Oxford Business Group appoints new team for 2017 project

Doha, 02 January 2017

The global publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) has appointed a new team to oversee its latest project in Qatar.

Izabela Kruk takes on the role of country director, while Simon Gaillard will be the Group’s editorial manager for The Report: Qatar 2017.

Kruk moves into her new post from Nigeria, where she contributed to the Group’s most recent report on the country’s economy. She also brings with her a wealth of experience from conducting research in 12 countries in various regions such as Latin America, Asia, Africa and GCC. Kruk also was actively involved in opening new Oxford Business Group offices in Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Djibouti.

Jana Treeck, OBG’s Managing Director for the Middle East, said Kruk and Gaillard were taking up their new roles at a pivotal time in Qatar’s development. 

“Our recent GCC CEO survey indicated that business sentiment across the region remains broadly positive, despite the current challenging economic climate,” she said. “Qatar, in particular, has continued to perform well across the economic sectors. The country’s ambitious project pipeline and major events, led by the FIFA World Cup in 2022, will support national efforts to maintain the shift away from a reliance on oil and gas.”

Gaillard agreed that Qatar’s long-term economic development plans, combined with healthy non-oil growth, had helped to instil confidence in business leaders eyeing the country’s potential.

“While Qatar will undoubtedly face challenges in its efforts to achieve the goals laid out in its National Vision 2030, the initiative also offers tremendous opportunities for investors in emerging sectors of the economy,” he said. “I’m delighted to be joining Oxford Business Group’s team here as the country’s diversification efforts gain pace and analysing the next phase of its growth story for our readers.”

Kruk added that prudent planning and foresight had given Qatar an edge over some other oil-dependent countries in what remained tough times for producers.

“Qatar’s $220bn infrastructure programme will act as a major driver of long-term growth and help cushion the country against volatile commodity prices,” she said. “With solid macroeconomic fundamentals in place and efforts to enhance the business climate taking shape, Qatar’s outlook appears to be bright.”

The Report: Qatar 2017 will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking, energy and other sectoral developments. It will also contain interviews with leading representatives. The publication will be available in print and online.    

-Ends-

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 and the Caribbean. 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 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:
Marc-André de Blois, Director of Communications
E-mail: mdeblois@oxfordbusinessgroup.com
Dubai Media City, Aurora Tower Floor 14 Office
PO Box 502 659 Dubai UAE
T +971 4 426 4642
F +971 4 426 4641
131 Great Titchfield St. London
W1W 5BB United Kingdom
T +44 20 7403 7213
F +44 17 3026 0274

Register to receive our Economic Updates: www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/register

© Press Release 2017