Commercial Bank has unparalleled knowledge of both the local market and the Gulf region as a whole – and we pass this knowledge directly on to our clients.
Advice and information on
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How to be successful
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Options for new business set-up
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Qatar Financial Centre
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The success of your business or project in Qatar will
need to meet stringent prequalification and contract conditions to ensure
delivery of quality work on time.
Success factors
The association of a local Qatari company (as
a consortium partner or sub-contractor) will be a positive evaluation factor.
Other success factors include close attention to local regulations, labour laws
and visa processes, transportation logistics and taxation matters.
Contract guarantee formats
Contract guarantee
formats in Qatar usually specify payment on demand, and are governed by Qatari
laws. Many sponsors require contract guarantees to be issued through a local
Qatari bank (such as Commercial Bank). With the upcoming World Cup in 2022,
bear in mind that project bids will be aggressive.
Options for new companies in Qatar
If you are setting up a business in Qatar you may
choose one of the following options.
Incorporate
an LLC
This option means that a local shareholder is
generally required to hold at least 51% of shares.
The foreign shareholder’s
profits are in general taxable, and the foreign party is able to repatriate up to 97% of
company profits. Parties may enter into an agreement in which the
foreign party is allowed to manage the company.
Establish a
branch of a foreign company
To establish a branch of your foreign company here in Qatar,
you must have a contract with a government or quasi-government entity.
No local shareholder is required, and profits are
generally taxable. The activity you undertake is identified in the contract you
make, and this must be adhered to until the end of the contract.
Incorporate a company within the Qatar
Financial Centre (QFC) scheme
This option means that the business you are setting up
is 100% foreign-owned and is subject to 10% corporate taxation. The
company’s primary activity must relate to financial services (i.e. banking,
insurance or investment advice) or its support (i.e. legal, accountancy or
consultancy).
There is a strategic focus on asset management, captive insurance
and reinsurance. Over 140 licenses for this kind of business have already been
issued in Qatar.