Qatar

The successful launch of the world’s largest-ever, dollar-denominated Islamic bond is a notable milestone in the rise of Qatar’s sharia-compliant finance industry. An ambitious infrastructure investment programme and growing per capita wealth are supporting the growth of Islamic financial services, as the authorities look to continue regulatory reform.

Capital markets in Qatar should receive a boost from recently announced reforms that clarify oversight, broaden access and simplify transactions. Through such measures, the authorities and the private sector are hoping to increase liquidity and activity in a market considered to have significant potential.

While the overall direction of the real estate sector appears set for steady growth through the next 12 months, demand may be uneven across the various segments as the market moves towards striking a balance between supply and demand, particularly in office accommodation.

As the country’s hosting of several major international sports and business events has brought growing numbers of tourists to Qatar, it has also highlighted the need for infrastructure to accommodate them.

Seeking to reduce the incidence of diabetes and lower the costs affiliated with its treatment, Qatar is stepping up efforts to encourage healthy lifestyles via education and informational campaigns that focus on proper diet and nutrition. The growth of private health care centres and the imminent arrival of mandatory health insurance should also play a part in stemming the disease’s growth.

Massive investments in infrastructure make for an excellent outlook for Qatar’s construction sector. The nation’s rising population, growing economy, increasing diversification and the forthcoming FIFA 2022 World Cup are all contributing factors.