Outwardly observing Qatar’s thriving economy is easy to do, with the abundance of skyscrapers and modern infrastructure. As a rentier state, Qatar derives most of its revenue from oil and natural gas. On this trip, we had the opportunity to visit a variety of companies, some of which were in the oil and gas industry and some that were not. For example, we visited Doha Dates, a sector of the National Food Company invested in by Hassad Food. Hassad Food is a government-owned subsidiary that invests in food and agribusiness. We got to see a variety of dates being produced and packaged for consumers to purchase. The workers at the machines meticulously ensured all the dates were of the highest quality, picking out the ones that did not meet their standards. We got to sample many of these dates, and they were much tastier than any I have had at home. Despite visiting companies in various business sectors, there was a common pattern of warm hospitality. At every company visit, we were kindly welcomed in and offered complimentary food and beverages. I particularly enjoyed our visit to Doha Cables, a subsidiary of a large Middle Eastern cable manufacturer. We got to walk in the cable production areas; it was fascinating to see all of the giant machines and all of the different kinds of cables being made.
In my initial impression of Qatar, I noticed the luxurious lifestyles that some of the population enjoys here. This is evident in the plethora of high-end shopping malls and futuristic architecture. However, there are also millions of foreign workers in Qatar who came to receive a higher income and the ability to support their families. With tax-free living, free healthcare, provided housing, and stipends for transportation, it can certainly be easier to get by in Qatar than in a lot of countries that these workers come from. However, their lives in Qatar appear to be far from luxurious, as they often work in physically demanding jobs and may face issues with labor rights. The contrast between the luxurious lifestyle of some of the population and the experience of foreign workers is something I increasingly noticed throughout the trip. Ultimately, while Qatar’s thriving economy is evident, there is nuance in the experience of foreign workers. It is important to acknowledge both Qatar’s achievements and challenges as it continues to navigate its socio-economic landscape.
