Doha: The "Global Real Estate: Supply and Demand" session, held on the second day of the Qatar Economic Forum 2025, highlighted key challenges and opportunities in the real estate sector from regulatory, investment, and tourism perspectives. Industry leaders, investors, and developers examined the future of real estate, particularly in the Middle East, with Qatar's model for future cities in focus, considering global economic shifts and changing consumer and investment patterns.
According to Qatar News Agency, speakers discussed Qatar's efforts to establish a transparent and sustainable real estate ecosystem through market regulation, investor protection mechanisms, and global promotion of projects. They emphasized that the Arab region, including Qatar, stands to benefit in the post-globalization era, particularly as tourism has become a key driver of real estate investment, with Qatar's advanced infrastructure positioning it as an emerging investment and tourism destination.
Chairman of the General Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat) Eng. Khalid Ahmed Al Obaidly provided a comprehensive overview of Qatar's evolving real estate market and the pivotal role the authority plays in enhancing transparency and market regulation. He explained that the authority was established by Amiri decree in 2023 and officially launched its strategy in December 2024. Al Obaidly outlined key regulatory initiatives, including the Licensing Committee, an essential tool for oversight, and the escrow account mechanism, ensuring investor funds are deposited under authority supervision, minimizing financial risks for developers. He also detailed global promotional strategies for Qatari real estate, citing the Smaisma Project as one of the most significant upcoming developments.
Regarding supply and demand dynamics, Al Obaidly noted that Qatar's infrastructure expansion, initially geared toward the FIFA World Cup 2022, continues to support demand growth. He highlighted a 13.1% population increase since 2020, with Qatar's population exceeding 3.2 million today, reinforcing strong market demand and mitigating the risk of oversupply. He stressed that demand isn't limited to residential properties, it extends to premium office spaces, private and public hospitals, sports facilities, and educational institutions. Al Obaidly concluded by emphasizing the importance of developers understanding local and regional market requirements, adding that Qatar complements Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain, making investment in Qatar a gateway to Gulf markets.
Global Chief Investment Officer at Hines David Steinbach shared a strategic analysis of the international real estate market, especially in light of recent economic challenges. He distinguished between public markets (stocks) and private markets (real estate), explaining that each undergoes different cycles. He said that private real estate markets have faced strong headwinds due to tighter monetary policies, starting in the US and spreading globally. However, he believes that the market is nearing the end of its correction phase, adding that promising investment opportunities are beginning to emerge worldwide. Regarding the Middle-East, Steinbach expressed optimism, predicting that the region will be among the winners in the post-globalization era, as new trade routes and economic shifts create new opportunities. He added that cities will remain key human gathering hubs despite technological advances like AI. People will still need social interaction, but its form will evolve, requiring real estate developer s to adapt to these transformations. Steinbach concluded that Qatar, with its advanced infrastructure and integrated urban planning, represents a model for future cities, offering high-quality modern living within a compact geography, making it attractive to investors and residents alike.
Founder and Chairman of Rixos Hotels Fettah Tamince provided an outlook on tourism and real estate investment in the Middle East, stressing that unlike many global regions, the Middle East is witnessing accelerated growth in tourism and real estate demand, thanks to its advanced infrastructure, ease of business operations, and visionary leadership. Tamince emphasized that the region is now a global investment hub, particularly for international investors seeking stability, diversity, and high returns. He said that Qatar and GCC nations are attracting millions of visitors through massive projects, world-class infrastructure, and advanced tourism services. He further highlighted that regional airline expansion, including Qatar Airways' fleet growth, reflects rising travel demand, reinforcing the sustainability of tourism investments in the long term. He underlined that tourism is fundamentally about human experiences, services and interactions that AI and automation cannot fully replace, ensuring long-term sect or viability. Tamince praised Qatar's infrastructure, describing Doha as the Switzerland of the region, due to its organization, safety, and quality of life. He underscored that Qatar's World Cup-related investments will yield significant long-term returns, revealing that his company is executing one of Qatar's largest real estate investments, the massive Sumaisma tourism project. Tamince concluded by expressing confidence in the future of tourism and investment across the Middle East, confirming that his company will continue expanding in the region due to its promising opportunities, stability, and investor-friendly environment.