al-`Aziz AL-KAWARI, Chancery at Suite 1180, 600 New
Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 338-0111
US:
Ambassador Kenton W. KEITH; Embassy at 149 Ali Bin Ahmed St., Farig Bin
Omran (opposite the television station), Doha (mailing address is P. O. Box
2399, Doha); telephone (0974) 864701 through 864703; FAX (0974) 861669
Flag:
maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist
side

:Qatar Economy

Overview:
Oil is the backbone of the economy and accounts for more than 85% of export
earnings and roughly 75% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.3
billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for about
25 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP of about $15,000, comparable
to the leading industrial countries. Production and export of natural gas is
becoming increasingly important.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion - $7.4 billion, per capita $15,000; real growth
rate NA (1990)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.9% (1988 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $2.1 billion; expenditures $3.2 billion, including capital
expenditures of $490 million (FY91 est.)
Exports:
$3.2 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
petroleum products 85%, steel, fertilizers
partners:
Japan 61%, Brazil 9%, UAE 3%, Singapore 3%
Imports:
$1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
foodstuffs, beverages, animal and vegetable oils, chemicals, machinery and
equipment
partners:
UK 13%, Japan 11%, US 8%, Italy 8%
External debt:
$1.1 billion (December 1989 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 0.6% (1987); accounts for 64% of GDP, including oil
Electricity:
1,520,000 kW capacity; 4,200 million kWh produced, 8,080 kWh per capita
(1991)
Industries:
crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel,
cement
Agriculture:
farming and grazing on small scale, less than 2% of GDP; commercial fishing
increasing in importance; most food imported
Economic aid:
donor - pledged $2.7 billion in ODA to less developed countries (1979-88)
Currency:
Qatari riyal (plural - riyals); 1 Qatari riyal (QR) = 100 dirhams
Exchange rates:
Qatari riyals (QR) per US$1 - 3.6400 riyals (fixed rate)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

:Qatar Communications

Highways:
1,500 km total; 1,000 km pave