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 Promise and Pressure of the UK’s AI Aspirations

With world-class universities, a vibrant startup ecosystem and renewed strategic investment, the United Kingdom has…

1 week ago

The iRenaissance: How Apple Went from Near-Death to World Domination

In the late 1990s, Apple was teetering on the brink of collapse. A decade later,…

1 week ago

A JUUL of an Idea… That May Have Got Most of it Wrong

Vaping is big business, and few companies have seen the spectacular growth — and subsequent…

2 weeks ago

Portobello Capital: Driving Growth and Industry Leadership in Iberian Private Equity

Portobello Capital has cemented its position as the leading mid-market private equity firm in Spain,…

2 weeks ago

The Midas Touch, or Not So Much? The Mythical Metal vs Shares

Gold is the age-old standard that once underpinned our modern currencies; what value does it…

2 weeks ago

From Strength to Strength: Peak Re Expands its Role as a Trusted Reinsurance Partner in Emerging Asia

Mission to Close the Protection Gap Headquartered in Hong Kong, Peak Reinsurance Company Limited (“Peak…

3 weeks ago