Doha: Qatar Development Bank (QDB) announced significant milestones for the year 2025, demonstrating robust growth in its core business areas. The bank highlighted its achievements in direct and indirect financing, investment activities, exporter support, and initiatives aimed at empowering the private sector and enhancing the national business and innovation ecosystem.
According to Qatar News Agency, QDB reported a 5 percent increase in year-on-year total financing commitments, benefiting over 630 companies. This growth brought the bank's total portfolio to QAR 7.3 billion, with direct capital disbursements amounting to QAR 2 billion in 2025, reflecting a 30 percent increase from the previous year.
QDB's financing initiatives targeted Qatar-based companies through various support programs, focusing on strategic sector development and fostering entrepreneurship and SMEs, thus contributing positively to the Qatari economy.
The bank provided nearly QAR 650 million in short-term funding to over 600 companies at zero profit rates to support working capital needs of companies previously benefiting from the National Response Guarantee Program.
In 2025, QDB launched the National Funding Gate (TAMKEEN), the first initiative in Qatar to streamline business financing applications and connect the private sector with the national financing and development ecosystem. The bank also expanded the Scale7 brand, introduced a Mergers and Acquisitions Program, and launched a FinTech Development Grant. Enhancements to the Startup Qatar Investment Program included raising funding limits for early-stage companies to QAR 4 million and expansion-stage companies to QAR 20 million. The program attracted over 5,000 applications from 65 countries, providing investments exceeding QAR 138 million to more than 35 local and international firms.
CEO Abdulrahman bin Hesham Al Sowaidi stated that 2025 marked the first year of QDB's updated 2025-2030 strategy, aligning with Qatar's Third National Development Strategy and Financial Sector Strategic Plan. The year saw nearly 2,100 companies benefiting from QDB's financial and advisory services, and 133 companies joining incubation and acceleration programs. Over 3,100 beneficiaries received specialized training through workshops and capacity-building programs.
In export support, QDB's arm, Qatar Exports, achieved a total export value supported of QAR 2.85 billion, a 15 percent increase year-on-year. Over 425 companies expanded into 138 global markets, receiving QAR 778 million in export financing, an 18 percent growth. QDB also signed its first memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia's National Debt Management Center, facilitating QAR 3.6 billion in credit facilities for Saudi projects.
Qatar Exports participated in 21 international exhibitions and conducted 157 workshops to boost export capabilities, resulting in export orders exceeding QAR 7.5 billion, a 341 percent increase year-on-year. The bank also opened its first regional office in Saudi Arabia.
QDB's investment arm supported startups, with a 16 percent increase in the investment portfolio, reaching over QAR 350 million. The bank invested in over 60 promising startups, supporting the development of Qatar's investment ecosystem by training 75 angel and venture capital investors.
QDB facilitated over 445 deals between SMEs and local entities, with contract values exceeding QAR 2 billion. In manufacturing, 64 companies were supported through various facilities, and more than 128 manufacturers received training in production and digital transformation.
QDB published 29 reports to aid decision-making among entrepreneurs and produced 138 market reports for global insights. It delivered assessments and programs to enable over 185 companies to adopt digital solutions.
In housing, QDB disbursed financing exceeding QAR 1 billion, registering over 350 companies on the national Binaa platform, offering integrated services, including modern housing designs.
Qatar Development Bank remains committed to empowering Qatar-based companies, supporting economic diversification, and promoting sustainable growth.