Arianne Millenne L. Villa Prof.

Rosuelo
BSA 1-6 Economic Development

QATAR

I. History

Qatar is an independent and sovereign State situated in the midway of the Western coast of the

Arabian Gulf having a land and maritime boundary with Saudi Arabia, and also maritime

boundaries with Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Iran. The State of Qatar with its arid desert

climate extends over a Peninsula of about 200 Kilometers long and 100 Kilometers wide

covering a total area of 11850 square Kilometers including a number of Islands and Islets.

Al-Ubaidi Period

Historically, the Peninsula of Qatar witnessed various cultures and civilizations in various

phases in the history of mankind even during the Stone Age or Neolithic period. A recent

discovery on the edge of an Island in the West of Qatar indicates the human presence during this

period of pre-historic period. Discovery of a 6th millennium BC site at Shagra, in the South-east

of Qatar revealed the key role the sea (Gulf) played in the lives of Shagra’s inhabitants.

Excavation at Al-Khore in the North-east of Qatar, Bir Zekrit and Ras Abaruk and the discovery

of pottery and Flint, Flint-scraper tool, Rim of painted ceramic and vessels there indicates

Qatar’s connection with the Al-Ubaid civilization which flourished in the land between the

Tigris and the Euphrates during the period of 5th –4th millennium BC. There had also been

barter trade system between the settlements at Qatar and the Ubaid Mesopotamia and the

exchange of commodities were mainly pottery and dried fish.

Bronz Age

The Peninsula of Qatar emerged as one of the richest places in the Gulf, with regard to

the trade and commerce during the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. This period witnessed the spread

of the Bronze Age cultures and civilizations from Mesopotamia to the Indus Valley settlements

of India. Trade between Mesopotamia and Indus Valley was channeled through the Gulf and the

western coast of Qatar played a vital role in the transshipment of the commercial goods as the

discovery of fragments of Barbar pottery in Ras Abaruk reveals it. The Peninsula of Qatar also

attracted seasonal migrants during this period of Bronze Age.

Kassite Period

Kassite of the Zagros Mountains assumed power in Babylon in the middle of the 2nd

millennium and spread their influence throughout the Gulf region including a small Island on the

bay of Al-Khore in the north of Doha. Kassite origin ceramics found in Al-Khore clearly

indicates the close links between Qatar and Babylon during this period.

The Islamic Period

Islam swept the entire Arabian region in the 7th century, overturning the idol

worshippers. With the spread of Islam in Qatar, Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) sent

his first envoy Al Ala Al-Hadrami to Al-Mundhir Ibn Sawa Al-Tamimi, the ruler of Bahrain,

which extended the coast from Kuwait to the south of Qatar including al-Hasa and Bahrain

Islands, in the year 628, inviting him to accept Islam. Mundhir responding to the Prophet’s call

announced his conversion to Islam and all the Arab inhabitants of Qatar including some Persians

living in Qatar also became Muslim, heralding the beginning of the Islamic era in Qatar.

Consequently, Al Ala Al-Hadrami was appointed by the Prophet as his representative in Bahrain
to collect the Jizya (religious tax). During this early phase of Islam Qatar was famous for the

robes which were woven there and exported to the various places. It is said that the Prophet to

have worn a Qatari robe, as did his wife Aisha. Umr Ibn Al-Khattab had a Qatari cloak patched

with feather.

Umayyad and the Abbasid Period

During the Umayyad and the Abbasid rules in Damascus and Baghdad respectively, there

was further growth of trade and commerce in Qatar. Yaqut al-Hamawi, an Arabian historian,

who died in 1229, considered Qatar as a village and famous for camel and horse breeding centre

during the Umayyad period. During the ascendancy of the Abbasid in Baghdad the pearling

industry in the rich waters around Qatar developed considerably and the demand for Qatari pearl

increased in the East, which extended as far as China. With the expansion of the mercantile

activities on the Coast of Qatar, settlements began to grow on the north of Qatar, particularly at

Murwab in the Yoghbi area between Zubara and Umm el- Ma with more than 100 small stone

built houses.

The Portugese Era

At the beginning of the 16th century the Peninsula of Qatar along with the rest of the

Western Arabian Gulf came under the hegemony of the Portuguese. Establishing their hold over

the Strait of Hormuz, the most important strategic point in the Gulf, the Portuguese conquered

Qatar in 1515. While the invading Portuguese forces confined their naval activities in and around

Hormuz, the Portuguese commercial empire exported gold, silver, silks, musk, cloves, pearls and

seed pearls, amber, horses etc, through various ports in the Gulf including Qatar. Apparently, to

preserve their commercial interest in Qatar, the Portuguese naval squadron attacked the coastal
villages of Qatar in January 1625. However, the Portuguese misrule and atrocities came to an

end when the Imam of Muscat drove them out of the Gulf by force in 1652.

Bani Khalid Time

The Bani Khalid, which established their hold over Eastern Arabia extended their power

in the area from Qatar to Kuwait in the first half of the 18th century. Zubara which already

emerged as one of the important sea ports in the Gulf in view of the increased exportation of

pearls to the different parts of the world, became the headquarters of the Bani Khalid

administration in Qatar and the principal transit port for their Eastern and the Central Arabian

territories. The importations made from Surat of India to the port of Zubara were Surat blue and

other piece goods, cambay, chauders, shawls, bamboo, coffee, sugar, pepper, spices, iron, tin, oil,

ghee, rice, etc.

British Rule

The british relations with the Gulf region, including Qatar inaugurated with the

establishment of the East India Company’s Factory at Basra in 1635, to explore the Arabian

trade. Nevertheless, with the passage of time the primary economic activities gave way to the

formal political functions. Eventually, Imperial Britain establishes its hold in the Gulf including

Qatar under the pretext of protection of the shipping lines in the Gulf and its overland routes to

India. By the 1820s, Britain was able to sign the General Treaty of Peace with the Gulf Littoral

Arab rulers. Although, Qatar never acceded to this so called Peace Treaty, Britain obliged the

Peninsula to abide by its terms. However, Qatar was brought under the Maritime Truce of 1835,

which outlawed all welfare during the Pearl fishing season. In 1836, the Restrictive Line was

extended from Sir Bu Nair Island by way of the Qatari Island of Halul.
Modern Qatar

The Modern history of Qatar began in the early 18th century; when the present Al-Thani

ruling family of Qatar, which originated from the Al-Maadhid (a branch of Bani Tamim) tribe of

Ushaiqir in the province of Al-Washm of Nejd, arrived in the southern part of Qatar. In the

middle of the 18th century the family moved to the northern part of Qatar that is Zubara, Ruwais

and Fuwairat.

II. Additional Background

Occupying a small desert peninsula that extends northward from the larger Arabian

Peninsula, it has been continuously but sparsely inhabited since

prehistoric times. Following the rise of Islam, the region became

subject to the Islamic caliphate; it later was ruled by a number of

local and foreign dynasties before falling under the control of

the Āl Thānī (Thānī dynasty) in the 19th century. The Āl Thānī

sought British patronage against competing tribal groups and against the Ottoman Empire—

which occupied the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries—and in exchange the

United Kingdom controlled Qatar’s foreign policy until the latter’s independence in 1971.

Thereafter, the monarchy continued to nurture close ties with Western powers as a central pillar

of its national security. Qatar has one of the world’s largest reserves of petroleum and natural gas

and employs large numbers of foreign workers in its production process. Because of its oil

wealth, the country’s residents enjoy a high standard of living and a well-established system of

social services.
 The capital is the eastern coastal city of Doha (Al-Dawḥah), which was once a centre for

pearling and is home to most of the country’s inhabitants. Radiating inland from its handsome

Corniche, or seaside boulevard, Doha blends premodern architecture with new office buildings,

shopping malls, and apartment complexes. Qatar’s traditions draw on a nomadic past and

practices that are centuries old, from hand-woven products to falconry. However, the country’s

population is urban and coastal, its daily life is thoroughly modern, and its rulers have sought

to enhance civil liberties. The press is among the freest in the region, and though they are

religious and traditional, Qataris pride themselves on their tolerance for the cultures and beliefs

of others. On the status of the country’s large expatriate community, the ruling emir has noted

that “in Qatar, they find security and a dignified livelihood.”

LAND

Slightly smaller in area than the U.S. state of Connecticut, the Qatar peninsula is about

100 miles (160 km) from north to south, 50 miles (80 km) from east to west, and is generally

rectangular in shape. It shares a border with eastern Saudi Arabia where the peninsula connects

to the mainland and is north and west of the United Arab Emirates. The island country

of Bahrain lies some 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Qatar.

 Relief and drainage

Most of Qatar’s area is flat, low-lying desert, which rises from the east to a

central limestone plateau. Hills rise to about 130 feet (40 metres) along the western and northern

coasts, and Abū al-Bawl Hill (335 feet [103 metres]) is the country’s highest point. Sand dunes

and salt flats, or sabkhahs, are the chief topographical features of the southern and southeastern

sectors. Qatar has more than 350 miles (560 km) of coastline; its border with Saudi Arabia is

some 37 miles (60 km) long. There are no permanent bodies of fresh water.
  Climate

The climate is hot and humid from June to September, with daytime temperatures as high as

122 °F (50 °C). The spring and fall months—April, May, October, and November—are

temperate, averaging about 63 °F (17 °C), and the winters are slightly cooler. Precipitation is

scarce, with less than 3 inches (75 mm) falling annually (generally in winter).

PEOPLE

 Ethnic groups and languages

Qatar was originally settled by Bedouin nomads from the central part of the Arabian

Peninsula. Qatari citizens, however, constitute only a small portion—roughly one-ninth—of the

total population today. Arabic is the official language, and most Qataris speak a dialect of Gulf

Arabic similar to that spoken in surrounding states. Modern Standard Arabic is taught in schools,

and English is commonly used. Among the large expatriate population, Persian and Urdu are

often spoken.

 Religion

Islam is the official religion, and Qataris are largely Sunni Muslims. There is a

small Shīʿite minority. The ruling Āl Thānī (Thānī family) adheres to the

same Wahhābī interpretation of Islam as the rulers of Saudi Arabia, though not as strictly.

Women, for example, have greater freedom in Qatar than in Saudi Arabia.
III. Economic Indicators of Growth and other Significant Information

POPULATION: 2,727,612 (2019) MAIN EXPORTS: Liquefied Natural Gas,

Petroleum Products, Fertilizers, Steel

GDP per capita: $ 66,202 (2018) MAIN IMPORTS: Machinery and Transport,

Equipment, Food, Chemicals

HDI VALUE: 0.856 (2017) SECTIONS OF INDUSTRY: Natural gas

and Crude Oil, Steel Industry, Financial

Industry, Commercial Ship Repair

EXPECTED YEARS OF SCHOOLING: INFLATION RATES: 3.71% (2018)

For men- 12.0

For women- 14.8

LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH: CURRENCY: Qatari Riyal

For men- 77.6 1 Qatari Riyal = $ 0.27

For women- 80.0 1 Qatari Riyal = P 14.32

IV. Ranks in Different Category

Rank Sources Category

 155 out of 221  United Nations  Population

 37 out of 189  United Nations  HDI

 7  IMF  GDP

 2  IMF  GDP per capita

 37  WHO  Life Expectancy

 V. Strategy for Sustainable Development

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

The State of Qatar ensures the provision of water for all its population. The percentage of
population that benefited from safe drinking water services reached 100%, where seawater
desalination constitutes 60% of total available water. Sustainably-managed sanitation services
are also provided for all and the percentage of safely treated wastewater reached 100% as well.
Modern techniques to rationalize the use of water have been installed in some schools and
mosques and are being installed for other uses. Wastewater treatment plants have been expanded
and the study of the establishment of an industrial wastewater treatment plant has been
completed.

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

The State of Qatar has ensured that its population has access to affordable, reliable and
sustainable energy services by following an optimal pricing method of energy sector-related
goods (water, electricity, fuel). The State has adopted alternative sources of energy, such as: the
establishment of Umm AlHoul projects, Siraj Energy Company and a number of solar-related
industrial companies, e.g. Qatar Solar Technologies. Qatar has also promoted energy and gas
efficiency through the formation of a National Renewable Energy Committee at the Ministry of
Energy and Industry, which is drafting a national policy for the development of the new and
renewable energy sector.

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

The State of Qatar has ensured that the overall urban plan is the spatial translation of QNV 2030
and a strategic guide to the management and development of vibrant and sustainable spatial
communities, such as cities and human settlements, in order to improve the quality of life,
provide a decent living for both citizens and expatriates and make Qatar a safe haven for learning
and innovation. Qatar has also built an advanced infrastructure, enabled citizens to obtain
modern housing, constructed universities, research centers, schools, public libraries, museums,
heritage villages and clubs, and established hospitals, health centers, playgrounds, parks, green
areas and rehabilitation centers for people with disabilities. It has further provided clean water
and electricity at affordable cost, in addition to transport, telephone and Internet networks. Doha
has become an attractive destination for shopping and recreation at reasonable cost. Doha has a
world class convention center, a GIS based referencing system for zones, streets and buildings,
which is used effectively in postal, ambulance, emergency and other service; and a public library
with international standards. An international airport has been built to match the world’s most
advanced airports, as well as an international seaport that contributes to the promotion of
international trade. Despite the large population increase, the death toll from road accidents has
been decreased, and all phases of the National Disaster Management and Recovery Project have
been completed in 2016.

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

The State of Qatar has been able to create a clean and sustainable environment despite the
increase in its population. Qatar encourages the efficient use of natural resources and green
initiatives, recycling and reducing the production of waste, and implementing programs and
projects related to pollution and solid waste recycling. Qatar has also encouraged and promoted
local product culture. The Government of Qatar has encouraged the engagement of consumers by
raising awareness and education on optimal water use patterns, rationalizing energy use by
switching to energy-efficient lamps and air conditioners, encouraging the use of renewable
energy, increasing the efficiency of water desalination systems and reducing gas emissions. It
has also directed to avoid the excessive use of groundwater through smart meters so as not to
aggravate water stress and salinity. It has further supported the installation of modern techniques
to rationalize the use of water in schools and mosques, and encouraged the use of treated
wastewater in central cooling facilities and in irrigation of fodder and green spaces. The
government has also promoted the efficient use of energy and gas through the National
Committee on Renewable Energy, in addition to providing a system of plant, fish, and livestock
production that contributes to food security to reach high rates of self-sufficiency.

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage
forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

The State of Qatar has endeavored to preserve its biodiversity as part of its heritage, culture and
future in order to preserve its national and cultural identity, food security and local development:
and to provide resources for scientific and medical research, as well as other benefits. The
Government is also working to raise awareness on the current and future status of biodiversity
and to establish and operate a biodiversity database.