Qatar FDI continued growing during the first quarter of 2026. Inward investment reached QAR 172.2 billion by the end of March. The National Planning Council released the latest foreign investment figures on Sunday. The council conducted the survey with support from the Qatar Central Bank.
The results showed continued growth in both inward and outward investment. Inward FDI increased 3.3 percent compared with the previous quarter. The increase brought total inward investment to QAR 172.2 billion. This figure highlights continued interest in Qatar’s economy and investment opportunities.
Meanwhile, Qatari investments abroad also recorded strong growth. Outward FDI increased 3.5 percent during the first quarter. Total outward investment reached QAR 221.7 billion by the end of March. The increase reflects Qatar’s expanding presence across international markets.
Furthermore, overseas investments can help diversify assets across different economies. They can also create new partnerships and support longer-term financial returns. The latest figures show activity across several major economic sectors.
Five industries accounted for more than 90 percent of inward investment. Mining and quarrying represented the largest share of inward FDI. The sector accounted for 45.3 percent of the total.
Financial and insurance activities ranked second with a 31.9 percent share. Manufacturing followed with 13 percent of total inward investment. Information and communication activities represented another 2.8 percent. Professional, scientific, and technical activities accounted for 2 percent.
Together, these five activities represented more than 90 percent of Qatar’s inward investment. Their combined contribution highlights the concentration of foreign capital. However, the figures also show activity beyond traditional resource industries.
Manufacturing and technology-related sectors continue attracting investment alongside financial services. Outward investment showed a different sector distribution. Financial and insurance activities represented the largest share at 33.5 percent.
Mining and quarrying followed with 29.8 percent of outward investment. Information and communication activities accounted for another 10.8 percent. Accommodation and food services represented 9.1 percent of overseas investment.
Transport and storage activities accounted for 7 percent. These five activities collectively represented more than 90 percent of outward FDI. The figures demonstrate the broadening reach of Qatari capital abroad.
The National Planning Council views investment quality as an important economic priority. Officials want investment to generate broader benefits for the national economy. These benefits include greater economic diversification and stronger productivity.
Investment can also support knowledge transfers and technology development. Moreover, Qatar wants to attract more capital into high-value industries. Non-hydrocarbon sectors remain a major focus for future investment growth.
The strategy supports the objectives of Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy. It also aligns with the long-term goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. The latest data therefore provide insight into Qatar’s investment direction.
They also offer policymakers information for evaluating economic development progress. The National Planning Council continues improving the quality of national economic statistics. Regular investment data can help authorities make more informed decisions.
The figures also help measure progress toward national development objectives. Consequently, accurate investment statistics remain important for economic planning. The survey provides preliminary estimates for both inward and outward investment.
It covers privately owned companies and selected government-owned companies. However, the survey excludes certain international financial transactions. These include transactions conducted by the state and individuals.
The National Planning Council also combines survey information with Qatar Central Bank data. Those figures cover monetary financial institutions operating within Qatar. The combined information includes banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions.
The Q1 2026 survey used information from approximately 210 establishments. These companies operated across different economic activities within Qatar. The findings indicate continued investor engagement during the opening quarter.
They also highlight Qatar’s growing financial connections with international markets. Qatar FDI increased despite an evolving global economic environment. The latest figures suggest continued confidence in the country’s investment prospects.
At the same time, outward investment continues expanding across multiple international sectors. This trend supports Qatar’s efforts to diversify assets and strengthen overseas partnerships. The figures also underline the importance of financial services within Qatar’s investment landscape.
Mining remains another major contributor to both inward and outward flows. Manufacturing and technology-related activities also maintain important positions. Their participation could support broader diversification over the coming years.
Going forward, Qatar will likely continue targeting high-value investment projects. Officials aim to increase investment across sectors beyond hydrocarbons. Qatar FDI therefore remains an important indicator of economic development.
Its continued growth could support diversification, productivity, and long-term investment objectives. Overall, inward investment reached QAR 172.2 billion during the first quarter. Outward investment climbed to QAR 221.7 billion during the same period.
The latest results show that Qatar continues attracting international capital. They also demonstrate the growing international reach of Qatari investors.
