Guidelines
for Setting up a Business in Qatar
1.
Setting up an Industrial Company in Qatar
2. Setting up a Company for Government Contracts
3. Setting up a Tourism Company in Qatar
4. Setting up a Healthcare Institution in Qatar
5. Setting up an Educational Institution in Qatar
6. Setting up a Trade Representative Office in Qatar
7. Setting up an Engineering Consultancy Office in Qatar
8. Setting up a Law Office in Qatar
The
Qatar Investment Promotion Department (IPD) is a Government Authority,
which operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy
and Commerce and is entrusted with encouraging the growth of Foreign
Direct Investment in Qatar. IPD provides investors with extensive
information related to the local business environment, including
current investment projects, suitable business partners and government
incentives. IPD also links investors with the local government
agencies and informs them on how to set up a business in Qatar.
Shown below are guidelines on how to set up certain businesses
in Qatar, which were provided by the IPD:
1.
Setting up an Industrial Company in Qatar
1. Apply for an Industrial License along with a feasibility study
to the Department of Industrial Development at the Ministry of
Energy and Industry.
2. Obtain a clearance from the Supreme Council of the Environment
& Natural Reserves.
3. Submit a request to be exempted from local partnership to the
Investment Promotion Department at the Ministry of Economy and
Commerce.
4. Fill and certify the establishment contract form at the Ministry
of Economy and Commerce.
5. Apply for a commercial registration at the Ministry of Economy
and Commerce.
6. Obtain a commercial permit from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs
and Agriculture.
7. Obtain a commercial registration number from the immigration
office at the Ministry of Interior.
2.
Setting up a Company for Government Contracts
1. Submit a request to be exempted from local partnership to the
Investment Promotion Department at the Ministry of Economy and
Commerce, along with arabic translated certified copies of the
following:
a) The signed contract between the applicant (the foreign firm)
and the government agency.
b) A certificate or memorandum of association of the foreign firm.
c) A certified copy of the power of attorney for the nominated
director in Qatar.
2. Apply for a commercial registration at the Ministry of Economy
and Commerce.
3. Obtain a commercial permit from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs
and Agriculture.
4. Obtain a commercial registration number from the immigration
office at the Ministry of Interior.
3.
Setting up a Tourism Company in Qatar
1. Submit a request along with a business proposition to be exempted
from local partnership to the Investment Promotion Department
at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.
2. Obtain a clearance from the licensing department at the Qatar
Tourism Authority.
3. Fill and certify the establishment contract form at the Ministry
of Economy and Commerce.
4. Apply for a commercial registration at the Ministry of Economy
and Commerce.
5. Obtain a commercial permit from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs
and Agriculture.
6. Obtain a commercial registration number from the immigration
office at the Ministry of Interior.
4. Setting up a Healthcare Institution
in Qatar
1. Apply for a license to the Department of Medical Licensing
at the National Health Authority.
2. Submit a request to be exempted from local partnership to the
Investment Promotion Department at the Ministry of Economy and
Commerce.
3. Fill and certify the establishment contract form at the Ministry
of Economy and Commerce.
4. For a full service healthcare institution, apply for a commercial
registration at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.
5. Obtain a commercial permit from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs
and Agriculture.
6. Obtain a commercial registration number from the immigration
office at the Ministry of Interior.
5.
Setting up an Educational Institution in Qatar
1. For K-12, obtain an approval from the Department of Private
Education at the Ministry of Education; For Post Secondary Education,
obtain an approval from the Higher Education Institute Department
at the Supreme Education Council.
2. Submit a request to be exempted from local partnership to the
Investment Promotion Department at the Ministry of Economy and
Commerce.
3. Fill and certify the establishment contract form at the Ministry
of Economy and Commerce.
4. Apply for a commercial registration at the Ministry of Economy
and Commerce.
5. Obtain a commercial permit from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs
and Agriculture.
6. Obtain a commercial registration number from the immigration
office at the Ministry of Interior.
6.
Setting up a Trade Representative Office in Qatar
1. Submit a request along with a certificate or memorandum of
association of the parent company, and the certified power of
attorney for the nominated manager in Qatar for the representative
office, to the Investment Promotion Department at the Ministry
of Economy and Commerce.
2. Apply for a commercial registration at the Ministry of Economy
and Commerce.
3. Obtain a commercial permit from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs
and Agriculture.
4. Obtain a commercial registration number from the immigration
office at the Ministry of Interior.
7.
Setting up an Engineering Consultancy Office in Qatar
1. Apply for a license to practice the proposed profession to
the Engineering Acceptance Committee at the Urban Planning and
Development Authority.
8.
Setting up a Law Office in Qatar
1. Apply for a license to practice the proposed profession to
the Lawyer Acceptance Committee at the Ministry of Justice.
