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• 1. Dubai City & Its Free Zones
  • A. Dubai City (Non Free Zone)
  • B. Dubai City Free Zones
    • B01. Dubai Airport Free Zone
    • B02. Jebel Ali Free Zone
    • B03. Dubai Internet City
    • B04. DMCC
    • B05. Dubai Media City
    • B06. Dubai Knowledge Village
    • B07. Dubai Studio City
    • B08. Dubai Outsource Zone
    • B09. Dubai Biotechnology
    • B10. Int'l Media Production
    • B11. Dubai Silicon Oasis
    • B12. Dubai Healthcare City
    • B13. Dubai Maritime City
    • B14. Gold & Diamond Park
    • B15. Dubai Cars & Automotive
    • B16. Dubai Energy Park
    • B17. Int'l Humanitarian City
    • B18. DIFC
    • B19. Dubai Textile City
    • B20. Dubai Logistics City
    • B21. Dubai Techno Park
    • B22. Dubai Dragon Mart FZ
    • B23. Dubai Flower Centre
    • B24. Building Material Zone
    • B25. Dubai Auto Zone
    • B26. Heavy Equipment Zone
  • C. Industrial License in Dubai
  • D. Jebel Ali Offshore Centre
• 2. Sharjah & Its Free Zones
  • A. Sharjah (Non Free Zone)
  • B. Sharjah Free Zones
• 3. RAK & Its Free Zones
  • A. RAK (Non Free Zone)
  • B. RAK Free Zones
  • C. RAK Offshore Company
• 4. Ajman & Its Free Zones
  • A. Ajman (Non Free Zone)
  • B. Ajman Free Zone
• 5. Abu Dhabi & Its Free Zones
  • A. Abu Dhabi (Non Free Zone)
  • B. Abu Dhabi Free Zone
    • B01. Abu Dhabi Airport FZ
    • B02. Abu Dhabi Airport FZ FAQ
    • B03. Abu Dhabi ZonesCorp
    • B04. Abu Dhabi ZonesCorp FAQ
• 6. Fujairah & Its Free Zones
  • A. Fujairah (Non Free Zone)
  • B. Fujairah Free Zone
• 7. UAQ & Its Free Zones
  • A. UAQ (Non Free Zone)
  • B. UAQ Free Zone
• 8. Qatar Business Setup
  • A. Qatar Licensing Procedures
  • B. Frequently Asked Questions
• 9. Bahrain Business Setup
  • A. Options for Investor's
  • B. Guidelines for Setup Processes

Whole Document PDF

Frequently Asked Questions - Qatar

1. What is the function of Qatar Investment Promotion Department?
   Qatar Investment Promotion Department (IPD) operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce. IPD provides extensive information and support to businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs’ in setting-up businesses in Qatar. (For more info, please contact us)
   
2. Can I register a business in Qatar without a local partner?
   In accordance to Qatar Investment Law No. 13 of 2000, any natural or juristic non-Qatari persons are allowed to directly invest in the sectors of agriculture, industry, healthcare, education, tourism, exploitation and development of natural resources, energy or mining provided that these projects are compatible with the development scheme of the State.
   In addition, foreign investors can have up to 49 % stake in all other sectors of the national economy provided that they have one or more Qatari partners whose share is not less than 51 %, and provided that company is properly incorporated in agreement with the provisions of the Law (except Real Estate). (For more info, please contact us)
   
3. Who to contact if I want to set-up a business in Qatar?
   The Investment Promotion Department at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce acts as primary contact of information to foreign investors. Proper commissioning of business may refer to the respective government agencies. (For more info, please contact us)
   
4. What is the size of the economy?
   Qatar GDP purchasing power parity and per capita purchasing power parity is one of the highest in the world, ballooning to 28.45 billion USD (2004 est.) and 36,476 USD (2004 est.) respectively also, GDP growth rate is extremely remarkable at 8.7% (2004 est.)
   Oil and Gas took a record of more than 55% of Qatar GDP’s, roughly an 85 % of export earnings and 70% of government revenues giving Qatar GDP per capita at 80% that of the leading European countries. (For more info, please contact us)
   
5. What is the business environment in Qatar?
   Its key business potential majority relies on oil and gas sectors which include production of natural gas and crude oil, petroleum refinery, petrochemicals, steel, cement manufacturing and fertilizers making a very high earning percentage on Qatar GDP.
   On the other hand the non-oil sectors are building and construction, real-estate, communications, agriculture, fishing, water and electricity, tourist, and banking. (For more info, please contact us)
   
6. What are the different business forms in Qatar?
   The existing business forms in Qatar are:
   
   • Partnership Company
   • Partnership in Commendams Company (Joint Partnership)
   • The Limited Liability Company
   • Joint Stock Company
   • Closed Stock Company
   • Joint Venture Company (For more info, please contact us)
7. Does the Government of Qatar provide any incentives for investors?
   State of Qatar provides smart incentives to foreign investors, which include securing loans from Qatar Industrial Bank (QIB), no quantitative quotas on imports, no income tax on salaries of expatriates, no export duties, and no taxes on corporate profits for pre-determined periods. (For more info, please contact us)
   
8. What are the regulations on imports and exports in Qatar?
   As per Qatar Investment Law No. 13 of 2000 regulates, foreign investor may imports whatever is needed to establish, operate, or expand his project in accordance with laws and procedures in force in the State.
   Qatar government provides no custom duties on imports of equipment, machineries, spare parts and intermediary goods. Also it provides no custom duties on exports. (For more info, please contact us)
   
9. What is the foreign trade policy?
   Foreign Trade plays a crucial role in the State of Qatar’s economy, with exports and imports of goods accounting a 15 billion USD (2004 est.) and 6.15 billion USD of GDP (2004 est). (For more info, please contact us)
   The state of Qatar has registered an account of 15 billion USD (2004 est.) on its exports commodities which are liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers and steel. Wherein, its exporting partners are Japan at 43.8%, South Korea at 16.1% and Singapore at 10.8% (2004).
   While on imports it’s reported an account of 6.15 billion USD (2004 est.) on machinery and transport equipment, food and chemicals whose importing partners are France at 24.4%, UK at 8.9%, Germany at 8.8%, Japan At 8.7%, US at 6.2%, Italy at 5.5 % and UAE at 4.1% (2004). (For more info, please contact us)
   
10. What are the current major projects in the State of Qatar?
    State of Qatar is currently facilitating major project in the following sector:
    
    • Liquefied Natural Gas Company (Qatargas)
    • Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company (RasGas)
    • The Dolphin Project
    • Enhanced Gas Utilization (EGU) Project
    • Natural Gas Liquids (NGL)
    • Gas to Liquids Projects (GTL)
    • Arab C Gas Recycling
    • Qatar Fertilizer Company (QAFCO)
    • Qatar Fuel Additives Company (QAFAC)
    • Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO)
    • Qatar Vinyl Company (QVC)
    • Qatar Chemical Company (Q-Chem.)
    • Qatofin
    • Ras Laffan Ethylene Cracker (RLEC)
    • Qatar Petroleum Refinery (formerly NODCO)
    • Ras Laffan Independent Water and Power Project (IWPP)
    • Doha International Airport
    • Friendship Bridge Health, Education and Tourism Projects (For more info, please contact us)
11. Is there any publication that can help me in investing in Qatar?
    Qatar Investment & Promotion Department provides all the necessary information and data to investors in facilitating their business ventures. You can inquire on the department offices for publications on print publications or try the download section for downloading of publications on PDF format.