Foreign Direct Investment

Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in 2021 were USD 1.58 trillion, up 64 per cent from the exceptionally low level in 2020. The recovery showed significant rebound momentum, with booming merger and acquisition (M&A) markets and rapid growth in international project finance because of loose financing conditions and major infrastructure stimulus packages. However, the global environment for international business and cross-border investment changed dramatically in 2022. The war in Ukraine – on top of the lingering effects of the pandemic – is causing a triple food, fuel and finance crisis in many countries around the world. Investor uncertainty has put significant downward pressure on global FDI in 2022, and new investment project numbers, including greenfield announcements, international project finance (IPF) deals, and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, all shifted in reverse after the first quarter of 2022 to start declining. Cross-border M&A sales were 6% lower and IPF values more than 30% lower in 2022. The outlook for global FDI in 2023 appears weak, with a significant number of economies around the world expected to enter a recession. Negative or slow growth in many economies, further deteriorating financing conditions, investor uncertainty in the face of multiple crises and, especially in developing countries, increasing risks associated with debt levels will put significant downward pressure on FDI (UNCTAD Global Investment Trends Monitor, January 2023). The negative trend reflects a shift in investor sentiment due to the food, fuel and finance crises around the world, the Ukraine war, rising inflation and interest rates, and fears of a coming recession.

Foreign direct investment flows into Qatar have generally followed an upward trend in the past several years, thanks to the country's political stability, a stable currency pegged to the U.S. dollar, high-quality infrastructure and one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the world (10%). However, following the diplomatic crisis with countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, the Qatari economy experienced a negative impact. This was compounded by the global economic crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to UNCTAD 2022 World Investment Report,FDI flows were negative by a total of USD - 1.09 billion in 2021, up from USD -2.43 billion in 2020. The total stock of FDI stood at USD 27.53 billion in 2021. However, Qatar is also a key international investor, thanks to its large foreign exchange reserves. The largest contributors to FDI inflows are the US, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, while the main sectors attracting foreign investment are oil and gas, construction, public works and financial services.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 69.8 million USD in September 2022 (CEIC Data, 2023).

The country is ranked 24th on the AT Kearney Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index 2022 on the most attractive economy for foreign investment. Qatar also ranks first among the world’s top destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI), owing to its strong economic and investment momentum into 2023, according to the newly released "FDI Standouts Watchlist 2023" by fDi Intelligence.

Qatar aims to become a leading country in terms of its business and foreign investment environment. In May 2018, the government approved a draft law that allows non-Qatari investors to own 100% capital in all sectors, while many Qatar Stock Exchange listed companies have increased their foreign ownership limit to 49%. The organisation of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is expected to attract large amounts of foreign investors in the coming years. However, one element that limits the expansion of FDI flows into Qatar concerns its policies governing the private sector, especially due to the long amount of time it took to establish a privatisation programme. Other elements that hinder FDI are the country's relatively small domestic market, a lack of a skilled workforce and high cost of living, and the current diplomatic and commercial relations with other Arab countries. The public-private partnership programme launched recently is expected to improve the situation. Qatar has made some significant improvements with regards to registering property. The close relations between Qatar and Turkey have resulted in strong Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows between the two countries.