Country Profile
From The Report: Qatar 2020
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Prior to 2010 Qatar was primarily known for its vast gas reserves; however, the country’s global profile received a major boost in 2010 when it won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in November and December of that year. Backed by sustained levels of economic growth, Qatar is channelling its resources into transitioning to a knowledge-based economy. The country has been working to translate recent economic growth into greater activity and sustainability throughout the private sector. As such, it has been investing in strategic sectors such as agriculture, services, and research and development to further diversify its economy and attract greater foreign direct investment. This chapter contains a viewpoint from HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Strategic sustainability: The government seeks to preserve cultural identity and rolls out strategic legislative reform
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Since gaining independence in 1971 Qatar has quickly risen to prominence both regionally and internationally to become an economic, political and cultural powerhouse in the Middle East. With a relatively small local population and substantial revenue generated from having the third-largest proven natural gas reserves globally, Qatar has one of the world’s highest GDP per capita: $70,700 at current prices in 2020, according to IMF estimates. Prior to 2010 the country was primarily known…

Viewpoint

Mapping the future: HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, on economic resilience and reforming the country
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Viewpoint:Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Qatar has moved forward with confident strides, implementing national development programmes as planned. In 2018 the country’s GDP grew by about 15%, while non-hydrocarbon GDP increased by around 9%. The government has sought to restore balance to the state budget, cutting public expenditure without affecting priority projects. In my 2017 address before the Shura Council in the aftermath of the unjust blockade imposed on us, I stated that it would strengthen our resolve and push us forward to deal in a better way with the new circumstances that ensued, which is what actually happened. I will…