The results of the foreign direct investment survey in the State of Qatar for the first quarter of 2026 showed the continued growth of inward and outward foreign direct investment stocks during the period from January to last March.
The National Planning Council issued the results of the survey, which was carried out in cooperation with the Qatar Central Bank, indicating that they showed an increase in the balance of inward foreign direct investment by the end of the first quarter of 2026 by 3.3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, to reach about 172.2 billion riyals, and an increase in the balance of inward foreign direct investment by 3.5% to reach about 221.7 billion riyals during the same period.
In this context, His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Secretary-General of the National Planning Council, said: “The increase in the stock of inward foreign direct investment during the first quarter of 2026 represents a positive indicator of the investment path in the State of Qatar. At the National Planning Council, we look beyond the volume of investments, to include their quality and their impact on diversifying the economy, raising productivity, transferring knowledge and technology, and promoting the growth of value-added sectors. Our priority during the next phase is to continue enhancing the attractiveness of the Qatari economy. For qualitative investments, and accelerating the growth of investments in non-hydrocarbon sectors, in a way that supports achieving the goals of the third national development strategy and the Qatar National Vision 2030.”
The statement explained that five main economic activities represent more than 90% of the balance of inward foreign direct investment, with mining and quarrying accounting for 45.3%, followed by financial and insurance activities with 31.9%, then manufacturing industries with 13%, information and communications activities with 2.8%, and professional, scientific and technical activities with 2%.
He added that this distribution confirms the importance of continuing to work on expanding the base of foreign direct investments in non-hydrocarbon sectors, in a way that enhances the path of economic diversification targeted within the third national development strategy.
With regard to Qatari investments abroad, the statement indicated that the results of the survey showed an increase in the balance of foreign direct investment abroad by the end of the first quarter of 2026 by 3.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, reaching about 221.7 billion riyals, as this growth reflects the expanding presence of Qatari investments in international markets, and the building of economic and investment partnerships that support the diversification of assets and enhance returns in the long term.
He pointed out that five main economic activities represent more than 90% of the balance of foreign direct investment abroad, which are financial and insurance activities at a rate of 33.5%, mining and quarrying at a rate of 29.8%, information and communications activities at a rate of 10.8%, accommodation and food services activities at a rate of 9.1%, and transportation and storage activities at a rate of 7%.
These results come within the efforts of the National Planning Council to enhance the quality and update of national economic statistics, and provide more accurate and regular data to support decision-making and measure progress towards national development goals.
The survey results cover preliminary estimates of inward and outward foreign direct investment stocks, and include data on private sector-owned companies and some government-owned companies, and do not include international financial transactions conducted by the state or individuals. The results are also integrated with Qatar Central Bank data related to monetary financial institutions, including banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. The data for the first quarter of 2026 was based on a sample of about 210 establishments operating in the State of Qatar.
