..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[165545]**A higher than average demand, especially at the telecom, insurance and transport counters, led the 20-stock Qatar Index to settle 0.21% higher at 9,686.86 points, although it touched an intraday high of 9,712 points.The Arab individual investors were seen net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated further to 10.56%.The foreign institutions’ weakened net selling pressure had its influence on the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR1.24bn or 0.22% to QR562.71bn on the back of small cap segments.The local retail investors’ lower net profit booking had its say on the main market, which saw 0.07mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan) valued at QR0.14mn trade across 11 deals.The domestic institutions continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds and treasury bills.The Islamic index was seen outperforming the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decrease.The Total Return Index gained 0.21%, the All Share Index by 0.24% and the All Islamic Index by 0.57% in the main market.The telecom sector index shot up 2.1%, insurance (1.94%), transport (0.53%), industrials (0.22%) and real estate (0.03%); while consumer goods and services shrank 0.33% and banks and financial services 0.02%.Major movers included Milaha, Al Khaleej Takaful, Ooredoo, Qatar Insurance, QLM, Dukhan Bank, Qamco, Doha Insurance and Vodafone Qatar.Nevertheless, Nakilat, Ahlibank Qatar, Qatari Investors Group, Commercial Bank and Dlala were among the shakers in the main bourse.The Arab individual investors turned net sellers to the extent of QR2.98mn against net buyers of QR1.1mn on June 13.The foreign institutions’ net selling declined substantially to QR37.06mn compared to QR72.88mn last Thursday.The Qatari individuals’ net selling weakened significantly to QR2.9mn against QR21.49mn the previous trading day.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking decreased noticeably to QR0.5mn compared to QR5.38mn on June 13.The foreign individual investors’ net selling shrank markedly to QR1.27mn against QR5.35mn the last Thursday.The Gulf individuals’ net profit booking eased perceptibly to QR0.29mn compared to QR2.36mn the previous trading day.However, the domestic institutions’ net buying waned drastically to QR39.04mn against QR108.55mn on June 13.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the 12th straight session.Trade volumes in the main market shrank 39% to 92.87mn shares, value by 37% to QR312.56mn and transactions by 27% to 13,526.

Qatar has ranked fourth among 67 countries in the world in terms of economic performance, according to The World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, issued by Switzerland-based the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).Overall, the country improved its position by one notch to 11th spot in 2024 compared to 12th position the previous year, said the assessment, which was based on the developments witnessed by a comprehensive set of data and indicators provided at the local level, along with the results of an opinion poll of a sample of company managers and businessmen on the business environment and the competitiveness of the Qatari economy, as well as comparing such data and indicators with counterparts from other reviewed countries.Qatar -- with a per capita income of $108,578 (in terms of purchasing power parity) in 2023 – was ranked high in the four main factors: economic performance (fourth), government efficiency (seventh), business efficiency (11th), and infrastructure (33rd), said the report."These outstanding results reflect the insight and wise vision of Qatar’s leadership. They also confirm that Qatar is on the right track towards achieving the ambitions of the Qatar National Vision 2030 by implementing the contents of the Third National Development Strategy 2024-30," said Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak al-Khalifa, secretary general of the National Planning Council (NPC).Under the economic performance factor, the most prominent indicators were the unemployment rate, youth unemployment rate, and terms of trade index in which the country ranked first globally.Within the government efficiency factor, the Qatari economy ranked first in both the consumption tax rate and the personal income tax rate, while it ranked second in the public finance index.As for the business efficiency factor, Qatar ranked first globally in both the effectiveness of corporate boards and the migrant stock, while it came in second place globally in the working hours index.Under the infrastructure factor, Qatar ranked first in the sub-factors of energy infrastructure and the number of internet users per 1,000 people.Regarding the challenges in 2024, the report said Qatar needs to sustain investments in human capital formation and also sustain economic growth and continue economic diversification efforts, allowing for the private sector to play a greater role in the economy.Calling for efforts to manage a more balanced labour mix to boost productivity, it said there was a need to enhance governance structures and transparency to foster public trust and accountability and increase competitiveness and focus more on innovation.

Qatar remains India's top LNG (liquefied natural gas) exporter, accounting for more than 48% of New Delhi's total LNG imports, according to Alpen Capital.Apart from LNG, Qatar exports ethylene, propylene, ammonia, urea, and polyethylene to India, which has become the fifth largest economy in the world with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $3.7tn.Qatar's imports from India have also increased significantly in recent years, thanks to the opening of direct shipping routes connecting Indian ports with Qatar, Alpen Capital said in a reportImport of commodities such as food, vegetables, medications, metals, and construction materials from India have all witnessed a surge in recent years, it added.Total bilateral trade (exports plus imports) between Qatar and India has progressively increased from $9.2bn in 2020-21 with exports at $7.9bn and imports at $1.3bn to $15.5bn in 2021-22 ($13bn and $1.8bn) and $18bn in 2022-23 ($16.8bn and $2bn).Qatar already has bilateral agreements on customs cooperation, and double tax and investment protection agreements with India.The country ranks among the top three exporting nations for India with the latter also being one of the top three import sources for Qatar alongside China and the US.In the case of foreign direct investment (FDI), the cumulative FDI inflows from India into Qatar were valued at $30.9mn between 2018 and 2022 compared to $64bn between 2013 and 2017, Alpen Capital said.Although GCC-India trade has flourished in recent years, when it comes to FDI, India’s share of total FDI into the GCC has been on a decline, it said, adding Indian FDI into the Gulf Cooperation Council manufacturing and financial and business services sectors has grown substantially since 2017, while investments in the construction activities have witnessed a decline.The cumulative FDI from India to the GCC fell 45.1% to $ 5.4bn during 2018-22 against $9.8bn during 2013-17.Highlighting that Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is actively scouting for investments in India’s infrastructure projects; the report said the Qatar Investment Authority, coupled with private investors from these nations, is looking at attractive investment options in infrastructural sectors in India, including roads/highways, airports, and ports among others.The cumulative FDI outflow from the GCC to India stood at $13.6bn during 2018-22.In 2023, the QIA invested $1bn in RRVL for 1% stake. This investment is the addition $600mn invested in 2020. In 2022, the QIA had invested $150mn in a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel for a 2.75% stake.The QIA holds stakes in several luxury hotels in India, including a significant stake in luxury hotel operator - The Leela Palaces. In 2023, the QIA had bought 2.7% stake in Adani Green Energy for $474mn, according to Alpen Capital.

The Qatar Central Bank (QCB)'s environment, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability strategy could pave way for ESG bonds and sukuk and the inclusion of sukuk within the strategy is a notable development, according to Fitch, a global credit rating agency."The strategy's emphasis on sustainable finance aligns with the increasing focus on ESG factors within the banking sector, reflecting a trend where stakeholders demand that banks integrate ESG into their corporate strategy and financing instruments, such as bonds and sukuk," Fitch said.The second pillar 'Capital mobilisation towards sustainable finance', aims to enhance the financial sector's role in supporting national sustainability objectives and in mobilising capital for sustainable finance.The strategy is broadly based on three main pillars with the first pillar focusing on managing climate, environmental, and social risks in the financial sector; the second encouraging capital investments in sustainable finance and the third pillar aiming at incorporating ESG and sustainability practices into the QCB's internal operations."The inclusion of sukuk within the strategy is indeed a noteworthy development. Sukuk financing for environmentally friendly projects introduces a vital element to the sustainable finance sector in the region, appealing to investors who are looking for Shariah-compliant options that also fulfil ecological goals," Fitch said.This could support Qatar's aspiration to become a leading hub for sustainable finance innovation and capital mobilisation, in line with Qatar's National Vision 2030 and the Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan, according to the rating agency. "Through these targeted initiatives, the QCB aims to position Qatar at the forefront of sustainable finance, making it an attractive destination for investors seeking opportunities that align with ESG,’’ Fitch said."We recognise the importance of integrating sustainability into our financial activities and we believe that sustainable development can only be achieved through effective partnerships between financial institutions and the society," QCB Governor HE Sheikh Bandar bin Mohamed bin Saud al-Thani had said in the strategy report.Calling for heightened transparency on the financial sector's contribution to national sustainability objectives, the QCB said to achieve this, the strategy includes the development of taxonomy of sustainable economic activities and guidelines for the issuance of sustainable products like loans, bonds, and sukuks.Outstanding ESG sukuk grew significantly reaching $40bn at the end of first quarter (Q1) of 2024 (all currencies). Fitch expects the ESG sukuk market to cross 7.5% of global outstanding sukuk in the coming years (at end of Q1-24: 4.6%), with growth likely to be supported by issuers’ funding diversification plans, to satisfy international ESG investors’ mandates, and by government sustainability initiatives.

Qatar recorded increased output of beverages, refined petroleum products and rubber and plastics, even as the country's industrial production index (IPI) was on a decline in April 2024 compared to the previous month's levels, according to the official data.The country's IPI declined 3.1% and 5.9% month-on-month and year-on-year respectively in the review period, according to the data released by the National Planning Council (NPC).The NPC introduced IPI, a short-term quantitative index that measures the changes in the volume of production of a selected basket of industrial products over a given period, with respect to a base period 2013.The mining and quarrying index, which has a relative weight of 82.46%, shrank 3.3% on a monthly basis on a 3.3% decline in the extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas and 5.7% in other mining and quarrying sectors.On a yearly basis, the sector index was seen declining 6.1% on a 6.1% fall in the extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas and 5.5% in other mining and quarrying sectors in the review period.The manufacturing index, with a relative weight of 15.85%, tanked 2.5% month-on-month in April 2024 owing to a 7.4% fall in the production of cement and other non-metallic mineral products, 6.4% in basic metals, 5.6% in printing and reproduction of recorded media, 3% in food products and 1.8% in chemicals and chemical products.Nevertheless there was a 4.2% increase in the production of beverages, 1.2% in refined petroleum products and 0.3% in rubber and plastics products in the review period.On a yearly basis, the manufacturing index declined 5% on account of a 22.5% contraction in the production of basic metals, 9.1% in printing and reproduction of recorded media, 4.2% in cement and other non-metallic mineral products, 2% in refined petroleum products, 1.6% in chemicals and chemical products and 0.3% in rubber and plastics products; even as there was a 1.2% jump in the production of beverages in April 2024.Electricity, which has a 1.16% weight in the IPI basket, saw its index plummet 2.8% and 11.2% month-on-month and year-on-year respectively in April 2024.In the case of water, which has a 0.53% weight, the index was seen declining 2.3% and 1.1% on monthly and annual basis respectively in the review period.

Qatar's foreign trade surplus amounted to QR17.4bn in May 2024 with as much as 60% of exports going to the Asian region, according to the official data.However, the country's trade surplus declined 1% and 20.8% month-on-month and year-on-year respectively in the review period, according to the data released by the National Planning Council (NPC).Total exports (valued free on board) were QR27.48n, while the total imports (cost, insurance and freight) amounted to QR10.05bn at the end of May 2024.The country’s exports of petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons were valued at QR15.79bn, crude at QR4.94bn, non-crude at QR2.33bn and other commodities at QR3.29bn in May this year.Petroleum gases accounted for 59.9% of the total exports in May 2024 compared to 62.19% a year-ago period, crude 18.74% (16.88%), non-crude 8.83% (8.74%) and others 12.48% (12.22%).The share of petroleum gases in the country's total export basket has been consistently declining on an annualised basis, while those of crude and non-crude were on the increase.The country's total exports shrank 3.6% on a monthly basis with those of petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons declining 4.9%, crude by 1.3% and non-crude by 5.5%, while those of other commodities grew 6.8% in the review period.On a yearly basis, the country's overall exports declined 10.5% with those of petroleum gases plummeting 15%, crude by 1.8%, non-crude by 10.6% and other commodities by 9.8% in May 2024.Qatar's shipments to China were valued at QR5.18bn or 18.9% of the total exports of the country in May this year, followed by South Korea QR4.24bn (15.4%), India QR2.98bn (10.8%), Singapore QR2.15bn (7.8%) and Japan QR1.95bn (7.1%).On a monthly basis, the country's exports to India tanked 31.88%, Japan by 11.46% and China by 9.9%; while those to South Korea enhanced by 5.92% and Singapore by 0.37% in the review period.On a yearly basis, Qatar's exports to India were seen declining 15.14%, China by 7.84%, Japan by 4.84% and Singapore by 0.14%; whereas those to South Korea shot up 16.94% in May 2024.In the case of imports, Qatar witnessed an overall 7.8% contraction on a monthly basis; even as it surged 15.6% year-on-year this May.The country's imports from the US were valued at QR1.48bn or 14.8% of the total imports, China QR1.32bn (13.2%), Japan QR0.62bn (6.2%), India QR0.62bn (6.2%) and the UK QR0.59bn (5.9%) in the review period.On a monthly basis, the country's imports from China dipped 11.57%, India by 6.05% and the US by 0.8%; while those from Japan zoomed 45.22% and the UK by 2.7% in May 2024.On a yearly basis, Qatar's imports from the UK zoomed 160.09%, Japan by 51.21%, India by 17.61%, China by 17.41% and the US by 16.14% in the review period.In May 2024, the ‘Motor Cars and Other Motor Vehicles for The Transport of Persons’ group was at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QR0.7bn, showing an annual increase of 65.3%.In second place was “Electrical Apparatus for Line Telephony/Telegraphy, Telephone Sets Etc.; Parts Thereof” with QR0.35bn, showing an increase of 51.1% on a yearly basis.In third place was “Parts of Aeroplanes or Helicopters” with QR0.29bn, enhancing by 43.4% on an annualised basis.