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Doha, October 12 (QNA) - Qatar inaugurated the third Qatar Real Estate Forum on Sunday, under the theme "Aqarat’s Future", at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.
HE Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah launched the event in the presence of high-level officials from Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, as well as a large gathering of regional and international developers and investors.
HE the Minister joined HE Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, in a key panel discussion titled "Real Estate Sector Roadmap Towards Vision 2030". The session explored Gulf-wide integration in real estate development, government incentives for foreign investment, digital transformation, smart cities, real estate financing, and sustainable growth.
HE Minister Al Attiyah highlighted the real estate sector as a cornerstone of Qatar National Vision 2030, contributing between 7–8% of the country's GDP with an annual growth rate of around 4%. He stressed the role of real estate development in diversifying the national economy and supporting sectors such as construction, finance, services, and innovation.
The Qatari minister revealed that the real estate market saw strong growth in 2025, with QAR 8.9 billion in transactions recorded in Q2 — a 29.8% year-on-year increase. Residential deals alone rose by 114%, reflecting market maturity and resilience.
He also emphasized the sector's digital transformation, with emerging technologies like smart contracts, blockchain, and fractional ownership making real estate more accessible and liquid. Innovations such as artificial intelligence and 3D virtual tours are enhancing transparency and simplifying processes.
HE Al Attiyah concluded by describing the real estate sector as one that may face setbacks, but never dies, noting that challenges such as high interest rates can be turned into opportunities through innovative financing tools.
HE Al-Hogail discussed the Kingdom's real estate transformation since 2016, which shifted the sector from direct government management to a model driven by public-private partnerships. He noted that housing finance grew from SAR 200 billion in 2019 to around SAR 900 billion today, supported by the National Housing Company and the Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company.
Al-Hogail also announced an upcoming cooperation agreement between the National Housing Company and Qatari Diar to enhance cross-border investment and expand Qatari companies’ presence in Saudi Arabia.
Looking ahead, both ministers discussed post-2030 real estate trends. Al-Hogail said demand for housing in Riyadh alone will exceed 750,000 units by 2030, particularly in light of major events like Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup. He also noted real estate expansion in Mecca and Medina to accommodate rising visitor numbers and emphasized the importance of regulatory stability in attracting global investors.
The forum concluded with the opening of Cityscape Qatar 2025, a major real estate exhibition showcasing the latest projects from Qatar and the region, with strong participation from both local and international developers.
Ahead of the panel, President of General Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat), Eng. Khalid bin Ahmed Al Obaidli, said the event reflects HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's vision to achieve sustainable development, improve quality of life, and diversify income sources.
Speaking at the forum's opening session, Al Obaidli noted that the establishment of the Authority under Amiri Decision No. (28) of 2023 aims to regulate and stimulate the real estate sector. He highlighted that the Authority launched its official strategy in December 2024 and, by mid-2025, had activated all sector-related regulations to align with Qatar's national goals.
He revealed that 19 real estate developers have been licensed by the Authority so far. In parallel, efforts are underway to introduce training programs to upskill Qatari professionals — including brokers, appraisers, and property managers — in collaboration with local and international academic institutions.
Al Obaidli pointed out that Qatar's real estate sector continued to perform strongly through the third quarter of 2025, recording a 54% increase in the number of property registration transactions and a 41% rise in total transaction value compared to the same period in 2024 — a performance he described as a milestone achievement that underscores the resilience of Qatar’s real estate market amid global economic challenges.
He also announced the launch of the Investor’s Journey initiative — a digital platform developed in cooperation with several ministries and national entities to streamline property ownership and residency procedures. Powered by artificial intelligence, the platform aims to enhance innovation and improve the delivery of real estate services.
Additionally, Al Obaidli unveiled the Qatar Real Estate Award, a new national platform designed to recognize excellence across the sector. Winners will be announced during the forum’s proceedings, aligning with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.
He further stated that the Authority is implementing a comprehensive plan to promote Qatar’s real estate investment climate internationally, positioning the country as a competitive global destination for real estate investment. He welcomed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as this year's Guest of Honour, underscoring the deepening Gulf cooperation and shared vision for a prosperous real estate future.
Al Obaidli also noted that the first meeting of GCC real estate regulatory authorities was held in Doha yesterday, at Qatar's invitation and alongside the forum. He emphasized the importance of such regional coordination in enhancing collaboration in this vital sector.
In conclusion, he stressed that the future of real estate lies in partnerships and regional integration, expressing hope that the forum’s sessions would yield practical ideas and outcomes to further drive real estate development in Qatar and the broader region. (QNA)
