25/08/2026 04:54 AST
The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) closed the first half of 2026 with a 37% rise in firm registrations from the same period in 2025, underscoring the strength of its strategy and the appeal of Qatar's business environment to investors and entrepreneurs alike.
The QFC onboarded 1,135 firms during the period, bringing its total registered firms to over 4,700 as at the end of June. Growth was recorded across the QFC's key focus sectors, with 'Technology and Innovation' leading the way at 544 new firms, followed by 'Media and Entertainment' at 173, 'Consulting and Professional Services' at 166, 'Wealth' at 84, and 'Fintech' at 65. The strong uptake across these sectors reflects the breadth and growing relevance of the QFC platform to firms operating at the intersection of finance, innovation, and advisory services.
The QFC's H1 growth was boosted by its performance at Web Summit Qatar 2026, where it received approximately 2,300 business licensing applications, an increase of approximately 44% from the previous year.
The strong showing reflects the impact of the QFC's incentives and streamlined onboarding process to ease market entry, with waived registration and annual fees for the first three years combined with an integrated, one-stop-shop business setup model simplifying the registration journey.
The first half of the year also saw the QFC broaden the scope of Qatar's financial services sector, with the registration of Qatar's first-ever real estate investment trust collective investment fund. The launch of Salwa REIT will offer an economical and efficient way to own income-generating real estate assets in Qatar, marking a significant milestone in the depth of products available on the QFC platform.
Regionally, the QFC strengthened its regulatory cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) through reciprocal data protection adequacy recognition. The mutual recognition reflects the close regulatory cooperation among the three centres in establishing a robust data protection regime, streamlining cross-border operations for companies doing business across the region.
The first half of the year also marked a defining chapter for the organisation with Mansoor Rashid al-Khater taking over as chief executive officer in January, together with new appointments to the QFC's board of directors. The centre also relocated to its new headquarters in Lusail, positioning it at the heart of a smart, sustainable, and rapidly emerging district. The period also coincided with a celebration marking the QFC's 20 years of impact and the unveiling of a new brand identity carrying the renewed commitment to help firms 'Grow with Confidence'.
Al-Khater said, "Over the years, QFC has built a platform businesses trust to support their growth. As we look ahead, our focus is on deepening that trust, expanding our value proposition, and backing our firms' progress as QFC continues to evolve into a dynamic, future-ready hub for innovation and long-term partnerships."
Alongside these achievements, the QFC continued to build on its role as an active contributor to Qatar's economic development through sustained stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships.
The QFC hosted 12 events that drew about 1,500 participants combined. These events fostered meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange, and opportunities for networking and collaboration. It also took part in 15 local and international events, strengthening its visibility among global audiences and reinforcing its standing as a competitive destination for business and investment.
In addition, the QFC signed 10 memoranda of understanding with relevant entities in Qatar and other countries, broadening strategic partnerships to advance its focus sectors, facilitate cross-border investment, and support Qatar's broader economic development agenda.
Gulf Times
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