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Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced that cumulative investment in the industrial sector reached QR248.44 billion in the second quarter of 2026 as the latest quarterly performance review highlighted continued expansion across manufacturing and business formation. The figures were presented during the ministry’s second quarterly meeting for the year chaired by Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani and attended by Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed. The ministry said the data reflected sustained momentum in industrial development and efforts to diversify the economy beyond hydrocarbons.
New commercial registrations totalled 6,745 during the period according to the ministry marking a 6.6 percent increase from the first quarter while 5,272 non-Qatari companies were established representing 60 percent growth over the prior three months. The ministry noted that these gains underscored the attractiveness of Qatar’s business environment and the facilities available to investors. Such expansion aligns with broader initiatives to strengthen the private sector’s role in national economic growth.
Eleven new factories began production in the second quarter bringing the total number of factories that started operations since the beginning of 2026 to 28 with combined investments of QR253 million the ministry reported. This industrial activity has supported diversification of productive sectors across the country. The ministry added that the proportion of exporting factories rose to 25 percent in the quarter from 23 percent previously.
Private sector exports increased from QR0.8 billion to QR0.9 billion during the period reflecting 12.5 percent growth the ministry stated. These developments demonstrate improving export capabilities and greater international market presence for Qatari products. The ministry’s data also showed an 8 percent rise in the number of national products compared with the same quarter in 2025.
Customs duties collected from anti-dumping measures reached QR11 million by the end of the second quarter according to the ministry which described the outcome as contributing to a competitive environment for local industries. The review further detailed progress in other areas including faster licensing processes and increased consumer protection inspections. All metrics originated from the ministry’s performance assessment released through the Qatar News Agency on Aug. 31.
The latest results come as the ministry implements its National Manufacturing Strategy 2024-2030 which according to Arab News aims to attract QR2.75 billion in annual industrial investment by 2030 raise manufacturing value-added to QR70.5 billion and boost non-hydrocarbon exports to QR49 billion. The strategy forms part of wider national plans to enhance industrial competitiveness and economic resilience. Officials at the quarterly meeting emphasised continued implementation of related initiatives to maintain this trajectory.
