Qatar is set to host the fourth edition of its Real Estate Forum from October 27 to 29 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), aiming to spotlight emerging trends and regulatory developments in the country’s real estate sector. The event, organised by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat) in partnership with Informa Tharawat and running alongside Cityscape Qatar, will convene government officials, developers, investors, policymakers, and senior industry figures to discuss key issues shaping the market’s future.
The forum’s agenda is structured around critical themes including real estate financing, investment returns, portfolio diversification, and the tokenisation of real estate assets—a digital process allowing property ownership to be divided into smaller, tradable units. This innovation, supported by a recently approved draft law regulating real estate tokenisation and trading, is seen as a potential catalyst for improving investment accessibility, enhancing liquidity, and streamlining transactions in Qatar’s property market.
Aqarat President Mohammed bin Hassan Al Malki emphasized the importance of the forum amid ongoing geopolitical shifts that influence market dynamics, highlighting the sector’s need for resilience and investor confidence. He pointed to the comprehensive regulatory reforms initiated since 2025, which include allowing GCC citizens to own residential properties in designated areas and refining rules on property acquisition and use. These reforms aim to create a more transparent and attractive investment environment, aligning with Qatar’s broader economic diversification goals under the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Qatar’s real estate sector has shown steady growth, with transaction values reaching QR10.69 billion (approximately $2.9 billion) in the first half of 2026—an increase of nearly 6% compared to the previous year. According to the Qatar Central Bank’s Financial Stability Review, the sector accounted for 6.1% of the nation’s GDP as of December 2025, while real estate credit represented 20% of total domestic credit extended to the private sector by banks. The rental market has also expanded, marked by a 30.6% rise in lease contracts and a 27.8% increase in their total value during 2025, further indicating heightened activity across residential and commercial segments.
This year’s forum program is organized around three themes: market overview and economic contribution; investment opportunities and values; and community liveability aspects such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and urban planning. The event will also provide a “one-stop shop” through a government booth where visitors can access regulatory guidance, explore investment projects, and apply for real estate residency permits.
Industry leaders view the forum as a strategic platform to foster collaboration between public and private sectors and to connect local developers with regional and international investors. Wouter Molman, Chief Commercial Officer at Informa Tharawat, noted the combination of Aqarat’s regulatory role and Cityscape’s international reach could help channel foreign direct investment into Qatar’s real estate market. Meanwhile, executives from Qatari Diar and Barwa Real Estate Group underscored the importance of partnerships, innovation, and an attractive investment climate to maintain the sector’s competitiveness amid global economic changes.
The Qatar Real Estate Forum 2026 reflects the ongoing transformation of the country’s property market, highlighting the increasing integration of technology, evolving investment models, and regulatory advancements that aim to enhance market transparency, stability, and growth potential in the region.