With many emerging markets still facing high levels of plastic waste after the Covid-19 pandemic, solutions are being developed to address its environmental and health challenges. Plastic – which accounted for 12% of global solid waste pre-pandemic, according to the World Bank – took on a more prominent role as personal protective equipment (PPE) and single-use plastics by delivery food services…
Qatar’s education sector transformation has been driven by the Qatar National Vision 2030 development strategy and subsequent education policies. The changes have focused on aligning curricula with international standards, introducing new accreditation frameworks and incorporating digital technologies and innovative learning methods into the classroom. Together, these reforms aim to support the development…
Global tourism has entered a new phase of growth, with destinations competing on connectivity, visitor experience and sustainability rather than simply rebuilding visitor numbers. International arrivals exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2024, supported by consumer demand, air connectivity and strong spending across leisure and business travel markets. At the same time, geopolitical uncertainty, inflationary…
Qatar’s technology development ecosystem continues to gain momentum, with incubation-focused efforts beginning to deliver results and government attention shifting to market access, scale and commercial outcomes. The country has built a thriving support network for entrepreneurs through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) programmes, Qatar Development Bank (QDB), Startup…
As Gulf countries continue to pursue plans to diversify their economies and unlock job creation for their relatively young populations, they are investing in the growing industry around competitive video games known as e-sports. The region’s gaming market was estimated at $5.1bn in 2026, up from $4.6bn in 2025 and with 2031 projections anticipated at $9.3bn, expanding at a 12.7% compound annual growth…
Across the GCC, construction and real estate are undergoing a quiet but consequential shift as digital technologies move from pilot-stage experimentation to system-wide adoption. Long characterised by large-scale projects, fragmented supply chains and labour-intensive delivery models, the region’s urban environment is increasingly shaped by data-driven design, automated construction techniques and…
Qatar has prioritised investment in its transport networks in recent years to enhance connectivity and competitiveness, support growth in non-hydrocarbons sectors, and bolster its position a leading global logistics and trade centre. Leveraging its strategic location at the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa, government funding has focused on upgrading the country’s ports, airports and road network,…
Supply chain disruptions have historically accelerated infrastructure investment and regional economic integration that might otherwise have taken decades to materialise. The reduction in maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the Iran conflict proved no exception. Roughly 20% of global oil trade passes through the Strait each day, alongside a significant share of non-oil commodities,…
Qatar is continuing to reorient its defence posture from a procurement-led model towards one that emphasises building sovereign industrial capabilities through partnerships with global firms. Recent regional security developments and the disruption associated with the 2026 conflict have highlighted the importance of resilient supply chains, operational readiness and access to advanced defence technologies,…
The Qatar Renewable Energy Strategy (QNRES), launched in 2024, signals the government’s intention to increase its investment in electricity generation from renewable sources. Goals for QNRES include seeing renewables contribute 4 GW of power to the energy mix to account for 18% of total generation, reducing power generation costs by 15% and cutting CO₂ emissions by 27% by 2030. Qatar’s CO₂…
