Author: Niyas Aboobacker

Media City Qatar (MCQ), established to attract and regulate investment opportunities to support the media ecosystem in Qatar, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA), the legal and tax arm of the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), a leading onshore financial and business center in the region. The MoU aims to facilitate the establishment of media companies in Qatar.

Under the agreement, the QFC will register media companies pre-approved by MCQ, which will be licensed by both the QFC and MCQ. Registration and Licensing details will be recorded on the QFC platform. This partnership enables licensed companies to conduct business in Qatar according to MCQ’s permitted activities. The QFC will facilitate all necessary governmental procedures and tax-related processes in accordance with the legal framework and regulations of Qatar. Meanwhile, MCQ will diligently oversee the companies’ compliance with the applicable regulations for media entities in Qatar.

Furthermore, the two parties will collaborate to promote each other’s programs and activities and evaluate opportunities for mutually beneficial projects toward developing the media sector in Qatar.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the MoU, His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, Chairman, MCQ, said, “This strategic partnership will empower Media City to attract and license media companies, further enriching Qatar’s vibrant media ecosystem. We extend our gratitude to the QFC Chairman and Minister of Commerce and Industry, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Qassim Al-Abdullah Al-Thani, for facilitating the signing of this pivotal memorandum of understanding, which sets the stage for driving growth in the media industry and contributing to Qatar’s economic diversification. We look forward to achieving Media City Qatar's vision as an attractive destination for  local, regional, and international media businesses and initiatives across various scales.”

Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, QFC, underscored the importance of the MoU, stating, "We are thrilled about this partnership with Media City, which marks a significant step in fostering media growth in Qatar. Through this collaboration, we aim to streamline processes and provide a conducive environment for media companies to thrive in the country. Together with MCQ, we are poised to unlock exciting opportunities and drive innovation in the sector.”

This partnership between the QFC and MCQ signifies a shared commitment to regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and fostering growth in the media sector.

https://www.qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2024-01/30/0046-media-city-qatar,-qfc-sign-mou-to-boost-qatar%27s-media-ecosystem

December 7, 2023 – Singapore: ONE Championship™ (ONE), the world’s largest martial arts organization, official presenting partner Qatar Tourism, official media partner Media City Qatar, and official partner Ooredoo today announced that ONE Championship will make its on-ground debut in Qatar on March 1 at the Lusail Sports Arena with ONE 166: Qatar.

The event will feature 5 ONE World Championship fights across MMA, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Submission Grappling. Additional event details and headline bouts will also be announced in the coming weeks.

Fans interested in purchasing early bird tickets can do so now via the Virgin Megastore or Q-Tickets.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “I’m thrilled to announce ONE Championship’s return to the Middle East with one of our biggest events ever. We’re building a spectacular card that is stacked from top to bottom, which will feature World Championship fights across all of our martial arts disciplines. We can’t wait to put on a show for the greatest fans on earth and would like to thank Qatar Tourism, Media City Qatar and Ooredoo for teaming with us to make history.”

Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer at Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar Tourism is delighted to be the Official Event Host, Presenting Partner, and VIP Lounge Sponsor of what will be the biggest ONE Championship event the region has ever seen. This exciting addition to Qatar's world-class roster of events reinforces our commitment to bringing exceptional experiences that resonate with local and global audiences. As we strategically position ourselves as a hub for diverse and dynamic experiences, the partnership with ONE Championship showcases our dedication to hosting world-class sports and entertainment year-round for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Sheikh Ali bin Abulla Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer at Media City Qatar, stated: “MCQ is privileged to stand alongside our esteemed partners at ONE Championship and Qatar Tourism in hosting ONE 166: Qatar in Doha. As an official media partner, we recognize the historic significance of this event, and we are committed to sharing compelling stories of the world’s most recognized athletes with a global audience, further solidifying Qatar’s position as a regional home for diverse and dynamic experiences in sports and entertainment while contributing to the evolution of the media landscape in Qatar and beyond.”

ONE 166: Qatar will be broadcast in the Middle East region on beIN Sports on March 1 starting at 3:30pm AST. Additional tune-in details for the global broadcast, which can be viewed in over 190 countries worldwide, will be made available at a later date.

About ONE Championship™
ONE is the world’s largest martial arts organization, ranking among the world's top five sports properties for viewership and engagement with a cumulative reach of over 400 million fans, according to Nielsen. ONE produces and distributes world-class events across more than 190 countries, featuring martial artists and World Champions from over 80 nations and all styles of martial arts including MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and more. ONE can be viewed on many of the largest global free-to-air and digital broadcasters, including Prime Video, Globo, beIN SPORTS, Channel 7 HD, Seven Network, SuperSport, ELEVEN Sports, La Liga TV, Claro Sports, Star Sports, iQIYI, One Sports, Abema, Coupang, NET TV, Vidio, Mediapro, Skynet, Mediacorp, Match TV, and more.

About Qatar Tourism
Qatar Tourism’s mission is to establish Qatar as a place where cultural authenticity meets modernity, and where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism will regulate and develop the tourism industry, encouraging investment from the private sector. It will set the national strategy for the tourism sector, reviewing it periodically and overseeing its implementation, with the aim of diversifying tourism offerings in the country and increasing visitor spend. Through our network of international offices in priority markets, and cutting-edge digital platforms, Qatar Tourism is expanding Qatar’s presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector. Website: www.visitqatar.qa.

About Media City Qatar
Media City Qatar (MCQ) is an emerging, collaborative global home for media companies, entrepreneurs, innovators, and creative talent, and a regional leader in the media industry, contributing to Qatar’s economic diversification. It accelerates the evolution of regional media to create a powerful and innovative ecosystem, where exceptional ideas and content thrive. Under its regulatory, development, and investment mandate, MCQ aims to build a nurturing environment and a hub for traditional and digital media, technology, communications, research, and development. From broadcasting to traditional and digital newspapers, from gaming to user-generated content, and from audio to advanced technologies, MCQ welcomes organizations and professionals across all media segments.

With more than 3,000 in-person participants from 127 countries, including many high-level dignitaries, the third Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg (QEF) served as a platform for meaningful discussions and exchange, paving the way to better economic opportunities locally and globally.

The Forum, which took place from 23 to 25 May under the high patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, explored the latest trends in finance, energy, healthcare, and technology, and examined their potential to drive future growth, through a series of keynote interviews, panel discussions, and interactive workshops.

His Highness the Amir attended the inaugural panel discussion, and the opening was also attended by President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda, Paraguay President Mario Abdo Benitez, Armenia's President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo, Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed, Kazakhstan Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and HRH Prince  Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud The Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia.

Qatari dignitaries who addressed the event included H.E. the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; H.E. the Minister of Finance, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari; H.E. the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Eng. Saad Sherida al-Kaabi; H.E. the Governor of Qatar Central Bank, Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani; Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, H.E. Akbar Al-Baker; and Qatar Investment Authority CEO, Mansoor Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud.

For MCQ whose multi-year partnership with Bloomberg Media Group first brought the event to life, QEF 2023 was a sweeping success, bringing together several global business leaders, as well as over 60 regional and international speakers, made up of government leaders, CEOs, global investors, and influential voices from the worlds of culture, sport, and entertainment.

In an interview with Qatar News Agency following the conclusion of the Forum, the Chairperson of the Supreme Committee Organising the Qatar Economic Forum and Media City Qatar CEO, Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, noted that events such as QEF bring direct economic returns, including the recovery of the tourism sector, increased hotel occupancy, and reservations, and indirect ones, such as promoting the country as a destination for all events and consolidating Qatar’s pivotal role and global standing.

MCQ and Bloomberg Media Group signed a new multi-year contract on the sidelines of the event, securing QEF as an annual destination for dialogue and knowledge-exchange until 2027.