Qatar Tribune PRINT: OBG’s new report to map out Qatar’s evolving tax framework
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Qatar: Year in Review 2019OBGplus
Muted growth figures did not detract from a generally positive year for Qatar, in which new developments in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production were matched by broad-based expansion in non-hydrocarbons sectors. In the first quarter of 2019, 0.9% year-on-year (y-o-y) GDP growth reflected 2018’s slowdown, while in the second quarter it contracted by 1.5% y-o-y. The World Bank estimates that Qatar’s…
The role of artificial intelligence in Qatar’s diversification plansOBGplus
Qatar has unveiled a new strategy to bolster artificial intelligence (AI) development. In late October the government launched the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a plan designed to identify economic opportunities and research potential in the burgeoning field of AI. The strategy, developed by Hamad bin Khalifa University’s Qatar Computing Research Institute, is based on six pillars:…
International trade bolstered by greater regional integration and new trade pactsOBGplus
Global trade faces protectionist headwinds that are dampening the outlook for growth in the coming years. According to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), trade volumes grew by 3% in 2018 and are expected to decline slightly to 2.6% in 2019 before rebounding to 3% in 2020. This may be the first time since the 2007-08 global financial crisis that growth will fall below a 3% average, as significant…
Hospitality Qatar 2019
Learnabout Hospitality Qatar’s CPD-certified conference Participatein Hospitality Qatar’s certified training sessions Watch live competitions among top chefs in front of a panel of international judges at Salon Culinaire. Visit the newly introduced Destination Pavilion sponsored by Qatar Airways. Gaininsights into Luxury Tourism in association with LT&MG …
OBG Business Barometer: Gulf CEO Survey
Business Barometer: GCC CEO Survey Copyright (c). All rights reserved. This survey has been designed to assess business sentiment amongst business leaders (Chief Executives or equivalent) and their outlook for the next 12 months. Unlike many surveys, the OBG Business Barometer is conducted by OBG staff on a face-to-face basis, across the full range of industries, company sizes and functional…
Positive outlook in the Gulf, despite political jitters
The Gulf has had to navigate some challenging terrain in recent times, and in the second half of 2019 these challenges have come in the form of steady escalation of tensions with Iran, which have dominated global headlines emanating from the region. Although Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman emphasised recently in a television interview with CBS News that a “political and peaceful solution is better…
How Qatar’s LNG expansion could generate an infrastructure boomOBGplus
Qatar is seeking international partners for the expansion of its North Field gas mega-project, a development that will both boost output and support broader infrastructure growth. On September 9 Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, minister of energy as well as president and CEO of state-owned Qatar Petroleum (QP), announced that the country had shortlisted a number of multinational companies for a stake in the…
Two years on, how has Qatar adapted to the blockade?OBGplus
It has been two years since three Gulf countries and Egypt placed an economic blockade on Qatar, to which Qatar responded by implementing a series of reforms, seeking out new trade partners and amplifying economic diversification efforts.How effective have these measures proved? On June 5, 2017 Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain announced the implementation of an air, sea and land blockade…
Key takeaways from Qatar’s first-ever bank mergerOBGplus
Mirroring a trend seen across the Gulf, two lenders in Qatar announced the country’s first bank merger in a move officials say will support economic growth and the development of the financial and private sectors. On April 21 Barwa Bank and the International Bank of Qatar (IBQ) signalled the finalisation of negotiations and clearance of regulatory requirements necessary to consolidate operations.…
