Turkish‐Arab Economic Forum1 – 2 April 2015

Session 2: Invest in Arab countries 

Mr. Ahmed Al SulaitiRepresentative of the Ministry of Economy & Commerce , Qatar

DOING BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN QATAR

QATAR’S NATIONAL VISION 2030

Human developmentDevelopment of all its people to enable them tosustain a prosperous society.

Social developmentDevelopment of a just and caring society based onhigh moral standards.

Economic developmentDevelopment of a competitive and diversifiedeconomy.

Environmental developmentManagement of the environment in harmony witheconomic growth and social development.

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National Development Strategy (2011-2016)

QATAR HEART OF THE ARABIAN GULF

WHAT MAKES QATAR UNIQUE?

One of the highest income-per capita countries.

Family-friendly lifestyle and an extremely safe living environment.

World-leading education, medicine, leisure and sports facilities.

Politically stable and economically secure.

Developing rapidly in all aspects.

OUTSTANDING PROGRESS IN QATAR’S ECONOMICAL DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH

Lowest rate of unemployment in the world.

Most Innovative in the Middle East & 33rd in the World

Global Innovation Index 2012

Most Peaceful in the Middle East & 22th in the World

Global Peace Index 2014

16th Most Competitive Economy in the World & 2nd Most Competitive in

the Middle East

Global Competitiveness 2014-15 World Economic Forum

New Port & Airport

Over USD 195Bn of Mega Projects aimed at further upgrading Qatar’s infrastructure are underway in Qatar

Source: MEED – Qatar Megaprojects 2013

Target investments USD 45BnEstimated population 200,000

Target investments LRT:USD 14Bn; Long Distance: USD : 34Bn

Lusail LRT:38.5 kms of rail with 37 stationsLong Distance: 390 kms with 6 stations (phase1-4)

Target investments USD 3.5Bn25,000 people will work here

Target investments USD 65.2Bn241km of rail with 106 stations across Doha

Target investments USD 23Bn550km of road across 221 projects

Lusail City Lusail Light Rail Transit & Long Distance

Doha Metro Phase 1& 2 Roads and Highways

Qatar Media City

Over USD 195Bn of Mega Projects aimed at further upgrading Qatar’s infrastructure are underway in Qatar (Cont.)

Education sectorHealth sector:

Hamad International Airport extension.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup™, to be hosted in Qatar, acts as a further catalyst to the nation’s already burgeoning projects market

Al WakrahStadium

Al Bayt StadiumAl Khor City

Qatar Foundation Stadium

Al-Rayyan Stadium (Expansion)

Qatar Financial Centre （QFC）

Onshore business and financial centre offering its own world-class legal, regulatory and tax environment•Allows 100% foreign ownership•Allows 100% repatriation of profits•Transparent environment based on English Common Law•Independent judiciary and dispute resolution services (QICDRC)•Charges a 10% Corporate Tax rate on locally sourced profits with exemptions available for certain corporates•No personal income, wealth, Value Added Taxes or withholding tax•Double Taxation Agreements with over 60 countries

Qatar has taken further measures to improve its business environment by introducing initiatives focused on supporting overseas investors1. Qatar Financial Centre（QFC）

Source: www.qfc.qa

• Financial Services• Professional Services• Business Support Services• Company Headquarters

• Management Offices • Trusts • Holding Companies

Suitable for a wide range of businesses:

Qatar Science Technology Park (QSTP)

Qatar’s primary incubator for technology development, fostering the environment required for accelerating commercialisation of research

• Allows 100% foreign ownership• No taxes• Duty-free import of goods, equipment

and services• Unrestricted repatriation of capital and

profits• No restriction on hiring expatriate

employees

Source: www.qstp.org.qa

Suitable for technology businesses related to the following sectors:

•Energy•Environment•Health Sciences•Information & Communication

Qatar has taken further measures to improve the business environment by introducing initiatives focused on supporting overseas investors2. Qatar Science and Technology Park （QSTP）

Qatar has taken further measures to improve its business environment by introducing initiatives focused on supporting overseas investors3. Manateq

* EZ = Economic ZoneSource: Manateq, November 2014

ManateqThe State of Qatar is investing in building three economic zones in primary locations connected to the Air, Port, and Borders with a total of 75 km2

in size and expected to be launched on phases starting from 2017.

• Zone 1 “Ras BuFontas” focusing on the logistics, information & communications, healthcare, and high tech industries.

• Zone 2 “AlKaraana” focusing on the building materials, machinery & fabrications, energy and environment, and safety and maintenance industries.

• Zone 3 “Um AlHoul” focusing on the petrochemicals, building materials, maritime, logistics, metals, and food processing industries.

Manateq Special Economic Zone Location Map

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GOVERNMENTAL FACILITIES TO INVESTORS

1. Single window registration – Ministry of Economy and Commerce.

2. Qatar Custom Clearance Single Window

HOW CAN FOREIGN INVESTORS BENEFIT FROM THE FDI POLICIES?

100% foreign ownership is possible through authorization by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce in most sectors , if necessary.

• A foreign Investor can have up to 100% ownership in the following business sectors:

• Up to 49% of foreign ownership in all other sectors.

• New draft law has been approved to exempt foreign investors from corporate profits and units in investment funds which are listed for trading from income tax.

Agriculture Industry Health Education

Tourism Energy IT BusinessCounsultancies

Sport &Culture Enviromintal Services TechnicalCounsultancies

FDI

Sectors

Tax

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FURTHERMORE ENCOURAGING INCENTIVES ON WHY TO INVEST IN QATAR!

Tax breaksTax breaks

TransparencyTransparency

Access to financeAccess to finance

Highly skilled laborHighly skilled labor

No income tax on salariesNo income tax on salaries

Freedom of money transfers abroad

Freedom of money transfers abroad

GET GOING WITH YOUR INVESTMENT PROCEDURES

Apply to the Investment Promotion Department under the Ministry ofEconomy and Commerce.Apply to the Investment Promotion Department under the Ministry ofEconomy and Commerce.

Submit an investment feasibility study.Submit an investment feasibility study.

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Gather proof of the deposit of paid up capital from the relevant bank.The initial capital required to establish a business in Qatar is a minimum of 200,000 QR

Gather proof of the deposit of paid up capital from the relevant bank.The initial capital required to establish a business in Qatar is a minimum of 200,000 QR

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Apply for the approval from the specific government authoritydepending on which sector you are willing to invest in.Apply for the approval from the specific government authoritydepending on which sector you are willing to invest in.

GET GOING WITH YOUR INVESTMENT PROCEDURES

secure a company office locationsecure a company office location

Choose a company name.Choose a company name.

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Complete the application for the commercial registration to obtain thecommercial registration from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.Complete the application for the commercial registration to obtain thecommercial registration from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.88

Membership of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Membership of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Finding a Partner in Qatar

Qatari Businessmen Association.Qatari Businessmen Association.

Ministry of Economy & Commerce- Trade Investment Promotion Department.Ministry of Economy & Commerce- Trade Investment Promotion Department.

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Ministry of Energy and Industry-Department of Industrial Development. Ministry of Energy and Industry-Department of Industrial Development. 44

Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Thank You

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