Featured by OBG
Qatar is channeling its hydrocarbons wealth into long-term economic transformation, with diversification accelerating after the FIFA 2022 World Cup. In 2024 non-oil sectors accounted for over 60% of GDP, led by tourism, logistics and financial services. Strong fiscal buffers, a US dollar peg and prudent management of the $475bn Qatar Investment Authority support macroeconomic stability. Reforms in labour laws, green investment, and small and medium-sized enterprise development have boosted private sector participation and competitiveness. The trade and investment sector is a key area of the country’s growth due to the government’s ability to leverage associated international exposure to attract higher inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI), aligning with its broader economic diversification agenda. The energy sector continues to be a boon for the economy and FDI inflows due to Qatar’s abundant natural gas reserves and its liquefied natural gas exports. Qatar’s economy is strong and stable, coupled with a population of around 3.1m, endow Qatar with vast sovereign wealth and one of the highest GDP per capita figures in the world.
Located at a juncture between Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Djibouti has easy access to international trade routes via the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, and borders fast-growing yet landlocked Ethiopia, making it an ideal continental hub. New ports, railway links and road improvement projects are enhancing economic efficiencies and providing a solid platform to bolster expansion in sectors.
While Kenya is no stranger to political strides experienced across the region, the country has managed to avoid long periods of crisis – whether political, economic or social – and has been able to overcome its challenges in relatively short periods of time.
Optimism is returning to Trinidad and Tobago after years of recession. With the IMF forecasting GDP expansion of 1% in 2018 and 0.9% in 2019, the government now has the opportunity to shift their focus from tackling short-term economic problems to implementing long-term reforms and policy initiatives.
Although Papua New Guinea’s macroeconomic slowdown, challenging business climate and falling global commodity prices have weighed on trade and investment in recent years, the country continues to offer high-potential opportunities to investors.
In the mid-20th century, Argentina was a tantalising draw for investors and talent fleeing post-war Europe. However, questionable financial management in the 1990s led to excessive volumes of debt, hyperinflation and an unprecedented currency crisis. But in only two decades, Argentina has returned as a new focus of investors and companies. The newly elected government is working to recover the interest of American and European companies
