Qatar: Spending slows

Government spending slowed sharply over the last fiscal year, rising by just 2.2% compared to an average annual rise of 24% between 2002 and 2012, according to Reuters. Finance ministry data showed total state spending of QR178.2bn ($48.9bn) in fiscal year 2012/13, slightly below the planned QR 178.6bn for the fiscal year ending March – the first time spending has been under budget since 1990.