Qatar consumer confidence index stayed afloat as shown in the recent survey conducted jointly by job site Bayt.com and research and consulting organization YouGov. It revealed that residents still hold an optimistic view of their personal financial future, as well as of the country's economy. However, a majority of surveyed employees feel that the current remuneration is not in line with the cost of living, with only 18 percent believing that now is a good time to buy consumer durables. According to the quarterly MENA consumer confidence index survey, expectations for the future are primarily positive amongst respondents from Qatar, with 52 percent believing that their financial position will improve in a year's time, which is a reflection of sentiment from across the Middle East region, and 56 percent of respondents believe that Qatar's economy will take a turn for the better within the same period, which will, according to 60 percent, lead to there being more jobs available. "The overall feeling is that while the coming year will be favorable for business and corporations, this may not necessarily reflect on employees' benefits," explained Amer Zureikat, VP sales at Bayt.com. With regards to the respondents' present financial situation, 40 percent claimed their situation is the same.
