Msheireb Properties, in partnership with The Business Year magazine, hosted the Qatar Investment and Innovation Conference 2025: Investing in the Horizons of the Future. The conference, which was held at Barahat Msheireb in Msheireb Downtown Doha, brought together an elite group of leaders and decision-makers from the Arab Gulf countries to discuss regional economic growth, innovation and sustainable development.
The conference kicked off with an introductory workshop at HEC Paris in Qatar, focusing on sustainable innovation and the challenges of leadership in a rapidly evolving world. During the opening session, Dr. Hafez Ali Abdullah, Executive Director of Corporate Communications at Msheireb Properties, stressed the importance of promoting a proactive culture that seeks to confront challenges in institutions to drive sustainable innovation.
Achieving Qatar National Vision 2030
The main conference activities began with a welcome speech from Engineer Ali Al Kuwari, CEO of Msheireb Properties, who highlighted the importance of sustainable urban development and innovation in shaping the future of the region. Al Kuwari said: “Msheireb Downtown Doha represents a testament to the country’s leadership and its commitment to achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030. This conference embodies our commitment to enhancing regional cooperation and innovation, and providing a platform that brings together policy makers, thought leaders and innovators to collaborate in unlocking enormous potential for growth.”
Following Al Kuwari’s speech, Mr. Hamad Al Nasr, Director of the Trade Exchange Development and Investment Promotion Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, provided insights into economic diversification efforts and investment opportunities in Qatar. Then, Dr. Khalid bin Kleefikh Al-Hajri, Member of the Board of Directors of Qatar Chamber, emphasized the role of the private sector in driving innovation and sustainable development in the region.
During the discussion session on “The Future of Economic Zones – Innovation and Opportunity,” industry leaders highlighted the development of free zones in the GCC countries. His Excellency Mohammed Juma Al Musharrakh, CEO of the Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment Office, pointed out: “It is no longer just about real estate, but rather about the integrated ecosystem. “The entire region is witnessing remarkable prosperity.” This approach was confirmed by Mr. Badr Al-Mudhadi from the Qatar Free Zones Authority, stressing the compatibility of free zones with the region’s vision for economic diversification, digital transformation and sustainability.
The discussions highlighted the strategic advantages of the Gulf countries, with Ali Shehab, Global Director of Special Projects and Services at DNV, emphasizing the region’s unique location linking East and West. Hamed Ahli, CEO of Meydan Free Zone, shared impressive statistics about their operations, noting that “more than 95% of investors are FDI, with more than 180 nationalities represented.”
The role of technology in infrastructure
Choosing Barahat Msheireb as the conference location was very appropriate, as Msheireb Downtown Doha embodies many of the topics discussed during today’s sessions. The second discussion session addressed “The Role of Technology in Infrastructure and the Impact of Private Investment on Regional Connectivity in the Arabian Gulf,” with the participation of prominent experts including Sami Zaytoun, Partner in Charge at More Qatar, and Irene Vidal, CEO of FMM.
These discussions resonated strongly with Msheireb Downtown Doha’s position as the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project, which has become a vital hub for innovation and sustainable urban living. The region’s attraction of major institutions, including Media City-Qatar and the global headquarters of Qatar Airways, reflects its success in creating an ecosystem that supports the type of innovation and economic diversification highlighted during the conference.
The evolution of the innovation and investment landscape in Qatar
The two sessions were enriched with special sessions, including a speech on innovation presented by Aisha Al Madahka, Director of Research, Development and Innovation Programs at the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council, and the launch of a special report from Doha Bank, which provided attendees with comprehensive insights into the development of the innovation and investment scene in Qatar.
The conference concluded by emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation, as speakers highlighted how cooperation and knowledge exchange can enhance the region’s ability to attract major institutions and drive innovation.
Msheireb Real Estate is one of the companies affiliated with the Qatar Foundation system for education, science and community development, and the first company in Qatar specialized in sustainable real estate development. Thus, it contributes not only to achieving the strategic goals stipulated in the Qatar National Vision 2030, but also supporting the goals and objectives that the Qatar Foundation aspires to. .
Msheireb Properties seeks to change people’s outlook on life in the heart of cities, and improve the standard of living through innovative solutions that encourage social interaction, respect for culture and heritage, and consolidate care for the environment.
Msheireb Properties has completed its pioneering project, “Msheireb Downtown Doha”, which constitutes one of the smartest and most sustainable city areas, as it adopts new methods in the field of city planning that combine traditional methods with modern technology, in a way that takes into account environmental considerations and cultural identity. All buildings are either Gold or Platinum certified in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design system.
Msheireb Downtown Doha is an integrated city that combines modern, fully furnished residential units with mixed-use commercial facilities offering a wide range of retail, business, commercial services and cultural facilities. In the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha are located the Msheireb Museums, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the Al Wadi Hotel – MGallery by Accor Hotels, the Park Hyatt Hotel, the Msheireb Galleria, and Barahat Msheireb, which is the largest covered outdoor pedestrian plaza in the region.