(P)OLITICS

Qatar has an emirate -type government. Qatar claims that it is developing into a constitutional monarchy but it doesnt allow political parties nor hold elections on a national level yet.Suffrage is currently limited to municipal elections (for both males and females aged 18 years or more). Expatriate residents are excluded, as are the vast number of residents who are prevented from applying for citizenship. The elected Municipal Council has no executive powers but may offer advice to the Minister.

Qatar is divided into ten municipalities,also occasionally or rarely translated as governorates or provinces:

• Ad Dawhah
• Al Ghuwariyah
• Al Jumaliyah
• Al Khawr
• Al Wakrah
• Ar Rayyan
• Jariyan al Batnah
• Ash Shamal
• Umm Salal
• Mesaieed

Since 2004, Qatar has been divided into eight municipalities. A new municipality, Al Daayen, was created under Resolution No. 13 formed from parts of Umm Salal and Al Khawr; at the same time, Al Ghuwariyah was merged with Al Khawr; Al Jumaliyah was merged with Ar Rayyan; and Jarayan al Batnah was split between Ar Rayyan and Al Wakrah.

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(E)CONOMY

Basic Economic Facts

GDP: US$71.2 billion (2007 est, Qatar Statistic Authority)

GDP per capita: US$74,000

Annual Growth: 14.2%

Inflation: 13.73%

Major Industries: Petrochemicals, Financial Services, Construction

Major trading partners: Japan, US, UK, Singapore, South Korea, Italy, Germany, UAE, France, Saudi Arabia

Exchange rate: £1 = QR 5.97 (October 2009) US$1 = QR 3.64 (fixed)

AVERAGE OIL PRODUCTION

Global economy expected to grow 3.9% in 2010, emerging economies to expand 6.0%.US economy registered 5.6% growth in Q4 2009, fastest since third quarter of 2003.Global composite PMI indicates continued expansion of manufacturing and services industry activity. Qatar’s real GDP is expected to expand by 18.1% in 2010 Continued government support and increased hydrocarbon revenues to boost the economy.Central Bank’s net reserves estimated at US$ 19.3 bn (2009), up from US$ 9.8 bn in 2008. Business optimism in the non hydrocarbon sector has stabilized in last two quarters.Drop in selling price optimism becomes a drag on the hydrocarbon sector outlook. Global construction sector currently driven by infrastructure spending as commercial property undergoes correction.Demand outlook for Qatar’s construction sector shows signs of improvement with increasing optimism on new orders.Profitability levels are expected to stay muted due to higher raw material costs.While income from oil, currently produced at around 800,000 barrels per day, accounts for most of the government’s revenue, Qatar’s future economy will depend increasingly on gas. Qatar has invested heavily in world class Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities including a deep-water port at Ras Laffan to exploit the North Dome gas field. This field is the world’s largest non-associated gas field, holding 14-16% of world reserves.