Oxford Business Group to publish report on Qatar

'The Report: Qatar 2009' has been produced by Oxford Business Group (OBG), the highly acclaimed global publishing, research and consultancy firm.

The Group's report looks in detail at how Qatar's economy is set to continue to grow, despite the global financial situation, thanks to the government's commitment to its carefully-paced economic development plans.

OBG's report will offer a detailed guide for foreign investors, alongside a wide range of interviews with the most prominent political, economic and business figures, including a viewpoint from the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The report also features interviews with Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Abdalla Salem El-Badri, Secretary-General, Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Andy Brown, Country Chairman, Qatar Shell.

'The Report: Qatar 2009' examines in detail the steps that the country has taken to exploit its large natural gas reserves, which include making a huge investment in infrastructure, as the sector gears up to meet the rising demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG).

There is also an in-depth analysis of the booming construction sector, which is providing opportunities for developers and contractors, thanks to the government's ongoing infrastructure and housing projects.

The report gives an insight into the sectors that are expected to expand, which include financial services, particularly Islamic Banking, and tourism, as Qatar positions itself in the international market as a prime destination for business travellers.

'The Report: Qatar 2009' also looks at the implications of the government's decision to make a significant investment in improving education as part of its wider move to develop human resources and embrace a knowledge-based economy.

Oliver Cornock, Oxford Business Group's Regional Editor, was upbeat about Qatar's ability to ride the current global economic storm, saying that whilst GDP will undoubtedly slow in light of the world market, Qatari GDP is still likely to be the envy of much of the rest of the world.

"Overseeing OBG's Gulf publications in this current economic climate is extremely interesting. Indeed, the region offers an array of positive stories amidst the broader financial gloom," he said.

He added that Qatar benefited from a combination of enormous natural resource wealth and prudent, progressive government. "The government's drive toward developing a more diverse economy continues apace and developments in education, health and ICT all bode particularly well for the development of knowledge-based industries and their greater contribution to revenues," he said.

'The Report: Qatar 2009' is launched at the Millennium Hotel Doha on 2nd June 2009. Marking the culmination of six months of groundbreaking field research by a team of analysts from OBG, it assesses trends and developments in all major sectors of the economy, including energy, industry, finance, banking, tourism, transport and real estate.

With a distribution of 71,000 copies, the report forms part of the range of OBG's publications, which are renowned as leading sources of information on developing and emerging economies around the world. Available in print form and online, 'The Report: Qatar 2009' will be the most comprehensive report on the country's investment and business opportunities ever published.

'The Report: Qatar 2009' has been produced in partnership with Qatar National Bank, OBG's capital markets partner, Clyde and Co, its legal consultant and accountancy partner, Deloitte.