A diplomatic rift between Qatar and several Gulf states that’s lasted a year and a half is likely to continue in the new year, said Anwar Gargash, the United Arab Emirate’s minister of state for foreign affairs.

Meanwhile, what is termed as diplomatic rift by the above-cited gentleman is qualified below as a regional blockade by the local media. 

In fact, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain announced on June 5th, 2017, they were all severing diplomatic relations with Qatar over its support for terrorism as well as for its close ties to Iran and so they did.

This translated as all in and out land travel blocked, flights cancelled, all shipping prevented from accessing ports and above all removing all Qatari citizens from their territories.  These measures are acknowledged as preventing Qatar from accessing approximately 40 per cent of its food supply and if the spat continues, it could event prevent Qatar from hosting the World Cup in 2022.The risk of capital outflows induced by the regional blockade on Qatar has largely subsided with the “recovery of foreign reserves and the return to a current-account surplus” in 2018, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Qatar’s fiscal position strengthens on oil, gas revenues: Economist Intelligence Unit

December 30^th, 2018

By Pratap John

Doha’s West Bay as seen from across its bay.

The risk of capital outflows induced by the regional blockade on Qatar has largely subsided with the “recovery of foreign reserves and the return to a current-account surplus” in 2018, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. 

Moreover, reserves at the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA, the sovereign wealth fund) are sufficient to maintain the currency peg to the dollar for several years, meaning that a “devaluation remains a distant prospect” EIU said in an overview.
Qatar’s fiscal position (which is now in a surplus) is also strengthening, because of an increase in oil and gas revenue, although spending on subsidies and wages will remain a “constraint on the rating”.
In terms of the sovereign risk rating, EIU said it “is supported by an increase in hydrocarbons export revenue in recent months and a commensurate increase in central bank reserves.”
Recently, S&P affirmed Qatar’s sovereign credit ratings at ‘AA-/A-1+’. The strength of Qatar’s macroeconomic resilience was the basis for the recent “stable outlook” on the economy provided by international ratings agency.
Meanwhile, EIU noted that “liquidity injections” from the QIA and “access” to international capital markets (albeit at rising premiums) will keep domestic lenders “solvent” in 2019 20.
And the country’s banking sector risk rating is supported by “strong liquidity positions” stemming from the rise in oil prices.
Qatar’s banking sector remains “resilient and healthy” with credit continuing to flow, ample liquidity and asset quality and profitability robust, S&P said while affirming Qatar’s sovereign ratings. 
The ratings agency noted it does not expect the banks to need additional government support, and non-resident deposits have gradually returned to the banking system.
It noted the “outflow of external financing” for Qatari banks, primarily non-resident deposits and inter-bank placements – an impact of the blockade – was “offset by liquidity injections” from the Qatar Central Bank and repatriation into the domestic banking sector of about $40bn in the public sector, mostly the Qatar Investment Authority assets previously held abroad.
EIU said Qatar’s economic diversification investment projects will sustain robust growth until 2030, before slowing thereafter. There remains potential for bursts of high growth if further gas export projects, beyond those planned for the mid-2020s, are approved by the government. 
“Diversification and the expansion of the services sector, funded by the state’s hydrocarbons wealth, will also provide opportunities for growth. The population will continue to increase, largely through immigration, to 3.8mn in 2050. As a result, growth in real GDP per head will be much slower than growth in real GDP,” EIU said.