COLOMBO : Qatar is an independent sovereign country led by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al–Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar. The country includes a number of islands, mountains and sea shallows.
Qatar is small, oil and gas rich country located near the middle of the western coast line of the Arab Gulf. The total area of Qatar is 11521 square kilometers.
Qatar possesses an impressive 14 percent of the world’s total gas reserves. Qatar’s per capita income is amongst the highest in the world.
International Cooperation
Since independence in 1971 Qatar has been keen on enhancing international cooperation. It joined international and regional organizations such as the United Nations, the Arab League, the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council and the Islamic Cooperation organization.
Qatar’s keen interest in international cooperation was evident in its national vision of 2030 which calls for enhancing Qatar’s regional role economically, politically and culturally strengthening cultural exchange supporting civilizations dialogue, and contributing to global peace and security.
Progress made by Qatar in terms of international cooperation in the previous four decades has helped to further its bilateral relations with countries worldwide. In fact Qatar maintains diplomatic relations with countries all over the world through 111 diplomatic missions.
Qatar’s focus has not been limited to bilateral cooperation on the governmental level it also extends to multilateral cooperation as can be seen from its membership of 328 international, Arab, and regional organizations and bodies operating in political, economic, social, cultural, and scientific domains.
Qatar has also ratified several multipurpose agreements regarding commerce, law , environment, politics, and the media.
Economic Policy
The Qatari economy stands today as one of the most robust within the region and holds promise on the global stage. Throughout recent years, the State of Qatar has effectively strengthened its prominent position within the global economy, guided by the vision outlined by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar. This vision propels Qatar’s national agenda forward, aiming to establish an economy characterised by diversity and competitiveness, rooted in knowledge and innovation.
Qatar recognises the importance of balancing its economic policies, which aim to create a diversified national economy while strengthening its natural resources and wealth. As such, non-oil revenues for 2024 are estimated to reach QAR 43 billion, a 2.4% increase compared to the 2023 general budget estimates.
Moreover, Qatar has continued to focus on the energy sector as an important source of national revenue by expanding the North Field, the world’s largest natural gas field. This expansion will increase the country’s capacity to produce liquified natural gas (LNG) by 46%, amounting to 126 million tonnes annually by 2027.
Such systematic economic policies have supported growth across all sectors, making them active contributors to strengthening the national economy and establishing trust for investors.
Consequently, by developing an administrative and legislative system that motivates business activity, Qatar provides a promising investment environment within its priority sectors.
Qatar National Vision 2030
Launched in October 2008, the Qatar National Vision 2030 aims to build a bridge between the present and the future. It also aims to advance Qatar’s sustainable development goals, providing its current residents and future generations with a standard of high living. Qatar National Vision 2030 aspires to make Qatar an active and prosperous country, striving for economic and social equality among citizens. The National Vision also encourages all Qataris to work together as a community – backed by strong Islamic and family values.
Qatar National Vision 2030 aims to establish a society based on justice, charity and equality; a society that embodies its constitution’s principles, which protect public and personal freedoms. It additionally emphasizes ethical, religious and traditional values and guarantees security, stability and equal opportunities. Qatar National Vision 2030 is therefore based on these four pillars:
Human Development – developing Qatar’s entire population, enabling them to sustain a prosperous society.
Social Development – developing a just and caring society based on high moral standards and capable of playing a significant role in the development of global partnerships.
Economic Development -developing a competitive and diversified economy, capable of meeting peoples’ needs and securing a high standard of living for Qatar’s population now and in the future.
Environmental Development -managing growth to ensure and maintain harmony between economic growth, social development and protection of the natural environment.
Qatar National Vision 2030 guides future trends and reflects the Qatari people’s ambitions, goals and culture. Qatar National Vision 2030 encourages Qataris to create a group of shared goals related to their future. It also provides a general framework for the national development strategy.
