.. state of Qatar ..

Background:
Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the amir who had ruled the country since 1972. He was overthrown by his son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, in a bloodless coup in 1995.
In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia .
Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have a per capita income not far below the leading industrial countries of Western Europe.

.. history of qatar ..

The Bani Khalid established their hold over Eastern Arabia and extended their power in the area from Qatar to Kuwait in the first half of the 18th century. Zubara which already emerged as one of the important sea ports in the Gulf in view of the increased exportation of pearls to the different parts of the world became the headquarters of the Bani Khalid administration in Qatar and the principal transit port for their Eastern and the Central Arabian territories. The importations made from Surat of India to the port of Zubara were Surat blue and other piece goods, cotton and coarse fabrics, woolen shawls, chadors, bamboo, coffee, sugar, pepper, spices, iron, tin, oil, ghee, rice, etc. Part of these importations was retained at Zubara for the consumption there and its immediate vicinities and the remainder were conveyed by means of Camels to Dariyah in Nejd and to Al-Hasa including the other districts under the jurisdiction of Bani Khalid.

.. economy in qatar ..

Qatar is totally dependent on oil, but natural gas is a potential resource for the country because the North Dome Field is the third largest reserve for liquefied natural gas in the world. Qatar's reserves of oil are 3,3 billion barrels, and they are expected to last about 25 years. Currently,140 million barrels per year are produced, and natural gas is produced at a level of 8,2 billion m³ per year.
Oil production represents about 85% of the total income of the country. The centre of the Qatari oil production is around Dukhan in the west, and there are one onshore and three offshore fields. Together with the united arab emirates, Qatar owns the Bundaq field.
Attempts to industrialize and diversify the economy has had only limited success. Most of the industrial activity is located around Umm Said. Industries include cement, fertilizer, steel and petroleum. The steel production has been a success, and has produced a profit for the last 10 years. For foreign investors, Qatar is offering tax exemptions for 12 years, and foreign companies are allowed to be 100% foreign owned. There are, however, strict regulations on foreign ownership of property.
Doha Securities Market and the stock exchange handle stocks and securities, but the Security Market limits itself to Qatari values alone. The stock exchange is operating at levels of US$2 million per year.
Agriculture is of miniscule importance, contributing to only 2% of GNP, but there are governmental schemes to improve this through irrigation. Qatar produces about 50% of its own consumption of vegetables. Live stock includes 100,000 goats, 1,1 million sheep, 30,000 camels and 10,000 cattle. Fishing is at the level of 7,000 tons per year, principally shrimp, equalling 15 kg/inhabitant.
Qatar is member of OPEC, GATT and is seeking membership in WTO.

.. the prince of Qatar ..

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani (Arabic: الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آلثاني) became the Emir of the State of Qatar on June 26, 1995.

Sheikh Hamad had been acclaimed Crown Prince in 1977 and at the same time was appointed Minister of Defense. In the early 1980s he led the Supreme Planning Council, which sets the Qatar's basic economic and social policies. Since 1992, Sheikh Hamad has selected Qatar's cabinet and been responsible for administering the country's day-to-day affairs. He has also led the development of Qatar's oil and natural gas resources.

Sheikh Hamad (born in 1952) began his education in Qatar and later attended Sandhurst Military Academy in England. Upon his graduation in 1971, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Qatari armed forces and commanded the 1st Mobile Battalion, which has since been designated the "Hamad Mobile Battalion" in his honor.

Sheikh Hamad was later promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Commander in Chief of the Qatari Armed Forces. He oversaw an extensive program to modernize Qatar's military, increasing manpower, creating new units, updating weaponry, and improving training. The effects of this program were evident during the Gulf War when Qatari forces helped liberate Kuwait and led the battle for the recapture of the Saudi town of Khafji.

A keen sportsman and an accomplished diver, Sheikh Hamad has played an active role in promoting and developing athletics in Qatar. His activism has enhanced the country's involvement and performance in a number of international competitions, including: winning an Olympic medal in track and field; hosting a wide variety of international sporting events such as the 15th Asian Games, GCC, Asian and World Youth soccer championships; and initiating the Qatar Open Tennis Championship which has grown to become one of two premier tennis competitions in the Middle East.

During the last several years, Sheikh Hamad has represented Qatar on official state visits and at numerous Gulf and international forums. His role as a leader and diplomat has earned him worldwide honors: the Order of Oman from the Sultanate of Oman, the Order of the Nile from Egypt, the Order of King Abdul Aziz from Saudi Arabia, the Indonesian Order of Ibn 'Azeem, the Order of Francisco de Miranda from Venezuela, the Order of St. Michael and St. George from Britain, the Order of Grand Officer of the Légion d'honneur from France, the Mohammedi Medal from Morocco and the Lebanese Order of Merit.