World Business

Washington: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Thursday warned that uncertainty is "costly" amid recent tariff increases, noting that rising trade barriers have an immediate impact on growth. "Putting together all the recent tariff increases, pauses, escalations, and exemptions, it seems clear that the USeffective tariff rate has jumped to levels last seen several lifetimes ago," Georgieva said in a speech before the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings scheduled for next week. "The complexity of modern supply chains means imported inputs feed into a broad range of domestic products. The cost of one item can be affected by tariffs in dozens of countries. In a world of bilateral tariff rates, each of which may be moving up or down, planning becomes difficult," Georgieva said. "The result? Ships at sea not knowing which port to sail to; investment decisions postponed; financial markets volatile; precautionary savings up. The longer uncertainty persists, the larger the cost," she continued. The IMF chief noted that rising trade barriers hit growth "upfront," and protectionism erodes productivity over the long run, especially in smaller economies. The IMF will quantify these costs in its new World Economic Outlook, to be released early next week. "In it, our new growth projections will include notable markdowns, but not recession. We will also see markups to the inflation forecasts for some countries," Georgieva said. The IMF chief urged policymakers to redouble efforts to "put their own houses in order," noting that most countries must "take resolute fiscal action to rebuild policy space," setting out gradual adjustment paths that respect fiscal frameworks. She also called for "agile and credible" monetary policy, along with strong financial regulation and supervision. Highlighting the importance of "cooperation in a multi-polar world," the IMF chief emphasized that trade policy must aim for a settlement among the largest players that preserves openness and delivers a more-level playing field - "to restart a global trend toward lower tariff rates while also reducing nontariff barriers and distortions."

Qatar Business

Doha: The price ofgoldin the Qatari market rose by 3.18 percent this week, reaching USD 3,341.52000 per ounce, according to data released on Thursday by Qatar National Bank (QNB). The price increased from USD 3238.48780 recorded last Sunday. The data also indicated that the rest of the precious metals saw weekly changes, with silver rising by 0.98 percent to USD 32.62000 per ounce, up from USD 32.30400 on Sunday, while platinum rose by 2.45 percent to reach USD 974.96980 per ounce, compared to USD 951.65000 at the beginning of the week. Read Also Al Rayan Bank diamond sponsor for ‘Trade and Treasury Transformation Summit 2025’ Commercial Bank reports QR651.4m net profit after tax for Q1 2025 QFZ awarded three ISO certifications

Qatar Business

Osaka: Invest Qatar, the Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar, hosted an information business roundtable at the Qatar Pavilion at EXPO 2025 Osaka. Organised in partnership with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the business roundtable brought together representatives of several Japanese companies to learn about the strategic advantages, investment potential and emerging opportunities Qatar provides Japanese businesses. Today's roundtable reflects the continued collaboration between Invest Qatar and JETRO that was formalised in July 2023 through a Memorandum of Understanding. This strategic partnership aims to strengthen bilateral economic relations and attract Japanese companies to explore business opportunities in Qatar. The partnership facilitates knowledge exchange, supports market entry, and streamlines investment processes for Japanese businesses seeking to expand their presence in Qatar. Invest Qatar is committed to positioning Qatar as a preferred investment destination and fostering fruitful partnerships that drive sustainable economic development. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume between Japan and Qatar reached USD 7.7 billion, highlighting the strong economic partnership between the two nations. By focusing on areas of mutual interest and expertise such as healthcare, agriculture, and renewable energy, Japan and Qatar have leveraged their respective strengths to promote knowledge sharing, technological advancements and innovative solutions. The Qatar Pavilion at EXPO 2025 Osaka offers a unique and multi-dimensional experience that embodies Qatar's journey from its maritime roots toward horizons of innovation, progress, and sustainability. It features innovative interactive experiences that highlight Qatar's success stories in key areas such as human development, the environment, and the knowledge-based economy. The pavilion reflects the State of Qatar's commitment to strengthening international cooperation to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future. Established in 2019, the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) is responsible for overseeing investment promotion activities, aimed at attracting foreign direct investment to Qatar. Invest Qatar's mission is to strengthen Qatar's position as an ideal investment destination, while facilitating investments that foster economic diversification and development.