Education is an important pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030, the country’s development plan to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons. To that end, Qatar has prioritised developing and reforming the education sector, with a substantial portion of its energy revenue dedicated to education. Although the decline in international oil prices in recent years has resulted in…
The 2016 slump in oil prices led the Qatari government to identify industries with high growth potential in a diversified economy. Tourism was among the sectors prioritised due to the opportunities presented by infrastructure investment and major events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The sector’s promising performance comes amid the backdrop of a regional blockade led by Saudi Arabia and several…
Qatar’s ICT market is well established, and characterised by high levels of mobile and internet penetration rates. Internet services are both affordable and quick, with fibre-based connections available since 2012. The country’s two main telecommunications operators are also working to roll out 5G services in all heavily populated areas by the end of 2020. The deployment of advanced technology…
As a key driver of diversification efforts, the real estate sector has been an important contributor to economic growth in recent years. According to a 2018 report, non-mining and quarrying sectors registered a combined compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% between 2013 and 2017, which was largely attributed to four sectors: construction, health care, insurance and real estate, with the last registering…
Qatar’s construction industry has flourished over the past five years to become a key engine of the economy. Although activity remains robust, the wider economic squeeze brought about by the 2014-16 oil glut has been felt in the sector, as the effects of lower oil and gas revenue trickled down to impact government expenditure and investor confidence. A narrower project pipeline and increased competition…
Guided by plans laid out in Qatar National Vision 2030, the country is on track to upgrade and connect its land, air and sea networks in 2019. The first trains are set to run on the new Doha Metro network, while dozens of expressway bridges, underpasses and intersections are due for completion. Organisation efforts for the 2022 FIFA World Cup have added urgency to the drive to improve transport connections…
The potential for the industrial sector to play a major role in Qatar’s economic growth was officially recognised in 2008 with the publication of the country’s plan for long-term development, Qatar National Vision 2030. Since then Qatar has taken a number of steps to increase the incentives available to foreign investors interested in supporting the country’s industry. Boosted by a new project…
Etiquette & Dress Hospitality is a key part of Emirati culture. Long greetings before meetings, whether for business or socialising, are important. In Abu Dhabi it is common for men to shake hands in business settings, and exchanging business cards is fairly informal. However, it is advisable not to shake a woman’s hand unless she initiates the gesture. Honorific titles also play an…
Moving to increase its air transport and logistics capacity, Qatar has directed new funds towards the upgrade of Doha’s Hamad International Airport (HIA), while Qatar Airways, the nation’s flag carrier, has also forged new passenger and cargo links. In its 2019 budget statement, released in December, the government allocated QR1bn ($274.6m) to phase two of HIA’s ongoing redevelopment. The…
Innovation and digitalization have been reshaping the financial industry model over the past decade. The banking sector remains under pressure as technology is impacting every segment and payments is no exception. With evolving customer demand, banks and financial institutions have to invest in digitalization to stay ahead of the game. With regulatory support to embrace a cashless society and encourage…
