Invest in
Qatar
About Qatar

About Qatar 01

  • Qatar is a country located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the north-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
  • Qatar is an absolute monarchy ruled by the House of Thani since Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani founded the state in the early 19th century.
  • Qatar gained independence from Great Britain in 1971.
  • In early 2017, Qatar's total population was 2.6 million: 313,000 Qatari citizens and 2.3 million expatriates.
  • Qatar is a high-income economy, backed by the world's thirdlargest natural gas reserves and oil reserves as well as the highest per capita income in the world.
  • Before the discovery of oil, the economy of the Qatari region was focused on fishing and pearl hunting.
  • Qatar is classified by the UN as a country of very high human development.
  • Islam is Qatar's predominant and official religion although it is not the only religion practiced in the country.
  • The 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place in Qatar. This will be the first World Cup ever to be held in the Arab world and the first in a Muslim-majority country.

Why to invest in Qatar? 02

Qatar is one of the fastest-growing regional economies and among the most promising globally, maintaining balanced growth rates despite various global challenges. Qatar is currently pursuing its journey towards establishing a diversified, competitive and knowledge-based economy in-line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030). The aim of QNV 2030 is to "transform Qatar into an advanced society capable of achieving sustainable development" by 2030. The plan's development goals are divided into four central pillars: economic, social, human and environmental development.

The State has also developed an investor-friendly business environment, through the launch of several initiatives, including the creation of a single window for investor services, providing advanced electronic services for business incorporation, identifying and streamlining procedures for licensing the construction of business centres, issuing business licenses and offering incentives to foreign investors.

“Qatar - Gross Domestic Product (Billion $ us)”

Why to invest in Qatar?

National Wealth

The world's richest country per capita according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2017.

A Diverse Nation

Home to over 85 different nationalities.

Accelerating GDP

Qatar’s GDP Growth Rate will accelerate from 2.6 percent in 2018 to 2.7 percent in 2019.

Peace of Mind

Qatar ranked the 13th most peaceful country on the planet.

Safe & Sound

The Global Crime Index 2018 ranks Qatar as the 2nd safest country in the world.

Globally Competitive

Qatar’s ranked the 25th out of 137 in the Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018.

Why to invest in Qatar?

Total trade exchange to the State of Qatar with the countries of the world in the second quarter of 2017

TOTAL EXPORT

57
Billion QR

IMPORTS

24
Billion QR

TRADE BALANCE

33
Billion QR

TRADE BALANCE

81
Billion QR
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Major ongoing projects in the State of Qatar 03

The economic projects that are deployed by the State of Qatar contribute to the development of the economic projects that contribute to the accomplishment of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the promotion of a diversified and competitive national economy.

1. Ras Bufontas Special Economic Zone

adjacent to Hamad International Airport, covers the following sectors: healthcare & medical devices, aircraft and automobile industries, advanced technology, logistics, and business services.

2. Al Karaana Economic Zone

is devoted to support the specialized industries and logistic services sector. The total area of Al Karaana Economic Zone is 38.43 km2, strategically located half way between Doha and Abu Sumra on the border of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Al Karaana provides all the required infrastructure for successfully servicing the GCC countries and global markets.

3. Um Alhoul Economic Zone

is dedicated to support the light industries sector. The total area is 33.52 km2. It is located next to the new port of Al Wakra Southern. Um Alhoul is suitable for companies looking for world-class infrastructure and light industries.

4. Qatar’s Railway Network

The State of Qatar is embarking on a momentous venture with the development of not one, but four rail initiatives – to be known as The Qatar Rail Development Program (QRDP). QRDP will consist of: Doha Metro; Long Distance | Passenger Rail ; Long Distance I Freight Rail ; Light Rail Transit.

5. Al Wa’ab

Offering meaningful value at every touch point, Al Wa`ab City delivers high quality and genuinely meaningful offerings for residents, guests and visitors alike. A low-rise, low-density development with a true sense of place, Al Wa`ab City is strategically located in Doha, surrounded by main arterial roads, close to the planned metro and next to some of Doha`s premium schools.

6. Doha’s New Port

One of the world’s largest greenfield port developments. Strategically located south of Doha, the QR27 Billion ($7.4 Billion) mega project, which includes a new port, a new base for the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces and naval channel within the Qatar Economic Zone3, will span a 26.5km2 area.

7. Energy City Qatar

Energy City Qatar is the first integrated energy business hub in GCC and Middle East. The purpose of ECQ is to enhance the Gulf region’s ability to capture critical revenue streams from hydrocarbons and act as a nucleus for the core elements of the Middle East’s growing oil and gas industry. The site is connected to Lusail City via the Al Khor expressway.

8. Msheireb Project

Msheireb Properties’ flagship project, Msheireb, will regenerate and preserve the historical downtown of Doha. This pioneering project that is worth QR20 billion aims to revive the old commercial heart of the city through a new architectural language that is based on community living, across a 31 hectare (76 acre) site.

9. Lusail City Development Project

Lusail is a new coastal city under construction located north of Doha and will cover 35km2. The project will contain 18 different districts and will include a lagoon with two marinas. 25,000 residential units, high and low rise buildings, commercial districts and mixed-use areas, retail areas, two golf courses, 22 schools and a hospital. Value: US $5.5 billion.

How to Start a Business in Qatar? 04

Qatar represents an attractive destination for foreign investments, offering investors political and social stability in addition to a full range of benefits to energy-consuming industries.

Furthermore, the State of Qatar has adopted a free market economy and enacted laws and legislations that are being continuously revised to ensure an open economy with no business restrictions, customs burdens or limitations on money transfers in addition to providing incentives and facilities to bolster investor’s profits.

Foreign companies looking to start their business in Qatar will have two options of setting a company.

How to Start a Business in Qatar?

How to Establish a Company with a Local Qatari Partner? 05

One of the ways to establish a company in Qatar is to start a company along with a local Qatari partner. In that case, CBC recommends using specialized local companies such as Fusion Middle East w.l.l.

About Fusion

Fusion uses local knowledge and expertise to provide corporate partnership to foreign investors looking to start or expand a business in Qatar. This means navigating the complex system of regulatory processes and procedures that exist across the Middle East, eliminating potential barriers and fulfilling all necessary requirements to allow the new business to be established. Fusion Middle East is also on hand to ensure each new business abides by Qatari laws, helping to minimise the risk.

Benefits of opening a company with a local Qatari sponsor:

  • No limitation on the amount of products or services the company can sell
  • Your company will be recognised as a local company, often permitting the entity to take part in an increased number of government and private tenders
  • The company will not be subject to withholding tax

*For detailed explanation about how to register your company with Fusion please contact us in order to provide you with information.

The process of establishing a company with a local sponsor:

Step 1 - Reserve the company name and activities at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce

Step 2 - Sign the articles of association and obtain the commercial registration of the company

Step 3 - Deposit the share capital into a temporary bank account within 15 days of obtaining the commercial registration

Step 4 - Obtain trade license, company computer card, company labour quota and resident permits

Invest in Qatar
Invest in Qatar

Qatar Financial Centre 06

Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is a global business and financial centre. Its onshore platform provides opportunities to expand to and from the Middle East. Qatar Financial Center allows 100% foreign ownership.

  • The QFC law is based on English Common Law;
  • The QFC is an onshore center and not a free zone whereby it applies 10% tax on locally sourced income;
  • Clients are not restricted to only working with QFC firms and they can do business with any company in the State of Qatar or outside.

QFC provides a license for financial (banking, asset management and insurance) and non-financial services (professional and business services like consulting, audit, tax consultancy, advertising agencies, public relations, photo/video production etc.).

The process of establishing an entity in the QFC follows:

How to Start a Business in Qatar?

The fees for establishing and running a company within the QFC are:

  • USD 5.000 Application Fee;
  • USD 5.000 Annual Fee (prorated for the first year);
  • 10% Tax on Locally Sourced Income (Local Source Income Guide is attached to provide you with more information about tax and what is meant by local income).

**For detailed explanation about how to register your company with QFC please contact us in order to provide you with information.

Ministry of Economy and Commerce 07

The Business Development and Investment Promotion Department at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce offers essential information and necessary support to attract non-Qatari Investors to invest in the State of Qatar. The Investment on Non-Qatari Capital in the Economic Activity, Non-Qatari investors may exceed the proportion of their contribution of the 49% up to 100% of project capital.

Steps to proceed with a Non-Qatari investment application:

Step 1 - Fill in the non-Qatari investment license application

Step 2 - Provide all the required documents

Step 3 - Submit the application with required documents to the Business Establishment Centre or through the E-service of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce website

Step 4 - Application and documents submitted will be reviewed by the concerned authority in the Business Development and Investment Promotion department

**For more information, please contact the Ministry directly.

Facts and Figures 08

State: Sovereign and independent Arab State
Location: Middle East, Gulf Coast
Qatar's territory covers 11,581 km2

Population: 2,561,643 inhabitants
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita: $ 128,702
Capital City: Doha (largest city as well) – 1,351,000 inhabitants
Largest Cities: Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Mesaieed, Dukhan

Religion: Islam
Official language: Arabic
Other languages: English
State Holiday: December 18th, Qatar National Day
Phone Dial Code: +974
Currency: Qatari Riyal - QAR (1 US$= QR 3.65)
Time Zone: GMT + 3
Climate: Qatar has a moderate desert climate with long hot summers, short mild winters and little rain in winter

Traffic Connection:

Doha-Zagreb daily direct Qatar Airways flights (two daily), duration of the flight is 5 hours and 55 minutes. Also, there are more indirect flight options with one stop with a combined duration of travel between 9 hours and 15 minutes and 12 hours and 15 minutes.

Zagreb-Doha daily direct Qatar Airways flights (two daily), duration of the flight is 5 hours and 20 minutes. Also, there are more indirect flight options with one stop with a combined duration of travel between 8 and 9 hours.

Facts and Figures Qatar

Useful Addresses in Qatar 09

NAME
TELEPHONE
FAX
EMAIL
WEBSITE
Croatian Embassy in Doha
+974 4483 5188
+9744483 5175
croemb.doha@mvep.hr
www.qa.mvep.hr
Ministry of DevelopmentPlanning and Statistic
+974 4495 8888
+974 4483 9999
MDR@mdps.gov.qa
www.mdps.gov.qa
Ministry of Economy and Commerce
+974 4012 2222
+974 4494 5308
inof@mec.gov.qa
www.mec.gov.qa
Ministry of Energy and Industry
+974 4484 6577
+974 4483 2024
relation@mei.gov.qa
www.mei.gov.qa
Ministryof Municipality and Environment
+974 4434 8070
+974 4443 7993
info@mme.gov.qa
www.mme.gov.qa
Ministry of Finance
+974 4446 1444
+974 4443 1177
/
www.mof.gov.qa
Ministry of Administrative Development Labor and Social Affairs
+974 4028 8888
+974 4411 1195
info@adlsa.gov.qa
www.adlsa.gov.qa
Ministryof Culture and Sport
+974 4402 2222
+974 4402 2010
info@mcs.gov.qa
www.msc.gov.qa
Ministry of Education and Higher Education
+974 4404 4444
+974 44659444
info@sec.gov.qa
www.edu.gov.qa
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
+974 4011 1111
+9744432 4131
webmaster@mofa.gov.qa
www.mofa.gov.qa
Ministry of Interior
+974 4433 0000
+974 4432 2927
info@moi.gov.qa
www.portal.moi.gov.qa
Ministry of Justice
+974 4021 5555
+974 448532875
info@moj.gov.qa
www.moj.gov.qa
Ministryof Public Health
+974 4407 0000
+974 4407 0899
ghcc@sch.gov.qa
www.moph.gov.qa
Ministry of Transport andCommunications
+974 4499 5333
+974 4493 5913
info@motc.gov.qa
www.motc.gov.qa
Gulf Organizationfor Industrial Consulting (GOIC)
+974 4485 8888
+974 4483 1465
goic@goic.org.qa
www.goic.org.qa
Public Works Authority (ASHGHAL)
+974 4495 1111
+974 4495 0900
customerservice@ashghal.gov.qa
www.ashghal.gov.qa
Qatar Central Bank
+974 4445 6456
+974 4443 0490
webmaster@qcb.gov.qa
www.qcb.gov.qa
Qatar Chamberof Commerce & Industry
+9744455 9111
+974 4466 1693
info@qcci.com
www.qatarchamber.com
Qatar DevelopmentBank
+974 4430 0000
+974 4431 6613
info@qdb.com
www.qdb.com
Qatar Foundation
+974 4454 0000
+974 44541047
info@qf.org.qa
www.qf.org.qa
Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kharamaa)
+974 4484 5555
+974 4484 5496
contactus@km.com.qa
www.km.com.qa
Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA)
+974 4499 7499
+974 449919149
info@visitqatar.qa
www.visitqatar.qa
Qatar National Bank
+974 4440 7777
+974 4441 3753
info@qnb.com
www.qnb.com
CommercialBank
+974 4449 0000
+974 4449 0070
info@cbq.com.qa
www.cbq.com
Qatar Financial Center
+974 4496 7777
+974 4496 7676
contact@qfc.qa
www.qfc.qa
Qatar Insurance Company
+974 4496 2222
+974 4448 5858
info@qic-insured.com
www.qatarinsurance.com