By Sachin Kumar
DOHA: Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani said yesterday that Qatar is moving ahead to conclude all infrastructure projects for the 2022 World Cup, mainly the railways, new port projects and other major projects. In his inaugural speech at the Euromoney Qatar Conference at Ritz-Carlton, he said that the key projects are progressing as per the original schedule.
He said Qatar will spare no efforts to develop the economic sector and promote it so as to play its role efficiently and powerfully and in accordance with best international practices. Qatar is working to strengthen the infrastructure of the economic sector, especially with regard to legislations that regulate economic and financial practice in the country and the associated systems, the premier added.
He noted that official statistics indicate that inflation was mild this year due to drop in global commodities, good management of financial and monetary policy and the wise administration of liquidity. He expected inflation to keep its moderate trend in the future.
Qatar is committed to the policies of economic diversification, supporting investment programs in all sectors, he added. He expected economic growth to witness a noticeable improvement thanks to expansion and growth in non-oil activities as investment plans and projects continue in all fields.
He added that programs on economic diversification receive great attention at all levels in order to achieve sustainable growth, with the government specifying spending priorities and making the necessary initiatives to boost the participation of the private sector in growth.
The Prime Minister pledged that Qatar would make the necessary arrangements to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030, pointing to the great progress made in the implementation of the strategic plan of the financial sector 2013-16 that is based on the development strategy plan 2011-2016.
“We are committed to create an investment-attracting environment while enhancing opportunities for local and global investors through issuing the appropriate legislations and putting in place the convenient rules and regulations,” he said.
He noted that Qatar’s economic and financial policies stem from the general objectives of the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment as all state bodies work in complete harmony to implement the decisions and directives of the council so as to achieve the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.
Despite this, the Prime Minister and Interior Minister said, GCC states, thanks to their polices and keenness on boosting political and economic stability under the wise leadership of GCC leaders, have continued to make well-established and well thought steps in order to minimise the negative effects of falling oil prices. More than 600 finance and banking professionals are taking part in the two-day long high profile conference.
The Peninsula
