Business & Economy in Qatar

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Banking, Business &
Infrastructure section!

From opening a bank account to setting up a business and climate change initiatives, this section shows why you should invest in Qatar.

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The Banking System in Qatar

Personal Banking

Investment & Trade

Infrastructure in Qatar

Energy & Sustainability in Qatar

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The Banking System in Qatar

Qatar Economy

One of the main aims of Qatar National Vision 2030 is to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on the hydrocarbon industries. The country’s economy is one of the fastest-growing in…

The Banking Network in Qatar

There are hundreds of bank branches and ATMs across the country, at nearly all of the malls, hotels, souqs, hospitals and petrol stations. Visitors can usually access funds in their…

Currency and the Banking Sector in Qatar

Currency The unit of currency is the Qatari Riyal (QAR), divided into 100 Dirhams (Dh), issued by Qatar Central Bank (QCB). It is pegged to the US dollar at a…

Islamic Finance in Qatar

Current Islamic institutions include Dukhan Bank, International Islamic, Masraf Al Rayan and Qatar Islamic Bank. Lesha Bank – regulated by the QFC Regulatory Authority – is the first independent, Sharia…

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Personal Banking

Loans, Bank Charges and Interest Rates in Qatar

Loans Under QCB rules, the default period for a substandard loan is three months or more, for a doubtful loan six months, and a bad loan nine months. Banks have…

Opening a Bank Account in Qatar

Standard Bank Facilities Debit/credit cards, standing orders, money transfers, personal loans, vehicle loans, and mortgages on current and savings accounts (including joint accounts). Some accounts offer longer terms, higher interest…

Taxation in Qatar

There are no personal taxes or statutory deductions from salaries in Qatar. Under Law No 24 of 2018 on Income Tax (‘the New Tax Law’) and its executive regulations, companies…

Financial Services and Insurance in Qatar

Qatar Central Bank (QCB) is the supreme authority with overall control, regulatory responsibility and supervisory powers for all financial services providers in Qatar, including banks, Islamic financial institutions, insurance and…

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Investment & Trade

Investment and Trade in Qatar

Qatar has one of the fastest growing global economies thanks to the third largest concentration of natural gas reserves in the world. Recent legal liberalisation, economic diversification and an expanding…

Export and Import Regulations in Qatar

Exports According to the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA), Qatar’s total exports (including exports of domestic goods and re-exports) in November 2023 was QAR26.5 bn, mainly to China. There are…

Taxation in Qatar

There are no personal taxes or statutory deductions from salaries in Qatar. Under Law No 24 of 2018 on Income Tax (‘the New Tax Law’) and its executive regulations, companies…

Intellectual Property in Qatar

Under Law No 9 of 2002, a trademark registration is valid for 10 years from the date of filing the application, renewable for further consecutive periods of 10 years. The…

Regulatory Bodies and Government‑owned Entities in Qatar

Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar) Custodian of the Invest Qatar brand, IPA Qatar was launched in 2019 and is registered at the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC). The agency provides…

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)

QIA was established in 2005 as the country’s sovereign wealth fund to grow and diversify Qatar’s economy. QIA has two main objectives: to support the local economy; and provide liquidity…

Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)

The QFC was established in 2005 to attract international financial institutions and firms to establish business operations in a ‘best‑in‑class’ international environment. Firms need to be incorporated or registered by the…

Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE)

Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) was created in 2009 between Qatar Holding (88%) and NYSE Euronext (12%) as the successor to Doha Securities Market; Qatar Holding purchased NYSE Euronext’s stake in…

Real Estate in Qatar

Under Law No 16 of 2018 on the regulation of non-Qatari ownership and utilisation of real estate, implemented in March 2019, non-Qataris may own and use properties in Qatar ‘in…

Business Etiquette

Doing business in Qatar relies on personal relationships as well as the quality of the company or service. Networking and exchanging business cards is important. Men should wear suits or…

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Infrastructure in Qatar

Qatar National Vision As arguably the world’s fastest‑growing economy, Qatar recognises the importance of diversification and sustainability. It also acknowledges the inherent challenges of a rapidly‑increasing population, further industrialisation, and…

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The Ports of Qatar

Qatar has invested in the development of world-class ports such as Hamad Port, Doha Port and Al Ruwais Port. To showcase that development and the maritime history of Qatar, Mwani…

New Year, New Buildings

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) in Qatar has announced the launch of 22 new projects worth a whopping QAR4.1 bn (USD1.12 bn) in 2023. Ashghal will continue to tender more…

Qetaifan Island North

Located off Lusail City, and designed to be Qatar’s future iconic destination, Qetaifan Island North (QIN) spans approximately 1.3 mn square metres (sq m), with 207,015 sq m of Meryal…

Ashghal’s Plans for Qatar

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has some big and bold plans for changing Qatar’s landscape! Ashghal is the country’s dedicated organisation for all infrastructure projects and public buildings in Qatar….

Parks, Parks & More Parks

According to Public Works Authority (Ashghal), renovations to Rawdat Al Khail Park, and the upcoming Al Gharrafa and Umm Al Seneem parks will be completed within the fourth quarter of…

Record Breaking Water Security

Qatar may be a small nation, but it has big ideas and award-winning infrastructure! Qatar has record breaking water security! Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation, more familiarly known as…

Small and Medium Enterprises in Qatar

A recent decision by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has provided a unified definition of small and medium enterprises in the State of Qatar. Qatar has a number of…

Public Private Partnerships Projects in Qatar

Falling oil prices, budget deficits, and the vast number of new and ongoing infrastructure projects in Qatar have all placed a burden on the government, hence a need to develop…

A Smarter and Greener Qatar

Elite Paper Recycling (EPR) is a Qatari private paper manufacturing company, which strives to raise awareness in Qatar on the importance of recycling. Located in the New Industrial Area, EPR…

Marhaba Feature: Qatar’s Iconic Buildings

Doha Tower Architect – Ateliers Jean Nouvel Designed as part of the plan to transform the Doha Bay by building impressive buildings along the coast, the Doha Tower is a magnificent…

The Time Of Es’hail

The Es’hail 1 satellite’s entry into service on 18 December last year has enabled Qatar to fulfill its goals of providing independent, high-quality services to broadcasters and other stakeholders in…

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Energy & Sustainability in Qatar

The Hydrocarbon Industry

Qatar has the world’s third largest proven natural gas reserve and is the second-largest exporter of natural gas, according to the CIA World Factbook. Petroleum and natural gas are the…

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Green Transport

Kahramaa, WOQOD and Mowasalat are introducing more environmentally friendly transportation across the country. Following an agreement in January 2023 between Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and Qatar Fuel…

No More Single-Use Plastic Bags!

The Ministry of Municipality has approved a draft decision controlling the use of plastic bags in the country. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin…

QatarEnergy Joins Global Zero Methane Initiative

QatarEnergy has joined the Aiming for Zero Methane Emissions Initiative, an industry-led initiative that aims to reach near zero methane emissions from operated oil and gas assets by 2030. Aiming…

North Field Expansion Project Contracts

Qatar Petroleum has taken the final investment decisions for developing the North Field East Project (NFE), the world’s largest LNG project. Qatar Petroleum (QP) recently announced two major contracts for…

Qatar Turns to Solar Energy

A solar power plant is to be built for the first time in Qatar, as part of the state’s efforts to fight carbon emission and climate change. A milestone was…

AgriteQ: Globalising Qatar’s Agricultural Sector

When looking into the agriculture sector in Qatar, one of the most important events on the calendar is the Qatar’s International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ), providing a platform for local and…

SustainableQATAR: ‘Building a Sustainable Culture Takes Effort on All Levels’

Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers, lakes are breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted, trees are flowering sooner, wildfires are more frequent, droughts are taking place for longer periods,…

A New Strategy

A Sustainable Strategic Plan for the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (2018–2022) has been launched, with a focus on six key areas. The new strategic plan was inaugurated by Prime…

The OGP Process

Qatar has one of the world’s largest reserves of natural resources, so at some point in your stay you will strike up conversation with someone working in the industry. But…

A Smarter and Greener Qatar

Elite Paper Recycling (EPR) is a Qatari private paper manufacturing company, which strives to raise awareness in Qatar on the importance of recycling. Located in the New Industrial Area, EPR…

Team Up to Clean Up

It can be easy to lapse into a predictable routine on a typical weekend in Doha. However, there are plenty of fun things to do during your days off, becoming…

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Latest News

Qatar’s Business Leaders Rank High on Forbes Top 100 Travel & Tourism Leaders 2024

Thanks to their geographical position, and historical and cultural richness, Middle East countries are attracting both tourists and investors. In 2023, the Middle East’s visitor numbers surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with…

QatarEnergy to Acquire Two New Exploration Blocks Offshore Egypt

QatarEnergy has signed a farm-in agreement with ExxonMobil to acquire a 40% participating interest in two exploration blocks offshore Egypt. Under the terms of the agreement, which is subject to…

Al Attiyah Foundation Weekly Energy Market Review | 11 May 2024

Each week, Al Attiyah Foundation publishes its energy market review, bringing you the latest global news from the oil, gas and petrochemicals sector. Oil Declines on US Interest Expectations, Stronger…

Ministry of Labour Hosts Workshop to Raise Awareness in the Hospitality Sector

The Ministry of Labour recently held a workshop for owners and representatives of hotel and hospitality businesses. This event is part of the Ministry’s initiative to increase awareness about the…

Vodafone Qatar’s Executive Team Embarks On Site Tour Committed To Workplace Safety

In line with Vodafone Qatar’s ongoing commitment to the health and safety of its workforce, Vodafone Qatar’s Executive team recently visited a number of the company’s telecom network sites. Chief…

Qur’anic Botanic Garden Earns Global Accreditation for Plant Conservation

The Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), a member of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) affiliated with the Qatar Foundation (QF), has obtained notable global accreditation in the conservation of plant resources…

Al Attiyah Foundation Weekly Energy Market Review | 4 May 2024

Each week, Al Attiyah Foundation publishes its energy market review, bringing you the latest global news from the oil, gas and petrochemicals sector. Oil Dips on US Jobs Data, Steepest…

Ashghal Begins Construction of Stormwater Drainage Tunnel

The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announced the commencement of construction of a stormwater drainage tunnel within the Critical Asset Resilience Programme (CARP), with the aim of protecting vital assets as…

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Business & Economy in Qatar

Business & Economy in Qatar

Welcome to Marhaba’s Banking, Business & Infrastructure section!

The Banking System in Qatar

Interesting Reads

Personal Banking

Investment & Trade

Infrastructure in Qatar

Our Partners

Interesting Reads

Energy & Sustainability in Qatar

Interesting Reads

Latest News

Welcome to Marhaba’s
Banking, Business &
Infrastructure section!