Details of the launch of the third Qatar Real Estate Forum

The third Qatar Real Estate Forum kicked off yesterday, Sunday, under the theme "Future Real Estate," aiming to keep pace with the latest global trends in areas such as sustainability, real estate technology, and smart city development.

In this context, the Chairman of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Real Estate) of Qatar, Engineer Khalid Al Obaidli, stated at the opening of the three-day conference at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center that, based on the wise vision of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, aimed at achieving sustainable development, improving the quality of life, and diversifying sources of income, Emiri Decree No. 28 of 2023 was issued to establish the Real Estate Regulatory Authority with the aim of regulating and stimulating the sector in the country.

Engineer Khaled Al Obaidly added that the Authority launched its strategy in December 2024, and during the first half of 2025, all regulatory laws were activated to support the achievement of the state's objectives. He expressed his happiness with the announcement of the licensing of 19 real estate developers and the introduction of training programs to raise the efficiency of Qatari cadres and real estate practitioners, including brokers, appraisers, and property managers, in cooperation with local and international institutes and universities.

The global economy is facing accelerating challenges, but the real estate sector continues to demonstrate exceptional resilience, maintaining its position as one of the most stable assets. He explained that the Qatari real estate sector maintained its strong performance through the end of the third quarter of this year, achieving a 54 percent increase in real estate sales registration transactions over last year and a 41 percent increase in the total value of real estate sales transactions, a record achievement.

Al Obaidli explained that the Authority launched the "Real Estate Investor Journey" to enhance the investor experience in cooperation with ministries and national institutions, indicating that anyone can obtain a title deed and real estate residency through a single, easy, and fast digital platform supported by artificial intelligence technologies. This confirms the Authority's pioneering role in developing services and promoting innovation in the real estate sector.

The Chairman of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority expressed his pleasure at hosting Saudi Arabia as the guest of honor, emphasizing the depth of Gulf ties and the integration of visions toward a prosperous real estate future. He also expressed his pleasure at organizing the first meeting of heads of Gulf real estate agencies in Doha.

In this regard, Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Chairman of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority, stated that without real estate development, no society can grow. He explained that real estate development plays a pivotal role in contributing to the country's economic growth and attracting foreign and local investment.

Abdullah Al-Attiyah added that legislative reforms related to real estate have contributed to the maturation of the Qatari real estate market, as demonstrated by the recovery in real estate transactions. In the second quarter of 2025, the value of real estate transactions reached QAR 8.9 billion (approximately $2.4 billion), an increase of 29.8 percent compared to last year.

The Qatari Minister of Municipality explained that major real estate projects contribute to strengthening Qatar's and the Gulf states' position in the real estate development market, indicating that the Gulf states have the appropriate infrastructure and are competitive with major global nations. Al-Attiyah highlighted the importance of digital transformation in developing the real estate sector, explaining that work is underway on smart contracts, secure transaction recording, and property subdivision.

On the other hand, Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Real Estate, Majid Al-Qaheel, stated that the Gulf region is witnessing a shift in attracting not only capital but also minds, job opportunities, and renewable economies. He explained that the new generation needs a different approach to real estate development, especially with changing lifestyles.

He also emphasized the importance of private sector participation in development, stating that a good real estate developer needs empowerment. He explained that empowerment is an extension of a chain that helps developers and investors conduct their businesses freely, fairly, transparently, and innovatively, especially since the leaders of the Gulf states support our countries being pioneers in the real estate sector.

Majed Al-Hogail pointed out the Kingdom's commitment to national competencies in leading development before opening the market to foreign developers. He also highlighted the importance of real estate financing, noting that the financing market is crucial to the success of real estate development, especially since real estate financing has become the cornerstone of success and sustainability. He explained that 19 urban identities have been formulated in Saudi Arabia, which will serve as the basis for every architectural designer's design, in order to highlight the cultural diversity of various Saudi cities and to express and reflect their urban identity.

During the opening ceremony, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Qatari Real Estate Regulatory Authority and the Saudi Real Estate General Authority. The memorandum was signed on the Saudi side by the Authority's CEO, Abdullah Al-Hamad, and on the Qatari side by the Authority's Chairman, Engineer Khaled Al-Obaidli.

Saudi Arabia is the official guest of honor at the forum, a leading annual platform that brings together a select group of leaders, decision-makers, experts, investors, and developers in the real estate sector to foster dialogue, exchange expertise, and explore the future. The forum, which coincides with Cityscape Qatar, aims to keep pace with the latest global trends in areas such as sustainability, real estate technology, and smart city development, enhancing the competitiveness of the Qatari market and affirming Qatar's position as a leading destination for real estate investment, both regionally and internationally.

In this context, His Excellency Sheikh Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, CEO of SK Real Estate, stated during the session that the Qatari real estate sector is solid and strong, offering investors very high investment returns, ranging between 7 and 9 percent. He pointed to the increasing openness witnessed by the Qatari real estate market, similar to other Gulf markets, especially with regard to foreign ownership. This openness is not only a step towards attracting investment, but also a reflection of a strategic vision aimed at diversifying the economy and enhancing sustainability.

He announced that in Qatar, for example, recent legislation has allowed foreign ownership in specific areas, enhancing the attractiveness of the real estate market and raising the level of confidence among international investors. He added, "This trend is in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, which we at SK Real Estate are keen to be a part of through our projects that combine innovation and Qatari identity."

In turn, His Excellency Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Chairman and Managing Director of Qetaifan Projects, stated that the company's project came in response to the needs of the Qatari market in the tourism sector, especially in light of the demand for this type of project.

His Excellency emphasized that technology has helped the real estate sector adapt to market demands and offer customized solutions that meet customer needs, noting that the company is exploring entering new projects and markets.

In another direction, Engineer Ahmed Mohammed Al-Tayeb, CEO of Barwa Real Estate, reviewed the developments the company has witnessed throughout its history in response to market needs and demand in Qatar. He explained that the company currently has an operational real estate portfolio listed in Qatar with total assets exceeding 37 billion riyals, distributed across 40 real estate projects across all sectors.

For his part, Ayed Al-Qahtani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Sumou Real Estate Company, emphasized the importance of partnerships and alliance-building among companies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, leveraging their expertise and raising the level of coordination between the private sectors in the Gulf states. He said, "The Gulf market is experiencing a major boom."

Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Hadlaq, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asas Makin Real Estate Development and Investment Company, also highlighted the transformations witnessed by the real estate sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the role played by relevant authorities in providing facilitation to the sector.