Investing in Qatar
Qatar has embarked on a series of reforms and investments in recent years as part of its long-term strategic bid to diversify its economy, in order to secure a sustainable future for its people and to attract foreign direct investment.
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Qatar's competitive edge
Even in a world in which enterprise is becoming increasingly virtual, connections and proximity still matter.
Qatar's infrastructure, coupled with its geographical location between the markets and customers of the Mediterranean, West Asia, East Africa and the wider Indian Ocean afford the Gulf country a significant competitive edge.
Known worldwide as one of the world's largest exporters of liquified natural gas (LNG), Qatar has focused its efforts on building an innovation-focused knowledge economy, achieving greater infrastructural and technological competitiveness, and cementing its position as a strategic commercial, financial and logistics hub in recent years.
2bn people worth US$6tn in combined GDP live within 3,000km of Qatar2
A wealth of opportunity
Qatar's recent reforms and investments are part of a longer-term strategic effort, outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030, whose goal is to diversify the economy away from hydrocarbons while paving the way for the creation of an advanced society.
To achieve this, government of Qatar has identified several strategic areas that are essential to the country's future, and has adopted a strategic cluster approach to their development and to attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).
A conducive business environment
For more than two decades, the Qatari government has focused on a series of commercial, economic and financial reforms that has created a commercial environment both highly conducive to business and attractive to foreign direct investment.
Alongside the establishment of a number of special economic zones, legislation now permits foreign ownership of real estate in specific areas, and also allows up to 100 per cent foreign ownership of Qatari-listed companies in all sectors with full profit repatriation.
These measures are supported by liberal immigration and employment rules, which include the option for permanent residency, and laws to regulate and promote public-private partnerships.
Building for the future
In recognition of the opportunities for achieving sustainable growth, Qatar has pursued a long-term strategy for attracting FDI in areas such as technology, life sciences, healthcare and education, fintech, advanced manufacturing and services, in accordance with its ambitious 2030 National Vision. Qatar's aspirations for economic diversification have also created a wide range of prospects in solar energy, waste management and carbon capture and storage technologies.
QatarEnergy's North Field Expansion Project will increase Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity from 77mn tons per annum (mpta) to 110 mpta, with the first LNG expected in 2025.9
Qatar boasts direct airline connections to 160+ destinations across six continents, putting it at the heart of the international air transport system.
Hamad Port, Qatar's gateway to world trade, is already the world's largest greenfield port-development project and the first 5G-enabled seaport in the Middle East.7,8
Ras Bufontas Free Zone covers 4 sq km adjacent to Hamad International Airport (HIA), providing direct access to air transportation.
Umm Alhoul Free Zone covers 32 sq km and is situated near Hamad Port.
Qatar Science and Technology Park is a hub for international technology companies in Qatar.
Media City (Qatar) provides an enabling platform and a nurturing environment for organisations and individuals to create content in Qatar for the world.
QFC is a leading onshore business and financial centre, providing a world class platform for firms to do business in Qatar and beyond.
Facilitating foreign direct investment
To realise the investment opportunities created by its strategic vision, the Qatari government established the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar) in 2019. The Agency acts as a gateway to all investment solutions in Qatar, with a focus on advancing investors' goals and accelerating their growth. Operating as a one-stop shop, IPA Qatar provides guidance to and assists international investors by
- Supplying information about investment opportunities
- Guiding investors on the business and regulatory environment
- Making introductions to government entities, state owned enterprises, private and multinational companies and potential business partners
- Supporting investors, from set-up assistance to facilitation of incentives
Qatar's investment ecosystem
MOCI is responsible for overseeing commercial and industrial activities in Qatar, and for managing these activities in accordance with the requirements of national development. The Ministry's mandate includes business development needed to attract investments, and to support and develop exports.
QFC is a leading onshore business and financial centre, providing a world-class platform for firms to do business in Qatar and beyond. They offer attractive benefits, including 100 per cent foreign ownership, 100 per cent repatriation of profits, a fair and transparent tax regime and a legal regulatory framework based on English common law.
QFZ offers outstanding opportunities and benefits for businesses seeking to establish operations and expand regionally and globally, providing quality infrastructure, turnkey solutions, 100 per cent foreign ownership, access to investment funds, tax exemptions and partnership opportunities with Qatari entities.
QSTP plays a key role in providing companies, looking to expand to the region, the infrastructure and the tools to develop tech-based, innovative and entrepreneurial solutions. QSTP welcomes industry leaders and progressive companies to develop and deploy technological solutions in Qatar, focusing on edtech, artificial intelligence, ICT, sustainable development and health.
Media City (Qatar) offers a suite of benefits, including 100 per cent foreign ownership, streamlined access to licences and permits, financial support and other incentives, and access to office facilities and media services.
Qatar Development Bank (QDB) empowers entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs with a suite of financial and advisory offerings, driving the private sector's economic diversification. Qatar FinTech Hub, an initiative managed by QDB, has brought in some 1,800 applications from across the globe, graduating more than 50 fintechs with an estimated valuation of $500mn.
Established in 1995, the QSE is the first in the region and one of the pioneering exchanges globally to promote environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) standards. In 2018, QSE attracted net foreign inflows of $2.5bn, and was ranked as the best-performing exchange among emerging and developed markets worldwide.
