Agricultural Sector

• Fresh/ Chilled/Frozen beef
• Poultry Meat (FOD)

Commercial Sectors

• Architectural/Construction/Engineering Services
• Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment
• Construction Equipment and Tools
• Oil & Gas Field Machinery and Equipment
• Telecommunications Equipment, Computers and Peripherals
• Education Services and Equipment
• Medical Equipment and Services
• Security and Safety Equipment
• Franchising

Best Prospects for the Agricultural Sector   

U.S. food exports to Qatar continue to grow. They vary from prepared foodstuffs, from sauces and mustard to bakery ingredients and breakfast cereal  to service the large influx of American technical personnel hired beginning in 2004 to bring the country’s natural gas sector on-line.  Other U.S. products witnessing a surge in demand are wood and lumber as the construction industry has mushroomed with this influx of personnel and support businesses.
 
Other best prospects for US agricultural exports are as follows:

Fresh/Chilled/Frozen beef      

The traditional Qatari market preference is for lamb, mutton and goat meat.  Prior to the market closure in December 2003 due to discovery of a BSE case in the United States,  US beef exported to Qatar had been mostly US choice cuts for 5-star hotel restaurant use and more processed meat for the casual dining and quick service restaurants spread out across Doha.  Beef now entering Qatar goes directly to the U.S. military.  With the U.S. beef ban expected to be lifted in the summer of 2008, U.S. beef should be in high demand given the market has had to make do with red meat supplied by India, Australia and New Zealand at prices comparable to premium U.S. beef.  Qatar local red meat production is negligible.

Poultry Meat

U.S. poultry meat, particularly chicken parts and to a lesser degree whole chickens and turkeys, are well known for their high quality.  Consumer demand for poultry remains strong despite global concerns about Avian Influenza.    Brazil, Saudi Arabia, France and Denmark dominate the market for frozen whole chickens.  Brazil and the U.S. are the principle suppliers of chicken parts.  Whole chickens represent 90 percent of total chicken meat imports.  The preferred size for whole chicken ranges from 900-1,200 grams per bird.  Chicken parts are imported in two-pound trays.  The presence of allied forces in the Gulf Region, commercial interests along with aid shipments to Iraq should continue to generate strong demand from all sources, including the United States. 

Architectural/Construction/Engineering Services

It is estimated that more than USD 60 billion will be invested in infrastructure development over the next ten years.  The public and private sectors rely heavily on international expertise in the area of architectural, construction and engineering services and there are a number of opportunities in this sector for U.S. firms.

Best Products/Services      

Engineering and Architectural Services and Construction Management Services

Opportunities       

• North Highway Upgrade:  Scope 150 km; Value USD 350 million; Client:  Public Works Authority

• Dukhan Highway Upgrade:  Scope 78 Km; Value:  USD 330 million; Client:  Public Works Authority

• Doha Expressway:  Scope:  highway+24 interchanges; Value:  USD 800 million; Client:  Public Works Authority

• Qatar National Library:  Scope:  120m high building with 27,000 sq meters built-up area; Value:  USD 125 million; Client:  Qatar Petroleum

• Qatar Broadcasting Complex:  Scope:  65,000 sq meters built-up area, Value USD 65 million; Client:  Public Works Authority

• Hamad Medical City:  Scope:  300-550 beds, Value:  USD 600 million; Client:  Public Works Authority

• New Doha International Airport:  Scope:  52 Contact Gates, Value USD 2,500 million, Client:  New Doha International Airport Steering Committee

• Education City:  Scope:  Education complex; Value:  USD 1,000 million, Client:  Qatar Foundation and Qatar Petroleum

• Pearl of the Gulf:  Scope:  Creation of 3.2 million sq meters for residential and commercial buildings; Value:  USD 2,500 million; Client:  United Development Company

• Qatar National Bank Headquarters:  Scope:  91.5 meters high building; Value:  USD 55 million; Client:  Qatar National Bank

• Qatar Petroleum Headquarters Complex:  Value:  USD 150 million; Client:  Qatar Petroleum

• Qatar-Bahrain Causeway:  Scope:  22 km causeway; USD 3,000 million; Client Public Works Authority.

• Lusail Development: Scope:  Mixed-use Development – master plan by Bechtel for Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company.  Value:  USD 5000 million.

Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment

Given the high temperatures prevalent in the Arabian Gulf, the infrastructure development mentioned above will create increased demand for air conditioning systems.

Best Prospects/Services      

• Central Air-Conditioning Units equipment and supplies
• District cooling equipment and supplies

Opportunities       

• All the projects mentioned in Architecture/ Construction and Engineering services
• Two District cooling plants:  Combined capacity of 55000 tons, Value: USD 90 million, Client: Qatar Cool.

Construction Equipment and Tools

Given the magnitude and schedule of the construction projects planned, there is an increased need for new construction equipment.  Local contractors recognize the superior quality and performance of U.S. construction equipment.

Best Prospects/Services      

Heavy equipment (used and new)

Opportunities       

• All the projects mentioned in Architecture/ Construction and Engineering services
• Other projects in the Oil & Gas sector

Oil & Gas Field Machinery and Equipment

Qatar enjoys a reserve of approximately 14.6 billion barrels of crude oil and 910 trillion of cubic feet of natural gas.

The State-owned Qatar Petroleum expects that more than USD 100 billion will be invested in Qatar’s energy sector in the next ten years.  Projects currently under consideration include the construction of additional liquefied natural gas trains, multiple gas-to-liquids plants, new petrochemical facilities, regional gas pipelines, aluminum smelter, condensates refinery, new refined products service stations, and additional onshore and offshore exploration and production, among others.  U.S. standards and procedures prevail in the local energy sector and there is always strong demand for U.S. products.

Best Prospects/Services      

• Oil & Gas Field Machinery, Equipment and Supplies
• Oil & Gas Field Services

Opportunities       

Law No. 13-2000 may allow foreigners to own up to 100 percent of any investment made in the energy and mining sectors.

1. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): 

• Train 4 and 5:  Capacity:  7.8 million tons/year; Value:  USD 4,660 million; Client:  Qatar Gas II
• Sulphar Handling Facility:  Capacity:  11,000 tons/day; Value:  USD 360 million, Client:  Qatar Gas II
• Train 6 and 7:  Capacity:  7.8 million tons/year each; Value:  USD 22,000 million; Client:  Qatar Gas II
• Train 6 and 7: Capacity: 7.8 million tons/year each; Value: 14,000 million; Client : RasGas III

2. Gas To Liquid (GTL): 

• Integrated GTL Plant:  Capacity 140,000 barrels/day; Value:  USD 5,000 million, Client:  Pearl GTL
• Integrated GTL Plant:  Capacity 154,000 barrels/day; Value USD 7,000 million; Client ExxonMobil
• Integrated GTL Plant:  Capacity 240,000 barrels/day; $ 9,000 million; Client: ConocoPhillips (2010) – Under study
• Integrated GTL Plant:  Capacity 90 to 120,000 barrels/day; Value under estimation; Client Marathon (2010)- Planned
•  Phase 2 plant expansion:  Capacity 66,000 barrels/day, Value $1,400 million; Client Oryx GTL
• Integrated GTL Project:  Capacity 130,000 barrels/day; Value $ 2,400; Client:  SASOL/Chevron

3. Gas Pipeline: 

• Qatar/Bahrain/Kuwait pipeline (Al-Khaleej):  Capacity 1,000 million cubic feet/day of gas; Value under estimation; Client:  Qatar Petroleum/ExxonMobil/Kuwait Petroleum Company - Pending
• Ras Laffan Messaieed ethylene pipeline:  Scope:  130 km of 16 inch pipeline; Value:  USD 300 million; Client:  Qatar Chemical Company (Q-Chem II)
• Doha urban relocation pipeline:  Scope:  decommissioning of existing and construction of new pipelines; Value:  USD 70 million; Client:  Qatar Petroleum

4. Refining: 

• Ras Laffan Condensate Refinery:  Capacity 140,000 barrels/day, Value:  USD 400 million; Client:  Qatar Petroleum/ExxonMobil/Total
• Al Shaheen Refinery – Mesaieed: Capacity 200,000 barrels/day; Value USD 1,000 million; Client Qatar Petroleum

5. Petrochemicals: 

• Ras Laffan Ethylene Cracker:  Capacity 1.3 million ton/ year, Value:  USD 500 million; Client Ras Laffan Ethylene Company
• Messaieed downstream units:  Capacity 350,000 tons/yer of HDPE and 350,000 tons/year of Alpha Olefins; Value:  USD 600 million, Client Q-Chem II
• Messaieed downstream units:  Capacity 450,000 tons/year of LLDPE; Value:  USD 550 million; Client:  Qatofin
• New Methanol Train:  Capacity 6,750 tons/day; Value:  USD 500 million, Client:  QAFAC
• Ras Laffan Methanol:  Capacity 12,000 to 15,000 tons/day; Value under estimation; Client:  Qatar Petroleum /Petro World
• Worldscale olefins complex:  On-going feasibility study; Clint Qatar Petroleum / ExxonMobil
• QAFCO V:  On-going feasibility study.

6. Industry:

• Messaieed Plant Expansion:  Capacity 500,000 tons/year; Value USD 600 million; Client:  QASCO
• Umm Bab Plant No. III:  Capacity 3500 tons/day; Value:  USD 150 million, Client Qatar National Cement Company.
•  Messaieed Aluminum Smelter:  Capacity 570,000 tons/year; Value 3,000 USD; Client QP-Norsk Hydro

Telecommunications Equipment, Computers and Peripherals

In the last five years Qatar’s public and private sector have increasingly applied modern technologies in daily activities.  The demand for these technologies will continue to grow as the Qatar economy liberalizes and modernizes.  The partially privatized Telecommunications monopoly Qatar Telecom (Q-Tel) is constantly striving to upgrade and improve services to international standards.  The Supreme Council for Information and Communication Technology (ICTQatar) has ambitious plans to increase IT awareness and use in Qatar as well as play the role of regulator for the IT and Telecom sectors.  Qatar has also begun a wide variety of educational reform projects, which will make increased use of modern technologies.  The government has embarked upon a program to implement e-government.  Given the dominance of U.S. firms in international telecommunications, there is a growing opportunity for U.S. firms to enter the local market.  
Best Prospects/Services      
• GSM network equipment and supplies
• Internet solutions

Opportunities       

The population in Qatar is growing and expected to double by 2010.  As the needs in telecommunications emanating from the public and private sector are increasing, the growth is this sector is going to be tremendous in the short, medium and long terms.

• Al-Nawras GSM License in Oman
• Expansion of land phone network
• Expansion of the GSM network
• Multiplication of Internet users.
• Infrastructure for 3G mobile phones
• Expansion of wireless internet service
• Equipment for 140 public schools with the latest IT and telecommunications equipment

Education Services and Equipment

The Rand Corporation was contracted in 2003 to revise the curriculum, textbooks, and training for teachers in Qatar’s public schools within the framework of establishing a model charter school system within five years (2008). In an effort to improve university education, the Qatar Foundation for Education, founded by the Emir's wife, Sheikha Mozzah bint Nasser Al-Misnad, established "Education City" to attract world class universities such as Weill-Cornell Medical School, Virginia Commonwealth University, Texas A&M and Carnegie Mellon, Georgetown University, and Northwestern University. The Qatari government has also established a new Supreme Council for Education that will oversee reform in the educational system.  Many of these initiatives are based on U.S. models and expertise, presenting a multitude of opportunities for U.S. educational entities.

Best Products/Services      

• Higher Education Services
• Training and Personal Development Services

Opportunities       

This sector is open for new opportunities but must fit into the educational and economic goals of the Qatar Foundation and the government of Qatar.  Qatar Foundation continues to look for US universities to join the Education City.  The GOQ is investing significant resources to train Qatari youth to enable them to become entrepreneurs and qualified professionals for the economy.
Law No. 13-2000 allows 100 percent foreign ownership in the education sector pending approval from the government.

Medical Equipment and Services

The U.S. is one of the leading exporters of medical equipment, medical supplies, medicines and pharmaceuticals to Qatar.  With more Qatari medical staff receiving training in the U.S. and the establishment of Weill-Cornell Medical School in Qatar, there is increasing interest in importing medical equipment and supplies from the U.S.  There are three new hospitals under construction and an increasing need for all types of medical equipment and supplies, trained staff and further training for staff.   U.S. firms wishing to invest in the health sector in Qatar should note that Qatar’s Law No. 13 of the year 2000 allows 100 percent foreign investment in the health sector, pending approval from the government.

Best Products/Services      

• Medical Equipment
• Medical Supplies
• Equipment and supplies for persons with special needs

Opportunities       

Hamad Medical City:  Scope:  300-550 beds, Value:  USD 600 million; Client:  Public Works Authority

Resources        

Central Tenders Committee
Hamad Medical Corporation

Private opportunities: 

You can contact the US Commercial Service directly at http://www.buyusa.gov/qatar/
 

Security and Safety Equipment

High economic and demographic growth and the changing geopolitical climate have made Qatar focus on security. There has been a noticeable increase in security procedures in private and government establishments.  Private and semi-private entities are upgrading existing security and safety equipment to keep ahead of changing security situations.  Given the high regard local consumers have for U.S. expertise in the security sector and the favorable exchange rate compared to other hard currencies, U.S. exports of security related equipment and systems are expected to increase in coming years.

Best Products/Services      

• Access control
• Asset tracking
• Chemical trace detection
• Computer security
• Forgery/ Fraud
• Integrated security systems/ Building management systems
• Intrusion detection equipment
• Perimeter protection
• Protective barriers
• Travel safety and security
• Electronic safety and fire detection
• Metal detection
• Communications systems

Opportunities       

Qatar has embarked a vast program to reform its police and military units. Information about projects with the Ministry of Interior, Qatar Armed Forces or any other security agency is considered sensitive.

Resources        

Ministry of Interior

Security and Safety Equipment

High economic and demographic growth and the changing geopolitical climate have made Qatar focus on security. There has been a noticeable increase in security procedures in private and government establishments.  Private and semi-private entities are upgrading existing security and safety equipment to keep ahead of changing security situations.  Given the high regard local consumers have for U.S. expertise in the security sector and the favorable exchange rate compared to other hard currencies, U.S. exports of security related equipment and systems are expected to increase in coming years.

Franchising

As income rises with prosperity, a consumer culture is rapidly emerging.   Major retailing giants are vying for a presence here and many US franchises are already in Doha.  Significantly, Qatar has absorbed much Western culture.  There is a robust presence of US franchises at the top and upper tier level, including Gold's Gym, Starbucks, Coffee Beanary, Dunkin Doughnuts, McDonald's, Applebee's, Chili's, among others, with significant upside potential for more.