Qatar’s economy has undergone significant transformation since 2010, when it was awarded hosting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. A major infrastructure build saw the construction of arenas, hospitality, retail, transport and leisure facilities. The government strategically leveraged the international exposure to attract higher inflows of foreign direct investment, aligning with its broader economic…
Qatar’s capital markets are currently going through a time of major new initiatives, with reforms and structural improvements rolling out. These target the widening and strengthening of the existing Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), while also preparing the ground for additional capital market innovation. These steps come following 2024 witnessing strong earnings and revenue expansion for listed organisations.…
With recent years seeing strong growth in its banking, takaful (Islamic insurance) and sukuk (Islamic bonds) subsegments, Qatar’s Islamic finance sector is both a regional leader and a centre for international investors. Advances in financial technology and the digitalisation of Islamic finance services are helping Qatar’s sharia-compliant finance sector secure a larger market share both at home…
Qatar has one of the most well-capitalised and secure banking sectors in the Gulf, with its leading lender, Qatar National Bank, among the world’s largest-50 banks by market capitalisation. Central to the sector’s future trajectory is the Third Financial Sector Strategy 2024-30, which seeks to unlock new growth areas by expanding offerings in environmental, social and governance financing, Islamic…
Qatar is in the process of establishing itself as a regional centre for advanced manufacturing research and activities. A number of related international companies have established a presence in the country in recent years, while significant investment in petrochemicals and fertiliser production from some of the country’s leading industrial conglomerates is designed to drive sector growth and its…
While hydrocarbons profits may be slightly down from the elevated levels seen following the start of the conflict in Ukraine and major liquefied natural gas (LNG) export agreements with long-term clients such as Japan and South Korea are in their last year and need to be renegotiated, the country’s renewable energy capacity is ramping up. Moreover, once the first stage of the North Field expansion…
Outperforming regional peers in both underwriting and return on equity, Qatar’s insurance sector is now reaping the rewards of ongoing economic and population growth. While the market remains competitive and relatively low in penetration, ongoing product innovation and improved sector governance could help unlock growth opportunities. Insurers and takaful (Islamic insurance) operators are seeing…
Qatar’s leadership aims to create a knowledge-based economy supported by robust telecommunications infrastructure, a large and diverse community of scientists and a strong incubation programme for innovative start-ups. The country has designed policies to ensure these specific ingredients are in sufficient supply to fuel the required growth and development. Technologies such as artificial intelligence…
Substantial public investment in a range of infrastructure projects has driven growth in Qatar’s construction and real estate sector in the decade preceding 2025. The development of several transport networks; new residential, retail and leisure spaces; and the expansion of Qatar’s industry in the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup has supported market growth. The government established new laws…
Ongoing investment in Qatar’s transport sector has transformed mobility across the country over the past decade. Backed by long-term strategic planning, the government has focused on developing a comprehensive, multi-modal network that enhances connectivity. In the lead up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, significant resources were channelled into expanding transport infrastructure to accommodate the…
