Qatar Roundup: $400m Boeing donation, tourism plans with Cambodia, investments in China,

US and Qatar to finalise plan to donate $400M Boeing 747 to DOD

The U.S. and Qatar will finalise a deal next week for Qatar to donate a Boeing 747-8 jet to the U.S. Air Force for future use as Air Force One, according to the Washington Post. Signed on July 7 by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatari Defence Minister Soud bin Abulrahman Al-Thani, the agreement transfers the aircraft unconditionally to the Department of Defence, which will handle its maintenance. Renovation of Air Force One will take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

Qatar plans major infrastructure investments to boost tourism in Cambodia

Cambodia's tourism and infrastructure sectors are set for major growth following a planned investment by Qatari firm AI Mansour Asia. Led by Special Advisor Fahd Al Dosari, a delegation met with Senate President Hun Sen to discuss transforming Cambodia into a top tourism destination. The initiative, backed by Qatar's royal family, marks the firm’s first expansion into Southeast Asia as Cambodia works to diversify its economy post-pandemic.

Qatar Chamber explores investment opportunities with China’s ICBC

Qatar Chamber and ICBC Qatar discussed boosting cooperation and exploring investment opportunities during a meeting between Ali Bu Sharabak Al Mansori and Guo Hao. The talks focused on strengthening Qatar-China economic ties, especially in the private sector. Al Mansori praised the strong trade relations and invited Chinese companies to invest in Qatar’s industrial sector, highlighting the country’s favourable investment climate and infrastructure.

Small nation, big diplomatic power

Qatar, though small, has become a major diplomatic force, dubbed the “diplomatic capital of the world” by The Guardian’s Nesrine Malik. Amid tensions between Iran, Israel, and the U.S., Qatar’s role as a mediator has grown, driven by its wealth from natural gas, independence from Saudi influence, and the global reach of Al Jazeera. Since the 1990s, strategic reforms and high-profile moves like hosting the 2022 World Cup have made Qatar a sought-after neutral broker, with multiple mediation requests in just one month.

Qatar Chamber and ICCI aim to boost trade and investment ties

Qatar Chamber and the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) discussed enhancing trade ties, boosting investments, and strengthening private sector collaboration between Qatar and Pakistan. The meeting, held during the Pakistan International Property Exhibition in Doha, highlighted growing economic relations, with trade reaching QAR 12.7 billion in 2024. Both sides emphasised the need for stronger business partnerships and joint ventures across key sectors.