(Editor's note: In the original transmission of this press release, the internet address in the first paragraph did not transmit correctly.) NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) April 19, 2001—A full sovereign analysis on the State of Qatar in now available at www.standardandpoors.com under Standard&Poor's Forum-Ratings Analysis-Sovereigns, and on RatingsDirect, Standard&Poor's Web-based credit analysis system. Standard&Poor's recent ratings upgrade and outlook revision on Qatar reflects the prospect for continued fiscal prudence, which, together with high oil and gas prices, is resulting in further declines in the public external debt burden. Despite larger-than-budgeted revenues so far this fiscal year (ending March 31), the government has held down spending, and expects to record a budget surplus
