The Qatari economy underwent many adjustments to bring it in harmony with the changing world economy. These adjustments were also meant to consolidate and diversify the economic base to obviate the risk of depending on a single source, viz, oil and gas.

Thus the Qatari economy is now one of the strongest in the region and has recorded genuine growth over the last 5 years.
Qatar`s economy recorded noticeable real growth over the last five years. This growth has also led to an improvement in keeping inflation under control and ensuring stability of the exchange rate.
Qatar friendly relations with other countries have helped to a great extent its foreign trade exchanges especially in the Asian markets.
Oil and fuel account more than 93% of Qatar`s exports, followed by petrochemicals and manufactured goods. Japan is the biggest single importer of crude oil from Qatar while Chine and India are the biggest importers of fertilizers and petrochemicals.
Qatar enjoys unique investment environment thanks to its attractive investment Legislations and Investment Incentives, its social and political stability, strong and balanced ties with all states in the region and its strategic geographical location. Qatar has one of the highest capita in the world which is 63,000 USD according t a report by Qatar National Bank in June 2007. In order to keep the momentum of economic development, Qatar adopts flexible economic policies designed to encourage local and foreign investment. This includes a well-developed infrastructure, nominal land –lease prices in the industrial areas and exemption from duties on imported machinery.
Qatari legislation relevant to business was designed to create an attractive environment attractive to foreign capital, conducive to economic integration with neighboring countries and ultimately capable of safeguarding the national economy against any harmful impact.
A Qatari Law issued in 2000 organizes foreign capital investment in various economic sectors. The law determines investments by foreigners in cash or kind or equities have financial value.
It also determines the scope of assets imported for investment purposes, profits, yields, and reserves accrued from foreign investment in a certain field and other non-corporeal rights such as licenses, patents and trademarks registered in the country.
The Law allows foreigners to invest in all sectors of the national economy provided they have Qatari partners holding a share of not less than 51% of the capital.
However the Law authorizes the Minister of Economy and Commerce to allow foreign investors to own 100% of projects in the fields of agriculture, industry, health, education, tourism, energy, mining and development of natural resources as long as all these activities are compatible with the country`s development plans. The law prohibits foreign investment in the national banks, insurance companies, commercial agencies and real estate. As an incentive it also allows foreigners to lease land for investment purposes for a renewable period of 50 years.
The Law exempts invested foreign capital from income tax for a period not exceeding 10 years from the date of commissioning the project.
It also grants custom duty exemptions on imported basic machinery and equipment. Industrial projects are granted similar treatment on primary or semi-manufactured materials necessary for production and not available in the market.
Qatar organizes a large number of international exhibitions and business conferences with the aim of boosting its commercial ties with other states.
The Qatar Central Bank was established in 1993 to replace the Qatari Monetary Authority, which was formed in 1973. Among the Bank`s main tasks is to organize, control and ensure stability of the financial market. Since 1995 QCB has liberalized interest rates, thus giving commercial banks the freedom to determine their interest rate ceilings.
There are more than 37 Banks in Qatar, some owned by Qataris others are commercial, two are Islamic, and many Arab and foreign banks.

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Ministry of Economy and Commerce