I asked my wife to send our son to nursery at 20 months so he develops his social skills. This is because I noticed when I went on vacation, he would cling only to the people he sees everyday and they are only 4 (my wife, his yaya, my mother-in-law and the driver) and he has learned only one word - 'car'. He knows me because he sees my pictures but that was it. He gets afraid to be near other people. So I thought it was time for him to develop his social skills.
It was worthwhile. After 4 months (he turned two last month), he now says "Daddy" and "Mommy". He knows shapes (circle, triangle, diamond, etc.) and he has learned to recite the ABC. More than that he is very active and sociable now. (see my avatar) He is always looking forward to school even though it mostly playtime.
I think you just have to find a good nursery here in Doha. Also there is your part to encourage your child to learn and be active. I always sing the nursery rhymes to him with actions. He likes it very much that in the school he is only one in his age group who dances with gusto everytime the teachers sing.