Qatar Business

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index ended the week’s trading up by 0.66 percent, raising its balance by 66.85 points to reach 10,227 points, supported by the positive performance of five sectors, particularly the industrial sector, which recorded an increase of 1.62 percent. In this context, financial analyst Tamer Hassan told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the QSE’s general index concluded its trading higher, maintaining a level above 10,000 points, and its performance remained consistent with the fluctuations of the geopolitical situation in the region. He pointed out that the market is based on solid foundations of the national economy and macroeconomic indicators, but anticipation and caution due to regional conditions and uncertainty surround local and foreign investors and portfolios. The weekly QSE report showed positive performance for the industrial sector at 1.62 percent, the banking and financial services sector at 0.91 percent, the telecommunications sector at 0.89 percent, the real estate sector at 0.30 percent, and the transportation sector at 0.11 percent, while the consumer goods and services sector declined by 1.58 percent, and the insurance sector by 0.09 percent. The financial analyst pointed out that the tensions in the region, despite their impact on the markets, provide speculative opportunities on some stocks, especially for the category of investors who are good at reading the market and dealing with data realistically, as they can seize opportunities and benefit from price fluctuations. He added that investors are awaiting the results data of QSE listed companies during the first quarter of 2026, noting that there are positive expectations for some sectors such as banks, financial services, insurance, services, and consumer goods. Companies are expected to begin announcing their first-quarter financial results next week, with QNB Group announcing its intention to disclose financial data ending March 31, 2026, on April 8. Net profits for QSE listed companies rose by 3.11 percent last year to reach QR53.3bn by the end of 2025, compared to QR51.7bn in 2024. According to QSE data, companies listed on the main market disclosed their annual financial results for the year ending December 31, 2025, with the exception of Al Faleh Educational Holding Company and the Qatari German Company for Medical Devices, as Al Faleh Holding’s fiscal year ends on August 31 of each year, while the date for disclosing the financial data of the Qatari German Company for Medical Devices was postponed to April 15, 2026.

Qatar Business

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in cooperation with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), held a coordination meeting yesterday bringing together major suppliers in Qatar and a number of relevant local companies to enhance the resilience and sustainability of supply chains at the Ministry’s headquarters in Lusail City. Attendees included H E Saleh Majed Al Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs and Business Development at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Dr. Hamad Salem Mejegheer, Executive Director of SME Development at QDB, alongside representatives from suppliers and companies. This engagement comes as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination and exchange perspectives among key stakeholders, with the aim of reinforcing supply chain readiness and continuity amid current regional developments. It also supports priority sectors, particularly food security and the needs of the local market. During the meeting, key initiatives were highlighted to ensure market stability and the smooth flow of goods, along with policies designed to empower local suppliers and enhance their production and operational capabilities. These efforts contribute to diversifying supply sources and improving supply chain efficiency, while reaffirming the private sector’s role as a key partner in strengthening resilience and supporting economic development. The meeting featured bilateral discussions between suppliers and local companies, exploring opportunities for collaboration and the conclusion of supply agreements for a range of essential goods. Participants reviewed supply chain options, discussed alternative solutions, and exchanged information on available reserves that could be utilised by companies. The session concluded with a reaffirmation of continued coordination and joint efforts to support private sector companies. Emphasis was placed on maintaining operational continuity across vital sectors with high efficiency, ensuring market stability and aligning with the country’s economic development objectives.

Qatar Business

Doha, Qatar: Surging global oil and gas prices are creating a new set of economic challenges for countries worldwide. The most prominent of these challenges is the fight against stagflation, with major fears of stagflation, central banks are now facing a dilemma over raising interest rates to control inflation or lowering them to boost growth. Energy commodities like oil and gas are essential in the production of most goods. Therefore, price hikes drive up production, transportation, and fuel costs, exacerbating inflation and negatively impacting global growth. If high prices persist, international economic reports warn of a looming imminent risk of stagflation over the global economy. Given the current situation in the Arabian Gulf region, East Asian countries are the most affected, particularly China, India, and Japan. According to economic reports, these countries account for approximately 80 percent of the oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which in turn represents nearly half of East Asian countries’ oil imports. A recent Oxford Economics study notes that if oil averages $140 per barrel for two months amid tighter financial market conditions and worsening supply chain disruptions, parts of the global economy could enter mild recession, with inflation peaking at 5.8%. Brent crude has risen roughly 59% since March, surpassing 1990 gains, amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies pass, heightened concerns. In this context, First Vice Chairman of the Qatar Chamber Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari highlighted to QNA three main effects of rising energy prices: renewed inflation pressures, slower global growth, and supply chain disruptions increasing shipping and insurance costs. The first is the resurgence of the inflation challenge. “While the global economy entered this year with a steady, but not particularly strong, growth, with global inflation projected at 3.8% according to the International Monetary Fund, rapid energy price surges directly impact other economic sectors such as transportation, electricity, manufacturing, and agriculture, and ultimately consumer prices. This places central banks in a difficult position: either tighten monetary policy or tolerate higher inflation for a longer period,” First Vice Chairman of the Qatar Chamber said. The second effect is the slowdown of global growth. Every dollar added to the price of oil effectively acts as a tax on energy-importing countries, reducing household liquidity, raising production costs for companies, squeezing profit margins, and delaying investment. The third effect, according to the First Vice Chairman of the Qatar Chamber, is supply chain congestion and rising costs of trade, insurance, and shipping. He pointed out that the challenge lies in the cost of delivering energy, petrochemicals, and intermediate fuels to factories, ports, and airlines, prompting governments to take emergency measures. In this case, Australia has temporarily reduced fuel taxes, and South Korea expanded tax exemptions on fuel, implemented an emergency bond purchase, and increased the operation of nuclear and coal-fired power plants to mitigate the shock, he said. For his part, former banker Abdulla Al Raisi said in a statement to QNA that the sudden and rapid increase in any key commodity, such as oil and gas, in global markets typically leads to economic repercussions affecting most countries worldwide. He emphasized that the rise in oil and gas prices has brought the challenge of inflation back to the forefront, stating, “Inflation will affect all economies worldwide, but to varying degrees, given that many countries have domestic financial programs in place to mitigate such conditions for a year or two.” He noted that the countries most affected by this surge are facing stagflation.