Lebanese Official Source Denies Suspension of Rome Talks with Israel
Beirut, August 10 (QNA) – A Lebanese official source denied that negotiations with Israel had been suspended over escalating tensions and repeated attacks, confirming that the eighth round is expected to take place in early September.
The source expressed concern over Israeli demolitions, explosions and attacks in southern Lebanon, saying Beirut was pressing the United States, which sponsors the talks, to address these issues before the next round.
Lebanon’s priorities include a ceasefire and an end to Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, the source said, adding that Washington had pledged to support these efforts.
President Joseph Aoun was briefed Monday by former ambassador and head of the Lebanese negotiating delegation, Simon Karam, on last week’s Rome talks. (QNA)
 have accelerated its standing as a competitive regional business hub, according to data from the Invest Qatar Annual Report 2025. </p><p>The report outlines significant gains across several international benchmarks. Qatar secured first place globally in General Infrastructure under the 2025 Global Innovation Index, while placing fourth in ICT Development according to the 2025 ITU ICT Development Index. </p><p>The country also made progress in human capital and expatriate integration, ranking 6th in Expat Essentials under the 2025 InterNations Expat Insider survey and 7th for Talent Attraction in the INSEAD Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2025. Quality of life indicators placed Qatar 9th globally in the Numbeo Quality of Life Index 2025. </p><p>The Minister of Commerce and Industry His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani, who is also Invest Qatar chairman, highlighted in the annual report the structural measures implemented to improve the investment ecosystem. </p><p>“Throughout the year, Qatar advanced several strategic initiatives and projects that further enhanced the business and investment ecosystem, reinforcing the country’s competitiveness and appeal to investors worldwide,” Sheikh Faisal stated. </p><p>He also said, “Among the most notable developments was the launch of Invest Qatar’s $1bn incentive programme at the Qatar Economic Forum 2025. Structured around four tailored packages, the programme is designed to attract high-Impact investments aligned with Qatar’s economic diversification priorities.” </p><p>“In 2025, Qatar ranked among the top 10 countries globally for the first time in the International Institute for Management Development’s Global Competitiveness Report. The country also strengthened its global investment standing by ranking 12th worldwide in fDi Intelligence’s Greenfield FDI Performance Index 2025, climbing an impressive 21 places,” Sheikh Faisal added. </p><p>A series of administrative streamlined measures backed these institutional moves. Company registration timelines were cut to two days, while commercial setups were enabled using only a passport for eligible investors, stated the report. </p><p>Labour and setup costs were revised as well, the report stated, citing that the Ministry of Labour standardised recruitment fees, the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) reduced application fees by 90%, and the General Tax Authority (GTA) introduced full penalty exemptions. </p><p>The report highlighted that new visa categories were launched for investors, entrepreneurs, property owners, and skilled professionals in technology, arts, and sports, alongside the launch of the ‘Qooqul’ platform to boost graduate employment. </p><p>Invest Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali bin Alwaleed al-Thani pointed to the agency’s expanding international footprint as a key factor in connecting foreign businesses to domestic opportunities. </p><p>“Central to this progress was the significant expansion of Invest Qatar’s global footprint. During the year, we established dedicated representatives in London, New York, Paris, Mumbai and Istanbul, providing investors across key markets with direct access to on-the-ground insights, tailored support and real-time engagement with Qatar’s investment ecosystem,” Sheikh Ali said in the report. </p><p>Sheikh Ali reported that the agency hosted over 1,450 investor and stakeholder meetings and organised more than 150 fact-finding trips over the course of the year. </p><p>“Invest Qatar hosted the inaugural Qatar Pavilion at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, showcasing Qatar’s dynamic business landscape to a global audience. We also convened the FDI Leaders Network Autumn Meeting in Qatar, bringing together CEOs and heads of international Investment Promotion Agencies to exchange insights and best practices,” Sheikh Ali also noted. </p><p>Digital tools were updated in parallel in 2025, according to Sheikh Ali, who added that the Invest Qatar Gateway was revamped with a secure document vault and direct integrations for banking and telecommunications services to simplify setup procedures. </p><p>He said new international partners joined the ecosystem during 2025, including imec, WHOOP, Level Infinite, Quantinuum, Yuno, Ardian, Silian Partners, and Das Intellitech, expanding local market capabilities. </p><p>Invest Qatar also expanded institutional ties with foreign investment boards, signing agreements with Invest India, ProColombia, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Startup Portugal, and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, Sheikh Ali also said. </p><p>On the domestic front, he said the agency collaborated with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Qatar Development Bank (QDB), and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council to launch the ‘Scale Now’ programme, designed to help local Qatari tech firms expand under Digital Agenda 2030. </p><p>Citing annual report figures, Sheikh Ali added that these combined measures supported 373 new foreign direct investment projects during the year, representing $3.4bn in capital expenditure and creating 15,051 jobs.</p>%20%20%20%20<p>Related%20Story</p>
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%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20<img%20loading=?w=150&resize=150,150&ssl=1 "Qatar’s NDS3 reforms, infrastructure push drive major global business ranking gains")
