Legislative branch:
unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members
appointed)
note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there
were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their
terms extended every four years since; the new constitution, which
came into force on 9 June 2005, provides for a 45-member
Consultative Council, or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect
two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the amir would appoint the
remaining members; preparations are underway to conduct elections to
the Majlis al-Shura in early 2007
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal
note: under a judiciary law issued in 2003, the former two court
systems, civil and Islamic law, were merged under a higher court,
the Court of Cassation, established for appeals
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU,
LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UN
Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU,
WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Nasir bin Hamad bin Mubarak al-KHALIFA
chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603
FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061
consulate(s) general: Houston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Chase UNTERMEYER
embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha
mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha
telephone: [974] 488 4101
FAX: [974] 488 4176
Flag description:
maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the
hoist side
Economy Qatar
Economy - overview:
Oil and gas account for more than 60% of GDP, roughly 85% of export
earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have given
Qatar a per capita GDP about 80% of that of the leading West
European industrial countries. Sustained high oil prices and
increased natural gas exports in recent years have helped build
Qatar's budget and trade surpluses and foreign reserves. Proved oil
reserves of more than 15 billion barrels should ensure continued
output at current levels for 23 years. Qatar's proved reserves of
natural gas exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the
world total and third largest in the world. Qatar has permitted
substantial foreign investment in the development of its gas fields
during the last decade and is expected to become the world's top
liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in 2007. Qatar is also trying
to attract foreign investment in the development of its non-energy
projects by further liberalizing the economy. Qatar has become one
of the world's fastest growing and highest per-capita income
countries.