Qatar faces worst economic blockade in history
BUSINESS
By Xu Jiayuan

2017-06-12 20:30 GMT+8

Qatar is facing its worst economic blockade in history after Gulf neighbors Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, along with Egypt, severed diplomatic ties, shut down land, sea and air traffic, froze trade ties and cut food supplies.

However some analysts believe the blockade will not affect the country, as Qatari authorities have been swift in managing the deepening diplomatic crisis.

The small gas- and oil-rich peninsula is turning its frozen national airline planes to freighters, shipping tons of products from its closest regional partners such as Turkey. Doha also waived some import restrictions, such as mandatory Arabic labels or stickers which are no longer required.

Qatar is still holding tight to the dream of hosting the 2022 World Cup, with the entire capital either under construction or renovation. Construction materials were primarily imported from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. But stocks can only last for a month, and shipments must start soon before shortages are felt.

If the Gulf states discontinue imports to Qatar, then Iran, India and Pakistan are the most likely alternatives to fill the gap.

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