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Qatar Set To Revamp Laws To Attract Foreign Investment: Aiming For $100 Billion By 2030

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 27, 2025

Qatar is preparing to roll out a trio of new laws aimed at transforming its legal landscape to better appeal to foreign investors, according to the country’s commerce and economy minister. These changes come as part of a broader overhaul across various sectors.

In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Al Thani revealed that the nation is set to introduce new regulations governing bankruptcy, public-private partnerships (PPP), and commercial registration. He added that these reforms are part of a larger review encompassing 27 laws and regulations across 17 government ministries, targeting over 500 industries.

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Sheikh Faisal highlighted that the new bankruptcy and PPP laws are expected to be finalized by the end of March, marking a significant step in Qatar’s efforts to modernize its economic environment.

Qatar, a global powerhouse in liquefied natural gas exports, has ambitious goals for the future. As part of its national development strategy, the country aims to attract $100 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) by 2030. However, it faces a considerable challenge, as its FDI inflows have lagged far behind those of neighboring countries, notably Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s FDI inflows reached $26 billion, boosted by new calculations in its FDI reporting, while the UAE, renowned for its business-friendly environment, attracted just over $30 billion in foreign investment. In stark contrast, Qatar experienced a negative FDI inflow of $474 million in 2023, following a decline from $76.1 million the previous year. This suggests that Qatar saw more disinvestment than new capital entering the country.

Despite offering similar incentives to investors—such as attractive tax rates, free zones, and long-term residency options—Qatar has struggled to keep pace with its regional competitors in terms of regulatory reforms and business-friendliness. The new laws are part of Qatar’s broader strategy to activate its private sector and reduce its reliance on state-funded growth.

Sheikh Faisal, who joined the government in November, previously served as the chief investment officer for Asia and Africa at the Qatar Investment Authority, the nation’s $510 billion sovereign wealth fund. His background is expected to play a key role in driving forward the country’s ambitious investment goals.

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Cyprus Emerges As A Leading Household Consumer In The European Union

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 30, 2025

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

A recent Eurostat survey, which adjusts real consumption per capita using purchasing power standards (PPS), has positioned Cyprus among the highest household consumers in the European Union. In 2024, Cyprus recorded a per capita expenditure of 21,879 PPS, a figure that underscores the country’s robust material well-being relative to other member states.

Comparative Consumption Analysis

Luxembourg claimed the top spot with an impressive 28,731 PPS per inhabitant. Trailing closely were Ireland (23,534 PPS), Belgium (23,437 PPS), Germany (23,333 PPS), Austria (23,094 PPS), the Netherlands (22,805 PPS), Denmark (22,078 PPS), and Italy (21,986 PPS), with Cyprus rounding out this elite group at 21,879 PPS. These figures not only highlight the high expenditure across these nations but also reflect differences in purchasing power and living standards across the region.

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Contrasting Trends In Household Spending

The survey also shed light on countries with lower household spending levels. Hungary and Bulgaria reported the smallest average expenditures, at 14,621 PPS and 15,025 PPS respectively. Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal recorded 18,752 PPS and 19,328 PPS, respectively. Noteworthy figures from France (20,462 PPS), Finland (20,158 PPS), Lithuania (19,261 PPS), Malta (19,622 PPS), Slovenia (18,269 PPS), Slovakia (17,233 PPS), Latvia (16,461 PPS), Estonia (16,209 PPS), and the Czech Republic (16,757 PPS) further illustrate the disparate economic landscapes within the EU. Spain’s figure, however, was an outlier at 10,899 PPS, suggesting the need for further data clarification.

Growth Trends And Economic Implications

Eurostat’s longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed that Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania experienced the fastest annual increases in real consumer spending, each growing by at least 3.8%. In contrast, five member states, with the Czech Republic experiencing the largest drop at an average annual decline of 1.3%, indicate a varied economic recovery narrative across the continent.

This comprehensive survey not only provides valuable insights into current household consumption patterns but also offers a robust framework for policymakers and business leaders to understand economic shifts across the EU. Such data is integral for strategic decision-making in markets that are increasingly defined by evolving consumer behavior and regional economic resilience.