Starting a Business in Qatar

Licensing Authorities

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI)

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is responsible for overseeing commercial and industrial activities for the state of Qatar, directing these activities in accordance with the requirements of national development. The Ministry’s mandate includes business development needed to attract investments and support and develop exports.

The Qatari government allows full ownership of the business for foreign investors.

The MCI is dedicated towards companies requiring trading activities, office space availability anywhere in Qatar, specific business activities that require external approvals (such as taxi services, as an example), organizing of work with banking & government sectors etc.

Qatar Financial
Center

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is an onshore business and financial centre located in Doha, established by Law No. 7 of 2005 of the State of Qatar. A world-class platform for companies, QFC offers its own legal, regulatory, tax and business environment, contributing to the decisive economic development and diversification prescribed by Qatar National Vision 2030.

Supported by QFC’s broad range of legal and regulatory services, regulated and non-regulated, that align with international best practice, domestic and international companies can set up or expand their business in Qatar. QFC allows up to 100% foreign ownership, 100% repatriation of profits, and charges a competitive rate of 10% corporate tax on locally-sourced profits, all while integrating businesses into Qatar’s swift expansion into a major trade and investment centre.

Qatar Free Zone Authority

QFZ is focused on four core sectors: emerging technologies, logistics, industry and maritime. They are positioned 30 minutes from downtown Doha and sit adjacent to Hamad Airport and Hamad deep-sea port, both award-winning transport hubs that connect you to the world. 

QFZ offers extremely competitive tax exemptions, including 20-year corporate tax holidays, no individual income taxes, and zero import custom duties. Investors are also entitled to 100% foreign ownership, with full capital repatriation. 

There are three Free Zones in Qatar

Ras Boufantas Free Zone

It is adjacent to Hamad International Airport and has specific sections of the zone dedicated to particular industries, allowing for optimal cluster growth and perfectly tailored infrastructure and facilities. Fully serviced plots come in different sizes to suit specific industry needs, and facilities are flexible, meaning that companies can either choose to build their own, can hire QFZA to build it for them to exact specifications, or can elect to use pre-built facilities. Ras Bufontas, the airport free zones, will complement high value and time-sensitive products.  

Key Areas of Focus  

  • Emerging tech,  
  • Aviation & Business  
  • Light manufacturing 

Umm AlHoul
Free Zone

Umm Alhoul Free Zone covers 32km and is situated near Hamad Port, the world’s largest greenfield port, providing an optimal location for industries which benefit from access to sea freight and shipping routes. The zones have been designed to incorporate additional smart technologies including smart waste bins, intelligent street lighting, addressable advertising panels and more. MARSA is a new maritime cluster in Qatar’s Umm Alhoul free zone, strategically located adjacent to Hamad Port, the world’s largest greenfield seaport, and only 20 minutes from Doha city center.

Key areas of focus 

  • Heavy Manufacturing  
  • Industrial sectors 
  • Emerging tech
  • Logistics hub
  • Downstream petrochemical
  • Maritime industries & services

Qatar Science and Technology Park

Situated in Qatar’s Foundation Education City, this technology park was established in 2009 with an aim to provide a home to technology-based firms. This zone comes with a lot of incentives that meets the expectations of the business entities. Some of the renowned companies that bask in its zone hold Microsoft, Shell, and GE etc. This free zone completely concentrates on the technology domain to give an emerging platform to the business entities.  

Key areas of focus 

  • Technology developments  
  • Education and training 
  • New business development 
  • Research and Development etc.

Request for a
Free Consultation

Contact us today if you’re interested in setting up a Qatari business. Our team of accredited business setup advisors will guide you through the process as well as assist with all other services related to company formation such opening bank accounts, visas, and office lease.






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    Licensing Services

    1

    License Renewals

    Easy License Renewal Options

    It is mandatory for both mainland and free zone companies to renew their licenses annually. Though the process seems straightforward, delays are costly and can affect a company’s operations, visas, and corporate bank account. Also, changes to the license, like switching local sponsors, can create complications leading to missing renewal deadlines and incurring large fines.

    At Creative Zone Qatar, our PROs take care of your business renewals, well ahead of the deadline. We manage every step, including handling your paperwork and meeting the concerned governmental departments, letting you focus on running your business.

    Whether you simply need to renew your mainland or free zone trade license or you want to make some changes with your renewal, our team of experts gives you a hassle-free experience. Want to know more? Fill out our form below for more information about trade license renewal.

    2

    License Modification

    Easy License Amendment, Sponsor or Address Changes  

    As your business scale, you might want to modify your license by adding or removing an activity, changing your sponsor or company name, and/or updating your address. Managing the process requires submitting applications and supporting documents as well as working with governmental entities and online portals. At  Creative Zone Qatar, we assist you in processing any type of license modification whilst making sure your business operations run smoothly. Whether you need to make a small change or you require several amendments, we manage the entire process for a quick and comfortable experience.  

     Want to know more? Fill out our form below for more information about trade license modification. 

    3

    License Cancellation/Liquidation

    Hassle-Free License Cancellation  

    Cancelling your trade license is a difficult choice one might have to make and requires help from professional experts as the process might be slightly more complicated. Some requirements are easy to fulfil like stopping utility services but some others are more complex and time-consuming like getting a No Objection Certificate from different governmental authorities.   

    Carrying out the task of terminating your license needs deep knowledge of the procedures and familiarity with the relevant authorities.  

    At Creative Zone Qatar our expert professionals work with you at each stage, helping to organise your application and gather necessary documentation and approvals so that your experience is as quick and easy as possible. 

    Want to know more? Fill out our form below for more information about trade license cancellation. 

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