Doha: HE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed, engaged in discussions with HE Harry Coker Jr, Secretary of Commerce for the US state of Maryland, as part of a business delegation visit to Doha. This meeting underscores Qatar's ongoing efforts to strengthen international trade relations.
According to Qatar News Agency, another significant diplomatic meeting took place as HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, met with HE Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to Qatar, Jean-Marie Francois Junior Guillaume, marking the conclusion of his tenure. This meeting highlights Qatar's diplomatic engagements and its commitment to fostering international relations.
HE Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, represented the nation at the High-level Pledging Event for the Central Emergency Response Fund 2026 held at the UN Headquarters. The event was attended by key figures, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasizing Qatar's commitment to global humanitarian efforts.
In the realm of international commerce, HE Chairman of Qatar Chamber, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, reaffirmed the robust historical relations between the Arab world and the United Kingdom, with a focus on commercial and economic collaborations.
The Qatar Railways Company reported a substantial increase in metro and tram usage during the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, with over 2.5 million passengers utilizing the services, reflecting the country's efficient public transport infrastructure during major events.
Furthermore, the Qatar Central Bank announced a notable increase in its international reserves and foreign currency liquidity by 2.65 percent, reaching QR 261.502 billion. This economic indicator signifies Qatar's strong financial standing and strategic monetary policies.
In a move to adjust its monetary policy, the Qatar Central Bank also declared a reduction in key lending, deposit, and repo rates by 25 basis points, indicating a strategic shift to accommodate current economic conditions.
Complementing these developments, the tenth Qatar-UK Festival 2025 commenced at the National Museum of Qatar, set to showcase cultural exchanges across various venues until December 12.
In cultural affairs, the Katara Cultural Village Foundation, in collaboration with ALECSO, hosted the second meeting of directors of Arab opera houses and theaters. This initiative is part of the Arab Opera Festival, aimed at promoting cultural heritage and artistic collaboration among Arab nations.