Qatar

Qatar is planning to improve further its information and communications technology (ICT) services through a public access government portal, while encouraging the wider use of advanced technological applications by the public in their dealings with the state, business and leisure.

Qatar's telecommunications sector is becoming increasingly competitive, both domestically and on the international stage.

The construction sector, having avoided the full impact of the global financial crisis, is continuing to build from a position of strength.

The lines have been drawn for the fight to win the hearts, minds and subscriptions of Qatar's phone users, with long time monopoly rights holder Qatar Telecommunications (Qtel) about to face off against newcomer Vodafone Qatar.

Qatar's construction sector is going from strength to strength, benefitting from high levels of investment, healthy consumer confidence and the overall sense of wellbeing in the country's economy.

Qatar is pushing ahead with a series of large-scale transport infrastructure projects aimed at improving the emirate’s links and boosting the economy, though unlike many other countries these schemes are not part of a package to restart growth stalled by the global recession but are components of a broader vision for the nation’s future.