Thanks mainly to its abundant reserves of oil and gas, and the high prices these have commanded in recent years, Qatar has one of the strongest and fastest growing economies in the world. Analysts predict that in the near future, the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita will overtake that of Switzerland, effectively making Qatar the richest nation on earth.

Qatar's GDP for 2004 was over QR 103 billion, a 20.5% increase on the previous year. The sector (which covers the extraction and production of oil and gas) accounted for 62% of the GDP, proving that Qatar's economy is very much reliant on hydrocarbons. The other significant contributors to GDP were Government Services (9.6%), Manufacturing (n%), Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Business Services (6.7%), Building & Construction (5.2%), Trade, Restaurants & Hotels (4.2%), Transport & Communications (2.8%), and Electricity & Water (2.2%).

In an effort to boost oil production, significant sums have been invested to locate additional oil fields and to prolong the productive life of existing ones. Proven oil reserves currently stand at 15 billion barrels. However, in order to become less reliant on oil and diversify the economy to some degree, Qatar is investing heavily in its liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry. The country's natural gas reserves stand at 910 trillion cubic feet, ranking Qatar third in the world behind Russia and Iran. In 2004, Qatargas exported 9.3 million tons of LNG, but they hope to increase exports to 17.3 million tons per annum by 2009 and 25.2 million tons by 2012, by which time Qatar will be the world's largest producer of LNG.

To achieve this, Qatar Petroleum is set to invest $75 billion in its hydrocarbon industries in the next five years. This expansion will lead to an increase in the number of staff working in the industry, who in turn will need more housing, healthcare, retail, leisure and entertainment facilities. in addition $15 billion will be spent on the country infrastructure.

Qatar's main exports are crude oil, natural gas and petroleum, with the main export partners being Japan, South Korea, Singapore and more recently India. Qatar's main import partners are the US and Japan. In 2004, Standard & Poor's updated their outlook on Qatar from stable to positive. Their credit rating for the country's currency is A+.

While Qatar's economy is dominated by its hydrocarbon industries, the country is attempting to diversify into other areas. With year-round sunshine, golden beaches, exciting outdoor activities and a fascinating culture and history, this is a prime tourist destination that remains relatively undiscovered. Qatar doesn't necessarily want to attract mass tourism, but aims to become known as a high-quality destination appealing to high-income sectors such as the MICE market (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions). To help achieve this the government is investing a massive $15 billion to develop Qatar's infrastructure, including a new airport to cater to the growing number of tourists - currently numbering 400,000 a year but estimated to top one million a year by 2010.

While most of the major international hotel chains are already represented in Qatar, the investment in infrastructure will also see a host of new hotels and resorts to cater to the anticipated growth in visitor numbers. By summer 2005 Qatar had approximately 3,700 hotel rooms, but with 37 new hotels either under construction or in the advanced planning stage that number is set to soar. As well as stand-alone hotels, there are a number of projects currently under way that will include facilities for tourists, such as the Lusail development, the AI Fareej Resort and of course the Pearl Qatar.

In a further boost for the tourism sector, Doha is set to host the Asian Games in December 2006, an event that will bring many first-time visitors to Qatar and undoubtedly raise the country's profile around the world. The Games has prompted a number of multi-million dollar projects that will bring Doha's infrastructure up to premium international standards. These developments include new roads, transportation systems, hotels, and sports and leisure facilities that are either finished or well underway.

As part of Qatar's massive investment in its infrastructure, many new and exciting projects are planned or already under construction. A selection of these key projects is featured below.

Al Sharq Village Resort & Spa
The five· star AI Sharq Village Resort and Spa overlooks Doha's corniche, and claims to be the first resort to portray the architectural style and culture of Qatar. As the name suggests, the resort will be arranged like a village, with the 160 guest rooms housed in a number of villas. The resort will also feature a traditional Qatari souk, leisure and entertainment facilities, and a Six Senses Spa. Opening is scheduled for May 2006. www.qnhc.com

Asian Games
Doha will host the 15th Asian Games from 1 to 15 December 2006. In preparation for this prestigious sporting event, Qatar is investing huge sums (estimated at over S2.8 billion) to provide state of the art facilities, accommodation and infrastructure. Many new sports venues and stadia are being built or renovated, including the redeveloped Sports City. Over 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions will be housed at the new 'Athletes' Village', which has been designed so it can be converted into a modern medical facility once the Games are over. www.doha-2006.com

Dubai Towers, Doha
Located on the corniche near the Diplomatic District, Dubai Towers is the first overseas development by Dubai International Properties. At 80 storeys high it will be the tallest tower in Qatar. This multi-purpose project will contain offices, a shopping arcade, a hotel, and serviced and unenvied apartments. The overall cost is in excess of QR 1 billion, and the complex is expected to be partly open in time for the Asian Games, and be fully completed by early 2007. www.dubaitowers·doha.eam

Education City
Developed by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, Education City is already home to a number of institutions and international university campuses, but its growth continues. Projects currently at the

Planning stage or under construction include a 350-bed teaching hospital, a conference and convention centre, and the Qatar Science and Technology Park. Upon completion (scheduled for 2008) the site will house 30 buildings, including a museum, sports and recreational facilities, a shopping centre, a mosque, and accommodation for students and staff. www.qf.edu.qa

Lusail
Launched at the end of 2005, this mixed use development will eventually cover 35 square kilometers and be home to 200,000 people. Occupying a strip of coastline north of Doha, the project will have ten districts featuring marinas, hotels, entertainment and leisure, office towers, lots of shopping, two golf courses, and housing in the shape of apartment buildings and exclusive gated communities. With an estimated $5 billion price tag, the work is scheduled for completion by 2010. www.usai.com

Museum of Islamic Art
The 45,000 square metre Museum of Islamic Art will showcase one of the region's most impressive art collections. Designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, the museum will feature exhibition halls, a library, study areas, a gallery and a restaurant. Situated on Doha's corniche, construction is progressing well and the museum will open in 2006.

New Doha International Airport (NDlA)
Construction is well under way on Doha's new airport, a few kilometers east of the existing airport and located partly on reclaimed land. With two runways, and designed to cater to the growing number of visitors expected over the coming years, the airport will be built in three phases.

Oil and Gas
Qatar Petroleum is investing billions of dollars in the country's oil and gas facilities and infrastructure. Projects include the expansion and upgrading of facilities at Dukhan City (Qatar's first oil centre), Mesaieed Industrial City, and Halul Island. Ras Laffan Industrial City is already the world's largest Liquefied Natural Gas export facility, and a new $1.6 billion plant will soon process gas to be pumped over 370km through a dedicated pipeline being laid between Qatar and Abu Dhabi. In time, Qatar hopes to supply gas throughout the UAE and Oman. www.qp.com.qa

Pearl Qatar
Perhaps the best-known of Qatar's current development projects, the Pearl is a new island complex built on reclaimed land off the shore of the West Bay Lagoon. It will feature apartments, town houses and villas, plus retail outlets, restaurants, entertainment venues, and three five star hotels. The design of the Pearl means it will have four separate marinas with berths for 700 boats. It will eventually be home to 35,000 residents, and significantly it was the first development in Qatar to offer freehold property to non-Locals. All owners will be issued with a residency visa. The cost of the project is around $2.5 billion, and the first homes are scheduled to be handed over in late 2006. www.thepearlqatar.com

Qatar - Bahrain Causeway
The so-called 'Friendship Causeway' will be a 40 km road link between Qatar and Bahrain. It will consist of bridges and highways built on reclaimed land. To allow shipping to pass beneath, some of the bridges may have to be 40 metres above the sea. To some it is seen as an extension of the King Fahd Causeway that connects Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, and when complete it will be the longest fixed link in the world. A Danish consortium carried out feasibility studies and the causeway is expected to take four or five years to complete. Estimates for the cost of the project vary from $2 billion to $4.7 billion.

Qatar National Library
More good news for the country's culture-lovers comes in the shape of the Qatar National Library. The tall, bold design, by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, will become an unmistakable landmark on the Doha corniche. The library will have the capacity for up to two million books and will feature an art gallery, a natural history museum, a science museum, lecture halls, and conference facilities. Opening is scheduled for 2007.

Qatar Photography Museum
The Photography Museum, also on the corniche in Doha, will include 11,000 square metres of gallery space for both photographs and photographic equipment. Designed to house the government's collection of over 15,000 items, the museum will also feature the work of local artists. An aspect of the building that will perhaps attract the most publicity is the 'smart' walls that will open and close to control the amount of light that can enter. The museum will open in 2007.

Qatar is committed to the support of Arab unity, but also enjoys strong international relations. In the 1990S the country upset its Arab neighbors when discussions took place with Israel regarding the possible supply of natural gas. Qatar is a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). With its five other members - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, UAE and Bahrain - the objective of the GCC is to encourage integration and coordination between member states. Presidency of the GCC rotates yearly between its members. All major embassies and consulates are represented in Qatar and the country is a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Qatar is governed by hereditary rule. The head of state is the Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, who came to power in 1995. He has introduced many reforms and steered the country towards a more open and democratic system of government. The Emir's brother, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al Thani, is the Prime Minister, and the Emir's son, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, is the Crown Prince and Heir Apparent.

Qatar's permanent constitution was overwhelmingly approved by the local people in a 2003 referendum. As outlined in the constitution, the Emir holds legislative and executive powers and he appoints the Council of Ministers by an Emiri decree. The Council of Ministers recommends laws, after consultation with the Advisory (or Consultative) Council, the Majlis AI Shura. Laws require consent from the Emir before being enacted. The constitution promises freedom and equality, and provides for a 45-member Majlis Al Shura, two thirds of which would be elected by the public with the remaining members appointed by the Emir (the Majlis al Shura currently has 35 members, all appointed by the Emir). Changes in constituency boundaries have led to the first Shura Council elections being delayed - they are now expected to take place sometime in 2006 or 2007.

Qatar did hold historic democratic elections in 1999 (and again in 2003) for the Central Municipal Council (CMC), made up of 29 councilors representing the country's municipalities. Women were eligible to vote and stand for election, although a female candidate has yet to be elected. The CMC has consultative powers and is aimed at improving services in the municipalities, but it has no executive powers.