Country Profile

Qatar’s rapid economic growth over the past decade has thrust the country of 2.22m onto the world stage, and it is now one of the world’s richest on a per capita level. While Qatar’s huge natural gas resources represent the driving force behind its fast-growing economy, the country’s long-term development plan, Qatar National Vision 2030, envisions a diversification away from hydrocarbons in the future. Leading the way in this regard is the construction sector as the government pushes ahead with its vast infrastructure investment programme in the run up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

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; Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson, Qatar Foundation; and Vice-Chairperson, Supreme Education Council.