Anchor sector
LNG & energy services
The North Field expansion drives demand for equipment, engineering, safety systems and services.
Country Profile — Arab-America International Expo 2027
Profile content in preparationState of Qatar
High income. Global ambition.
A small country with outsized global weight — the world's leading LNG exporter, a major sovereign investor, and host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Country at a glance
- GDP
- ≈ $221 billion (nominal)
- Population
- ≈ 3.0 million
- Currency
- Qatari Riyal (QAR), pegged to USD
- Capital
- Doha
- Economic growth
- ≈ 2.4% real GDP growth
Statistics year: 2024 (latest full-year data)
Overview
Capital, energy and world-class infrastructure
Qatar has one of the highest GDP-per-capita figures in the world, built on North Field gas and reinvested through the Qatar Investment Authority into global and domestic assets.
The 2022 World Cup left the country with stadiums, metro, hotels and transport infrastructure that now support tourism, conferences and sport as a permanent sector.
For American companies, Qatar is a premium market: buyers prioritize quality, technology and long service life over lowest price.
- Capital
- Doha
- Population
- ~3 million
- Language
- Arabic (English widely used in business)
- Currency
- Qatari Riyal (QAR), pegged to USD
- Major cities
- Doha, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, Lusail
- Time zone
- GMT +3
- Energy position
- Among the world's largest LNG exporters
- Membership
- GCC, WTO, OPEC+ partner, Arab League
Economy
Energy wealth, deployed deliberately
A concentrated, high-income economy with sovereign capital deployed into diversification.
$0B+
GDP (nominal)
High-income economy
$0B+
Sovereign fund assets (QIA)
Global investment portfolio
0 MTPA
LNG capacity target
North Field expansion program
$0B+
World Cup infrastructure
Delivered ahead of 2022
LNG & energyNorth Field expansion
Construction & infrastructurePost-World Cup development
Finance & investmentQIA and Qatar Financial Centre
Sports, events & tourismA permanent hosting economy
Education & researchEducation City partnerships
Technology & digitalCloud, fintech and smart city
Priority sectors
Where Qatari buyers invest
Sectors where Qatari government entities, family groups and operators source international suppliers.
Build-out
Infrastructure & smart cities
Lusail and continued urban development requiring building systems, mobility and utilities technology.
Legacy sector
Sports, events & hospitality
A permanent global events calendar supporting venue technology, operations and hospitality supply.
Premium
Healthcare & life sciences
Premium hospital infrastructure and research programs importing devices and clinical systems.
Knowledge
Education & research
Education City hosts branch campuses and research centers seeking American academic partners.
Strategic
Food security & agritech
Investment in local production, vertical farming and cold chain following supply-chain lessons.
Qatar National Vision 2030
Turning gas revenue into durable capability
The national vision organizes development around human, social, economic and environmental pillars.
- 2008
National Vision 2030 launched
A framework for converting hydrocarbon wealth into diversified national capability.
- 2019
Doha Metro opens
A modern rail network transforming mobility across the capital.
- 2022
FIFA World Cup
Global hosting milestone delivering stadiums, hotels and transport at scale.
- 2025
North Field expansion
Phased LNG capacity expansion positioning Qatar for long-term export growth.
- 2027
Arab-America International Expo
Qatari investors, buyers and operators meet American partners in Washington, D.C..
- 2030
Vision horizon
Diversification, sustainability and human-development targets come due.
Major development projects
What is being built
Energy and urban programs with sustained international procurement.
North Field East & South expansion
The largest LNG capacity expansion in the world, with associated processing and export facilities.
Lusail City
A planned city north of Doha with commercial districts, marinas and mixed-use development.
Hamad Port & logistics zones
Deep-water port capacity with free zones targeting industry and re-export.
Simaisma and tourism developments
New coastal tourism and entertainment destinations extending the visitor economy.
Solar and clean power
Utility-scale solar plants and grid investment supporting industrial decarbonization.
US – Qatar trade
A premium market for American technology
Qatar is a major buyer of US aircraft, defense systems, machinery and services, and a significant investor in the American economy.
Top exports to the world
LNG & natural gas
Petrochemicals & polymers
Refined products
Fertilizers
Aluminum
Top imports
Aircraft & parts
Machinery & equipment
Vehicles & transport
Medical & scientific instruments
Food & beverage
Leading products to the United States
- LNG and natural gas
- Petrochemicals and polymers
- Fertilizers
- Aluminum
- Refined petroleum products
Leading products from the United States
- Commercial aircraft and parts
- Oil and gas equipment
- Industrial machinery
- Medical devices
- Vehicles and heavy equipment
- Food, beverages and consumer goods
- Riyal pegged to the US dollar
- No personal income tax; free-zone and QFC regimes for foreign firms
- 100% foreign ownership permitted in most sectors
- Qatari sovereign and private capital actively invests in US assets and partnerships
Bilateral goods trade — 2024
Trade with the United States
Verified full-year bilateral merchandise trade between Qatar and the United States, reported from Qatar's perspective.
Total U.S. goods trade
$5.5B
2024
Exports to the United States
$1.9B
2024
Imports from the United States
$3.6B
2024
Trade balance
$1.7B
Deficit for Qatar
2024
Exports vs. imports — 2024
Qatar exports to the United States$1.9B
Qatar imports from the United States$3.6B
Exports to the US Imports from the US
Qatar runs a goods deficit with the United States, reflecting large-scale purchases of American aircraft, LNG-related field equipment and industrial machinery tied to the North Field expansion, while its shipments to the US are concentrated in energy derivatives, aluminium and chemicals.
Scope of these figures
These figures represent merchandise trade only and do not include services.
Data source
- U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Division — country trade data (full year 2024)
- Office of the United States Trade Representative — country trade fact sheets
Statistical year: 2024
Leading exports to the United States
- Refined petroleum and LNG-related products
- Aluminium
- Organic chemicals and fertilizers
- Plastics and polymers
- Machinery and instruments
Leading imports from the United States
- Aircraft and aerospace parts
- Oil and gas field machinery
- Vehicles
- Electrical machinery
- Medical and scientific instruments
- Food and agricultural products
Culture & tourism
A compact, high-design destination
Museums, desert coastline, sport and a rapidly expanding hospitality sector.
Doha
Museum of Islamic Art
I. M. Pei's landmark on the Corniche, holding one of the world's great Islamic art collections.
Doha
Souq Waqif
The restored traditional market district — dining, crafts and falconry.
Lusail
Lusail
A new waterfront city with marinas, towers and the Lusail Stadium.
Southeast Qatar
Khor Al Adaid
The inland sea where dunes meet the Gulf — a UNESCO-recognized natural reserve.
Doha
National Museum of Qatar
Jean Nouvel's desert-rose building telling the country's story.
Northwest coast
Al Zubarah
A UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site from the pearling era.
Why invest
The case for Qatar
High purchasing power, sovereign capital and a preference for premium quality.
01
Among the world's highest incomes
Purchasing power that supports premium products and long-term service contracts.
02
Sovereign capital as partner
QIA and state-linked entities co-invest with international firms rather than compete.
03
LNG-funded stability
Long-term export contracts underpin sustained public investment through cycles.
04
World-class infrastructure
Port, airport, metro and venue infrastructure delivered to global standards.
05
Open ownership rules
Full foreign ownership in most sectors, with QFC common-law jurisdiction available.
06
Strong US relationship
Deep defense, aviation, education and investment ties with the United States.
At the Expo
Qatar at AAIX 2027
The Qatari pavilion will bring investment authorities, energy buyers, operators and family groups into direct contact with American companies.
- A national pavilion led by chambers and investment authorities
- Energy and infrastructure procurement meetings with American suppliers
- Investment briefings from sovereign and private Qatari capital
- Education, research and healthcare partnership sessions
- Tourism, sport and events showcase for US partners
World heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Qatar
Sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a core part of the country's cultural and tourism offer.
Al Zubarah Archaeological Site
A walled 18th-century pearling and trading town on the northwest coast.
Business opportunities
Opportunities for Arab and American companies
How companies from different markets can engage with Qatar through the Expo.
For American companies
Supply LNG expansion technology and services, sports and events infrastructure, healthcare and education systems.
For Arab companies
Partner on hospitality, retail and food ventures serving one of the highest-income populations in the world.
For international investors
QIA co-investment, LNG-linked industry and tourism and sports assets.
Represent Qatar at Arab-America International Expo 2027
Present your country's economy, industries, products, investment opportunities, tourism destinations and culture to the American and North American markets.
Reserve space in the Qatari pavilion, or register as an American supplier to meet Qatari buyers and investors.
Sources & data
- Qatar Planning and Statistics Authority
- Invest Qatar
- QatarEnergy public disclosures
- World Bank & IMF country data
- U.S. Census Bureau / USTR trade statistics
Last updated: August 2026