A contract was also signed with the American company (EXXON) to produce around 80,000 barrels a day of high quality petroleum products extracted from The North Field for Natural Gas. As a result of contracts with some European and East Asian States, to increase its imports of natural liquefied gas, the Qatari natural liquefied gas exports are expected to reach 13 million tons annually by the end of the current year.
to be used in the U.A.E. This amount is expected to be increased to about 3 billion cubic feet to cover UAE and Oman. The negotiations with Kuwait have reached an advanced stage for supplying it with an amount of dry gas ranging between (750) million to one billion cubic feet per day.
and Qatar Fertilizer Company (QAFCO) to enable the export of a few million tons of these products every year, such as ammonia, urea, phenyl since Qatar is considered one of the leading countries exporting such products.
financing public expenditure and development in Qatar. Import is the only means to obtain various kinds of commodities. In 1994, Qatar acceded to “The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade” (GATT) which is now known as the World Trade Organization.
host in
November 2001, an extremely important event namely the Fourth Ministerial
Conference of the World Trade Organization.
It became the focus of attention of economic and social quarters worldwide, both in the big industrial countries and the developing ones. This conference represents an important turning point in the course of the world economy and a starting point towards deepening and expanding international cooperation worldwide to serve rich and poor nations alike.
Qatar is famous for its good banking sector, as there are no restrictions on transferring capitals abroad, which make the whole
of Qatar a free trade zone through which investors can make large profits. The great transition in the process of economic
development happened after issuing law No. (1) for the year 1980 regulating industry. This law provides for a lot of incentives
for the local investors in the field of industry, in addition to the promotional incentives regulated by law No. (19) for the year
1995 which facilitates the process of obtaining industry licenses and unifies the executive bodies that grant promotional
incentives. The legislations allow non-Qatari to invest in the fields of trade, industry, agriculture and services, on condition
that they have Qatari partners with no less than 51 percent share of the capital. In case the whole capital is owned by a
non-Qatari, he has to appoint a Qatari services agent.
Allowing foreign investors to participate in the gas sector, looking for the best offers for the drilling operations and joint ventures in the production process through a program especially designed for developing the gas sector and making the optimal use of it.
Adopting new policies to deregulate economy and trade with the objective of supporting and expanding the participation of foreign investors and the national private sector in economic activities. A number of procedures have been taken in this regard, notably issuing new laws that may attract foreign capital and encourage and enhance the role of the private sector.
Providing opportunities for industrial investment, carrying out feasibility studies and promoting them for foreign and local investors.
Facilitating the investors’ mission at all stages, exempting them of customs and striking down limits on the amount of imports. Moreover there are several other advantages of the joint ventures as stated in the development plan. Generally speaking, the rate of inflation is acceptable in Qatar, as the average of inflation rate during the past 5 years was estimated at 2.5%.
The two fold industrial sector with its the transformational and extraction industries, is considered to be the strategic choice for The State of Qatar as a source of national income, funding and investment. Under the directions of H.H. Shaikh Hamed bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, this sector has been given great attention, supported and promoted through: direct investment in both the transformational and extraction industries; setting up industries that depend on petroleum, gas and local raw materials; providing incentives that may encourage the private sector to invest in the industrial development projects; development of the infrastructure needed for such projects; and finally enactment of laws and legislations to regulate investment of foreign capital in the economic activities.
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The State of Qatar is trying to make the best of this sector because, it has the basic elements for this industry as well as beautiful touristic areas and beaches on a 500 kilometer stretch surrounding the Qatari Peninsula,
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H.H. The Amir of Qatar Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, issued a decree in July 2000 setting up the General Tourism Authority as a corporate body with an independent budget attached to the general budget of the state.
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The Provisional Amended Basic statute
defines the system of rule in the State, organizes
its authorities and establishes the fundamental principles of its policy. But, thirty years have elapsed since the statute was issued, during which the features and affiliations of the State and its various authorities and bodies gained experience derived from actual exercise of powers. |
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The media sector has witnessed a remarkable qualitative leap, which resulted in the cancellation of The Ministry of Information and censorship on newspapers which in turn led to the freedom to express opinion and counter-opinion in line with the national role which conforms with the country’s prospective development process. | ||
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In recent years, the Qatari woman has gained her proper position in society. She participated in the municipal elections as an elector and a candidate, assumed high offices, and was elected as a member of The United Nation’s Child’s Rights Committee, out of the belief in Qatar’s role in providing full care and requirements for child advancement. |
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Her Highness Consort of The Amir has paid special attention to all the aspects of life which highlight the role of the Qatari woman and encourage her to bear her social responsibilities and participate in the public life. |
which reaches into the middle of the Arabian Gulf water and look like a rectangular or a palm of a hand from south to north west. Like other countries in the region, Qatar has beautiful weather from November through April, which corresponds to the cold period in the northern hemisphere.
This organization is under The Council of Ministers and located in the city of Doha. It aims at formulating the country’s general policy of tourism regulating, developing and marketing it both locally and abroad. It also supervises and controls all activities of tourism in the country.
opinion and expertise. A 3 years period was set for the preparation of the Constitution. Moreover, H.H. The Amir underlined the main outlines of the constitution which would be as a sign post to the building, defining the system of the rule and determining the State’s authorities and their specialization, and relations to each other and the citizens. The constitution shall be based on the principles of our divine Islamic faith, genuine Arab traditions and the reality of the Gulf, Arab and Islamic belonging, and characterized by stability and firmness, realizing the expectations and the aspirations of the citizens.
Information shows the awareness of the significant role of the media in accordance with the future perspective of the development process, and in response to mechanisms of development and modernization in the media in order to perfect its national task.
Besides, connecting all sections to the central computer networks, introducing internet services, developing the work of the sections, studios and space communication networks, and installing additional and modern equipment, which resulted in the efficiency of the Qatar’s media performance and the promotion of its position abroad.
Highness, The Spouse of His Highness The Amir, reflects the State’s
increasing interest in the development of the Qatari family, maintaining
its identity, and achieving its social, cultural and financial balance, so
that it becomes a successful and productive unit in the society, under
contemporary challenges.
women issues, and suggests solutions for the problems and
challenges that she may encounter in the labor market. H.H. has also paid
great attention to educational programs;
and mainly to governmental and intergovernmental educational institutions. She has always attended and actively participated in the meetings of the academic leaderships at the scientific, educational and sports events. A general observer may easily acknowledge H.H’s. interest in keeping in touch with the academic leaderships, and her eagerness to get acquainted with the latest educational programs, in order to adopt what goes well with our country’s principles, Islamic religion’s teachings and social customs.
education and in bringing up a qualified
generation that is able to deal with the development and technologies of
the present time. Therefore, H.H. was a main supporter of the Qatar
Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, which was
founded in 1996 as an independent organization. Its first outcome was the
program of “ Qatar Academy”. Other leading projects developed under the
umbrella of the Qatar Foundation are:Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar.
Virginia Commonwealth University - School of Arts in Qatar.
Texas A&M University in Qatar.
RAND-Qatar Policy Institute.
Science and Technology Park.
H.H. has not forgotten the disabled, as she honored them by sponsoring activities dedicated to them. She worked on establishing special associations for the deaf and the dumb. She also opened Al-Noor Institute for the blind, where they are being well attended to and rehabilitated. Under her sponsorship, The National Committee for Special Needs was also founded in June 1998, with Dr. Shaikha Ghalia bint Mohammed Al- Thani as head, and number of doctors and other specialists as members. One of its main tasks was to prepare for the establishment and management of The Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs.
H.H. Shaikha Mozah has sponsored many women activities and demonstrations. One of them was “ The woman between family and work” in 1997, the recommendations of which focused on a variety of activities that help the means of supporting and protecting the family. She also sponsored the 1st and 2nd woman conferences in March 1994 and May 1996 successively.
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Out of His Highness’s belief in the Qatari woman and her decision making abilities and leading high administrative positions, a number of Qatari women occupied positions as decision makers, both locally and internationally. Here are some examples: |
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1. Dr. Ghalia bint Mohammed bin Hamed Al-Thani is a member of the UN’s International Child Rights Committee. |
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1. Her Highness Shaikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Misnad, Consort of H.H. The Amir, is Chair person of The Supreme Council for Family Affairs. | |||
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The idea of electing the Central Municipal Council
was revived when His Highness The Amir Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani
issued the law No. (12) for the year 1998 regulating the |
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* The Council's Mission: |
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The Council’s aims are using all available means to achieve progress in the country in the fields of Municipal affairs, and in order to achieve its goals The Central Municipal Council should carry out the following responsibilities, and exercise authorities and specializations as follows: |
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Since its very beginning and throughout its development stages, the Qatari community has protected human rights through laws and legislations issued, in compliance with the principles of Islamic Sharia and the Qatari true values and traditions. Decree Law No. 38 for the year 2002 of establishing The National Committee Of Human Rights confirms this commitment and acts as a fundamental pillar for the state of institutions and law that was established by H.H. The Amir. The Decree Law states that it is one of the committee’s tasks to work for achieving the goals specified in the international agreements and charters related to human rights, to which the State is a party. Besides, the committee shall offer consultations to the concerned bodies in the State on issues related to human rights and freedoms, look into human rights violations, whenever they exist, and propose methods of solving them and avoiding their occurrence. The committee will comprise:
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The State of Qatar, since its independence and out of its historical, political and national commitment, is following a policy that is based on the unification of destiny and goal of the Gulf, Arab and Islamic states.
1. Adhering to the rights of sovereignty of the state and non interference in internal affairs and refraining from axis policy.
This role was demonstrated on a number of
occasions:
The Qatari diplomatic and political
movement in the Arab world is based on its deep and firm conviction that
mainly aims at unifying stances towards the crucial issues, discarding
differences, supporting Arab solidarity, adopting the principle of
dialogue and giving priority to the national interests. |
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In line with its permanent support of issues of the Islamic nation, Qatar hosted on November 2000 the 9th Islamic Summit that resulted in important outcomes as regards supporting the nation’s issues,
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law of election of The Central Municipal
Council. In addition His Highness issued the Amiri Decree No. (17) in the
same year which regulates the election The Central Municipal Council
members.
A number of committees were formed namely: the committees on law, security, press, technique and supply and preparation. In addition there is the preparatory committee which was formed under the kind patronage of The Spouse of His Highness The Amir of the State of Qatar to prepare programs intended to enlighten the Qatari woman on the importance of The Central Municipal elections and her role as an elector and candidate.
The participation of the Qatari women in this experience in their capacity as electors and candidates had a wide scale positive reaction at the local and foreign levels. Some (35) Arab and foreign members of parliament were invited to witness the first elections held in Qatar.
This consolidates cooperation with all neighboring, friendly peace loving countries in a context of mutual respect and common interests, promotes and serves international peace and security thus achieving prosperity for all countries and peoples.
integration and unity in facing challenges as well as resulting in a realistic solidified Arab and Islamic stance leading up to a new phase in which the State of Qatar leads OIC towards activating its role and helping it reach its goals of the unity of Muslims and enhancing their cooperation in all fields, and resolving their problems.
the vitality of its activities and ability to work positively and assuring that the results show a major development of joint Islamic actions and that the State of Qatar’s ability to turn these results into concrete action and achieve the high hopes which Islamic countries attach to the Qatari leadership for serving all issues of the Islamic nation.
