Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, February 24 (QNA) - In their editorials issued on Friday, Qatari newspapers highlighted the surplus achieved by the State of Qatar's budget for the year 2022, which amounted to QR 89 billion, and its importance in enhancing the growth of the country's local economy in light of the challenges the world is going through and the international geopolitical atmosphere. The newspapers considered that the results achieved reflect the success of the Qatari strategy to improve economic performance by increasing reliance on the knowledge economy and diversifying the economy, expecting that this surplus will have a positive impact on the performance of the Stock Exchange during the coming period. On the Arab issue, the newspapers shed light on the recent massacre committed by the Israeli occupation forces in the city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, which resulted in the death of 11 Palestinians and the injury of more than 100 others, calling on the international community to take action and hold the Israeli entity accountable for its systematic crimes against the Palestinian people. The newspapers affirmed on Qatar's firm stance on the just Palestinian cause, the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and the establishment of their independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. For its part, Al-Raya newspaper said in its editorial issued today, entitled "budget surplus rise... evidence of our economy strength" that the national economy is strong and continues to made more achievements in various fields and sectors, despite the repercussions of global crises, the slowdown in the global economy, and the geopolitical atmosphere in the world. This was confirmed by the state achieving a record surplus in the 2022 budget The newspaper indicated that the data of the Ministry of Finance showed that the state budget achieved an actual surplus of QR 89 billion, compared to the surplus achieved for the year 2021, which did not exceed QR 1.6 billion. Al-Raya stressed that the pioneering and strategic projects implemented by the state through the expansion of the productive sectors of the North Field of gas, and the development of the country's oil production also reflected positively on the increase in profits from oil and gas as well in the non-oil sectors, pointing out that the State of Qatar is proceeding according to a deliberate plan to diversify income and support the main production sectors in the country. The newspaper added that noted the State of Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which had a positive impact on the Qatari economy in various fields, as it put Qatar on the map of international tourism. It was also a motive for investing in vital sectors such as hospitality and infrastructure, as the percentage of direct and indirect revenues increased, which was reflected in the budget surplus. At the end of its editorial, Al- Raya emphasized that achieving a surplus in the state’s general budget amounting to QR 89 billion reflects the success of the Qatari strategy to improve economic performance by increasing reliance on the knowledge economy and diversifying the economy. In turn, Al-Sharq newspaper focused in its editorial today under the title "Promising Economic Prospects" on the surplus achieved by the State of Qatar's budget for the fiscal year 2022, which actually amounted to QR 89 billion, a record increase of 5462.5 percent, compared to the surplus achieved for the year 2021, which did not exceed QR1.6 billion. The newspaper said that this data, which is consistent with the expectations of economic analysts for the current year, and the expectations of global credit rating agencies of the growth of the Qatari economy with positive future expectations for its performance, confirms the promising prospects for the Qatari economy, and the positive repercussions of this growth on the implementation of major strategic projects and the country's development plans. The newspaper added that this high volume of the budget surplus for the year 2022 (QR 89 billion) brings to mind the high levels of surpluses that were achieved in the fiscal years 2012 (QR 77 billion), 2013 (QR106.3 billion), and 2014 ( QR108.6 billion). It also brings to mind the state’s continuation in implementing projects that bring prosperity to the citizen first and foremost, and strengthen the state’s position regionally and globally, and show its ability to face challenges and its steadfastness in the face of shocks that shake the world economy from time to time. Al-Sharq emphasized that the results of the growing economy, which are being strengthened day by day thanks to the wise policy of the wise leadership, will ultimately be an incentive for further expansion and growth and a comfortable economic return for the citizen first and foremost, and an incentive for the local economy and its various sectors to further growth and development. 

For its part, Al-Watan newspaper highlighted in its editorial today, under the title "Nablus Massacre", the comprehensive strike prevailed on Thursday all the Palestinian provinces, denouncing the massacre committed yesterday by the Israeli occupation forces in the city of Nablus, which resulted in the death of 11 Palestinians and the injury of more than 100 others. The newspaper said that what happened in Nablus is part of the occupation's ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people, such as storming the "Rimon" prison and strict measures in Gilboa. The occupation forces also raided the homes of prisoners and released prisoners and confiscated money and jewelry. The newspaper wondered about the role of the international community in these systematic Israeli practices and violations, calling on international community to take a serious stand in the face of the occupation from all countries and international organizations, and to support the Palestinian people. Al-Watan considered that Nablus massacre is the best proof that the occupation does not listen and care only about actions and not words, affirming that the occupation has crossed all limits in violating the resolutions of international legitimacy by committing horrific crimes against the Palestinian people. In turn, The English-language newspaper, The Peninsula, focused in its editorial today under the title "Unchecked Israeli aggression" on the continuing crimes of the Israeli entity against the Palestinian people and the absence of international accountability in this regard. The newspaper said that with the rise of the extremist right-wing forces in Israel over the past two decades, the chances of peace in occupied Palestine are fading away every day, as the Zionist entity does not see any solution except to eliminate the existence of the Palestinians and expel them from their homeland, adding that no doubt that the occupying forces looks at things short-sighted, and has become arrogant about its military, as the daily Israeli incursions and practices in the occupied West Bank have become the norm that leads death of tens of Palestinians on daily basis. The Peninsula pointed out to the massacre in the city of Nablus, as11 Palestinians were killed and over 100 were injured, considering the year 2023 is on track to be even more deadly, with at least 60 Palestinians killed in less than two months. The newspaper noted that the State of Qatar strongly condemned and denounced the Israeli occupation forces’ aggressive action, considering it an extension of its continuous and systematic crimes against the Palestinian people. The Peninsula concluded by emphasizing on Qatar's firm stance on the just Palestinian cause, the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and the establishment of their independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. (QNA)