Guidelines for setting up a business 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.

> Setting up an industrial company in Qatar
Here are the requirements you need to do in order to set 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.

> Setting up a company for Government contracts
Here are the steps to follow:
  • 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:
    • The signed contract between the applicant (the foreign firm) and the government agency.
    • A certificate or memorandum of association of the foreign firm.
    • A certified copy of the power of attorney for the nominated director in Qatar.
  • Apply for a commercial registration at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.
  • Obtain a commercial permit from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture.
  • Obtain a commercial registration number from the immigration office at the Ministry of Interior.


> Setting up a tourism company in Qatar
Here are the steps to follow to set 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.


> Setting up a Healthcare institution in Qatar
Here are the steps to follow to set 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. 


> Setting up an Educational institution in Qatar
Here are the steps to follow to set 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.


> Setting up a Trade Representative office in Qatar
Here are the steps to follow to set 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. 


> Setting up an Engineering Consultancy office in Qatar
Here are the steps to follow to set up an Engineering Consultancy office in Qatar.
  • Apply for a license to practice the proposed profession to the Engineering Acceptance Committee at the Urban Planning and Development Authority.


> Setting up a Law office in Qatar
Here are the steps to follow to set up a Law office in Qatar.
  • Apply for a license to practice the proposed profession to the Lawyer Acceptance Committee at the Ministry of Justice.