Amir Orders Cabinet Reshuffle and Decrees Changes to Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Investment Authority

The Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, ordered a cabinet reshuffle yesterday, the first since early 2016.  Though the reshuffle was limited, the heads of Qatar’s biggest bank and state-run oil firm were appointed two key ministerial posts in the reshuffle.

According to Reuters , the cabinet now has business heavyweight, Ali Ahmed al-Kuwari, previously Qatar National Bank (QNB) CEO, behind a new portfolio combining commerce and industry under one ministry. 

Saad al-Kaabi, the chief executive of QP, was named minister of state for energy affairs.  As reported by SPGlobal , Al-Kaabi has played a key role in the Qatari Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) industry as CEO of QP, maintaining Qatar's position as one of the largest LNG exporters in the world.  A separate renewable energy department, established as part of the reshuffle, will also fall under the watch of the new minister for energy affairs.

Abdulla Abdulaziz Al Subaie was appointed minister of municipality and environment, a post seen as key to preparations for the country’s 2022 World Cup.  As stated by Reuters, Subaie has served as managing director and CEO of Qatar Rail, which expects to launch Doha’s first metro line this year. 

New ministers were appointed to head the departments of justice, and of labor and social affairs.

Aside from ministry positions, the boards of Qatar Petroleum (QP), and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) were also reshuffled.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was named chairman of QIA, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani, the 30-year-old deputy and brother of the emir, was named chairman of Qatar Petroleum.

According to Majed al-Ansari, an analyst and professor of political sociology at Qatar University, “The cabinet shuffle was expected to come earlier, but was apparently on hold as the country dealt with the blockade and now, as the ramifications have been successfully dealt with, it was time.  It does not signal a change in policy or power shift in the government.”