LNG exports collapsed after the March 2026 strike on Ras Laffan and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing Qatar into quarterly deficits; on October 21 the Cabinet approved the 2027 draft budget and sent it to the Shura Council. The first North Field East LNG train is being readied for November, with production expected in 2027.
What a Korean company can do now
Government · leader
Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani / Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani
Key national agenda
- NDS3 (2024-2030): sustainable growth, quality of life, government institutional reform, fiscal sustainability
- Restore LNG output and complete the North Field expansion
- Expand the private sector and consider outsourcing infrastructure amid austerity
- Grow local content and prioritise national products
- Health and education investment
Government programmes
2027 state budget draft
Approved by Cabinet on Oct 21, 2026 and referred to the Shura Council
2026 state budgetSpending QR220.8bn
Revenue QR199bn (oil at $55), major capex QR62.8bn; Q2 deficit QR21.2bn
North Field East LNG expansion
First train readied for operation in Nov 2026; LNG output expected in H1 2027
Ras Laffan damage repair
March attacks removed about 17% of LNG capacity; two damaged trains may take up to 3 years, one GTL plant targeted for Q1 2027
2026 government procurement planOver QR70bn
About 4,464 contracts worth over QR70bn to the private sector, incl. QR49bn by Ashghal
Business opportunities
Process diagnostics and RPA/AI automation package for government entities
🔒 Why-now and buyers — analysis member ₩19,800/mo
Local content certification and local partner search for Korean SMEs
🔒 Why-now and buyers — analysis member ₩19,800/mo
Open this week
AI solution for hospital scheduling and supply management
Hamad Medical Corporation is issuing large volumes of equipment and consumables tenders.
Hamad Medical Corporation, Ministry of Public Health
Infrastructure PPP structuring and feasibility advisory
🔒 Why-now and buyers — analysis member ₩19,800/mo
Free members get a human-reviewed summary by email for up to 3 countries a month (sent within 24h). BUILD members get them all.
Korean support schemes
- Korea-Qatar SME and innovation cooperation MOU and TIPF · Ministry of SMEs and Startups / MOTIE — MOUs signed at the 2023 summit that underpin SME exchanges and market entry (2023 material).
- Team Korea construction and geospatial MOUs with Qatar · Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport — MOUs with Ashghal and the Ministry of Municipality on smart construction and geospatial data (2023 material).
Official notices
Government Communications Office (GCO) / Qatar News Agency
- 2026-10-21 Cabinet approves 2027 draft budget and refers it to the Shura Council; adopts owners' association implementing regulation
- 2026-10-21 Cabinet approves draft energy cooperation MoU with Saudi Arabia
- 2026-09-08 Ministry of Finance: Q2 2026 deficit of QR21.2bn
- 2025-12 Amir approves 2026 general budget (QR220.8bn spending)
Disaster · conflict · epidemic
Stable 2026-11-07
—
Relaying US–Iran proposals in real time and stepping up diplomacy to avert renewed war (3–4 Nov)
—
