Qatar is looking to diversify its economy away from oil and gas, and develop new income streams – particularly in the service sector. The 2022 FIFA World Cup demonstrated the country’s advancements in infrastructure and its ability to organise global events. At the same time, the tournament catalysed growth in the retail sector by boosting tourism and consumer spending. The sector is expected to…
Since the inception of its first mass media outlets – both radio and TV – in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Qatar has transformed into a major regional and global media centre, with a reach of 430m households by its major networks worldwide. However, the industry faced challenges following the 2017 trade blockade imposed by some Arab neighbours, which resulted in competing narratives on regional…
The education and research landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, as the country is aiming to develop a knowledge-based economy beyond 2025. Qatar is already home to a productive education and research ecosystem featuring a wide variety of local and international universities, and research institutes, as well as public and private schools catering to its diverse population. The sector’s…
Qatar emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic in robust shape, delivering a vaccine programme that had, as of May 2024, delivered 7.6m doses. The successful organisation of the 2022 FIFA World Cup helped boost the country’s global reputation for health care service delivery. During the tournament, the country deployed medical services across 100 competition and non-competition sites, with 113 clinics,…
The tourism industry has undergone a significant transformation since 2022. The FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar that year saw an estimated 1m visitors arrive for the tournament, boosting the country’s reputation as a travel destination. In addition, since 2019 Qatar’s supply of hotel rooms has increased by nearly half, and a flurry of museums and cultural sites have either opened or begun construction.…
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…
