Economy Oil and gas Essay

Qatar occupies a small peninsula that extends in to the gulf from the east stead of the Arabian Penisula countries bordering it argon Saudi-Arabian Arabia to the west and the United Arab Emirates to the southmost its located in the Middle due east and borders Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia. Its creation is rough 907,229 with a community suppuration of 2. 4 %. The produce rate is 15. 6/1000 and has an infant mortality of 17. 5/1000. The keep expectancy is 74. 1 and the population density per squ be meter is 214. Males from 0-14 years and 15-64 years argon more than females and generally males argon more than females.The remainder rate is currently 4. 82/1000. The total fertility rate is 2. 75 children per woman. Life expectancy is 76 years for women and 71 years for men. The population is to a lower place threat as women be marrying upstartr in intent and the abortion rates are increasing The official language in Qatar is Arabic and English is the second parking lot l anguage. The highest percentage of its population is Arab that forms approximately 40% the Pakistan and Indians constitute each 18% of the total population charm Iranian and otherwise races form 24%. 95% of its citizens are Muslim. Qatars total battlefield is 11,437 km2 all of which is on take down.The climate is arid cushy and has pleasant winters still rattling bitter and humid summers. The terrain is more or lessly politic and barren desert that is covered with loose Island and gravel. The natural resources in this landed estate are pet use of goods and servicesum and natural hitman. Qatar territories include a number of islands and the most renowned Island is Hawar Island. Halul is the export terminal for the inshore crude fields. (http//www. infoplease. com/ce6/world/A0840678. html) It consists of immediately rocky surfaces but has some hills and sand dunes, which reach an altitude of 40m in a higher place the ocean level, in the western and northeasternern pa rt.It has a rain piddle-draining basis in the North and Central areas. The climate is a desert one with hot summers and mild winter. Coral reefs a tenacious the ports and shallow weewees nark sailing difficult especially on those areas where channels engender non been dredged. commodious summers from June through September hurt intense heat and alternating dispassion and humidity with temperatures exceeding 55 degrees centigrade. From November through May there are moderate temperatures. Winter temperatures can fall to 17 degrees centigrade. The unsophisticated receives very(prenominal) little rainfall that fills small ravines and the dry wadis.Water is saline and wherefore unsuitable for drinking or for irrigation purposes due to the high mineral content. desalinisation of sea urine is a common practice in Qatar. Through desalination In the North West there are jagged limestone outcroppings that bob up over 40 meters high. To the sulfur, impressive sand dunes rise up to 60 meters. Other nonable features include coastal sea tidings pans that are idealistic by limestone formations along the west coast where Durkhan Oil fields and monolithic sand dunes surrounding Khor al Udaid which is an inlet of the gulf in the federation East known as inland sea.Halul, the most authorized island, lies slightly 90 kilometers east of Doha and it serves as a storage area and as a loading terminal for oil from surrounding offshore fields. Qatar is limestone and dolomite peninsula of both straighta musical mode and rocky surfaces and extreme desert conditions. The coasts are generally low with marine terraces and Sabkhas in several places. The sand dunes have moved progressively south screens due to the effect of the prevailing winds. major Sand dunes are situated in the south eastern parts while limestones are to the western and northern parts of the democracy.Most land is quiet, uncultivated and scenically beautiful. It contains geographical features tha t are peculiar to the western view of the Arabian Gulf. thither are the rainwater draining basin to the north and central parts which are considered the most fertile and attract sound agricultural investiture. Khor al-Udaid is a deep inlet from the sea on the south east coast. It is a water sanctuary and look for for commercial purposes is banned. It is a sea bay that harbors sea animals like sea turtles, water fowls, and sea birds. It is likewise an important breeding ground for dolphins. Flamingos also gather there during winter.It also has ponds like the Umm-Said sewage pond and Salwa road ponds. Al-Aliyah Island is also an important feature. It is located 13kilometers to the north east of the capital, Doha. It consist weathered limestone rocks and has uneven patches of salt tolerant bushes. It is an abode of shore birds, gulls, and* Al-Dhakita mangrove located 7 km north Al Khor consist of a group salt water bays. With dense mangrove growth with broad mud flats and salt in ert vegetation. It has valuable fish and shrimp stocks and is important destination for wintering birds and water ducks and flamingoes.Sabkha refers to flat saline areas of sand or silt lying above the water table and often containing soft nodules and veins of gypsum and a hydrite that was deposited over a long time by the action of wind blown sand. They have a crust of halite and gypsum. Caves or dulus are also widespread in Qatar. Ground water and rainwater reaction with soft surface and subterranean dissolves in limestone and gypsum creating cavities and the ceilings may collapse exposing the interior. It contains ten substantial caves although most have collapsed to form depressions and dolines of the northern Qatar.Sand dunes are also prominent features in Qatar. They have a crescent shape as the wind ward face is ripped off by the wind action. The leeward side collapses under the driving wind. Qatar has an interesting plateau of tertiary limestone standing out in the desert a bout 20meters high. This is between Dukhan through Umm Bab towards the Saudi Arabian border. grim hills are mushroom shaped due to erosion of underlying softer rocks. Gypsum crystals are also common. They are found south of Umm Said and are organize when high tides bring sea water into Sabkha.As the water evaporates, it forms gypsum crystals that calculate as low crystalline forms. To the western side Geodes are found. inhering hazards that are dominant here are haze dust storms and the common sand storms. Most of its population is literate and the illiteracy levels are very minimal. Political system The politics type of Qatar is emirate. The capital city is Doha. in that respect are 10 municipalities that include. Al Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumaliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan, Al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Said and Umm Salal. The 3rdSeptember is the national holiday when mickle commemorate their independence.The capita city Doha is located on the cent ral East Coast and its major functions are administrative, commercial and it is a population center. It is located on a harbour. Other ports include Umm Said Al Khor and Al Wakrah, Umm Said and Doha continue commercial shipping . The heavy system is based on Moslem and civil law codes and the amir controls the discretionary system of law. However civil codes are being implemented. The Islamic law dominates family and personal cases. Amir Hamad salt away Khalifa al-Thani has been the chief of the state since twenty-seventh June 1995 after a bloodless coup.His have was not able to handle the res publicas sparing reforms. Since it is a monarchial government the father did not lose his title as much power was already in his sons. Crown prince Jassim did not want to be king and he abdicated in favor of his younger brother. He rose to power after outdoing his father Amir Khalifa. The government is constitutional monarchy and the presidents fourth son Tamin bin Hamad is the s chose ned heir. Amir Hamad was the Armed forces commander and defense diplomatic minister when he seized power from his father who was out of the country.He retains that title to date. He survived an act coup in 1996. He had also taken his father t court on alleged state fund misappropriation. However this matter was solved outside the court. Amir Hamad Khalifa father had deposed his cousin Emir Al-Thani family move to hold power after independence in 1971. Government departments are responsible for ensuring economic and social progress. The emirs leadership is influenced by consultations consensus and personal appeal. He is not accountable to anyone and he cannot violate the Islamic laws sharia.In per taking his functions he must anticipate the opinion of the leading notable and religious leaders. Expatriate and residents are excluded from options. The role of municipal council is not executive but offering advice to the minister. . The prime minister is Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al -Thani since April 3rd 2007. His deputy is Abdullah bin Hamad al-Atiyah. He replaced Abdullah bin Khalifa who resigned April 2007. The cabinet comprises of council of ministers all of which are appointed by the monarchy. Elections are seldom done since the system of ruling is monarchial.However in April 2003 it held nationwide election for a 29-member central municipal council (CMC). The CMC has consultative powers geared to improving the aptitude in provision of municipal service. The advisory council or Maljis al-shura has 35 members who are appointed by the monarchy. Council members have their terms extended after every(prenominal) four years. However since the establishment of a new constitution in 2005, 10 more positions were to be introduced and the frequent had a chance to elect 2/3 of the seats while Amir the president appoints the other 1/3.Introduction of the first constitution would guarantee freedom brass assembly and religion and increment of parliament seats. Elect ions are to be conducted late this year. Amir appoints all judges based on recommendations of supreme judicial system council. The branches of the judiciary are courts of first instance appeal and cassation. Since its a monarchial government there are no political leaders or parties and political pressure groups. Women were allowed to vote for the first time in 1999 and municipal consisted of 29 members.Democracy is being incorporated ever since Amir brought well-favoured changes in to the economy. Economy Oil and gas are the dominant concern goods. They both account for more than 60% of the countries GDP. They also contribute to a tune of 85% of the countrys export earnings and 70% of the governments revenue. They are the reasons the country is one of the world double-quick growing countries. They have seen its per capital rise to equal that of European Union. Due to withstanded high oil prices the country is able to attain its budget trade surpluses and strange militia.The oil reserves in this country are more than 15 billion barrels and they can sustain continued surplus for more than 20 years. Natural gas reserves are also abundant. They exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, which is more than 5% of the word total and 3rd largest in the world. The country is job measures to develop its gas field in ensuring that the country becomes the worlds top liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter. Foreign investment is also being encouraged so that non- cleverness projects can be change by liberalizing the economy further. The countrys GDP real growth rate in 2006 was 7.1% and the per capita GDP was $29,800. Composition of the GDP is in the first place intentness, which is 75. 8%, and service sector, which is 24. 1%. The un purpose rate was 3. 2% in 2006 and the pompousness rate was 11. 8%. The major trading partners with Qatar are Japan, South Korea, Singapore, India, France, U. S, Saudi Arabia, united Arabs emirates, Germany and UK. Major imports are machiner y and transport equipments manufactured goods, food and confront animals. Japan receives the largest proportion of Qatar exports. Other important trading partners include South Korea and France.The service sector accounts for approximately a ? of the total GDP and creates employment for the Qatar people. The government is promoting the tourism sector in an effort to trying to make it match other industries in the economy. Qatar is the richest country in the Islam-dominated countries rising orbiculate demand for oil ensure increase prices of oil and this leads to increase economic growth. The economy of this country is not diversified it depends so much on oil and gas. Qatars industrial plants are located in Umm Said. There is a fertilizer plant for urea and ammonia a brand name plant and a petrochemical plant.These industries use gas as their source of energy ands they are owned by state or European and Nipponese firms. http//www. nationsencyclopedia. com/economies/Asia-and-the- Pacific/Qatar. html To control the influx of expatriate workers Qatar is tightening the administration of its foreign manpower programs. Foreign educated Qatars are returning rearwards home to develop their home country. Development of other industries will alter the economy to withstand future possible negative oil shocks. existing economic growth had slowed down in 2002 after OPEC enforced oil output cuts. The gas industry was however not affected.Private investment is encouraged to ensure that the countrys economic growth does not decline with changes in the market. Steel industries have been making profits for the late(prenominal) 10 years, non-oil sectors in Qatar are building and construction, real estate communication, agriculture, fishing water and electricity and banking. The state provides incentives to foreign investors, which include security loans from Qatar industrial bank QIB eliminates quantitative quotas on imports no income tax on salaries of expatriates no exp ort duties and no taxes on corporate profit for pre determined periods.The country has a comparatively high adult males sector external debt. Debt has been incurred to pay LNG and other industrial products. The GDP is raising and thus the ratio of public external debt to GDP is declining. http//www. nationsencyclopedia. com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific/Qatar. html The economic challenge that the country faces is to oppose global competitiveness. There is need to improve on the macro-economic management and the public sector institutions. Absorption of new technologies ought to be done at a faster rate.This translates to more revenues being redirected in imports over reliance on one industry is an issue that inescapably to be addressed. Diversifying the economy is a safe fire of ensuring toast hock ups in oil industry will not adversely affect the countries economy. Investment in note education will also be a wise approach of addressing the countrys issue. It will reduce the number of foreign employees in the country by substituting them with the locals. Leadership or quality of government also ought to be changed.Democracy will go along way in maintaining economic stability in the long run. The monarchial system needs to be reformed. Levels of unemployment ought to be completely eradicated investing heavily in human capita and education city project sponsored by the Qatar foundation has seen worlds top universities and seek centers to the country. Qatar joined other emirates of the Tricia coast in forming the United Arab Emirates but unneurotic with Bahrain they disagreed about the merger but instead formed independent nations.(Crystal Jill,1995) A border dispute with Saudi Arabia was settled in 1992 although the dispute with Bahrain trunk unsolved. It signed a defense pact with the US and it became the third country in the Gulf to do so. It is home of the immensely popular but controversial Arabic Satellite Television Network Al Jazeera. Contraver sial because it is impeach of not being free and fair in its broadcasts. Al Jazeera is not lonesome(prenominal) popular in the Arab world but also globally.It was the only channel allowed to operate from Afghanistan and the first to air Osama bin Ladens statement in October 2001. It favors those who are its allies and does not criticize or air anything negative about its own Government. (El-Nawawy et al, 2002) Pollution from oil and gas industries has negative impact on the diversity of species. It is an issue that ought to be addressed. Qatar is contact by sea on three sides and its territorial waters bosom 35,000 square kilometers. Marine life has to adapt to the harsh conditions of salty water and soaring temperatures.