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Although Qatar continues to enjoy a healthy trade surplus, benefitting from its position as a critical energy supplier to a number of countries worldwide, export revenues in 2015 were dramatically affected by falling oil and gas prices, while the state’s import bill continues to rise as a result of major infrastructure construction and rapid population growth. Declining export revenues have also seen foreign direct investment (FDI) outflows drop as two major state-owned corporations underwent significant restructuring in 2015. These challenges have been a boon to non-oil growth and economic diversification. Domestically, FDI showed a sharp turnaround in 2014 as ongoing liberalization, including the establishment of new special economic zones and improved access to financing, further bolstered non-oil growth, particularly within the small and medium-sized enterprise segment. The Qatar Stock Exchange has also benefitted from several emerging market upgrades on major global indices, which should help offset losses recorded in 2015 and keep domestic markets on a growth path in 2016. This chapter contains a viewpoint from David Cameron, Former UK Prime Minister; and interviews with Chrystia Freeland, Canadian Minister of International Trade; and Shahin Mustafayev, Azerbaijani Minister of Economy and Industry.

Since gaining independence in 1971, Qatar has quickly risen to prominence both regionally and internationally to become an economic, political and cultural powerhouse in the Middle East. With a relatively small local population and substantial revenues generated from natural gas, Qatar has the world’s highest GDP per capita, averaging approximately $100,000. Prior to 2010, the country was mostly known internationally as the home of the media network Al Jazeera, yet this changed when Qatar won the contest to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December 2010. As the first and only Arab nation ever to host the event, Qatar has witnessed considerable press coverage since. Whether focusing on its extensive international investments, ample spending at home on substantial infrastructure projects, labour migration issues or the state’s involvement in foreign and regional affairs, Qatar has made a name for itself in the international arena. This chapter contains a viewpoint from Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar; and interviews with Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO, Qatar Foundation; and Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President, Qatar Olympic Committee.

This chapter provides an overview of Trinidad and Tobago’s legal framework, covering a range of topics including civil procedure rules, the Foreign Investment Act, free zones and public-private partnerships, among others. It also features a viewpoint from Kenneth Vieira, Senior Partner, J.D. Sellier.

In conjunction with Aegis Business Solutions, OBG explores Trinidad and Tobago’s taxation system, examining a wide range of areas of special interest to international investors, such as income and corporate tax, petroleum profit tax, withholding tax, value-added tax and Customs tax, among others. This chapter features a viewpoint from Angela Lee Loy, Chairman, Aegis Business Solutions.

While education remains one of the great strengths of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy, a scenario of negative growth is raising questions of quality, cost effectiveness, efficiency, and the relevance of higher education and skills training for the country’s changing labor market and broader macroeconomic environment. To assess the state of the education system, the newly elected government launched a National Consultation on Education (NCE) in early 2016, an initiative authorities hope will enable the country to arrive at a strategic vision to guide successful future sector development. Meanwhile, a push for comprehensive health care reform could see the country’s health care sector undergo significant changes in the medium term, with Rowley pledging to lead the country’s transition to a comprehensive national insurance system by 2018.