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Trade between the GCC and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has grown considerably in recent years as economies in both regions seek to capitalise on mutually beneficial opportunities, and diversify their trade and investment partners. Indeed, trade between the GCC and Asian countries classified as emerging and developing by the IMF increased 34.7% year-on-year to reach $516bn in…

Qatar National Vision 2030 sees the government working to diversify the country’s economy away from hydrocarbons, in the process enhancing the knowledge-based economy. To achieve that goal, the government is channelling resources into further cultivating a modern education system designed to facilitate and sustain a highly skilled national workforce and talent pool that enables Qatar to remain competitive…

In an effort to boost the contribution of Qatari nationals to the workforce, the Qatarisation Law No. 12 of 2024 was announced in September 2024 and came into effect in April 2025. The law stipulates that private businesses, with the exception of companies related to government firm Qatar Energy and hydrocarbons exploration and production, must prioritise Qataris in recruitment processes. Hiring foreign…

Qatar’s long and short-term socio-economic development plans are focused on achieving the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There are 17 SDGs covering social, environmental, ecological, economic and governance-related targets. Qatar’s significant natural gas reserves grant the country a prominent position in global hydrocarbons markets and value chains, giving Qatar a central role to…

GCC countries have been actively pursuing workforce nationalisation policies to reduce their reliance on expatriate workers and create sustainable employment opportunities for their growing local populations. Proactive Measures In Qatar, the workforce nationalisation rate stood at 19% in 2022, with a goal to increase this to 20%, as per the Qatarisation Policy of 2013. The country is currently accelerating…

Since gaining independence at various points during the 20th century, the GCC countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – have maintained a fiscal model built on oil revenue and a low- to no-tax environment. Historically, GCC governments did not impose taxes because they achieved independence without fiscal burdens such as reparations or colonial taxes, relying instead…

Qatar has built an outsized global investment presence through its sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Established in 2005, QIA was valued at over $526bn as of November 2024 and has, in recent years, pursued a strategy to diversify beyond Western markets and energy exports. This shift has seen Qatar expand its international investment footprint, with a growing emphasis on emerging…