On the importance of private sector engagement in key sectors such as education and tourism
What are the primary factors that make Qatar an appealing destination for investors?
SHEIKH FAISAL BIN QASSIM AL THANI: Qatar’s appeal as an investment destination is underscored by numerous factors. Positioned strategically at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe, the country serves as a crucial node for global trade and commerce networks. In addition, Qatar enjoys political stability and a resilient economy that provides a secure and favourable environment for investment activities. Over the past decade, the government has implemented progressive policies to attract foreign investment, offering tax incentives, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and expanding ownership rights, exemplified by the decision to allow up to 100% non-Qatari ownership of select firms listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange.
The country’s robust infrastructure development across various sectors, including transport, logistics, health care, and education, aims to move its economy away from dependence on oil and gas, and serves as a foundation for enhancing its attractiveness. Additionally, Qatar benefits from abundant natural resources, further boosting its investment appeal.
To what extent are public-private partnerships (PPPs) expected to play a role in the country’s development and what more needs to be done to encourage the uptake of these investment structures?
SHEIKH FAISAL: PPPs play a vital role in the development of any economy, and they are set to be pivotal in Qatar’s progress by combining private sector expertise, efficiency and capital with government resources. Creating a favourable business environment, offering financial incentives and raising awareness about the advantages of PPPs can promote their widespread adoption.
How can Qatar promote synergies between the private sector and academia to enhance the quality and competitiveness of graduates and nurture educational research?
SHEIKH FAISAL: Qatar provides compelling examples of the synergies between the private and public sectors in academia, where numerous leading educational institutions are privately owned, adhering to criteria set by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Collaborative platforms and initiatives between universities and private sector entities foster knowledge exchange, research partnerships and internship opportunities. They also promote industry-focused curriculum development, sponsored research projects and joint degree programmes to align educational offerings with market demands. We have long invested in education through a fully owned subsidiary that hosts a number of educational and recreational institutions, thereby further supporting the goals of Qatar Vision 2030.
Which opportunities have emerged as a result of Qatar’s development of culture and heritage as a tourism offering?
SHEIKH FAISAL: In accordance with Qatar’s national tourism strategy, the country is undertaking a dynamic transformation of its tourism sector. This strategy sets forth bold objectives to integrate tourism as a key driver of economic diversification and to establish the country as a captivating destination for tourists. To achieve this, it is enacting progressive policies aimed at opening up the tourism industry. These policies encompass visa reforms and substantial infrastructure development, making it a centre for major sport events and conferences. Simultaneously, Qatar is leveraging its rich culture and heritage to attract tourists, evident in initiatives such as the establishment of museums, cultural festivals and heritage sites.
This strategic development has given rise to numerous opportunities for private sector investment in many sectors, including hospitality, entertainment, leisure facilities, tour operators and cultural experiences tailored for both domestic and international visitors. From our perspective, we have made substantial investment in the hospitality sector through a leading hospitality investment company whose portfolio includes 12 hotels in Qatar and over 23hotels located across Europe, the US and the MENA region.
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