The Economist Intelligence Unit expects the creation of a new partly elected Majlis al-Shura (Consultative Council) to take place within the outlook period, following a series of delays principally related to practical difficulties in delineating constituency boundaries, and to disagreements within the ruling family over the electoral franchise. Qatar's international relations will be tested by the stand-off between the US and Iran over the latter's nuclear programme, with Qatar seeking to avoid becoming embroiled in any military confrontation. The government will continue to try to attract greater foreign investment into the country's non-energy sectors, as its moratorium on agreeing new gas export projects remains in place. Government expenditure will rise rapidly over the outlook period, but strong oil prices will keep the fiscal account comfortably in surplus. A sharp increase in gas and petrochemicals exports, as well as strong domestic demand, will boost growth, with real GDP set to expand by 9.5% in 2008 and 12.3% in 2009. Inflation, having reached an estimated average rate of 12% in 2007, is expected to decline gradually, as a large number of new property projects come on stream and international non-oil commodity prices dip.