The prioritisation of the ICT sector is rooted in Qatar’s ambition to become a knowledge-based economy, in line with its long-term economic development plan. This strategy is a cornerstone of its diversification ambitions, with spending on ICT set to reach $6.2bn by 2026, compared to $5.6bn in 2023. Building upon this, the country has implemented a series of strategic initiatives and projects within…
The construction and real estate sectors have grown rapidly in recent years, owing primarily to the significant spending done leading up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The government invested heavily in infrastructure related to the sports event, including accommodation, stadiums, transport and logistics facilities, and tourist attractions. While sectoral investment may drop in the period immediately…
Qatar has significantly expanded its transport sector over the last decade through focused long-term strategies and high levels of public funding. In the build-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the government invested in developing the country’s roads, rail networks and public transport systems to prepare for the influx of visitors. In line with Qatar National Vision 2030, Qatar’s transport network…
This section includes selected listings of Qatar’s hotels, as well as helpful tips for business and leisure travellers planning to visit the country.…
Qatar’s manufacturing industry is of central importance to the government’s economic diversification drive, with high-value production lines receiving substantial public and private investment in recent years. The country appears to have worked the 2017-21 economic and diplomatic blockade put in place by a number of GCC countries to its advantage, with the new trade partnerships forged during that…
As the economy and population both continue to expand, and with a new national strategy aimed at enhancing the insurance sector and a new health care system in the process of being rolled out, this is a period of heightened activity for Qatar’s insurance and takaful (Islamic insurance) players. Buoyed by high disposable incomes and expected future demand for liquefied natural gas, there are expectations…
Qatar’s vibrant and multifaceted Islamic financial services sector is capable of providing a full suite of sharia-compliant products. The country is a major regional and global player in Islamic finance, home to three of the world’s top-10 Islamic banks by asset size. With the economy growing, hydrocarbons exports expanding and the population increasing, Islamic finance is capitalising on new growth…
Capital markets in Qatar have undergone significant development in recent years, with the relevant government agencies united in their drive to see the domestic market move up further in international economic rankings. While the performance of Qatar’s stock exchange has fluctuated, the country’s strong fiscal performance, and timely regulatory, banking capital-protection and systems updates –…
Qatar’s banks have withstood recent global and regional uncertainties, leaving them in a strong position for further growth. The sector’s banks stand to benefit from the Third National Development Strategy for 2024-30, which prioritises financial services for the country’s development and economic diversification. The sector is also embracing digitalisation, the adoption of financial technology,…
Qatar has reaped the benefits from changes in the global energy market and the accelerated energy transitions of several countries. In addition to major long-term energy supply deals with China, France, Germany and the Netherlands, Qatar is expecting to renew gas agreements with South Korea in the near future. The North Field expansion project, which will increase liquefied natural gas production capacity…
