Investment

Qatar utilizes the revenues of its vast wealth of oil and gas in other sectors with a view to expand the economic base and develop a strong private sector; and through its full and active membership the World Trade Organization and flexible business regulations it works to attract foreign investors to engage in other economic sectors besides oil and gas in the country.

Qatar provides many investment incentives including low electricity, water and gas rates; nominal lease rate of only (5) Qatari Riyals per square meter per year for industrial land sites for the first three years from site assignment and project operation, after which lease rate will increase to (10) Qatari Riyals; exemption from import taxes on heavy duty machinery and their spare parts and raw materials; exemption from import taxes; unlimited quantities of imported materials; no restrictions on money exchange and transfer of profits abroad; and flexible regulations and procedures to import skilled and unskilled workforce.

Investment Sectors

Based on law No 13 for 2000 on the organization of non-Qatari capital investment, non-Qatari investors can invest in all fields with a shareholding of 49% and 100% in the following sectors: Agriculture, Industry, Health, Education, Tourism, Development and utilization of natural resources, mining, Consultation services, Art work services, Information technology, Cultural services, Art work services, Sports services and Entertainment services. As for banking sector, it is possible to establish a bank by a decision from the council of ministers. Foreigners have the right to own real estate at certain locations in the country.

Law No. (2) of the year 2000 was issued to regulate the possession of real estate by GCC citizens. This law limits their activity to three estates for residential purposes at an area of not more than three thousand square meters. The law also requires five years to pass before naturalized citizens can own real estate in the country. Within the State's framework to encourage foreign investment in Qatar's real estate market Law No. (17) for the year 2004 regarding organization of ownership and use of real estate and residential units by non-Qataris was issued. This law authorized the usufruct of real estate in the Pearl of the Gulf Island, the West Bay Lagoon Project, and Al Khor Resort Project. The law also authorized the usufruct over real estate for a term of ninety nine (99) years renewable for similar terms in the Investment Areas decided by the Council of Ministers' Decision. Law No. (6) for the year 2006 issued by the Council of Ministers, identified eighteen (18) areas of the state real estate may be usufruct by non-Qataris.

General Exemptions

The foreign investor has the right to import for his investment project what is necessary for the establishment, operation or expansion.
The invested foreign capital is exempted from tax income for no more than ten years from the day the project was operated.
Customs exemption on industrial project on its imports of raw materials or half manufactured goods necessary for production and not available in the local market.

Incentives Offered to Investors

Allow investment opportunity and prepare primary studies for industrial projects.
Assist licensed industrial projects to obtain loans from bank of industrial development and other financial organizations.
Provide the project with power, petroleum, water and natural gas at competitive prices.

Ministry Of Foreign Affairs

QATAR

Investment

Investment Sectors

General Exemptions

Incentives Offered to Investors

Ministry Of Foreign Affairs

The State Of Qatar

QATAR

The Ministry

Foreign Policy

Consular Services

E-Services

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