Industrial Policy for Digital Development (IPDD) Project: Digitalization, Sustainability and National Security in the New Geoeconomic Order

Industrial policy is on the rise. The goal of the project is to study the rise of industrial policy in a comparative way, and explore its role in digital and sustainable development in the Global South and North with a focus on emerging economies such as the one of the State of Qatar. In addition, the project aims at studying the ways in which industrial policy is reshaping domestic and international trade and investment policies. Thus, the project pursues and furthers the following two National RDI Priority Areas: digital technology and resource sustainability. Industrial policy was a “no-go zone” until a couple years ago. Industrial policy is now making a come-back. There are many reasons behind this transition. The rise in industrial policy is above all associated with the recent economic, financial and health crises, which have demanded a strong state to help cope with national security-related emergencies. Most recent industrial policies were developed in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2008. The COVID-19 pandemic has spearheaded a new set of industrial development policies. New industrial policies are largely different from their counterparts of previous decades. Their goal is to coordinate public and private sector activity, as well as jumpstart new economic sectors. Another difference are the pillars upon which they are based: the new “industries” are in the areas of digital and sustainable economy. Finally, they are more outward-looking; they aim at creating comparative advantages for states in the international economy and shelter states from national security emergencies. The project has the following objectives: (a) conduct a comparative study of emerging industrial policies with a focus on emerging markets such as Qatar; (b) explore the role of industrial policies in achieving the goals of digital and sustainable development; (c) explore the geoeconomic and national security implications of the rise of industrial and digital policy; (d) in turn, appraise the impact of changes taking place at the international level on national economies. The outcomes will be at the level of (i) research in industrial and digital policy, (ii) education at the university and executive level, and (iii) policy development in the relevant areas. The project is expected to shape research and teaching in industrial policymaking in the fields of law, regulation, economics, political economy, security studies and international relations. It will also shape a new set of policies, laws and regulations that will spearhead the development and deployment of new digital technologies that will increase growth and competitiveness in Qatar’s digital sector, provide solutions to digital and sustainable development, as well as enhance key public services. Research, education and policy recommendations will eventually support the sustainable management of Qatar’s technological solutions including AI and blockchain.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)