Qatar property transactions reach $177m in late December 

Data from Qatar’s Ministry of Justice showed that trading across Doha and other municipalities remained elevated, with residential unit sales recorded at 49.4 million riyals during the period, according to the Real Estate Registration Department. Shutterstock
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Updated 01 January 2026
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Qatar property transactions reach $177m in late December 

JEDDAH: Qatar’s real estate transactions exceeded 657 million Qatari riyals ($177.4 million) in the week ended Dec. 25, underscoring steady property market activity. 

Data from Qatar’s Ministry of Justice showed that trading across Doha and other municipalities remained elevated, with residential unit sales recorded at 49.4 million riyals during the period, according to the Real Estate Registration Department. 

The figure marks a sharp increase from the previous week, when total real estate transactions reached about 463 million riyals. That earlier period included sales contracts worth 354.26 million riyals and residential unit transactions totaling 108.76 million riyals, the Qatar News Agency reported. 

Qatar’s weekly trading mirrors broader activity across the Gulf region, where major markets such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi have reported strong sales and stable prices, supported by robust residential and commercial demand. 

The weekly activity highlighted sustained investor confidence, reflecting the broader Gulf-wide trend in real estate heading into 2026. 

“The weekly bulletin issued by the department stated that the properties traded included vacant land, houses, residential buildings, residential complexes, commercial shops, commercial and residential buildings, a commercial and administrative building, and residential units,” the QNA report stated.  

Qatar property sales were concentrated in the municipalities of Al-Rayyan, Doha, Al-Wakrah, and Umm Slal, in addition to Al-Daayen, Al Khor, as well as Al Thakhira, and Al-Shamal. They also included key areas including The Pearl Island, and Al-Kharayej, along with Lusail 69, Al-Wukair, Ghar Thuaileb, and Al-Sakhama municipalities. 

The figures highlight sustained activity in Qatar’s real estate market, with a notable week-on-week increase in trading volumes as the year draws to a close. 

The weekly data align with a stronger performance earlier in the year. Qatar’s real estate sector showed resilience in the first half of 2025, supported by rising residential activity, steady office demand and growth in hospitality and retail, according to a September report by Knight Frank. 

Residential transaction values reached 9.23 billion riyals in the second quarter, up 114 percent year on year, led by Doha, Al Daayen and Al Wakrah. Apartment prices rose 3.5 percent to an average of 13,270 riyals per square meter, while villa prices edged lower. Land sales jumped 85 percent, and prime office rents in Lusail held steady at about 115 riyals per square meter. 

Qatar added 718 hotel rooms during the period, while retail assets maintained high occupancy levels, pointing to continued confidence among investors and consumers. 


Saudi Arabia reports surge in patent filings amid innovation drive

Updated 55 min 4 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia reports surge in patent filings amid innovation drive

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia recorded a significant increase in the number of patent applications filed by individuals and national institutions during 2025, reflecting a growing awareness among innovators and national entities of the importance of protecting innovations and maximizing the value of intangible assets.

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property explained that patent applications filed by individuals witnessed substantial growth, rising from 2,007 submissions in 2024 to 3,942 in 2025, representing a growth rate of 96 percent. This indicates a broadening base of innovators and entrepreneurs, and a rising awareness of the importance of registering intellectual property rights, according to the Saudi Press Agency. 

The authority also indicated that the number of patent applications filed by national institutions increased from 408 in 2024 to 734 in 2025, representing an 80 percent growth. This reflects the increasing interest of national entities in protecting their innovations and transforming them into valuable economic assets.

The entity further noted that this growth contributed to raising the total number of patent applications filed in 2025 to 10,300, compared to 8,029 in 2024. It affirmed its continued efforts to develop the intellectual property system, streamline registration procedures, and support innovation, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia has made notable progress in the 2025 Global Intellectual Property Index, with its score rising by 17.5 percent, placing it among the fastest-improving economies out of the 55 countries evaluated.

According to the 13th edition of the index, published by the US Chamber of Commerce in April, the Kingdom now ranks 40th globally, a reflection of the substantial reforms driven by its Vision 2030 strategy. These reforms aim to enhance intellectual property protection, foster innovation, and support the growth of a knowledge-based economy.

Since 2019, Saudi Arabia’s overall score has increased from 36.6 percent to 53.7 percent in 2025, marking a cumulative improvement of over 40 percent in just six years. This progress stems from a comprehensive transformation of the nation’s IP ecosystem, including the strengthening of legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms.

These developments highlight Saudi Arabia’s growing institutional capacity and ongoing regulatory modernization, led by the SAIP.