Qatar to write off loans to boost private sector growth

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Qatar is planning initiatives to boost private sector growth in the Gulf state, including writing off some loans to Qatari companies made during the COVID-19 pandemic, state media reported late on Wednesday.

The Cabinet has called for the preparation and implementation of a package of initiatives to increase private sector participation in the national economy, the Qatar News Agency reported, based on directives from Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The initiatives are intended to offer support to private companies struggling to recover from the pandemic and strengthen the private sector as part of government plans to diversify the economy, create jobs and attract investment.

Loans to Qatari firms under the National Response Guarantee Programme are to be dropped, and companies will also be able to access short-term funding to finance working capital, according to the statement.

Qatar, one of the world's top exporters of liquefied natural gas, has accelerated its efforts to diversify economic sectors and revenue streams, but it remains reliant on gas revenue for government income.

The latest initiatives align with Qatar's Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030.

(Reporting by Rachna Uppal; Editing by Tom Hogue)

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