Qatar: New Digital Customs Archive System Launches

Qatar’s customs authority has implemented a new digital archiving system to centralise and automate its international customs documentation processes.

The system creates a unified database for customs documents and international cooperation procedures. It will manage records of regional and international meetings, customs agreements, and memoranda of understanding.

Using artificial intelligence technology, the platform analyses document content and provides enhanced security features that comply with current data protection standards.

The new digital archive introduces improved information-sharing capabilities between customs departments, allowing for more streamlined interdepartmental communication.

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Qatar: Drafts New Laws to Modernise Business Environment

Gulf Base, 25 September 2025: Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry is drafting three major pieces of legislation as part of efforts to update the country’s legal and business framework.

Ministry Undersecretary revealed plans for an updated public-private partnership law, a new foreign investment law, and a bankruptcy law.

The announcement came alongside details of recent reforms that have already streamlined business procedures in the Gulf state. New measures include automatic tax number generation upon commercial registration and simplified labour recruitment approvals.

The ministry has digitalised 95% of its services through a single-window platform and launched a new multilingual portal for investors. Foreign investors can now participate in more than 1,400 business activities across the country.

Recent reforms have also removed requirements to match commercial activities for imports and adopted a unified GCC customs tariff. Industrial incentives, including reduced leasing rates for industrial, logistics, and commercial land, are reportedly saving the private sector more than QR100 million annually.

Environmental permit processes have been simplified for 90% of industrial activities, whilst company incorporation procedures now include automatic generation of company cards and tax numbers upon registration.

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Qatar: Updates Building Telecoms Infrastructure Requirements

Qatar Tribune, 17 September 2025: Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has released new mandatory standards for telecommunications infrastructure in buildings, applying to both new construction and existing properties across the country.

The updated guidelines establish requirements for: In-building wiring systems, Mobile connectivity solutions, Internet service provision, IPTV infrastructure and Smart building capabilities.

The regulations cover multiple property types including: Single villas, Residential towers, Shopping centres, Warehouses, Labour accommodation and Large-scale developments.

Under the new framework, developers must collaborate with service providers during early planning stages to address design requirements. The standards outline specific technical specifications for telecommunications installations across different building categories.

The guidelines introduce streamlined procedures for: Infrastructure deployment, Service provider access, Building approval processes and System implementation.

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Qatar: Updates Legal Practice Law with Major Reforms

Al Arab, 12 September 2025: Qatar has introduced significant amendments to its Legal Practice Law through Qatar Law No. 19/2025, implementing substantial changes to regulations governing the legal profession.

The revised legislation includes several key practical changes: State Lawyers’ Authority The law reorganises the authority of state lawyers at the Ministry of Justice, allowing the State Cases Department to contract Qatari lawyers or seek external counsel for cases outside Qatar, subject to ministerial approval.

New Lawyers’ Admission Committee Structure: A restructured Lawyers’ Admission Committee will be chaired by the Minister of Justice and include two Court of Appeal judges, a public prosecutor, three lawyers, and two ministry representatives.

Extended Professional Activities: The amendments permit lawyers to register in the commercial registry and own shares in capital companies, provided they do not manage or directly engage in commercial activities.

Advertising Guidelines: Lawyers can now promote their services through traditional and electronic means, subject to committee-approved regulations, with disciplinary measures for violations.

Fee Arrangements: The new law allows direct fee agreements between lawyers and clients, with contingency fees capped at 25% of successful claim amounts.

Legal Aid Commission: A new Legal Aid Commission has been established under the Supreme Judicial Council to appoint lawyers for clients unable to afford legal fees.

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Qatar: Customs Authority Details Personal Duty Exemption Rules

The Peninsula, 2 September 2025: Qatar’s General Authority of Customs (GAC) has outlined specific conditions for customs duty exemptions on personal items for travellers and returning citizens.

The rules permit exemptions for reasonable quantities of non-commercial items carried by passengers for personal use.

For Qatari citizens returning permanently from abroad, the authority has established specific criteria for the duty-free importation of household goods. These individuals must provide evidence of residing overseas for at least three years, and their belongings must arrive in Qatar within six months of their final return.

The exemptions apply to citizens who have been abroad for work assignments, education, or medical treatment. However, the items must be used personal effects rather than new or commercial goods.

The regulations explicitly exclude aircraft and ship crew members, as well as professional traders importing business-related goods, from claiming these exemptions.

The authority confirmed that the duty-free allowances also extend to persons with special needs, personal postal parcels, and diplomatic missions, though specific limits were not disclosed.

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Qatar: Traffic Authority Tightens Rules for Motorcyclists

Qatar Tribune, 21 August 2025: The General Directorate of Traffic has implemented stricter regulations for delivery motorcycle riders, introducing new safety measures and technical requirements for the growing delivery sector.

Key measures include: Mandatory right-lane usage for riders, except within 300 metres of intersections and roundabouts, Smart surveillance systems and road patrols to monitor compliance and Specific technical requirements for delivery boxes including: Reflective red tape on rear, Reflective yellow tape on sides, Ban on internal LED lighting, Fiberglass construction requirement, Non-sharp edge designs, Mandatory corporate branding and Operational license plates for all units.

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Qatar: Issues New Ministerial Powers Act and Business Regulations

Al Sharq, 18 August 2025: Qatar’s Ministry of Justice has published its official gazette, introducing new legislation governing ministerial powers and commercial operations.

The Qatar Ministerial Decision No. 12/2025, comprising 37 articles, outlines key ministerial responsibilities including: Development of strategic and executive ministry plans, Implementation of approved policies and programmes, Presentation of reports to the Cabinet, Supervision of government agencies, Setting service fees after Cabinet approval, Management of ministry personnel and Preparation of annual budgets.

The law defines ministers as Cabinet members, including state ministers and officials appointed to ministerial-grade positions. It establishes accountability measures for ministers involved in crimes related to: Public office misconduct, Obstruction of justice and Money laundering.

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Qatar: Issues Metro Guidelines for Passengers

The Peninsula, 12 August 2025: The Ministry of Interior has published a comprehensive set of safety guidelines for Doha Metro users, outlining key measures for passenger security and conduct.

The new advisory, released via official social media channels, details specific requirements for metro travel. These include: Securing personal belongings while travelling, Maintaining safe distances from train doors during operation, Following posted signage and instructions throughout stations, Reporting emergencies to station staff immediately, Observing no-smoking rules within station premises and Supervising children on escalators.

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Qatar: Introduces Prison Terms and Fines for Online Privacy Violations

The Peninsula, 5 August 2025: Qatar has implemented stringent new cybercrime legislation that imposes jail sentences and substantial fines for publishing or sharing individuals’ images or videos online without consent.

The amendment adds Article 8 (bis) to Qatar Law No. 14/2014 on Cybercrimes. The new provision carries penalties of up to one year in prison and fines of up to QR100,000.

Under the revised legislation, individuals who violate others’ privacy in public places by sharing their images or video clips through information networks or other technology platforms without permission will face prosecution. The law applies to any unauthorised sharing that occurs outside legally permitted circumstances.

The amendment specifically targets:

• Unauthorised publication of images and videos
• Distribution of content without subject consent
• Privacy violations in public spaces
• Sharing via information networks and technology platforms

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