Qatar's economy is likely to grow 7.7 per cent in 2015, slightly slower than previously expected but still well up from 6.3 per cent forecast for this year, the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics said on Sunday.

The Opec member's fiscal surplus is forecast to jump to 8.7 per cent of gross domestic product in calendar 2015 from 5.5 per cent predicted in June, it also said in its semi-annual economic outlook.

Falling oil prices could become a key risk to the outlook if they persist for longer or become steeper, but the wider economy is likely to be shielded by the country's considerable fiscal strength, the ministry added.-Reuters