Qatar Business

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s industrial and logistics sectors showed mixed performance during the first quarter of 2026, with warehouse rents continuing to rise despite softer maritime activity and broader regional disruptions, according to ValuStrat. The report, citing the latest data from the National Planning Council (NPC), showed that Qatar’s Industrial Production Index (2018=100) reached 107.4 points year-to-date as of January 2026, representing a 6 percent increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2025. The Mining and Quarrying Index rose 1.4 percent year-on-year during the period, supported by continued activity in the energy sector, while the Manufacturing Index declined 1.7 percent over the same timeframe. Qatar’s trade balance surplus stood at QR13bn in February 2026, marking a 26.4 percent decline compared to the same month last year, reflecting softer external trade conditions amid fluctuating global demand and commodity markets. ValuStrat noted that maritime activity slowed during the quarter, with Qatar Maritime reporting 552 vessel calls across Hamad Port, Doha Port, and Ruwais Port in Q1 2026, down 25.7 percent compared to the previous quarter. Container handling activity also moderated, with an estimated 291,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) processed across the three ports during the first quarter. Despite softer logistics activity, warehouse rental rates continued to show resilience. The monthly median asking rent for ambient warehouses increased 3.6 percent quarter-on-quarter to QR36.9 per square metre, reflecting a 4.4 percent increase year-on-year. Read Also Outbound travel demand surge during Eid Al-Adha Joyful Eid celebrations kick off across Qatar World cup-bound Qatar face Ireland test in Dublin Within the Industrial Area, ambient warehouse rental rates rose 4.4 percent compared to Q4 2025, supported by steady occupier demand and limited supply adjustments. In contrast, cold storage facilities experienced softer leasing conditions. Median monthly rents for cold storage warehouses declined 8.2 percent quarterly to QR39.6 per square metre, while rates within the Industrial Area fell 10 percent compared to the previous quarter. Anum Hasan, Head of Research at ValuStrat, stated that Qatar’s industrial and logistics sectors demonstrated varying performance trends during the quarter. “Industrial and logistics segments presented mixed performance, with warehouse rents increasing quarterly and cold storage rates declining yearly. Maritime activity was impacted, with vessel calls recording a decline amid broader regional disruptions,” Hasan said. She noted that the broader market remained relatively stable despite softer operational activity and cautious leasing sentiment. According to ValuStrat, near-term sentiment across the industrial and logistics property market remains measured as businesses continue monitoring regional geopolitical developments, trade activity, and global economic conditions. However, the consultancy indicated that current market trends appear to reflect cyclical and seasonal factors rather than a structural downturn. “While near-term sentiment remains measured, current indicators suggest a cyclical and seasonal impact rather than a structural shift, with Q2 performance expected to provide greater clarity on the persistence of these trends,” Hasan said. Industry analysts remark that Qatar’s logistics and industrial sectors continue to benefit from long-term infrastructure investments, strategic port connectivity, and its role as a regional trade and energy hub. Experts stressed that the demand for warehousing facilities, particularly ambient storage space, remains supported by retail, e-commerce, food distribution, and industrial supply chain activity, even as businesses adopt a more cautious approach amid evolving regional and global market conditions.

Qatar Business

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s office and retail real estate sectors remained broadly stable during the first quarter of 2026 despite softer activity toward the end of Q1 amid regional uncertainty and seasonal factors, noted ValuStrat in its latest report. The data showed that approximately 23,300 square metres of gross leasable area (GLA) was added to Qatar’s commercial real estate inventory during the quarter, bringing the country’s total supply to 7.5 million square metres GLA. New additions included an 8,000 square metre mixed-use development in Fereej Al Soudan, while another 15,000 square metres was delivered across Birkat Al Awamer, Mesaieed Logistics Park, and Al Wakrah. ValuStrat noted that Grade-A office inventory remained unchanged during the quarter, with Doha municipality accounting for 57.9 percent of total supply and Lusail contributing the remaining 42.1 percent. The consultancy estimated that an additional 85,278 square metres GLA is expected to be delivered during the remainder of 2026. Qatar’s office market index remained stable at 96.9 points in Q1 2026 on both a quarterly and annual basis, compared with the baseline of 100 points established in Q1 2024. Grade-A office rents across the country also remained largely unchanged, averaging QR115 per square metre both quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year. However, rental performance varied across key business districts. The West Bay office cluster recorded a 3.2 percent annual decline in rents, while Lusail continued to show stronger momentum, registering a 4.5 percent increase in Grade-A office rents year-on-year. Commenting on market conditions, Anum Hasan, Head of Research, Qatar at ValuStrat, said the office sector remained stable with limited rental volatility despite broader economic and geopolitical challenges. “The office sector remained stable, with limited rental volatility. Retail performed strongly during the first two months of the quarter but softened towards quarter-end, particularly across open-air destinations, influenced by regional uncertainty and seasonal patterns,” Hasan said. She added that rents across the retail sector remained largely unchanged on a quarterly basis, although a marginal annual decline was recorded. The report also highlighted the resilience of Qatar’s Grade-A office segment, particularly as companies continue to prioritize high-quality office spaces with strong connectivity, sustainability features, and modern workplace amenities. Open-air retail destinations, however, experienced softer performance toward the end of the quarter, partly reflecting seasonal slowdowns during Ramadan and Eid, as well as cautious consumer sentiment linked to broader regional developments. Despite near-term challenges, analysts expect Qatar’s office and retail sectors to remain supported by ongoing government investment, business activity expansion, and rising demand for integrated commercial developments in key urban areas such as Lusail and West Bay. The anticipated addition of more than 85,000 square metres of new office supply during 2026 is also expected to provide businesses with greater leasing options while maintaining competitive rental conditions across the market.

Qatar Business

Doha, Qatar: HMK Capital, an investment firm licensed under the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and regulated by the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA), has successfully registered the Salwa REIT Fund, Qatar’s first-ever Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) collective investment fund, a significant milestone in broadening Qatar’s financial services sector. The launch of the Salwa REIT will offer investors an economic and efficient way to own income-generating real estate assets in Qatar. It is also a strategic advancement in Qatar’s ambition to build a world-class investment ecosystem, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third Qatar National Development Strategy (NDS3), to develop specialised economic clusters, strengthen the asset management industry, and deepen local capital markets. At a later stage, and subject to approvals from the respective authorities, the Salwa REIT will aim to list on the Qatar Stock Exchange, which will facilitate investors access to the Qatari Real Estate sector, support foreign direct investment inflow, enhance market liquidity, and contribute to financial sustainability and diversification efforts in the long term. Mansoor Rashid Al-Khater, CEO, QFC commented: “The launch of the Salwa REIT Fund by the homegrown asset manager HMK Capital marks an important step in the continued development of Qatar’s financial services sector and reflects the maturity and sophistication of the country’s investment ecosystem. As Qatar’s first REIT collective investment fund, it introduces a new investment structure that can support capital market depth, broaden access to real estate investment opportunities, and contribute to the long-term growth of the asset management industry. We congratulate all involved stakeholders and commend the regulatory authorities for demonstrating Qatar’s capabilities in structuring complex investment offerings while upholding global best practice standards of transparency and supervision.” Sheikh Hamad Mohammed Khalid Al Thani, Chairman & Founder of HMK Capital, said: “ HMK Capital is committed to working with capital markets participants to develop new products that offer diversification to Qatar’s key segments. REITs offer investors access to diversified and income-generating portfolios, with the aim to provide consistent dividend distributions, introduce new liquidity, and lead to a stronger and more resilient financial sector and real estate market.”