Qatar’s budget surplus tripled to US$12.2 billion in the fiscal year ending in March – allowing the Government to make good on its plans to increase infrastructure spending to over 10% of its GDP in the build-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Furthermore, Qatar has retained its position as the Middle East’s most innovative economy in the annual Global Innovation Index 2012 (GII). The study, commissioned by INSEAD in partnership with other leading research organisations, scored 141 countries based on the degree to which their economic environment enables innovation, as well as actual innovative outputs.
The upcoming third Annual Humanisation of Cities of Tomorrow is building on the country’s strong position. Scheduled to be held from November 18th – 19th, 2012 at the Oryx Rotana – Doha will witness participation from a host of industry experts such as Dr Mohammed Bin Saif Al Kuwari, Undersecretary and Chairman of Laboratories and Standardisation at the Ministry of Environment; John Rose, Development Director at Msheireb Properties; and Mark Fenwick, Partner at RFA Fenwick Iribarren Architects of Spain.
Infrastructure has an enormous impact on the lives of all citizens; affecting both personal and economic health. This is the impetus behind Qatar’s National Vision 2030, and its plans to further boost infrastructure spending by over 12% to US$49 billion in the fiscal year beginning April (which also includes capital for increased wages and services).