NPC: Foreign Direct Investment in Qatar reaches QAR 172.2 Billion in Q1 2026

The National Planning Council (NPC) reported on Sunday that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Qatar grew by 3.3% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to Q4 2025, reaching QAR 172.2 billion. Outward FDI, on the other hand, increased by 3.5%, reaching QAR 221.7 billion, according to the NPC's survey conducted in collaboration with the Qatar Central Bank (QCB).

This growth signifies Qatar's expanding investments abroad and development of economic partnerships, supporting asset diversification and long-term returns. Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Secretary-General of the NPC, emphasized that the increase in inward FDI is a positive sign of Qatar's investment trajectory, focusing on the quality of investment and its impact on economic diversification, productivity, knowledge transfer, and high-value-added sectors.

The survey results aim to enhance the attractiveness of the Qatari economy to quality investments and accelerate growth in non-hydrocarbon sectors to meet the targets of the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030. The report further reveals that five main economic activities contributed to over 90% of inward FDI: mining and quarrying (45.3%), financial and insurance activities (31.9%), manufacturing (13%), information and communication activities (2.8%), and professional, scientific, and technical activities (2%).

For outward FDI, financial and insurance activities (33.5%), mining and quarrying (29.8%), information and communication activities (10.8%), accommodation and food service activities (9.1%), and transport and storage activities (7%) accounted for more than 90%. These findings are derived from the NPC's efforts to improve national economic statistics, offering precise and timely data to inform decision-making and measure progress towards national development goals.

The data primarily includes privately-owned companies and some government-owned companies, excluding international financial transactions by the state or individuals, and were combined with QCB data on monetary financial institutions.