Qatar is rapidly transforming itself into the Switzerland of the Middle East - small, powerful, and very rich. Its economy is growing at an amazing pace, with its capital, Doha, becoming a powerhouse to rival Dubai. Qatar may only be the size of a large British county, but it's determined to punch above its weight and become the pre-eminent financial centre for the region. Its primary income is derived from the export of oil and natural gas and these resources have helped the population - estimated at around 1.7 million - to become one of the richest in the world, with GDP growth of over 8 per cent and average per capita GDP estimated at $87,600 (€66,916). The International Monetary Fund is predicting an average annual growth rate of 12.3 per cent between 2008 and 2012, enabling GDP to rise to $134.4bn (€100bn) by 2012. It's no coincidence that Qatar's been chosen as one of UKTI's High Growth Markets, with unparalleled investment opportunities for UK companies across all sectors.