A Transformative State in the Wake of COVID-19: What Is Needed to Enable Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Education in Qatar?

Abstract

Economic diversification is vital in achieving sustainable economic development, especially for countries relying on nonrenewable natural resources, such as oil and gas, in the case of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Moreover, the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the significance of boosting resilience to adverse shocks. Indeed, the pandemic highlighted the need to promote nonhydrocarbon sectors by strengthening the fundamental pillars of the knowledge-based economy: ICT, innovation, R&D, education, entrepreneurship, and the economic and institutional regime. The COVID-19 pandemic has also shown how important it is to mobilize these pillars in record time. Like the other GCC countries, Qatar is seen as a transformative state, suggesting that, although oil and gas provide its primary export revenue, the government has also pushed to diversify its economy toward a knowledge-based one. Indeed, in 2019, hydrocarbons dominated Qatar’s economy, accounting for 90% of government income and 80% of export profits. However, this reliance exposes Qatar to fluctuations in the global oil and gas markets. Accordingly, economic diversification has come to the top of the government’s priority list. Preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar was already in the middle of an economic transition. The economic crisis caused by the pandemic and the drop in oil prices prompted the Qatari government to increase its diversification efforts. Qatar has a solid basis for transitioning to a knowledge-based economy based on its macroeconomic stability, suitable growth rates, and good governance. However, Qatar confronts several challenges in implementing the structural changes necessary for this transition. This paper has three objectives. Firstly, it aims to present the pillars of the knowledge-based economy and their link to the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondly, the paper aims to analyze the present state of the knowledge-based economy in Qatar, including its strengths, drawbacks, and its prospect for the future. Finally, the paper presents some structural reform recommendations to enable innovation, entrepreneurship, and education in Qatar.

Toward a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Qatar

“…From a global perspective, there is evidence that shows a positive relationship between innovation and sustainable economic development, which makes this research even more relevant to our aim of supporting the QNV 2030; at the same time, it contributes to the GCC literature [31]. The QNV 2030 is a master vision and roadmap toward Qatar becoming an advanced society capable of sustainable development.…”

“…It sets out objectives for growth in non-energy sectors to achieve Qatar's transformation into a knowledge-based economy. Economic diversification is vital to sustainable economic development, especially for countries relying on non-renewable natural resources, such as oil and gas, in the case of the GCC countries [31]. It is essential to consider that all the GCC neighbors also have national vision plans to achieve sustainable development.…”

“…Consequently, many of these countries are investing heavily in transforming to knowledge-based economies away from hydrocarbon dependency toward achieving sustainable development. Therefore, economic diversification is vital in achieving sustainable economic development in this region, while the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to promote non-hydrocarbon sectors [31].…”

The role of social media in improving the transparency of village fund management

“…Regional financial reports can be transparent if they meet the following regulations contained in the Minister of Home Affairs Regulation 20 of 2018 concerning Village Financial Management (1) realization reports and accountability reports on the realization of ADD implementation are informed to the public in writing. Governments are responsible for showing that they have done everything they are responsible for (Ben Hassen, 2022). In other words, the government must uphold legality, reduce levels of fraud and corruption, and increase public trust in organizations (Tran et al, 2021); (2) the report on the realization of the implementation of the village fund budget (ADD) is informed through information media that is easily accessible by the public, including bulletin boards, community radio and other information media.…”

Model of Community Empowerment through Education Non-Formal Entrepreneurship to Improve Independence of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

“…Entrepreneurship is a supporter of economic growth and development, that is sustainable economic development of entrepreneurship or technology and innovation (Paun et al, 2019). The COVID-19 pandemic has strengthened the resilience of small and medium enterprises by strengthening their fundamental pillars of information technology knowledge, innovating and always learning (Ben Hassen, 2022).…”