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Analysis

Preparation for the World Cup in Qatar to support future tourism growth
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In 2022 Qatar will be the first Arab country to host the FIFA World Cup, giving it the opportunity to demonstrate that the region can lead in the international sporting scene. Those involved in the preparation for the event are using it as a chance to leverage the competition for future tourism revenue, given that tournament will be shown on televisions around the world and in-person fans will share…

Analysis

How digitalisation is driving change in Qatar’s banking sector
OBG
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Expanding Qatar’s range of financial services has been a priority in recent years, enshrined in Qatar National Vision 2030, as well as other government strategies. Indeed, a wide and deep financial services sector is essential to fostering broad-based growth and connecting Qatar’s start-up ecosystem with international counterparts. Specifically, the government is seeking to foster partnerships…

Analysis

Global Islamic finance industry set for growth
OBG
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After a resilient performance in 2020, the international Islamic finance sector fared positively in 2021 as an improved economic environment, a rise in the number of large projects, and an increased focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors combined to drive demand for services. Despite the twin challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the fall in international oil prices that affected…

Analysis

Islamic finance in Qatar adopting sustainability criteria
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Qatar’s Islamic financial services sector is engaged in a shift towards sustainability to take advantage of robust global growth in demand for sharia-compliant investments and rising interest in green finance. Globally, Islamic financial services continue to exhibit strong momentum, with loans expanding at an average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5% in 2020 and 2021, according to a 2022…

Analysis

How public investment facilitated the shift to e-learning in Qatar
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As the Covid-19 pandemic proved highly disruptive to education worldwide, Qatar followed the trend of many countries by moving classes online and leveraging available funds. Two years on, the lessons learned from this period could have positive, permanent implications for the provision of education in the country. Institution Closures In early March 2020 the Ministry of Education and Higher Education…

Analysis

Urban rail to enhance intra- and inter-city connections in Qatar
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Since its inception in 2011, government-owned railway company Qatar Rail has operated with a mandate to develop an efficient countrywide public transport system. This goal is guided by the diversification, sustainable development and social progress goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. The creation of a modern public rail network is intended to improve commute times, alleviate motorway traffic, reduce…

Analysis

How GCC Railway could revolutions transport in the Gulf
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Following delays, the long-awaited GCC Railway looks likely to be revitalised – a move that could transform trade and connectivity across the Gulf. The initiative was given a significant boost in December 2021 when leaders of the six GCC countries approved the establishment of the GCC Railways Authority, the body that will oversee the coordination of the project. The decision marks a potentially…

Analysis

Qatar implements new universal health coverage mandate
OBG
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Qatar launched a mandatory health insurance plan as a replacement for the previous public health insurance scheme, commonly known as SEHA, introduced in 2013. As in other GCC countries, Qatar’s reforms come in response to rising demand from an ageing population and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, alongside the desire to rationalise public expenditure and increase private sector dynamism…

Analysis

Use of digital platforms and services fuelled by the pandemic
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The onset of the pandemic in 2020 gave rise to global acceleration in the uptake of digital platforms and services. This surge was consolidated in 2021, as it became clear – in emerging and developed economies alike – that digital is the new normal. While in some ways 2020 was reactive, with governments and businesses scrambling to implement digital approaches, 2021 was proactive, as those approaches…

Analysis

Qatar’s use of digital solutions for the World Cup to drive future investment
OBG
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Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup has been the catalyst for expanding the country’s digital economy and broadening its ICT ecosystem. One of Qatar’s aspirations was to use the tournament to attract investment in emerging industries and drive innovation in 5G, internet of things (IoT), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality. These recently developed technological innovations will be deployed…