Governance

Your progress is our shared goal
Our team works as a pillar to drive and expand opportunities that facilitate your long-term success

H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Qassim Al-Thani
Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of the Board

H.E. Saud Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah
Deputy Undersecretary for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance

H.E. Saleh Majid Al-Khulaifi
Undersecretary for Industry and Business Development Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

H.E. Sheikh Ali bin Abdulla bin Khalifa Al-Thani
Chief Executive Officer, Media City Qatar

Mr. Abdulla Hamad Al-Misnad
Head of the Executive office of H.E. The Prime Minister

Mr. Yousuf Mohammed Al-Jaida
Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Financial Centre Authority

Mr. Yosouf Abdulrahman Saleh Al-Salehi
Executive Director, Qatar Science & Technology Park

H. E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al-Thani
Chief Executive Officer at Qatar Free Zones Authority

H.E. Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani
Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Naama
Director of Marketing and Communication

Dr. Aymen Adam Mohib
Director of Strategy

Mr. Jeroen Carl Maria Nijland
Director of Investor Relations

H.E. Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani
Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Naama
Director of Marketing and Communication

Dr. Aymen Adam Mohib
Director of Strategy

Mr. Jeroen Carl Maria Nijland
Director of Investor Relations
H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Qassim Al-Thani
Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of the Board
His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani was appointed Minister of Commerce and Industry in October 2021. He was Deputy Governor and Vice-Chairman of the Qatar Central Bank from March 2018 to October 2021. In April 2018, Sheikh Mohammed was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Financial Markets Authority and later that year, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the QFC Regulatory Authority until October 2021. He has served as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatar Development Bank from 2019 to 2021. Prior to his March 2018 Qatar Central Bank appointment, Sheikh Mohammed held a range of senior roles there, including Director of the Risk Management Department until 2012. Following that, for five years, he held the role of Secretary of the Personal Representative of His Highness the Amir for follow-up affairs.
H.E. Saud Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah
Deputy Undersecretary for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
Saud Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah is the Deputy Undersecretary for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Finance. He previously held the position of Director of Economic Policies and Research Department at the Ministry of Finance and was also in charge of managing the Public and Private Partnership Department from 2014.
Mr. Al Attiyah is a Board Member of Qatar Postal Services Company (Q-Post), Chairman of the Economic Diversification and Private Sector Development Strategy within the National Development Strategy 2018 – 2022, Vice Chairman of the Executive Technical Committee for improving the business environment at H.E. the Prime Minister’s office, Vice Chairman of Aspire Sport Accelerator, and has served as Chairman of Lusail Circuit Sports Club since 2015.
Previously, Mr. Al Attiyah served as Director of Legacy Department at the Supreme Committee for Legacy & Delivery from 2011 to 2014, and also as a member of various advisory and executive committees at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Aspire Zone, the Ministry of Public Health, and the Ministry of Education.
Mr. Al Attiyah holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from HEC Paris (Winner of best Capstone project) and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Qatar University. He is currently a Doctorate of Business Administration candidate at the Swiss Business School in Zurich, Switzerland.
H.E. Saleh Majid Al-Khulaifi
Undersecretary for Industry and Business Development Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Mr. Saleh Majid Al-Khulaifi is the Undersecretary for Industry and Business Development Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Executive Director of Business Intelligence and Localization at Qatar Development Bank (QDB). He brings to the board a unique set of experiences to serve IPA Qatar’s objectives.
Saleh serves in the private sector as Chairman of the Qatari German Medical Devices board Company (OOH) advertising pioneer ELAN Media, and Qatar Business Incubator, He is also a founding member of the World Economic Forum – Doha Hub. In the government sector, he serves in IPA Qatar and Q business incubation center.
Saleh earned his Master of Science in Technology Entrepreneurship (MSc) in 2011 from the University College of London. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration (2010) from Carnegie Mellon University.
H.E. Sheikh Ali bin Abdulla bin Khalifa Al-Thani
Chief Executive Officer, Media City Qatar
His Excellency Sheikh Ali bin Abdulla bin Khalifa Al-Thani is the Chief Executive Officer of Media City (Qatar) and plays a key role of managing the overall operations, planning and development of the strategic direction for Media City (Qatar). Sheikh Ali's focus is to drive the long-term success by securing high-quality investment opportunities with major regional and international players in the media industry.
Previously, Sheikh Ali served in The Amir’s Advisory Office for Economic Affairs, in the Amiri Diwan. His extensive media experience includes serving as an Advisor and Deputy Director for Media Affairs at the Government Communications Office (GCO), where he earlier was Head of Media Relations & Communications. In addition, Sheikh Ali was a commercial advisor with Qatar Shell Service Company and has worked in technical and financial areas with Qatar Energy, formerly Qatar Petroleum (QP).
Sheikh Ali serves as an Advisory Board Member of Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPAQ), In addition, he served as Committee Member at different Media Boards including Qatar Media Corporation (QMC), and Crisis Management Team at the National Command Center (NCC).
Sheikh Ali's academic background includes a Master of Science in Finance from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from American University in Washington.
Mr. Yousuf Mohammed Al-Jaida
Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Financial Centre Authority
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) in June 2015. He previously held the role of Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategic Business Development Officer at QFC where he was responsible for leading the overall strategy and business development functions of the organisation.
Prior to joining QFC, he was Head of Indirect Investment at the Qatar General Retirement and Pension Authority, which included overseeing the management of hedge fund, private equity, real estate, fixed income, and equity portfolio investments. He has also worked for Qatar Petroleum and Dolphin Energy early in his career.
Yousuf serves as board member in leading local and international organisations including the World Alliance of International Financial Centers, Qatar Finance and Business Academy, College of Islamic Studies Advisory Board Meeting, Qatar Free Zones Authority and Qatar Stock Exchange.
He is also a board member of the Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar and Qatar Business Events Corporation. Yousuf also sits on the Advisory Council of Qatar University’s College of Business and Economics and serves as a member in the Financial Markets Development Committee.
Previously, Yousuf was on the boards of Nakilat QSC and the $1 billion strategic investment fund of Unicorn Investment Bank, as well as serving as Vice Chairman of Mayadeen Real Estate Company KSCC. He graduated from the University of Arizona, USA, with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering.
Mr. Abdulla Hamad Al-Misnad
Head of the Executive office of H.E. The Prime Minister
Abdulla Hamad Al-Misnad is currently occupying the position, Head of the Executive Office of H.E. The Prime Minister. He has previously worked as the Deputy CEO of Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA), where he led and oversaw QFZA’s business development, this is in addition to being a member of the Board of Directors of Doha Venture Capital (DVC), the global venture capital arm of Qatar Free Zones. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Board of Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a member of the Board of Directors of Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, Advisory Board member of Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPAQ). He also served as a Board member of the Qatari DIAR, a real estate company that manages projects including Lusail City, the 38 sq. km. smart city development.
Before joining QFZA, Abdulla served as the Director of the Ministry of Finance’s Public Projects Department, overseeing the State of Qatar’s $200bn infrastructure budget. Prior to this, he worked for Shell leading carbon and energy efficiency projects.
Abdulla began his career as an engineer at ExxonMobil and a fellow with Qatar Science and Technology Park, and subsequently ran several successful startups in the energy and healthcare sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and Economics from Stanford University, and a Master of Science degree in Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Mr. Yosouf Abdulrahman Saleh Al-Salehi
Executive Director, Qatar Science & Technology Park
Yosouf Abdulrahman Saleh Al-Salehi joined Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) as Executive Director in October 2018. Yosouf brings a wealth of expertise to this senior leadership role from the fields of tech development and research.
Over the past 24 years, Yosouf has held technical, management and research positions in the oil and gas industry in Qatar, starting his career in 1997 as a quality controller at Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) before rapidly progressing to leadership positions.
In 2007, he joined the Qatar Shell Research & Technology Centre (QSRTC) – an anchor tenant of QSTP. In 2011, Yosouf held the position of Vice President at QSRTC where he oversaw QSRTC’s $100 million investment commitment to research, with a specific focus on ‘Corrosion in Gas plants’ and ‘CO2 Utilization and Water Solutions’.
In his capacity as Vice President of QSRTC, Yosouf also managed Qatar Shell’s collaborations with various local and international academic institutions and ensured the organization met its Laterization KPIs in each department.
He is a long-standing member of the Qatar University Technical Advisory Committee, the Gas Processing Centre, and serves on various advisory boards at Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ). He has served as a jury member of ‘Stars of Science’ – the first Pan-Arab reality-TV program showcasing young innovators.
Yosouf is a published author of an Arabic management book (translated title: The Path to Personal Success).
H. E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al-Thani
Chief Executive Officer at Qatar Free Zones Authority
Sheikh Mohammed is involved in all day-to-day operations within the Qatar Free Zones. In addition, Sheikh Mohammed is also responsible for the wider strategy and direction for the Authority.
Sheikh Mohammed previously worked within the Investments Team at Qatar Foundation Endowment, as one of its founding members. Early on in his career Sheikh Mohammed was seconded to Goldman Sachs working for the Asset Management team. Subsequently, appointed to the Qatar Foundation Endowment’s Strategy Committee in partnership with Goldman Sachs.
Within his tenure at Qatar Foundation Endowment Sheikh Mohammed led several notable international investments, was appointed as a Board Director of several portfolio companies and oversaw the management of external investment fund managers.
Sheikh Mohammed holds an Executive MBA from HEC Paris, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from George Washington University. He is also an Alumni of the Qatar Leadership Centre.
H.E. Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani
Chief Executive Officer
Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani is the Chief Executive Officer of Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar). He is also a board member of Katara Hospitality, Media City (Qatar), Qatari Diar and the Qatar Free Zones Authority.
Previously, Sheikh Ali was appointed as Coordinator for Economic Affairs at the Prime Minister’s office overseeing a broad range of activities related to Qatar’s economic and investment agenda.
He has also served as Director of the State of Qatar’s Office to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland, where he oversaw negotiations and standing committees in the WTO related to market access, agriculture, trade and investment, subsidies and other key areas. Moreover, he was elected by consensus as Chairman of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS) Committee in 2017, which is responsible for one of the principal legal agreements of the WTO. In his role as Chairman, he oversaw the regular functioning of the committee and was involved in the ongoing investment facilitation working group discussions.
Sheikh Ali also served as the Commercial Attaché to Qatar’s permanent mission to the United Nations, covering negotiations and standing committees in the UNCTAD and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, as well as an Executive Master’s in International Negotiation & Policymaking from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.
Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Naama
Director of Marketing and Communication
Jassim Al-Naama was appointed the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar in 2021. Prior to joining IPA Qatar, Jassim was a Public Relations Manager at Nakilat, a shipping and maritime company based in the State of Qatar. In his capacity, he led Nakilat and its Joint Ventures communications initiatives, both internally and externally, in addition to creating the company’s branding strategy.
Jassim served as well in many positions across different organisations, including Head of Public Relations and Events of Muntajat, and an Events Officer at Msheireb Properties. Through his career journey, Jassim has acquired vast experience, which spans Public Relations, Events Management, Crisis Communication, Public Speaking and Digital Marketing.
Jassim holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing, from Qatar University.
Dr. Aymen Adam Mohib
Director of Strategy
Aymen leads the Strategic Planning and Incentives Management department at the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar. He has extensive experience in investment across a breadth of sectors worldwide.
Aymen previously led the strategy and economic policy efforts at the Qatar Financial Centre and subsequently served as an economic adviser at the Minister of Finance Office in Qatar. Before that, he worked at The Boston Consulting Group in the Middle East region where he mainly advised sovereign wealth funds and financial institutions on investment strategies and the public sector on national development plans.
Aymen has spent half of his career in investment banking. He started his career with Natixis where he executed project finance and public private partnership deals within the energy, transportation, and infrastructure sectors as part of his tenure in both France and North America. He was a Vice President at Deutsche Bank, where he was part of the Project Finance Advisory division in the Middle East and the M&A division in Brazil. Additionally, he has worked with BTG Pactual’s M&A team in Hong Kong.
Aymen achieved his Doctorate of Business Administration, in the field of nation branding and foreign direct investment, from Ecole des Ponts Business School, his MBA in Finance & Strategy from the Wharton School and MPA in International & Global Affairs from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He received his dual MS degrees in financial management and entrepreneurship from the Grenoble Graduate School of Business. Aymen speaks fluent English, French, Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Mr. Jeroen Carl Maria Nijland
Director of Investor Relations
Jeroen leads the Investor Relations and Stakeholder Management department at the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar. Jeroen has longstanding experience in developing, executing, and managing international public sector policies aimed at the business sector.
Prior to joining IPA Qatar, Jeroen was heading the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, an Agency dedicated to attracting foreign investors to the Netherlands. In addition, he was responsible for coordinating the Invest in Holland network, comprising of all the relevant investment promotion platforms of the country, and acted as the first Chair of the network of Investment Promotion Agencies of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris.
Jeroen received his Master’s degrees in Political Science and Economics, and in Public Administration from the Radboud University in the Netherlands, both summa cum laude.
H.E. Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani
Chief Executive Officer
Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani is the Chief Executive Officer of Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar). He is also a board member of Katara Hospitality, Media City (Qatar), Qatari Diar and the Qatar Free Zones Authority.
Previously, Sheikh Ali was appointed as Coordinator for Economic Affairs at the Prime Minister’s office overseeing a broad range of activities related to Qatar’s economic and investment agenda.
He has also served as Director of the State of Qatar’s Office to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland, where he oversaw negotiations and standing committees in the WTO related to market access, agriculture, trade and investment, subsidies and other key areas. Moreover, he was elected by consensus as Chairman of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS) Committee in 2017, which is responsible for one of the principal legal agreements of the WTO. In his role as Chairman, he oversaw the regular functioning of the committee and was involved in the ongoing investment facilitation working group discussions.
Sheikh Ali also served as the Commercial Attaché to Qatar’s permanent mission to the United Nations, covering negotiations and standing committees in the UNCTAD and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, as well as an Executive Master’s in International Negotiation & Policymaking from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.
Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Naama
Director of Marketing and Communication
Jassim Al-Naama was appointed the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar in 2021. Prior to joining IPA Qatar, Jassim was a Public Relations Manager at Nakilat, a shipping and maritime company based in the State of Qatar. In his capacity, he led Nakilat and its Joint Ventures communications initiatives, both internally and externally, in addition to creating the company’s branding strategy.
Jassim served as well in many positions across different organisations, including Head of Public Relations and Events of Muntajat, and an Events Officer at Msheireb Properties. Through his career journey, Jassim has acquired vast experience, which spans Public Relations, Events Management, Crisis Communication, Public Speaking and Digital Marketing.
Jassim holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing, from Qatar University.
Dr. Aymen Adam Mohib
Director of Strategy
Aymen leads the Strategic Planning and Incentives Management department at the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar. He has extensive experience in investment across a breadth of sectors worldwide.
Aymen previously led the strategy and economic policy efforts at the Qatar Financial Centre and subsequently served as an economic adviser at the Minister of Finance Office in Qatar. Before that, he worked at The Boston Consulting Group in the Middle East region where he mainly advised sovereign wealth funds and financial institutions on investment strategies and the public sector on national development plans.
Aymen has spent half of his career in investment banking. He started his career with Natixis where he executed project finance and public private partnership deals within the energy, transportation, and infrastructure sectors as part of his tenure in both France and North America. He was a Vice President at Deutsche Bank, where he was part of the Project Finance Advisory division in the Middle East and the M&A division in Brazil. Additionally, he has worked with BTG Pactual’s M&A team in Hong Kong.
Aymen achieved his Doctorate of Business Administration, in the field of nation branding and foreign direct investment, from Ecole des Ponts Business School, his MBA in Finance & Strategy from the Wharton School and MPA in International & Global Affairs from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He received his dual MS degrees in financial management and entrepreneurship from the Grenoble Graduate School of Business. Aymen speaks fluent English, French, Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Mr. Jeroen Carl Maria Nijland
Director of Investor Relations
Jeroen leads the Investor Relations and Stakeholder Management department at the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar. Jeroen has longstanding experience in developing, executing, and managing international public sector policies aimed at the business sector.
Prior to joining IPA Qatar, Jeroen was heading the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, an Agency dedicated to attracting foreign investors to the Netherlands. In addition, he was responsible for coordinating the Invest in Holland network, comprising of all the relevant investment promotion platforms of the country, and acted as the first Chair of the network of Investment Promotion Agencies of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris.
Jeroen received his Master’s degrees in Political Science and Economics, and in Public Administration from the Radboud University in the Netherlands, both summa cum laude.
Supporting your investment journey in Qatar’s dynamic business environment
Our platform gives you Access to a wealth of resources and tools, spanning information on establishing a business, hiring, living, taxation, and the regulatory frameworks in Qatar.
Explore Access QatarSetting up
Setting up your Business in Qatar
Here are some key processes to know as you start your investment journey in Qatar.
Businesses can incorporate and operate through Qatar’s licensing platforms including:
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI)
- Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)
- Qatar Free zones Authority (QFZ)
- Qatar Science and Technology park (QSTP)
- Media City
Upon the approval of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) and obtaining the commercial registration and license from relevant authorities, businesses can start their operations.
Core focus sectors across platforms vary:
- MOCI oversees commercial and industrial activities
- QFC is a leading onshore business and financial centre providing a world-class platform for domestic and international companies to set up or expand their business in Qatar
- QFZ supports companies in key sectors including emerging technology, manufacturing and chemicals, trade and logistics and maritime activities
- QSTP provides multiple programmes and infrastructural and tech-based support system for companies
- Media City focuses on the growth and development of the media industry with a focus on traditional and digital media, technology, communications, research and development
For registering under the MOCI, for an LLC company, the following are the main requirements:
- Application to incorporate a company
- Commercial registration attested by competent authorities and translated into Arabic
- Shareholders/board resolution
- Model of the project work plan
- Trade license
- Certified copy of memorandum and articles of association attested and translated into Arabic
- Power of attorney
For establishing an LLC company under MOCI, the application fee is around QAR 1,500 (minimum), and the license fee is around QAR 1,020 (minimum).
Hiring
Hiring in Qatar
Critical information you may need regarding the country’s talent landscape
The country provides several facilities for recruitment in both high skilled and low-skilled jobs. These include various globally recognised job sites, services, and agencies, allowing employers to recruit talent at the national, regional, and international levels.
- Employers must enroll their non-Qatari employees and their family members in the mandatory health insurance scheme through contracts concluded with insurance companies registered with the MOPH.
- Qatar’s Law No.17 of 2020 introduced the non-discriminatory minimum wage applying to all workers, with a basic monthly wage of QAR 1,000 ($275 USD), and an allowance of at least QAR 300 and QAR 500 for food and housing respectively.
- On average, the maximum working hours are 48 per week. During the month of Ramadan, it is reduced to a maximum of 36 hours per week or 6 hours per day. Workers are entitled to at least one day of rest per week.
The average monthly wage for the total number of workers amounted to nearly QAR 12,000.
Average annual salaries of skilled workers including data scientists, software engineers, and financial analysts, range from USD 60,000-100,000
The Ministry of Interior (MoI) set up visa centres to provide seamless and efficient service for residency procedures on its behalf in eight countries - India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Nepal. Individuals must complete biometric enrolment, medical examinations, and sign work contracts in their home countries through the Qatar Visa Center (QVCs) before coming to Qatar.
Work permits are issued for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years approved by the Ministry of Labor (MoL). The MoL offers an e-service for the issuance and renewal of work permits for workers.
There are over 32 higher education institutions in Qatar, with world-renowned universities and local training centres for upskilling talent.
Qatar has a vibrant knowledge ecosystem and rich culture offering:
- Innovative and entrepreneurial: 1st in Arab world in Global Entrepreneurship Index
- World-leading digital infrastructure: 4th in 5G Leadership Index with 99% internet penetration
- 15 renowned international universities and institutes at Qatar Foundation’s Education City
Taxation
Taxation in Qatar
Key for businesses and individuals seeking to understand the tax system in Qatar.
- Under Law No. 24 of 2018 (the Tax Law), non-Qatari nationals and Qatari and/or GCC nationals who are not residents in Qatar are subject to corporate income tax at a flat rate of 10%.
- A different tax rate applies to entities undertaking oil and gas / petrochemical operations, or where the activities are carried out under an Agreement with the Government. Such entities are generally taxed at a rate of 35% or higher.
- A legal entity incorporated in Qatar, which is wholly owned by Qatari and/or GCC nationals that are tax resident in Qatar, is exempt from corporate income tax.
All taxpayers operating businesses in Qatar must obtain tax cards from the General Tax Authority (GTA).
Applications should be submitted within 30 days from commencing activities or registering with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Commercial Register.
A body corporate is considered resident if it is formed and registered under Qatari law or if it conducts business through a head office or place of effective management in Qatar.
There are no taxes imposed on employed individuals’ salaries, wages and allowances in Qatar.
Currently, Qatar imposes no VAT or sales tax on operations in Qatar.
Qatar imposes excise tax on the following goods at their respective rates:
- Tobacco and its products: 100%
- Energy drinks: 100%
- Carbonated drinks: 50%
- Special-purpose goods (consumed under specific conditions and authorisations): 100%
Regulations
Laws and Regulations
Information on business laws and regulations
The General Authority of Customs (GAC) is the competent government authority responsible for monitoring and implementing all import and export regulations, working closely with other public and private agencies to ensure compliance with Qatar’s customs legislation.
In alignment with the GCC Customs Union, Qatar imposes a 5% ad valorem tariff on the value of cost, insurance and freight (CIF) invoice of general cargo goods, excluding those exempted by law provisions. The tariff may also include a fixed amount levied on each unit of the goods. The limited tariff exceptions are:
- Records and music instruments: 15%
- Steel: 20%
- Urea and ammonia: 30%
- Alcoholic beverages: 100%
- Cigarettes and tobacco products: 100% or QAR 1,000 per 10,000 cigarettes, whichever is higher
The Qatari Labour Law enables employees to terminate their employment during their probationary period by providing a one-month notice to their employer.
The one-month notice period applies to employees who are in their first two years of service, whereas the two-month notice period applies to employees who have served longer.
TThe Commercial Companies Law provides for the following types of legal entities that may be formed and registered in the State of Qatar:
- Joint Liability Company
- Limited Partnership
- Joint Venture Company
- Public Shareholding Company
- Private Shareholding Company
- Partnership Limited by Shares
- Limited Liability Company
- Holding Company
Foreign Investment Law (Law No. 1 of 2019) allows the establishment of 100% foreign-owned companies, with various incentives and benefits for non-Qatari investors as outlined by the law.
The 100% foreign ownership law does not apply to the banking and insurance sectors, companies engaged in the exploitation of natural resources, commercial agencies, and any other sectors decided by the Council of Ministers.
Supports
Qatar creates a supportive environment for foreign investors.
With its strong economic foundation, future-ready infrastructure, and unparalleled connectivity, Qatar is rapidly transforming into an extraordinary hub that offers a promising outlook and creates a lucrative world of opportunities for today's ambitious investors.
Qatar has created a business-friendly climate for investors with offerings including:
- Up to 100% foreign ownership across various sectors
- 10% corporate tax rate
- Zero tax on personal income
- Expanded economic zones (with Tax Holidays)
- Double Taxation Agreements (DTA) with 80+ countries
- No restrictions on profit repatriation
- Single-window registration services to simplify commercial registration
- Access to the international court for alternative dispute resolution (QICDRC)
- The foreign investment law in Qatar offers various incentives for non-Qatari investors, including land allocation, income tax exemption, customs duty exemption for machinery, equipment and raw materials, fair compensation in case of expropriation, transfer of ownership, and dispute settlement through arbitration.
The Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) oversees investment promotion activities under the Invest Qatar brand and acts as the country’s umbrella organisation for FDI attraction. As part of its mandate, Invest Qatar manages financial incentives under a centralised national incentives programme, developed to complement the nation’s value proposition to attract foreign investors.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) offers a range of investment incentives, including land allocation for foreign investment projects by way of use or renewable rent. The foreign investor has the right to import what is necessary for the establishment, operation or expansion of their investment project, and the investor may be exempt from income tax and customs duties for machinery and equipment.
Qatar Development Bank (QDB) offers a range of mechanisms—from reviewing your feasibility study and supporting you with the necessary funding to providing legal and financial advisory services—to helping you launch and run a business successfully in Qatar.
Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF)programmes provide funding opportunities in the academic, public and private sectors to foster research in priority sectors such as engineering and technology, physical and life sciences, medicine, humanities, social sciences, and arts.
Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) provides multiple funding opportunities for local and international tech founders and entrepreneurs. Through the Product Development Fund (PDF), QSTP provides up to 50% of the total budget as a grant to encourage local startups and SMEs, and the QSTP Tech Venture Fund (TVF) provides source-seed funding and follow-on capital for local and international tech founders and entrepreneurs looking to scale-up in the region.
With its future-ready digital and physical infrastructures, abundant natural resources and global connectivity, Qatar is a major international hub that provides unparalleled market access, enabling international investors to benefit from an increasingly seamless flow of trade and capital.
- More than 2 billion people across 25 countries worth $6 trillion in combined GDP are located within 3000 km of Qatar
- Qatar is connected to over 140 international destinations, through Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport (HIA)
- Hamad Port is one of the largest green ports in the world, stretching over 28.5 sq. km
Qatar offers a set of incentives for expatriate labour:
- Permanent residency opportunities
- Visa-free/on-arrival entry to 80+ nationalities
- Planned legal provisions for retirement
- Liberal immigration and employment rules
- Minimum wage and wage protections
- Laws to protect foreign workers
- Instant access to e-Government services
Gateway
Introducing the first digital platform for investors in Qatar
The Invest Qatar Gateway enables you to:
- Find companies to partner with
- Access real business opportunities in the public and private sectors
- Find resources to support the growth of your business in Qatar
- Connect with the Invest Qatar team to set up your business and facilitate introductions
Looking to start and expand your business in Qatar?
Companies Directory
- Explore a network of companies that are already present in Qatar and learn about the services and opportunities they offer
- Request introductions to companies that you want to partner with
- Showcase your locally established company and gain exposure to other companies and foreign investors
Support Services
- Find business support service providers that can help you set up and grow your business
- Request a service and communicate with service providers directly on the platform
- Feature your business services and grow your customer base
Tenders
- Gain access to public sector tenders from Monaqasat
- Find tenders posted by private companies on the platform
- Post your tenders to attract bidders
Opportunities
- Explore public-private partnership (PPP) opportunities in Qatar
- Get matched with relevant opportunities based on your company profile and preferences
- Post opportunities to find business partners or to raise or invest capital
Investor Relations
- Connect with the Investor Relations team at Invest Qatar through messaging or book a meeting
- Receive assistance in setting up and growing your business in Qatar
- Get matched with relevant business opportunities based on your industry and interests
Insights
A resource hub for all publications providing critical information to investors including valuable insights and information on market opportunities, informative guides, macroeconomic outlooks, geographical studies and other valuable insights.
Publications
A resource hub for all publications providing critical information to investors including valuable insights and information on market opportunities, informative guides, macroeconomic outlooks, geographical studies and other valuable insights.
Overview
A stable and resilient economy
Here are some key processes to know as you start your investment journey in Qatar.
Qatar’s stable and competitive economy has been growing at a faster rate on average than advanced economies. The country's high per capita income, vast hydrocarbon reserves, and strong economic fundamentals support its credit profile.
Early indicators are signaling robust economic activity and strong business conditions. The economy is expected to record strong growth thanks to favorable hydrocarbon prices and increased demand during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Cup.
Qatar’s S&P rating is AA-, Moody’s Aa3, and Fitch AA-, displaying a stable outlook.
Qatar is a key contributor to global energy security as the largest exporter of natural gas globally. Qatar’s top five export partners include China, India, South Korea, Japan, and the UK.
FDI markets estimate ~QAR 4bn worth of projects in 2021, a 33% increase compared to the previous year.
In 2022, Qatar recorded the highest total investment in the region, attracting USD 23.7 bn worth of projects. According to fDi intelligence, Qatar ranked 1st globally in terms of investment momentum for 2023.
Life
Living in Qatar
Settle into your new home in Qatar
Qatar provides a wide range of accommodation options from modest to high-end, smart, and sustainable living environments. Some of the world-class central and modern living places are found in Msheireb Downtown Doha, West Bay, Lusail City, and the Pearl.
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment varies from $1,118 to $1,763. Whereas the average monthly rent for a three-bedroom apartment lies between $2,130 and $3,137.
Qatar has over 207 private schools offering a comprehensive and integrated curriculum, and over 332 private schools offering various curricula – like the International Baccalaureate (IB), British curriculum, Indian curriculum, among others.
Qatar offers a multimodal transport system, including the:
- Doha Metro, a state-of-the-art automated rail network with single fares of QAR 2 (Standard)
- Mowasalat (Karwa) Public Bus Service with fares attractively priced from QAR 2.50 - QAR 9
- Mowasalat (Karwa) Taxi Service
- Lusail Tram with single fares for QAR 2
Qatar provides world-class healthcare through 27 regional Primary Healthcare Care Corporation Centers (PHCC), 12 public hospitals run by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), and over 20 private hospitals and clinics.
To apply for a Qatari Driving License, you must be a resident in Qatar, at least 18 years of age.
To apply for a Qatari Driving License, simply present the required documents to the traffic departments located in driving schools.
Documents include:
- Qatari ID card and passport
- A copy of the ID card of the sponsor (if the sponsor is a person)
- A letter from the sponsor to approve the request for a new license
- 3 recent colour photographs (passport size)
The license fee is QAR 250 for non-Qataris (valid for 5 years), and QAR 300 for heavy vehicles (valid for five years for non-Qatari). Additional fees apply for driving and vision tests.
Qatar is home to an innovative and advanced banking ecosystem – offering digital and mobile banking for users to seamlessly transfer and transact online. There are around 18 banks operating in Qatar through 202 local branches and about 20 exchange companies.
To open a bank account, the following are typically required:
- - Documents including a copy of Qatar ID, and passport
- - Minimum deposit per bank requirements
Scale Up in Qatar
Scale Up in Qatar is a dedicated program focused on providing foreign investors with bespoke offerings including advisory services to support the growth of their businesses. Contact us for more information
Access Qatar
Access Qatar is designed to streamline the journey of foreign investors in Qatar by offering premium and fast-tracked services including but not limited to
- Dedicated support prior to arriving in Qatar for visa and entry requirements
- Customized information packs
- 24/7 digital chat service
- And other supporting services
Contact us for more information