Qatar- The future financial capital of the Middle East.

Qatar has been always my second home like millions of other expatriates residing in the country. A land that fills your mind with imagination and amazement alike; a land that provides you the resources and opportunities to create a mark of your own ( not to forget the recent development of permitting permanent residency to expatriates - first among the Gulf Countries to do so)

As I pen this, my heart brims with gratitude,pride and passion - passion to give more to this land that chiseled me in my early years of career driving me to do more: pride that I started my journey from this amazing country of generous people; gratitude that this is the place that shaped me in my initial years!! If my memories are correct, 1990's was the beginning of a revolution in the country; barely did these skyscrapers or the hyped getaway places exist. Those were the years of sheer persistancy and focus which drove this country from an ordinary Middle Eastern country to one of the wealthiest nations in the world. I remember those times when the Qataris and expatriates had the Corniche and certain joints where you could fetch KFC, McDonald's and the likes. I spent...... Years in this great land before migrating to the Unites States and I must say, Thank you to the nation and its wonderful people as those years shaped my life and gave me a deeper sense of purpose. I went from being a Sales Person to the Executive Director of a well reputed organization . Around the same time, as years went by, the country developed itself and rose to become one of the economic powers of the world and what strikes you is ,if not for the vision and hard work even Oil and Gas wouldn't have helped.

Opportunities never dipped. Qatar implemented the best of practices, with a clear vision of path ahead. Expatriates and citizens were treated equally and I'am proud to say these not just words but actual practices followed. Standards of living were raised. This great land and its honorable people always remember their humble beginnings, their haves and have notes, they understood their weakness and turned it to their strengths. Little did it disturb them when the country was isolated from most of the GCC countries; they rose above every stone thrown at them and kudos to the Government and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for his undivided drive to make Qatar number 1 and I'am definite Qatar will reach there.

Being one the wealthiest countries already, they rose to the findings of the reserves of Oil and Gas productions accounting only for medium run, choosing sustainable model to diversify the economy and created a long term revenue model. Qatar brought about investments in Petrochemical Sector, Business Tourism and major reforms in the financial sector. My understanding is that Qatar hosts 80% of Sport Events around the world and turned itself to be a tourist destination offering the travelers a flavor of both the old and new Qatar and it's culture. Opening itself to foreign investments in Oil & Gas Sector and other core industries, Qatar is becoming a hub with Dominance over other countries with its massive investment incentives and flexible regulations on employing skilled and unskilled workforce. In the recent years Qatar has passed a law which will grant foreigners full business ownership rights, as Qatar moves to boost its economy amid a regional diplomatic crisis. The law opens the field for foreign investors to take part in all economic activity with up to 100 percent ownership of the capital. The country with its unshakable political stability , stable currency pegged to the USA, high quality infrastructure and one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the world has been and will enable it to show an upward trend in the sector of Foreign Direct Investment. I can elaborate on these more giving in-depth picture on each sector to the interested - you can get in touch with me directly as well, for suggestions and advise on investment opportunities in Qatar.

Above mentioned are few instances giving us a glimpse of the tip of the ice berg and these itself show us that this great country is headed to progress on a steadfast pace becoming one of the super powers of the world. This long term vision and focus is something we all need to adapt in to our lives. Ahh, how much ever I write about this great nation, it would still leave me feeling of not having said enough..... My gratitude knows no boundaries to this nation and its amazing and honorable people. I've found life time great friends here who guided me through my path and have become family now. I truly wish and pray that Qatar, like the rest of the world wins against the recent challenges we all have been facing and continuous to keep winning.

Let me stop with that. Thank you to each of of you for reading through my tribute to Qatar!!

As written, please feel free to write to me on [email protected] for suggestions, and information on tourism, business and investment opportunities in Qatar.

Sunny John, Executive Director - Lanric Industries