Qatar

Qatar's expanding energy sector received a series of major boosts this month, with the signing of major deals to develop the country's enormous gas potential. With two major international energy giants inking agreements with Qatar Petroleum (QP) inside 10 days, July looks likely to go down as a milestone in the country's energy producing history.

Perhaps after viewing the down-to-the-wire construction troubles of this summer's Olympic Games in Athens, Qatar's planners have been taking a more long-term view when it comes to the 2006 Asian Games. Scheduled to come under starters' orders in December of that year, gearing up the country's infrastructure to meet the challenge is already underway. As a spin off, Qatar is also heading for an up-to-the-minute electricity distribution system.

With news coming mid-month that Qatar has retained its position as the richest of all Arab countries, it was perhaps no surprise that a leading international ratings agency then decided to upgrade its country outlook for the state. With major investment projects in the pipeline, alongside a continuing flow of foreign investment, the statistics are certainly looking good for the months to come.

The following article on the Qatari LNG market is taken from the Oxford Business Group's latest publication, Emerging Qatar 2004. For more information on how to order a copy of the most comprehensive review of the Qatari economy to date, please write to us at mail@oxfordbusinessgroup.com, or click on the link to Printed Publications on the right-hand side of the page.

The following interview with HH Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al Thani, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, is taken from the Oxford Business Group's latest publication, Emerging Qatar 2004. For more information on how to order a copy of the most comprehensive review of the Qatari economy to date, please write to us at mail@oxfordbusinessgroup.com, or click on the link to Printed Publications on the right-hand side of the page.

The following article on the Qatari political scene is taken from the Oxford Business Group's latest publication, Emerging Qatar 2004. For more information on how to order a copy of the most comprehensive review of the Qatari economy to date, please write to us at mail@oxfordbusinessgroup.com, or click on the link to Printed Publications on the right-hand side of the page.