Qatar is the world’s richest country, with per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of $97,967 in 2011, according to the Washington-based IMF.

Hydrocarbon revenues are the mainstay of the economy, accounting for 60 per cent of GDP. The state is the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and has the third-largest gas reserves after Russia and Iran, on top of proven oil reserves of 26 billion barrels.

GDP growth has generally been above 15 per cent over the past six years, but this has eased now the LNG expansion programme has been completed. Growth is expected to slow from 18.7 per cent in 2011 to 6 per cent in 2012.

With developing countries, such as India and China, likely to move from traditional fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives, including natural gas liquids, demand for Qatar’s resources should continue to grow.

Despite this, the government has committed to transforming the economy from being heavily reliant on hydrocarbons to being a knowledge-driven one through its National Vision 2030.

According to regional projects tracker MEED Projects, Qatar is the third-largest projects market in the GCC, after Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The total value of projects planned and under way in mid-January was $217.8bn.