Qatar's Trade & Investment Sector

31 billion

Total stock of FDI in Qatar for 2019

86.5%

of Qatar’s Total Exports are Mineral fuels

About Qatar's Trade & Investment Sector

Through Qatar’s active membership in the World Trade Organization and flexible business regulations it seeks to attract foreign investors to advance other economic sectors besides the oil and gas industry.

Qatar offers many investment incentives which include the following:

  • Low electricity, water, and gas rates
  • 100% foreign ownership option
  • 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
  • Flexible regulations and procedures to import skilled and unskilled workforce.

Non-Qatari investors are able to invest in all fields in the following sectors: Agriculture, Industry, Health, Education, Tourism, Development and utilization of natural resources, Mining, Consultation services, Information technology, Cultural services, Artwork services, Sports services, and Entertainment services. In regards to the banking sector, it is possible to establish a bank if approved by the Council of Ministers. Non-Qatari nationals are also able to own real estate in certain locations of the country, which is a rarity for the Gulf region.

100% of capital listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange can be foreign investor owned

Key Organizations

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI)

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) is responsible for the regulation of trade and industrial activities in Qatar. Its scope is to ensure fair trade and competition and restrict fraudulent and monopolistic activities.

Go to MOCI Guide

Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar)

The IPA Qatar oversees investment promotion activities under the Invest Qatar brand and acts as the country’s umbrella organization for foreign direct investment attraction.

Go to IPA Qatar Guide

Qatar Free Zones Authority

The Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) is an independent authority created in 2018 to oversee free zones in Qatar, offering opportunities for businesses seeking to expand globally.

Go to QFZA Guide

Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)

QFC is one of the world's leading and fastest growing onshore business and financial centers. QFC offers service based companies 100% foreign ownership.

Go to QFC Guide

Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP)

QSTP is Qatar’s premier hub for applied research, technology innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship. It is an economic free zone that houses various international corporations, SMEs, research institutions, and local tech startups.

Go to QSTP Guide

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)

QIA is the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar. QIA's mission is to invest, manage and grow Qatar's reserves in order to support the development and diversification of Qatar's economy, and prepare for a time beyond the hydrocarbon era.

Go to QIA Guide

Hamad Port

Hamad Port is Qatar's main seaport, located south of Doha in Umm Al-Houl. It can handle up to 7.8 million tonnes of products annually, making it Qatar's largest port and where the majority of its trade passes through. It became operational in 2016.

Go to Hamad Port Guide

Ministry of Finance (MOF)

Qatar’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) regulates financial policies and oversees the public finances. Its responsibilities include drafting and implementing the annual state budget and managing the fiscal strategy.

Go to MOF Guide

Mwani

Mwani is responsible for substantially developing Hamad Port. The company is not only strongly positioned to develop a regional shipping hub in the region, but also plays a major role in diversifying the Qatari economy ready for a post-hydrocarbon future.

Go to Mwani Guide

Qatar Development Bank (QDB)

QDB is a financial entity owned by the government with the purpose of investing in and developing local industries and supporting small and medium sized enterprises in Qatar.

Go to QDB Guide

Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE)

The goal of the QSE is to support Qatar’s economy by giving investors a platform where they can trade fairly and efficiently. The QSE is part of a national strategy that seeks to make Qatar a world class international market.

Go to QSE Guide

Media City

Qatar’s Media City is a team that was created for the purpose of promoting media-related activities in the country. They have attracted more than 33 different news outlets and continue to search for more to partner with.

Go to Media City Guide

Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI)

The QCCI was established in 1963, and its primary function is to organize business interests and represent the Qatari private sector both locally and internationally and to support the country’s economic actors and productivity.

Go to QCCI Guide

Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA)

The key function of QBA is to work as the link between Qatar’s strategic plans and the activities of Qatari businessmen. QBA aims to play a leading role in the development of private sector activities at the local and international levels.

Go to QBA Guide