Australian and New Zealand Business Community in Qatar

Living in Qatar

Qatar’s liberal and progressive business, social and investment policies have made the State the new business and cultural gateway for the expanding markets of the GCC, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Qatar has established itself as a force to be reckoned with on the world stage but remains a family-oriented country bestowed with traditional and warm Arabian hospitality. With 1.7 million inhabitants, the Qatar peninsula is a modern and vibrant state with a thriving economy and vision for the future.

While Arabic is the national language, English is widely spoken especially in a business context.

Most of Doha’s population lives in and around the capital Doha, but there are also thriving communities in the south around Al Wakra and in the north at Al Khor.

The country takes pride in being ranked as the 15^th most peaceful nation in the world in 2010 and the only Middle East country ranked in the top 20. Its crime rate in all categories is a fraction of the world average. A truly multicultural country, the government works hard ensured that residents and visitors of all backgrounds and nationalities feel at home and safe in Qatar.

Based on a measure of comparative purchasing power and with no income tax, Qatar’s economy became the wealthiest in the world per capita last year, at $88,233 per person, surpassing Norway and Luxembourg. GDP per capita on the same basis should top $100,000 in 2011, according to the International Monetary Fund, with Luxembourg a second at $82,573.

Lifestyle

With extensive beaches and public parks, Qatar’s family-friendly and relaxed environment affords one of the best lifestyles in the Middle East and the world.

Qatar has invested in state-of-the-art sporting and cultural facilities marking the country as a leader in the region. The country’s sporting stadiums including Khalifa stadium will be joined by six new stadia built specifically for the 2022 World Cup.

Doha was chosen as the Arab Cultural Capital in 2010 and boasts a range of attractions including the stunning Katara Cultural Village with a custom built opera house, exhibition spaces, restaurants and a public beach.

The Museum of Islamic Art has emerged as not just a landmark building, but a home for some of the most stunning pieces from Islamic civilization as well as a host for visiting exhibitions. The newly opened Mathaf Museum of Modern Arab Art is dedicated to Arab culture and creativity and houses a permanent collection of works as well as hosting visiting exhibitions. The new Qatar National Museum will open in 2014 in a custom built spectacular location near the city’s Corniche.

There are many shopping malls to cater to all the family’s needs including Villaggio, Landmark Mall and City Center. The Gulf Mall and Lagoona shopping complex are both due to open in 2012.

Cost of Living

Qatar’s inflation rate remains below 3% per annum and housing and other costs have dropped considerably in recent years.

There’s a wide range of quality apartments and villas available in Qatar, both within and outside enclosed compounds catering for families and singles. Rents have fallen in recent years.

Healthcare

Qatar’s state healthcare system, which is available to citizens, residents and visitors alike, is world class.

The six modern hospitals of the Hamad Medical Corporation, state managed and funded, provide the principal infrastructure of the nation’s healthcare system and deliver the highest international standards in clinical care. With 17,000 employees, 3000 of them highly trained doctors from around the globe as well as three new hospitals under construction; HMC is a leader in healthcare delivery in the region.

The private health sector has grown quickly in the last five years and now consists of

approximately 160 private clinics. By 2013, seven private hospitals will serve Doha and the surrounding areas.

Education

Qatar’s private education system offers a choice of curriculums from around the world including the US, UK, India and Pakistan. The Supreme Council of Education oversees private and independent schools operating in Qatar.

Most private schools are co-educational and provide tuition to children from pre-school nursery groups through to university entrance examinations, preparing them for a variety of examinations – often British A levels or the International Baccalaureate, which can be taken in the Gulf. There are also plenty of private pre-schools, including play groups, nurseries, kindergartens and infant schools.

Transport

The State of Qatar has spent billions upgrading the country’s extensive roads network connecting the country.

Planning for the country’s $US25 million rail network, which includes a light rail and metro system, has started with final completion expected in 2015.

Mowsalat is the country’s public transportation provider with a fleet of 2400 buses and special VIP coaches, 2,200 taxis, and 400 standard and VIP limousines consists of all air-conditioned, late-model vehicles. The Mowsalat fleet is growing at a rate of 20-25% per year and will expand the current 100 taxis and five buses presently operating on LNG fuel.

The transportation sector continues to expand, with the government committed to more than

US$20 billion in urban and national road system expenditures over the next five years, all in accord with the highest environmental standards.