Economy

As with other countries around the world, Qatar’s economy was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and its wide-ranging effects in global markets, including disruptions to supply chains, a downturn in foreign and domestic travel, and a drop in international oil prices. Despite these pressures, the country was able to emerge from the crisis in a position to leverage the global recovery to support its diversification drive. The General Secretariat for Development Planning is charged with monitoring the implementation of Qatar National Vision 2030, and the country is rounding out its second National Development Strategy for 2018-22 this year. While uncertainties remain over the trajectory of the global and domestic recovery, as well as about the longer-term trend of oil and gas prices, a number of factors indicate that Qatar is on course for a strong performance in 2022 and beyond.

This chapter contains interviews with Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry; Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman, Qatar Chamber; and Ahmad Al Sayed, Minister of State and Chairman, Qatar Free Zones Authority.