Qatar's Education Sector

8

Leading International Universities operating in Qatar

99%

Literacy rate of Qatar’s population

About Qatar's Education Sector

Education plays a large part in Qatar. In 2018, there were 288 primary level schools, with 154,000 students and 13,000 teachers, an 11.8 to 1 student-teacher ratio. In the same year, there were 171 preparatory schools, with 59,000 students and 5,100 teachers. This is an 11.5 to 1 student-teacher ratio. At the secondary level, there were 149 schools, 48,000 students 4,700 teachers, a 10.2 to 1 student-teacher ratio. And at 19 universities and colleges in Qatar, there were 34,000 students with 2,400 teachers, making a 14.2 to 1 student-teacher ratio. Furthermore, there were also nearly 500 students on scholarship abroad.

To further foster Qatar’s emphasis on education, Qatar Foundation established Education City in 1997. Virginia Commonwealth University was the first international university to open in Education City, in 1998. Since then, eight other universities have opened there including five other American universities. These universities include Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar (2001), Texas A&M University at Qatar (2003), Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (2004), Georgetown University in Qatar (2005), and Northwestern University in Qatar (2008).

From 2016 to 2018 Qatar GDP from the education sector grew from $3.3 billion to nearly $4 billion.

19 schools & universities within Education City in Qatar

Key Organizations

Qatar Foundation (QF)

QF is a non-profit organization made up of more than 50 entities working in education, research, and community development. Its unique ecosystem works to create global opportunities and empower people to shape the present and future.

Go to QF Guide

Leadership: Qatar Foundation

Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP)

QSTP is Qatar’s premier hub for applied research, technology innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship. It is an economic free zone that houses various international corporations, SMEs, research institutions, and local tech startups.

Go to QSTP Guide

Qatar University

Qatar University (QU) is the national institution of higher education in Qatar and the country’s only public university. QU is today a beacon of academic and research excellence in the region, and one of the leading universities in the Middle East.

Go to Qatar University Guide

Salam International

Salam International is a public shareholding company involved in various industrial sectors. The company establishes, incorporates, acquires, and owns enterprises in the commercial, industrial, educational, real estate, financial, and service sectors.

Go to Salam International Guide

Al Qamra Holding

AQH is one of the leading business conglomerates of Qatar, it manages a portfolio of companies specializing in a diverse array of sectors, such as real estate, construction, education, aquaculture services, and agriculture.

Go to Al Qamra Holding

Ministry of Education and Higher Education

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) is tasked with supporting and regulating education in Qatar, including public and private schools at all levels and institutions of higher education.

Go to MOEHE Guide

Qatar National Library

Qatar National Library (QNL) is a modern facility that provides the people of Qatar with access to over one million books. In its role as a research library QNL fosters global insight into the history and culture of the Arabian Gulf region.

Go to Qatar National Library Guide

Al Faisal Holding

Al Faisal Holding is one of the leading diversified private holding companies in Qatar. Al Faisal has played a key role in the development of the economy of Qatar by attracting foreign investment.

Go to Al Faisal Holding Guide

Aspire Zone

Aspire Zone is a sports complex located in Doha, Qatar. The zone offers world-class training, sports medicine, research, and education facilities, which allows it to act as a destination for the international sports industry.

Go to Aspire Zone Guide

Qatar's Tech Sector

9.2%

Expected compound annual growth rate of ICT spending in Qatar

40th

Rank of Ooredoo in the top 50 Global Telecommunications Brands

About Qatar's Tech Sector

Qatar’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector added 1.4% to the country’s GDP in 2018, which is roughly $2.7 billion. This is a gain from 1.6% of GDP/$2.6 billion the 2017. The Qatari government has set up initiatives such as the Smart Qatar Program, which looks to create jobs and growth in the ICT sector. The Smart Qatar Program focuses on implementation of smart technology in five areas: transportation, healthcare, logistics, environment and sports. By 2022, over 100 projects will be established. The Smart Qatar Program is expected to increase job growth at a rate of 10% per year through 2022.

By 2021, Qatar’s software market and IT service sectors are also expected to grow by $425.4 million and $274.4 million each. The cloud service sector is forecast to grow by $111 million as well. This will be a 226% increase from its 2019.

Ooredoo is the largest telecom company in Qatar, representing around 76% of the market in 2018, with Vodafone’s also as a major company. In 2020, Ooredoo had 117 million customers in 10 countries. Its global revenue was $8.2 billion. Domestically, Ooredoo had 3.3 million customers, with a market penetration rate higher than 100% in 2019.

In 2018, Ooredoo was the first telecom company in the world to launch a 5G network. Service providers have a licensing obligation to cover 40% of all densely populated areas, mainly roads and venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup by 2020. Both Ooredoo and Vodafone have launched commercial 5G networks in Qatar.

As of July 2019, Ooredoo had already built or upgraded 85 of 100 planned 5G-enabled network towers to serve customers in Doha. Ooredoo 5G now reaches more than one-third of the Qatari population, and it has a licensing obligation to reach 100% by 2022. To reach this goal, they are working with its partners to build or upgrade 1200 antennas in the country.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has launched the Digital Incubation Centre (DIC). The DIC is a program set to cultivate ICT innovation in the country by offering free office space, technical support, training and guidance, mentorship, and business planning and legal advice to tech entrepreneurs and start-ups. The DIC has already invested $3.6 million in about 100 local start-ups.

The DIC’s work goes hand-in-hand with other government-led initiatives in the tech industry, like the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) free zone. QSTP has invested in 115 start-ups, incubated 20 start-ups and hosted over 50 companies, including 20 international companies. QSTP announced it would invest another $50 million from 2019-2024 to fund more tech start-ups.

ICT spending in Qatar is expected to reach $9B in 2024.

Key Organizations

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI)

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) is responsible for the regulation of trade and industrial activities in Qatar. Its scope is to ensure fair trade and competition and restrict fraudulent and monopolistic activities.

Go to MOCI Guide

Ministry of Transport & Communications (MOTC)

MOTC is a government entity responsible for the regulation of land, maritime, and air transport in Qatar. MOTC was established in 2016 and was founded directly in support of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Go to MOTC Guide

Honeywell International

Honeywell is a US multinational technology company. They deliver industry solutions that include aerospace products and services, control technologies for buildings and industry, safety and productivity solutions, and performance materials globally.

Go to Honeywell Guide

Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar)

The IPA Qatar oversees investment promotion activities under the Invest Qatar brand and acts as the country’s umbrella organization for foreign direct investment attraction.

Go to IPA Qatar Guide

Qatar Free Zones Authority

The Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) is an independent authority created in 2018 to oversee free zones in Qatar, offering opportunities for businesses seeking to expand globally.

Go to QFZA Guide

Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)

QFC is one of the world's leading and fastest growing onshore business and financial centers. QFC offers service based companies 100% foreign ownership.

Go to QFC Guide

Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP)

QSTP is Qatar’s premier hub for applied research, technology innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship. It is an economic free zone that houses various international corporations, SMEs, research institutions, and local tech startups.

Go to QSTP Guide

Darwish Holding

Darwish manages a range of companies that offer products and services in Qatar. Darwish has a diversified portfolio across many industries including consumer distribution, investment, retail, real estate, business services, and technology.

Go to Darwish Holding Guide

Salam International

Salam International is a public shareholding company involved in various industrial sectors. The company establishes, incorporates, acquires, and owns enterprises in the commercial, industrial, educational, real estate, financial, and service sectors.

Go to Salam International Guide

AbuIssa Holding

AbuIssa Holding is an internationally recognized leader both as a partner for growth and in exploring the possibilities of innovative new business. AbuIssa houses over 70 distinguished businesses across 11 sectors.

Go to AbuIssa Holding Guide

Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC)

QBIC is one of the largest incubation centers in the region. QBIC was created to provide all the necessary tools to enable Qatari entrepreneurship to succeed, which includes funding, office space, mentorship, and guidance.

Go to QBIC Guide

Palantir Technologies Inc

Palantir was founded with the mission to help organizations make better use of data while preserving privacy and civil liberties. Palantir offers three main products; Gotham, Foundry, and Apollo, which are specialized to the needs of their client.

Go to Palantir Guide

Microsoft

One of the most renowned computer software program companies, Microsoft has a long history of innovation and improvement. It currently is teaming up with many of the large institutions in Qatar to create seamless and positive technology experiences.

Go to Microsoft Guide

Visa

Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments to fast, secure and reliable credit and business transactions.

Go to Visa Guide

Al Balagh Trading & Contracting

Al Balagh Trading & Contracting was founded in 1977 and is a diverse company primarily specializing in five areas: construction, oil and gas, trading, medical and scientific equipment, and IT solutions.

Go to Al Balagh Guide

Fusion Group

Fusion Group is a Qatari company offering its clients over 360 services, such as immigration services, company formation, and local company partnership.

Go to Fusion Group Guide

Mannai Corporation

Mannai is a Qatari company which provides a wide variety of services and solutions to its ever growing client base. Its businesses are in oil and gas, automotive distribution, and information and communication technology.

Go to Mannai Guide

Ooredoo

Ooredoo is Qatar's leading communication company and delivers world class services to customers, business, residences, and organizations. Ooredoo is focusing on building a supernet network to make Qatar among the best connected countries in the globe.

Go to Ooredoo Guide

Qatar Fintech Hub (QFTH)

QFTH seeks to bring together a community of fintech entrepreneurs, industry experts, regulators, and investors for the purpose of developing new financial technologies. QFTH supports Qatar’s vision to become a leading global fintech hub.

Go to QFTH Guide

Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI)

The QCCI was established in 1963, and its primary function is to organize business interests and represent the Qatari private sector both locally and internationally and to support the country’s economic actors and productivity.

Go to QCCI Guide

Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA)

The key function of QBA is to work as the link between Qatar’s strategic plans and the activities of Qatari businessmen. QBA aims to play a leading role in the development of private sector activities at the local and international levels.

Go to QBA Guide

Qatar's Agriculture Sector

23%

of Qatar’s Food Imports are from the United States

6%

Expected annual growth rate of Qatar’s Agriculture sector through 2025

About Qatar's Agriculture Sector

With Qatar’s agricultural trade deficit being roughly QR 4.38 billion ($1.2 billion), Qatar is attempting to become fully self-sufficient in food. By 2023, Qatar has set its goal of being 90% self-sufficient in dairy, 70% in vegetables, 30% in red meat, 70% in eggs, 100% in shrimp, 65% in green fodder, and 100% in fresh poultry. As of 2016, before the blockade and before these goals were set, Qatar was about 30% self-sufficient in dairy, 20% in green fodder, and less than that in the other categories. However, as of 2019, the country has reached roughly 75% self-sufficient in dairy, 25% in vegetables, 20% in red meat, 25% in eggs, 55% in green fodder and over 100% in fresh poultry.

Due to the harsh climate in the region, Qatar is investing heavily in greenhouses to control temperature and humidity that is suitable to grow produce, such as tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers and mushrooms. From 2017 to 2018 tomato production grew from 14.6 tons to 25.1 tons.

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MoME) is supporting this manner of farming with a program that will provide $2.75 – $3.3 million to 140 farms with free greenhouses. This is one of the many initiatives formed by the MoME’s four-pillar food security strategy. The four pillars have a total of 13 initiatives that should ensure Qatar’s food system is more secure against potential future supply shocks, with six of the initiatives deemed as priorities.

Due to the goal of becoming self-sufficient in food and with the government’s encouragement through these initiatives, Qatar’s agriculture industry is expected to grow by over 6% every year through 2025. The number of greenhouse farms has already increased from 471 in 2017 to 919 a year later.

Qatar achieved self-sufficiency in various fresh food products, including vegetables, meat and fish, in 2019.

Key Organizations

Ministry of Municipality & Environment (MME)

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) is a Qatari government entity that serves to protect the environment and develop the natural resources in the state of Qatar as well as support the country’s food security initiatives.

Go to MME Guide

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI)

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) is responsible for the regulation of trade and industrial activities in Qatar. Its scope is to ensure fair trade and competition and restrict fraudulent and monopolistic activities.

Go to MOCI Guide

Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar)

The IPA Qatar oversees investment promotion activities under the Invest Qatar brand and acts as the country’s umbrella organization for foreign direct investment attraction.

Go to IPA Qatar Guide

Qatar Free Zones Authority

The Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) is an independent authority created in 2018 to oversee free zones in Qatar, offering opportunities for businesses seeking to expand globally.

Go to QFZA Guide

Al Qamra Holding

AQH is one of the leading business conglomerates of Qatar, it manages a portfolio of companies specializing in a diverse array of sectors, such as real estate, construction, education, aquaculture services, and agriculture.

Go to Al Qamra Holding

Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI)

The QCCI was established in 1963, and its primary function is to organize business interests and represent the Qatari private sector both locally and internationally and to support the country’s economic actors and productivity.

Go to QCCI Guide

Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA)

The key function of QBA is to work as the link between Qatar’s strategic plans and the activities of Qatari businessmen. QBA aims to play a leading role in the development of private sector activities at the local and international levels.

Go to QBA Guide

Qatar's Manufacturing Sector

23B

Total revenue generated by the Manufacturing sector in 2019

11%

Contribution of the Manufacturing sector towards the GDP of Qatar

About Qatar's Manufacturing Sector

Qatar’s manufacturing industry is driven mainly by cement, refined petroleum goods, chemicals, fertilizers, and basic iron and steel. With Qatar’s rapidly growing population, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the expansion of the North Field, manufacturing these materials is going to play a vital role in the country. Manufacturing accounted for $17.6 billion of 9.2% of Qatar’s GDP in 2018. This is a $4.7 billion increase from two years prior.

Between 2015-2019, 380 manufacturing facilities opened in Qatar, with 120 of them opening since the start of the blockade in mid-2017. In total, these 380 new facilities brought in $3.5 billion of investment. Over this time, machinery and equipment manufacturing facilities in the country nearly doubled, increasing by 82%.

With massive amounts of construction due to the aforementioned reasons, manufacturing has also ramped up. A growing demand for material has caused a boom in the manufacturing market, and even more so since the blockade was imposed.

380 Manufacturing Facilities opened in Qatar between 2015 and 2019

Key Organizations

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI)

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) is responsible for the regulation of trade and industrial activities in Qatar. Its scope is to ensure fair trade and competition and restrict fraudulent and monopolistic activities.

Go to MOCI Guide

Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar)

The IPA Qatar oversees investment promotion activities under the Invest Qatar brand and acts as the country’s umbrella organization for foreign direct investment attraction.

Go to IPA Qatar Guide

Qatar Free Zones Authority

The Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) is an independent authority created in 2018 to oversee free zones in Qatar, offering opportunities for businesses seeking to expand globally.

Go to QFZA Guide

Ali Bin Ali Holding

Ali Bin Ali, established in 1945, is one of Qatar’s largest retail and distribution companies. It has 18 businesses, representing 300+ companies in sectors such as food and beverage, fashion, hospitality, mall management, hypermarkets, and manufacturing.

Go to Ali Bin Ali Guide

NBK Holding

Nasser Bin Khaled (NBK) was founded with the aim of creating a world class company. NBK manages the selling and distribution of international brands in Qatar and now has significant involvement in the industrial and trade sectors.

Go to NBK Guide

Target Trading & Contracting W.L.L.

Target is an established firm in Qatar that is one of the GCC’s most prominent stainless steel stockholders. Target provides stainless sheets, coils, pipes, bars, and other stainless steel products to various industries in the region.

Go to Target Guide

Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC)

QBIC is one of the largest incubation centers in the region. QBIC was created to provide all the necessary tools to enable Qatari entrepreneurship to succeed, which includes funding, office space, mentorship, and guidance.

Go to QBIC Guide

Al Faisal Holding

Al Faisal Holding is one of the leading diversified private holding companies in Qatar. Al Faisal has played a key role in the development of the economy of Qatar by attracting foreign investment.

Go to Al Faisal Holding Guide

Al Balagh Trading & Contracting

Al Balagh Trading & Contracting was founded in 1977 and is a diverse company primarily specializing in five areas: construction, oil and gas, trading, medical and scientific equipment, and IT solutions.

Go to Al Balagh Guide

Mannai Corporation

Mannai is a Qatari company which provides a wide variety of services and solutions to its ever growing client base. Its businesses are in oil and gas, automotive distribution, and information and communication technology.

Go to Mannai Guide

Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI)

The QCCI was established in 1963, and its primary function is to organize business interests and represent the Qatari private sector both locally and internationally and to support the country’s economic actors and productivity.

Go to QCCI Guide

Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA)

The key function of QBA is to work as the link between Qatar’s strategic plans and the activities of Qatari businessmen. QBA aims to play a leading role in the development of private sector activities at the local and international levels.

Go to QBA Guide

Qatar's Tourism Sector

$16.8B

Revenue from the Tourism sector in 2022

2M

Total Tourist visits to Qatar in 2019

About Qatar's Tourism Sector

Qatar’s tourism sector saw $15.65 billion in revenue in 2019, even though it was hindered by the previous blockade. Qatar still welcomed nearly 2.2 million international visitors in 2019, with over 205,000 being from the Americas. This is an increase of over 17% from 2018. And 2020 was also looking very promising until the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. Between January and February 2020, the country welcomed 499,000 tourists, which was a 32% increase compared to the same two months in 2019.

The tourism sector is going to continue to grow with the end of the rift and with Qatar preparing for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. From 2016-2018, the country opened 12 new hotels. At the end of 2018, Qatar had a total of 110 hotels (46 being luxury hotels), with a combined total of 24,091 rooms.

In 2019, the tourism industry grew by 6% from the previous year. In the same year, the average cost per room dropped by 2%, even though demand for hotels grew by 15% and there was a 9% increase in occupancy.

Qatar’s cruise industry also saw a massive influx, resulting in its largest cruise season ever. From October 2019 to April 2020, Qatar recorded 186,000 passengers and 61,000 crew members from 74 cruise ships. Compared to the previous cruise season, this is a 120% increase in the number of passengers and a 66% increase in the number of cruise ships arriving in Qatar.

Some of the major companies in Qatar’s tourism sector include Qatar Airways, Marriott, Hilton, and Royal Caribbean Cruises.

The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is the most visited Museum in Qatar, with over 500,000 annual visitors.

Key Organizations

Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar)

The IPA Qatar oversees investment promotion activities under the Invest Qatar brand and acts as the country’s umbrella organization for foreign direct investment attraction.

Go to IPA Qatar Guide

Qatar Free Zones Authority

The Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) is an independent authority created in 2018 to oversee free zones in Qatar, offering opportunities for businesses seeking to expand globally.

Go to QFZA Guide

Qatar Airways

QA is one of the youngest global airlines to serve all six continents, as well as the world’s fastest-growing airline. QA connects more than 130 destinations on the map every day from Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar.

Go to Qatar Airways Guide

Hamad International Airport (HIA)

Hamad International Airport (HIA) is Qatar’s new airport which opened in 2014. HIA serves over 360,000 flights and 30 million passengers per year.

Go to Hamad International Guide

Alfardan Group

Alfardan Group is a family run business that specializes in luxury products and services and delivers some of the world’s most-recognizable brands to the Qatari market.

Go to Alfardan Group Guide

Ali Bin Ali Holding

Ali Bin Ali, established in 1945, is one of Qatar’s largest retail and distribution companies. It has 18 businesses, representing 300+ companies in sectors such as food and beverage, fashion, hospitality, mall management, hypermarkets, and manufacturing.

Go to Ali Bin Ali Guide

AbuIssa Holding

AbuIssa Holding is an internationally recognized leader both as a partner for growth and in exploring the possibilities of innovative new business. AbuIssa houses over 70 distinguished businesses across 11 sectors.

Go to AbuIssa Holding Guide

Qatar National Library

Qatar National Library (QNL) is a modern facility that provides the people of Qatar with access to over one million books. In its role as a research library QNL fosters global insight into the history and culture of the Arabian Gulf region.

Go to Qatar National Library Guide

Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC)

QBIC is one of the largest incubation centers in the region. QBIC was created to provide all the necessary tools to enable Qatari entrepreneurship to succeed, which includes funding, office space, mentorship, and guidance.

Go to QBIC Guide

Qatar National Tourism Council

The Qatar National Tourism Council is a governance council that was approved by Qatar's leadership to oversee, coordinate, consolidate and focus the efforts of its key members and stakeholders.

Go to National Tourism Council Guide

Katara Cultural Village

Katara Cultural Village is the largest, most multidimensional cultural project in Qatar. It endeavors to spread awareness about the importance of every culture and serve as a guardian to Qatar’s heritage and traditions.

Go to Katara Village Guide

Katara Hospitality

Katara Hospitality is a Qatari global hotel owner, developer and operator. Katara Hospitality actively pursues its strategic expansion plans by investing in hotels in Qatar while growing its collection of properties in international markets.

Go to Katara Hospitality Guide

Museum of Islamic Art (MIA)

MIA represents Islamic art from three continents over 1,400 years. Through safeguarding masterpiece collections of Islamic art and showcasing extraordinary exhibitions, MIA shares knowledge, spreading curiosity, understanding, and joy.

Go to Museum of Islamic Art Guide

National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ)

The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) is dedicated to bringing to life the unique story of Qatar and its people. Designed as a vibrant and immersive space, diverse communities can come together and experience Qatar’s past, present and future.

Go to NMoQ Guide

Al Faisal Holding

Al Faisal Holding is one of the leading diversified private holding companies in Qatar. Al Faisal has played a key role in the development of the economy of Qatar by attracting foreign investment.

Go to Al Faisal Holding Guide

Ezdan Holding Group

Ezdan Holding Group is involved in the real estate sector. Its primary endeavors consist of the acquisition and sale of property and land and the provision of general contract services for all types of projects and buildings.

Go to Ezdan Holding Guide

Mannai Corporation

Mannai is a Qatari company which provides a wide variety of services and solutions to its ever growing client base. Its businesses are in oil and gas, automotive distribution, and information and communication technology.

Go to Mannai Guide

The Pearl

The Pearl-Qatar is United Development Center’s flagship project. It is one of the largest mixed-use developments in the Middle East and one of the largest real-estate developments in the Gulf.

Go to The Pearl Guide

Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI)

The QCCI was established in 1963, and its primary function is to organize business interests and represent the Qatari private sector both locally and internationally and to support the country’s economic actors and productivity.

Go to QCCI Guide

Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA)

The key function of QBA is to work as the link between Qatar’s strategic plans and the activities of Qatari businessmen. QBA aims to play a leading role in the development of private sector activities at the local and international levels.

Go to QBA Guide

Qatar's Logistics Sector

$7.5B

Estimated value of Qatari Logistics market

$6.5B

Total Export of goods by Qatar in January 2020

About Qatar's Logistics Sector

The Qatari logistics market is estimated to be valued at more than $7.5 billion and has been growing at a rate of over 7% per year over the past five years. Qatar’s logistics sector growth rate is due to several key factors.

Qatar is the largest producer of liquified natural gas in the world, currently producing 77 million tons of LNG per year, and is expanding its production to 126 million tons per year by 2027.

Furthermore, Qatar is a coastal country, centrally located between North Africa, Europe and Asia; it is less than 2,000 miles away from 2 billion people, who’s gross domestic products equal more than $6 billion. Ras Laffan, Ruwais Port, Port of Mesaieed, Doha Port, Hamad Port and Hamad International Airport all serve as major logistical hubs within the country. In 2019, Ruwais, Hamad and Doha Ports received over 4,000 vessels, which were transporting nearly 1.4 million shipping containers. The cargo on these ships was more than 905,000 tons.

Close to Hamad International Airport and Hamad Port, Ras Bufontas Free Zone and Umm Alhoul Free Zone are strategically located to support the thriving logistics industry. Ras Bufontas, located close to Hamad International, is used for time-sensitive products. Umm Alhoul, which is next to Hamad Port, provides access to the chemical, oil and gas, and heavy machinery industries for shippers. Umm Alhoul Free Zone is already involved in 27% of trade in the GCC region.

Qatar operates mainly through domestic logistics companies, but there are still major international companies as well. Some of the key logistics companies in Qatar are DHL, Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC)/UPS, Gulf Agency Company, Agility Qatar, Aero Freight, Britania Freight and Logistics, and Aramex.

7% Growth rate of Qatari Logistics Market per year

Key Organizations

Ministry of Transport & Communications (MOTC)

MOTC is a government entity responsible for the regulation of land, maritime, and air transport in Qatar. MOTC was established in 2016 and was founded directly in support of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Go to MOTC Guide

Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar)

The IPA Qatar oversees investment promotion activities under the Invest Qatar brand and acts as the country’s umbrella organization for foreign direct investment attraction.

Go to IPA Qatar Guide

Qatar Free Zones Authority

The Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) is an independent authority created in 2018 to oversee free zones in Qatar, offering opportunities for businesses seeking to expand globally.

Go to QFZA Guide

Qatar Rail

Qatar Rail is a state-owned railway company, responsible for rail transport in Qatar. The company is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of the entire rail network and systems.

Go to Qatar Rail Guide

Qatar Airways

QA is one of the youngest global airlines to serve all six continents, as well as the world’s fastest-growing airline. QA connects more than 130 destinations on the map every day from Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar.

Go to Qatar Airways Guide

Hamad International Airport (HIA)

Hamad International Airport (HIA) is Qatar’s new airport which opened in 2014. HIA serves over 360,000 flights and 30 million passengers per year.

Go to Hamad International Guide

Hamad Port

Hamad Port is Qatar's main seaport, located south of Doha in Umm Al-Houl. It can handle up to 7.8 million tonnes of products annually, making it Qatar's largest port and where the majority of its trade passes through. It became operational in 2016.

Go to Hamad Port Guide

Milaha

Milaha (est. 1957) is one of the largest and most diversified maritime and logistics companies in the Middle East, focused on providing integrated transport and supply chain solutions.

Go to Milaha Guide

Mwani

Mwani is responsible for substantially developing Hamad Port. The company is not only strongly positioned to develop a regional shipping hub in the region, but also plays a major role in diversifying the Qatari economy ready for a post-hydrocarbon future.

Go to Mwani Guide

Darwish Holding

Darwish manages a range of companies that offer products and services in Qatar. Darwish has a diversified portfolio across many industries including consumer distribution, investment, retail, real estate, business services, and technology.

Go to Darwish Holding Guide

Alfardan Group

Alfardan Group is a family run business that specializes in luxury products and services and delivers some of the world’s most-recognizable brands to the Qatari market.

Go to Alfardan Group Guide

Al Mana Group

Al Mana is a Qatari conglomerate with operations in automotive distribution and services, real estate and investments, retail, food and beverage, engineering, technology, media, and entertainment.

Go to Al Mana Group Guide

Ali Bin Ali Holding

Ali Bin Ali, established in 1945, is one of Qatar’s largest retail and distribution companies. It has 18 businesses, representing 300+ companies in sectors such as food and beverage, fashion, hospitality, mall management, hypermarkets, and manufacturing.

Go to Ali Bin Ali Guide

AbuIssa Holding

AbuIssa Holding is an internationally recognized leader both as a partner for growth and in exploring the possibilities of innovative new business. AbuIssa houses over 70 distinguished businesses across 11 sectors.

Go to AbuIssa Holding Guide

NBK Holding

Nasser Bin Khaled (NBK) was founded with the aim of creating a world class company. NBK manages the selling and distribution of international brands in Qatar and now has significant involvement in the industrial and trade sectors.

Go to NBK Guide

CDM Smith

CDM Smith is a privately owned engineering and construction firm that aims to provide client services and innovative solutions in water, environment, transportation, energy, and facilities.

Go to CDM Smith Guide

Al Faisal Holding

Al Faisal Holding is one of the leading diversified private holding companies in Qatar. Al Faisal has played a key role in the development of the economy of Qatar by attracting foreign investment.

Go to Al Faisal Holding Guide

Mannai Corporation

Mannai is a Qatari company which provides a wide variety of services and solutions to its ever growing client base. Its businesses are in oil and gas, automotive distribution, and information and communication technology.

Go to Mannai Guide

Ooredoo

Ooredoo is Qatar's leading communication company and delivers world class services to customers, business, residences, and organizations. Ooredoo is focusing on building a supernet network to make Qatar among the best connected countries in the globe.

Go to Ooredoo Guide

Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI)

The QCCI was established in 1963, and its primary function is to organize business interests and represent the Qatari private sector both locally and internationally and to support the country’s economic actors and productivity.

Go to QCCI Guide

Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA)

The key function of QBA is to work as the link between Qatar’s strategic plans and the activities of Qatari businessmen. QBA aims to play a leading role in the development of private sector activities at the local and international levels.

Go to QBA Guide