Qatar’s Annual Inflation Increases

The price index rose in Qatar by annual measure until last March. (QNA)
The price index rose in Qatar by annual measure until last March. (QNA)
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Qatar’s Annual Inflation Increases

The price index rose in Qatar by annual measure until last March. (QNA)
The price index rose in Qatar by annual measure until last March. (QNA)

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Qatar registered a 4.01% annual increase in March, compared to the CPI of March 2022, reaching 105.55 points.

On monthly basis, the CPI showed an increase of 0.20% when compared to the CPI of February 2023.

The increase has been recorded in the general index primarily due to the prices rising in eight groups namely: Recreation and Culture by 13.63%, followed by Housing, Water, Electricity and other Fuel by 8.65%, Clothing and Footwear by 4.90%, Education by 2.61%, Transport by 2.50%, Restaurants and Hotels by 2.25%, Health by 1.62%, and Food and Beverages by 1.06%.

A decrease has been shown in price levels in Miscellaneous Goods and Services by 0.34%, Communication by 4.84%, and Furniture and Household Equipment by 0.30%.

No changes were recorded on Tobacco.

When comparing the main components of CPI of March 2023, with the previous month (Monthly change), the groups that showed an increase included: Clothing and Footwear by 1.56%, followed by Recreation and Culture by 1.44%, Housing, Water, Electricity and other Fuel by 1.09%, Miscellaneous Goods and Services by 0.75%, and Transport by 0.53%.

A decrease has been recorded in Restaurants and Hotels by 1.90%, followed by Education by 1.58%, Food and Beverages by 1.08%, and Furniture and Household Equipment by 0.22%. Tobacco, Health, and Communication had remained flat at the last month's price level.

The CPI of March 2023 excluding Housing, Water, Electricity, and other Fuel group stands at 107.42 points, recording a decrease (almost stable) by 0.02% when compared to the index of February 2023. Compared with its counterpart in 2022, the CPI of the March index increased by 2.93%.



Saudi Arabia Issues 438 Industrial Licenses Worth $1.28 Billion in July

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Issues 438 Industrial Licenses Worth $1.28 Billion in July

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources issued 438 new industrial licenses in July 2026, representing investments of approximately SAR 4.82 billion ($1.28 billion), while 189 factories began actual production during the same month, with investments totaling SAR 1.95 billion ($520 million), according to data from the ministry's National Industrial and Mining Information Center.

Ministry spokesperson Jarrah Al-Jarrah said the new industrial licenses are expected to create more than 3,708 jobs across various regions of the Kingdom.

He added that the factories that began production in July created 2,807 new jobs, reflecting the continued expansion of Saudi Arabia's industrial base and the growing number of factories entering operation.

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources publishes monthly industrial activity indicators through the National Industrial and Mining Information Center to track new licenses, investment volumes and factories beginning production, as well as developments in the Kingdom's industrial sector.


GCC Chief Emphasizes Gulf Integration, Diversified Partnerships at IMF MENAP Meeting

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi - SPA
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi - SPA
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GCC Chief Emphasizes Gulf Integration, Diversified Partnerships at IMF MENAP Meeting

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi - SPA
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi - SPA

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi underscored that GCC economies have demonstrated strong resilience against global economic shocks and geopolitical shifts, supported by solid fundamentals, substantial financial reserves, robust banking sectors, and prudent fiscal management.

Albudaiwi delivered his remarks during a meeting of the finance ministers and central bank governors of the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP) region with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, held on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, SPA reported.

Albudaiwi pointed out that recent geopolitical developments have impacted global energy production, maritime shipping, and trade flows, demonstrating the close link between Gulf stability and broader global economic security. He noted that disruptions along key energy corridors and trade routes inevitably reverberate across international markets.

Albudaiwi affirmed that the GCC economies possess the capacity to sustain recovery and growth through 2027 and beyond, propelled by strategic investments and non-oil diversification. He emphasized the necessity of balancing short-term economic responses with long-term fiscal sustainability, maintaining adequate buffers to mitigate future market volatility.

Highlighting future growth sectors, the secretary-general cited advanced industries, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and human capital development, alongside empowering the private sector to expand its role in global value chains.

Concluding his address, Albudaiwi stressed that long-term resilience requires advancing Gulf economic integration, upgrading logistical corridors, and diversifying international partnerships to transform ongoing global challenges into sustainable economic opportunities.


Turkish Cenbank Says to Maintain Tight Monetary Stance Till Price Stability

Turkish Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan speaks during a press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, February 7, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
Turkish Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan speaks during a press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, February 7, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
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Turkish Cenbank Says to Maintain Tight Monetary Stance Till Price Stability

Turkish Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan speaks during a press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, February 7, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
Turkish Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan speaks during a press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, February 7, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya

Turkish Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan on Wednesday said the bank would maintain its tight monetary policy until price stability is achieved.

According to Reuters, He was speaking about Türkiye's monetary policy and macroeconomic outlook during a visit to Bangkok for a meeting of the World Bank.

Here are some details from the governor's presentation:

* Underlying inflation ⁠is moderating despite ⁠elevated energy prices
* Soft demand dampens inflationary impulses from supply shocks
* Proactive measures limit the possible contagion from trade-restricted funds
* Turkish lira preference remains strong under tight monetary policy
* The ⁠tight monetary policy stance, which will be maintained until price stability is achieved, will strengthen the disinflation process through demand, exchange rate, and expectation channels
* The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will determine the policy rate by taking into account realized and expected inflation and its underlying trend in a way to ensure ⁠the tightness ⁠required by the projected disinflation path in line with the interim targets
* Monetary policy decisions are made prudently on a meeting-by-meeting basis with a focus on the inflation outlook
* Monetary policy stance will be tightened in case of a significant deviation in inflation outlook from the interim targets