Qatar charts new course after World Cup, private sector-driven diversification requires ambitious reforms: IMF

The World Cup has accelerated Qatar’s economic diversification into non-hydrocarbon sectors and the newly created infrastructure can be leveraged to chart a new path for diversification in sectors beyond the oil and gas industries for further economic growth, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said.The public investment programme helped drive most of Qatar’s economic diversification over the past decade, contributing on average 5–6 percentage points annually to non-hydrocarbon real GDP (gross domestic product) growth, Ran Bi and Ken Miyajima, who are in the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, said in a report."Going forward, the newly created infrastructure can be leveraged to generate new jobs, businesses, and opportunities in sectors beyond the oil and gas industries for further economic growth," the authors said.Qatar continues to enjoy economic gains after hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which boosted its global profile, IMF said, adding visitor arrivals in 2023 were nearly twice pre-pandemic levels, and tourism this year reached new heights.Hosting the World Cup has accelerated Qatar’s economic diversification into non-hydrocarbon sectors as its massive public infrastructure investment programme since 2011 built out everything from ports and roads to metro and airports, they said, adding the cost of stadiums represented only about 5% of the total infrastructure investment, by some estimates.The IMF analysis suggests that reforms to attract more skilled foreign workers, ease access to financing for small and medium enterprises, and encourage competition and trade could generate the most significant growth gains.Simulations suggest that a comprehensive package of labour market and business environment reforms could boost annual non-hydrocarbon growth by close to three percentage points over the medium term.To maximise gains, the authorities should ensure that complementary reforms are properly sequenced and consistent with the country’s capacity for implementation. Continuing progress with digitalisation and climate actions can generate new sources of growth and enhance sustainability, it added.Highlighting that structural reforms have also accelerated; the report said Qatar has enhanced labour protection for foreign workers, who account for about 95% of the labour force.Qatar was the first Gulf Cooperation Council country to abolish Kafala, a sponsorship system for foreign workers that limits their mobility. The government also implemented initiatives to improve business efficiency and attract foreign direct investment, according to the report.Furthermore, Qatar has advanced digitalization efforts significantly, ranking 16th among 198 countries in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index.Looking ahead, Qatar’s key challenge remains transitioning from public sector-led growth to a more diversified, private sector-driven model, as envisioned by Qatar National Vision 2030, it said.Achieving this transformation requires bold reforms to boost productivity, foster a more conducive business environment, and leverage progress in digitalisation and climate actions, according to the IMF’s latest annual economic review.Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy (2024-30) was launched in January 2024 and has set the strategic priorities in line with IMF advice.