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The telecoms sector in Qatar has grown at a rapid pace over the past decade and today boasts at least 100% mobile penetration, 93% laptop ownership, 65% smartphone ownership and 29% tablet penetration. Data services have underpinned revenue growth in recent years and are expected to continue driving demand and revenues in the mobile segment. Meanwhile, the take-up of IT services has been increasing rapidly in the state, with 85% of the population accessing the internet in 2013, compared with 38% in 2008. IT is regarded as a key sector moving forward, and the country has seen a strong push to encourage SMEs, which make up 97% of Qatar’s private sector, to use IT solutions, particularly in terms of cloud computing. This chapter contains interviews with Hessa Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Information and Communications Technology; and Rashid Fahad Al Naimi, CEO, Qatar Foundation Investments, and Chairman, MEEZA.

Property prices are on the up in Qatar, as are profits for listed real estate companies. Lending to the sector is also growing, with credit facilities worth $34.4bn at the end of 2014, the largest share of commercial banks’ loan book. The upward trajectory of residential rents is also gaining pace. After rising 7.9% y-o-y in August 2014, rents increased by 8.1% in September and 8.3% in October of that year. Meanwhile, Doha’s grade-A office stock, which totalled 2.5m sq metres in 2013, is set to increase when another 300,000 sq metres comes on-line in 2015. Demand is expected to hit 3.4m sq metres by 2019. Elsewhere, the size of the retail sector is expected to triple by 2016, with another 14 malls due to enter the market, bringing the total to 1.7m sq metres of shops. This chapter contains interviews with Turki Mohamed Al Khater, Chairman and Managing Director, United Development Company; and Omar Hussein Alfardan, President and CEO, Alfardan Group.

Construction represents Qatar’s fastest-growing sector, with the government having pledged $200bn of investment as part of a vast infrastructure expansion scheme. As a result, opportunities for contractors abound, particularly in the transport, retail, real estate, tourism, and education sectors, not to mention the eight multibillion-dollar stadia being built in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. With such rapid growth, however, the sector has faced numerous challenges, including late payments, inflation and project delays. Labour conditions in the sector have also come under considerable international scrutiny. The state is working to address these issues however, with the government having announced plans for far-reaching labour reforms that will improve its work visa and salary payment schemes. This chapter contains an interview with Nasser bin Ali Al Mawlawi, President, Ashghal (the Public Works Authority).

Rapid population growth and a fast growing economy are putting high demand on Qatar’s transport sector. However, several mega projects envisioned in Qatar National Vision 2030, along with infrastructure upgrades being implemented as Qatar gears up to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, are expected to ease this pressure moving forward. Indeed, in September 2014 the minister of transport announced the government would be investing $140bn in transport infrastructure over the next five years. Meanwhile, Hamad International Airport opened in May 2014, with the new airport’s capacity reaching 36m passengers per year, and Doha Port has undergone several expansions and now comprises nine quays and two container berths. Plans for three interlinking railway services across the country are also in the pipeline, and an estimated 240 major interchanges, ranging from conventional traffic lights to junctions with tunnels and flyovers are set to be constructed as part of the state’s expressway programme. This chapter contains an interview with Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport.

Falling oil prices have spurred ongoing efficiency and diversification efforts in Qatar, with data from Qatar National Bank (QNB) showing that more than half of the state’s GDP is now accounted for by the non-hydrocarbons sector. Figures from the third quarter of 2014 showed industry contributed 6% of nominal GDP, with manufacturing accounting for $19.7bn of industry’s $30.7bn total contribution to GDP in 2013, or 64%. Qatar is now one of the world’s largest fertiliser exporters, with the GCC accounting for around one-quarter of global urea trade by volume in 2013 and 12% of global ammonia trade. While heavy and medium industry will remain major pillars moving forward, Qatar National Vision 2030 has emphasised the need for a shift towards knowledge-based industries, with lighter, high-tech manufacturing now receiving a boost and efforts now under way to encourage greater private sector involvement in the sector. This chapter contains an interview with Khalid Al Subaey, Managing Director, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Company.

A rapidly expanding economy and growing population mean that demand for power and water from both industry and households in Qatar has never been greater. This trend is set to continue for some time to come, with an ambitious multibillion-dollar programme of infrastructure building in the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, requiring more people, more electricity and more water. At the same time, new demands for cleaner, more efficient and sustainable systems are making an impact, with implications for design and cost. However, Qatar has some major advantages when it comes to overcoming these challenges. An abundant supply of natural gas connected to a modern processing system is one, while the country’s financial reserves are another. There is a continuing, planned commitment by the authorities and many international partners to make this dramatic expansion happen as seamlessly as possible. This chapter contains interviews with Ahmed bin Amer bin Mohammed Al Humaidi, Minister of Environment; and Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari, President, KAHRAMAA (Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation).