Qatar's development plans to focus on infrastructure, policy and regulation

As Qatar attracts new businesses and residents from abroad, strategic development planning plays an increasingly important role, according to Al Abdulla.

The Urban Planning and Development Authority is fully involved in development throughout the country, with projects being implemented through the Public Works Authority.

He said a number of master-planned projects are coming to fruition, and there are also master plans being drawn up for the development of smaller cities such as Al Wakra and Al Khor to give investors and developers options outside of Doha.

Al Abdulla said:

"although planning the entire country is important, the two main areas of focus at present are building infrastructure and developing policy and regulations. With regard to infrastructure, we are looking five to twenty years out,"

"Most of this concentration is on road and traffic networks, as things like electricity and water are already sufficient with current capacity set to last up to ten years.

"Most projects have already begun and will be completed over the next four to five years. Although great progress is being made in these areas, the market is growing so rapidly and creating so much demand that it is a challenge for infrastructure to keep up."

The interview with Al Abdulla is one of a series of exclusive interviews with leading political and economic figures, conducted by a team of OBG analysts based in Qatar for six months.

The Report: Qatar 2008, the latest of OBG's annual business guides to the emirate is rated as the premier guide for foreign direct investment into the country's vibrant economy, and the 270-page publication, with an international distribution of 71,000, is published for the fifth consecutive year in partnership with Qatar National Bank for capital markets, Clyde and Co for legal affairs and Deloitte for accountancy framework.

26% of subscribers to The Report: Qatar 2008, considered the most extensive, independent, unbiased and authoritative review of Qatar available, are in energy, 24% in financial institutions, 23% in real estate and construction, 14% in industry, and 10% in IT and telecommunications.

25% of them are in Europe, 21% in GCC and the Middle East, 20% in North America, 15% in Asia, and 13% in North Africa.

Available in print form and online, The Report: Qatar 2008 is part of the range of OBG's publications, which are renowned as leading sources of information on developing and emerging economies around the world.