Innovation ecosystem

5G technology underpins Smart Qatar initiatives

Qatar has positioned itself as a pioneer in ICT technology as the rollout of a 5G network across the country continues, bringing with it a host of exciting use cases for digital government and smart city initiatives. The country’s main telecoms companies, Vodafone and Ooredoo, reported stable performance in 2019 on the back of higher post-paid mobile revenue and fixed broadband services.

Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO, Qatar Development Bank (QDB): Interview

The Qatari entrepreneurial ecosystem has been evolving over the years, and thanks to a number of government reforms, we are becoming an environment that will help entrepreneurs excel and unlock their potential. QDB has embarked on a mission to enlarge and strengthen the private sector to contribute to the diversification of the economy. Since this mission began, the local entrepreneurial ecosystem has made leaps in development.

Qatar increases access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises

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, which will be vital in developing a more diversified economy.

Qatar creates an ecosystem to bridge education and industry needs

As Qatar’s tertiary education sector grows, so do the connections between universities and employers in the country. A number of universities are offering executive education or continuing professional development courses for those already in employment, while researchers are keen to work alongside potential end-users of their innovations. However, as with any education system, gaps remain between the skills of graduates and the needs of government and industry.

Sheikh Abdulla bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank (QCB): Interview

Project financing plays a significant role in accomplishing sustainable asset growth for the banking sector. In Qatar and the wider region, it is mainly focused on sectors like power, oil and gas, petrochemicals, infrastructure and ICT. Recent trends show that banks are constantly improving their expertise in this regard. The increased presence of their branches and subsidiaries across the globe – and particularly in the region – enables banks with a global reach to find alternative sources of stable funds with which to finance long- and medium-term projects.