United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl Island and Gewan Island, has won eight prestigious international awards in environment and sustainability during the Green World Awards 2024 by The Green Organisation.Additionally, UDC was recognised as the Qatar National Gold Winner in the property and real estate management category at the International CSR Excellence Awards 2024, reflecting its unwavering commitment to the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility.UDC was awarded gold, silver, and bronze accolades in categories, such as innovation, pollution and emission control, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, waste management, water management, and conservation and wildlife projects. These awards highlight UDC’s commitment to environmental improvement and sustainable development.One of UDC’s notable achievements includes being honoured as a Green World Champion in the Energy Management category, underscoring its exceptional contribution to energy efficiency and conservation.The awards were presented to UDC during a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament, London, UK, in recognition of UDC’s Environment and Sustainability Strategy 2026. This strategy demonstrates UDC’s leadership, innovation, and dedication to sustainable business practices at The Pearl Island.UDC’s receipt of these awards also secures a feature in the World Green Book, acknowledging its commitment to Qatar National Vision 2030.UDC’s commitment to energy efficiency and conservation has earned it the prestigious title of Green World Champion in Energy Management. The company has undertaken initiatives aligned with Qatar’s National Climate Change Action Plan to reduce carbon emissions associated with buildings and facilities on The Pearl Island. These efforts include transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient practices, and reducing embodied carbon emissions.By 2026, UDC aims to reduce carbon emissions by transitioning to renewable energy sources and implementing highly efficient energy practices, leading to substantial reductions in embodied carbon emissions. As a result of these efforts, UDC has achieved significant savings, equivalent to 142 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles, 124kWh homes’ electricity use, and 1,474 barrels of oil consumed in a year. In terms of waste and pollution, these savings translate to 221 tonnes of waste recycled instead of being sent to landfills, 27,594 trash bags recycled, and 714,086 pounds of coal saved from being burned.UDC’s innovative practices extend beyond economic value generation to actively contribute to environmental preservation and social progress. The company prioritises responsible business practices and sustainable development in alignment with ESG (environment, sustainability, governance) principles and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, supporting local and regional businesses and promoting sustainable consumption and production. UDC’s efforts to control pollution and emissions encompass waste recycling and management, plastic reduction, e-waste and battery management, and other environmentally conscious initiatives. The introduction of the Seabin project, aimed at promoting a cleaner marina and preventing pollution, has been a significant milestone.UDC’s achievements in CSR are reflected in its international accreditations and prestigious awards. Notable accolades include The Gold Certification from CSR Accreditation and the ‘Best in Corporate Social Responsibility’ award for Real Estate at the Qatar CSR Summit, highlighting UDC’s dedication to sustainable practices and community engagement.UDC’s Sustainability Strategy and island-wide sustainable development policy prioritise climate change mitigation and strategic planning aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030. UDC has released its second ESG Report to Qatar Stock Exchange, leading as the first listed real estate company in Qatar to officially disclose its sustainability and environmental strategies.UDC’s waste management practices focus on recycling, waste reduction, and environmentally friendly processes. Initiatives such as the ENVAC smart waste disposal system and the Collec’Thor Sea Cleaners demonstrate the Company’s dedication to sustainable waste management. To Page 8

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) saw its key index gain more than 80 points and capitalisation add QR6.46bn this week, which recorded rising world oil prices on geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.The foreign institutions were seen bullish as the 20-stock Qatar Index settled 0.79% higher this week which saw the global index compiler FTSE Russell include Baladna and Gulf Warehousing in its microcap indices.The real estate, insurance, banking and transport counters witnessed higher than average demand in the main market this week which saw Qatar’s trade surplus amount to QR20.13bn in June 2024.The Arab individuals were seen increasingly net buyers in the main bourse this week which saw Estithmar Holding issue QR500mn sukuk, the first corporate Islamic bond in local currency.About 83% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main market this week which saw Lesha Bank acquired a residential building in the Pearl Qatar.The domestic institutions continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse this week, which saw Mannai Infotech and Businessnext ink strategic agreement to digitally transform the country’s banking sector.The Gulf funds were increasingly net sellers in the main market this week which saw a total of 0.05mn Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored exchange-traded fund QATR worth QR0.12mn trade across 12 deals.The local retail investors were also increasingly net profit takers in the main bourse this week which saw as many as 0.01mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR0.05mn change hands across 10 transactions.The foreign individuals were seen bearish in the main market this week which saw the banks and industrials sectors together constitute about 51% of the total trade volumes.The Islamic index was seen gaining faster than the main barometer in the main bourse this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.Market capitalisation added 1.1% to QR591.64bn on the back of large and midcap segments this week, which saw no trading of treasury bills.Trade turnover and volumes were on the rise in the main market, while in the venture market; both trade volumes and value were on the decline this week.The Total Return Index rose 0.79%, the All Share Index by 1% and the All Islamic Index by 0.86% this week.The realty index shot up 3.1%, insurance (2.39%), banks and financial services (1.32%), transport (0.9%), industrials (0.41%) and telecom (0.4%); while consumer goods and services declined 0.63% this week.Major gainers in the main bourse included Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, QLM, Mazaya Qatar, Gulf Warehousing, Barwa, QNB, Masraf Al Rayan, Lesha Bank, Alijarah Holding, Inma Holding, Salam International Investment, Mekdam Holding, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Aamal Company, Qamco, Ezdan and Milaha. In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares appreciate in value this week.Nevertheless, Woqod, Doha Bank, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, Qatari Investors Group and Estithmar Holding were among the shakers in the market. In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value this week.The foreign funds turned net buyers to the tune of QR31.72mn against net sellers of QR18.43mn the week ended August 22.The Arab individual investors’ net buying increased noticeably to QR9.13mn compared to QR0.55mn a week ago.The Gulf individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR0.09mn against net profit takers of QR3.19mn the previous week.However, the Gulf funds’ net selling strengthened substantially to QR29.01mn compared to QR4.25mn the week ended August 22.The local individual investors’ net profit booking grew marginally to QR25.12mn against QR24.5mn a week ago.The foreign retail investors turned net sellers to the tune of QR3.2mn compared with net buyers of QR1.39mn the previous week.The Arab institutions’ net profit booking rose marginally to QR0.09mn against QR0.05mn the week ended August 22.The domestic funds’ net buying weakened substantially to QR16.49mn compared to QR48.48mn a week ago.The main market witnessed 56% surge in trade volumes to 826.34mn shares, 53% in value to QR2.01bn and 32% in deals to 72,582 this week.In the venture market, trade volumes tanked 65% to 6.58mn equities, value by 61% to QR15.11mn and 6% in transactions to 674.