Further phases of North Field gas development costing billions of dollars are in various stages of planning and development. All these industries use gas for fuel. The U.S. is the major equipment supplier for Qatar,s oil and gas industry, and U.S. companies are playing a major role in North Field gas development. Growing numbers of foreign-educated Qataris, including many educated in the U.S., are returning home to assume key positions formerly occupied by expatriates. In order to control the influx of expatriate workers, Qatar has tightened the administration of its foreign manpower programs over the past several years.
Security is the principal basis for Qatar,s strict entry and immigration rules and regulations.
Foreign Relations Qatar achieved full independence in an atmosphere of cooperation with the U.K. and friendship with neighboring states. Most Arab states, the U.K., and the U.S. were among the first countries to recognize Qatar, and the state promptly gained admittance to the United Nations and the Arab League. Qatar established diplomatic relations with the U.S.S.R. and China in 1988. It was an early member of OPEC and a founding member of the GCC, whose rotating presidency it holds until December 1997. In September 1992 tensions arose with Saudi Arabia when a Qatari border post was allegedly attacked by Saudi forces resulting in two deaths.