Qatar’s firm focus on sustainable progress and success for all participants in the economy sets it apart, regionally and globally. ​ The country measures the success of investments through a long-term lens, not financial quarterly scores. This leads to sound investment decisions with positive impacts on the future of the peninsula and the balance sheets of investors as its true economic partners. ​ With progressive and well-integrated policies in place, the commercial and industrial activities of investors and private businesses are seamlessly aligned with Qatar’s national development strategy and its economic vision for 2030 and beyond. ​ What makes Qatar even more attractive to international investors is that they get to establish or expand their presence in the region against the backdrop of a competitive, resilient and fast-growing economy.

Pro-business climate–  Qatar is constantly expanding (the) opportunities for international companies looking to establish their presence in, or extend their reach to, Qatar and the Middle East. This is made possible through a rigorous reform agenda, a synergistic range of resources, and a string of supporting factors that together form the most empowering and business-friendly climate in the region. ​ A full spectrum of incentives further support investors throughout their journey – from consideration to operation and expansion – granting them access to capital and steady growth in a stable and conducive environment. Permanent residency opportunities  Visa-free/on-arrival entry to 80+ nationalities  Planned legal provisions for retirement  Liberal immigration and employment rules   Minimum wage and wage protections  Laws to protect foreign workers  Instant access to e-Government services  Access to funding & equity participation  Alternative dispute-resolution processes  No custom duties on machinery and equipment  Allocation of lands for project establishment Up to 100% foreign ownership in all sectors 10% Corporate Tax Rate Zero Tax on personal income Expanded economic zones (with Tax Holidays) Double Taxation treaty with 60+ countries No restrictions on profit repatriation Ownership in Qatari Shareholding Companies Ownership of certain resort & residential units Ability to transfer ownership among investors Protection against expropriation No quantitative quotas on imports Qatar’s government fosters a climate that encourages economic freedom and its pro-business policies are designed to reward success. This means that investors across the globe are given the stability and growth they need to thrive. The impact of these measures translates into a number of rankings that make Qatar well poised as the next home for ambitious investors.

A wealth of opportunity in a myriad of domains –  As Qatar’s economy continues to flourish, the country offers potential investors a secure and stable market with tremendous potential for business growth. Exciting possibilities await as a plenitude of opportunities is constantly being created in key sectors for ambitious investors pursuing their next success story. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Energy Tourism and Hospitality Consultancy and technical services Industrial Products and Services Development & exploitation of natural resources Education Agriculture Distribution Healthcare and Medical Services Mining Sports, Recreational, and Cultural Services Research & Development Automotive & Transport Equipment Aerospace and Aviation Activities Construction and Real Estate Distribution Healthcare and Medical Services Mining Sports, Recreational, and Cultural Services Research & Development Automotive & Transport Equipment Aerospace and Aviation Activities Construction and Real Estate. 

World-class infrastructure & unparalleled market access – Qatar has developed a world-class commercial, industrial and social infrastructure that is further expanding, with more than 150 large-scale projects worth billions of USD planned for post-2022. The scalable infrastructure includes the award-winning Hamad International Airport with its 2022 projected yearly capacity of 60 million passengers, the new Doha port, and a network of economic and logistical zones. ​ The peninsula also has strong connections to markets in Africa and Asia, a free trade agreement with the EU, and investment protection ties with many countries including China, Finland, France, India, Germany and Switzerland. ​ With its future-ready digital and physical infrastructures and its abundant natural and connectivity resources, Qatar is a major global hub that ensures international investors experience an increasingly seamless flow in trade and capital, and can build the networks and relationships they need to succeed. ​

Natural Resources –  ​ Qatar’s natural endowments of primary resources – as well as its expertise in related products – are central to its export economy. The country has greater petrochemical expansion plans than any other nation in the region over the next 5-10 years. ​ Beyond LNG – where the country is on its way to become the world’s largest producer – Qatar is an active player in the evolving global power industry, investing in renewable energy sources to harmonize economic growth and environmental protection. ​ Qatar leads the way in the Middle East when it comes to environment, and is competitive internationally too – it ranks 32nd on the Environmental Performance Index. ​ 

Connectivity Resources – ​ In addition to region-transforming multi-billion port and airport expansion projects, Qatar’s pioneering, next-generation connectivity and communication network encompass a nationwide railway and metro system and a $1bn bus electrification project that further ensure efficient domestic connectivity as well as international connection and presence. ​ Connected to over 160 global destinations through the world-renowned Qatar Airways, the country also benefits from the airline’s cargo fleet – the third largest globally. ​ Moreover, Qatar is Home to the first commercial 5G network to launch in the world. As well as ranking 4th in the 5G leadership index, Qatar is closely integrated with the digital economy, with 99.6% internet penetration – tied for highest in the Middle East. ​ Taking account of all, investors can become part of a major global hub that is constantly getting better connected, and enjoy access to customers and partners within Qatar and across the world.

High-caliber, diverse talent pool – Qatar’s vibrant ecosystem of resources and knowledge ranks it as the 6th most attractive country for talent and the 41st globally in the Human Development Index. The country’s state-of-the-art educational infrastructure, research programs and business acumen make it home to a higher innovation capability, and a true destination for the world’s best and brightest. ​ Qatar is the GCC leader for primary and higher education and has developed the educational strategies required to transform its dominantly-young population into a highly-skilled workforce. With 2,300 projects funded between 2007-2018, Qatar Foundation – the nation’s premier education, science, and cultural development institution – has established the peninsula as a global research pioneer too. ​ Meanwhile, top quality business infrastructure and specialist expertise are on-hand to support, giving investors the opportunity to share a home with world leaders in media, education, energy and more. Global players in Qatar include Microsoft, Oracle, Bloomberg, GE, AIG and many others. ​ Thanks to its open economy and investor-friendly climate, international companies, today, can become part of a knowledge-based economy where they can cultivate their people with world-class education, training and research.

Rich culture & hospitality  – Beyond economic measures of development, Qatar is a cultural hub and a center for Islamic and Arabic heritage, as well as a modern-day leader in sports and media, making it equally attractive to investors, expats and visitors.   Offering a great blend of historic and modern culture and lifestyle, Qatar is very attractive to families and communities. The country scores 15th for safety and security, 23rd for social capital, and 24th for economic quality internationally.  

The Sports Sector –  ​ Qatar is one of the fastest growing sports economies and the proud host of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. With a $200bn investment committed to World Cup infrastructure, investors will have premium access to sports entertainment opportunities. ​ Qatar has played host to around 440 international sporting events since 1993, across all sports and age groups, including the 2006 Asian Games, the 2015 Men’s Handball World Championship, the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championship, the 48th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, and the International Handball Federation Super Globe, as well as the ANOC World Beach Games, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the World Athletic Championships in 2019. ​ The country also boasts some of the world’s finest sports infrastructure and facilities at the ‘Aspire Zone Foundation’, in addition to the FIFA-accredited Aspetar Qatar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital – the first specialized sports hospital in the Middle East and the Gulf region. ​ 

Media and Art –  ​ International broadcaster Al Jazeera, with its 100+ country reach, has given Qatar a voice on the international stage and is a crucial bridge to foreign audiences. By the same token, BeIN media group is a world leader in sports broadcasting. ​ While its multicultural makeup makes it home to many world-class restaurants and culinary innovations, Qatar’s rich artistic culture and museums celebrate the country’s vibrant heritage. Qatar hosts the Museum of Islamic Art – one of the largest such museums in the world – and the National Museum of Qatar, a unique 430,000 sqm architectural marvel that Time Magazine has named as one of the world’s greatest places to visit in 2019, citing the integration of “immersive video screens and dioramas” into its novel design features. The country’s museums garnered 639,000 unique visits in 2018.

Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar

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