12 Dec 2010
Hydrocarbons provide platform for country’s bullish economic development
Qatar’s successful bid to use its hydrocarbons as a springboard for setting up the country’s own natural gas supply chain and conscious efforts to expand the contribution of other sectors is explored in a wide-ranging report just published by Oxford Business Group (OBG).
The Report: Qatar 2010 includes a detailed, sector-by-sector guide for investors, together with an introductory viewpoint by the Emir of the State of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The publication features a wide range of interviews with the most prominent political, economic and business leaders, including the Consort to the Emir HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah and Minister of Economy and Finance His Excellency Yousef Hussein Kamal are just some of the other key players who give their views on Qatar’s economic development.
The report also features contributions from high profile international representatives, such as the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Katsuya Okada, the Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum Leonid Bokhanovskiy, and the CEO of NYSE Euronext Duncan Niederauer.
The Report: Qatar 2010 explores the resilience shown by Qatar’s financial sector, as timely government intervention combined with prudent and responsible lending by the country’s leading banks contributed to one of the healthiest and most stable financial sectors in the region.
The Report: Qatar 2010 looks in detail at each component of the country’s natural gas initiative, which is nearing completion, including its efforts to develop new gas products and the steps it has taken to make its transport fleet more efficient. The global publishing, research and consultancy firm’s report, which is launched today, also offers comprehensive coverage of Qatar’s aim to broaden its energy mix and encourage more research into solar power options as the country’s move to diversify its economy gathers momentum.
The Report: Qatar 2010 provides detailed analysis of the country’s ambitious transport projects which have been brought together under the umbrella of a master plan mapping out developments slated for the next 15 years. The projects, which include a new airport, rail line and increased port capacity, are set to play a key role in improving regional connectivity and should also give Qatar’s growing logistics segment a significant boost.
With a number of major construction projects nearing completion, OBG’s new report puts Qatar’s real estate sector in the spotlight. It considers the resilience it has shown in the face of the global economic crisis and looks at how supply weighs up against demand. The report explores the government’s decision to spend through the downturn which has helped buoy the sector and generate confidence that most projects should be finalised without delays.
The Report: Qatar 2010 maps out the steps that the country’s industrial sector has taken to improve its infrastructure and technology during the downturn in preparation for an expected upswing in business. There is extensive coverage of the growing number of industrial development areas which are opening their doors, together with a focus on the country’s huge new aluminium smelter.
The Report: Qatar 2010 marks the first year in which the Report has been produced in partnership with the Ministry of Business and Trade. According to His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Al Saadi, Assistant Undersecretary, Ministry of Business and Trade “Our mandate is to create a favourable business environment that will enable the private sector to develop and contribute to the national economy and become a major driver for sustained future economic growth…We are proud to be associated with this esteemed publication, and we hope that existing and potential investors will reap the benefit of a Report that does a terrific job in highlighting and informing them of the increasing variety and scope of business opportunities available in the State of Qatar.
Qatar National Bank (QNB), Qatar’s leading financial services institution, served as the partner for the Reports’ Capital Markets section for the sixth straight year; providng share analyses on leading corporates and valued statistics and research on market trends. According to Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari, Executive General Manager and Chief Business Officer at QNB, “Oxford Business Group’s Qatar Report has gained increasing importance as a reliable reference of information on various industry sectors in Qatar, and QNB’s association with OBG has played an important role in this regard”.
Key contributions have also been made by KPMG as OBG’s accountancy partner, and Clyde and Co. as its legal partner.
Oliver Cornock, OBG’s Regional Editor, said that Qatar had not only taken significant steps forward in using its vast hydrocarbons reserves as a launch pad for diversifying its economy, but was also carving out a niche for itself as a key diplomatic player on a regional level.
“The government is playing an active role in efforts aimed at solving key regional issues, which has not gone unnoticed by the international business community,” he said. “Major international sporting events are also raising the nation’s profile and helping to promote the favourable business environment which Qatar is working hard to cultivate. I am confident that these efforts will help to promote the country’s investment opportunities on the global stage and galvanise the private sector into playing a greater role in the development of the national economy.”
Cornock also highlighted the significant contribution made by OBG’s partners in the information-gathering process for The Report: Qatar 2010. “Oxford Business Group attaches great importance to working with partners who are leaders in their field and bring local knowledge and expertise to the table,” he said. “Our partners in Qatar have undoubtedly made a valuable contribution to our research and played a pivotal part in helping us to produce a report which I am confident will relay the country’s many exciting investment opportunities to business leaders around the world.”
The Report: Qatar 2010 marks the culmination of more than six months of field research by a team of analysts from OBG, assessing trends and developments in all major sectors of the economy, including energy, industry, finance, banking, tourism, transport and real estate. It will be available in print form and online.
About Oxford Business Group
Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic and political intelligence on the markets of the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Caribbean. Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of political, macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, insurance, energy, transport, industry and telecoms. The Report: Qatar 2010 produced in partnership with the Ministry of Business and Trade, KPMG, Clyde and Co. and Qatar National Bank.
The critically acclaimed economic, political and business reports have become the leading source of business intelligence on developing countries in the regions they cover. OBG’s online economic briefings provide up-to-date in-depth analysis on the issues that matter for tens of thousands of subscribers worldwide. OBG’s consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms currently operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.
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