Emir of Qatar: Raising the Profile

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani became Emir of Qatar in 1995 and his reign has coincided with a period of rapid economic growth at home and increasing political and social influence throughout the region. Qatar has seen a modernisation programme for the military and can boast of a very successful reform programme. This  is one of the smallest countries in the world (with just a quarter of a million nationals out of a total population of some 2 million) but Qatar is at the top of the GDP per capita league as the world’s top exporter of liquefied natural gas.

Billions have been spent on national infrastructure and his $400 million development package for Gaza saw Sheikh Hamad at regional centre stage. There has also been significant humanitarian funding of reconstruction efforts in Darfur. Qatar was first to support the Libyan rebels against Gaddafi and has been extremely active elsewhere indicating that Qatari influence is out of all proportion to its size.

“As you know, our Arab region stands on the verge of a quantum leap. The Arab Spring bloomed into a generation of young people who are determined to achieve their dreams and ambitions.”

Qatar funded the TV network Al-Jazira which is massively influential and has brought a breath of fresh air to regional reporting. The country’s international profile should rise as host of the 2022 World Cup.

CFI

Recent Posts

The Janus-Faced Banker: Hjalmar Schacht and the Tragedy of German Economics

Hjalmar Schacht, a brilliant economist who rescued Germany from hyperinflation, ultimately became an enabler of…

3 days ago

Project Spark: Powering Southern Africa’s Future Through a Balanced Energy Mix

Namibia’s first gas-to-power plant aims to address the region’s chronic energy shortages through a pragmatic,…

1 week ago

ATIDI: De-Risking Africa’s Growth Trajectory Through Innovation, Impact and Integration

As Africa’s leading provider of credit and investment insurance, the African Trade & Investment Development…

1 week ago

Moody’s Ratings’ 2025 Forecast for Latin America: Stable Outlooks, Sustainable Finance Trends & Impact of US Policy Measures

By Moody’s Ratings With nearly 30 years of experience in Latin America, Moody’s Ratings continues…

2 weeks ago

Beyond Capital Partners: Driving Sustainable Growth in the DACH Region

Beyond Capital Partners (BCP), an owner-managed private equity firm based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany,…

2 weeks ago

Christoph D Kauter: Leading Beyond Capital Partners with Vision and Purpose

Christoph D Kauter, Founder and Managing Partner of Beyond Capital Partners, has built a career…

3 weeks ago