The 2005 trade balance shows a surplus of 40% of the GDP, inflation is high. Economic development is taking place although the overall infrastructure is still lagging behind (no hotels, transport problems…), and may discourage the companies who wish to develop their business in Qatar. Qatarisation stands at 20% of the workforce. The French presence in Qatar varies greatly from one activity sector to another: in 2004, France was the first economic partner of Qatar, thanks to the Airbus monopole in Qatar Airways, and has also a strategic partnership with Qatar through Total.
Many opportunities remain for French companies to gain market shares in Qatar,notably on the consumer market, with a population increase of 35%,in the still non existent tourism sector, in the telecom sector, among others.