Qatar has sentenced 8 Indian former marines to death on charges of spying. India’s Foreign Ministry is active in this matter and is exploring legal options to bring back the Indians. Today Qatar is counted among the rich countries of the world, but there was a time when it was called the poor and slave country of the Gulf. Today’s picture is the opposite.
In the Human Development Index 2023 report, the United Nations has considered Qatar as the world’s best and developed economy, where the per capita income of the country is more than Rs 51 lakh.
First out of slavery, then out of poverty
Qatar’s journey out of slavery and joining the rich countries of the world has not been easy. Qatar came into existence as a country in the year 1850. The Al-Thani family has been in power here since this period. From generation to generation, the heirs of the family continued to gain power, but Qatar’s struggle did not subside easily.First Türkiye and later Britain enslaved. Qatar continued to fight both slavery and poverty. Sand was visible everywhere. It was surrounded by Saudi Arabia on one side and the sea on three sides. At that time, coral trade was an important part of the country’s economy.
It got independence in the year 1971. Two decades before this, change had started here. In 1950, oil and gas reserves were discovered at many places here. After this, Qatar’s fortunes started changing. As Qatar’s status increased in the world, expatriates and investors started arriving here. With the increase in population, money also started coming here. In 1950 the population here was less than 25 thousand. By the 70s this figure reached one lakh. After getting independence from the British, it became an independent Islamic country. Today more than 27 lakh people live here.
Qatar began strengthening the foundation of its economy with oil and gas. The situation changed in such a way that a new color appeared in the picture of the country. Qatar’s status started increasing worldwide. The scope of business increased. Apart from oil, fish trade further accelerated the pace of the economy here.
Every third person in Qatar is a millionaire
The discovery of oil and gas reserves was seen as a major achievement for Qatar. The rulers here made many efforts to expand the scope of the country’s economy. As a result, the situation changed and Qatar created its own identity. Now the situation is such that more rich people live in Qatar than Dubai, Saudi Arabia and America. Every third person here is a millionaire.
Don’t have to pay tax?
Today Qatar has become the world’s largest exporter in terms of supply of natural gas. The people here get the benefit of the income earned through this. People here do not have to pay income tax. There are other small nominal taxes. Not only this, Qatar provides free water, electricity and medical facilities to its people.
Also read: Qatar sentenced death to death, how will 8 Indians return to their country now?
