Greenlogue/AP UAE officials used the World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition in Rotterdam to reinforce the country’s ambition to become a global hub for low-emission hydrogen, placing cross-border trade, common standards and industrial decarbonisation at the centre of its energy transition agenda. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure represented the UAE at the gathering in the Netherlands, where governments, technology developers, financiers and energy companies examined the commercial […]
Mohammad Yahya’s PFL MENA debut ended in frustration at Coca-Cola Arena as Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi edged the Dubai-based fighter by split decision in the featherweight tournament headliner, while 18-year-old Zamzam Al Hammadi gave the home crowd a lift with a unanimous decision victory in her women’s strawweight amateur showcase. The mixed results at PFL MENA 9: Pride of Arabia on Sunday night underlined both the opportunity and […]
Qatar has stepped up its investment campaign in China with high-level business meetings in Shanghai and Hangzhou aimed at turning long-standing trade links into deeper industrial, technology and financial partnerships.
Invest Qatar’s delegation, led by its chief executive Sheikh Ali bin Alwaleed Al-Thani, held executive-level meetings, site visits and closed-door business discussions with Chinese companies across advanced manufacturing, life sciences, industrial technologies and digital platforms. The engagements included WuXi Biologics, Shanghai SUS Environment, Cainiao Group and Ant International, placing the tour at the intersection of Qatar’s diversification agenda and China’s strengths in biotechnology, logistics, environmental services and digital finance.
The visit was designed to present Qatar as a platform for regional expansion, with Invest Qatar highlighting support for market entry, regulatory coordination, site selection, expansion planning and aftercare services. The pitch reflects Doha’s effort to move beyond energy-led ties and attract capital, technology and operational expertise into sectors linked to the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.
China already occupies a central place in Qatar’s external economic network. Bilateral cooperation spans energy, logistics, manufacturing, technology and financial services, while Qatar hosts about 520 Chinese companies. Over the 2017-2026 period, China has ranked among Qatar’s top 10 sources of foreign direct investment, with 59 projects generating more than $3bn in capital expenditure and creating more than 3,200 jobs across multiple sectors.
The Shanghai and Hangzhou programme signals a more targeted approach by Qatar’s investment promotion authorities. Rather than broad promotional activity, the delegation focused on companies that fit Qatar’s priority clusters. WuXi Biologics brings relevance to life sciences and contract research, Shanghai SUS Environment operates in waste-to-energy and environmental infrastructure, Cainiao Group is a major logistics and supply-chain player, and Ant International strengthens the digital payments and fintech dimension of the outreach.
Energy remains the anchor of Qatar-China economic relations. China is Qatar’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $24.22bn in 2024. China exported goods worth about $4.17bn to Qatar and imported about $20.05bn, led by liquefied natural gas and industrial helium. Qatar is also China’s second-largest source of LNG imports, reinforcing the strategic weight of the relationship at a time when Asian demand remains central to global gas markets.
QatarEnergy’s expansion strategy has further tightened industrial links with China. Long-term LNG supply arrangements linked to the Chinese market, together with major vessel orders placed with Chinese shipbuilders, have created a broader commercial ecosystem around the North Field expansion. Qatar aims to raise LNG production capacity from 77mn tonnes a year to 142mn tonnes by 2030, a target that will require shipping, engineering, financing and downstream partnerships across Asia.
The investment outreach comes as Gulf states increasingly seek to use energy relationships as a foundation for wider economic cooperation with Asia. For Qatar, China offers scale, capital depth and technology capacity. For Chinese groups, Qatar provides political stability, strong transport connectivity, free-zone infrastructure and access to Gulf, African and South Asian markets.
Doha is also seeking to position itself as a business base for companies navigating a more fragmented global trade environment. Regulatory certainty, a relatively high-income market, advanced digital infrastructure and a sovereign investment ecosystem give Qatar tools to compete for regional headquarters, specialised manufacturing and services projects. The challenge will be converting exploratory meetings into project commitments in sectors where regional competition is intense, particularly from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Financial services form another important strand of the relationship. Qatar Investment Authority’s moves in China’s asset management sector and broader Gulf interest in Asian financial markets point to a shift from passive portfolio exposure towards more strategic investment channels. That trend could support new capital-market links, fintech partnerships and investment vehicles connecting Doha and Chinese financial centres.
The latest Invest Qatar tour also reflects a diplomatic-economic strategy that has become more visible across Asia. Qatar has sought to deepen ties with major economies while keeping its partnerships diversified across the United States, Europe, China and other Asian markets. This balancing approach allows Doha to pursue commercial opportunities while avoiding excessive dependence on any single investment corridor.
For Chinese companies, Qatar’s offer is strongest where national development goals align with corporate expansion plans. Life sciences companies can tap healthcare investment and research partnerships, logistics operators can link into Hamad Port, Hamad International Airport and regional re-export networks, and digital platforms can benefit from a market that has been investing in cashless payments, cloud services and smart-city infrastructure.
Dubai Police have warned that selling or promoting counterfeit products through social media and digital marketplaces is a criminal offence, intensifying scrutiny of online accounts that use advertising, influencer posts and informal e-commerce channels to move fake goods across the UAE. The warning, issued through the Anti-Economic Crimes Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, targets commercial account owners, advertisers and young social media users who […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi has gained a new artificial intelligence venture aimed at removing one of the most persistent barriers facing deaf and hard-of-hearing people: the absence of instant, affordable sign-language interpretation in everyday public services. New York University Abu Dhabi has launched ChatSign, a commercial AI spin-out developed from research at its Embodied AI and Robotics Lab. The system translates spoken Arabic and English […]
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 May 2026 – ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading hospitality management company in Asia Pacific specialising in hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, and luxury residences, has announced a significant international partnership through the signing of a joint venture agreement with JR Kyushu Business Development (Thailand) Co. Ltd. (a group company of Kyushu Railway Company), one of Japan’s foremost corporations listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange. The collaboration will see the development of Shama North Pattaya, further advancing ONYX’s portfolio by leveraging Shama’s expertise to capitalize on short- and extended-stay demand, while reinforcing confidence in the growth potential of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
Left: Mr. Yuthachai Charanachitta Right: Mr. Toshihiro Mori
This latest agreement marks a continuation of the strategic partnership between the two organizations, building upon the success of Shama Lakeview Asoke, which ONYX manages on behalf of JR Kyushu Group. The property has earned recognition as one of the leading serviced apartments in Bangkok’s central business district, reflecting the Japanese partner’s strong confidence in ONYX’s management capabilities and in-depth market expertise.
The development of Shama North Pattaya therefore represents not only an expansion into a high-potential location, but also a reaffirmation of ONYX’s disciplined growth strategy. By collaborating with globally respected partners, the group continues to strengthen its footprint in the EEC.
Mr. Yuthachai Charanachitta, Chief Executive Officer of ONYX Hospitality Group, stated that this joint venture with JR Kyushu Group reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to growing alongside its partners. It also marks ONYX’s second joint venture with an international partner under its strategic expansion plan, underscoring continued investor confidence in the company’s capabilities, as well as its ongoing pursuit of investment opportunities and strategic collaborations with high-potential partners.
“For ONYX Hospitality Group, growth is not defined merely by the number of projects we develop, but by the strength of the partnerships we cultivate. Our joint venture with JR Kyushu Group reflects a shared vision and a commitment to creating long-term value together.
The Shama brand has grown from a deep understanding of the long-stay market, which we have consistently studied and monitored over the years. We see clear future potential in this segment. Each Shama development is founded on comprehensive insights into resident needs and expectations, placing emphasis on the core of the living experience — comfort, flexibility and a genuine sense of home — all delivered to international standards.
Shama North Pattaya represents another important strategic property in strengthening and completing ONYX Hospitality Group’s presence in Pattaya, a high-potential destination within the EEC, alongside our key brands Amari and OZO, helping to create a more integrated and cohesive hospitality cluster in the area.”
Yuthachai added, “Shama North Pattaya reflects ONYX’s commitment to strengthening Thailand’s position as a leading destination for long-term residents while supporting the sustainable growth of the residential hospitality sector.”
Mr. Toshihiro Mori, Representative Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer of Kyushu Railway Company stated that this joint venture marks an important next step in JR Kyushu Group’s continued partnership with ONYX Hospitality Group in Thailand, building on the success of Shama Lakeview Asoke.
“Following our successful collaboration on Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok, we are pleased to deepen our partnership with ONYX Hospitality Group through Shama North Pattaya. We see strong potential in Pattaya as a leading resort destination within the EEC, and we have full confidence in ONYX’s hospitality expertise to deliver an exceptional property that meets the evolving needs of both Thai and international guests. We look forward to creating lasting value together.”
Strategically located in North Pattaya, a key tourism and economic hub within the EEC, Shama North Pattaya is designed to blend the comfort and convenience of serviced apartments with the refined services of a leading hotel brand. The project aims to cater to the steadily expanding long-stay segment, which is projected to continue its upward trajectory in 2026 and beyond.
The partnership between ONYX Hospitality Group and JR Kyushu Group not only highlights the complementary strengths of both organisations, but also serves as a strong indicator of Japanese investor confidence in Thailand’s economic stability and long-term prospects. At the same time, it signals the readiness of Thai hospitality brands to compete and grow alongside global partners in a sustainable and forward-looking manner.
Hashtag: #ONYXHospitalityGroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About ONYX Hospitality Group
ONYX Hospitality Group, a reputable force in the Asia-Pacific hospitality industry, operates a collection of comprehensive yet complementary brands – Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence – catering to the distinctive needs of discerning business and leisure travellers across the region where it has deep expertise. In addition to its brand portfolio, ONYX Hospitality Group also operates additional hospitality services across spa and food & beverage. With six decades of management experience, the company extends its innovative solutions throughout the region, upholding internationally recognised standards and ensuring optimal operational manoeuvrability. By fostering enduring relationships with like-minded business partners, ONYX Hospitality Group delivers unparalleled experiences in a dynamic and competitive market, meeting the ever-evolving demands of travellers.
Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu), headquartered in Fukuoka, Japan, and listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, is a diversified group operating across Transportation, Real Estate and Hotels, Retail and Restaurants, Construction, and Business Services. Building on more than three decades of experience since its establishment in 1987, JR Kyushu has expanded beyond its core railway operations into a wide range of community-based and lifestyle businesses. In Thailand, JR Kyushu Business Development (Thailand) Co., Ltd. serves as the group’s investment platform for hospitality and real estate, building on the success of Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok and continuing to pursue long-term growth opportunities in the region.
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