Key Takeaways

Businesses need to understand how Qatar technological implications affect the productivity and value creation of its workforce and society. From the research gathered, Qatar has the potential to continue to build and restructure its technology adoption to promote holistically the value of info-communications technology for its people. Though the recent influx of foreign labor has seen an increase, the government has taken strategic measures to educate and train its existing education and government administration framework to mitigate the knowledge gap of developed economies in the region such as United Arab Emirates and Israel.

Such initiatives and long term vision of Qatar as a knowledge and innovation hub would raise the emirate to attract more investments and growth opportunities for its people.


Technology Implications:

Traditional media readership has gradually been increasing as seen in magazines, local and international publications in the country. The television and print advertising spending has seen significant increase since 2005 of more than 100% to 41.2 QR million and 810 QR million respectively. With the total Ad expenditure seeing a 4 fold increase to 881.4 QR million as compared to 6 years ago, Qatar has used its traditional media platform to communicate news information to its citizens effectively and will continue to increase the influence of mainstream print media to its community. With recent developments of its social media initiatives such as Qatarliving.com and Qatar Blog Project, we can see that Qatar's online community are maximizing the influence of technology in the daily lives mainly through social media; namely through sharing and creation of online content. As seen from their local online posts and comments, users comment on global and local issues on a daily basis. This is especially seen in the demographic group of 18 - 24 years of age, where it is reported to be the age group who adopts technology rapidly. Being the 2nd most Internet Penetrated Rate, with 34%, as compared to other Gulf nations, Qatar is well position among its neighbors to be an ICT leader. Even with comparison to the EU-15m which has an Internet Penetration Rate of 59 per 100, Qatar has 63 per every 100 (excluding foreign labor) shows a marginal increase of internet penetration for the country.

We also have a good understanding of where Qatar stands today as compared to developing and developed countries in terms of ICT adoption by all sectors. In just a few short years, Qatar has begun to realize the rewards of information and communication technology which can be attributed to the long term vision of a knowledge and innovation hub by the present emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. In the related world economic forum reports, Qatar rose to 29th among 134 nations from the previous year’s ranking of 32nd among 127 nations in the Networked Readiness Index (NRI). However, Qatar could accelerate its efforts in order to realize the nation’s vision of a diverse, flexible economy that advances the welfare of its citizens. Overall the residents of Qatar have been steadily increasing their ICT adoption rate in terms of basic computer tools or to search the internet. With 54% are computer users and for every 100 Qatari citizens there are 120 mobile subscriptions (ictQATAR, 2009).

The government has implemented various training programs to all employees for ICT training schemes which include personal computer and internet training. With the various initiatives and support from the government ICT development, not only will the local community benefit but Qatar will continue to attract ICT workers due to the country's rise as a regional business hub and its ability to withstand the global economic downturn. This has resulted a positive effect to boost its economy and its infrastructure development projects at present such as The Pearl and Lusail Projects. The Qatar Foundation's education city also serves as a spearhead for tertiary education partnership, technology partnerships and research and community involvement.

The liberalization of society has seen an improvement as since the emir came to rule the country. Both education and e-government is primarily emphasized to complement the a foundation of an efficient and productive strategy for the local administration and labor economy. In terms of technology, the adoption rates has been gradually increase indicating a sign of information consumption and liberalization for the general society.

Hence companies intending to enter this emerging market should consider the present ICT infrastructure to leverage on. They should also consider the mainstream media consumption by the public namely traditional print media such as Al-Sharq.

Technological Challenges:

However the challenge lies in ensuring Qatari employees utilize these core skills and continue enhancing them to increase productivity and operational efficiency.

The other demographics for the older population would however need to adapt to the technological advancements to fully reap the benefits of a progressive societal progression in terms of technology, innovation and lifestyle. Hence the challenge of the government on propagating the technology investments should also be broadened to effectively allow the older population to apply and use info-communication technology.


This would indeed complement and support the backbone of Qatar's vision of a technology and innovation hub in the years to come. There would also be an implication for fresh graduates from local universities who are competing for jobs with the likely increased influx of expatriate professionals. These expatriates are drawn to Qatar as a result of the rapid economic expansion developments and the global economic downturn.

Business need to take opportunities to tap on local Qatari's human capital and technology infrastructure and understand to develop and contribute to the realize a vibrant business landscape. As seen from recent media reports from Zawya, there is continued business partnerships across the technology industries in middle east which shows the possibilities for growth possibilities as seen from Etisalat, Vodafone Qatar and Microsoft Corp.