Purchase OBG Publications

Regional political turbulence since 2011 has resulted in a challenging environment for exchanges across the GCC, but Doha’s relatively young bourse has shown its resilience over 2013. The Qatari bourse grew by 24.2% over 2013, led by a 38.7% expansion in the transportation sector. Even the year’s slowest-growing sectors – insurance and real estate – posted double-digit expansion. It has also continued to implement a strategic development plan that has established new indices and a junior market for small and medium-sized enterprises. GDP growth is expected to continue to grow over the coming years, with fiscal surpluses remaining high. This chapter contains a viewpoint from Adel Abdulaziz Khashabi, Head of QNB Financial Services.

Having shown considerable resilience in the face of the global economic crisis, Qatar’s banks now stand to benefit from the nation’s anticipated economic growth. A pipeline of large-scale projects and the government’s development strategy, which is set to use the country’s hydrocarbons revenues to bring about economic diversification, both promise to supply lenders with plentiful opportunities for asset expansion. The highly capitalised banks which operate in the domestic market are also well positioned to expand their brands internationally, a strategic goal considered necessary in view of the limited size of the home market. Moves into foreign markets were a prominent theme in 2013 and will likely remain so going forward as lenders seek to increase their international footprints. This chapter contains interviews with Sheikh Abdulla bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank; and Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal bin Thani Al Thani, Chairman, Al Khaliji.

With sustained, long-term economic growth, the highest per capita income in the world, a stable and well-capitalised banking sector, a sovereign wealth fund that is of true global significance and one of the largest reserves of natural gas just offshore, Qatar today has many advantages. It is clear that Qatar is in a strong position from which to continue its robust economic performance, and the years ahead will see a vast construction drive, in line with the principles of Qatar National Vision 2030 and catalysed by preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Qatar holds potential for investors, both domestic and international, as the country heads towards a much greater global presence in the years ahead. This chapter contains interviews with Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce; Ali Shareef Al Emadi, Minister of Finance; Saleh bin Mohamed Al Nabit, Minister of Development Planning & Statistics; Saad Ibrahim Al Muhannadi, President, Qatar Foundation; Chung Hongwon, Korean Prime Minister; and Fumio Kishida, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs.

This chapter contains important legal information for foreign investors looking to enter Abu Dhabi. It includes an overview of the judiciary and courts system and the various options for establishing businesses, as well as a review of important laws relating to areas such as labour and intellectual property.