World Business

New York: Wall Street stocks were mixed early Wednesday as markets awaited a key inflation reading in the final full-day session of a holiday-shortened week. Investors are looking ahead to the personal consumption price report, a key item for the Federal Reserve as it determines whether inflation has been sufficiently mitigated to allow more interest rate cuts. Spartan Capital's Peter Cardillo said he expects light trading volume, with many people already away for the Thanksgiving holiday. "I don't think the market is going to react very much to the PCE numbers," Cardillo said. "But of course if it's out of whack, then it could have an impact." About 20 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.2 percent at 44,954.37. The broad-based S&P 500 lost less than 0.1 percent at 6,018.98, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index declined 0.3 percent to 19,117.55. Markets will be closed on Thursday and open for only a half-day on Friday.

Qatar Business

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Chamber First Vice-Chairman Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari met with a business delegation from the Republic of Belarus yesterday. The delegation was led by Kirill Zalessky, Deputy of Hi-Tech Park. The meeting focused on ways to strengthen economic and commercial cooperation between the private sectors of both countries, particularly in the high technology sector. In his remarks, Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari emphasised Qatar Chamber’s commitment to strengthening cooperation between the Qatari private sector and its Belarusian counterpart and encouraging Qatari investors to explore the abundant opportunities available in Belarus. He noted that trade exchange between the two countries remains below expectations, despite the presence of numerous Qatari-Belarus joint investments and several Belarusian companies operating in Qatar. He highlighted the importance of the delegation’s visit, pointing out the Qatari private sector’s keen interest in high-tech services and digital transformation. He added that Qatari businessmen are eager to learn more about the services offered by Belarusian companies. On his part, Kirill Zalessky expressed the delegation’s interest in exploring cooperation opportunities with Qatari companies in the IT sector. He provided an overview of Hi-Tech Park Belarus, highlighting that it hosts over 1,000 leading companies, contributes 4% to Belarus’s GDP, and accounts for 30% of the country’s exports.

Qatar Business

Doha, Qatar: The Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA) and the International Businesswomen’s Association of Uzbekistan (TasbircorAyol) have unveiled their alliance through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU signifies the launch of a strategic collaboration focused on empowering women within the global business landscape. The MoU represents both organizations’ dedication to promoting cooperation, exchanging expertise, and advancing efforts that drive the progress of women in the business world. The MoU was signed yesterday, by Aisha Alfardan, Vice Chairwoman of QBWA, and Oydin Sharafiddinova, Chairman of the Surkhandarya region, highlights the mutual commitment of both organizations to advancing the role of women as pivotal contributors to economic growth and entrepreneurship. Through collaboration, QBWA and TasbircorAyol aim to expand their influence by organising joint initiatives such as business forums, educational workshops, and networking opportunities, believing that Women bring a wealth of unique perspectives and experiences to the table. These diverse viewpoints boost creativity and drive innovative solutions. Their main goal is to benefit businesses from a broader range of ideas and strategies, believed to happen when women are actively involved in leadership roles, leading to more effective decision-making. “Collaboration knows no borders. By uniting with women’s associations around the world, we strengthen our collective voice and create a global network of empowered leaders” said Aisha Alfardan, Vice Chairwoman of QBWA. “Together, we bridge nations, share knowledge, and inspire meaningful change, proving that when women join forces, they not only transform industries but also shape a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.” For her part, Oydin Sharafiddinova, Chairman of the Surkhandarya region said “Supporting women goes beyond just one organization. It amplifies our impact on communities and the industry as a whole. Women in leadership roles advocate for broader social issues, driving conversations about gender equity and inspiring others to take action. By championing women leaders, organizations play a crucial role in shaping a more inclusive and equitable society”. Signing this MoU with the International Businesswomen’s Association of Uzbekistan, QBWA is continuing its role in paving the way of mentoring and inspiring others, offering guidance and support throughout its initiatives, which is crucial for nurturing the next generation of female leaders, who will continue to champion progress and foster innovation whether in Qatar, Uzbekistan or the whole world. While The International Businesswomen’s Association of Uzbekistan is dedicated to fostering unity, shared success, and a powerful collective voice across various fields and industries. It views collaboration as a key driver for breaking glass ceilings and amplifying women’s influence in diverse sectors.