Business and Investment in Qatar Forum Berlin
Under the patronage and in the presence of H.E Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the State of Qatar, the Business and Investment in Qatar Forum was held this this year in Berlin, in Germany from 15 to 16 April 2013, with the participation of high officials from Qatar and Germany.
This year's forum was convened while Qatar is setting an example of economic excellence regionally and internationally, based on a clear vision that depends on strategic use of the country's surplus from oil and gas, and its foreign investment policy, in the aim of developing a competitive and open economy. The vision and strategy will provide bigger investment opportunities for the private sector and broaden the knowledge base of the society to insure prosperity and progress for the coming generations.
Qatar has witnessed unprecedented economic growth over the past several years, being one of the fastest growing economies in the world. This growth has and will continue to be accompanied by openness to world markets, which will foster a better investment climate locally. Attracting investment is a strong priority for Qatar, as is reflected in allocating 40 percent of the 2011 budget to development projects that will occur over the next decade. For the 2012-2013 budget, the government is seeking to increase funding for major infrastructure projects by 25 percent.
Qatar's ongoing projects are valued at more than US$ 250 billion, with infrastructure attracting 34 percent of total investments. Out of the US$ 250 billion, an astonishing US$ 100 billion is going to be allocated on development projects relating to the FIFA World Cup in 2022. There are unrivaled opportunities for investment and involvement in Qatar in many of its sectors.
Many government officials, high net investors, and representatives from the public and private sector will attend the forum. The two-day forum will discuss through interactive panels, the latest business and investment opportunities and tendencies in the Qatari economy.
The aim of our forum is to promote Qatar's economy, its strategic vision, as well as highlight the myriad opportunities it offers through three main messages:
1) Qatar has a plan: Qatar Vision 2030 will receive unprecedented support from oil and gas wealth as Qatar pursues its ambitions of improving the quality of life for everyone, helping create social institutions that are just & kind, protecting the environment while transforming Qatar into a knowledge-based economy.
2) Qatar has opportunity in many of its rapidly growing sectors. Boasting the world's fastest economy in the world both in 2010 and 2011, Qatar is converging swiftly into becoming a regional economic and political powerhouse. In doing so, Qatar is quickly becoming a safe haven for investment throughout the global economic crisis.
3) Qatar has progress to report: Fastest growing economy in the world, successful investment projects underway for FIFA 2022 (e.g. 92 percent increase in supply of high-rise commercial office towers in two years, A 34 percent increase in supply of retail space, with about 197,000 square meters of retail space coming unto the market by the end of 2012, etc.), and increased investment into education to transform Qatar into a knowledge-based economy.