Qatar attracted 373 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in 2025, marking an increase of more than 50 percent compared to the previous year, and generating over 15,000 jobs, officials announced at the opening of the ninth World Investment Forum 2026 in Doha on Sunday. The event, held under the patronage of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, brought together approximately 7,000 participants from around the world to discuss opportunities for investment and sustainable development.
Hosted by Qatar in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the forum runs through October 27 under the theme “Investing in the Future.” Senior officials attending the opening included HE Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry; Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD; and HE Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs.
In his remarks, Dr. Al Sayed emphasized Qatar’s long-term commitment to investing in its people, infrastructure, institutions, technology, and innovation. He highlighted the country’s efforts to expand international partnerships based on trust and mutual benefit, stating that trade and investment remain key drivers of economic growth and diversification. Qatar’s National Foreign Trade Strategy aims to enhance import security and resilience, open new export markets, diversify economic partnerships, and deepen integration with global markets. The strategy also supports investment promotion, digital trade development, and the strengthening of sustainable supply chains.
Dr. Al Sayed pointed to the rise in FDI projects as evidence of growing investor confidence in Qatar’s economy. He outlined a $1 billion investment incentives program targeting priority sectors such as advanced manufacturing, logistics, technology and digital services, and financial services. Additionally, Qatar plans to undertake about $38.5 billion in new infrastructure projects over the next five years and anticipates $22.5 billion in private sector investments in real estate and hospitality.
Qatar seeks to position Doha not only as an investment destination but also as an international investor and partner, aiming to create long-term value through knowledge transfer, capacity building, and job creation. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is actively participating as an official partner in the forum, supporting efforts to attract high-quality investment and foster partnerships with businesses and international organizations.
The forum takes place amid global concerns over uneven distribution of investment. UNCTAD’s latest data shows international investment values increased during the first half of 2026, driven by strategic sector deals. However, the number of new projects and cross-border transactions continues to decline worldwide. Investment in critical development sectors, including infrastructure, energy, health, and food systems, dropped by more than 25 percent in developing countries in 2025. Moreover, over 80 percent of global FDI was concentrated in just 20 economies.
Challenges including geopolitical tensions, energy price volatility, and supply chain disruptions continue to weigh on global investment prospects. The World Investment Forum aims to address these issues by bringing together policymakers and capital providers to promote cooperation and channel investment into productive, sustainable ventures. The program includes 108 sessions and high-level dialogues with 406 speakers covering topics such as artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, sustainable finance, climate, tourism, and special economic zones. For the first time, AI is featured as a dedicated track, underscoring its growing significance as a strategic investment area.
Other discussions focus on investment opportunities in space, cultural industries, and the role of investment in peacebuilding and recovery in conflict-affected regions. The forum also includes ministerial meetings on investment and entrepreneurship, recognition through Investment Promotion and Women in Business Awards, and regional investment reports on the Caribbean, Eurasian Economic Union, and Gulf Cooperation Council.
Qatar previously hosted the World Investment Forum in 2012 when it served as the venue for the third edition, coinciding with the 13th session of UNCTAD—the first time the conference was held in an Arab country.