Economy

The government is currently leading efforts to implement the National Development Strategy 2011-16. This strategy has been subjected to an objective appraisal three years after being launched to monitor progress made in its implementation as well as amendments to its targets in light of changes in various economic, social and demographic factors.

Rapid economic growth over the past decade has thrust Qatar onto the world stage. In 2012 it became the world’s richest country per capita, with its huge natural gas resources the driving force behind one of the globe’s fastest-growing economies.

The push amongst GCC states to invest in Africa came about in earnest following the 2007-08 global food price crisis, and in those days targeted agricultural land and strategic commodity production. Agribusiness, sovereign wealth funds and other agri-investment vehicles were the main players at the time. Primarily state-led, the investments at that time centred on...

Trade relations between the GCC and Asian economies have been growing steadily for some time now. In 2014 Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), announced it would invest between $15bn and $20bn over the next five years in Asia. While there are risks associated with Asian markets, the GCC as a bloc is deepening its commitment to the region....