DOHA: Aamal Company, a leading diversified firm in the region, announced a significant increase in net profit for the first half of 2025. The company reported a net profit of QR221.3 million, an increase of 17.5% compared to QR188.4 million in the same period last year. Total revenue also saw a rise, reaching QR1,070.1 million, up from QR1,045.2 million in H1 2024.

The gross profit showed a modest increase of 0.2%, amounting to QR261.8 million, compared to QR261.3 million in H1 2024. Earnings per share rose to QR0.035, reflecting the overall growth in profitability. Meanwhile, net capital expenditure decreased by QR6.2 million, totaling QR13.8 million for the period.

Strategic Growth and Future Outlook

Sheikh Mohamed bin Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Aamal, expressed confidence in the company’s performance. He noted, “Aamal’s first-half performance is a strong endorsement of the Group’s strategic direction and the capable leadership across all its business units. The results reflect our ability to consistently deliver value, supported by a diversified business model and a clear focus on long-term growth.”

Aamal’s growing project pipeline includes a substantial order backlog of QR3 billion and plans to expand into new markets, particularly through a new infrastructure and construction services company in Saudi Arabia. This strategic move is expected to enhance Aamal’s presence in dynamic regional markets.

Rashid bin Ali Al Mansoori, Chief Executive Officer of Aamal, highlighted the resilience of the company’s diversified business model. He stated, “These results reinforce our confidence in the Company’s strategic direction and its ability to capture long-term value across various markets, not only in Qatar but in the wider region.”

Sector Performance and Future Initiatives

The industrial manufacturing sector has played a crucial role in Aamal’s success, contributing to robust revenue and net profit growth. The sector remains actively engaged in major infrastructure and energy projects, including a recently signed contract worth QR1 billion with Kahramaa, further boosting the company’s order backlog.

Looking forward, Aamal’s leadership remains optimistic about sustaining growth momentum. They believe the results from the first half of 2025 underscore the effectiveness of the company’s value creation strategy. The focus will continue to be on enhancing operational performance and unlocking new growth opportunities in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

Aamal’s leadership is committed to delivering value not only for shareholders but also for the broader stakeholder community, ensuring the company remains well-positioned for future success.

QNB Egypt, a subsidiary of QNB Group, has reported robust financial results for the first half of 2025, underscoring the Group’s strong financial standing in the region. As of June 30, 2025, QNB Egypt achieved a consolidated net profit of EGP 15.1 billion, a notable increase of EGP 1.322 billion or 10% compared to the same period in 2024. This performance reflects the effectiveness of QNB Group’s strategy and its successful expansion across international markets.

The bank’s standalone net profit reached EGP 14.8 billion. Additionally, the total loans and advances portfolio grew by EGP 42 billion, reaching EGP 407 billion, marking an 11% growth compared to December 2024. Customer deposits also saw a positive trend, totaling EGP 700 billion at the end of June 2025, which represents an increase of EGP 20 billion or 3% since December 2024.

Strategic Growth and Market Leadership

Commenting on these impressive financial results, Heba Al-Tamimi, Senior Executive Vice President of QNB Group Communications, emphasized the importance of strategic diversification. She stated, “Our continued success is built on solid foundations supported by the strategic diversification of our services across different geographies. This enhances our ability to adapt and seize promising opportunities.”

Mohamed Bendier, CEO of QNB Egypt, echoed this sentiment, noting that the financial performance indicators reveal significant growth across all business sectors. Bendier remarked, “These results are a direct reflection of the strong performance of QNB Group, confirming our leadership in the Egyptian banking sector and contributing to achieving a larger market share.”

Total consolidated assets for QNB Egypt rose to EGP 844 billion as of June 30, 2025, an increase of EGP 24 billion or 3% since December 2024. The bank also maintained a strong capital adequacy ratio of 24.3%, a testament to its prudent credit policies. The non-performing loan ratio stood at 5.23%, with a provision coverage ratio for substandard loans reaching 107%.

Expanding Branch Network

These positive results highlight the effectiveness and flexibility of QNB Egypt’s executive policies and procedures, which have bolstered its competitiveness and market share within Egypt. The bank’s branch network has expanded to 236 branches, including a recently opened branch in New Alamein City. This growth strategy aligns with QNB Group’s objective of enhancing its service delivery and customer reach across the nation.

As QNB Egypt continues to build on its strong performance, the Group remains focused on achieving sustainable growth and delivering long-term value to customers and shareholders alike.

The New Zealand share market continued its upward trend on October 3, 2023, with the S&P/NZX 50 index rising by 0.20% to reach 12,936.41 points. This marks the second consecutive day of gains this week. Trading volume increased significantly, with approximately 27.6 million shares exchanged, resulting in a total value of NZD 103.6 million.

Market analysts noted that the major news impacting investor sentiment was the passing of Michael Hill, the founder of Michael Hill International. According to Paul Robertshawe, chief investment officer at Octagon, this event may have long-term implications for the company’s direction, although it is unlikely to affect short-term investor positions.

Market Reactions and Future Implications

Robertshawe emphasized the significance of Hill’s contributions to the business, stating, “He’s a veteran; he built that business from nothing. It’s across three markets now.” The company, which operates in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, has established a strong presence under Hill’s leadership. With the family still involved in the business, Robertshawe suggested that they may consider bringing in new perspectives to guide the company moving forward.

This development, alongside the overall market performance, reflects a dynamic environment for investors in New Zealand. The increase in market activity indicates renewed confidence among traders, which may signal further growth in the coming days.

The Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund, a key player in the New Zealand dairy industry, also experienced a notable increase, gaining 4% during the day’s trading. This rise contributes to the overall positive momentum of the S&P/NZX 50 index, highlighting the interconnectedness of various sectors within the market.

As investors digest the implications of Hill’s passing and the changing landscape of the New Zealand market, the coming weeks will likely reveal more about the strategic shifts that Michael Hill International may undertake. The focus will remain on how leadership changes can influence business operations and investor confidence in the future.

Taiwan has developed a unique way to manage waste collection that combines practicality with a cultural touch. Garbage trucks equipped with loudspeakers play classical music, signaling residents to take out their rubbish. This initiative has been part of the island’s waste management system for decades, ensuring that households are alerted to dispose of their waste at designated times.

The sound of familiar melodies such as Beethoven’s Fur Elise or Tekla Badarzewska-Baranowska’s Maiden’s Prayer fills the streets of Taipei as the bright yellow trucks make their rounds. Many residents have come to associate these tunes with the arrival of the waste collection service. “When we hear this music, we know it’s time to take out the trash. It’s very convenient,” shared 78-year-old Lee Shu Ning, who was waiting outside her apartment building in the capital.

As the trucks approach, residents emerge from their homes, bags of pre-sorted rubbish in hand. The system encourages proper waste segregation, as different types of waste are collected by separate vehicles. General refuse is tossed into the compaction truck, while food waste and recyclables are placed in designated bins carried by another truck. This organized method not only streamlines the collection process but also promotes environmental responsibility among the community.

The practice has garnered attention for its efficiency and the way it integrates into daily life in Taiwan. Residents have adapted to this auditory cue, making the task of disposing of waste a routine part of their day. For many, the music has become a nostalgic reminder of their childhood and a symbol of community engagement.

In addition to its practical benefits, the use of classical music in waste collection reflects Taiwan’s cultural appreciation for the arts. It fosters a sense of community as neighbors come together, often exchanging greetings while they wait for the trucks to arrive. This initiative highlights how a simple solution can enhance civic life and promote environmental awareness.

As Taiwan continues to innovate in waste management, the classical music trucks serve as a reminder of the importance of blending functionality with cultural values. This unique approach has proven effective, encouraging responsible waste disposal while offering a moment of connection among residents.