Perhaps more quickly than any other nation in the Arab world, Qatar has been leveraging its natural resources to bring about societal changes at all levels.  The key to this transformation is natural gas.  Qatar sits atop the North Field which, at 900 trillion cubic feet, is the globe's largest known non-associated natural gas field, representing an estimated nine percent of world reserves.  Qatar's gas industry generates $40 billion per year, and the emirate is investing in infrastructure to triple its LNG porduction and become the market leader, producing 77 million tons by the year 2011.

One of the most important beneficiaries of the emirate's gas revenues is the Qatar Foundation, founded in 1995 by H.H. the Emir and chaired by First Lady Sheikha Mozah.  The Foundation is committed to the principle that a nation's greatest natural resource is its people, and with this in mind, it is forming partnerships with U.S. entities that will "prepare the people of Qatar and the region to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world."

The flagship of the Qatar Foundation is the Education City, which has attracted such U.S. institutions of higer learning as Carnegie Mellon, Texas A&M, Virginia Commonwealth, Georgetown, Weill Cornell Medical College and the Rand Corporation.  The Education City is also home to the Qatar Science and Technology Park, which is positioning itself to become the "premier location in the Middle East for technology companies and start-ups."

Qatar is expected to continue its build-out as the regional home of CENTCOM and the base of operations for American forces in the Middle East.  Al Udeid air base now serves 120 aircraft and 4,000 troops and boasts a 4.5-km runway - the longest in the Middle East.

Qatar Airways signed two deals recently for the purchase of 40 GE90 jet engines from General Electric that will power 14 777-300ER and six 777-200LR Boeing Worldliners.  The passenger jet purchase at list price is approximately $4.9 billion.

Links

Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Country Commercial Guide (pdf)
CIA Factbook
World Bank
Embassy in the U.S.
U.S. Embassy in Qatar