Oxford Business Group and Clyde & Co team up for 2012 publication

Doha, Qatar - 26 March 2012: Qatar's bid to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons while driving forward a wave of massive infrastructure projects will be mapped out in a new report to be published by the global publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG).

The Report: Qatar 2012 will provide in-depth analysis of the country's efforts to encourage entrepreneurial activity by stepping up support for small businesses and providing them with increased access to finance. It will also contain a detailed, sector-by-sector guide for foreign investors, alongside a wide range of interviews with the most prominent political, economic and business leaders.

OBG will team up for a fifth consecutive year with the international law firm Clyde & Co who will contribute the legal chapter of The Report Qatar: 2012.

Clyde & Co is one of the largest international law firms in the GCC with around 140 specialist lawyers and paralegals operating in Qatar and across the firm's four Middle East region offices. Its experts provide legal services in corporate and commercial law, employment,  dispute resolution, intellectual property, real estate, construction and infrastructure projects, whilst the firm's global strengths lie in international trade.

OBG's Regional Editor, Oliver Cornock, said he expected the Group's new report to put the spotlight on the country's efforts to boost private sector participation and drive growth in new areas of the economy, such as services, in line with the state's long-term development plan, Qatar National Vision 2030. He also highlighted the contribution that Clyde & Co had made over time to the research process in OBG's publications.

"These are exciting times for Qatar as it ups the tempo of its major developments which include key liquefied natural gas projects and extensive infrastructure for the 2022 FIFA World Cup," he said. "Clyde & Co's experts have an unrivalled grasp of Qatari law and its team has undoubtedly given our ongoing coverage of the country's economy an edge. I welcome them on board for our new project on Qatar as we prepare to document the country's impressive rate of growth and heightened economic activity for the international investment community."

David Salt, Partner at Clyde and Co, agreed that Qatar's drive to encourage growth among small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) was gaining pace. He also highlighted the developments taking place in emerging areas of the economy, such as aluminium and fertilisers.

"There are signs that initiatives being put in place, such as a comprehensive business support system, are helping to bolster entrepreneurial ventures in Qatar," he said. "We welcome the opportunity therefore to continue our long standing collaboration with Oxford Business Group and to contribute to The Report: Qatar 2012."

"It remains a great pleasure to work with OBG's dynamic and proactive editorial team in the production of a publication to document these and other significant developments taking place in Qatar and relaying them on the global stage."

The Report: Qatar 2012 will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments. The report will be available in print or online.

About Oxford Business Group
Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic intelligence on the markets of the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, insurance, energy, transport, industry and telecoms. The Report: Qatar 2012 will be produced in partnership with Ministry of Business of Trade, QNB and Clyde and Co.

The critically acclaimed economic and business reports have become the leading source of business intelligence on developing countries in the regions they cover. OBG's online economic briefings provide up-to-date in-depth analysis on the issues that matter for tens of thousands of subscribers worldwide. OBG's consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms currently operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.

For more information please contact:
Oxford Business Group, Dubai,
PO Box 502 659, Dubai,
UAE
Kate Taylor, PR Manager
Phone: +971 44 264 642
E-mail: ktaylor@oxfordbusinessgroup.com

© Press Release 2012