Qatar Business

Qatar participated in the 11th meeting of Their Excellencies Deputies of Arab Finance Ministries, organised by the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) over two days in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. The event featured the participation of experts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the Organisationfor Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Qatar was represented at the meeting by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance H E Khalaf bin Ahmed Al Mannai, who headed the participating delegation.

Qatar Business

Doha: Nebras Energy (a Qatari public joint-stock company), through one of its subsidiaries, has been awarded two contracts to develop gas-fired combined-cycle power generation plants in the Sultanate of Oman. The projects include the Misfah Power Plant, with a total capacity of 1,700 megawatts, and the Duqm Power Plant, with a total capacity of 877 megawatts, both under 20-year agreements. In a statement issued yesterday, the company said that under the agreements signed with Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (Namaa), Nebras Energy acquired a 49 percent stake in the Misfah Power Plant project, in partnership with a consortium comprising United Water and Electricity Company (44 percent) and Bahwan Infrastructure Services Company (7 percent). Nebras Energy also acquired a 30 percent stake in the Duqm Power Plant project, in partnership with a consortium that includes United Water and Electricity Company (30 percent), Korean Western Power Company (35 percent), and Bahwan Infrastructure Services Company (5 percent). Construction works on both projects are scheduled to commence later this month. Initial commercial operation is expected to begin in April 2028, with full commercial operation anticipated in April 2029. Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nebras Energy, H E Engineer Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi said: “We are pleased to be an active contributor to the development of the electricity sector in the sisterly Sultanate of Oman, given the pivotal role this sector plays in advancing social and economic development.” He added: “We are fully confident that these two projects will significantly contribute to meeting Oman’s growing electricity demand, in addition to creating numerous employment opportunities for Omani professionals.” For his part, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nebras Energy, Engineer Mohammed bin Nasser Al Hajri said: “Winning these two projects represents a significant achievement for the company and an important expansion of its presence in the Omani energy market. This supports Nebras Energy’s strategy to strengthen its asset base through technological and geographic diversification by investing in projects with strong economic viability.”

Qatar Business

DOHA: Middle East CEOs remain among the most confident globally, with 88% expecting economic growth to strengthen in their own territories, and an even higher 93% across the GCC, compared with just 55% of CEOs globally according to PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey – Middle East findings, based on insights from more than 300 CEOs across the Middle East region. Despite geopolitical uncertainties and trade tensions, CEOs in the Middle East continue to deploy capital, scale artificial intelligence and expand selectively into new sectors, supported by a strong investment momentum and long-term national transformation agendas. Hani Ashkar, Territory Senior Partner, PwC Middle East, said: “These findings reflect the strong underlying confidence we are seeing across the Middle East. CEOs in the region are resilient and are ready to deploy capital for long-term growth. It is particularly encouraging to see the region rank highly in CEOs’ global investment plans. Supported by national transformation agendas and sustained investment in artificial intelligence, the Middle East is well positioned to compete, adapt and grow.” The GCC continues to consolidate its position as a global investment hub. The survey ranks Saudi Arabia and the UAE among the top 10 global investment destinations, reinforcing their role as anchor markets for international and intra-regional capital. Middle East businesses are also the most active globally when it comes to investing beyond their home markets, with 88% of CEOs planning to invest outside their domestic territories. Almost three quarters of these investments will stay within the Middle East, signalling deeper regional integration and growing confidence in local value creation. CEOs in the Middle East, and even more so in the GCC, report significantly higher application of AI than the global average. More than a third of Middle East and GCC leaders report integrating AI directly into their offerings, compared with fewer than one in five globally. Adoption is strongest in demand generation functions such as sales, marketing, and customer service, where 39% of Middle East CEOs and 43% of GCC CEOs report extensive AI use. Uptake is also strong across support services, with nearly 40% of Middle East CEOs deploying AI - well above global averages. M&A demand remains strong, with 72% of Middle East CEOs planning a major acquisition over the next three years. Deal activity reflects a growing emphasis on capability-building, as CEOs look to strengthen skills, talent and data to support long-term growth. In parallel, sector expansion is gathering pace, with 60% of regional CEOs already competing in new sectors. Geopolitical conflict remains the region’s most significant concern, directly shaping boardroom decision-making. Understandably, near-term caution is weighing on CEO sentiment across the Middle East. But despite heightened geopolitical, cyber and climate risks, CEOs are choosing to invest through uncertainty rather than wait for stability, with 60% saying they can lead effectively through disruption and 42% indicating can create new business opportunities that arise from such disruptions. Mona Abou Hana, Chief Corporate and Network Officer, PwC Middle East, said: “Middle East CEOs are not deterred by global risk, they are planning through it. What stands out is the discipline behind their confidence. Leaders across the region are investing with intention in AI, cybersecurity and new capabilities because they understand that resilience today is built through action. In a more uncertain global environment, the Middle East is emerging as a magnet for capital and long-term growth.”