The Middle East

Qatari authorities’ emphasis on infrastructure development is not surprising. Trade remains a key component of the state’s economic livelihood. Between 2000 and 2012, transport and communications’ share of GDP nearly tripled from 2.2% to 6.9%. Qatar allotted $45bn to finance transport infrastructure in 2013, and looking ahead, a growing transport and logistics sector fits within the government’s...

Building on Qatar’s comparative advantages, the government has focused on developing industrial sectors that support or leverage its energy resources and industry. Developing downstream facilities that add value to energy by-products, for example, has helped build a portfolio of petrochemicals, chemicals and fertiliser companies. Other investments include developing energy-intensive industries in...

An efficient and reliable supply of water and electricity feeds Qatar’s expanding economy, while the country’s hydrocarbons resources finance its tremendous growth. Major investments in developing the power supply have resulted in excess capacity in the domestic market, but forecasts suggest demand will begin to outstrip supply by 2018 at current capacity. Though government agencies or government...

Oil and gas accounted for around 51.5% of Qatar’s economic output in 2013, and investments in upstream and downstream capacity are set to ensure future growth. Qatar is working with international partners to build three new petrochemicals facilities, which will help to expand domestic output. Further, the government is also investing in research and development programmes, as well as looking...

Qatar’s insurance sector has become the third largest in the GCC region in terms of written premiums. The sector is home to a range of domestic giants and international players that enjoy a choice of regulatory frameworks, and insurers are now gearing up to capitalise on the raft of infrastructure projects expected to arise from the national development strategy and Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA...

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...