IPA Qatar, PwC release guide to doing business in Qatar

The guide was unveiled during a webinar, held in cooperation with the General Tax Authority (GTA), the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), and the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA).

The Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar) and PwC Qatar jointly released Monday the new ‘Tax & Legal Guide to Doing Business in Qatar’, which provides a comprehensive overview of Qatar’s conducive business environment. The guide was unveiled during a webinar, held in cooperation with the General Tax Authority (GTA), the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), and the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA). The release of the guide follows recent tax, legal, and regulatory developments that have further contributed to positioning Qatar as a world-class investment hub. Developed in collaboration with PwC Qatar, the guide provides companies with a full understanding of the tax, legal, and regulatory framework in Qatar, highlighting the ease of setting up and doing business in the country. The guide also details the vast, sector-diverse opportunities where businesses can leverage Qatar’s business-friendly investment ecosystem and highlights how IPA Qatar can help businesses throughout their investment journey, from consideration to operation and expansion to ensure their success in Qatar. In his opening remarks, Sheikh Ali Alwaleed al-Thani, CEO, IPA Qatar, said: “With Qatar’s rapidly-evolving business ecosystem, we are delighted to release this tax and legal guide with PwC Qatar that highlights the significant strides that have been taken to make doing business in Qatar easier.” Al-Thani added: “From facilities in ownership, diversity of business opportunities, and a competitive tax system, to world-class infrastructure, the guide underlines the efforts of Qatar to position the nation as an attractive investment destination in the region.” Bassam Hajhamad, PwC Qatar country senior partner, said: “Businesses now need to change more rapidly than ever before, to attract and retain capital, talent, and clients. Our Guide has been designed with exactly this in mind - to enable prospective and new investors coming into Qatar to better understand the rules and regulations of the local market, and to maximise benefits from the increasing opportunities available, to build their organisations and help grow the local economy.” Hajhamad added: “Attracting foreign investments continues to be a key pillar of Qatar’s growth and diversification strategy which is continuously enhanced by the improved legal and regulatory framework, such as easing restriction on foreign ownership, to further increase opportunities for foreign ownership and investment. “In addition to the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar, the QFZA, and QFC, continue to enrich and diversify the overall business landscape in Qatar by providing investors with flexibility and choices in line with their business objectives.” The one-hour webinar began with insights into the services and support IPA Qatar can provide investors and Qatar’s value proposition for foreign businesses. This was followed by key highlights from PwC’s Tax and Legal services leader, Sajid Khan of the 2021 Tax and Legal Guide, and a moderated discussion with experts on the key finding of the new Guide, with the webinar wrapping up with an audience Q&A. To download a copy of the ‘Tax and Legal Guide 2021’, visit invest.qa/publications.