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Monitoring Economic Development of Qatar

Presentation

By

Hamad Bin Jabor Al Thani

President of Qatar Statistics Authority

Monitoring Economic Development of Qatar

Presentation

By

Hamad Bin Jabor Al Thani

President of Qatar Statistics Authority

Qatar Economic MonitoringOutline:

Qatar National Vision -2030 and National Development Strategy

Qatar’s Economic Performance

Evolution of National Statistical System

Progress in enhancing economic monitoring

Challenges in measuring economic development of Qatar

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Qatar National Vision 2030A National Vision document was signed by the H.H. the Emir

in 2008 which will guide the development of the State of Qatar.

Vision Requires:

“Development of a competitive and diversified economy capable of meeting the needs of, and securing a high standard of living

for, all its people both for the present and for the future”

Accordingly a National Development Strategy is done for 2011-16 which will represent the first wave of changes and target specific actions

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National Development Strategy and Role of Statistics

To continuously measure the economic growth.

To monitor the programs and within program the projects and make decision makers aware of impact of projects and its tie ups within the National Development Strategies and National Vision.

To develop meaningful indicators for monitoring the economy at project level.

FIFA 2022 being a major event, QSA has developed Statistics, which is showing linkage of this evidence based decision to National Development.

To develop indicators showing real economic strength besides hydrocarbon to attract partners in development of Qatar.

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Qatar’s Economic Performance

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Qatar’s Economic Performance

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Annual Headline and Core Inflation

Core inflation is headline inflation less food, rent and utilities

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Overall Fiscal Balance

Evolution of Qatar National Economic Statistical System

Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) is empowered by the National Statistics Act.

QSA has prepared a National Strategy for Development of Statistics (2008-2013) and this is guiding our work.

Important elements of the statistical framework and major milestones are: I. National Accounts System (SNA93) – Implemented in 2005II. Monthly Consumer Price Index – Jan 2009III. Quarterly Producer Price Index - Q1 2010IV. Annual Labor Force Sample Survey - 2005V. Quarterly GDP dissemination – 2006VI. Quarterly Balance of Payment – Q1 2010 VII. Government Financial Statistics - 2009VIII.Annual Economic Sample Survey – 2001

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Other Initiatives in pipeline at Qatar Statistics Authority

Monthly Industrial Production Index

Constructing Supply and Use Tables for 2010

Database developments including Infrastructure Projects

Economic Census to be conducted in near future

Moving towards SDDS Compliance, developed a 5 year plan

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Other Results

With improvement in its statistical system, Qatar is able to:

Prepare evidence-based reports as basis for the first National Development Strategy and other policy analysis.

Improve its policy consultation and dialogue with multilateral institutions (e.g. IMF for Article IV report), Rating agencies and other institutions monitoring Qatar’s economy.

Participate in international surveys which require comprehensive dataset.

Improve ranking in international surveys (World Bank’s Doing Business Survey, IMD World Competitiveness survey, World Economic Forum Competitiveness report).

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Future Challenges of Measuring Economic Development

For an oil-dependent economy like Qatar, monitoring diversification requires accurate measures of changes in economic structure.

Measure of national income reflecting terms of trade adjustment from movement in energy prices is critical.

Indicators to capture progress on knowledge-based economy.

To develop an up to date Business Register based on administrative records (currently based on Economic Survey).

More higher frequency statistics.

Strengthening where there are gaps (e.g. BOP, Fiscal…)

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Thank Youwww.qsa.gov.qawww.qix.gov.qa

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