National Day... Decades of Development Highlight Qatar's Modern Renaissance

Doha, December 19 (QNA) - Over the decades, Qatar has undergone a remarkable transformation, establishing itself as a model to emulate in achieving comprehensive development and meeting the aspirations of its citizens, who are considered the cornerstone of societal progress.

Each era of governance has brought multiple accomplishments and distinctive developments, laying the groundwork for a new epoch, shaping the modern renaissance of Qatar. This transformation is evident across various domains such as expansive urbanization, industry, sports, tourism, politics, healthcare, not to mention the significant investment in human capital and diplomacy.

Qatar has always believed in engaging with the external world, forging multi-dimensional relationships and partnerships in harmony with its principles, identity, and culture. These achievements and transformations wouldn't have been possible without the alignment and coherence in visions and policies among the country's leadership throughout the decades.

Since the 1970s, the contours of a modern state began emerging, showcasing the leadership's aspirations to transform Qatar from a nation primarily reliant on trade and pearl diving to a country that produces its own food, medicine, and all modern industries.

It evolved from merely following global sports events to hosting the largest international tournaments, from observing global politics to actively contributing solutions to complex global issues.

The inception of Qatar's modern renaissance, nestled within the desert and surrounded by Gulf waters, coincided with the initial oil discoveries. The pursuit of oil exploration in Qatar commenced after its discovery in neighboring countries.

In 1939, the drilling of the Dukhan Well No. 1 began, and the subsequent year marked the discovery of oil in Qatar. However, due to the circumstances of World War II, the well was closed. Exploration resumed later, with the first oil production in 1949, followed by successive discoveries.

The oil extraction in 1949 amounted to 80 thousand tons, escalating to 1.6 million tons in 1950, and eventually reaching 17 million tons in 1970. The state continued its production to this day, maintaining good production rates after extensive efforts in exploring new oil and gas fields.

The Dukhan Field stands as Qatar's sole onshore oil field, stretching 47 kilometers long and 34 kilometers wide, pumping oil to the Mesaieed Port.

Discoveries like the Eastern Field in 1963, Bul Hanine Field in 1969, and the Maydan Mahzam Field in 1964 added to Qatar's oil and gas reserves.

To oversee the exploration and sales of oil and all related operations, the establishment of a modern company became essential. Hence, the announcement of the Qatar Petroleum's founding in 1974, now known as Qatar Energy, positioned as the primary entity responsible for energy production and petroleum in Qatar.

QatarEnergy became a global leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, aligning with Qatar's National Vision 2030, aiming for economic growth benefiting the Qatari people and resources.

QatarEnergy adopted several strategies, including enhancing technical capacities and operational models, maximizing oil and gas exploration and production, building a vast portfolio for oil exploration and production, and solidifying its global position in the gas and LNG sectors.

The rapid industrial development accompanied oil exploration. Qatar Fertilizer Company (QAFCO), established in 1969 as a joint project between Qatar and foreign partners, stands as one of the oldest industrial projects in the country. It aimed to diversify the economy by leveraging the enormous natural gas reserves available in the state.

Having successfully executed expansion projects over the past three decades, QAFCO is now among the largest fertilizer producers globally.

QAFCO has become the world's largest single-site producer of urea and ammonia. Qatar now ranks fourth among the world's largest urea producers, solidifying its position and major role in the global fertilizer market, supplying urea to over 35 countries worldwide.

A few years later, Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) was established in 1974, with Industries Qatar owning 80% and TotalEnergies Company 20%. QAPCO stands as one of the largest and most successful companies globally in producing low-density polyethylene (LDPE), an essential polymer derived from oil and natural gas. Its ethylene plant with an annual production capacity of 840 kilotons and the sulfur plant with an annual production capacity of 70 kilotons, along with three low-density polyethylene plants with a total production capacity exceeding 780 kilotons annually, signifies Qatar's advancement in exploration and oil-based industries.

This development in exploration and oil-based industries significantly contributed to Qatar's gross domestic product (GDP). From a GDP of barely $29 billion in 1995, when HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani assumed governance, Qatar's GDP now nears $192 billion.

This development, especially in the oil industries, was propelled by successive gas discoveries in Qatar, making it one of the world's largest exporters of LNG. Qatar aims to increase its production capacity from the current 77 million tons per year to 126 million tons by 2026.

While the North Gas Field was discovered in 1971, it took years to export it to global markets. Initially, Qatar focused on meeting its growing energy needs, primarily for water desalination and electricity production.

Qatar proudly looks back to its first shipment of Qatari natural gas to Japan's shores in 1997, marking a historic turning point, opening doors for massive exports to global markets. Since then, Qatar has expanded its growth in this sector.

Furthermore, Qatar's decision in the late '90s to begin gas-to-LNG conversion projects marks its global leadership in clean energy production and serves as an exemplary model for innovative technologies worldwide. Qatar built the Oryx GTL plant, the world's first commercial-scale gas-to-liquids plant, in 2003, with production commencing in 2008.

Despite gas and oil constituting the backbone of Qatar's economy, the wise leadership has in recent years pursued long-term plans to diversify the economy. This strategy involves focusing on the knowledge economy and utilizing revenues from natural resources for investments abroad, along with renewable energy, finance, industry, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, education, among others.
In the context of Qatar's efforts towards achieving sustainable development, the Al Kharsaah Solar Power Plant was inaugurated in October 2022 in the Al Kharsaah area. The plant has a capacity of 800 megawatts, marking the first of its kind in Qatar and one of the largest in the region in terms of size and capacity.

Spanning an area of over 10 square kilometers, the plant comprises more than 1.8 million solar panels. It provides the equivalent of 10% of the country's electricity during peak times.
Additionally, both QatarEnergy's Renewable Solutions Company and QAFCO, subsidiaries of QatarEnergy, signed agreements in August 2022 for the construction of the Ammonia-7 project, valued at $1.1 billion.

The project stands as the world's first and largest blue ammonia project, with a production capacity of 1.2 million tons annually, set to commence production in the first quarter of 2026.

Investing in blue ammonia and expanding carbon capture and storage facilities are integral parts of QatarEnergy's steps in implementing its sustainability strategy. This strategy emphasizes their commitment, as a major energy producer, to responsible production of clean and reasonably priced energy, facilitating the transition to low-carbon energy. 

Alongside oil and gas, which formed the pillars of development in the country, leaderships have attributed significant importance to developing the healthcare sector as a fundamental cornerstone for nation-building. Continuous efforts have been made to elevate the level of healthcare services provided in the country.

Hamad Medical Corporation has witnessed the evolution of healthcare services in the state, expanding from one hospital, the Rumailah Hospital, to 12 hospitals.

This expansion is a result of the rapid population growth in Qatar, leading to increased demand for healthcare services. The Rumailah Hospital was established in 1957, followed by Hamad General Hospital, inaugurated in 1982. It offers high-quality healthcare services to inpatients through the vast expertise of the medical staff.

The hospital has outpatient clinics comprising over 65 specialized clinics. Additionally, the hospital facilities include an advanced emergency department, five intensive care units, eight operating rooms, a large pharmacy, and a range of modern diagnostic facilities,

including medical laboratories and diagnostic radiology facilities, providing necessary support for all medical services. Expansion in hospital construction has taken place over past decades, including the Aisha bint Hamad Al-Attiyah Hospital, Al-Wakra Hospital, Communicable Disease Center, Heart Hospital, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, Cuban Hospital, Women's Hospital, Women's Wellness and Research Center, Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, and other healthcare facilities.

Qatar has invested in the healthcare sector over decades through scientific and educational research, exemplified by Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, the specialized teaching hospital, and Sidra Medicine equipped with state-of-the-art technological advancements to deliver the highest global standards in healthcare, education, medical research, and clinical practice. With significant advancements and qualitative leaps witnessed in the healthcare sector in recent years, Qatar has emerged as a globally advanced country in providing comprehensive healthcare, rivaling the best healthcare systems worldwide.

Parallel to the development in the healthcare sector, Qatar’s recent history reflects a wide interest in urban development, harmonizing with Qatar's historical and cultural identity and heritage. One of the prominent features of modern renaissance is the Waqif Souq, one of the most iconic attractions in Doha, a thriving market hosting souvenir gifts, handicrafts, local products, cafes, and restaurants. The souq underwent renovation in 2006. The name Souq Waqif dates back over a hundred years when trading activities occurred in that area while standing.

It became a Qatari heritage site, the main gateway to the grand market and a beloved destination in the country. The market offers a variety of traditional goods and handicrafts, such as herbs, spices, incense, perfumes, goldsmithing, tailoring, embroidery, traditional Arabic attire for men and women, along with the production of daggers, swords, musical instruments, and the sale of rare birds like falcons and parrots.

Al Bidda Park is one of the oldest and most famous parks in Qatar, blending various natural elements into one place, situated near the Doha Corniche. Formerly known as Al Rumailah Park, it closed in 2014 for renovation before reopening on Feb. 13, 2018, following comprehensive redevelopment and expansion. Covering 1.765 million square meters of green spaces, the park was one of the main destinations for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 enthusiasts, hosting a major part of the associated events, including the FIFA Fan Zone festival, featuring diverse entertainment activities.

Among other significant landmarks, the Sheraton Hotel, which opened in the 1980s, is one of Qatar's landmarks overlooking the West Bay, marking the inauguration in 1982 of the first internationally branded hotel in Qatar, the historic Sheraton Doha Hotel. Currently, the area surrounding the Sheraton Hotel is under development, and the hotel remains a symbol of unmatched hospitality.

Not far from the Sheraton Hotel lies the Qatar National Museum, inaugurated in 1975 and renovated in 2019. Designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, it is inspired by the desert rose, a natural phenomenon in the region.

The Qatar National Museum stands as an architectural landmark admired by many in the country, reflecting Qatar's past while shedding light on its present and future. Returning to the most important contemporary buildings of the modern state, several landmarks testify to this, including the first post office in Doha, inaugurated in 1951 and still operational today. The Central Bank, initially known as the Qatar Monetary Agency, issued the Qatari Riyal, the country's official currency.

Among other important landmarks is the Electricity Street, the first street in Qatar to be electrified. It currently forms part of Msheireb, the heart of Doha, representing the first sustainable redevelopment project globally while maintaining its authentic character.