u.s.-q information p · 1 10 things you should know about qatar and the united states 1. qatar is a...

qataramerica.org

U . S . - Q A T A R I N F O R M A T I O N P A C K E T

A P R I L 2 0 1 9

“Qatar and America: Reliable Partners”

10 Things You Should Know About Qatar and the United States

National Security & Counterterrorism

• U.S.-Qatar Military Partnership

• U.S. and Qatar’s Fight Against Terrorism

• Qatar’s Efforts on Anti-Money Launder and Counter Terrorism Finance

Economy & Energy

• Qatar’s Investments in the United States

• Qatar and American Job Creation

• Qatar’s Natural Gas Sector

• The Golden Pass: the U.S.-Qatar Partnership at Work

• Qatar’s Changing Economy and National Vision 2030

• Qatar’s Economic Competitiveness

• Qatar’s Domestic Sustainability Initiatives

• Demistifying Iran Trade

Education, Human Rights & Civil Society

• Higher Education in Qatar

• 10 Facts About Human Rights in Qatar

• Labor Reforms & Migrant Rights in Qatar

• Qatar’s Humanitarian Aid

• Qatar’s Multi-Religious Society

• Women’s Rights and Leadership Roles in Qatar

• Qatar Katrina Fund

Culture & The Arts

• 10 Facts About the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

• The Museums of Qatar

• The National Museum of Qatar

Key Quotes

About QAI

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Index

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1. Qatar is a strong military partner of the United States

• Qatar hosts over 10,000 U.S. troops plus more U.S. support civilians. • Qatar hosts the Al-Udeid Airbase, the largest U.S. overseas airbase and the forward headquarters of

U.S. CENTCOM. • Al-Udeid has two active runways capable of handling every aircraft in the U.S. inventory, together with

robust fueling and ammunition storage facilities. Its expansion was largely financed by Qatar which provided over $5 billion to date, with more expected soon.

• Qatar is a founding member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, which was formed by the United States in 2014. As a member Qatar hosts the Coalition’s air operations at Al-Udeid Air Base, from which it launches attacks on ISIS every day.

2. Qatar works closely with its allies to combat terrorism and terrorism financing• Qatar is the only country in the Gulf to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the U.S.

outlining future efforts to fortify its fight against terrorism and actively address terrorism funding issues. • Qatar coordinates regularly with the U.S. Treasury, Department of Justice, FBI, and the Financial

Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and has a strong legal framework to prevent terrorism financing that includes travel bans and asset freezes on those accused of financing terrorism.

• Qatar funds reconstruction efforts to address the poor living conditions that have led to radicalization around the world with the deliberate mission to prevent violent ideology from taking hold. This includes $2.5 billion donated to support Syrian refugees.

• Qatar delivers funding to projects on countering violent extremism through prisoner rehabilitation, social integration programs, and youth education.

3. Qatar is a powerful economic partner of the U.S.

• Qatar is the world’s top exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), with annual sales totaling an estimated $180 billion.

• The LNG sector in Doha is led by American companies including ConocoPhilips and ExxonMobil among others that have brought U.S. expertise and investment into the field.

• Qatar Airways’ fleet is composed largely of Boeing aircraft. The $92 billion Qatar Airways added to the U.S. economy through Boeing purchases creates over half a million American jobs.

• Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund manages $335 billion and plans to invest $45 billion in the U.S. in the next three years.

4. Qatar is hosting the FIFA World Cup in November 2022

• Qatar estimates investment opportunities will create upwards of $10 billion for U.S. companies - just from the 2022 FIFA World Cup alone.

• Qatar will be the first Arab country ever to host the tournament. • Qatar has planned the tournament to be carbon neutral and its stadiums will leave the lightest

environmental footprint of a modern-day World Cup.

5. Qatar supports the United States at home when the American people need help

• Qatar donated $100 million to humanitarian relief for Hurricane Katrina victims, specifically to initiatives to rebuild housing and healthcare infrastructure in the greater New Orleans area.

• Qatar donated $30 million to help the people of Texas through the Qatar Harvey Fund in 2017.

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6. Qatar is a regional leader in protecting workers’ rights.• Qatar cooperates with the International Labor Organization to reach high standard labor reforms.

Reforms include implementing a minimum wage, a maximum work hour limit, sick leave and holidays, and strengthening national complaint mechanisms for migrant workers.

• Qatar passed labor inspection, occupational safety, and health related regulations meant to prevent worker injuries and illnesses and established a system for registering work injuries and occupational diseases.

• Qatar developed effective policies on human trafficking by identifying clear forced labor indicators and established a National Action Plan on forced labor which protects workers right to justice and right to travel freely.

• Qatar openly acknowledges that while it is a leaders in the region, there is still more to do to extend support and protection to migrant workers.

• The United Nations recently opened an International Labor Organization office in Doha to oversee these efforts.

7. Qatar is an open and diverse country

• Qatar is home to a large expatriate community that makes up more than 88% of its population.• Qatar has one of the largest Christian complexes in the Arabian Gulf. It serves as a free place to

worship for Non-Muslims in Qatar.• In addition to being free to practice their religion, non-Muslims can also wear symbols of their faith in

public, celebrate their religious holidays, and are not expected to adhere to Muslim and local norms. • Al Jazeera Media Network, founded by Qatar in 1996, is a major global news organization, with 80

bureaus around the world. Al Jazeera has won numerous awards for journalism all over the world.

8. Women play a prominent and equal role in Qatari society

• Women in Qatar can vote, run in municipal elections and hold seats in parliament and the various ministries of the Qatari government.

• Women in Qatar are achievers in academics and benefit from the large network of U.S. educational institutions in Qatar which are responsible for educating a large portion of Qatari women.

• Qatari women hold executive positions in business and government and are strong leaders in a variety of traditionally male dominated fields, including the medical and engineering sectors and entrepreneurship.

9. Qatar highly values education for men and women

• Qatar’s Education City is home to six prestigious American universities:• Carnegie-Mellon University – specialty in Business• Weill Cornell University – specialty in Medicine• Georgetown University – specialty in International Relations• Northwestern University – specialty in Journalism• Texas A&M University – specialty in Engineering• Virginia Commonwealth University – specialty in Art and Design

• The Universities currently host 1,300 students of 85 different nationalities.• The caliber, curriculum and teaching styles at these six university campuses are the same as their

main campuses in the United States. • Qatar University, Qatar’s national university founded in 1973, is ranked as one of the most diverse

universities in the world. Its student body is consistently about 75% female.

10. Qatar shares U.S. interest in promoting and preserving arts and culture

• Qatar invests around $1 billion annually in arts and culture.• Qatar is home to more than 6 museums, each specialized in a different fields such as Islamic art,

modern arts, sports, and national heritage, and each is designed by internationally-recognized architects and designers.

• One of the largest cultural organizations in the Arabian Gulf, the Katara Cultural Village, is a national landmark that houses Qatar’s music academy, the Doha Film Institute, and many art and culture related organizations.

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N A T I O N A L S E C U R I T Y &

C O U N T E R T E R R O R I S M

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Preserving Security in the Region U.S.-Qatar Military Partnership

The US-Qatar Mi l i tary relat ionship was transformed af ter the terror at tacks of 9/11. Counter ing ISIS and simi lar extremist groups and deterr ing Iran have been the pr imary reasons for American mi l i tary involvement in the region. Throughout the enduring mission to br ing peace to the region and eradicate terror ism, the State of Qatar has been a strategic secur i ty partner and a v i ta l a l ly to America.

Over 10,000 American troops are currently waging war against ISIS and supporting our other security interests in the region from Qatar.

Since 2014 American forces have planned and executed over 18,000 strikes against extremists in the region from Al Udeid Air Base.

Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the largest overseas air base used

by the United States and houses US CENTCOM Forward HQ,

US Air Force Central Command Forward, US Special Operat ions

Command Forward, Combined Joint Interagency Task Force–Syr ia,

the Combined Air Operat ions Center, and the 379th Air Wing.

Al-Udeid has two act ive runways capable of handl ing every aircraf t in the U.S. inventory,

together wi th robust fuel ing and ammunit ion storage faci l i t ies. I t hosts over 10,000 US troops

plus more US support c iv i l ians, and sees over 300 dai ly f l ights. This complex has been bui l t

up considerably over 14 years, wi th much of the funding provided by Qatar (over $5 bi l l ion).

A second mi l i tary faci l i ty in Qatar is Camp As Sayl iyah, a forward posi t ioning

logist ics faci l i ty . I t has the equipment for an ent i re U.S. Army armored br igade

and a number of warehouses. I t was essent ia l to American operat ions in I raq

in 2003. This is not a capacity that can be quickly repl icated or moved.

In 2014, Qatar was the largest customer of the Uni ted States for foreign mi l i tary

sales, purchasing more than $10 bi l l ion in advanced mi l i tary equipment

(Apache hel icopters, Patr iot missi le defense, and Javel in missi les). Qatar also

purchased eight C-17s and four C-130Js via direct commercial sales.

On 14 June 2017 the Qatar Defense Minister s igned an agreement to buy F15 jets at a cost

of over $12 bi l l ion f rom the United States, which wi l l create or secure over 60,000 American

jobs, across 42 states.

The United States is working with Qatar to develop a region-wide

bal l is t ic missi le defense capabi l i ty , including through the development

of a bal l is t ic missi le ear ly warning system.

America’s partnership wi th Qatar is a v is ible symbol of the Uni ted States’ commitment to the

peace and prosper i ty of the region. That partnership is an essent ia l e lement of our strategic

global presence and should be seen as a model for enhancing U.S. secur i ty in other regions.

qataramerica.org@QatarAmerica

Updated February 2018

5

Combating Extremism at its SourceU.S. and Qatar’s Fight Against Terrorism

Qatar ’s Counterterror ism Efforts

Qatar is a founding member of the Global Coal i t ion to Counter ISIS and works closely wi th i ts internat ional a l l ies to f ight terror ism. This includes host ing the Coal i t ion’s air operat ions at Al Udeid air base, f rom which at tacks on ISIS are launched every day. Qatar is also a member of the Global Counter Terror ism Forum, through which i t coordinates counterterror ism ini t iat ives wi th 29 other member countr ies, including the US, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.

Qatar also works closely wi th i ts al l ies to combat the f inancing of terror ism, including cracking down on indiv iduals accused of f inancing terror ism by freezing assets and imposing travel bans and signi f icant ly strengthening i ts legal f ramework to prevent i l l ic i t terror ism f inancing.

Concrete steps Qatar has made to combat terror ism: • On 20 July 2017, His Highness the Emir fur ther amended ant i - terror legis lat ion in Qatar. The

decree set rules for def in ing terror ism, acts of terror ism and the f inancing of terror ism. I t a lso created two nat ional terror ism l ists and establ ished rules for including indiv iduals and groups on each l is t .

• On 11 July 2017, Qatar s igned a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) wi th the US out l in ing

future ef for ts i t can take to for t i fy i ts f ight against terror ism and act ively address terror ism funding issues. In l ine wi th the MoU, the US wi l l be deploying of f ic ia ls to the Qatar i state prosecutor ’s of f ice.

• Qatar enacted new laws in September 2014 to increase government oversight of char i t ies, including prevent ing them from sending money abroad to char i t ies that are suspected of f inancing terror ists, and more heavi ly regulat ing fundrais ing by indiv iduals, including via social media.

Qatar ’s strategy for counter ing violent extremism

In addit ion to these measures, Qatar counters v io lent extremism by addressing the root causes of terror ism. This development-based approach includes reconstruct ion, educat ion, economic empowerment and prevent ion. These ef for ts have benef i ted the mi l l ions of people vulnerable to v io lent extremism and terror ism, reducing the r isk of global terror ism.

They are structured around four pi l lars:

Reconstruct ion:• Qatar funds reconstruct ion ef for ts around the world to address the poor condit ions, including

lack of educat ion, housing, electr ic i ty, and heal th services that are conducive to terror ism. • In Gaza, for example, 1 mi l l ion sq. feet of destroyed homes and bui ldings have been rebui l t .

Simi lar projects have been undertaken in the West Bank, Darfur, and other areas global ly.

Educat ion: • The State of Qatar has al located the major i ty of i ts foreign aid to educat ional in i t iat ives.

I ts programs – including Educat ion Above Al l and Educate A Chi ld - provide educat ion for 5m out of school chi ldren with commitments to r ise to 7 mi l l ion out-of-school chi ldren in 42 countr ies over the next few years.

• In Syr ia, for example, Qatar supports the “Qatar Upholding Educat ion for Syr ians’ Trust” , whose total funds exceed USD 100 mi l l ion. The f ive-year in i t iat ive seeks to provide educat ion and training to near ly 400,000 Syr ian refugees in Syr ia, Jordan, Lebanon, I raq, and Turkey.

Economic opportuni ty: • Qatar seeks to empower people economical ly and bui ld community resi l ience by reducing

unemployment, especial ly among youth. Overal l our ambit ion is to reach 2.7m Arab Youth by 2021.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and HE Foreign Minister Sheikh

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani sign the historical MoU.


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Combatting Extremism at its SourceU.S. and Qatar’s Fight Against Terrorism

“Today, Qatar is the first country to sign a memorandum of agreement with the US, and we call on the countries imposing

the siege against Qatar to join us as signatories to this MoU.”

– Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed

bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani

Together the United States and Qatar will do more to

track down funding sources, will do more to collaborate and share information and will do more to keep the region safe.”

– Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

The memorandum lays out a series of steps that each country will take in coming months and years to interrupt and disable

terror financing flows and intensify counter terrorism activities globally.”

– Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

• Qatar-based Si latech, for example, has raised US$ 237 mi l l ion, creat ing a network of more than 150 partners and connect ing more than 300,000 young Arabs to real job opportuni t ies. The Qatar Fr iendship Fund in Tunis ia promotes a cul ture of business leadership, helping youth strengthen their abi l i ty to lead development ef for ts and real ize their ambit ions.

Prevent ion: • Through innovat ive schemes such as the Global Community Engagement and Resi l ience

Fund (GCERF). Qatar is the only Arab country contr ibut ing to th is fund which is the f i rst global ef for t to support local , community- level in i t iat ives aimed at strengthening resi l ience against v io lent extremist agendas. The scheme, whose funders include the United States, the European Union and Switzer land, operates in countr ies such as Mal i , Niger ia, Kenya, Kosovo,

Niger ia and Bangladesh.

U.S. Counterterror ism Efforts in Qatar

Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the largest overseas air base used by the United States and houses US CENTCOM Forward HQ, US Air Force Central Command Forward, US Special Operat ions Command Forward, Combined Joint Interagency Task Force–Syr ia, the Combined Air Operat ions Center, and the 379th Air Wing. Al Udeid has two act ive runways capable of handl ing every aircraf t in the U.S. inventory, together wi th robust fuel ing and ammunit ion storage faci l i t ies. I t hosts over 10,000 US troops plus more US support c iv i l ians. This complex has been bui l t up considerably over 14 years, wi th much of the funding provided by Qatar (over $5 bi l l ion).

A second mi l i tary faci l i ty in Qatar is Camp As Sayl iyah, a forward posi t ioning logist ics faci l i ty . I t has the equipment for an ent i re U.S. Army armored br igade and a number of warehouses. I t was essent ia l to American operat ions in I raq in 2003. This is not a capacity that can be quickly repl icated or moved.

On 17 October 2014, the Department of Defense formal ly establ ished Combined Joint Task Force - Operat ion Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) in order to formal ize ongoing mi l i tary act ions against the r is ing threat posed by IS in I raq and Syr ia.US Central Command (US CENTCOM) is responsible for America’s Operat ion Inherent Resolve ant i - IS air operat ions.As of August 9, 2017, U.S. and coal i t ion forces have conducted 13,000 str ikes in I raq, and 11,000 str ikes in Syr ia, for a total of over 24,000 str ikes in support of Operat ion Inherent Resolve.

The Future of U.S.-Qatar Joint Counterterror ism Efforts

The State of Qatar and the United States s igned a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on combat ing terror ism f inancing on 11 July 2017 in Doha, Qatar.

At a jo int press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Ti l lerson, HE Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that the State of Qatar has become the f i rst country to s ign with the U.S. an agreement aiming to combat terror ism f inancing.

The MoU comes within the f ramework of the cont inuous bi lateral cooperat ion between the State of Qatar and the U.S., and as a resul t of the jo int col laborat ion between the two sides.


Updated February 2018

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Qatar’s Efforts on Anti-Money Launderingand Counter Terrorism Finance

Qatar has a strong history of cooperation with its neighbors in the Gulf as well as with the broader international community in

implementing effective counter-illicit finance regulations. Soon after 9/11, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) issued a series of recommendations for states to combat illicit finance and money laundering. Qatar has cooperated with FATF since the publication of the recommendations, and their strategic relationship persists today, with FATF’s next evaluation of Qatar scheduled for 2020. Qatar

also operationally cooperates with the U.S. in counter-illicit finance, as exhibited in their three recent memoranda of understanding and the 2018 inaugural U.S.-Qatar strategic dialogue.

Resources for Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Terrorism Finance

Qatar’s National Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Committee (NAMLC) is supported by a variety of governmental

organizations within Qatar, including the Ministries of Interior, Finance, Economy and Commerce, Foreign Affairs, and Justice, as

well as the Qatar Central Bank and Council of Ministers. NAMLC, in turn, coordinates with the National Committees for Integrity

and Transparency, for Prohibition of Weapons, and the National Counter Terrorism Committee. NAMLC’s strategy is core to Qatar’s

financial regulations, which are unified across the Qatar Central Bank, the Qatar Financial Markets Authority, and the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority.

Law No. 3 of 2004 on Combatting Terrorism and Decree 11 of 2017 to Counterterrorism Law

Qatar’s Law No. 3 of 2004 and a following decree on counterterrorism explicitly prohibit any form of material or informational support

of terrorists or terrorist organizations, whether they act against Qatar or not. The law and decree create substantial prosecutorial

powers for investigation and detention, beyond those used for normal criminal activities. They also specify minimum penalties for

anyone found guilty under the laws.

Law No. 4 of 2010 on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing

Qatar’s Law Number 4 of 2010 was a landmark development in Qatari AML/CTF efforts. The law criminalizes money laundering and

terrorism financing, implements regulations to enforce AML/CTF, and establishes the powers and legal bases for investigations, asset seizures, prosecutions, and more. Since the enactment of Law No. 4 of 2010, Qatar has monitored the effectiveness of its

implementation to support new regulations countering advancements and changes in money laundering and terrorism financing.

Regulatory Authority of Charitable Activities

Law Number 15 of 2014 provided Qatar with the authority to regulate charitable activities in response to the trend of terrorists using

specious “charities” to move money. Any charity operating in Qatar must be licensed and supervised by RACA, charities can only

receive or send funds with RACA’s approval, and RACA has the authority to dissolve charities that are noncompliant or engaged in

political activity. RACA requires charities to keep detailed records and has access to charities’ records and bank accounts.


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E C O N O M Y &

E N E R G Y

10

Building a Shared FutureQatar’s Investments in the United States

Qatar ’s abundant natural gas revenues make the country a famously strong source of capi tal . Qatar makes generous use of th is capital for invest ing in i ts society, i ts people, and their future – but Qatar also invests heavi ly abroad. The Qatar Investment Author i ty (QIA) is Qatar ’s sovereign wealth fund, and i t manages an est imated $335 bi l l ion.

• The QIA pledged in 2015 to invest $45 bi l l ion in the U.S by 2020, equivalent to 23% of Qatar ’s annual GDP. So far over hal f of that money has already been invested.

• Qatar Petroleum has invested $10 bi l l ion in a l iquef ied natural gas plant in Texas, generat ing 45,000 jobs over the l i fe of the plant wi th fur ther investments planned to reach $20 bi l l ion.

• Qatar also invests heavi ly in the f inancial industry, including $61 bi l l ion in Barclays, a 5% stake in Credi t Suisse, and holdings in Bank of America and Deutsche Bank.

The Qatar Investment Author i ty (QIA)

The Qatar Investment Author i ty (QIA) is the Qatar i sovereign wealth fund that focuses pr imari ly on invest ing in foreign assets wi th the goal of diversi fy ing Qatar ’s surplus into long-term investment. The fund manages an est imated $335 bi l l ion, making i t the ninth largest fund in the wor ld. QIA maintains a diverse port fo l io, wi th investments in technology companies l ike Uber and infrastructure projects in a range of countr ies.

On September 26, 2015, QIA opened a new off ice in New York to manage i ts growing port fo l io in the Uni ted States. QIA has pledged to invest $45 bi l l ion in the Uni ted States between 2015 and 2020, equal to 23% of Qatar ’s annual GDP. Since making this pledge in 2015, QIA has already invested over $20 bi l l ion in the Uni ted States.

QIA is in the process of opening another of f ice in Si l icon Val ley to focus on investments in technology, media, and telecommunicat ions.

Energy Sector

The investment arm of Qatar Petroleum has establ ished jo int ventures in the Uni ted States, Br i ta in,

I ta ly, Singapore, Egypt, and elsewhere. Qatar is part icular ly eager to deepen i ts t ies to the U.S.

energy interests, focusing much of i ts ef for ts in the Houston region. Qatar Petroleum has invested

$10 bi l l ion in a l iquid natural gas plant in Texas, creat ing a staggering 45,000 jobs over the l i fe of the

plant. Qatar Petroleum also plans on growing investment in US oi l and gas to $20 bi l l ion.

Banking Sector

In recent years, Qatar has had a steady accumulat ion of stakes in western banks. Qatar i leaders seek

to diversi fy their sources of weal th and employment, and the country ’s investment in f inancial services

is a key element of th is dr ive. Investments include $61 bi l l ion in Barclays, a 5% stake in Credi t Suisse,

as wel l has holdings in Bank of America, Agr icul tural Bank of China, and Deutsche Bank.

Real Estate Sector

Qatar has increasingly looked to invest in foreign real estate. In the Uni ted States, Qatar ’s real estate

investment arm decided in 2010 to pump $650 mi l l ion into Washington D.C. ’s Ci ty Center project,

and is the largest owner of the total $950 mi l l ion project. In 2015, the Qatar Investment Author i ty and

Brookf ie ld Property Partners launched a jo int venture worth $8.6 bi l l ion to develop Manhattan West – a

ser ies of of f ice, resident ia l , and retai l bui ldings on Manhattan’s West Side. Qatar also announced plans

in 2018 to purchase the New York Plaza Hotel for $600 mi l l ion. In 2016, the Qatar Investment Author i ty

launched a jo int venture wi th Douglas Emmett (NYSE: DEI) and invested $2 bi l l ion in investment in Los

Angeles County, cover ing at least e ight of f ice propert ies. Qatar also invests heavi ly in London, where

i t has invested over $46 bi l l ion. Qatar has made several h igh-prof i le purchases, including the 2012

Olympic Vi l lage, Harrod’s, three of the most high-end hotels in London, One Hyde Park, and the Shard.

Qatar Investment by Sector


Updated November 2018

11

Putting Americans to WorkQatar and American Job Creation

Qatar and American Job Creation at a Glance• The United States enjoys a strong economic relat ionship wi th Qatar pr imari ly

composed of t rade and investment in the aviat ion, infrastructure, mi l i tary and energy

sectors.

• Qatar is responsible for one mi l l ion jobs in the Uni ted States. Between trade and

investment, the Qatar i -U.S. economic relat ionship is worth over $130 bi l l ion.

• [AVIATION] Qatar Airways has purchased $92 bi l l ion in aircraf t f rom U.S.

company Boeing, creat ing over 527,000 American jobs.

• [MILITARY] Qatar has agreed to purchase numerous mi l i tary components f rom

U.S. producers, including missi les and radar f rom Raytheon total ing $12.2 bi l l ion

support ing 54,400 jobs in 22 states in addit ion to $12 bi l l ion in F-15s from Boeing,

support ing 60,000 American jobs in 32 states.

• [ENERGY] Qatar Petroleum has helped invest $10 bi l l ion in the Golden Pass LNG

terminal in Texas, creat ing 45,000 jobs.

• [TRADE] According to the USTR total bi lateral t rade between the U.S. and Qatar

totals near ly $4 bi l l ion, wi th the U.S. running a $1.9 bi l l ion t rade surplus.

• There are 117 U.S.-owned companies registered and operat ing in Qatar according

to the Ministry of Economy and Trade. In addit ion, there are 541 jo int Qatar i -U.S.

companies in Qatar, and 55 U.S. companies operate in the prest igious Qatar

Financial Center.

Investment in U.S. Civi l ian Aviation SectorDoha fuels several industr ies in America. For example, Qatar is a large investor in the

American aviat ion industry and creates American jobs through Qatar Airways’ large

purchases of a i rcraf ts f rom Boeing. Qatar Airways has added $92 bi l l ion to the U.S.

economy by purchasing a total of 332 American aircraf ts, creat ing over 527,000 jobs.

Impact of Qatar ’s FIFA World Cup 2022Doha’s sports industry also makes a big impact on the U.S. economy. The 2022 FIFA

World Cup in Qatar is projected to generate $10 bi l l ion in investment in U.S. companies.

Military PurchasesIn June 2017, Qatar and the U.S. expanded their defense

cooperat ion and agreed to a $12 bi l l ion Qatar i purchase

of F-15 aircraf t bui l t by the Boeing Company in the U.S.,

contr ibut ing to the creat ion of 60,000 jobs in the U.S. in 32

states. Qatar ’s purchases of AH-64 Apache hel icopters f rom

Boeing are also projected to generate near ly $1.7 bi l l ion in

economic act iv i ty in 25 states, support ing 30,000 jobs.

Qatar has made substant ia l investments in i ts ai r and missi le defense capabi l i t ies

through U.S. mi l i tary contractors, improving secur i ty in Qatar and the greater Middle

East whi le also support ing the U.S. defense industr ia l sector.

Boeing F-15 aircraft


Updated Sept. 2018

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Putting Americans to WorkQatar and American Job Creation

Further sales to Qatar for Patr iot , Upgraded Ear ly Warning Radar, and Rol l ing Air f rame Missi les have

been indicated, for a total potent ia l value of up to $12.2 bi l l ion. These deals support 54,400 jobs in

twenty-two states v ia Raytheon and other suppl iers for components and sub-systems. Qatar is also

a large purchaser f rom Lockheed Mart in.

Investment in U.S. Real Estate & InfrastructureQatar is one of the most s igni f icant internat ional investors in

American infrastructure. QIA pledged to invest $45 bi l l ion in the

Uni ted States for a per iod of 5 years start ing from 2015, out of

which $10 bi l l ion is al located to infrastructure. Through the QIA,

the country has invested $650 mi l l ion (out of the $950 mi l l ion

total project cost) to construct Washington, D.C. ’s Ci tyCenterDC,

a large-scale of f ice, resident ia l , entertainment and shopping

faci l i ty in the heart of the U.S. capital . In July 2018, Qatar ’s

Katara Holdings also bought NY’s iconic Plaza Hotel for $600

mi l l ion.

State-owned Qatar Petroleum has invested $10 bi l l ion to construct the Golden Pass LNG faci l i ty in

Sabine Pass, Texas, creat ing 45,000 jobs and is in the process of planning to invest up to $20 bi l l ion

into American oi l and gas f ie lds.

Qatari-American TradeQatar is the fourth highest dest inat ion for U.S. exports in the Middle East, and the U.S. is the top source

of Qatar i imports. Total bi lateral t rade reached near ly $4 bi l l ion in 2017. Financial t ransact ions f rom

Qatar to the U.S. in 2017 reached $26.5 bi l l ion. The United States is one of Qatar ’s largest foreign

investors—including the top foreign investor in the U.S. oi l and gas sector—creat ing signi f icant

opportuni t ies for U.S. businesses and investors to partner wi th Qatar i counterparts.


CityCenterDC in Washington, D.C.

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Qatar’s Natural Gas Sector

Qatar ’s Natural Gas Impact at a glance

• Qatar is responsible for a th i rd of the wor ld’s supply of l iquef ied natural gas (LNG) and i ts stake in global sales are valued at $180 bi l l ion, making i t a cr i t ical suppl ier and central to global energy secur i ty.

• Qatar Petroleum plans on growing i ts investment in U.S. oi l and gas to $20 bi l l ion. • Qatar Petroleum has already invested $10 bi l l ion in the Golden Pass LNG terminal

in Texas, creat ing 45,000 jobs over the l i fe of the plant. • Al l but one of the LNG producing uni ts (“LNG trains”) in Qatar ’s North Field were

developed and are co-operated with U.S. companies, resul t ing in bi l l ions of dol lars in business for the Uni ted States.

Powering the World

Qatar is home to some of the largest reserves of natural gas in the wor ld, which account for 50% of the country ’s exports and const i tute a large port ion of American gas companies’ revenues. Qatar ’s natural gas exports const i tute 14% of global exports of natural gas – the largest share in the wor ld, and an enormous undertaking for such a smal l country. Qatar plays a cr i t ical ro le in global energy secur i ty.

Within the Gulf region, Qatar exports natural gas from North Field through the Dolphin Pipel ine to Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite the UAE’s part ic ipat ion in the i l legal blockade against Qatar, Qatar has not shut down the pipel ine. In fact , gas analysts say Qatar has charged the UAE substant ia l ly below the market rate for natural gas.

Qatar is leveraging i ts success in the natural gas trade for the long-term: as part of the country ’s nat ional strategy, Qatar is reinvest ing much of i ts prof i ts into i ts ci t izens and in foreign assets to diversi fy i ts mainly resource-based economy.

Impact for the U.S.

• Qatar Petroleum plans on growing i ts investment in U.S. oi l and gas to $20 bi l l ion. • U.S. companies ExxonMobi l and ConocoPhi l l ips operate 13 of the 14 natural gas

l iquef icat ion faci l i t ies in Qatar ’s North Field.• U.S. company Occidental owns 24.5% of the Dolphin Gas pipel ine supplying natural

gas from Qatar to the UAE and Oman.• Qatar Petroleum has invested $10 bi l l ion in the Golden Pass LNG terminal in Texas,

creat ing 45,000 jobs over the l i fe of the plant.• Qatar ’s resources alone account for 25% of ExxonMobi l ’s af ter- tax cash f low.

Country % of Natural Gas from Qatar

Japan 15%United Kingdom 14%

India 51%South Korea 33%

Thailand 21%UAE 87%

2016 domestic imports of LNG from Qatar


14

Qatar’s Natural Gas Sector

Global LNG Trade

Because i t would be impract ical for Qatar to construct natural gas pipel ines across cont inents to reach i ts most important customers, much of Qatar ’s natural gas is exported as LNG. LNG is natural gas that has been cooled into a l iquid to store and ship wi thout pipel ines. As a l iquid, LNG takes up to 600 t imes less space than as a gas.

Qatar is current ly the wor ld’s number one exporter of l iquef ied natural gas. I t recent ly announced that i t wi l l increase product ion f rom 77 mi l l ion tons of LNG to 100 mi l l ion tons a year by 2024. Qatar is doing so to meet increased global demand for LNG – mot ivated by the fact that natural gas is relat ively clean compared to other fossi l fuels and is commonly considered a “br idge” between petrochemical and carbon-neutral energy sources.

Qatar has been the wor ld’s leading exporter of LNG since 2006, and the country current ly contr ibutes about one-third of the global LNG trade. Qatar ’s annual sales of LNG are est imated to be $180 bi l l ion.

Qatar i Research and Development in LNG

Qatar has invested substant ia l ly in the research and development of LNG, which has al lowed the country to produce LNG at levels previously bel ieved impossible, and more ef f ic ient ly than any other country on earth. For example, whi le i t costs $8-12 to produce a mi l l ion Br i t ish thermal uni ts of LNG in the U.S., East Afr ica, Austral ia, i t costs only $2 in Qatar.

Qatar has also invested in the acquisi t ion of a new f leet of carr iers special ly designed for LNG transportat ion. Qatar has a f leet of 54 LNG vessels, which represents some 20% of the wor ld’s total LNG f leet . These substant ia l ly larger and more ef f ic ient vessels have increased Qatar i reach and speed relat ive to i ts compet i tors.

Qatar Petroleum has also invested $10 bi l l ion in the Golden Pass LNG terminal in Texas, creat ing 45,000 jobs over the l i fe of the plant. Qatar Petroleum plans to invest up to $20 bi l l ion into American oi l and gas f ie lds.

North Field Overview

Qatar controls the North Field, a lso known as the North Dome, in the Arabian Gulf – hal f of the largest natural gas f ie ld in the wor ld. The North Field alone comprises:

• 900 tr i l l ion standard cubic feet of natural gas (10% of the wor ld’s known reserves)

• 6,000 square k i lometers in area• Product ion capacity of 77 mi l l ion tons per year (and

increasing)• 14 Qatar Petroleum LNG trains – the faci l i t ies used for

l iquefying natural gas• 12 co-operated by ExxonMobi l• 1 co-operated by ConocoPhi l ips• 1 co-operated by Royal Dutch Shel l

LNG shipping vessel

Map of Qatar’s North Field


Updated December 2018

15

Golden Pass: the U.S.-Qatar Partnership at Work

Executive Summary

• On 5th February, 2019, Qatar Petroleum (QP) and ExxonMobil (Exxon) announced the final investment decision to begin constructing the Golden Pass terminal on the Texas Gulf Coast

as an export facility.

• In a more than $10 billion investment, QP will invest more than $8 billion and Exxon will invest

more than $2 billion; Qatar Petroleum owns a 70 percent stake in Golden Pass, while Exxon

owns 30 percent.

• Over a five-year construction period, starting in March 2019, the investment will create 45,000

full-time jobs (direct and indirect) nationwide and generate nearly $35 billion in U.S. economic

gains including federal, state, and local tax revenues over the life of the project.

• Once completed, Golden Pass will be the seventh large scale LNG export project in the United

States, capable of producing 16 million tons of LNG each year (by comparison, Qatar’s annual

production is 77 million tons/annum).

Project Key Facts

• Golden Pass will move the U.S. an important step closer to the milestone of

becoming a net energy exporter by 2020, a feat the nation has not achieved

in nearly 70 years.

• Speaking to the U.S. energy renaissance, the facility was initially designed

as an import terminal to receive Qatari-produced LNG. Golden Pass is being

retooled as an export terminal since the U.S. “shale revolution” has given rise

to a surge in U.S. natural gas production.

• In April 2017, the Department of Energy signed an authorization order allowing

Golden Pass to export domestically produced LNG. Yesterday’s investment

decision provides the financing for the infrastructure that will enable the vast resource to finally be commercialized and moved to regions (Europe and Asia) where there is strong demand for natural gas.

• Golden Pass awarded the engineering, procurement and construction contracts for the project to a joint venture of Chiyoda

International Corporation, McDermott International Inc. and Zachry Group.

• The announcement confirms that Qatar’s decision to withdraw from OPEC in December 2018 was to allow the country to focus more on natural gas investments both domestically and internationally.

Qatar and ExxonMobil: Partners Since 1935

• Exxon and QP have enjoyed a historical and multifaceted partnership since the inception of

Qatar’s hydrocarbon industry: Mobil Oil Co. of Qatar was registered in 1955.

• Exxon has partnered with QP to develop the North Field, the world’s largest non-associated

natural gas field. • Qatar is today the world’s leading LNG exporter – controlling 30% of global market share.

• Exxon is the only foreign participant in two domestic gas projects, Al Khaleej Gas and

Barzan Gas.

• Through staff secondment programs with QP, Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd. (Nakilat), and other state institutions, Exxon

has helped develop Qatar’s human capital by providing technical and management expertise.

• ExxonMobil Research Qatar (EMRQ) opened at Qatar Science and Technology Park in 2009 to conduct research in areas of

common interest to the State of Qatar and ExxonMobil. Scientists and researchers at EMRQ continue to advance projects in

environmental management, water reuse, LNG safety and coastal geology.

“Golden Pass will provide an increased, reliable, long-term supply

of liquefied natural gas to global gas markets, stimulate local growth and

create thousands of jobs.”

Darren Woods, Chairman

and CEO, Exxon

“Today’s agreement is the latest example of the vital partnership between the U.S. and Qatar - from American universities putting campuses in Qatar, to our strategic military relationship, and of course, our collaboration in the energy sector. The Golden Pass project is proof that two of the world’s top energy producers can work together as allies to increase

energy diversity, advance energy security, and support rather than subvert an open energy marketplace.”

Rick Perry, U.S. Secretary of Energy

“The Golden Pass LNG export project is not our first investment in the United States, and is certainly not going to be our last. It represents

a significant part of the plans that Qatar Petroleum has announced to invest $20 billion in the U.S. energy sector, which we believe would bring great benefits for both the United States and the State of Qatar. The development of the Golden Pass LNG export facility enhances the depth and flexibility of our global LNG supply portfolio, and reinforces the position of the U.S. as a key contributor to meeting the world’s growing demand for LNG.”

H.E. Saad Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs,

CEO and President of Qatar Petroleum


16

Golden Pass: the U.S.-Qatar Partnership at Work

Supply Diversity

• In his opening remarks at the ceremony, Secretary Perry noted that

Golden Pass will increase the U.S.’s contribution to global supply

diversity.

• Secretary Perry noted that it was a “great day for the U.S., the State of

Qatar and our allies around the world,” who will benefit from greater diversity of supply.

• Between 2017 and 2019, the number of countries buying U.S. LNG

rose from 17 to 33.

• Having been a champion of the project since its inception in his

previous role as Governor of Texas, Secretary Perry signaled his and

the Administration’s continued commitment to the expansion of U.S.

natural gas production.

• Noting Russia’s dominant position as a supplier of gas to European

countries, Golden Pass will boost the U.S.’s readiness to step in as a

reliable alternative supplier to its allies in Europe.

Local Impact

• For Rep. Randy Weber of the 14th Congressional District, where

the facility is situated, the announcement provides a much-needed

stimulus to the local economy he represents.

• Similarly, for Judge Jeff Branick of Jefferson County, where many local

businesses, contractors and sub-contractors will benefit from the job creation multipliers of the investment decision, the announcement

was a historic milestone.

“The Lone Star State leads the nation in domestic oil

and gas production, and today’s announcement further solidifies that reputation. Texas is proud that Golden Pass has chosen to expand its operations in Sabine Pass.

This expansion represents not only an investment in creating jobs and growing our state’s economy, but also

in expanding our nation’s international export reach and

energy independence.”

Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas

“After the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, our region looks forward to the economic boost this project will bring, and through its Opportunity Roadmap program Golden

Pass has laid the groundwork to make sure local residents

and businesses have access to the opportunities.”

Judge Jeff Branick of Jefferson County

“This is going to be so huge for the Gulf Coast. We have more LNG facilities in my district than anyone else.”

Rep. Randy Weber (R-Beaumont)


17

Qatar’s Changing Economy and National Vision 2030

In 2008, Qatar launched Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030) – a development framework identifying the societal challenges facing Qatar and the government’s national priorities and plans to face them. The challenges addressed in QNV 2030 range from tangible and measurable issues like sustainable economic growth and environmentalism to abstract problems like loss of cultural heritage and family strength.

Qatar National Vision 2030 overviews four interconnected areas for domestic development: economic development, social development, human development, and environmental development.

Economic Development

Qatar acknowledges that global shifts towards renewable energy sources and the natural limitations of its petrochemical resources represent a profound risk to Qatar’s economy. Qatar has strived to diversify its economy through higher education since the founding of Qatar Foundation in 1995, and QNV 2030 formalizes this mission.

Qatar’s priorities vis-à-vis economic development are:

• Maintaining a sustainable economic growth rate

• Leveraging oil and gas revenues to develop human resources in Qatar

• Stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship in service of economic diversification

Initiatives and Institutions Supporting Economic Development in Qatar

Qatar Financial Centre is a platform supporting businesses looking to expand in Qatar. QFC supports business licensing and setup and helps businesses navigate Qatar’s legal and economic system.

Qatar Science & Technology Park is an incubator for applied research and technological innovation in support of entrepreneurs. QSTP has access to the universities and research centers in Qatar’s Education City, building a bridge between Qatar’s educational and economic development.

In 2017, Qatar’s leading agriculture investor Hassad Food launched the Iktefa Initiative to support development of local farms. Iktefa targets unproductive farms by purchasing their annual supply of produce and then selling them to local markets. The Initiative helps protect local farmers from the competition with food importers, helping secure Qatar’s domestic food supply.

“… QNV 2030 aims at transforming Qatar into an advanced country capable of sustaining its own development and ensuring high living standards for its people for generations to come by seeking to develop a diversified economy coupled with diminishing dependence on hydrocarbons, where investment is moving towards a knowledge-based economy and the private sector is growing in importance.”

- Dr. Saleh bin Mohamed Al Nabit


18

Qatar’s Changing Economy and National Vision 2030

Social Development

QNV 2030 addresses a tension in Qatar that has arisen in the last two decades between Qatar’s strong culture of family values and the growth of women’s participation in the economy, academia, and public life. Qatar seeks to empower women to lead without sacrificing the cohesion of its families, which are crucial to raising the next generation and securing Qatar’s future.

QNV 2030’s social development goals include:

• Preserving Qatar’s national and Islamic heritage through

public institutions

• Leveraging Qatar’s institutions to support women’s

empowerment and leadership and establish a culture of

justice and equality

• Fostering dialogue across cultures and religions to

support coexistence and appreciation

Initiatives and Institutions Supporting Social Development in Qatar

Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art is a pioneer in the preservation and promotion of Islamic art and heritage. In a region where development and construction is often prioritized over the protection of cultural heritage, MIA is an oasis to celebrate the history and legacy of Islam.

The Hukoomi E-Government platform in Qatar supports family development and protects women and children through anonymous hotlines and counseling options for families experiencing domestic issues.

The Doha Center for Interfaith Dialogue is a government center focused on fostering dialogue and supporting coexistence between religions. The DCID seeks to identify common ground to alleviate misunderstandings and activate religious values to support humanitarian development.

Human Development

Qatar’s plans for human development are two-pronged, covering both education and healthcare. Qatar’s staggering growth and progress have puts strains on individuals’ abilities for professional self-actualization and development of physically healthy lifestyles. Qatar seeks to empower its citizens to make healthy choices and pursue a fulfilling careers that harness their talents.

“Qatar National Vision 2030 builds a bridge between the present and the future. It envisages a vibrant and prosperous country in which there is economic and social justice for all, and in which nature and man are in harmony.”

- HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani

Museum of Islamic Art


19

Qatar’s Economic Competitiveness

Key Takeaways

• Qatar is promoting the growth of indigenous industries in designated economic zones,

with a focus on logistics, warehousing and distribution to leverage Qatar’s newest sea

and air ports.

• Qatar is expanding incentives and simplifying regulation for the local and international

private sector to increase its investments in local supply chains.

• Qatar’s post-World Cup growth will be sustained by the creation of new industrial clusters

– free zones – strategically located near the country’s sea port and airport.

• Qatar’s Ministry of Finance manages a large government investment program – focused

on funding infrastructure, health, education and transportation projects – that

drives GDP growth (2.6% in 2018) and creates opportunities for the private sector, while

delivering on the priorities of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Introduction

Central to Qatar’s attractiveness as a business environment is a $200 billion government investment program focused on the four main pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030 of economic, social, human and environmental development.

The government’s capital expenditure (Capex) program spans the period 2015-2024 and has spurred growth and business opportunities in a number of nonhydrocarbon sectors. In 2017, financial services grew by 16.2%, construction by 12.5% and manufacturing by 9.3%. Overall, nonhydrocarbon economic activity accounted for 67.2% of nominal GDP in 2017, according to the IMF.

As a key driver of growth, the Capex program has allowed Qatar to economically outperform regional and global peers in terms of real GDP growth. In 2017, despite the blockade, Qatar’s economy grew at the fastest pace in the region.

The government’s Capex program has been at the core of Qatar’s efforts to:

• Reduce the economy’s reliance on the oil and gas sector;• Develop incentive frameworks and policies to increase the private sector’s contribution to the

economy;• Deliver the educational, cultural and infrastructural building blocks of a modern competitive

economy.

Next are some of the key initiatives and reforms introduced by the government to attract the local and international private sector as an equal partner in implementing the country’s development strategy.


20

Qatar’s EconomicCompetitiveness

1. Qatar Financial Centre (QFC):

• Established in 2005 as an onshore business and financial center that aims to attract businesses in a variety of industries ranging from investment management, insurance, consultancy and investment advisory, as well as holding companies, special purpose companies, and professional services firms.

• QFC saw a 31% growth in the number of firms registered on its platform in 2018. The new firms originated from a diverse number of countries, including Qatar, the U.S., Switzerland, Italy, Jordan, and others.

• QFC-licensed businesses benefit from:• 100% foreign ownership;• A first-class legal system based on English common law;• A competitive location to grow revenue with one of the most

compelling tax environments in the world (10% corporate tax on locally sourced profits and no withholding tax);

• 100% repatriation of profits;• Access to Qatar’s Double Taxation Agreements with more than

60 countries;• A quick and easy business licensing process;• No restrictions on the currency used for trading.

2. Qatar Development Bank (QDB):

• QDB’s mandate is to invest in and develop local industries by supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar.

• Following the blockade, QBD expanded many of its financial support products and services to enable growth in a number of industries that will help reduce the country’s import dependence.

• In 2018, QDB funding to the SME sector reached $2.2 billion. Nearly 80 percent of the funding was to support industries directly, and the remaining 20 percent went to projects in areas such as education, health, tourism and food security (fisheries and livestock).

• Among the financial products offered by QDB are a credit guarantee program, seed funding, export finance, direct lending and feasibility study support.

• QBD owns the Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC), the region’s largest mixed-use business incubation center. QBIC helps promising local entrepreneurs from the ideation phase through to the creation of a tangible product, by offering rent-free office space and seed funding.

3. The Economic Zones Company (Manateq):• Manateq focuses on promoting the growth of industries that will sustain

Qatar’s economic dynamism beyond the milestone of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

• Manateq administers land allocation to prospective investors in a number of strategically located special economic zones. Manateq aims to develop industries ranging from food processing to petrochemicals.

• Through the launch of “logistics parks,” Manateq seeks to reduce the cost of doing business in Qatar by increasing the efficiency of the distribution of land-based goods and materials.

• In conjunction, “warehousing parks” are being established to offer a range of storage solutions that will create significant cost savings for a range of industries.


21

Qatar’s Economic Competitiveness

4. Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA):

• The QFZA was established in 2018 as an independent body charged with overseeing the regulatory framework of free zones in Qatar.

• Through its focus on attracting high-value foreign direct investment (FDI), the QFZA has two main objectives:

• Strengthen the security of supply: Supply chain disruption was among the key risks to Qatar’s economic stability brought to the fore by the blockade;

• Support economic diversification, through the creation of knowledge-intensive jobs and industries.

• In October 2018, the chairman of QFZA, a former chief executive officer of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, announced a $3 billion package to attract foreign companies to two new free zones: Um Alhoul and Ras Bufontas. Other incentives include extended tax holidays and customs exemptions.

• The Um Alhoul free zone is situated next to Hamad Port, Qatar’s main seaport. It will play host to a broad array of businesses, including maritime industries, construction and building materials, metal processing and machinery, along with downstream petrochemicals and logistics.

• The Ras Bufontas free zone, located next to Doha’s Hamad International Airport, is set to host advanced technologies, health care and medical services, in addition to automotive and aerospace industries, along with business services operations.

• On the sidelines of the second U.S.-Qatar Strategic Dialogue this month, the QFZA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a leading asset management firm in the U.S. As part of the agreement, a producer of energy-efficiency and thermal storage solutions, and a vertically-integrated medical nutrition company, will work closely with QFZA to identify set up opportunities in the free zones.

5. In-Country Value (ICV) programs:• As a heavily import-dependent country, Qatar has been re-aligning

its industrial development plans to foster the conditions for retaining greater economic value in-country. Following the blockade, ICV has gained renewed attention as trade and travel restrictions underscored the need for bolstering supply chain security.

• The combined efforts of the QFZA, Manateq, QFC and QDB are ultimately intended to boost ICV through regulatory incentives and, potentially, local content policies.

• ICV-targeted policies reward companies that anchor their fundamental operations in-country, thus adding value and jobs to the local economy.

• Qatar Petroleum’s recently announced ‘Localization Program for Services and Industries in the Energy Sector,’ known as the Tawteen initiative, is a prime example of promoting ICV.

• Highlighting the synergies between government entities mandated with enhancing Qatar’s business climate, the QFZA has announced its support for Tawteen, by offering to provide land solutions, tailor regulations, and review business plans for companies pursuing entry into the energy services industry.

Um Alhoul free zone


22

Qatar’s EconomicCompetitiveness

Conclusion

A range of economic and risk indicators have evidenced the resilience of Qatar’s economy to the Quartet-imposed blockade. Perhaps the decisions by Fitch, S&P and Moody’s to revise the outlook on Qatar’s sovereign bond rating to stable from negative provide a conclusive and data-based validation of Qatar’s success in weathering the crisis. Underpinning the strength in credit ratings is a recovery in foreign exchange reserves, a steady decline in the government’s debt burden, and a prudent fiscal policy (see Analysis: Moody’s Issues Government of Qatar Credit Opinion).

The government has now forged ahead in implementing its private sector development agenda with the assumption of the blockade as status quo. In fact, the blockade has only increased the urgency of these plans.

The fiscal stimulus of the government’s Capex program has provided cascading opportunities for the private sector, while regulatory improvements are easing access to the Qatari market.


23

Qatar’s Domestic Sustainability Initiatives

Qatar’s Sustainability Story

Qatar is committed to addressing the causes of climate change and promoting sustainability

by diversifying its petrochemical-based economy, incorporating sustainable practices into a

variety of development projects, and investing in renewable energy sources. In accordance with

the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, Qatar has codified sustainability as one of the four pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030 and has since become a global leader

in sustainable technology and design. Since the blockade in particular, Qatar has accelerated

efforts to sustainably secure its food supply.

• Qatar launched 10 sustainable development projects, such as the Msheireb downtown

renewal project and the planned Lusail City. Likewise, Qatar is working through

organizations like the 2022 FIFA World Cup committee and Hassad Food to promote its

sustainability agenda.

• Qatar’s electricity and water utility company, Kahramaa, has invested in regulatory

powers, consumer penalties, and awareness campaigns to reduce electricity and water

usage by 18% and 20% (respectively) between 2012 and 2016.

• Qatar is also committed to self-sourcing 60% of its domestic food supply by doubling the

number of Qatari farms by 2020.

Energy and Water Conservation

Even though Qatar is the world’s largest natural gas producer, its petrochemical industry is

making a concerted effort to minimize unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions by reducing

emission-intensive gas flaring and developing transport technology that can carry 80% more

liquid natural gas per carrier.

Kahramaa – Qatar’s electricity and water utility service – has reduced water consumption by

20% and electricity consumption by 18% through its conservation and awareness program,

Tarsheed. The reduction in consumption has saved 8.5 million tons of CO2 emissions between

2012 and 2016.

Infrastructure and Design

Sustainability initiatives have been incorporated into infrastructure and construction plans, including Msheireb district, Lusail City,

the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and more.

Msheireb

• Msheireb downtown Doha is the world’s first sustainable development project.• Msheireb aims to reduce energy usage in the area by 32%, with all buildings

targeting LEED Gold if not Platinum certification. Much of the neighborhood will be powered through solar panels.

• Msheireb streets are oriented and shaded to capture wind from the sea and

naturally cool streets and buildings.

Lusail City

• Lusail, a new city being built in Qatar, is incorporating sustainable best practices, and is expected to house more than 200,000

residents.

• Lusail will feature a water-sensitive landscape and local Qatari vegetation to minimize water needs.

• The Wadi Conservation Park will mimic natural wadi (valley) water systems, collecting rainwater runoff and retaining it to support

natural vegetation.

• Lusail’s cooling system is one of the largest in the world and is expected to save 65 million tons of CO2 annually.

FIFA World Cup

• Qatar’s World Cup stadiums will incorporate energy efficient cooling technology to minimize energy requirements. • The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy is planning to secure Global Sustainability Assessment System certification

for all its stadiums. Khalifa International Stadium has already received a four-star GSAS rating.

• The 40,000-seat Ras Abu Aboud Stadium will be constructed largely of shipping containers, removable chairs, and other

modular components so that it can be dismantled and used in other projects after the World Cup.

• Following the tournament, Qatar will dismantle and donate 170,000 seats to build stadiums in developing countries and solidify

the World Cup’s legacy.

Msheireb in downtown Doha

Tarsheed is an awareness and

regulatory campaign that bans imports

of inefficient lights, regulates the specification of water tanks and air conditioners, imposes fines on Qataris for wasteful use of water or electricity, and educates Qataris to sensibly limit

usage of resources.


Updated December 2018

24

Qatar’s DomesticSustainability Initiatives

Qatar Solar Technologies (QST)Qatar will construct the first production facility for polysilicon – a key component in solar panels – in the Arabian Peninsula. QST will invest over half a billion dollars to build the facility, which is expected to produce 3600 tons of high-purity solar polysilicon annually.

Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) QSTP hosts technology companies and start-ups from around the world. QSTP helps organizations develop sustainable technologies

and supports Qatar’s knowledge economy. Current members include Chevron, ExxonMobil, GE, Microsoft, Shell, and Total.

Sustainable Agriculture and Food SecurityIn 2012, Qatar launched the Qatar National Food Security Program (QNFSP) – a framework to develop Qatar’s domestic agriculture

sector and reduce the country’s reliance on imports. The plan aims to increase the number of farms in Qatar from 1,400 to 3000 and

meet 60% of domestic food demand locally by 2024. The program is a staggeringly ambitious undertaking for Qatar, which has no

fresh water and, in 2012, cultivated 1% of its land area and imported 90% of its food. QNFSP has the potential to serve as an example

around the world for as countries brace for climate change to exacerbate global food and water security.

In 2017, after the illegal blockade on Qatar, two more major food security initiatives were launched:

• Hassad Food, Qatar’s premier investor in food and agriculture sectors launched the Iktefa initiative, which will target unproductive

local farms and encourage production by buying farm products and selling them back to local markets.

• Qatar Islamic Bank announced funding of $435.8 million to build a 530,000 sq. meter food security facility to manufacture and

store rice, sugar, and edible oils.

Sustainability Events, Institutes, and Programs• Sustainability Summit: Qatar hosts an annual Sustainability Summit for practitioners, regulators, and researchers to gather and

discuss sustainability and climate change. The Summit offers discussions on technology and policy solutions for regional actors

to meet their obligations under the Paris Agreement and to foster a more sustainable construction industry.

• Qatar Sustainability Week: The Qatar Green Building Council and the Qatari Minister of the Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser

bin Khalifa al-Thani began organizing Qatar Sustainability Week in 2016. The initiative attracts thousands of participants to over

a hundred events across Qatar, engaging the community in events like beach clean-ups, car pool application drives, healthy

food lessons, lectures on sustainable building, gardening events, and recycling drives. The week is synchronized with the Green

Life app, allowing Qataris to check-in to events and earn points and rewards for their participation. Qatar Sustainability Week

is sponsored by several private organizations, including Vodafone, the Arab Engineering Bureau, and Msheireb Properties.

• Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute: The Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) is a research

institute within the Hamad Bin Khalifa University focused on the research and development necessary for Qatar to meet its

sustainability priorities. QEERI has six research portfolios: water security, photovoltaics, smart grid, energy storage, energy

efficiency, and climate change. QEERI presents its findings in quarterly workshops to disseminate cutting-edge solutions to reduce Qatar’s carbon footprint and meet its environmental goals.

• UN Climate Change Conference COP 18 - Doha, Qatar: The December 2012 conference showcased climate-smart approaches

and discussed concrete steps to support resilience in the agricultural sectors. Attention was given to programme, policy and

financial mechanisms supporting the transition to climate-smart and resilient systems, e.g. through resource efficiency and reduction of losses in the whole value chain from production to consumption.


25

Demystfying Iran Trade Overview & Statistics

Only 120 miles of water lie between Qatar and Iran, and both countries share the South Pars/North Dome gas field, the largest natural gas field in the world. Iran and Qatar historically have had a cooperative relationship by necessity.

Qatar took the extraordinary measure of severing diplomatic ties with Iran in response to the 2016 mob attack on the Saudi Embassy

in Tehran.

In 2017 Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt imposed an illegal blockade on Qatar. This shut off once vital trade routes through

the Saudi-Qatar land border, access to Dubai and other UAE ports for shipped goods, and closed vast amounts of airspaces around

Qatar, which resulted in Qatar only being able to use two air corridors and previously underused trade routes to be supplied with

food, medicine, and other such goods.

Due to the fact those countries forced Qatar to rely upon Iranian airspace for commercial and civilian flights, and other key transport links, Qatar returned its ambassador to Tehran following the imposition of the illegal blockade. Qatar has also been forced to import

more basic necessities from Iran than it had traded prior to the blockade. “Iran was one of the countries which quickly stepped in to

ensure Qatari supermarket shelves remained well stocked,” according to Al Jazeera.

At the same time, Qatar has expanded the air freight volume at Hamad International Airport, inaugurated Hamad Port – one of the

largest transport hubs in the Arabian Gulf, and hastened plans to increase domestic food production.

While much has been discussed about Iran and Qatar, including from the blockading countries, little of the discussion relies on facts.

Due to the fact those countries forced Qatar to rely upon

Iranian airspace for commercial and civilian flights, and other key transport links, Qatar returned its ambassador to Tehran

following the imposition of the illegal blockade.

Qatar has also been forced to import more basic necessities

from Iran than it had traded prior to the blockade. “Iran was

one of the countries which quickly stepped in to ensure Qatari

supermarket shelves remained well stocked,” according to

Al Jazeera.

At the same time, Qatar has expanded the air freight volume

at Hamad International Airport, inaugurated Hamad Port –

one of the largest transport hubs in the Arabian Gulf, and

hastened plans to increase domestic food production.

While much has been discussed about Iran and Qatar,

including from the blockading countries, little of the

discussion relies on facts.

Airspace surrounding Qatar


26

Demystifying Iran TradeOverview & Statistics

Iran and Qatar have a modest trade relationship, and while the trade has garnered media attention, in the context of the rest of the

Gulf Cooperation Council, Qatar’s trade volume with Iran is not extraordinary. In 2017, Qatar’s trade with Iran comprised less than

one percent of the UAE’s trade with Iran.

According to the International Monetary Fund’s Direction of Trade Statistics, Qatar-Iran trade in 2017 comprised $4.53 million in

exports to Iran and $77.35 million in imports from Iran. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates imported $1.75 billion from Iran and

exported $20 billion to Iran.

Below are tables of each GCC country’s trade volume with Iran in 2016-2017.

*Saudi Arabia’s trade with Iran has likely been imputed and is not necessarily precisely calculated per quarter. The Direction of Trade Statistics data could not be verified by the Saudi national authorities.


27

E D U C A T I O N , H U M A N R I G H T S

& C I V I L S O C I E T Y

28

A Priority for AcademiaHigher Education in Qatar

Introduct ion

Qatar is a leading hub of research and educat ion in the Middle East, wi th a var iety of h igher educat ion

inst i tut ions and programs in near ly every f ie ld of academia. The U.S. has been an invaluable partner for the

development of Qatar ’s higher educat ion system today.

In 1995 Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser and His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin

Khal i fa Al Thani founded Qatar Foundat ion (QF) to expand upon the country ’s higher

educat ion system and train Qatar ’s youth for a knowledge-based, post-petrochemical

economy - a key component of Qatar Nat ional Vis ion 2030.

As i ts f lagship project, QF founded Educat ion Ci ty, which today hosts s ix leading U.S. partner universi t ies.

Educat ion Ci ty dist inguishes Qatar as a beacon for educat ion and research in the Arabian Gulf region and

the greater Middle East.

Qatar is also home to Qatar Universi ty, a publ ic universi ty of fer ing a comprehensive array of studies for i ts

students, and QF’s Hamad Bin Khal i fa Universi ty, a homegrown universi ty of fer ing master ’s and doctoral

degrees in Is lamic studies, humanit ies, social sciences, engineer ing, physical science, law, and publ ic

pol icy. In 2015, the Doha Inst i tute for Graduate Studies opened, of fer ing masters- and doctorate- level

graduate programs in execut ive educat ion, publ ic administrat ion, social sciences, and more.

Key Facts

• Qatar hosts branches for s ix di f ferent US universi t ies – more than any other

Arabian Gulf country – to br ing the greatest in US academic excel lence to Qatar i

students.

• Educat ion Ci ty of fers scholarships to students f rom Arab and Is lamic countr ies.

• Qatar ’s higher educat ion system is a del iberate investment of Qatar ’s

petrochemical prof i ts to t ransi t ion Qatar f rom a fossi l fuel to a knowledge-based

economy and is a central component of Qatar Nat ional Vis ion 2030.

• Qatar ’s higher educat ion system offers a special opportuni ty for women in Musl im

countr ies whose fami l ies support their studies but would prefer they study nearby

in a fami l iar cul ture.

• Women const i tute the major i ty of students in Qatar ’s higher educat ion system.

Pioneers in Qatar i Higher Educat ion

Qatar Universi ty

Qatar Universi ty is the f i rst universi ty establ ished in the country and of fers educat ion

in a comprehensive var iety of academic areas. Qatar Universi ty provides free tui t ion

for Qatar i students and students f rom other GCC countr ies who meet the entrance

requirements and maintain a qual i fy ing GPA. The universi ty also of fers scholarships to

students f rom Arab and Is lamic countr ies. Students at Qatar Universi ty are f ree to enrol l

in addit ional c lasses in Educat ion Ci ty, including i ts US partner universi t ies.

Hamad Bin Khal i fa Universi ty

Hamad Bin Khal i fa Universi ty (HBKU), named after Qatar ’s Father Amir, was establ ished in 2010 to of fer

graduate studies and research opportuni t ies to students in Qatar. HBKU hosts over 600 students, 58 percent

of whom are non-Qatar i , cover ing 68 di f ferent nat ional i t ies. HBKU hosts f ive col leges in Is lamic Studies,

Humanit ies and Social Sciences, Science and Engineer ing, Law and Publ ic Pol icy, and Health and Li fe

Sciences, as wel l as three research inst i tutes –Qatar Biomedical Research Inst i tute, Qatar Comput ing

Research Inst i tute, and Qatar Environment and Energy Research Inst i tute. HBKU has partnerships wi th every

US universi ty in Educat ion Ci ty, br inging together the wide and diverse expert ise of a l l s ix schools.

Doha Inst i tute

The Doha Inst i tute for Graduate Studies is a new, leading center for graduate studies in Qatar, wi th centers

on social sciences, humanit ies, publ ic administrat ion, psychology, secur i ty studies, conf l ict studies, and

execut ive educat ion. The inst i tute started i ts f i rst academic semester in 2015 and of fers a var iety of areas

for masters- and doctoral- level graduate studies.



29

A Priority for AcademiaHigher Education in Qatar

A Beacon for Academia

Qatar also invests in educat ion in i t iat ives around the world, including through i ts Educat ion Above Al l

Foundat ion, to help defeat radical extremism by empowering youth to determine their futures and bui ld

stronger communit ies. The Foundat ion’s programs include:

• Educate A Chi ld (EAC), which has a mandate of enrol l ing and retaining 10 mi l l ion chi ldren without easy

access to pr imary educat ion. Thus far, EAC has helped enrol l over 6.6 mi l l ion school chi ldren.

• Protect ing Educat ion in Insecur i ty and Conf l ict (PEIC), which advocates for educat ion in war- torn

countr ies and regions. PEIC works wi th mult iple Uni ted Nat ions of f ices and internat ional in i t iat ives to

support the r ight for educat ion in areas of conf l ict and instabi l i ty such as Sudan and Uganda.

• Al Fakhoora is an in i t iat ive promot ing educat ion access for students in Gaza. Al Fakhoora has refurbished

or reconstructed 18 universi ty faci l i t ies and 71 schools in Gaza and awarded over 5,000 scholarships for

students in higher educat ion in Gaza.

• Reach Out To Asia (ROTA), a program support ing educat ion and training in cr is is areas in Asia. Thus far

ROTA has helped provide pr imary educat ion to 385,473 chi ldren and trained 52,667 youths wi th ski l ls

for gainful employment.

Educat ion Ci ty

Educat ion Ci ty is the f lagship in i t iat ive of Qatar Foundat ion and is located in Doha. Today, Educat ion Ci ty

covers 3,300 acres and houses educat ional faci l i t ies f rom ear ly school age to research level and branch

campuses of some of the wor ld’s leading universi t ies – s ix f rom the U.S.

• Virginia Commonwealth Universi ty School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) is a branch of the

prest igious VCUarts school , of fer ing programs in art , design, and fashion. VCUarts Qatar rout inely

hosts art exhibi t ions and fashion shows and has graduated the bulk of Qatar ’s leading art ists, fashion

designers, and sculptors.

• Wei l l Cornel l Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) br ings Cornel l Universi ty ’s medical expert ise to Qatar wi th pre-

med and medical graduate programs. WCM-Q works wi th Qatar ’s 2022 FIFA World Cup commit tee to

evaluate and support workers’ heal th and rout inely publ ishes papers on medical topics f rom obesi ty and

diabetes to acupuncture and the ef fects of laughter.

• Texas A&M Universi ty at Qatar (TAMUQ) focuses on engineer ing, including chemical , computer,

mechanical , and petroleum. In 2018, TAMUQ and the Qatar Nat ional Research Fund hosted a two-day

workshop where 21 middle schoolers designed a mobi le Android app.

• Carnegie Mel lon Universi ty in Qatar (CMU-Q) t ra ins students in biology, business administrat ion,

computat ional biology, and computer science. In 2018, a CMU-Q student team placed second in CMU’s

Neurohackathon compet i t ion, analyzing synapt ic data to ident i fy indicators of Alzheimer’s disease.

• Georgetown Universi ty in Qatar (GU-Q) focuses on pol i t ics, government, and foreign af fa i rs. GU-Q hosts

the Center for Internat ional and Regional Studies (CIRS), which regular ly publ ishes papers and reports

on major geopol i t ical t rends in the greater Middle East.

• Northwestern Universi ty in Qatar (NU-Q) of fers degrees in journal ism and communicat ions. NU-Q publ ishes

‘Media Use in the Middle East, ’ an annual , one-of-a-kind survey of the use, t rends, and percept ions of

mass media in the Middle East.

Universi t ies of fer degrees in the f ie lds of media, engineer ing, design, medicine, pol i t ics, business, museum

curat ion, and Is lamic studies. The presence of U.S. universi t ies in Qatar gives the schools a foothold in

a stable part of the Middle East and gives students in Qatar an opportuni ty to earn degrees from world-

renowned academic inst i tut ions.

Wide Range of Benef i ts

• Through Educat ion Ci ty, Qatar is bui lding the societal infrastructure to t ransi t ion f rom a resource-based

economy to a 21st-century knowledge-based economy.

• Thanks to Educat ion Ci ty, students are becoming global c i t izens, wi th increased awareness of cut t ing-

edge science, internat ional cul tures, and civ i l society. Qatar achieves these things whi le maintaining i ts

important cul tural values and character ist ics.

• These universi t ies fur thermore provide an invaluable and unique opportuni ty to their U.S. students by

of fer ing them the chance to spend a semester abroad in Qatar, a hub of cul ture, media, and internat ional

t rade in the Middle East.


30

10 Facts About Human Rights in Qatar

Qatar is a leader in the Arab world in supporting human rights within Qatar and humanitarian causes

abroad. Qatar coordinates with international watchdogs and other institutions to understand shortcomings

in its domestic policy and continuously improve its standard for human rights. The country’s National

Human Rights Committee plays an integral role in this mission, publishing detailed reports on human

rights within Qatar and advising legislation to improve them.

1. Qatar is the first country in the Arabian Gulf to guarantee asylum to political refugees. The policy had

been praised by Sarah Leah Whitson, the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch’s Middle East

and North Africa division.

2. Qatar is also the first country in the Arabian Gulf to offer permanent residency rights to expats.

Permanent residency status allows expats access to Qatar’s welfare system and commercial rights

generally reserved for Qatari citizens.

3. Qatar is home to the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), an independent advisory group

dedicated to identifying any human rights abuses within the country and advising the government

on corrective measures. The NHRC is independent of the Qatari government and is a member of the

Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).

4. Qatar has abolished the exit visa requirement for migrant workers, a critical reform in dismantling the

kafala system.

5. Qatar has a minimum wage, a Wage Protection System, and a ten-hour workday that includes time for

worship and rest.

6. The International Labor Organization (ILO) has an office in Qatar. The ILO, an agency within the United Nations, was invited to Qatar to help monitor the conditions of workers in Qatar and provide advisory

guidance for legislation and enforcement to promote workers’ welfare.

7. World Cup construction workers can report any labor abuses through a confidential grievance hotline with support in six languages.

8. Qatar has an especially empowering culture for women, who outnumber men in higher education.

Qatar’s female labor participation rate is the highest in the Arab world.

9. As of October 2017, Qatar has donated $2.4 billion in humanitarian aid to Syrians. The Education

Above All Foundation has also helped provide education to 1.2 million Syrian children.

10. Qatar supports international negotiations as a regional facilitator, hosting talks between the U.S. and

the Taliban, at the U.S.’s request.


31

Labor Reforms & Migrant Rights in Qatar

Qatar Migrant Labor Rights at a glance

• Qatar is a leader in protecting migrant rights in the Arabian Gulf.

• Qatar has stronger laws, policies, and regulations than any other country in the Gulf to protect the health and well-being of

migrant workers.

• Qatar has passed six labor laws (two in 2017 alone), has opened an International Labor Organization office in Doha, and has contracted an independent organization to publish annual reports on labor standards at World Cup construction sites.

Key Facts

• Qatar has collaborated with international institutions to establish a series of labor reforms, including:

• Protecting migrant workers’ right to exit the country

• Instituting the Wage Protection System

• Introducing a minimum wage of 750 riyals ($195) per month for all workers

• Setting a ten-hour workday limit, including periods for worship and rest

• The International Labor Organization, a UN agency, has opened an office in Qatar to assist in the implementation and enforcement of labor reforms in Qatar

• Qatar’s 2022 FIFA World Cup organizing committee has taken a variety of measures to protect its workers (see section “2022

FIFA World Cup”)

• Qatar has passed six different human rights laws since 2002 and responded constructively to international attention, passing

two in 2017 alone

Qatar as a Leader in Migrant Worker Rights

• In 2002, Qatar created the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) to promote and

consolidate national laws, rights, freedoms, and institutions. The NHRC is legally and

financially independent of the government. • The NHRC has been accredited A status by the Global Alliance of National Human

Rights Institutions (GANHRI), which is a part of the UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights.

• The NHRC publishes annual reports on the state of human rights in Qatar and

publicizes guides to workers’ rights and training courses on human rights.

• Qatar has passed regulations:

• Protecting migrant workers’ right to exit the country

• Introducing a minimum wage of 750 riyals ($195) per month for all workers

• Setting a ten-hour workday limit, including periods for worship, rest, and

food

• Instituting the Wage Protection System (WPS) to ensure wages are paid on

time and arrears are systematically settled

• The WPS is handled entirely through the banking system to ensure

complete accountability that wages are paid and not misdirected

“For migrant workers, we have been advocating for them as an organization since 2004. We have been requesting the Qatari government to implement multiple changes in the law to curtail violations of migrant rights.”

Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh Al Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee



32

Labor Reforms & Migrant Rights in Qatar

2022 FIFA World Cup

The Qatari organization overseeing the World Cup preparation, since January 2018 has

made the following advancements:

• Established a confidential grievance hotline for workers to raise any issues in the course of recruitment or employment, with support in Arabic, English, Hindi,

Malayalam, Tagalog, and Urdu.

• Partnered with Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar to evaluate workers’ health and raise

workers’ awareness of health and nutrition.

• Performed baseline medical checks for 98% of the workforce and achieved 96%

compliance for accommodation site medical facilities.

• Reimbursed recruitment fees for more than 1700 workers, totaling over 3 million

Qatari Riyals ($824,000).

• Undertaken 237 accommodation inspections to ensure worker accommodations

meet Workers’ Welfare Standards.

• 85% of workers are housed in the six most compliant accommodations.

• Carried out 534 construction site health and safety inspections and 227 accommodation health and safety inspections.

• Conducted 566 ethical recruitment audits and 2,335 worker interviews (10% of peak workforce).

• Demobilized 28 other contracting partners (OCPs) and rejected 17 more OCPs as a result of compliance and enforcement

issues.

Multilateral and International Engagement

To ensure adherence to the best international practices, Qatar works with a variety of non-

governmental, and multilateral organizations.

• ILO: In November 2017, the International Labor Organization, a UN agency, closed

its complaint regarding migrant worker conditions in Qatar in recognition of Qatar’s

agreement to a three-year cooperation program to implement comprehensive labor

protections. As part of this agreement, the ILO opened an office in Qatar in April 2018 to help the government develop the resources to implement and enforce labor

reforms.

• Impactt: Qatar has worked for over two years with Impactt, an ethical trade

consultancy, to audit and improve working conditions at the 2022 FIFA World Cup sites. The working relationship includes

publications of annual reports on Qatar’s compliance with international human rights practices. Impactt has conducted 14

initial audits and 19 follow-up audits, the results of which can be seen in its External Compliance Report.

Other partners in compliance:

o Human Rights Watch o The International Trade Union Confederation

o Amnesty International o Engineers Against Poverty

o Building and Wood Workers’ International o Humanity United

Key Laws Timeline

• Decree Law No. 38 of 2002: Established the NHRC to promote state of law, human rights, freedoms, and institutions.

• Law No. 14 of 2004: Regulated the termination of employment in Qatar, the rights of a terminated or terminating

employee, and defined the disciplinary measures an employer is allowed to take. • Decree Law No. 17 of 2010: Established NHRC’s permanent independence from the Qatari government, with separate

legal status and an independent budget.

• Law 21 of 2015: Prevents employers in Qatar from confiscating employees’ passports to restrict their exiting the country. • Law No. 13 of 2017: Amended Law No. 14 of 2004 to allow employees to engage in comprehensive labor dispute

resolution.

• Law No. 15 of 2017: Expanded labor protections to domestic workers including cooks, drivers, gardeners, and more;

established a minimum age of employment; established maximum work week hours; established sick leave and annual

holiday protections; protected employees’ right to terminate employment; determined penalties for employers found

noncompliant.

“Our aim is to make workers’ lives better, through a holistic and sustainable

framework that is already delivering results on the ground, and that in the long-term, will

leave behind a meaningful social legacy.”

Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee

for Delivery and Legacy

“OThe Qatari government has made tremendous strides due to both international

and internal pressure. We can see the results of our work. The International Labor Organization is ...holding the nation as an example.”

Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh Al Marri

“This agreement [between the ILO and Qatar] is a welcome step that offers a prospect of hope for migrant workers in Qatar. There are some positive commitments – in particular relating to unpaid wages.”

James Lynch, Deputy Director of the Global Issues Programme at Amnesty International


33

A Global StewardQatar’s Humanitarian Aid

Qatar ’s Internat ional Development Aid and Humanitar ian Assistance

In just the past s ix years Qatar has spent more than $4.5 bi l l ion in foreign aid to over 100

countr ies and has commit ted $10 bi l l ion to the betterment of humanity in the coming decade.

The State of Qatar f i rmly bel ieves in a mission to help the people of the wor ld by providing

funding for natural disaster and post-conf l ict re l ief , humanitar ian assistance, refugee support ,

youth empowerment, community development, and qual i ty educat ion.

Natural Disaster Rel ief

Hurricanes

In September 2005, just two weeks af ter Hurr icane Katr ina destroyed much of America’s Gulf Coast, Qatar

pledged $100 mi l l ion to af f l icted areas around New Orleans and beyond. Since this donat ion, Qatar has

played an integral part and lef t a last ing legacy in the recovery of the areas af fected by the hurr icane. Funds

went towards rehabi l i tat ing local housing, heal th care centers, schools, and community centers. Some areas

where the funds were al located include:

• $25.2 mi l l ion to Habitat for Humanity, helping bui ld 338 homes on the coast

• $10.8 mi l l ion for Memorial Hospital of Gul fport , Mississippi , support ing care for 1,500 pat ients and

4,500 inpat ient days of care

• $17.5 mi l l ion to Xavier Universi ty of Louis iana, support ing 497 scholarships for pharmacy students

and construct ing a 60,000-square-foot Qatar Pharmacy Pavi l ion

• $5 mi l l ion to the Boys and Gir ls Club of the Gulf Coast, rebui lding i ts 28,000-square-foot community

center, now cal led the “Qatar Center”

Qatar donated $30 mi l l ion to help people in Texas recover f rom Hurr icane Harvey - the largest gi f t f rom a

foreign government fo l lowing the storm. Qatar pledged i ts donat ion through the Qatar Harvey Fund, which

Ambassador Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani said would work wi th Texas Gov. Greg Abbott , the Mayor of

Houston, and other local organizat ions.

The funds wi l l be used to help rebui ld communit ies af fected by f looding. $2.5 mi l l ion of the fund has been

al located to restor ing the Riverside Hospital in Harr is County’s Third Ward, $2.5 mi l l ion is being directed

to reduce homelessness, and a $6 mi l l ion fund has been establ ished with the Bob Woodruff Foundat ion to

support veterans impacted by the hurr icane.

Earthquakes

The 2010 earthquake in Hai t i k i l led more than 300,000 people and lef t

more than 1 mi l l ion homeless. Qatar pledged $20 mi l l ion to Hai t i for

heal thcare support , educat ion assistance, and permanent housing for

v ict ims.

Immediately af ter the Great East Earthquake in Japan in 2011, Qatar

donated $100 mi l l ion to Japan to assist re l ief ef for ts and accelerate

the recovery of v ict ims. The fund aims to restore key economic dr ivers

and promote recovery.



34


Refugee Support

Syrian Migrant Crisis

Qatar is deeply involved in support ing the internat ional ef for t to provide aid to v ict ims of the

Syr ian Civ i l War. As of October 2017, Qatar has given $2.4 bi l l ion in humanitar ian aid. Qatar ’s

humanitar ian ef for ts f rom 2012 to 2017, in conjunct ion wi th internat ional organizat ions, have

come to impact at least 400,000 Syr ians. Qatar hosts more than 60,000 Syr ians, including 7,000

people reuni ted with their fami l ies.

Qatar has also donated funding to enable chi ldren to return to school by establ ishing safe learning spaces,

providing social support for students, and of fer ing sel f - learning mater ia ls and support lessons onl ine to

students who cannot access classrooms. These donat ions are designed to guarantee that chi ldren remain

connected to educat ion and betterment, regardless of the conf l ict surrounding them.

Qatar ’s Domestic Legislation for Asylum & Refugee

In August 2018, the Amir of Qatar passed Law. No 11 of 2018,

guaranteeing indiv iduals ’ r ight to pol i t ical asylum. Qatar is the

f i rst country in both the Arab Gulf and the Middle East region to

enact legis lat ion of th is k ind. The move was praised immediately

by Human Rights Watch as a step forward for the country and the

region.

Development Aid for Jordan

Qatar donated a $500 mi l l ion aid package to Jordan as part an in i t iat ive to help Jordan overcome i ts economic

chal lenges. The aid package promises 10,000 jobs for Jordanians in Qatar, as wel l as job-generat ing

investment packages for Jordan’s infrastructure, tour ism sectors, and more. The donat ion is expected to

help keep Jordan’s economy intact as the country deals wi th col lateral problems from war-torn Syr ia.

Global Education Init iat ives

Qatar ’s Educat ion Above Al l (EAA) was founded in 2012 to bui ld a global movement

that contr ibutes to human, social , and economic development through qual i ty

educat ional in i t iat ives and welfare programs. I ts programs reach areas af fected by

poverty, conf l ict , and disaster in Lat in America, Afr ica, and Asia. I ts main aim is to

support the needs of women and chi ldren and empower communit ies to develop in

environments of peace, secur i ty, just ice, and prosper i ty.

EAA’s ta i lored program to reach out-of-school chi ldren has surpassed an enrol lment of 10

mi l l ion chi ldren to date. Educate A Chi ld, a program under EAA, has implemented 71 projects

in 50 countr ies, enrol l ing 6.6 mi l l ion out of school chi ldren. EAA also awarded upwards of 589

scholarships to marginal ized youths to support Palest in ians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem,

internal ly displaced Syr ians, and refugees in Syr ia, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. Educate A

Chi ld is commit ted to mobi l iz ing over $1 bi l l ion in i ts global educat ion in i t iat ives.

“Great news that #Qatar has passed

region’s first Asylum Law - real security for political exiles in region, hopefully a model for other GCC states who have no asylum or refugee laws. This is a very big deal.”

Sarah Leah Whitson on Twitter (@sarahleah1), Executive Director, Middle East and North Africa

Division, Human Rights Watch, 05 September 2018


35


Post-Conf l ict Rebui lding

Gaza Strip Development Aid

Qatar has pledged $1.4 bi l l ion for reconstruct ion in the Gaza Str ip. Since 2013, Qatar has

provided funding for several construct ion projects in the Gaza Str ip and f inanced the Palest in ian

Author i ty ’s purchase of a fuel shipment for the Gaza electr ic i ty generat ion plant. Chairman of

the Nat ional Commit tee for Reconstruct ion of Gaza, Ambassador Mohammed bin Ismai l Al-

Emadi supervises aid distr ibut ion in Gaza through the Gaza Reconstruct ion Mechanism (GRM)

and in coordinat ion wi th the Israel i government and the United Nat ions.

Between 2012 and 2018 the commit tee has spent upwards of $400 mi l l ion in complet ing and undergoing

several projects including the Sheikh Hamad Bin Khal i fa Resident ia l Ci ty, the Palace of Just ice, a stadium,

a reservoir , 36km of roadway, a hospital and rehabi l i tat ion center, and more. The organizat ion is working in

tandem with other mult i lateral and internat ional reconstruct ion groups. Al l projects are fu l ly f inanced through

bank transfers in USD al lowing them to be ful ly monitored by the US banking system. Al l projects also go

through a r igorous planning and approval process with the Israel i government.

Mali Development Aid

The Qatar Red Crescent launched rel ief ef for ts in 2012 to help

hundreds of thousands of people suf fer ing from conf l ict and drought

in northern Mal i , where foreign aid groups had to abandon work af ter

the region fel l under the control of extremist groups. In response

to the compounded issues of r is ing food pr ices, severe water

shortages, and the ongoing conf l ict , Qatar has al located over $1.7

mi l l ion to rel ief .

Tunisia Development Aid

The State of Qatar supports the Tunis ian government ’s plan for economic and social development and

enhancing pol i t ical stabi l i ty . Qatar was one of the main partners of the “Tunis ia 2020” conference held in

November 2016, which has contr ibuted signi f icant ly to the economic transi t ion of Tunis ia. At the conference,

the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani announced Qatar ’s pledge of $1.25 bi l l ion to support Tunis ia ’s

economy and boost i ts development.

The Qatar Development Fund further pledged $250 mi l l ion in loans to support the educat ion and heal th

sectors in Tunis ia. The Qatar Development Fund aspires to provide 15,000 job opportuni t ies for Tunis ian

youth by the end of 2018 to contr ibute to the real izat ion of their aspirat ions and to protect them from extremist

ideologies. The Qatar i -Tunis ian Fr iendship Fund provided more than 10,400 direct jobs and 265,000 indirect

jobs through 3,400 smal l and medium-sized enterpr ises.

Qatar ’s Role as Regional Faci l i tator

Qatar humanitar ian role extends beyond i ts f inancial contr ibut ions to those in need. The nat ion also serves

as a faci l i tator to the region and is act ively involved in set t l ing disputes between var ious nat ions.

Most recent ly, Qatar has played a crucial ro le in conduct ing peace negot iat ions between the U.S. and the

Tal iban. At Washington’s request under the Obama administrat ion, Qatar helped open a Tal iban pol i t ical of f ice

in Doha so that negot iat ions could take place between the U.S., the Afghan government, and the Tal iban.

Qatar faci l i tated the most recent round of ta lks. Qatar was also involved in releasing several hostages taken

by Al-Qaeda af f i l iate group, Al-Nusra Front. In 2014, a group of nuns were freed from months of capt iv i ty in

a Syr ian v i l lage in part due to Qatar ’s ef for ts.


36

An Open Door on WorshipQatar’s Multi-Religious Society

As Qatar’s economy globalized, people from around the world flocked there, and today, expatriates comprise more than 88% of Qatar’s population. This diversity has had a demonstrable positive impact on Qatar’s government, its institutions, and its citizens. Today, Qatar openly accepts and respects individuals from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, creating an environment in which tolerance and mutual respect reign supreme.

Qatar’s Religious History & Culture

Islam is the predominant religion in Qatar, with most of its Muslim residents adhering to the Sunni Islamic tradition. According to official records, it has more than 1,000 mosques, or “Masjid” in Arabic, which serve Muslim worshipers across the country. At least ten of these mosques are architecturally distinct and historically prominent hence they are considered notable landmarks in Qatar. For instance, visitors to the old Souq Waqif area in the capital of Doha can get a glimpse of a traditional spiraling structure known as “Fanar,” a minaret which is part of Qatar’s Islamic Culture Center, also called the Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center named after the famous Qatari scholar and founder of the Qatari Judicial System.

In the shadow of Doha’s downtown skyscrapers, and atop the reclaimed land in West Bay, lies the Katara Cultural Village Masjid, known popularly as the “Blue Mosque.” This mosque was designed by female Turkish architect Zainab Fadli Oglu, who designed a masterpiece exhibiting an eclectic tapestry of features inspired by mosques from around the Islamic World.

Visitors to Fanar and the “Blue Mosque,” whether Muslims or Non-Muslims, can partake in social, cultural, and educational activities and can learn about Ramadan and Eid rituals, and sign up for lessons on Islam and the Arabic

language. Non-Muslim expatriates and visitors to Qatar have ample opportunities to learn about Islam, but they are free to practice their religion, wear symbols of their faith in public, celebrate their religious holidays, and are not expected to adhere to Muslim and local norms regarding head coverings.

Freedom of Religion

Although Qatar plays host to practitioners of myriad faiths, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism are the most common religions after Islam. These religions and others are represented and practiced by the foreign migrant population in Qatar.

Christians in Qatar represent a diverse array of traditions, representing the Catholic, Anglican, Coptic, Indian Christian, Mormon, and the Greek Orthodox communities. They are free to worship in their respective churches in an area called Mesaimeer, or “Church City,” which is on track to become one of the largest Christian complexes in the Arabian Gulf.

The “Church of Our Lady of the Rosary”, a 20-million dollar church built on land donated by the Former Emir, H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, opened its doors in 2008 to service Qatar’s growing Roman Catholic community, which is estimated at nearly 200,000. Since 2013, the Anglican Center in Doha and its “Church of the Epiphany” have accommodated more than 80 Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Protestant congregations in Qatar. The architecture of the church features a cross-shaped baptistery modeled after ancient churches. It also provides spaces for weekly baptisms, Sunday schools, prayer groups, youth groups, and meetings for the different congregations.

Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center

The Blue Mosque

The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary


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An Open Door on WorshipQatar’s Multi-Religious Society

Interfaith Relations

Qatar has made considerable progress to further its interfaith efforts over the years. The annual Doha Interfaith Dialogue Conference (DIDC), for instance, is one pioneering example of a governmental initiative to create a multi-religious platform to connect Christian, Muslim, and Jewish leaders. For more than a decade, this conference has aimed to consolidate the values of humanity, moderation, and tolerance in religious discourse.

Many clerics and Rabbis from the United States have participated in this conference over the years. Each conference addresses a particular theme, such as counter-terrorism or human rights. The establishment of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) was announced during the conference’s fifth running in 2007. The goal of the Center is to implement the conference resolutions in promoting dialogue, coexistence, and human values between religions. Although the center is funded by the Qatari government and is located in Doha, it functions as an independent entity and serves scholars, researchers, politicians, academics, and others from local and international research centers and universities from any

religious tradition. With a desire to honor extraordinary achievement in the interfaith field, the DICID started giving out an annual award to exceptional religious leaders and institutions to encourage leaders and officials to use religious values and teachings in both rhetoric and policy.

“All persons are equal before the law and there shall be no discrimination whatsoever on grounds of sex, race, language, or religion.”

- Article 35, Qatar’s Constitution

“It is so hard, at least in my country, Israel, to find a holy place, such as this room, where Muslim, Christian, and Jew might sit together to discuss peacefully and respectfully how we humans might leave this world in a better state than the way we found it when we arrived.”

Rabbi David Lazer, DICID’s 4th Conference, (April, 2006)

“It would be a supreme and overdue blessing to discover fundamental human commonality in this region where we meet – and for harmonious interpersonal and inter-societal coexistence to be modeled here for the rest of the world.”

David Michaels, DICID’s 8th Conference (October, 2010) 9th Doha Conference of Inter-Faith Dialogue

“It is demanded of us [Islamically] to be kind toward all other ancient religions, to treat them well, to cooperate with them, and

not to undervalue the good things they have for various aspects of life. This is because God Almighty put humans on earth in order to build it up, and establish justice, as a responsibility that

is equally shared among the followers of all religions.”

- H.H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Third Doha International Conference for Interfaith Dialogue. (June 29, 2005)

10th Doha Conference of Inter-Faith Dialogue


Updated June 2018

38

Women’s Rights and Leadership Roles in Qatar

Introduction

• Qatar is a leader in the Middle East in women’s rights

and empowerment.

• Qatar has the highest female labor participation rate in

the Arab world and women outnumber men in higher

education in Qatar.

• Qatar has a uniquely empowering education and

business environment for women, and the country has

many examples of women in prominent positions of

leadership.

• Domestic violence is illegal in Qatar, and the government

provides free services to support victims of domestic

violence, as well as broader family counseling.

Quick Facts

• Article 35 of the Qatari Constitution explicitly

prohibits any legal discrimination on the basis of

sex, as well as race, language, and religion

• Qatar has a 58% female labor participation rate –

above the global average, and the highest in the

Arab World

• Women outnumber men in higher education in Qatar

• Qatar’s female participation in STEM fields is double that of the United States • Qatar gave men and women the right to vote and run in municipal elections at the same

time in 1999 – and deliberately held the first election on International Women’s Day • Four women are included in Qatar’s Amir-appointed Shura Council, which advises on

legislation and policy

History

In early Qatari Bedouin (inland) and ‘Hadhri’ (coastal) culture,

women often needed to act as merchants and assume

positions of leadership within their tribes while their husbands

were gone for long periods of time for trade or pearl diving. This

particular dynamic maintained the traditional Islamic gender

roles while empowering women to act as leaders within their

larger communities. Thus, Qatar has historically stood out from

its neighbors in how its society views the role of women.

Qatar’s culture shifted as it became a major petrochemical exporter. Younger Qatari women

sought role models in their own country to understand how they should view their role in their

rapidly changing society.

Women can legally drive in Qatar, like Qatar-based artist Hadeer Omar filming her video

blog “Carpooling for Arts.”


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Examples of Female Qatari Leaders

HH Shiekha Moza Bint Nasser Al Misnad

Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, mother of Qatar’s Amir HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and wife of the Father Amir HH Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, exemplifies female leadership in Qatar. When her husband became Amir, she became the most visible woman in the country and she embodied the question of how women could lead and live publicly in a changing, yet conservative society.

In 1995, the Amir’s first year in power, the Amir and Sheikha Moza cofounded Qatar Foundation to bring higher education opportunities to Qatar and to develop a generation prepared for a knowledge-based, post-petrochemical economy.

Sheikha Moza continues to serve as Chairperson of Qatar Foundation and also chairs the Supreme Council of Health, the Supreme Education Council, and Sidra Medicine. She has also launched charitable international initiatives, including Education Above All and Silatech. Her work sends a clear message to Qatari girls: that they, too, can be leaders.

Sheikha Moza is an international icon of female empowerment, and has been described in Vogue as “[a]n authentic living legend, a strong example of emancipation, especially in a tight cultural and working environment.” She has become famous in the fashion industry for her designer clothes, custom-made to

meet traditional customs without sacrificing elegance and style.

HE Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al Thani

Sheikha Al Mayassa, daughter of the Father Amir and Sheikha Moza, also plays a major role in Qatari civil society and foreign affairs. Sheikha Al Mayassa serves as Chairperson of Qatar Museums, the Doha Film Institute, and Reach Out to Asia, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to providing education to children in Asia through the framework of the Qatar Foundation.

Through Qatar Museums, Sheikha Al Mayassa elevates not just the work of Qataris, but of the whole Arab and Muslim world. Qatar Museums brings international artists to Qatar to showcase them and inspire the next generation of Qatari artists. The Doha Film Institute is the leading organization in Qatar dedicated to appreciation,

financing, and education around the film industry.

HE Sheikha Hind Bint Hamad Al Thani

Sheikha Hind, also daughter of the Father Amir and Sheikha Moza, serves as Vice Chairperson and CEO of the Qatar Foundation, as well as in several other leadership positions in educational institutions in Qatar, such as the Founder and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of “Teach for Qatar,” an NGO which capitalizes on educated Qatari talent to transfer knowledge and their world-class

education to younger students in Qatar’s primary school systems.


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Dr. Hessa Al Jaber

Dr. Hessa Al Jaber is one of the first female cabinet ministers in Qatar, and was appointed as the first Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) in 2013. Her work has immensely impacted the telecommunications markets in Qatar, especially the government’s modernization by introducing an online governmental portal, called ‘Hukoomi,’ that has helped streamline governmental processes and make communications swift and transparent. In addition to this, Dr. Hessa Al Jaber is also heavily involved in child protection and women

empowerment programs.

Dr. Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad

Shiekha Al Misnad served as the first female president of Qatar University from 2003 to 2015, having previously served in leadership positions in the university since the 1980s. She led the reforms in Qatar university, such as introducing new educational programs taught in the English language. Her mission to include programs taught in English language attracted faculty members, researchers, and students from all around the world which helped in the university’s international

recognition, ranking, and accreditation.

HE Sheikha Alya Bint Ahmed Al Thani

Sheikha Alya is the most prominent female diplomat from Qatar, serving as Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations. She has worked extensively with the United Nations, including the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, and the International Labor Organization. Her other foreign affairs experience includes General Consul of the State of Qatar to Switzerland and Counselor at the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the UN in New York. She holds a bachelor’s in economics from Qatar University and an

MA in International Studies and Diplomacy from the University of London.

Dr. Hayat Khalil Nazar Heji

Dr. Hayat Heji is the director of Al Noor Institute for the Visually Impaired. Despite losing her sight at a young age, she pursued her education with great ambition in regular schools in Qatar before moving to the US for her higher education where she received her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at Saint Joseph’s University. She was one of the first women to receive the Women Day award in 2005 by H.H. Shiekha Moza. Since 2014, she has been a Consultant for Students with Special Needs Affairs in the Ministry of Education.

Young Leaders

The rapid cultural, educational, and generational shifts in Qatar have created a society where

many of the most qualified candidates for positions of leadership in business and government are young women.

A woman born in Qatar in 1988, aged 30 today, would reach college age in 2006 at a time when

she could pursue her education in a comprehensive variety of fields at Qatar University or at a


41


branch of an American university, whether in arts at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar

(est. 1998), in medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (est. 2001), in engineering

at Texas A&M University in Qatar (est. 2003), in business or computer science at Carnegie

Mellon University in Qatar (est. 2004), or in foreign affairs at the Georgetown University School of

Foreign Service in Qatar (est. 2005).

Their parents, by contrast, would remember a time before the first university in Qatar – Qatar University – was even founded in 1973. It is thus no wonder that Qatar is teeming with young

women in leadership positions, examples include:

• H.E. Lolwah Al Khater, first female Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Dr. Huda Al Sulaiti, scientist at the Qatar Environment and Energy

Research Institute whose work focuses on analysis of Qatar’s

various water resources, the associated health risk, and Qatar’s

water security goal .

• Aysha Al-Mudahka, CEO of Qatar Business Incubation Center

(QBIC) which supports innovative start-ups, and co-founder of

Roudha Centre for women’s entrepreneurship and innovation

• Nawal Akram, comedian, model, athlete, and disability rights campaigner. She became

wheelchair-bound at age of 12 due to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) disease.

She has since founded Muscular Dystrophy Qatar to raise awareness of the condition,

and was named one of BBC’s 100 Women program in 2017.

Creating Ecosystem for Success: Women’s Protection at Home & Work

Article 57 of Qatar’s Law No. 22 of 2006 broadly forbids domestic violence, and the Qatari

government provides specific, free services to support victims of domestic violence, as well as broader family counseling, including:

• A confidential family helpline, ideal for individuals who may be unable to attend in-person sessions, with consultants trained on psychology and social, educational, behavioral,

and domestic problems.

• In-person counseling and consultation for psychological, domestic, educational, and

sharia-related issues.

• Social insurance for divorcees, families of missing persons, abandoned wives, widows,

orphans, and more

• The Dar Al Aman shelter for victims of domestic violence, which confidentially provides accommodation, meals, healthcare, rehabilitation, legal counseling, and more

• An online form to submit a human rights complaint to the National Human Rights Committee

Yezenia Navarro, Orange the World, and Queens Without Scars

Yezenia Navarro, Mexican runner-up to Mrs. Universe 2014 and resident of

Qatar, is collaborating with the UN campaign “Orange the World” with her own

NGO, Queens Without Scars. Her NGO, based in Doha, has grown to include

ambassadors from Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Australia, South Korea, Pakistan,

and Ireland. Her goal is to raise awareness of and end violence against women.

H.E. Lolwah Al Khater


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Education

Qatari women outnumber men in Qatar’s higher education system,

and female participation in STEM fields in Qatar is double that of the United States. Qataris speculate women’s high representation

in academia in Qatar is due to the special opportunity that its

universities offer to women from Muslim countries, who seek an

advanced education but for familial or cultural regions would

prefer to study in the region.

Labor Force

Qatar’s female labor participation rate as of 2016 is 58.4% - above the

global average (48.9%) and far surpassing the rest of the Arab World.

Furthermore, Qatari women are more commonly employed in the fields of industry, construction, and information and technology than Qatari

men are.

Qatar’s female labor participation rate has risen markedly in the 21st century, from 40.9% in

2000, whereas the Arab World’s average rate has remained stagnant at around 20% since 1990.

The staggering rise of women in the workplace is a testament to how Qatar’s small size enables

swift societal shifts and how trailblazing female leaders have empowered a new generation of

women and girls.

Sports

In two decades, Qatar has made rapid strides in women’s participation in sports. In 1998, the

Qatar Athletics Federation hosted its first women’s sporting event – a women’s track meet with the International Amateur Athletics Federation. Encouraging women’s participation in sports

quickly became a national priority, with Sheikha Moza establishing the Qatar Women Sports

Committee (QWSC) in 2000. The following year, the Qatar Tennis Federation organized the first women’s tennis championship in the Middle East.

In 2012, Qatar sent its first ever female competitors to the London Olympics, and made a bold statement about empowerment by having their female shooting competitor Bahiya Al Hamad

carry Qatar’s torch.

Female participation in sports is about more than athletics, as QWSC President Ahlam Al Mana

said in 2013, “[QWSC’s] work has enabled Qatari women to play a much bigger role in society

and widen their opportunities.”



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Qatar Katrina FundOverview & Statistics

Qatar donated $100 million in aid relief to those affected by Hurricane Katrina, including $38.2 million to education, $34.4 million to housing, and $27.4 million to healthcare. Projects were funded in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Relief Overview

Housing Projects

The Qatar Katrina Fund donated a total of $34.4 million to housing support. • Qatar gave $25.2 million to Habitat for Humanity in a fund

called Operation Home Delivery. The funding funded 338 different homes across the Gulf coast.

• Qatar allocated $2.5 million specifically to rehabilitating the neighborhood of Tremé/Lafitte, a historic neighborhood in New Orleans known as the birthplace of jazz. The fund repaired 100 homes, increasing the recovery rate for owner-occupied housing by 88% in five years.

• Qatar provided $3.1 million to Neighborhood Housing Services, a nonprofit that supports home ownership by providing affordable housing, education, and community. The gift provided loans and financial counseling to 120 first-time homeowners.

• Qatar gave $2 million to UNITY of Greater New Orleans, a nonprofit providing housing and services to the homeless. The funding repaired 11 housing facilities, assisting over 800 homeless and disabled residents.

• Qatar gave $1.6 million to the National Housing Partnership Foundation, a nonprofit that helps give rental assistance to low- and moderate-income Louisianans. The subsidies assisted 373 families in Louisiana communities in finding affordable rental housing.

Education Projects

Qatar allocated $38.2 million to education initiatives, supporting scholarships, school expansions, and reconstruction following the devastation.

• Qatar gave $17.5 million to Xavier University of Louisiana, a historically black, Catholic university. The fund supported 497 scholarships to pharmacy students and constructed the new 60,000-square-foot Qatar Pharmacy Pavilion.

• Qatar allocated $10 million to Tulane University, providing 180 scholarships to local students who were impacted by the hurricane.

• Qatar gave $1.4 million to Loyola University, supporting scholarships for 184 students impacted by the storm.

• Qatar gave $3.3 million to Louisiana State University, providing 1,367 scholarships to students, covering tuition and room and board.

“The people of Qatar are truly offering a gift of lasting change.”

- Jonathan Rekford, CEO,

Habitat for Humanity International


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Qatar Katrina FundOverview & Statistics

Health Care Projects

Qatar dedicated $27.4 million to healthcare projects, including supporting hospitals, health centers, and nonprofits.

• Qatar allocated $10.8 million for the Memorial Hospital of Gulfport, Mississippi. The grant supported healthcare for 1,500 patients and 4,500 inpatient days of care. $2.8 million was put to use immediately, with the rest saved to rebuild and improve services. The Hospital is now a Level II trauma center and the primary stroke center of Mississippi.

• Qatar gave $5.3 million to the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans to fill in gaps in health insurance coverage for children affected by Katrina. The gift also helped repair and expand the two Kids First clinics in affected low income areas. In total, the gift supported 19,379 pediatric patient visits.

• $3 million was given to March of Dimes, a foundation dedicated to providing prenatal and pediatric care. The money was used to buy and staff three mobile medical units, supporting the care of thousands of mothers and children who were relocated and lacked access to medical care.

• Qatar gave $5 million to Tulane University’s Community Health Centers. The fund expanded and sustained the centers, allowing them to purchase a mobile medical unit for the most impacted New Orleans neighborhoods. The gift created new community health centers and supported more than 50,000 consultations with low-income patients.

• Qatar provided $3.3 million to the Coastal Family Health Center to provide healthcare that either patients or insurance companies could not afford. The fund staffed a mobile healthcare unit for impacted neighborhoods and provided medical care to thousands of uninsured Mississippi residents.

Community Projects

Qatar devoted $6 million to community-oriented programs following the hurricane.

• Qatar gave $1 million to Humanity First USA, restoring three mosques and three schools, allowing impacted communities to return to their places of study and worship.

• Qatar granted $5 million to the Boys and Girls Club of the Gulf Coast, rebuilding its 28,000-square-foot community center, now named the Qatar Center.

“We are forever in the people of Qatar’s debt for giving us the critical support we needed to rise to rise above adversity.”

- Mitch Landrieu,

Mayor of New Orleans

“The gift from Qatar gave families directly affected by the storm the opportunity to not throw away their dream of a college education. And it gave Loyola a way to rebuild and remains sustainable.”

- Christopher Wiseman, Associate Vice

President for Development,

Loyola University

“I was extremely grateful for the gift that Qatar provided, not only to us but to the city of New Orleans...for the love that was shown.”

- Reverend Willie Gable Jr.,

Unity Partner

“The volunteers, the Qatar dona-tion...those things brought a sense of support and camaraderie and security that people really needed.”

- Joanna Bannon, Tulane graduate and

Qatar scholarship recipient


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C U L T U R E

& T H E A R T S

46

10 Facts About the 2022 Soccer World Cup in Qatar

1. The 2022 Soccer World Cup will kick off on November 21, 2022 and ends on December 18, 2022. • The 2022 World Cup will begin in the cool month of November with the final taking place on 18

December, Qatar’s National Day.• The Amir spoke briefly about what the tournament means to Qatar saying: “We will work to make

the 2022 World Cup an excellent tournament because this event is extremely important for the whole region. As you know, Arab countries are now facing difficulties, and we hope that this event will help us overcome them.” – HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamid Al-Thani

2. Qatar’s World Cup will result in $10 billion in investment for the U.S.• Doha’s sports industry also makes a big impact on the U.S. economy. The 2022 World Cup in

Qatar is projected to generate $10 billion in investment in U.S. companies.

3. Qatar is the first Middle Eastern country to host a World Cup. • Qatar’s Chief World Cup Organizer and Secretary General of the Supreme

Committee for Delivery & Legacy, H.E. Hassan Al-Thawadi, notes that having more than 2 billion people living within a four-hour flight of Qatar will make Qatar an easy destination and increase the number of visitors to the region, helping to “break down those perceptions...even if it means chipping down just one layer of prejudice” as the Middle East enters the World Cup stage to show that there is more to the region than conflict.

• Qatar is working hard to ensure every detail of the tournament is family friendly, such as easing the transportation methods between stadiums to allow fans to view multiple games a day, and organizing tournaments during a time of year when Qatar experiences cool temperatures.

4. The average temperature in Qatar expected during the 2022 World Cup is 74 degrees Fahrenheit. • The average temperature in Qatar in November and December is a cool 67-82 degrees Fahrenheit

- in some cases cooler than the average summer temperature in Los Angeles, the location of the final for the 2026 World Cup.

• During this year’s World Cup, Los Angeles was 86 degrees Fahrenheit, much hotter than Qatar will be during the 2022 World Cup.

5. Eight stadiums will be completed by 2020.• Qatar’s stadiums exhibit groundbreaking work in sustainable architecture.

The Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar’s national stadium, received a four-star certification from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) for its innovative and energy-efficient cooling technology. This groundbreaking technology will help other countries in similar climates host sporting events in year-round temperatures.

• Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, designed by Fenwick Iribarren, Schlaich Berhermann Partner and Hilson Moran, is a 40,000-seat arena built entirely out of shipping containers.

• Al Rayyan Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Al Wakrah Stadium, and Qatar Foundation Stadium will donate around 20,000 seats each to build stadiums in developing countries in hopes of fostering a love for the game. In fact, 170,000 seats total will be donated to countries in need of sporting infrastructure. Much of the World Cup infrastructure is transportable.

• The innovative stadium designs and compact nature of the 2022 World Cup means the tournament will leave the lightest environmental footprint of any modern-day World Cup and will be a carbon neutral tournament.


47

10 Facts About the 2022 Soccer World Cup in Qatar

6. The World Cup has allowed Qatar to act as a leader for workers’ rights in the region. • Qatar is using the tournament as a catalyst for continued progress across workers’ welfare

and labor reform and working to ensure Qatar is a nation raising the bar in the treatment and accommodation of employees.

For example: 1,800 inspections on Qatar-based recruitment agencies in 2015. In addition, 35 bilateral agreements with other countries illustrate Qatar’s support of workers’ rights and labor reforms in the region. For example: In 2016, Qatar employed 400 labor inspectors who completed 44,500 inspections that resulted in 15,000 remedy warnings being handed out, 1,100 infringement reports being lodged and close to 900 businesses prohibited from doing business.

7. This will be the first World Cup where fans can enjoy more than one in-person match in a day due to the proximity of the stadiums. • The compact nature of the tournament will also mean teams will have to endure

minimal travel and disruption between accommodation, training areas and stadiums, leaving players in peak condition for the world’s biggest footballing stage.

8. Qatar is working with international experts to ensure the safety and security of every visitor in 2022. • Qatar is collaborating with Interpol and the International Centre for Sport Security to fortify its

security and design proactive measures to hinder potential threats that surface around large-scale events.

9. Qatar plans to leave behind a legacy of sustainability and scholarship by hosting the 2022 World Cup.• The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy established the Challenge 22

program which gives awards to innovative designers for creative and cost-effective stadium designs that promote sustainable energy and water solutions.

• The Josoor Institute in Qatar is creating the next generation of sport marketing professionals in the region through programs that provide educational opportunities for young students committed to helping Qatar pioneer the sporting industry in the Gulf.

• The Supreme Committee’s Engagement team has worked hard to ensure that facilities will not only enhance each World Cup fan’s visit but will also create a positive lasting impact on the community.

10. The United States has been selected to host the World Cup in 2026.• The United States will be the next location after Qatar to host, on behalf of the North American

region, the World Cup in 2026. The 2026 World Cup will be held in Los Angeles, CA.


48

A Window to the WorldThe Museums of Qatar

The Qatari art scene today is dynamic and eclectic, often incorporating styles

not just from Arab tradition but from across the world thanks to Qatar’s unique

position as a geographic crossroads and trade hub between different cultures.

This cosmopolitan spirit of cultural and artistic exchange is highly valued in Qatar.

Qatar Museums

Years of Culture

The eclecticism of Qatar’s art scene is both celebrated and partly facilitated through “Years of Culture,” a Qatar Museums exchange

program that brings Qatari artists to different countries to exhibit their work, appreciate similarities and differences between their

cultures, and find even more inspiration for groundbreaking art.

Museum of Islamic Art

“Designed by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei, the MIA building has become an icon. Standing

apart on the waters of the Corniche, it draws influence from traditional Islamic architecture. The building is made from limestone, which captures hourly changes in light and shade.

The geometric patterns of the Islamic world adorn the inside space, making for a grand interior. A variety of textures and materials,

including wood and stone, have created a unique environment for the museum’s stunning collections. With incredible views across

the bay, it’s the foundation for Doha’s burgeoning cultural scene.”

MATHAF: Arab Museum of Modern Art

“Mathaf celebrates the modern and contemporary, showcasing art created in Qatar, the Middle East

and the international Arab diaspora. It’s a boundary-breaking museum that asks the local community

to celebrate the present-day creativity of the Arab world. It is one of the most engaging, contemporary,

and lively museums within our group.

It’s an informal space to be used, not just visited. Beyond its galleries, it brings people together to learn, share ideas and enter debate.

From conversations with artists to the creative internship programme, Mathaf Voices, Mathaf helps you deepen your relationship with

art of our time.”

Fire Station

“The station was built in 1982 as a Civil Defense building that was occupied by the fire brigade until late 2012 when it was handed over to Qatar Museums, to be recycled for contemporary use. Ibrahim

Al Jeidah, the Qatari architect who led the project, preserved the original details of the building and its

tower.

Fire Station is a creative space that allows emerging talent from within Qatar to further their practice,

research, and work as aspiring professional artists. The residency program begins mid-September for

the duration of a nine-month period where artists from all disciplines are invited to set up their respective

studios and complete a specific project of their choice.”

3-2-1 QATAR OLYMPIC AND SPORTS MUSEUM

This museum will demonstrate to the world that sport and Qatar are intrinsically linked. It will be packed full of interactive exhibits,

inspiring objects and unique activity areas that generate a spirit of participation.

“We will have the Year of Culture between Qatar and United States in 2021, which is a showcase for this cultural exchange between the countries. We have it every year in a different country and it has been a successful model for promoting the Qatari culture and inviting the other cultures.”

- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

History of Art in Qatar


Updated January 2019

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A Window to the WorldThe Museums of Qatar

As well as promoting the positive value of sport, it will showcase the origins, development and significance of sports culture within Qatar and beyond. 3-2-1 is also a member of the Olympic Museum Network, which currently unites 22 Olympic museums worldwide.

National Museum of Qatar

The museum’s interlocking disc design by Jean Nouvel is inspired by the desert rose. The space will be a

thriving hub for the public, students, and museum professionals. It will redefine the role of a cultural institution, fostering a spirit of participation and providing the conditions for discovery to thrive.

Visitors can learn about Qatar’s ancestors and the formation of early cities, as well the modernization of Qatari society. Exhibitions will

combine historic objects and contemporary influences, opening up a dialogue around the impact of rapid change.

Orientalist Museum

Qatar’s Orientalist Museum is the only institution of its kind. It is dedicated to Orientalism - an influential period in art history, based around Western artists’ first experiences and impressions of the ‘oriental’ East.

Through the collection of fine and applied arts, objects document the meeting of diverse cultures. The forthcoming museum is committed to creating opportunities for residents to explore Orientalism and associated themes on their own terms. Collaborating

with Qatar University, the museum introduced this art movement as part of the university teaching programme for two years.

Katara Gallery

The venue hosts local and international artists whose work centers around human themes. Though mediums vary, the

content always connects with people on a personal level. The space is designed for individual contemplation, meaning

visitors reflect beyond the gallery. Nestled amongst other buildings, the QM gallery is a casual place that lends itself to weekend browsing. The art is always a talking point, but location and atmosphere are as important.

Msheireb Museums

Msheireb Museums celebrate the history of four historic heritage houses in the heart

of Msheireb in Downtown Doha. The museums are located within the oldest part of the

capital forming an important part of Qatar’s national history. Msheireb Museums are

an integral aspect of the inner city’s regeneration of the old commercial center in conjunction with its traditional community-based

lifestyle. The museums consist of four restored heritage houses:

Bin Jelmood House

The House explores the history of slavery and human exploitation, from early Islam to the modern day.

Bin Jelmood raises awareness of this history, in Qatar and the rest of the world, with the mission of

advocating the abolition of all forms of human exploitation. The museum gives visitors a space to reflect on the historic and contemporary prevalence of human exploitation, and provides the opportunity to join

the fight against it.

Company House

This house was once used as the headquarters for Qatar’s first oil company. The museum tells the story of the pioneering Qatari petroleum industry workers and their families, who helped transform Qatar into

a modern society.

Mohammed Bin Jassim HouseBuild by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Jassim Al Thani, son of the founder of modern Qatar, this heritage house addresses the past, the

present, and the sustainable aspect on which Msheireb Downtown Doha is based.

Radwani House

Radwani House provides visitors an insight into how family life evolved in Qatar over the years. The house showcases not only the

manner in which it changed over time, but also how domestic family life was transformed in Doha.

Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum

The Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum (FBQ Museum) collection was developed throughout decades of

dedicated and enthusiastic collecting of a diverse and eclectic body of works and natural artifacts, spanning from

the Jurassic Age through to the early Islamic period and up to the present day.

The Museum tells the story not only of the history of the Qatari people, but also of Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al

Thani himself. His extensive international travel is represented with eclectic pieces from over four continents.

This intensely personal collection is a journey through space and time, which Sheikh Faisal welcomes local and

international visitors to share.

“Art and culture is a religion we can

all practice. It’s a space to discuss,

interact and show all works of art, as well as the people behind the

creation of exemplary things. It acts as a facilitator to connect the other invaluable cultural entities in Qatar and the world with our community.

We learn from these interactions on a daily basis.”

- HE Sheikha Al Mayassa Al Thani


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The National Museum of Qatar

Introduction

Located in Qatar’s capital of Doha, the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) is an institution that celebrates the culture and heritage of Qatar and embodies the pride and traditions of its people while offering international visitors a dialogue about Qatar’s rapid change and modernization.

The National Museum of Qatar generates a national spirit of participation and promote a cultural legacy.

“Eighteen years in the making, the National Museum of Qatar was a fiendishly complex idea to realise. The 539 discs are clad with 76,000 glass-fibre-reinforced concrete panels..... it balances the rough with the smooth: while the discs have a crystalline precision, tapering to razor-sharp edges, the courtyard has been left with a pleasingly sandy surface, as though ready to host a caravan of itinerant traders.” The Guardian

The museum honors the traditions of the past, while embracing the future of Qatar through exhibitions, educational activities, cultural site visits, and technology-based programming.

The museum aims to develop, promote, and sustain the cultural sector at the highest standards, in addition to creating, supporting, and inspiring the next generation of cultural audiences.

The museum is divided into three chronological chapters of Qatari history that are showcased across eleven galleries. The galleries include a research center and laboratories that provide new study opportunities for students and dedicated researchers.

An Embodiment of the Desert Rose: a look into the Museum’s design

“Everything in this museum works to make the visitor feel the desert and the sea,” said Jean Nouvel, the Pritzker Prize-winning architect who designed the innovative museum. Nouvel’s design was inspired by the Qatari “desert rose” with its curved disks, intersections, and cantilevered angles that grow organically around the original Emiri palace, a much-loved local landmark where the original National Museum was housed.

Not to be confused with the plant of the same name, the Qatari “desert rose” is a natural phenomenon found in the deserts of Qatar where arid conditions create these unique clusters of gypsum crystals underground.

Nouvel hopes the design will have visitors questioning the mysteries of the desert’s concretions and crystallizations, bringing new meaning to the desert rose, all the while marveling at the Museum’s employment of futuristic design and modern innovation. “This building is at the cutting-edge of technology, like Qatar itself,” remarked Nouvel. Closeup of a “desert rose”


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The National Museum of Qatar

When planning the design of the Museum, Nouvel envisioned a site that would symbolize the growth and evolving identity of Qatar since the 1950s. It is for this reason that the Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani sits in the center.

Originally built during the early 20th century by Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al-Thani, the Palace has served as both a family residence and the seat of government.

“...from a little village, [Doha] has become a capital. What could be more natural, then, than the desire to testify, to talk about identification, about the evolving identity of this country as it reveals itself on the sensitive paper of history?

And what could be more logical than to give concrete expression to this identification process in a National Museum of Qatar that will relate the physical, human and economic geography of the country, together with its history?”

Jean Nouvel


“Why do we build museums? We build them not to store art collections, nor to display the past, but rather to enlighten the public in Qatar, residents or visitors, about our past, and our present and our place in this world. The museum displays our portrayal of our past, our environment and our experiences from a present-day perspective. It reflects therefore an illustration of our Arab Qatari cultural identity. Museums are not warehouses of the past, but rather our present embodied in how we look at our history and our place within humanity in general.”

HH Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani

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K E Y

Q U O T E S

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U.S.-Qatar RelationsKey Quotes

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U.S.-Qatar RelationsKey Quotes

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About QAI

The Qatar-America Institute (QAI), is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit research institute that hosts an open cultural space to convene, facilitate

cross-cultural exchange programs, and develop educational research on

the political, economic, social, and cultural ties between the United States

and the State of Qatar.

As a research and community forum, QAI works proactively to educate and provide, through study

and analysis, the facts and interests that guide both US and Qatari partnerships; and to encourage

peaceful dialogue in order to enhance cooperation and strengthen the enduring relationships and

friendships among the Qatari and American people.

To promote a better understanding of Qatar in the United States, QAI serves as a community forum

for discussion, research, and collaboration. QAI is uniquely positioned to provide a space for open

dialogue, debate, and the proliferation of ideas to educate the American and Qatari people on the

political, economic, and social issues that bridge the two nations and the vital importance of the U.S.-

Qatar strategic relationship.

QAI Programs

Programmatically, QAI enacts its mission through various, diverse community initiatives and

partnerships, cross-cultural professional exchanges, research material and educational resources.

QAI’s activities and resources are centered around the following encompassing themes:

• Culture and The Arts

• Human Rights & Civil Society

• National Security & Counterterrorism

• Economy & Energy

• International Relations

• Education

QAI believes cultivating cultural and civic understanding and awareness of both regions is paramount

in promoting and strengthening the relationships between the Qatari and American people. Doing so

through various programs and initiatives, including ongoing community events and cultural exhibitions

throughout the United States; inviting both Qatari and American community members, academics,

activists, and thinkers to join in open dialogue and exchange.

QAI blog

www.qataramerica.org/blog/

www.qataramerica.org/news/

Facebook

www.facebook.com/QatarAmericaInstitute/

Twitter (@QatarAmerica)

www.twitter.com/QatarAmerica/

Instagram (@QatarAmerica)

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