Gulf Times PRINT: Qatar harnesses AI, digital solutions to combat Covid-19
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Nishad Azeem, CEO, Coastal Group
On promoting local manufacturing industries In what ways can the ease of doing business be improved, particularly for manufacturing companies? NISHAD AZEEM: For most manufacturing industries volume is key, and automation and warehousing space are essential to achieve volumes. Therefore, access to adequately sized land with access to electricity, gas, water and road connections is one of the most…
Qatar: Economic Snapshot 2020
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Digital solutions supporting Qatar’s Covid-19 strategyOBGplus
As part of Qatar’s efforts to halt the spread of Covid-19, the authorities have been harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital solutions. Qatar recorded its first case of the virus on February 29, which involved a citizen who had been evacuated from Iran. On March 9 the country announced the closure of educational institutions until further notice, while on the…
The Report: Qatar 2020OBGplus
As Qatar moves into the new decade it is forging ahead with economic diversification plans in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 while also working to increase the output of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by roughly two-thirds. Indeed, Qatar withdrew from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries at the beginning of 2019 to focus on its gas sector, which produces one-third of the worldâ
Demand for online retail bolsters Qatar's e-commerce marketOBGplus
Home to some of the most elaborate shopping centres in the world, it is unsurprising that Qatar and the wider Gulf region has traditionally lagged behind the rest of the world in terms of embracing e-commerce. However, in recent years the country has sought to change this by introducing a series of measures to encourage the growth of online retail. In October 2019 the government launched Theqa,…
Free zones and industrial parks attract international businesses to QatarOBGplus
Qatar National Vision 2030 recognises the need to diversify the economy by enabling a flourishing private sector and supporting entrepreneurs, who need seed capital and land for factories, offices and warehouses in order to grow. In 2ence011 the state created Manateq, tasking the agency with managing special economic zones (SEZs) and encouraging businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises…
Growing public investment in Qatar's health care and educationOBGplus
In recent years Qatar’s leaders have faced some difficult choices in terms of public spending as a result of the continued downturn in oil and gas prices since 2014, followed by the economic blockade by neighbouring countries. Despite facing declining revenue, public spending continued on infrastructure mega-projects initiated for the 2022 FIFA World Cup as well as on schemes that have a…
Qatar increases access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprisesOBGplus
Following Qatar’s first delivery of liquefied natural gas in 1996, the state created Qatar Development Bank (QDB) in 1997, to nurture, encourage and support small businesses as well as to help allocate land to Qatari citizens. The QDB plays a vital role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar, underscoring the government’s commitment to the country’s smaller players,…
Financial technology improves banking experience for customers in QatarOBGplus
While technological change may not be new in financial services, financial technology (fintech) offers a broad range of alternative methods to pay, save, borrow, manage risk and offer advisory services that draw on innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, big data, cloud computing, crypto-assets and mobile telephony. Digitalisation has been a major focus for Qatar’s banks…
