Author

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Tuesday fell more than 22 points on selling pressure particularly in the consumer goods, industrials, realty and transport counters.The foreign institutions were increasingly net sellers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.22% to 10,071.4 points, recovering from an intraday low of 10,026 points.The local retail investors were seen net profit takers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 7.01%.More than 69% of the traded stocks were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted added QR1.34bn or 0.23% to QR582.1bn on the back of microcap segments.The Arab individuals turned bearish in the main market, which saw 4,680 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan) valued at QR0.01mn trade across two deals.However, the Gulf institutions were seen increasingly into net buying in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The domestic institutions were also increasing bullish in the main market, which saw no trading of 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 increase.The Total Return Index shed 0.22%, the All Islamic Index by 0.41% and the All Share Index by 0.13% in the main market.The consumer goods and services sector index declined 0.81%, industrials (0.68%), transport (0.62%), real estate (0.58%) and telecom (0.21%); while banks and financial services gained 0.3% and insurance 0.19%.Major shakers in the main bourse included Widam Food, Ahlibank Qatar, QLM, Inma Holding, Mazaya Qatar, Masraf Al Rayan, Woqod, Baladna, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Qamco, Ezdan and Nakilat. In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Doha Insurance, Zad Holding, Qatar Oman Investment, Vodafone Qatar and Al Faleh Educational Holding were among the movers in the main market. In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares appreciate in value.The foreign institutions’ net profit booking increased markedly to QR7.27mn compared to QR2.61mn on August 12.The Qatari individual investors turned net sellers to the tune of QR2.23mn against net buyers of QR2.26mn on Monday.The Arab individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR1.24mn compared with net buyers of QR1.82mn the previous day.However, the Gulf institutions’ net buying strengthened substantially to QR4.34mn against QR0.22mn on August 12.The domestic institutions’ net buying expanded significantly to QR3.84mn compared to QR0.08mn on Monday.The foreign retail investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.58mn against net sellers of QR1.79mn the previous day.The Gulf individual investors were net buyers to the extent of QR1mn compared with net profit takers of QR0.11mn on August 12.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net buyers to the tune of QR0.08mn on Monday.Trade volumes in the main market rose 20% to 118.88mn shares, value by 19% to QR303.23mn and transactions by 14% to 13,767.The venture market saw 17% decline in trade volumes to 1.67mn equities, 23% in value to QR3.37mn and 46% in deals to 100.

The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) is set to see another 23 initial public offers (IPOs), including 16 from private companies, this year, according to Ernst and Young (EY).The IPO activity in the Mena region remained resilient with 14 maiden offers raising $2.64bn during the second quarter (Q2) of this year, EY said, adding the number of IPOs increased from the 13 in Q2-2023, with a corresponding increase in proceeds of 45.3% against the comparative quarter."The remainder of 2024 is set to see robust activity in the IPO market, with an additional 16 private companies and seven funds across various sectors intending to list on the Mena exchanges," the global consultant said.Of the companies intending to list this year, as many as 14 are in Saudi Arabia, including Riyad Capital, United International Holding and Arabian Mills for Food Products. One company in the UAE has also obtained approval to list, alongside Go Bus in Egypt."There is a continued focus on economic diversification away from oil and gas, with the Mena region continuing to see listings from a variety of sectors including health care, education, consumer goods and professional services. As we enter a phase of declining interest rates and continue to witness major country elections around the world, we will monitor with interest the subsequent impact on regional markets and IPO activity,” said Gregory Hughes, EY Mena IPO Leader.During Q2-2024 Dr Soliman Abdul Kader Fakeeh Hospital was listed on the Tadawul main market, raising the highest proceeds of the quarter – $764mn – and contributing 29% of the overall IPO proceeds. This was followed by Alef Education Consultancy with its listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), which contributed 19.5% of proceeds with the $515mn raised."Increased liquidity driven by higher oil prices, economic recovery, and positive market sentiment has kept the IPO activity in the region buoyant with a strong pipeline for the second half of 2024,” according to Brad Watson, EY Mena Strategy and Transactions Leader.As many as eight out of the 14 Mena IPOs listed in Q2-2024 had shown a positive return (as of June 30, 2024) in terms of their share price in comparison with the IPO price, with Miahona Company achieving the highest gain of 90.4% within the period.Stock exchanges across the Mena region exhibited varied performances. MSCI Emerging Markets Index ended Q2-2024 with a gain of 4.2%, making it the top-performing market in the GCC or Gulf Co-operation Council, followed by 1% gain in Qatar Stock Exchange (QE) general index.Globally, IPO activity declined in Q2-2024 on an annualised basis as the number of IPOs dropped 15% from 317 to 271, and proceeds by 31% to $27.8bn from $40.4bn.The EMEIA region, however, made a remarkable comeback, with inflation approaching ‘normal’ levels, interest rates falling, stock markets rallying to hit all-time highs, and volatility remaining low. This comeback saw the region regain the top global IPO market share by number – 45% of deal volume and 46% of value - for the first time in 16 years.

The bullish momentum continued in the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) for the second straight session, ahead of the US and Chinese economic data, as the index gained more than 16 points and capitalisation added QR1.66bn.The local retail investors were seen net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index gained 0.16% to 10,098.52 points, recovering from an intraday low of 10,054 points.The Arab individuals were seen increasingly net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated to 6.8%.The Gulf institutions were seen bullish, albeit at lower levels, in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added 0.29% to QR583.44bn on the back of small cap segments.The Arab funds turned net buyers in the main market, which saw 4,737 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.04mn trade across four deals.The foreign institutions’ weakened net profit booking had its influence in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Gulf retail investors’ lower net selling also had its say in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover grew amidst lower volumes.The Total Return Index rose 0.28%, the All Islamic Index by 0.04% and the All Share Index by 0.32% in the main market.The insurance sector index shot up 1.72%, banks and financial services (0.59%), consumer goods and services (0.34%) and industrials (0.26%); while transport declined 0.67%, real estate (0.66%) and telecom (0.64%).Major gainers in the main bourse included QIIB, Qatar Insurance, QLM, Dukhan Bank, Mannai Corporation and Doha Insurance. In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, 66% of the traded constituents were in the red with major losers being Qatar National Cement, Woqod, Vodafone Qatar, Inma Holding, Qatar Oman Investment, Qamco and Barwa. In the juniour bourse, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.The Qatari individual investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR2.26mn against net sellers of QR5.37mn on August 11.The Arab individuals’ net buying increased noticeably to QR1.82mn compared to QR0.84mn the previous day.The Arab institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR0.08mn against no major net exposure on Sunday.The foreign institutions’ net profit booking declined markedly to QR2.61mn compared to QR4.51mn on August 11.The Gulf institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.22mn against net profit takers of QR1.48mn the previous day.The Gulf individual investors’ net selling decreased marginally to QR0.11mn compared to QR0.49mn on Sunday.However, the foreign retail investors were net sellers to the extent of QR1.79mn against net buyers of QR1.4mn on August 11.The domestic institutions’ net buying shrank significantly to QR0.08mn compared to QR9.61mn the previous day.Trade volumes in the main market fell 16% to 99.48mn shares, while value gained 15% to QR254.99mn and transactions by 43% to 12,069.The venture market saw more than quadrupled trade volumes to 2.02mn equities and value quadrupled to QR4.4mn on almost tripled deals to 185.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) sunday opened the week on a stronger note with its key index gaining more than 24 points on the back of buying interests especially in the industrials and real estate sectors.The foreign retail investors were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.24% to 10,077.32 points, recovering from an intraday low of 10,045 points.The Arab individuals were seen net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated to 6.96%.As much as 65% of traded constituents extended gains in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR1.75bn or 0.3% to QR581.78bn on the back of small and microcap segments.The local retail investors’ weakened net profit booking had its influence in the main market, which saw 0.03mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.13mn trade across 13 deals.The domestic institutions continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The foreign funds were seen increasingly net sellers in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the key index in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The Total Return Index rose 0.24%, the All Islamic Index by 0.22% and the All Share Index by 0.2% in the main market.The industrials sector index gained 0.5%, realty (0.5%), consumer goods and services (0.33%), banks and financial services (0.31%) and telecom (0.3%); while insurance declined 1.73% ad transport 0.7%.Major gainers in the main bourse included Doha Bank, Salam International Investment, Alijarah Holding, Zad Holding, Ahlibank Qatar, Inma Holding, Medicare Group, Qatar Electricity and Water, Qamco, Ezdan and Vodafone Qatar. In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, Qatar Insurance, Meeza, Mazaya Qatar, Milaha and Al Meera were among the shakers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.The foreign retail investors’ net buying increased perceptibly to QR1.4mn compared to QR0.3mn on August 8.The Arab individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.84mn against net sellers of QR1.04mn last Thursday.The Qatari individual investors’ net selling decreased noticeably to QR5.37mn compared to QR16.17mn the previous day.However, the foreign institutions’ net selling strengthened markedly to QR4.51mn against QR3.71mn on August 8.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking expanded perceptibly to QR1.48mn compared to QR0.29mn last Thursday.The Gulf individuals turned net selling increased marginally to QR0.49mn against QR0.19mn the previous day.The domestic institutions’ net buying shrank drastically to QR9.61mn compared to QR20.97mn on August 8.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net buyers to the extent of QR0.13mn last Thursday.Trade volumes in the main market rose 32% to 118.08mn shares, while value was down 7% to QR221.35mn and transactions by 23% to 8,443.The venture market saw 77% contraction in trade volumes to 0.51mn equities, 77% in value to QR1.1mn and 51% in deals to 68.

Qatar reported a robust year-on-year growth in private vehicles as the country's automobile sector saw as many as 6,333 new registrations in June 2024, according to the National Planning Council (NPC) data.The new registration of vehicles however registered a 1.9% and 28.9% decline year-on-year and month-on-month decline in the review period, which saw a total of 6,333 driving licenses issued with non-Qatari males constituting 5,384 or 80% of the total, non-Qatari females 899 or 13%, Qatari males 360 or 5% and Qatari females 108 or 2%.The registration of new private vehicles stood at 5,145; which shot up 15.2% on an annualised basis but shrank 29.6% on monthly basis in June 2024. Such vehicles constituted 81.24% of the total new vehicles registered in the country in the review period.As many as 42 trailers were registered in June 2024, which zoomed 44.8% year-on-year but fell 12.5% month-on-month. These constituted 0.67% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The registration of new private transport vehicles stood at 884; which tanked 22.5% and 24% on annualised and monthly basis respectively in June 2024. Such vehicles constituted 13.96% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The registration of new private motorcycles stood at 146 units, which decreased 33% and 8.2% on yearly and monthly basis respectively in June 2024. These constituted 2.31% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The registration of new heavy equipment stood at 91, which constituted 1.44% of the total registrations this June. Their registrations had seen 22.9% and 43.1% contraction year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in the review period.The new registration of other non-specified vehicles stood at 25 units, which plummeted 96% and 60.3% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in June 2024. They constituted 0.39% of the total new vehicles registered in the country in the review period.The registration was renewed in 70,555 vehicles, which saw a 4.9% jump on a yearly basis but shrank 5.9% month-on-month in June 2024. It constituted 55.63% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The transfer of ownership was reported in 30,245 vehicles in June 2024, which declined 8.8% and 13.2% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively. It constituted 23.85% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The lost/damaged vehicles stood at 11,030 units, which shot up 215.8% on an annualised basis but was down 2.9% month-on-month in June 2024. They constituted 8.7% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The number of cancelled vehicles was 3,255; gaining 129.4% and 20.6% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in June 2024. They constituted 2.57% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The modified vehicles’ registration stood at 2,934; which tanked 33.4% and 26.5% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in June 2024. They constituted 2.31% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The number of vehicles meant for exports stood at 2,349 units, which zoomed 13.2% on a yearly basis but declined 12.3% on a monthly basis in June 2024. It constituted 1.85% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The re-registration was done in 119 vehicles, which shot up 16.7% year-on-year but dipped 15.6% month-on-month this June. They constituted 0.09% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The clearing of vehicle-related processes stood at 126,835 units, which grew 7% year-on-year but contracted 9.2% on a monthly basis in the review period.

Recession fears in the US and widening conflict in the Arab region had their repercussions in the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) this week which saw the index plummet 78 points and capitalisation melt QR5.78bn.The foreign funds were seen squaring off their position as the 20-stock Qatar Index decline 0.77% this week which saw the Qatar Financial Centre’s purchasing managers’ index reveal that output and new orders grew at solid pace at the start of July 2024 as demand strengthened in Doha's non-energy economy, while finance sector remained ‘bright spot’.The real estate, telecom and transport counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure this week which saw Hamad Port exceed 10mn container handling since it started operations.The Gulf institutions’ strengthened net profit booking had its influence in the main bourse this week which saw Nakilat report net profit of QR829.15mn in the first half (H1) of 2024.The Arab individuals’ higher net selling pressure also had its say in the main market this week, which saw Qatar Electricity and Water Company report net profit of QR680mn in H1-2024.The foreign retail investors were seen increasingly bearish in the main bourse this week which saw Qamco’s H1-2024 net profit at QR236.91mn.The Qatari individuals continued to be net sellers but with lesser intensity in the main market this week which saw the Qatar Insurance undertake restructuring of its UK motor insurance business.The Gulf individuals were seen increasingly into net profit booking in the main bourse this week which saw Ooredoo report net profit of QR1.87bn in January-June 2024.The domestic funds were increasingly net buyers in the main market this week which saw a total of 0.14mn Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored exchange-traded fund QATR worth QR0.29mn trade across 36 deals.The Arab funds were seen bullish, albeit at lower levels, in the main bourse this week which saw as many as 0.04mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR0.36mn change hands across 29 transactions.The Islamic index was seen declining faster than the other indices in the main market this week which saw the banks and industrials sectors together constitute about 58% of the total trade volumes.Market capitalisation eroded 0.99% to QR580.03bn on the back of large and small cap segments this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.Trade turnover and volumes were on the increase in the main market this week which saw no trading of treasury bills.In the case of venture market, trade turnover and volumes were seen on an upward path this week, which saw Estithmar Holding report net profit of QR221.05mn in H1-2024.The Total Return Index declined 0.77%, the All Share Index by 0.83% and the All Islamic Index by 1.12% this week which saw Qatar's hospitality sector report improved room yield and occupancy, especially in five-star and deluxe hotel apartment categories, amidst double digit year-on-year growth in visitors, particularly from the Gulf, Europe and the Americas.The realty sector index tanked 3.99%, telecom (1.33%), transport (1.01%), banks and financial services (0.72%), industrials (0.71%) and consumer goods and services (0.36%); while insurance was up 0.09% this week which saw Barwa report net profit of QR40.8mn in H1-2024.As much as 83% of the traded constituents were in the red with main shakers being Gulf International Services, Inma Holding, Qatar Oman Investment, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Ezdan, Commercial Bank, Masraf Al Rayan, Qatar German Medical Devices, Aamal Company, Mannai Corporation, Baladna, Salam International Investment, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Qatari Investors Group and Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding. In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value this week.Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Industries Qatar, Woqod, Doha Bank and Qatar Insurance were among the gainers in the main market. In the juniour bourse, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares appreciate in value this week.The foreign funds were net sellers to the tune of QR68.33mn against net buyers of QR88.05mn the week ended August 1.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking increased substantially to QR87.3mn compared to QR29.1mn the previous week.The Arab individual investors’ net selling expanded perceptibly to QR19.21mn against QR17.52mn a week ago.The foreign retail investors’ net selling grew noticeably to QR7.34mn compared to QR5.33mn the week ended August 1.However, the domestic funds’ net buying strengthened substantially to QR226.6mn against QR18.97mn the previous week.The Arab institutions turned net buyers to the extent of QR0.37mn compared with net profit takers of QR0.35mn a week ago.The local individuals’ net profit booking declined markedly to QR37.33mn against QR46.5mn the week ended August 1.The Gulf individual investors’ net selling shrank notably to QR6.9mn compared to QR8.22mn the previous week.The main market witnessed a 28% surge in trade volumes to 727.63mn shares, 27% in value to QR1.96bn and 23% in deals to 73,586 this week.In the venture market, trade volumes soared 10% to 5.76mn equities and value by 9% to QR11.72mn, while transactions were down 5% to 408.

Reflecting the global optimism in view of receding fears of recession in the US, the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Wednesday gained about 28 points in its key index and QR2bn in capitalisation.The real estate, consumer goods, insurance and industrials counters witnessed higher than average demand as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.28% to 10,076.81 points, recovering from an intraday low of 10,024 points.The Arab individuals were seen net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated to 6.96%.As much as 70% of traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added 0.35% to QR580.99n on the back of small cap segments.The foreign institutions’ weakened net selling had its influence on the main market, which saw 0.04mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.13mn trade across five deals.The Gulf funds lower net profit booking also had its say in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The domestic institutions continued to be net buyers but with lesser vigour in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen outperforming the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover fell amidst higher volumes.The Total Return Index rose 0.28%, the All Islamic Index by 0.6% and the All Share Index by 0.32% in the main market.The realty sector index gained 0.91%, consumer goods and services (0.85%), insurance (0.84%), industrials (0.57%) and banks and financial services (0.25%); while telecom and transport declined 0.45% and 0.32% respectively.Major gainers in the main bourse included Widam Food, Inma Holding, Qamco, QLM, Masraf Al Rayan, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Qatar German Medical Devices, Salam International Investment, Baladna, Mannai Corporation, Qatar National Cement, Ezdan, Mazaya Qatar, Aamal Company and Vodafone Qatar.In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Qatari Investors Group, Ooredoo, Meeza, Gulf Warehousing and Nakilat were among the shakers in the main market.The Arab retail investors’ net buying increased significantly to QR14.58mn compared to QR1.58mn on August 6.The Gulf individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.88mn against net profit takers of QR3.75mn on Tuesday.The foreign institutions’ net selling weakened considerably to QR5.29mn compared to QR24.88mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking decreased markedly to QR9.45mn against QR13.83mn on August 6.However, the Qatari individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR10.3mn compared with net buyers of QR6.58mn on Tuesday.The domestic institutions’ net buying declined drastically to QR6.61mn against QR28.28mn the previous day.The foreign individual investors’ net buying eased perceptibly to QR2.97mn compared to QR6.01mn on August 6.The Arab funds had no major net exposure for the second straight session.Trade volumes in the main market soared 19% to 167.82mn shares, while value was down 3% to QR373.32mn and transactions by 11% to 13,854.The venture market saw a 67% surge in trade volumes to 1.54mn equities and 74% in value to QR3.12mn on more than seven-fold jump in deals to 160.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on tuesday witnessed more than 63% of the traded constituents make gains but overall it settled marginally lower.The real estate, telecom, banks and insurance counters experienced higher than average selling pressure as the 20-stock Qatar Index edged down 0.08% to 10,049 points, but recovering from an intraday low of 9,983 points.The Gulf individuals were increasingly net profit takers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 7.22%.The domestic funds’ substantially weakened net buying had its influence in the main bourse, whose capitalisation was down QR0.08bn or 0.01% to QR578.99n on the back of microcap segments.The Gulf institutions continued to be net sellers but with lesser intensity in the main market, which saw 0.02mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.18mn trade across 15 deals.The foreign funds also continued to be net profit takers but with lesser vigour in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The local retail investors turned net buyers in the main market, which saw no trading of 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 down 0.08%, the All Islamic Index by 0.17% and the All Share Index by 0.08% in the main market.The realty sector index shrank 0.3%, telecom (0.3%), banks and financial services (0.29%), insurance (0.13%) and transport (0.09%); while industrials gained 0.39% and consumer goods and services 0.29%.Major shakers in the main bourse included Beema, United Development Company, Commercial Bank, QNB, Industries Qatar and Ooredoo. In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Dlala, Qatar German Medical Devices, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Doha Bank, Gulf International Services, Dukhan Bank, Qatar Oman Investment, Mannai Corporation, Qatari Investors Group, Aamal Company, Estithmar Holding, Ezdan and Mazaya Qatar were among the movers in the main market.The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking increased perceptibly to QR3.75mn compared to QR0.71mn on August 5.The domestic institutions’ net buying declined drastically to QR28.28mn against QR127.26mn the previous day.However, the Qatari individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR6.58mn compared with net sellers of QR1mn on Monday.The foreign individual investors were net buyers to the extent of QR6.01mn against net sellers of QR13.67mn on August 5.The Arab retail investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.58mn compared with net sellers of QR18.43mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking decreased substantially to QR13.83mn against QR56.13mn on Monday.The foreign institutions’ net selling weakened considerably to QR24.88mn compared to QR37.46mn on August 5.The Arab funds had no major net exposure against net buyers to the extent of QR0.12mn the previous day.Trade volumes in the main market fell 22% to 141.44mn shares, value by 35% to QR383mn and transactions by 25% to 15,539.The venture market saw 10% jump in trade volumes to 0.92mn equities and 12% in value to QR1.79mn but on 61% decline in deals to 22.

Qatar's hospitality sector painted a rosy picture in June 2024 on improved room yield and occupancy, especially in five-star and deluxe hotel apartment categories, amidst double digit year-on-year growth in visitors, particularly from the Gulf, Europe and the Americas, according to the official estimates.The visitor arrivals witnessed a strong double-digit jump year-on-year in the review period, according to figures released by the National Planning Council. Visitor arrivals are those non-residents travelling to Qatar on a short-term basis for all purposes, including arrivals at borders under 15 different visit visa classes and also include business and leisure visa types while excluding work visas.Qatar witnessed 316,346 visitor arrivals in June 2024, registering 12.2% and 0.9% growth on yearly and monthly basis respectively in the review period. Visitors arriving by flight reported a 3.54% year-on-year jump in June 2024, land by 25.17% and sea by 10.49%.The visitor arrivals from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) were 148,937 or 47% of the total; followed by other Asia (including Oceania) 71,417 (23%), Europe 46,124 (15%), other Arab countries 21,495 (7%), the Americas 21,102 (7%) and other African countries 7,271 (2%) in June 2024.On an annualised basis, the visitor arrivals from other European countries were seen soaring 30.2%, other African countries by 28.9%, the GCC by 25.6% and the Americas by 17%; while those coming from other Arab countries and other Asia (including Oceania) declined 18.2% and 8.5% respectively in June 2024.On a month-on-month basis, the visitor arrivals from the GCC and other African countries shot up 17.3% and 11.1% respectively, whereas those from Europe shrank 24.7%, other Arab countries by 8.4%, the Americas by 4.7% and other Asia (including Oceania) by 2.5% in the review period.Qatar's hospitality sector saw a 10.45% year-on-year surge in room yield to QR243 in June 2024 as average room rate was up 1% to QR406 and occupancy by 5% to 60%.The five-star hotels' room yield zoomed 7.85% year-on-year to QR316 as occupancy improved by 4% to 53% even as the average room rate shrank 1.33% to QR595 in the review period.The four-star hotels room yield enhanced 5.74% on a yearly basis to QR129 as the occupancy improved 7% to 61%, even as the average room rate fell 6.17% to QR213 in June 2024.However, the three-star hotels' room yield fell 4.62% on an annualised basis to QR124 this June as average room rate decreased by 4.02% to QR167 amidst flat occupancy at 75%.The two-star and one-star hotels reported 13.97% year-on-year contraction in room yield to QR117 as the average room rate shrank 4.58% to QR146 and the occupancy by 9% to 80% in June this year.The deluxe hotel apartments registered a 24.74% year-on-year surge in room yield to QR237 as occupancy improved 10% to 68% and average room rate by 6.12% to QR347 in June 2024.In the case of standard hotel apartments, room yield plummeted 26.51 on an annualised basis to QR122 in June 2024 with occupancy plunging 21% to 55% as average room rate was up 2.23% to QR224.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Monday treaded a cautious path amidst fears of recession in the US and widening conflicts in the region.The Gulf institutions turned net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index stood flat at 10,057.23 points.The real estate, insurance and consumer goods counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure in the main market, whose year-to-date were at 7.14%.As much as 77% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR1.73bn or 0.3% to QR579.07n on the back of microcap segments.The foreign institutions were seen net sellers in the main market, which saw 0.05mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.15mn trade across 18 deals.The Arab individuals were seen increasingly bearish in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The foreign retail investors were also seen increasingly net sellers in the main market, which saw no trading of 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 increase.The Total Return Index was flat, even as the All Islamic Index declined 0.56% and the All Share Index by 0.15% in the main market.The realty sector index tanked 2.49%, insurance (1.03%), consumer goods and services (0.36%), telecom (0.16%), transport (0.06%) and banks and financial services (0.02%); while industrials rose 0.07%.Major losers in the main market included Ezdan, Inma Holding, Dlala, QLM, Masraf Al Rayan, Dukhan Bank, Qatar Oman Investment, Aamal Company, Qamco, Mazaya Qatar, Barwa, United Development Company, Vodafone Qatar and Gulf Warehousing.In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Industries Qatar, QIIB, Qatar Islamic Bank, Commercial Bank and Woqod were among the gainers in the main bourse.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking increased substantially to QR56.13mn compared to QR7.6mn on August 4.The foreign institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR37.46mn against net buyers of QR3mn the previous day.The Arab individual investors’ net selling expanded noticeably to QR18.43mn compared to QR15.91mn on Sunday.The foreign individual investors’ net selling grew significantly to QR13.67mn against QR2.95mn on August 4.The Arab funds’ net buying weakened marginally to QR0.12mn compared to QR0.13mn the previous session.However, the domestic institutions’ net buying strengthened drastically to QR127.26mn against QR43.48mn on Sunday.The Qatari individual investors’ net buying decreased markedly to QR1mn compared to QR17mn on August 4.The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking eased perceptibly to QR0.71mn against QR3.14mn the previous day.Trade volumes in the main market rose 22% to 180.57mn shares, value by 58% to QR589.63mn and transactions by 62% to 20,587.In the venture market, trade volumes more than tripled to 0.84mn equities and value also more than tripled to QR1.6mn on 75% jump in deals to 56.

Output and new orders grew at solid pace at the start of July 2024 as demand strengthened in Doha's non-energy economy, while finance sector remained ‘bright spot’, according to the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)."Qatar's non-energy private sector continued to expand at the start of the second half of 2024," according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey data from the QFC, compiled by Standard and Poor's Global.Output and new orders both grew at solid rates that were broadly in line with their respective long-run survey trends, while firms were increasingly confident regarding the 12-month outlook, it said, adding they also made inroads into outstanding business, with backlogs falling the most since January 2023.The Qatar PMI indices are compiled from survey responses from a panel of 450 private sector entities belonging to manufacturing, construction, wholesale, retail, and services sectors; reflecting the structure of the non-energy economy according to official national accounts data.The PMI – a composite single-figure indicator of non-energy private sector performance – is derived from indicators for new orders, output, employment, suppliers’ delivery times and stocks of purchases.The PMI registered 51.3 in July, down from June' 23-month high of 55.9 but still signalling an overall improvement in business conditions in the non-energy private sector economy. It was slightly below the long-run trend level of 52.3 (since April 2017).Signalling demand strengthening in Qatar’s non-energy economy, it said the level of incoming new orders expanded for the 17th time in 18 months, and at a solid rate that was broadly in line with the long-run survey trend. Companies reported new orders due to strong reputations, customer trust and high-quality goods and services.Finding that the sustained increase in new business in July resulted in another robust expansion in total activity; it said output has risen continuously for over four years except for two brief pauses in January and December last year.Despite rising demand for goods and services, companies were able to reduce the volume of outstanding orders at the fastest rate since January 2023, due to improved productivity.Confidence regarding the next 12 months strengthened to a 10-month high in July, it said, adding firms reported the planned opening of new locations, adoption of new technologies, investment in training and latest marketing strategies."Growth momentum eased at the start of the third quarter, though this correction was perhaps to be expected in the context of a surge in June when the PMI posted its second-highest level in the survey history when excluding the post-pandemic rebound and lead-up to the 2022 World Cup," said QFC Authority chief executive officer Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida.Demand for inputs rose in July, as purchasing activity increased for the fifth successive month. Despite this, lead times improved to the greatest extent since July 2023 as companies developed relationships with suppliers. Input stocks declined for the fifth time in 2024 so far, albeit only marginally.Qatari financial services companies recorded further sharp expansions in total business activity and new contracts in July, albeit at softer rates than in June. The seasonally adjusted Financial Services Business Activity and New Business Indexes posted 56.2 and 57.2 respectively, above the figures for the private sector economy as a whole.Companies also remained strongly optimistic regarding the 12-month outlook, with sentiment unchanged since June at the highest level since July 2023. Meanwhile, employment growth was maintained for the 16th successive month."Financial services remained a bright spot in the economy, registering further sharp growth in new business and activity," al-Jaida said.

Reflecting the Middle East tensions, the Qatar Stock Exchange yesterday saw Gulf funds increasingly square off their position, which led to more than 23 points decline in key index.The industrials and real estate counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure as the 20-stock Qatar Index fell 0.23% to 10,130.75 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,164 points.The Arab individual investors were increasingly net profit takers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 6.46%.As much as 60% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR1.17bn or 0.2% to QR585.81bn on the back of small cap segments.The foreign retail investors were increasingly bearish in the main market, which saw no trading of exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank).The foreign institutions’ weakened net buying had its influence in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Gulf retail investors were increasingly into net profit booking in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen declining faster than the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover fell amidst higher volumes.The Total Return Index fell 0.23%, the All Islamic Index by 0.46% and the All Share Index by 0.17% in the main market.The industrials sector index tanked 1.26%, real estate (0.37%) and insurance (0.06%); while telecom gained 0.37%, transport (0.29%), banks and financial services (0.17%) and consumer goods and services (0.02%).Major losers in the main market included Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Industries Qatar, Al Khaleej Takaful, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Baladna, Qatar German Medical Devices, Qatar Electricity and Water, Qamco and Ezdan.Nevertheless, QIIB, Doha Bank, Milaha, QNB and Inma Holding were among the movers in the main bourse.In the venture market, both Al Mahhar Holding and Techno Q saw their shares appreciate in value.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking increased noticeably to QR14.09mn compared to QR5.36mn on July 31.The Arab individual investors’ net selling expanded significantly to QR9.64mn against QR0.36mn the previous day.The foreign individuals’ net profit booking strengthened markedly to QR3.77mn compared to QR0.56mn on Wednesday.The Gulf individual investors’ net selling grew perceptibly to QR3.04mn against QR1.04mn on July 31.The foreign funds’ net buying decreased substantially to QR22.78mn compared to QR35.47mn the previous day.However, the Qatari individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR7.19mn against net sellers of QR27.7mn on Wednesday.The domestic institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR0.56mn compared with net sellers of QR0.45mn on July 31.The Arab funds had no major net exposure for the third straight session.Trade volumes in the main market rose 2% to 116.82mn shares, while value fell 28% to QR291.39mn and transactions by 10% to 11,766.The venture market saw a 57% contraction in trade volumes to 0.3mn equities, 57% in value to QR0.61mn and 54% in deals to 38.

Qatar's Hamad Port reported a stupendous 132% year-on-year jump in transshipment volumes in July, helping the country carve a special place in the regional maritime industry, according to official data.The country's ports saw a 46% increase in container handling in a "record-breaking" July on an annualised basis, primarily due to a 132% increase in transshipments, Mwani Qatar said in its social media handle X.This growth was accompanied by a rise in handling volumes of livestock and RORO (vehicles) as Qatar's maritime sector saw more vessels calling on Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais ports in July 2024 compared with the previous-year period, according to the data from 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 235 in July 2024, which saw a 3.98% increase year-on-year but was down 2.89% 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 132 vessels call (excluding military) in the review period. A total of 1,558 ships had called on the three ports during the first seven months of this year.The container handling through the three ports stood at 146,752 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), which saw 45.53 and 1.29% year-on-year and month-on-month jump respectively in July 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 148,479 TEUs this July. The container volume at the three ports totalled 853,375 TEUs during January-July 2024.The three ports were seen handling 20,302 livestock in July 2024, which zoomed 271.29% on an annualised but shrank 65.66% on monthly basis. As many as 378,503 livestock heads were handled by three ports during the first seven months of this year.The three ports handled as many as 12,214 RORO in July 2024, which registered 102.08% growth year-on-year while it declined 22.1% month-on-month in July 2024. Hamad Port alone handled 12,192 units this July. A total of 68,158 RORO units were handled by three ports during January-July 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 general and bulk cargo handled through the three ports fell 20.85% on an annualised basis to 131,982 freight tonnes in July 2024. However, it was seen surging 131.82% month-on-month.Hamad Port – whose multi-use terminal is designed to serve the supply chains for the RORO, grains and livestock – handled 98,922 freight tonnes of breakbulk in July 2024. A total of 1.06mn freight tonnes of general and bulk cargoes were handled by the three ports during January-July 2024.The building materials traffic through the three ports stood at 22,204 tonnes this July, which declined 37.09% and 1.33% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively. As much as 193,362 tonnes of building materials were handled by Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais ports during January-July this year.

The Qatar Central Bank (QCB)’s sustainability strategy for the financial sector could develop ESG (environment, social and governance) sukuk and bond, as the medium-term growth potential for ESG debt issuance in the Gulf region remains promising according to Fitch, a global credit rating agency."This (the QCB's announced ESG and sustainability strategy) could facilitate the country’s ongoing efforts in sustainable finance and could support the development of ESG sukuk and bonds," Fitch said in a report.Earlier, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, the UAE, and Oman had also launched ESG frameworks and initiatives.The QCB strategy, which is in line with the Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan and as part of the Qatar National Vision 2030, suggests creating incentives for financial institutions and capital market participants to issue sustainable products and promoting fintechs with positive environmental or social impact.It is broadly based on three main pillars with the first pillar focusing on managing climate and ESG risks in the financial sector; the second encouraging capital investments in sustainable finance and the third aiming at incorporating ESG and sustainability practices into the QCB's internal operations.In the Islamic finance core markets (GCC countries, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkiye and Pakistan), ESG sukuk issuance rose 13% year-on-year to $6.3bn at the end of first half (H1) of 2024.However, in the same markets ESG bonds issuance declined by 34% on an annualised basis to $7.8bn at end of H1-2024, the report said.Sukuk accounted for about 45% of the total ESG debt mix in the same group of countries (across all currencies) in the review period, it said, adding sukuk had a sizeable share of the hard-currency ESG debt mix in Indonesia (second quarter of 2024: 59%), Malaysia (52%) and Saudi Arabia (48%), with the rest in bonds.About 69% ($29.7bn) of all outstanding ESG sukuk was in hard currency – mostly US dollars – representing a sizeable share (12.9%) of global outstanding sukuk in H1-2024. The ESG sukuk in the GCC reached $18.5bn outstanding, or 43% of global ESG sukuk.Fitch said the medium-term growth potential for ESG debt issuance remains promising, fuelled by governments’ increasing commitment to sustainability and issuers’ aims to meet ESG mandates and funding diversification plans.However, the ESG debt segment is at a much earlier stage of adoption than in developed markets."We forecast both lower oil prices and interest rates cuts in the third quarter of 2024, which may contribute to a rise in debt, including ESG sukuk, over Q4-2024–Q1-2025," Fitch said.

Qatar Chamber is currently hosting the ‘Future Entrepreneurs Camp’, which will run until August 11, aiming at developing entrepreneurship and innovation for youth.The event is being organised by the Qatar Chamber in co-operation with the Youth Entrepreneurs Club (under the umbrella of the Ministry of Sports and Youth) and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Organisational Excellence at Qatar University.The event provides an interactive and educational environment to develop entrepreneurial ideas, enhance leadership skills and teamwork, and encourage effective communication and critical thinking. In addition, it offers a good opportunity for participants to connect with entrepreneurs and professionals in this field.Noora al-Awlan, Director of the Research and Studies Department, took special note of the club’s role in supporting entrepreneurs, developing their skills, and transforming their ideas into enterprises that benefit the national economy.She said the chamber’s commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs stems from its role as a representative of the private sector and due to the fact that it aligns with its interest in bringing up a generation of innovative and qualified youth who will be successful entrepreneurs in the future.Dr Ibrahim Khalid al-Sulaiti, President of the Youth Entrepreneurs Club, said the camp represents an excellent opportunity for exchanging expertise, gaining skills, and exploring talents encouraging entrepreneurs to achieve their ambitions.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) yesterday opened the week on a stronger note with its key index gaining more than 37 points on an across the board buying, notably in the telecom, industrials and banking counters.The foreign funds were seen net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index gained 0.37% to 10,135.75 points, recovering from an intraday low of 10,093 points.The foreign individuals were increasingly net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated to 6.42%.More than 63% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR1.86bn or 0.32% to QR586.8bn on the back of small and microcap segments.The domestic institutions continued to be bullish but with lesser vigour in the main market, which saw as many as 0.01mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank), valued at QR0.05mn change hands across nine transactions.The Arab individual investors were seen net sellers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The local retail investors turned net profit takers in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen gaining faster than the main barometer but slower than the other indices in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The Total Return Index rose 0.56%, the All Islamic Index by 0.42% and the All Share Index by 0.48% in the main market.The telecom sector index soared 1.03%, industrials (0.6%), banks and financial services (0.47%), consumer goods and services (0.47%), real estate (0.42%), insurance (0.19%) and transport (0.16%).Major gainers in the main market included Baladna, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Mekdam Holding, Ooredoo, Qatar Electricity and Water, Commercial Bank and Medicare Group. In the junior bourse, both Al Mahhar Holding and Techno Q saw their shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, Ahlibank Qatar, Dlala, QLM, Qatar Oman Investment and Aamal Company were among the shakers in the main market.The foreign institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR4.79mn compared with net sellers of QR23.93mn on July 25.The foreign individual investors’ net buying rose marginally to QR0.23mn against QR0.09mn the previous trading day.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking weakened noticeably to QR2.32mn compared to QR3.9mn last Thursday.However, the Arab retail investors were net sellers to the extent of QR5.71mn against net buyers of QR0.32mn on July 25.The Qatari individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR3.17mn compared with net buyers of QR17.2mn the previous trading day.The Gulf individual investors’ net selling strengthened marginally to QR1.58mn against QR1mn last Thursday.The Arab funds were net profit takers to the extent of QR0.35mn compared with net no major net exposure on July 25.The domestic institutions’ net buying weakened noticeably to QR8.12mn against QR11.19mn the previous trading day.Trade volumes in the main market fell 21% to 79.51mn shares, value by 30% to QR208.81mn and transactions by 28% to 8,682.The venture market saw 46% contraction in trade volumes to 0.46mn equities, 49% in value to QR0.91mn and 52% in deals to 41.

Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) and Qatar Airways privilege club have introduced new features to their co-branded cards.This new initiative comes as part of QIB's ongoing commitment to provide exceptional value and service to increase the product value proposition to cardholders."These exclusive benefits elevate our portfolio of QIB Qatar Airways co-branded cards, offering innovative features and unmatched privileges," according to D. Anand, QIB’s General Manager – Personal Banking Group.The new features offered to cardholders include the opportunity to fast track their privilege club tier, collect Qpoints on credit card spends and enjoy additional bonus Avios on their first Qatar Airways flight booked with the co-branded credit cards.New cardholders of the Visa Signature cards will be upgraded to privilege club gold tier when they spend QR100,000 within the first six months, and new cardholders of the Visa platinum cards will be upgraded to privilege club silver tier when they spend QR60,000 within the first six months.The gold and silver tiers will unlock exclusive privileges such as priority check-in and boarding, extra baggage allowance, complimentary lounge access and much more.After completing their first Qatar Airways flight booked with their co-branded credit cards on qatarairways.com or the Qatar Airways mobile app, new cardholders of the Visa signature and Visa platinum cards will also collect additional bonus Avios.New cardholders travelling on first or business class will collect 10,000 additional bonus Avios and new cardholders travelling on economy class will collect 5,000 additional bonus Avios.New and existing QIB Qatar Airways co-brand signature card will earn one Qpoint for every 400 Avios earned by the customer on his co-brand card spends.While new and existing QIB Qatar Airways co-brand Platinum card will earn one Qpoint for every 450 Avios earned by the customer on his co-brand card spends, elevating the opportunities with privilege club as Qpoints enable members to upgrade or retain their tier with the loyalty programme.QIB and Qatar Airways co-branded cardholders continue to collect Avios on their everyday spends and enjoy their existing benefits of complimentary access to airport lounges worldwide through LoungeKey.Cardholders can also link their cards to privilege club accounts and start collecting and spending Avios across a wide range of shopping, dining and entertainment partners."The additional benefits to QIB Airways co-branded credit cardholders are an extension of our strategic relationship that will provide cardholders with further new avenues to enhance their travel experiences with Qatar Airways," said Thomas Vadakedath, senior vice-president (Loyalty) at Qatar Airways.

Doha is inching closer to digital assets framework, paving way for legal recognition of digital assets, a move to support the country's digital economy strategy, according to a senior official of the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)."With active involvement from many interest technology firms and industry stakeholders, we have developed a solid framework for tokenizing real-world assets such as securities, debt capital market instruments, investments, sukuk, and other asset classes. The framework is expected to be finalised and enacted by Q4 of this year," QFC Chief of Financial Services Sector Henk Jan Hoogendoorn told in an interview that appeared in a newsletter of World Alliance of International Financial Centers.Qatar is contemplating legal recognition of digital assets as part of efforts to put in place legislation for a tokenisation framework. In this regard, the QFC Regulatory Authority and the QFC Authority jointly developed a QFC digital assets framework to support Qatar’s digital economy strategy and the continued development of the QFC as a leading financial and business centre in the Middle East.The QFCRA and QFCA had sought public comments from firms and industry practitioners on the structure, content, and practitioner usability of the proposed framework and the deadline to submit the responses was January 2, 2024.The framework is designed to develop a legal and regulatory framework for digital assets through the establishment of a tokenisation framework in the QFC that will provide legal certainty and a trusted technology environment for digital assets.It seeks to provide legal recognition of digital assets and address issues as ownership of the underlying assets, custody arrangements, the transfer of ownership, trading and exchange of digital assets and smart contracts.The proposed digital assets framework is being developed on a phased manner with the first phase focusing on the establishment of legislation to provide for a QFC tokenisation framework.It is envisaged that subsequent phases will focus on building out the detailed regulatory framework for specific activities and products.The proposed rules primarily make provision for the treatment of tokens, representing underlying that are specified products under the QFC financial services regulations.The proposed regulations establish the concept of tokens and what constitutes a permitted token. The regulations also contain provisions relating to transfer of tokens, token ownership, and rights in the underlying and various definitions for the types of token service providers that will be subject to the proposed licensing framework in the QFC.QFC recently launched the Digital Assets Lab, which is part of its efforts to foster innovation, research, and development in the financial sector and the digital assets sphere, Hoogendoorn said, adding this initiative resonates with the Qatar Fintech Strategy and Qatar Central Bank's proactive approach to adopting innovative technologies.The lab provides a collaborative space where start-ups, businesses, and researchers can explore and create innovative solutions, products, and services related to digital assets and distributed ledger technologies. It aims to position Qatar as a leading hub for digital innovation by offering a comprehensive platform for promoting the adoption of emerging technologies across sectors, he said in the interview.