Qatar Changes Cabinet, Makes Wealth Fund CEO the New Health Minister
Qatar announced a big change in its cabinet on Tuesday. Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, the head of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), was appointed as the new Minister of Public Health, as reported by the Qatar News Agency.
Cabinet Changes
- The changes were ordered by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and took effect on Tuesday.
- Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al-Thani is now the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.
- Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi has been appointed Minister of Social Development and Family.
- Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater is the new Minister of Education and Higher Education.
- Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani is now the Minister of Commerce and Industry.
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Thani has been appointed Minister of Transport.
Shura Council
A recent change in Qatar means that instead of having elections for the Shura Council, members will now be appointed. The Shura Council has the power to make laws and approve state policies and budgets, but it doesn’t make decisions about defense, security, or major economic and investment policies. In 2021, Qatar held its first election to fill two-thirds of the seats in this advisory council.
Qatar’s Economy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects Qatar’s economy to grow by 1.5% in 2024. In October, state media announced that Qatar plans to support private businesses by forgiving some loans taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan is part of Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy, which will run from 2024 to 2030.
Qatar’s leader, Sheikh Tamim, said in October that the country has reduced its public debt from 73% of GDP in 2020 to under 44% by the end of 2023. Qatar’s inflation rate was at 1.4% at the end of July, down from 5% in 2022 and 3% in 2023.
Published: 13th November 2024
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