Updated Post on Qatar

Qatar
On the Arabian Peninsula, Qatar was an early region occupied by Muslims. During the late 18th century, the Al Khalifa branch of the Utub tribe in Kuwait emigrated to Qatar and eventually settled on the northwest coast of the peninsula. Accomplished sailors and skilled traders, Al Khalifa became the mainstay of commercial development in this region. The Ottoman and British Empires had imperial interests in the region during 1600-. The British found the peninsula ideal for shipping routes to their colonies in India. Following the Second World War and the independence of India in 1947, pressure for British withdrawal increased. They announced a political withdrawal from the Gulf region in 1968, resulting in Qatar joining seven other Trucial States in a federation. Regional disputes ensued, and Qatar ultimately became an independent sovereign nation on September 3, 1971.

Qatar has experienced exponential growth in its economy following the discovery of oil. Many social and economic developments have ensued following its declaration of independence, including rights for women, and the launch of the region’s largest media outlet, Al Jazeera. Since 1995, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has ruled Qatar. Nearly all of Qatar’s native citizens proclaim Islam, but international expatriates form a majority of the country’s residents today.

Foreign Policy
After the formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council in November 1981, Qatar has enjoyed a stable membership and tranquil associations with the other six states. Border dispute issues have existed with neighboring Bahrain over the legitimacy of man made Fasht al-Dibal island. Qatari forces raided the island and took Bahrain workers as prisoners. The prisoners were released, but the sovereignty of the island continued to obscure relations between the two countries. Unlike other GCC members, Qatar has cordial relations with both Iran and Iraq and continues to maintain contacts with both governments at very high levels. Qatar is also member of the League of Arab States, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Non-Aligned Movement, the International Monetary Fund, World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization.

Economy
Qatar currently ranks as the ninth wealthiest nation in the world per capita, and has the highest GDP in the Arab world at USD $70,000. Its citizens enjoy no income tax, and Qatar is the second least taxed sovereign state in the world, after Bahrain. The country’s primary source of income, and chief export is natural gas. It is estimated that Qatar natural gas reserves will supply the world’s current usage for the next 109 years. Oil is the second largest export, supplying 1.9% of the world’s oil reserves.

Some fine tuning, and significant additions to the current business climate of Qatar are in the works...

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