CEO of the Investment Promotion Agency HE Sheikh Ali bin Alwaleed Al-Thani affirmed that the State of Qatar witnessed a significant rise in FDI in 2024, recording 241 projects, more than double the 115 projects in 2023, marking a remarkable 109.6% year-on-year increase, adding that this growth reflects strong investor confidence in Qatar’s economic resilience and strategic direction. The CEO of the Investment Promotion Agency (Invest Qatar) said that most projects were largely concentrated in Qatar’s key sectors, led by retail and wholesale trade (77 projects) and administration and support services (41 projects). Notably, greenfield projects made up 74%, underscoring Qatar’s appeal for long-term, sustainable investments. This growth is attributed to targeted investment policies, a supportive business environment, and the state's commitment to economic diversification in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.  Infrastructure and logistics also improved significantly, ranking 14th in Logistics Competence and 19th in Logistics Infrastructure in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index.In 2024, FDI projects generated 9,348 new jobs, marking a 122.7% increase compared to 4,197 jobs in 2023. Most of these roles emerged in retail and wholesale trade, administration and support services, accommodation and food services, as well as scientific research and development, the CEO of the Investment Promotion Agency said. He explained that the concentration of investment in these sectors underscores Qatar’s strategic commitment to economic diversification, with a focus on sustainable growth and innovation as outlined in the NDS3. This strong investor interest is driven by Qatar’s clear policy direction, supportive regulatory environment and world-class infrastructure. By prioritising high-growth, innovation-led industries, Qatar is not only expanding investment opportunities but also accelerating its transition to a knowledge-based, future-ready economy, the CEO of the Investment Promotion Agency said, adding that this sectoral focus directly supports key NDS3 targets, including 4% average annual economic growth, increased labour productivity and $100 billion in FDI by 2030.He stressed that Qatar’s progress is reflected in global rankings. The country ranked 1st globally for tax policy and basic infrastructure (IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2024), 2nd for general infrastructure (Global Innovation Index 2024) and 4th for ICT development (ITU ICT Development Index 2024). The country ranked 1st for policy towards foreign investment (EIU Business Environment Ranking 2025), 1st for financial services (Global Opportunity Index 2025), 1st for economic resilience (FM Global Resilience Index 2025), and 2nd for business and investment opportunities. He stressed that these rankings underscore the success of Qatar’s diversification efforts and reinforce its appeal as a competitive and investor-friendly destination on the global stage.On the strategy for attracting quality, knowledge-based investments, he said, "our strategy is firmly centered on attracting high-quality, knowledge-based investments that align with Qatar’s long-term economic diversification goals. We focus on sectors where Qatar offers a strong competitive advantage, and where innovation, technology and sustainability can generate real value for both investors and the local economy. A core component of this strategy has been the development of strategic partnerships with leading global organisations. These collaborations go beyond job creation-they are focused on transferring knowledge, introducing cutting-edge technologies and embedding international best practices across key industries."When it comes to growth sectors, manufacturing remains a key focus, he said, particularly in food processing, chemicals and high-value industrial goods," he added. In logistics, Qatar’s strategic location, modern infrastructure and exceptional connectivity through Hamad Port and Hamad International Airport present strong value propositions for companies looking to establish regional distribution hubs, he said Tourism is another promising area of opportunity. Qatar’s growing global profile, coupled with world-class hospitality infrastructure and a strong events portfolio, provides compelling opportunities for investors.  (ICE Doha)

Fonte notizia: PENINSULA