Do You Know About Dubai and Saudi Arabia? How is this possible?

Qatar is a small country which is not even the size of California. It is a very small country. Qatar is facing various Criticisms and praises for hosting the FIFA World Cup.

How did Qatar get this massive support? How has Qatar become a Wealthy Country? How is this possible?

There are many mysteries behind the Wealth of the Country. A Small Arab Country which stood firm against the remaining big Arab World. Saudi Arabia and Egypt wanted to invade the small country. But the Qatar Politicians stood in their way.

How can a Country’s politicians take their country to the world Stage?

Since Qatar won the right to host the World Cup nearly 6500 migrant workers have died in Qatar. Many commented that Qatar has given them a lifeline in their life. Many Indians are working in Qatar. Some Countries wanted to use their religion to destroy Qatar.

How did Qatar manage to evade these threats?

In 1971 Qatar got its Independence. Qatar was a Protectorate under Great Britain. After Independece in the 1900s Al-Thani family were the rulers of Qatar. They were puppets of the British. On 13th July 1913, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Qasim Al-Thani became the ruler of Qatar.

The British slowly started the Plunder Qatar. Qatar's economy was dependent on fishing and Pearls. In the 1920s The British banned exports of Pearls. Qatar faced a huge economic crisis where hunger and Poverty were running rampant. From 1920 to 1939 Qatar suffered a lot.

In 1939 World war 2 started. This is the time countries were looking for oil fields to fuel their war machines. The British identified Oil fields in Qatar.

Qatar is the Middle of the Middle East. So taking the Oil and transporting it will be a difficult job for the British. From 1939 to 1949 the Oil fields discovered in Qatar were of no use. But Companies and Businessmen wanted to exploit the oil fields.

In the 1950s Qatar had its first schools, hospitals, Powerplant, which are basic necessities for the people. Qatar is a Desert Country. It is very hot in the Country.

When Qatar started to develop migrants from countries started to come to Qatar and work in the country. In the 1960s only the Al-Thani Family members were awarded Top Positions. The Whole family ruled over Qatar. In 1971 Qatar was a headache to the British.

Qatar 1971 became an Independent country. But in 1970 Qatar discovered the gas fields in the Country. This field is called South Pars North Dome. But in 1970 Crude Oil was a Valuable commodity. In the 1970s the gas was transferred only through the Pipelines. The British thought that building Pipelines to the EU or Asia was impossible.

The British left Qatar. The British took back the Weapons which were used to defend the country. On 22nd Feb 1972, Khalifa Bin Hamad deposed Amir Ahmad Bin Ali from his position. They were father and son. Khalifa Bin Hamad believed that his family and close associates are pillaging Qatar. Khalifa Bin Hamad received support from Iran.

So he deposed his father and took over the country. Khalifa Bin Hamad said that the Al-Thani Family can rule but cannot take over the Country's assets and properties. Khalifa cut the expenses of the Royal family and increased the spending on Social Programs like Housing, Health, Education and Pensions.

Even After basic infrastructure has been built the country didnt see growth until 1990-1995. The Neighbouring countries Saudi Arabia and Egypt were increasing their economy. The UAE and Bahrain are seeing development. Qatar was waiting for its time to come.

Shiekh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani became the new leader of the country. He invested heavily in gas fields.

The gas must be transformed into Liquid and then exported to other countries. Qatar didnt have this technology. But by selling Crude Oil and Natural gas they invested in the Gas fields. Within 15 years more than 14 Liquid Natural gas plants were opened. He invested in his scientists to develop a technology which will be used to transform gas into Liquid. Heavy Equipment was bought by Qatar.

Qatar is a country which makes Liquid gas and the costs are very low. Sheikh Hamad was the man who started this gas market for Qatar. The Country started to grow. Then Qatar’s development was rapid. In 1995 when the economy was increasing Qatar needed a Security partner.

Qatar gave the area to construct the Al-Uddin Airbase. America set up its base. Qatar knew that America can provide Security and it can also reach the West to increase its trade. So Qatar has secured Wealth and Security. But they were lacking education. So Qatar wanted to build an educational city.

In 1998 the Govt built the Educational City. The City has Six American and Two European Universities. Qatar then became an Educational Hub in the Middle east. Qatar’s growth was a surprise to the International community.

Saudi Arabia was not pleased with Qatar’s development. In 2003, When Americans were standing guard for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia wanted the American Troops to leave their country. Qatar welcomed The American troops to its country. Using Billions of USD Qatar built many bases for the Americans.

Troops and Weapons from Saudi Arabia were transferred to Qatar. Qatar using the oil and gas money started investing. The Arab countries' leaders only invest within the Middle east. But Qatar started investing in other countries which were not in the Middle East. Qatar created a fund called QIA Qatar Investment Authority.

QIA was created in 2003. Nearly 100 Billion USD was in the fund. Qatar starting this money to invest in infrastructure and Companies are abroad. So they wanted profits from the Investments. The Leaders of Qatar had sharp minds in the business. The Al Thani family was still in power.

But Sheikh Hamad did the right thing for his people. He looked into the future of Qatar. Qatar wanted to spread into many markets. Qatar has 20% more shares in assets than the British Royal Family. Qatar has a 10% share of the Empire State Building. Qatar has 20% of shares in British Airways.

It also has 20% of Heathrow Airport, and 25% of St.Petersburg Airport. Qatar has shares in many car companies and owns many football teams. When there is no market for Crude Oil and Liquid gas in the world. Qatar will need these investments to become profitable. This was done 30 years ago.

Saudi Arabia is considered a rival to Qatar. UAE even had plans of invading Qatar. Israel is also against Qatar. The West started to spread Propaganda against Qatar to destroy it. How did Qatar manage to overcome this threat? The West believed that after 2010 Qatar's Economy will go down. Did this happen? It is said that Qatar has returned to its glory in 2021.