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Qatar Tribune
09-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar hosts over 80 major events a year: Official
QNA Doha Executive Director to the Permanent Committee for Organising Conferences (PCOC) Mubarak Ajlan Mubarak Al Kuwari has said that over 80 major international events now take place in Qatar every year, across diplomacy, technology, sports, trade and culture. Al Kuwari noted that many are strategically coordinated by the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences (PCOC), aligning global conversations with Qatar's national vision. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), he said that these events have made Qatar a venue for dialogue and innovative solutions, adding that when people think of Qatar today, they no longer picture just a small desert nation in the Gulf, but see a connectivity hub that brings the world together and a trusted international partner. He noted that the Doha Forum and Qatar Economic Forum brought together more than 8,500 people from over 160 countries. Almost half of them came from abroad to exchange ideas on everything from global development to humanitarian crises. He added that Web Summit Qatar 2025 saw more than 25,000 participants, 1,520 startups, and hundreds of investors and companies gathered in Doha, transforming the capital into a livewire of innovation and tech energy. Al Kuwari highlighted Qatar's role as a trusted international partner. From high-level GCC summits to interfaith dialogues and ministerial meetings, Qatar continues to be the place where the region, and increasingly the world, comes to talk, listen, and collaborate. 'In less than a decade, Qatar has evolved into a thriving international hub, and at the heart of this transformation lies a powerful force: events. From cultural festivals to global summits, Qatar's deliberate investment in hosting meaningful, world-class gatherings is reshaping its place on the map, and in the minds of millions,' he said. He added that the past year alone saw over five million international visitors arrive in Qatar, marking a 25 percent jump from 2023. Nearly 10 million hotel room nights were sold, a record that speaks to the country's growing magnetism. And 2025 is already off to a strong start, with 1.5 million international visitors in just the first quarter, with average hotel occupancy hitting 71 percent. He noted that visitors were arriving from across the Gulf, Europe, Asia and beyond, drawn by the country's relentless rhythm of events. Al Kuwari said that none of this would be possible without the deep foundation Qatar has built over the years, starting with Hamad International Airport, repeatedly named one of the world's best, connects Doha to more than 170 cities. Inside the country, the sleek Doha Metro and network of highways make it easy for visitors to get where they need to go, whether it's a business summit at a state-of-the-art convention center or a cultural gathering in Katara. He described all the factors feeding into Qatar's hosting of the events were a winning formula. Al Kuwari pointed to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), 51 percent of international visitors in 2025 came by air, 34 percent by land, and 15 percent by sea, a testament to the country's multi-access strategy. He noted that Qatar has built not just connections, but confidence: this year, Doha was ranked the second safest city in the world, giving both event organisers and tourists peace of mind. Al Kuwarisaid that none of this momentum came out of nowhere, as the State of Qatar proved its hosting credentials on the world's biggest stage during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and that legacy continues to ripple outward. The numbers tell a compelling story: Qatar's events industry is expected to grow by over 11 percent annually, reaching nearly $4.65 billion by 2032.
Qatar Tribune
09-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
‘Qatar hosts over 80 major events a year'
QNA Doha Executive Director to the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences (PCOC) HE Mubarak Ajlan Mubarak Al Kuwari has said that over 80 major international events take place in the State of Qatar every year, across diplomacy, technology, sports, trade and said many are strategically coordinated by the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences (PCOC), aligning global conversations with Qatar's national vision. Al Kuwari said these events have made the State of Qatar a venue for dialogue and innovative solutions, adding that when people think of Qatar today, they no longer picture just a small desert nation in the Gulf, but see a connectivity hub that brings the world together and a trusted international partner. He noted that the Doha Forum and Qatar Economic Forum brought together more than 8,500 people from over 160 countries. Almost half of them came from abroad to exchange ideas on everything from global development to humanitarian crises. He added that Web Summit Qatar 2025 saw more than 25,000 participants, 1,520 startups, and hundreds of investors and companies gathered in Doha, transforming the capital into a livewire of innovation and tech 16
Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Elon Musk, Tesla have much bigger problems than the White House
With much of his public comments these days focusing on politics, it's sometimes easy to forget that Elon Musk is the CEO of a major car company. While Tesla may have taken a back seat in Musk's social media feed, the fact that the company's shares account for the majority of his $351 billion fortune means its problems have to be at least near the top of his to-do pile. Related: Tesla has late start in a crucial race for its future Musk was seemingly able to ignore those problems, even as they piled up, while he was head of the Department of Government Efficiency. When he exited that position a month ago, it seemed that although Tesla was having issues, the future was bright, since Musk still had a direct line to President Donald Trump. Plus, Musk said that without the DOGE distraction, he was recommitting himself to Tesla full time. However, in the ensuing weeks since his exit from the White House, Musk has grown distant from his former boss, attacking his top legislative agenda and associating the president with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The feud hit a fever pitch this week, with the president suggesting he could cut all of Musk's government subsidies and even saying (perhaps jokingly, perhaps not) he could deport him. But once again, Musk has bigger issues at Tesla that came to a head July 2. Image source:Tesla had a rough start to the year as Musk's political outspokenness has turned off many potential buyers. After record sales in Q4 2024, the company has now reported two straight quarters of falling sales. Tesla reported a 13.5% decline in second quarter global sales Tuesday to 384,122 units, missing analyst estimates by about 3,000 units. After using steep discounts to push sales last year, Tesla has relied on refreshed versions of its popular Model Y SUV and low-cost financing to entice customers in 2025. More Tesla news Tesla fans flock to social media to celebrate robotaxi launchTesla has late start in a crucial race for its futureElon Musk and Donald Trump's war of words forces allies to pick a side "It's already turned around," Musk responded curtly during the Qatar Economic Forum in May when asked about turning around Tesla's declining sales. "Europe is our weakest market, but we're strong everywhere else. Our sales are doing well now, and we don't anticipate any shortfall." Musk did not provide evidence that the sales picture had improved at the time, and this week's results suggest that sales haven't improved. However, he did point to his company's stock performance as a way to show that the ship had been righted. Related: 10,000 people join crazy Tesla class action lawsuit Tesla shares were rising 4.4% at last check in morning trading on July 2, seemingly once again shaking off the disappointing news. Despite this rally, the stock is still down more than 17% year to date. Tesla was riding high last year after Musk revealed his allegiance to Trump and the pair cruised into the West Wing hand in hand. But the all-time record quarterly deliveries the company reported in the fourth quarter haven't carried over to 2025. The company reported a 9% decline in first-quarter revenue to $19.3 billion, missing analyst estimates by $2 billion. Earnings of 27 cents per share fell short of Wall Street expectations by 34%. Europe, while only a small percentage of sales, was a challenging region in the quarter, as sales in Germany reportedly fell 62% and numbers in Norway, the UK and France weren't much better. Auto revenue for the company fell 20% yearly to $13.9 billion. To Elon's earlier point, however, Tesla investors bid up the stock 40% in the weeks after the release. Tesla believers still believe. But after a few more quarters like this, they will have to start asking some tough questions. Related: Tesla execs question Elon Musk over controversial X post The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Tahawul Tech
16-06-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
MWC25 Doha focuses on advancing next-gen digital societies
The GSMA and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Qatar are working together to deliver the highly anticipated inaugural Doha edition of the world-renowned MWC series. MWC25 Doha will take place 25-26 November 2025 at the prestigious Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC). MWC25 Doha will bring together industry leaders, policymakers and innovators from around the world, with a focus on advancing the next generation of digital societies in the Middle East and globally. It is the combination of exhibition, thought leadership, startups and policymakers that makes MWC unique and impactful – where business gets done. The announcement to host MWC in Doha comes as Qatar develops its position as a global digital hub. His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, affirmed during his opening speech at Qatar Economic Forum 2025 that hosting MWC25 will help strengthen Qatar's role in digital collaboration, connect emerging technology ecosystems and promote the exchange of innovative technical solutions among various international stakeholders. His Excellency also emphasised the strategic importance of hosting MWC in Doha over the next five years. MWC25 Doha provides a platform for partnerships and progress and will help advance digital transformation across the Middle East, and power Qatar and the region's growing influence in global tech innovation. The inaugural edition's conference tracks and keynotes will provide an inspirational thought leadership programme and will feature conference tracks, summits and keynotes aligned with three core themes: AI Nexus, Intelligent Economies, and Connected Industries. High level summits will address key topics including AI, data infrastructure, 5G, cybersecurity, fintech, smart mobility, and IoT, providing a platform for global thought leaders to shape the future of technology. H.E. Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Qatar: 'MWC25 Doha is a strategic milestone in achieving the goals of Qatar's Digital Agenda 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030. This prominent event reflects Qatar's commitment to positioning itself as a regional hub for digital innovation, investing in technology, and developing a future-ready digital infrastructure. MWC25 Doha will also serve as a catalyst for international collaboration, bringing together global leaders, innovators, and policymakers to accelerate the pace of digital transformation and build a diverse, knowledge-based economy in Qatar'. GSMA's Director General, Vivek Badrinath: 'As our Host City for MWC in the Middle East, Doha exemplifies the region's growing leadership in advancing the next generation of digital societies. Qatar's proactive stance on innovation, from 5G expansion and Smart Cities to AI-powered data centres and sustainable investments, makes it an ideal location for MWC25 and an unmissable experience for stakeholders and businesses in the region'. For information and updates, visit MW25 Doha website. Image Credit: MW25 Doha
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla sales slump across Europe amid backlash against Musk
Sales of new Tesla electric cars are sliding across Europe, data suggests, amid a political backlash against its billionaire chief executive, Elon Musk. The figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) showed registrations for new Teslas halved in April compared to the same month a year earlier, despite a broader rise in battery electric vehicles overall. The electric carmaker faces widespread backlash against Musk's political ties to Donald Trump, and vocal support for the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party. Russ Mould, of the investment broker AJ Bell, said the drop in registrations 'suggests the brand damage caused by Elon Musk's political interventions may be lasting. 'The company may also be suffering from its lack of tyre print in the hybrid market with many motorists still wary of going fully electric,' he said. According to the latest snapshot, the ACEA said Tesla registrations fell from 14,228 in April 2024 to 7,261 last month, a decline of 49%, in the EU, the UK, and the broader European Free Trade Association bloc – which consists of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. However, overall battery electric car sales rose by 27.8% in April, compared with a 22.4% drop in petrol cars and a 24.7% drop in diesel cars. Sales of plug-in hybrid cars rose by 31.3%. Total car registrations rose most for the Chinese state-owned manufacturer SAIC, owner of the British brand MG, and the Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi. This year sales at Tesla have fallen in some of its biggest markets and there have been political protests at some of its showrooms. In the UK, the company registered just 512 new vehicles in April, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, down 62% from a year earlier. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum last week, Musk told Bloomberg that while Europe was Tesla's weakest market, it was 'strong everywhere else', and although it had 'lost some sales paths on the [political] left', it had 'gained them on the right'. Tesla reported a 13% drop in vehicle sales in the first three months of this year, which made it the worst quarter since 2022. However, shares in Tesla have rallied by about 25% in the past month, after reports that Musk will be reducing his time spent advising the Trump administration. Tesla shares are still down 6% in the year to date. There had been hopes of a revival in demand after the company launched its updated Model Y car in China and in Europe, although weak sales figures suggest that reception of the redesign has been lukewarm. While politics have affected Tesla sales in Europe, analysts at the investment bank UBS have also suggested that in China, Tesla is losing to local electric vehicle brands. Last year the Chinese brand BYD reported global sales of more than $100bn (£83bn) last year, overtaking Tesla as the world's biggest electric car company by revenue. Tesla was approached for comment. Sign in to access your portfolio
