Business Opportunity in QatarWe are seeking a business partner, to work with us as a joint venture, in any profitable business. Attached is the basic information about Qatar. Qatar's Brief History
INVESTMENT CLIMATE AND INVESTMENT POLICIES The State of Qatar has always been keen to assign the private sector an ever growing role as regards all economic activities, in order to insure the best utilization of the available financial and administrative resources. The government has, therefore, been doing its utmost to help the private sector grow and develop, and to create the investment climate that would contribute to the achievement of such objectives. In this connection, legislation and laws have been issued, and necessary incentives provided to encourage this sector to make successful investments, either independently or in cooperation with foreign capitals, provided that the Qatari share in such joint ventures would not be less than 51%. Furthermore, the government is currently planning to establish a free zone, the activities of which will be integrated with those of the other free zones of the neighboring countries, particularly the free zone in "Jebel Ali" - Dubai, and maintain a sort of coordination between the projects which will be set up at Qatar's free zone, and those set up at the neighboring likes. Joint Ventures A number of laws and legislation have been issued by the State of Qatar, with the view to encouraging the non-Qatari investments. The most important of these has been Law No. (25) of the year 1990, which has regulated the engagement of non-Qatari capital in the economic activity. This law has permitted the non-Qataris to practice trade, industry, agriculture, and services, provided that they should be joint with Qatari partners wherein their joint share in the capital must not be less than 51%. As regards the contracting business, the law has stated that, in addition to the above mentioned provision, there must be an actual need, either for the establishment of such companies in view of supply and demand requirements, or for the expertise and technology provided by such companies. Yet in any case, the establishment of such companies requires approval of the Minister of Finance, Economy and Commerce after consulting the concerned agency. Commercial agencies and importation business have been made exclusive for Qataris by provisions of the law. However, the law has stated that non-Qataris may be allowed, by an Emiri decree, to invest their moneys in the fields of industry, agriculture, minerals/mining, motive power, or tourism, provided that such activities would be directed to the achievement of economic development purposes, or the facilitation of performance of public services and utilities. Likewise, the law has permitted non-Qataris to import the materials required for such projects which have no similar in the local market. In such case, the law has not permitted non-Qataris to apply for the decree referred to, unless they appoint a Services Agent of Qatari nationality (individual, or a company whose capital is entirely owned by Qataris), to facilitate contact with the state's official authorities, assist in the provision of accommodation and labor, make necessary arrangements to obtain entry visa and residence, and issuance of licenses required for performance of business and such other related services as he may be required to perform; but agents shall not assume any responsibility relating to the business of their principals. The State of Qatar provides many incentives for the joint ventures as follows:
In addition to the above, the State of Qatar provides the following benefits.
Investment Opportunities There is a number of medium and small size investment projects need for the Qatari market or international market for export, the economic feasibility of which has been firmly proven through the pre-feasibility studies carried out in the following fields:
Economy Overview: Oil is the backbone of the economy and accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 75% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.3 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for about 25 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to the leading West European industrial countries. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the development of off-shore oil and the diversification of the economy.
AL-SHEIKH TRADING EST.
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