Qatar Roundup: 'State sponsor of terrorism', Hamas support, travel and tourism

Qatar-Libya partnership to fight financial crimes

Qatar’s Financial Information Unit (QFIU) and the Libyan Financial Information Unit have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral ties and boost international cooperation in combating financial crimes. The agreement aims to enhance collaboration and facilitate the exchange of financial intelligence, reflecting both countries' commitment to international standards, especially the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing.

Hamas support

At The Jerusalem Post Annual Conference, Florida Senator Rick Scott stated that U.S. President Donald Trump is committed to "doing everything he can to expand peace and build relationships not just for America but for Israel." Addressing concerns over Trump’s trip to Qatar, Scott expressed strong distrust toward the Gulf nation, condemning its hosting of Hamas leaders as "despicable." He also revealed that he pushed for a review last year, while serving on the House Committee on Armed Services, of the reasons behind the continued presence of a U.S. military base in Qatar.

'State sponsor of terrorism'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party has submitted a bill to the Knesset aiming to designate Qatar as a “state sponsor of terrorism,” effectively barring it from mediating in any negotiations involving Israel. Introduced by Likud Knesset Member Moshe Saada, the bill specifically targets Qatar’s role in talks with Hamas and would prohibit countries labelled as terrorism supporters from donating to or trading with Israel. The draft legislation accuses Qatar of being “the world’s largest investor in terrorism,” alleging its support for groups including the Taliban, Islamic State, Hamas, and Hezbollah, and describes the Gulf state as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Travel and tourism

Qatar’s Travel & Tourism sector is experiencing strong growth, with projections indicating it will contribute QR124.2 billion to the national economy in 2025, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). This figure is expected to rise to QR166.6 billion by 2035, positioning the sector as a key driver of economic development. International visitors currently account for nearly 90% of travel spending, with over 75% of trips made for leisure, underscoring Qatar’s appeal as a global tourist destination. The sector is also poised to support over 350,000 jobs in 2025, growing to more than 487,000 by 2035.

Qatar Economic Forum

The fifth edition of the Qatar Economic Forum will be held in Doha from May 20–22 under the theme "The Road to 2030: Transforming the Global Economy." Organised in collaboration with Media City Qatar, the Forum will gather global leaders and top CEOs to examine the major shifts redefining the economic landscape. This year’s agenda centres on the evolving dynamics of global capital flows, with particular focus on the Gulf region’s emergence as a key financial hub. With bold economic reforms and increasingly influential sovereign wealth funds, the Gulf is transitioning from an energy powerhouse to a major driver of global finance and foreign direct investment.