Quality of life

Climate in Qatar Language Social Customs Finance & banking Education Health Care Sports Housing & Utilities Transport

According to its geographical location and climate, Qatar is classified as a hot subtropical desert; very hot and muggy between June and August and pleasant between November and February. It has arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers The average annual rainfall is 81 mm, average maximum temperature is 31oC and average minimum temperature 22oC

Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

 The importation and consumption of alcohol is strictly regulated. However, liquor permits may be obtained by foreign employees and the major hotels are allowed to serve alcohol to guests in restricted areas. Qatar prohibits the brewing and trafficking in alcohol. Drunken behavior in public or driving under the influence of alcohol is an offense punishable by imprisonment, a fine or both and revocation of the offender’s driving license. Importing and using narcotics is illegal and punishable by heavy penalties. The possession of material deemed obscene is also punishable by a prison sentence. Qatar bans all pork products.

Economic growth has naturally brought increasing demand for banking & financial products and services. The Total domestic credit facilities increased by 24.4% during the first half of 2008 to reach QR 182,038 million, compared to QR 146,329 million as at year-end 2007. The Qatari banking sector comprises of a combination of national and foreign banks. A total of 17 banks currently operate in Qatar, nine of which are Qatari institutions, including six commercial banks and three Islamic institutions also represented is the local branches of seven foreign banks the Work, is now underway to ensure all financial institutions active in Qatar can operate in a high-quality legal and financial services environment, benchmarked to international standards the Government of Qatar announced an ambitious plan to integrate all banking, insurance, capital markets, securities, asset management and other financial services into a single, on-shore jurisdiction under the control of a sole financial regulatory body that, after a suitable transition period, will apply a single set of laws to all regulated institutions .

The State of Qatar has adopted an ambitious educational reform program that is designed to give Qatari students the necessary skills and knowledge that are required for pursuing advanced studies in Qatar and abroad and provide the state with qualified human resources for the local job market. Reform is underway and started with the creation of the Supreme Education Council (SEC), which is tasked with directing education policy at all stages. One of its first steps was to set up independent schools, which is a government-funded school that is granted autonomy to carry out its educational mission and objectives while being held accountable to terms agreed to in an operating contract. All Independent Schools must meet established curriculum standards in Arabic, English, mathematics and science, as well as comply with periodic financial audits. Tuition is free for Qatari’s and others eligible for public education. Along with this The State of Qatar, establish Qatar Foundation which using innovative strategies and programs focusing on capacity building and character development at the heart of Education City are six universities, Qatar Science and Technology Park, which is situated there, as a base for research, turning the dream of a knowledge-based economy into a reality. For benefits that are more valuable, please visit: www.english.education.gov.qa & www.qf.org.qa & www.qu.edu.qa  

Besides being distinguished by its comprehensiveness, diversity and efficiency in terms of equipment and human resources, health care in the State of Qatar is based on the sober philosophy that medical care should be available for all residents of Qatar, citizens and expatriates alike.
Health care establishments, cadres, curative and preventive medical services, and equipment have undergone substantial upgrading and improvements. Qatar has an opportunity to create a health care system that will provide the most effective and advanced health care to its people and to become a model for the world to follow. His Highness the Emir created the NHA in 2005 and gave it responsibility to guide reform in Qatar in order to establish one of the world's most admired and renowned health systems. for more information please visit: www.nha.org.qa

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC),  the premier non-profit health care Established by Emiri decree in 1979 has rapidly developed highly specialized medical facilities capable of providing state of the art diagnosis and treatment of diseases that previously could only be managed in overseas medical centers. for more information please visit www.hmc.org.qa

 the Football is the national sport, the national team have achieve several achievements by win the 15th Asian games gold medal in 2006 & the gulf cup in Doha2004 .

On Oct. 25 2007 Doha launched its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics , and hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Doha in 2016 will extend the Olympic ideals to millions of new hearts and minds. This would unleash the power of the Olympic Movement and peaceful sport to create understanding, hope and change that could unite the entire region with the rest of the world. For more information, please visit www.doha2016.org

As part of the State’s commitments for hosting  the 2006 Asian Games   the games Qatar build a $700 million ‘sports city’ which  include 5,000 apartments for athletes and sports officials to www.doha-2006.com.  This have herald the first ever major sporting event of such a magnitude in the region.

The Government  also has started to sponsor many premier sporting events to attract. World-class sports personalities and supporters. 

Housing & Utilities

The State of Qatar attempts to create the optimum living conditions for its citizens. This is done through raising health, economic and social standards and providing suitable housing that is appropriate to the size, needs and social customs and traditions of each family. The Credit facilities extended by commercial banks to the land, housing and construction sector increased by 77.6% during the year 2007 to reach QR 27,966 million, compared to QR 15,745 million in 2006. The Government provides housing for citizens . It consists of the following facilities purchased The size of the plot in Doha be a minimum of 625 square meters, and outside the capital city the minimum size has been fixed at 1000 square meters The limit for Doha is QR1280 per square meters, while on the city outskirts it is QR800 per square meter & The area of the plot should have prior approval of Urban Planning and Development Authority. The housing loan amount, has been raised to QR1.2m from QR600,000. For benefits that are more valuable, please visit: www.up.org.qa & www.qidb.com.qa

Barwa Real Estate has announced Barwa Housing Program (which is located in two separate areas one in "West Al Saliya" and the other at "Musaimeer" in South Doha). with 1984 housing units are constructed in the two locations. The Mesaimeer area will have 992 double bedroom and triple bedroom apartments, have been signed with more than 650 beneficiary families that are getting ready for occupation. The delivery of these units will happen in February, 2009. For benefits that are more valuable, please visit: www.barwa.com.qa

Transport

The Transport Company “Mowasalat” started its activities by providing land transport services and solutions in October 2004. By providing Airport Taxi, Standard Taxi, VIP Limousine, Standard Limousine, Public Bus Service, School Bus Service, and Private Hire Bus and Coach Services. for mor information please visit www.mowasalat.com
 

Cars

Cars can be rented on most foreign licenses. Foreigners resident in GCC countries can rent a car if they can show a residence visa from their country of residence.
Avis, Budget and Euro car rates per day for a small car, including insurance and unlimited mileage, is about QR150. There are rental desks at the airport and also in some hotels. There is also an agency in Doha -- Al-Muftah Rent-A-Car on Musheireb Street -- which often gives rates cheaper than QR150 per day.