Qatar’s Inward FDI Rises 3.3% to QR172.2 Billion in Q1 2026

The National Planning Council (NPC), in cooperation with the Qatar Central Bank (QCB), on Sunday released the results of the Foreign Direct Investment Survey for the first quarter of 2026. The survey showed continued growth in both inward and outward FDI between January and March, providing a positive indication of the country’s investment momentum.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Qatar continued its upward trajectory during the first quarter of 2026, with the country’s inward FDI position rising 3.3 percent to QR172.2 billion at the end of March, reflecting sustained investor confidence in the Qatari economy and its long-term growth prospects.

At the same time, Qatari investments abroad continued to expand, with the outward FDI position increasing 3.5 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2025 to reach QR221.7 billion. The latest figures underline the growing two-way flow of investment and Qatar’s strengthening position as both an attractive destination for international capital and an increasingly active investor in global markets.

Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Secretary-General of the National Planning Council, said the increase in inward FDI during the first quarter was a positive indicator of Qatar’s investment trajectory.

He stressed that the country’s investment strategy is focused not only on increasing the volume of investment but also on improving its quality and maximising its contribution to economic diversification, productivity, knowledge and technology transfer, and the development of high-value-added sectors.

The Council’s priority in the coming period, he said, would be to further enhance the attractiveness of the Qatari economy to quality investments and accelerate investment growth in non-hydrocarbon sectors. This approach is aligned with the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.

The distribution of inward FDI during the first quarter showed a continued concentration in five major economic activities, which together accounted for more than 90 percent of total inwardinvestment.

Mining and quarrying remained the largest recipient, accounting for 45.3 percent of inward FDI, followed by financial and insurance activities with 31.9 percent. Manufacturing accounted for 13 percent, while information and communication activities represented 2.8 percent and professional, scientific and technical activities accounted for2 percent.

The figures highlight the continued importance of Qatar’s energy sector in attracting foreign capital, while also pointing to significant opportunities to broaden the investment base. Increasing the share of FDI flowing into manufacturing, technology, professional services and other non-hydrocarbon activities remains a key element of Qatar’s diversification strategy.

A broader distribution of foreign investment across sectors would help strengthen the resilience of the economy, create new business opportunities and support the development of knowledge-intensive and high-value-added industries.

Qatar’s outward FDI also recorded solid growth in the first quarter, rising 3.5 percent from the previous quarter to QR221.7 billion. The increase reflects the expanding international presence of Qatari investors and the development of economic and investment partnerships in overseas markets.

The growth in outward investment also supports Qatar’s strategy of diversifying its assets geographically and across sectors, while seeking sustainable long-term returns.

Financial and insurance activities represented the largest share of outward FDI at 33.5 percent, followed by mining and quarrying at 29.8 percent. Information and communication activities accounted for 10.8 percent, accommodation and food service activities 9.1 percent, and transport and storage7 percent.

Together, these five activities accounted for more than 90 percent of Qatar’s outward FDI, reflecting the broadening international footprint of Qatari capital across financial services, natural resources, technology, hospitality and logistics.

The latest FDI figures are also part of the National Planning Council’s broader efforts to enhance the quality, coverage and regularity of Qatar’s economic statistics. The data are intended to provide policymakers, investors and other stakeholders with a clearer picture of investment trends and their contribution to national development.

The Q1 2026 results represent preliminary estimates of inward and outward FDI. They cover privately owned companies as well as some government-owned companies, while excluding international financial transactions conducted by the state or individuals.

The FDI statistics are also combined with Qatar Central Bank data covering monetary financial institutions, including banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions. The Q1 2026 survey was based on a sample of approximately 210 establishments operating in Qatar.

The continued rise in both inward and outward FDI underscores Qatar’s growing integration with the global economy. With the country seeking to attract more quality investment into non-hydrocarbon sectors while expanding the international reach of Qatari capital, investment flows are expected to remain an important pillar of its economic diversification and long-term development agenda.