Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, December 24 (QNA) - In their editorials today, Qatari newspapers focused on a number of topics, highlighting the strength of the Qatari economy at the present time based on the recently issued global credit ratings that confirm the flexibility and diversity of Qatar's economy, considering that the secret to a strong Qatar's economy is the attractive investment environment and the business stimulating system. On the local issue, the newspapers pointed to the need to exploit the strong impetus Qatar gained from organizing the World Cup to promote tourism, stressing that the national strategy for tourism is based on coordinating efforts with all partners to ensure the development of new and distinct tourism products and experiences. The newspapers also highlighted Qatar's diplomatic role around the world, particularly mediation, recalling the vital role played by Qatar and its firm partnership with the United States with regard to joint efforts in Afghanistan, the latest of which was the Qatari mediation and efforts to release two American citizens who were detained in Afghanistan. In its editorial today under the title 'Promising growth for our economy in the new year', Al Raya termed the Qatari economy as the strongest, most developed and stable in the region as confirmed by figures that placed Qatar at the forefront of countries in the region and in advanced ranks at the global level in terms of strength and durability of economy, as well as a safe and attractive destination for foreign investment. It considered that Qatar was able to maintain its position as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, a matter which reflects the progressive policies and financial and legislative reforms adopted by Qatar recently and which had a tangible positive impact. Economic reports confirmed that the improvement of the credit rating of the State of Qatar increases the attractiveness of Doha for foreign investments, it said. The daily added that the global credit ratings confirm that Qatar's economy enjoys flexibility, diversity, and the ability to face challenges and risks, adding it leads the region's economies in addition to its advanced rank in global competitiveness indicators. Qatar's economy has benefited from the qualitative decisions that have been taken recently to encourage investment, it said. In terms of numbers, the Qatari economy has managed to overcoming all previous challenges and even striving to achieve promising growth rates that lead the economies of the region, thanks to the wise management of the Coronavirus crisis, it said. The newspaper referred to the statistics issued by the International Monetary Fund which affirmed the growth of Qatar's gross domestic product by 4.5 percent over the next year, making it the fastest growing economy in the region. The economic expectations of the growth of the Qatari economy during the next year are based on the great achievements it achieved during 2022. Al Raya concluded by saying it did not reveal a secret if it affirmed that the most important factors of the strength of Qatar's economy were the attractive investment environment in important sectors, the administrative and legislative system that stimulates business, as well as the country's endeavors to diversify the economy and expand in the knowledge economy, as well as strengthening the role of local production in creating an industrial base covering the domestic need up to the stage of export, which gives more strength to the economy. In its editorial titled 'Global center', Al Watan newspaper underlined Qatar's endeavor to become a global center for organizing major international events, conferences and events, following the great success it achieved in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It is a success that the world is still talking about it due to the impressive organizational capabilities and the state of security that prevailed in the various events and allowed visitors and fans to spend unforgettable times without any disturbances, it said. In addition to the unique organization, Qatar today enjoys a developed infrastructure and unique tourist attractions that will all constitute attractive factors for Qatar to assume the position it deserves at the global level, the daily noted. It pointed out that the tourism sector is one of the most important sectors that will benefit from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in light of the high number of incoming visitor flows, as the World Cup will contribute to the consolidation of Qatar's tourism status and promotion of it globally. In line with Qatar National Vision 2030, the national tourism strategy is based on coordinating efforts with all partners to ensure the development of new and distinct tourism products and experiences, it said, pointing out that these new venues include sectors as diverse as hospitality, shopping, sports and entertainment. Al Watan concluded by saying that Qatar Tourism is leading a national strategy across various sectors with the aim of reaching 6 million visitors to Qatar annually by 2030 and enhancing the tourism sector's contribution to the gross domestic product to reach 12 percent. Under the title 'Mediation diplomacy', Al Sharq affirmed, in its editorial today, that Qatar's influential role with regard to the Afghan file gained great international attention and appreciation, especially after many achievements it made in this file since the historic agreement mediated by Qatar between the United States and the Taliban and led to the end of the longest US war and the withdrawal of the American army and foreign forces from Afghanistan. It highlighted Qatar's prominent role in the largest evacuation operation from Kabul and its successful efforts to secure safe passage for thousands of civilians, journalists and diplomats out of Afghanistan, noting that it facilitated the evacuation and transfer of more than 40,000 people from Kabul safely to Doha in coordination with the concerned countries and the parties present in Afghanistan, including the evacuation of a number of citizens of friendly countries such as the United States of America, France, Germany and others, in its capacity as a reliable international mediator and partner, as well as its efforts to facilitate relief operations and humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. Within the framework of Qatar's vital role and its firm partnership with the United States regarding joint efforts in Afghanistan, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani received a telephone call from HE National Security Advisor of the friendly United States of America Jake Sullivan during which Sullivan expressed his country's thanks to the State of Qatar for its efforts that culminated in the release of two US citizens who were detained in Afghanistan, it said. It concluded by saying that the success of Doha's efforts to release US citizens is an achievement added to a long series of remarkable successes achieved by the State of Qatar thanks to mediation diplomacy. The Peninsula highlighted in its editorial the successive positive effects of the success of organizing the World Cup, saying that Qatar's hosting of the World Cup has proved a basket of firsts and broke a lot of records, but more than holding the biggest football event in the country and enjoying the fruits of the labor tagging this 22nd edition as the ‘Best World Cup ever’, it had introduced the culture and tradition of Qatar to the world. Under the title 'A rich cultural heritage', the daily said that Qatar hosted thousands of cultural activation where a parade of craft and heritage, visual arts, fashion and design, performing arts, film and screening, and music were introduced day and night to millions of fans who travelled all the way to enjoy the atmosphere of the country during the quadrennial event. These cultural events contributed to changing the West's thinking and vision towards the region, and were also a strong response to the misleading media campaigns that Qatar has been exposed to since winning the bid to host the World Cup. It added that the Cultural Village Foundation, Katara carried grand activities and events even before the World Cup started. It had 51 main events, 300 sub-activities with the participation of 22 countries. Overall, it hosted 20 exhibitions that focused on sports and arts. It noted that at the Corniche, a street festival was held all throughout the World Cup, presenting the Qatari culture and cultures of other countries participating in the football spectacle. (QNA)