It's hard to accept that a country, having acquired independence only three decades ago and containing barren land stretching across the country, today has the fifth highest per capita income in the world. Thirty years ago, it didn't have much to offer but here we are in 2008. Today Qatar not only boasts a per capita income equivalent to that of the European Union. In addition, Qatar is also the applicant city for the Summer Olympics 2016, owner of the world's best airline, home to an upcoming Science and Technology Park consisting of some of the biggest names in the industry—Microsoft, Google, Cisco Systems and more. And let's not forget the ever-expanding Education City. Now that's all appealing! Qatar in the last few years has stepped right up and made a very clear statement to the world:   “WE ARE HERE TO STAY!”

The keystone of Qatar's economy is the utilization of its hydrocarbon assets. Limited resources, severe living conditions, harsh climate and famine had driven the citizens of the country to migrate to neighboring areas. Oil discovery changed this scenario and brought Qatar into a new era. Oil was first discovered in 1940 in the Dukhan field. Qatar started exporting oil in 1949.

Since the mid 1980's, there has been a major breakthrough in the economic situation, with the unearthing of the world's largest known non-associated offshore gas field in Qatar. In June 2002, Qatar emerged as having the second largest proven gas reserves in the world, after Russia. Qatar's exports have nearly tripled in the past five years from QR 14.0 billion ($3.9 billion) in 1997 to QR 39.6 billion ($10.9 billion) in 2001. This significant rise in exports is a product of income diversification, which has seen LNG export revenues increase ten-fold from QR 1.5 billion in 1997, to around QR 15.0 billion in 2001.This swift increase in LNG exports has uplifted Qatar to the position of the 4th largest LNG exporter in the world.

The income generated from the oil and gas industry has helped Qatar develop in a number of fields, including education. The country places great emphasis on education. Qatar University, since 1973 has been one of Qatar's major educational institutions for higher education. Education City, headquarters to the Qatar Foundation, is a hub for the generation of new education. This revolutionary project is home to an assemblage of branch campuses of some of the world's leading universities, as well as numerous other educational and research institutions.

The educational progress has not only been limited to men. The women of Qatar have transformed the image of women as being just homemakers. They have long since been connected with the corporate world and this association goes back to 1999, when Qatari women took part in the elections for Central Municipal Council. Her Highness Sheikha Mouza – wife of the Emir of Qatar—has given eminence to the role of Qatari women and shaped an environment that encourages them to meet their social obligations and contribute to the civic life. This invigorating role is a change from the traditional role of women and is considered to be a vital sign of women's status in the society. Women have not only progressed in the field of politics but have also made a mark in various other fields: education, health, charitable work, law, arts, literature, journalism, aviation, banking, tourism, finance and investmen. A woman is a member of the UN Committee on the rights of children. This increasing presence of Qatari women in economic fields led to the set up of the Qatari Investment Corporation for Ladies, with the support of Sheikha Mouza Bint Nasser Al Misnad. The women in the country are not only progressing for themselves but are also paving the way to success for young graduates. Mona Fadel Sulaiti – assistant to the Dean of Virginia Commonwealth University, Qatar (VCUQ) –launched ‘Folio' in 2006, to give students graduating from VCUQ a chance to showcase their talents. The fall and winter fashion collection 2007 was launched under the brand name “YD09.”

Qatar's vision encompasses sport as an integral part of the advancement of the country. The sports movement started during the 1940's with the foundation of the first sports club, ‘Itihad Al Arab'. Today, Qatar has beneficially used sports to promote itself and has hosted a number of international championships on an annual basis – such as The Qatar Open Tennis Tournament, Golf Masters International Tournament, Qatar Motor Grand Prix, and the Qatar Desert Horseracing Marathon. The highlight of some of these international events was the 15th Asian Games held in 2006. Qatar was the first country in its region and only the second in West Asia, after Tehran, to host this prestigious event. 

Sport has become a key marketing tool for Qatar, helping quench not only the thirst of the local population for sport but also in actively promoting itself as the Gulf's leading “sport capital.” Some of the sports facilities Qatar boasts are The Khalifa Olympic City, Hamad International Complex for Water Sports, and Doha Golf club.  The ASPIRE academy for sports excellence is one of the world's most advanced sporting institutions and the first of its kind in the Middle East. It was inaugurated in September 2004. 

Qatar's health sector has come a long way to provide the residents of the country with the most advanced medical facilities and qualified people. The National Health Authority (NHA) provides preventive and treatment of public health services at home and a variety of other services. The Primary Health Services Department of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) supervises 23 primary health care centers, which are suitably distributed across the country, and provides various programs like health awareness, mother and childcare, immunization against child diseases etc. The Health Commission Department carries out medical checks on every person entering the country for work or visit, and issues certificates of health fitness for categories for those who are about to get married or applying for jobs, university acceptance, or public housing. Other medical amenities include the Hamad General Hospital (HGH), The Women's Hospital, Rumailah Hospital, Al Khor Hospital, and Hamad Medical City Complex (HNCC).

A nation is successful when its inhabitants are truly happy. All great nations are formed by the vision of leaders and the determination of its citizens. All Qataris today want a nation that not only provides social security, good health coverage and pensions but also freedom for their women, education for their children and a safe environment for their elderly. The Qataris can be proud today that their leader's vision and their determination has paid off.