Qatar

The engine of Qatar's economic growth was under close scrutiny this week in Doha, as the Institute of International Finance (IIF) Regional Economic Forum for the Middle East and North Africa got underway.

With predicted budget deficits turning into extravagant budget surpluses, and welcome news on growth, the economic statistics are looking very robust these days in Qatar.

With the 17th Gulf Cup football championship due to kick off in Doha in just a few weeks time, Qatari businesses have been cashing in on the expected international draw.

Sitting down for dinner at this year's Oil Baron's Ball in Dubai next month will likely be a number of executives from one of Qatar's great energy success stories - RasGas.

With only two years to go to the opening of the 15th Asian games in the Qatari capital of Doha, the government is working hard to promote both the event and the country itself as a venue for sporting events.

While Qatar's real estate and construction boom continues at breakneck pace, the perennial problem of shortages in building materials was given another airing this week, as building-sector leaders and the government tried to deal with a dwindling amount of cement, steel and gravel. At the same time though, analysts were generally unanimous in predicting a rosy future for real estate in the country, despite complaints from many residents over rocketing rents and prices.