The Middle East Economy

After facing setbacks in 2015, Qatar’s multi-billion-dollar sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), is implementing a new strategy aimed at diversifying its asset base and restructuring its internal operations, with an increased focus on investments in the US and Asia. As the state continues to grapple with volatile energy markets and the declining...

Although Qatar continues to enjoys 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...

Over the past half-decade Qatar has posted robust economic growth on the back of strong hydrocarbons revenues, state-led infrastructure development and a rapidly maturing financial sector. According to Standard & Poor’s (S&P), from 2010 to 2015 it was one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, posting average annual GDP growth...

In September 2015 preparatory work commenced on the planned site of the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Qatar. The 80,000-seat football facility, which was designed by the UK-based architecture firm Foster + Partners, is expected to serve as the flagship stadium during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, hosting both the opening and final matches of the...