The Consulate General of The State of Qatar | Houston

The accession of H.H Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa AI Thani to the reins of power in the country is considered to be a turning point in the history of establishing the basis for freedom, democracy and public participation in the State of Qatar.
Following his accession to power in 1995, H.H. the Emir has been working to provide more chances for the freedom of expression. He lifted media censorship and abolished the Ministry of Information, some of whose responsibilities and departments were either referred to other establishments or transformed into independent bodies such as the National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage and Qatar General Broadcasting and Television Corporation.
Qatar TV Satellite Channel went on the air in December 1998 and Al-Jazeerah Satellite TV Channel started transmitting from Qatar in November 1996. The local press has flourished in recent years, benefiting from the prevailing democratic atmosphere and available incentives for growth and now covers all social and economic areas of interest. These publications are independent entities issued by private publishing houses with their own modern presses and successful investments.
A press and publications law, which was issued in 1979 and has been bypassed by the new political and information developments witnessed by the country in recent years, is presently being updated. The new press and publications law is expected to be more flexible in line with the new trend of democratization and freedom of expression being nurtured in the country.

been internationally recognized in 1981. It has joined the International Association for Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies and the secretariat general of the Western Association of the Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies. It works to promote the message of the Red Crescent movement in Qatar, extend family guidance, spread awareness, develop human, health, social and general capabilities and study and find solutions for family problems and problematic social phenomena. The Women's branch at Qatar Red Crescent Society was inaugurated in 1982 to emphasize and give prominence to women's effective voluntary role in society.

On the 12th December 2000, a decree amending some provisions of Decree No 90 for 1990 on the establishment of the Youths and Sports General Authority (YASA) was issued, changing the name to the General Authority for Youth, reorganizing its structure and reassigning its responsibilities. The Authority is formed of a President, a Deputy President, a Secretary General and an Assistant Secretary General.
The Authority is the body responsible of youths' welfare. It is the corresponding counterpart of the ministries of youths or supreme councils for youths and sports and similar bodies in other countries. The Authority aims to draw up the general policy for youths' welfare, prepare the leaders required to implement the programs that could bring about integration and equilibrium in the society.

According to its geographical location and climate, Qatar is classified as a hot subtropical desert; very hot and muggy between June and August and pleasant between November and February. The average annual rainfall is 81 mm, average maximum temperature is 31oC and average minimum temperature 22oC. The morning humidity averages 71% and the afternoon relative humidity 43%. Qatar is affected by wind blown dust and occasionally sandstorms. The country has no rivers or lakes, and besides the rainfall received, the primary source of fresh water is the ground water. Surface water is very limited; only after a good winter rainfall, water may be seen in depressions, Wadis and runnels for a short time.

at contributor to the enrichment of international and regional political practice. The manifestations of that contribution are  reflected in the boosting of economic and political cooperation between Qatar and the Gulf Arab States in  particular, and between Qatar and the rest of the world in general. Such contributions emanate from a  strategic vision, which is marked by courage, originality, objectivity and comprehensiveness.

by the Danish (1965), the British (1973) and the French (1976) expeditions. Researchers knew al-Wasil hills since 1957 as an important site of Stone Age archeology. About 200 archeological sites of the prehistoric age were discovered during the eight years of the work of the Danish expedition from 1965 to 1975. Several sites of various periods in the Stone Age were discovered to the east of Um Bab. Other sites were found in the southernmost border near Soudanthil. An important site for the manufacture of flint tools, which probably goes back to the Mesolithic Stone Age, was discovered at Umm Tag to the south west of Dukhan; and new sites were discovered to the south east of Mesaieed. The archeological surveys revealed that the Ubaid civilization, which flourished in southern Iraq and the northern parts of the Arabian Gulf, had also reached the Qatar peninsula.
In the 5th century BC, the Greek historian Herodotus referred to the seafaring canaanites as the original inhabitants of Qatar. Further, the geographer Ptolemy showed in his map of the Arab world 'gatara' as believed to refer to the Qatari town of Zubarah, which has acquired the fame of being one of the most important trading ports in the gulf region at the time.

The constitutional development in Qatar graduated from one phase to another, keeping pace with the development of the country and it's economic growth. The first provisional constitution was issued in 1970 before independence and it was amended in 1972 after independence, in order to cope with the requirements and responsibilities of the new phase.
Since that time the objectives and features of the state policy and its Gulf, Arab and Islamic affiliations were determined. The State's authorities and apparatus acquired their experience from actually practicing these authorities in the internal and external domains.
Amendments were made on some provisions of the provisional basic statute in regard to the executive authority and hereditary rule so as to conclude the constitutional arrangements in the country. The judiciary act and other basic laws, which were enacted to regulate civil and commercial interactions, were other steps on the way to build up the government apparatus and lay down the foundation for the rule of institutions and the law. To reach that goal, an Emiri Decree was issued in July 1999 to form a high level committee to draft a new, permanent constitution for the country, one of the main provisions of which would be to cope with the achievements of the State of Qatar and to meet the aspirations and hopes of the 21st century.
At the end of June 1999, the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al-Thani issued a decision to form a ministerial committee mandated to study the planning of future economic and industrial development in the country in the light of current global trends. In December 1999 H.H. the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani issued an Emiri Decree to form the "High Committee for Coordination and Follow Up", chaired by H.H. the Heir Apparent Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. The Committee is mandated to study the projects proposed by the ministries of public utilities and services sector and work to explore the means to improve coordination among these ministries with a view to enhance cooperation and optimize the implementation of projects. 
In 1999, free elections were held to form the Central Municipal Council for the first time in the history of Qatar. The historic event marked the country's first step towards democracy in its civic sense. In a pioneering move, women were allowed both to vote and run as candidates in this initial step towards popular participation in decision making in the country.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani became the new Emir of the State of Qatar on June 26, 1995, continuing the rule of the Al-Thani family that began nearly two centuries ago.

It was established in 1972 in accordance with the provisions of the provisional amended basic statute of the State of Qatar of 1972, which stipulates that no laws can be enacted or issued without being discussed first and recommended upon by the Advisory Council.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani
(1913-1949)

Planning Council was issued, providing for the establishment of a planning and follow-up unit at each ministry, public corporation and government department as per the instructions of the concerned Minister or authorized official. In its first Article the Emiri Decision ordered the establishment of a legally and financially independent body named the Planning Council. The Article stipulated that the Council have a general secretariat headed by a secretary general, whose appointment is made in accordance to an Emiri Decision based on the nomination of the Council's president.

was revived when H.H. the Emir of Qatar issued the Law No 12 for 1998 organizing the election law of the Central Municipal Council. H.H. also issued the Emiri Decree No 17 for 1998 on the election of the members of the Central Municipal Council. Several committees were subsequently formed. They include the legal, security, and information, technical, supply, and follow up committees. A preparatory committee was also formed under the patronage of Her Highness the wife of H.H. the Emir to carry out an awareness program for women, emphasizing the importance of their participation in the elections both as candidates and voters.

e-government enterprise was launched by virtue of the Emiri decree no.(25) of the year 2002. The mission of this enterprise is to achieve the highest possible efficiency of performance in the government transactions for its beneficiaries, namely: citizens, residents, visitors, the government organs and the business sector. By providing accurate electronic accessible information, each of these beneficiaries shall be able to conclude their transactions in a short time and with little effort, and obtain the necessary information about the rules and regulations they need to know. Likewise, by introducing this electronic service, the government has obtained parallel gains evident in speeding its transactions, modernizing its performance system and catching up with developments in the field of information technology; thus, opening a wider chance for assuming a prominent position in the world's economic activity.

Her Highness has given prominence to the role of Qatari women and created an environment that encourages them to meet their social obligations and participate in public life. H.H. Sheikha Mouza endorses women's conferences, which discuss women's issues and recommend solutions for the problems and challenges that confront women who work outside the home.
She has directed most of her attention to education programs, maintaining a direct and continuous association with government and private education institutions. She frequently attends and effectively participates in the meetings of education leaders in all scientific, educational and sports matters. A keen observer of the news will notice that when Her Highness accompanies H.H. the Emir during his official visits, she shows particular interest in visiting educational institutions and universities. Her Highness' keenness to contact education leaders is also conspicuous, together with her desire to familiarize herself with modern educational programs, with the aim of adopting those aspects which do not contradict Islamic teachings and social principles.
Her Highness has spared no effort to bring about a qualitative change in the standard of education and produce a generation capable of keeping pace with the developments and technologies of the times. She was one of the supporters of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, established in 1996 as a private and independent entity. One of the first achievements of the Foundation was the establishment of Qatar Academy, whose council of trustees is chaired by a leading Qatari woman Sheikha Al-Misnad. Among other pioneering projects that emerged from the Foundation are the Family Development Center and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)-Qatar College of Design Arts.
H.H. Sheikha Mouza did not ignore her sons and daughters, the disabled. She has honored them by supporting and sponsoring care activities carried out on their behalf. She has worked hard to establish specialized societies to care for the deaf, the dumb and the blind, such as Al Noor Institute for the Blind. The National Committee for Children with Special Needs is another example. It was established in June 1998 with the initial aim of preparing an extensive study on the establishment and management of Shafallah Center. The Committee is chaired by Sheikha Ghalia Bint Mohammad Al-Thani and has in its membership a number of medical doctors and specialists.
Her Highness, furthermore, sponsored several ladies-only functions such as the conference entitled: The Woman between the Family and the Workplace, which was held in 1997. The conference recommended several activities to help women realize psychological equilibrium and stability and outline approaches geared to support and protect the family. She also sponsored the first and second women's conferences held in March 1994 and May 1996 respectively.

Qatar's healthcare sector has come a long way since the country's first hospital opened its doors almost 50 years ago. Today, the industry boasts the most advanced medical equipment and highly qualified staff, a countrywide network of hospitals and healthcare centers, as well as a cardiology department that is referred to by outside specialists as "one of the best in the world". And according to a report from the general secretariat of the GCC ministers of health, Qatar enjoys the region's lowest maternal mortality rate.

The economy of Qatar is one of the active economies in the Middle East and is mainly dependent upon the ebb and flow of revenues generated by Qatar's hydrocarbon wealth and its related industry.

Oil was discovered in Qatar in 1939, but development only got under way in 1949. Production reached a cyclical peak of 530,000 barrels a day (b/d) in 1973, with about half coming from offshore areas. Following the oil price slump of the mid-1980s, development slowed, but re-accelerated in the 1990s. Important discoveries have given new life to the sector, and reserves are now 15,200 million barrels, according to figures published by British Petroleum in June 2002. Qatar Petroleum (QP), the state energy firm, is aiming to raise production capacity to l million b/d. Qatar's production is constrained by OPEC policy, and as a result its quota currently stands at 562,000 b/d. Qatar has been pressing for an increase in its quota to reflect its large reserves and small production level. Two thirds of Qatari oil goes to Japan and more than 95 per cent to Far Eastern countries

through the continued efforts to develop onshore and offshore fields like Al-Shaheen, Al-Idd Al-Sharqi, Dukhan and Al-Khaleej fields.

A country with very few resources, Qatar experienced the hardship of austere living conditions, harsh climate and famine that killed hundreds of people and forced others to migrate to neighboring areas in search for food.

countries in the world with the biggest natural gas reserves. This huge wealth is concentrated in the North Gas Field, the largest single non-associated field in the world, with recoverable reserves of about 380 trillion cubic feet and total gas in place exceeding 500 trillion cubic feet. The field, discovered in 1971, lies mainly offshore to the north east of Qatar's peninsula under water depths ranging between 15 and 70 meters, covering an area of some 6000 square kilometers.

its two branches, basic and manufacturing, is by far one of the most important sources of national income and financing, and it provides a wide range of investment opportunities. The State has been directing substantial resources to this sector, seeking to encourage and support it through direct investments and other measures. The State established industries based on its main natural resources namely oil and gas.

The agricultural sector in the State of Qatar is receiving substantial resources from the State as one of the main pillars of development on which the country depends to meet its basic needs and maintain economic self-reliance.

The insurance sector is one of the important components of the financial and banking system. The need for the insurance service has been increasing over the years with the increasing complications of modern daily life, especially at the economic and corporate levels where risks and losses have reached unprecedented heights.
Insurance services have become diverse. They offer various classes of insurance coverage such as insurance against accidents and fire, marine and land insurance, health insurance and others.

Total profits of the insurance sector doubled from QR106.2m in the first half of last year to QR211.17m in the six months this year (2003).

In 2004, Law No. 31/2004 amended the Organization of Foreign Capital Investment Law (Law No. 13/2000) to allow foreign investment in the insurance sector pending approval by decree by the Cabinet of Ministers. Foreign insurance companies wishing to operate in Qatar are subject to the same laws that apply to foreign firms in all other sectors.

Other Services

External trade plays a vital role in Qatar's economy. The revenue obtained from exporting national products is essential for meeting public expenditure and enhancing national development. On the other hand, importing is the only means for meeting the local demand for intermediary and capital goods.

Qatar is a committed member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the international financing organizations and is fully integrated in the international free trade and economy order. It does not levy personal income taxes or export fees, and customs duties are as low as 4%. With a distinguished banking system and no restrictions on the movement of capitals from the country, the whole of Qatar represents a free economic zone in which investors can make considerable gains. The major transformation in the field of industrial development came with the issue of law No 1 of 1980 on industrial organization, which provided incentives for national investors in addition to the incentives stipulated by Law No 19 of 1995. Law No 19 of 1995 facilitates industrial licensing and unifies executive bodies responsible for granting incentives. Legislation permits non-Qataris to invest in trade, industry and services sectors in joint ventures where the other partners are Qataris holding at least 51% of the capital. The non-Qatari investor who holds 100% shares in a venture must designate a Qatari sponsor. GCC national investors are treated as Qataris in the current law.