Industrial development in Qatar: a geographical assessment

Abstract

Before oil discovery and exploitation, industry in Qatar took the form of artisanal activities and traditional crafts. Since the 1960's industry has become modernised, complex and diverse in type and scale. This thesis explores the trends in industrial development in Qatar between 1950 and 1980, analyses and evaluates current industrial structure and possible future developments. The thesis is organised into ten Chapters. The first three describe the parameters, including physical and human resources, within which the process of industrialisation has occurred and may develop. The evaluation of industrial policy, the relevance of standard theories of industrialisation and an examination of the role of government are next considered. Chapters 5 and 6 contain field-work based analyses of the complete inventory of manufacturing industries, public and private, large and small-scale and industrial linkages. This leads to an examination of industrial locations in Qatar. Chapters 8 and 9 are devoted to two themes of fundamental importance, viz. decision-making, investment and management at various levels and secondly, dependency on foreign labour. The judgement arrived at in the Conclusion is that the future for viable and socio-culturally appropriate industries, whether in a national, regional or international context, lies not in the expansion of basic industries but rather in typologically innovative manufacturing processes.