QFC: Secured Data Protection Adequacy with ADGM and DIFC

Qatar Tribune, 30 January 2026: The Qatar Financial Centre has secured reciprocal data protection adequacy recognition with Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Dubai International Financial Centre, easing lawful cross‑border data transfers between the three financial hubs.

The Qatar Financial Centre announced that it was included in the data protection adequacy lists of both ADGM and DIFC, following a comprehensive assessment of its data protection framework, enforcement mechanisms, and alignment with international best practices. In return, the QFC recognised the adequacy of the data protection regimes in the two UAE financial free zones, establishing mutual regulatory trust.

The adequacy recognition means that personal and sensitive data may now be transferred between entities operating in the QFC, ADGM, and DIFC without the need for additional transfer safeguards or contractual mechanisms, provided transfers comply with the applicable local data protection regimes. The review process was supported by specialist legal firms and reserved for jurisdictions demonstrating consistently high standards of data protection.

Regulators stated that the move will reduce compliance costs and administrative burdens for businesses operating across the three centres, while maintaining strong rights, accountability, and enforcement protections for data subjects. The initiative is expected to support digital trade, regional data‑driven business models, and shared services arrangements within the Gulf’s financial services ecosystem.

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Qatar: Shura Council Reviews Draft Laws and Social Policy Reports

Gulf Times, 27 January 2026: Qatar’s Shura Council has examined proposed legislative amendments and reviewed government follow‑up reports on key social policy issues, highlighting growing institutional coordination between the legislature and the executive.

The Shura Council reviewed a draft law proposing amendments to existing GCC‑framework legislation on fertilisers and soil conditioners, which had been referred by the government. The Council forwarded the proposal to its Committee on Health, General Services and the Environment for detailed study and the preparation of a report, marking the next step in the legislative review process.

The Council also examined a government statement responding to earlier recommendations on services and benefits for senior citizens. That matter was referred to the Committee on Social Affairs, Labour and Housing for review and follow‑up, reflecting the Council’s supervisory role over social policy and welfare matters.

In addition, members were briefed on government follow‑up reports addressing rising divorce rates in Qatari society and the national framework for promoting values and moral conduct. The Council welcomed the reports, noting that they demonstrated a coordinated and systematic response to parliamentary recommendations and a high level of institutional integration between state authorities.

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Qatar: Supreme Judicial Council Streamlines Procedures and Accelerates Litigation Timelines

Gulf Times, 20 January 2026: Qatar’s Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has announced major improvements to judicial efficiency after completing key phases of its 2019–2025 National Initiative to advance judicial systems.

President of the SJC and of the Court of Cassation, confirmed the initiative has modernised legislative tools, overhauled judicial procedures and expanded digital transformation across the courts. This has included full digitisation of case files, electronic submission of pleadings and automated issuance of rulings, supported by an electronic integration link with 23 government entities.

Litigation timelines have been significantly reduced, with the average case duration falling to 38 days, and 94.3% of cases resolved within six months. Over the past five years, 98.4% of cases across all courts were completed, and same‑day rulings increased annually.

The SJC reported major capacity‑building achievements, with Qatarisation reaching 70% in the judicial cadre and 75% in administrative staff. New specialised courts, including the Investment and Trade Court, were introduced to support economic activity and provide alternatives to litigation in family matters.

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Qatar: Cabinet Approves Sweeping Reforms to Foreign Investment Law

Gulf Times, 7 January 2026: Qatar has adopted major amendments to its foreign investment framework, aiming to attract greater non‑Qatari capital and boost private‑sector participation in the national economy.

The Cabinet stated it had examined and approved a draft law amending certain provisions of Qatar Law No. 1/2019 regulation of the Investment of Non-Qatari Capital in the Economic Activity on non‑Qatari capital in economic activity, with aims tied to attracting foreign investment and raising private‑sector GDP contribution under the Third National Development Strategy 2024‑2030. However, neither the Cabinet note nor related reportage specifies what provisions are being changed—such as ownership limits, sector eligibility, or listing rules.

Qatar Law No. 1/2019 regulation of the Investment of Non-Qatari Capital in the Economic Activity is well‑documented and already permits up to 100% foreign ownership in many sectors (subject to exclusions), alongside incentives (e.g., tax and customs‑duty exemptions; repatriation rights). Any new amendment would therefore matter most where 2019 left boundaries—for example, excluded sectors or residual approvals. Without the draft text, it is impossible to confirm whether the reform adjusts these boundaries or simply streamlines processes.

Officials and earlier policy briefings suggest a broader reform programme (bankruptcy, PPP, and commercial registration), signalling that procedural simplification is also on the table (e.g., single‑window, automated tax IDs, wider activity lists). But the current Cabinet note remains high‑level and does not enumerate article‑by‑article changes.

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Qatar: AI‑Powered Legislative Adviser Launched to Transform Law‑Making

Gulf Times, 5 January 2026: Qatar has unveiled an AI‑driven “Smart Legislative Advisor,” which is a national system designed to modernise how laws are drafted, analysed, and quality‑checked across government.

The new platform marks the first phase of a major digital governance project developed by the Council of Ministers Secretariat General in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. It provides legislative teams with advanced analytical tools to enhance precision, speed and consistency of drafting and reviewing legal texts.

Key functions include comparative analysis of regional and international legislation, automated checks for alignment with Qatar’s Constitution and existing legal framework, and linguistic and proofreading review tools that help ensure clarity and compliance. These features collectively form an integrated quality‑assurance system intended to elevate the overall standard of legislative output.

Officials overseeing the initiative have described it as a strategic step in strengthening Qatar’s institutional capabilities. The system is built to support—not replace—human legal expertise. It aims to streamline workflows for legislative departments, reduce manual bottlenecks, and improve the accuracy and efficiency of legal drafting processes.

The programme follows a Cabinet approval issued last October and forms part of a broader national push toward smart governance.

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QFC: Proposed New Rules for Wholesale Advisory Firms

The Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) has issued a consultation 2025/03 proposing amendments to the Investment Management and Advisory Rules 2014 (INMA), which would introduce a dedicated regime for Wholesale Advisory Firms (WAFs).

These WAFs would provide advisory services exclusively to the largest, most sophisticated customers.

The aim is to create a transparent and proportionate regulatory regime for firms serving wholesale clients, which reflects their lower risk profile and reduces unnecessary compliance burdens.

The new wholesale customer category would be restricted to government agencies, state-owned enterprises, and Qatar Stock Exchange-listed companies with assets exceeding 20 billion Riyals.

WAFs would have to operate as QFC branches, leveraging home jurisdiction oversight and existing risk management frameworks.

The full anti-money laundering rules would be replaced with a simplified framework in these cases, with basic reporting, an AML policy, training, and an MLRO required, but no deputy needed. The customer protection rules would also mostly be disapplied, except principles on fair treatment, client classification, conflicts of interest, and record keeping.

In terms of governance, there would be reduced controlled functions (senior executive, MLRO, senior management), simplified internal control requirements, and a reliance on head office systems. On the competency rules, core competency would be retained for key roles, but training requirements would be removed.

The Investment Management and Advisory Rules 2014 would mostly apply, but there would be exemptions for professional indemnity insurance and prescriptive investment research requirements.

The consultation ends on 8 February 2026, and comments should be sent to consultationpapers@qfcra.com

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Qatar: Launches Digital Platform for Disability Services Access

Qatar’s Ministry of Social Development and Family has unveiled a new national digital platform designed to provide comprehensive information and services for people with disabilities, their families and care providers.

The platform incorporates artificial intelligence technologies and meets international digital accessibility standards to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies.

Minister launched the service at a ceremony attended by people with disabilities and key stakeholders, implementing provisions of Qatar’s Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, particularly regarding technology access and social participation.

The new system provides a centralised digital hub for disability-related services and information, featuring enhanced accessibility features and user-friendly interfaces. It has been designed to work seamlessly with existing assistive technologies used by people with disabilities.

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