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Business Profile
Economy: Oil and gas reserves have transformed Qatar from an impoverished outcrop on the Arabian Peninsula into one of the richest countries in the world. The oil deposits located and exploited from the 1970s onwards were of unusually high quality and generated a substantial income for the country. In addition, one of the world’s largest natural gas fields, known as the North Field, was discovered in Qatari waters in the late 1980s. Measured by revenue, gas production has now outstripped oil and is set to remain Qatar’s principal source of income for the foreseeable future.
Agriculture is necessarily limited by climate and water resources. Some indigenous industry exists, mainly based on petrochemicals and refining but also including steel, concrete and cement, plastics, paint and flour. The Qatari government has earmarked US$5 billion for further industrialisation projects during the early 21st century. Current economic performance is steady with annual growth of three per cent and inflation of 1.5 per cent. Qatar is a member of OPEC, the Arab Monetary Fund and the Islamic Development Bank. It also belongs to the World Trade Organization, whose current round of negotiations Qatar is hosting. Currently, most of Qatar’s oil and gas is sold to Japan and Italy. EU countries, Japan and the USA are the country’s main trading partners.
Business: Politeness and patience in business dealings are needed. Office hours: Sat-Thurs 0800-1200 and 1600-1900. Government office hours: Sat-Wed 0700-1400.
Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PO Box 402, Doha (tel: 425 131/2; fax: 425 132; e-mail: qcci@qatar.net.qa; website: www.arab.net/qatar/business/qr_commerce.html).
Conferences/Conventions: Several of Doha’s largest hotels provide facilities with extensive support services, including simultaneous translation systems and full audio-visual capability. Contact individual hotels for more information.
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