Qatar

Asia remains a key driver of growth for Qatar’s petrochemicals sector, with demand from the region fuelling investment and expansion projects. However, the long-term outlook is less certain after the cancellation of the $6bn Al Sejeel petrochemicals plant, one of the megaprojects targeted to come on line by the end of the decade.  

Momentum is building across Qatar’s rail, aviation and port projects, on the back of rising investment, paving the way for a broadening of the state’s economic base.

As one of the principle pillars of Qatar’s non-oil and gas economy – and a leading light in the country’s private sector – the financial services industry has recently been a particular focal point in moves to strengthen the drive to Qatarisation.

Indeed, the replacement of a number of expat banking CEOs with Qatari nationals in recent months has been one of the more visible signs of...

Real estate prices in Qatar hit record highs in June after rising 28.9% year-on-year (y-o-y) according to the Real Estate Price Index (REPI) published by the Qatar Central Bank (QCB), its most recent data. The average prices for land, commercial and residential properties in June were 20% higher than the previous peak of September 2008, the central bank said.

Rising demand for health care combined with the graduated introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (Seha) look set to boost Qatar’s nascent pharmaceuticals and medical products segment.

Qatar is well on the way to becoming one of the world’s leading producers of chemical fertilisers, steadily developing new capacity and new markets as it works to diversify its economy away from its primary dependence on energy sales. However, rising production levels across the Gulf region and an increasingly competitive global market may limit returns in the medium term.