The government of Qatar has identified education as key to meeting the targets outlined in both the National Development Strategy 2011-16 and the Qatar National Vision 2030. Government expenditures in 2014 emphasised education, which accounted for over 7% of the national budget. Private sector actors are also playing an increasingly important role in providing education services, particularly at the…
The last decade has seen a rapid expansion in the number of hotels and other tourism facilities in Qatar, as the state has invested in transforming the country into a luxury, sports and business destination. While in 2014 the majority of tourists visited the country for business purposes, the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 aims to reverse this trend, with hopes that by 2030, 64% of all…
The telecoms sector in Qatar has grown at a rapid pace over the past decade and today boasts at least 100% mobile penetration, 93% laptop ownership, 65% smartphone ownership and 29% tablet penetration. Data services have underpinned revenue growth in recent years and are expected to continue driving demand and revenues in the mobile segment. Meanwhile, the take-up of IT services has been increasing…
Property prices are on the up in Qatar, as are profits for listed real estate companies. Lending to the sector is also growing, with credit facilities worth $34.4bn at the end of 2014, the largest share of commercial banks’ loan book. The upward trajectory of residential rents is also gaining pace. After rising 7.9% y-o-y in August 2014, rents increased by 8.1% in September and 8.3% in October of…
Construction represents Qatar’s fastest-growing sector, with the government having pledged $200bn of investment as part of a vast infrastructure expansion scheme. As a result, opportunities for contractors abound, particularly in the transport, retail, real estate, tourism, and education sectors, not to mention the eight multibillion-dollar stadia being built in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World…
Rapid population growth and a fast growing economy are putting high demand on Qatar’s transport sector. However, several mega projects envisioned in Qatar National Vision 2030, along with infrastructure upgrades being implemented as Qatar gears up to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, are expected to ease this pressure moving forward. Indeed, in September 2014 the minister of transport announced the government…
Falling oil prices have spurred ongoing efficiency and diversification efforts in Qatar, with data from Qatar National Bank (QNB) showing that more than half of the state’s GDP is now accounted for by the non-hydrocarbons sector. Figures from the third quarter of 2014 showed industry contributed 6% of nominal GDP, with manufacturing accounting for $19.7bn of industry’s $30.7bn total contribution…
A rapidly expanding economy and growing population mean that demand for power and water from both industry and households in Qatar has never been greater. This trend is set to continue for some time to come, with an ambitious multibillion-dollar programme of infrastructure building in the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, requiring more people, more electricity and more water. At the same time, new…
Home to the world’s largest non-associated natural gas field and significant oil reserves, Qatar is a leading player in the global energy market. It is also at the forefront of the international gas-to-liquids and liquefied natural gas industries, as well as fast becoming a major centre for research and development in hydrocarbons. The industry does face challenges, however. Among these are the steep…
Insurers in Qatar once again showed strong financial performance in 2014, and with the supply of large projects generated by the nation’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the industry is well positioned to make further gains. In the meantime, a process of reform that aims to streamline the regulatory regime continues apace, with the 2012 Regulation of Financial Institutions Law establishing the…
