Qatar: Five arrested over violations of national drone‑use ban

9 March 2026: Five individuals have been arrested in Qatar after they violated the nationwide prohibition on operating drones.

The Qatari Ministry of Interior had previously issued a directive prohibiting the use, operation, or launch of drones of any type across all regions of Qatar. The authorities arrested five people who had operated unmanned aerial vehicles despite the restrictions.

The ministry has that the ban is intended to enhance public safety and protect the community, and it has stressed that the rule applies to citizens, residents, visitors, and all governmental and semi‑governmental entities, companies, and institutions. Any attempt to use or facilitate the operation of drones during the suspension will constitute a clear violation. The ministry has said it will not hesitate to take further legal action against anyone who has breached the decision.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Qatar: Qatar Energy declares force majeure

QatarEnergy has announced a declaration of force majeure after an unforeseen external event led to a temporary halt in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production at one of its facilities.

QatarEnergy has confirmed a temporary halt in LNG production due to external circumstances outside its control, prompting them to activate force‑majeure provisions under its contractual obligations. Technical teams have secured the affected site and initiated inspection, assessment and safety‑verification procedures to determine the timeline for restoring operational capacity. The company has stated that some supply commitments may be delayed until production resumes. Official updates will be issued once the technical review is completed.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Qatar: Financial regulator shifts to remote work

Gulf News, 3 March 2026: Qatar’s Financial Markets Authority has shifted its operations to remote work, instructing all licensed entities under its supervision to do the same until further notice.

The authority has confirmed that the remote‑work requirement would begin on Tuesday and remain in place until further notice. In its announcement, it stated that each institution would determine which employees must attend on‑site based on the nature of their duties.

Officials noted that this step aligns with earlier guidance issued on flexible working arrangements. The regulator said the decision forms part of general precautionary measures being adopted across several sectors, ensuring business continuity and safeguarding staff while operational conditions are reassessed.

Institutions were advised to continue following official updates and ensure internal procedures support uninterrupted service delivery during the remote‑work period.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Qatar: MoCI Rolls Out 36 New E‑Services

The Peninsula, 24 February 2026: Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has launched 36 new e‑services to simplify licensing procedures and accelerate the country’s digital‑government agenda.

The Ministry said the newly introduced services cover a wide spectrum of commercial and regulatory activities, including licensing for prize draws, annual and seasonal sales, loyalty programmes, “Scan and Win” campaigns, special offers, festivals, initiatives, promotional campaigns and final‑clearance sales. The platform also expands brokerage‑activity services, enabling the issuance, renewal, amendment, cancellation and replacement of broker licences and cards, all completed electronically.

The initiative targets full digitalisation of government services, enhanced business efficiency and stronger innovation within the commercial, industrial and investment sectors.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Qatar: Global and Domestic Minimum Tax Implemented

Qatar’s General Tax Authority has announced the start of implementing new global and domestic minimum‑tax rules under amended income‑tax legislation aligned with OECD/G20 Pillar Two standards.

The Authority has already completed legislative preparations before confirming the implementation of Chapter Seven (repealed and re‑enacted) of the Qatar Law No. 24/2018 promulgating the Income Tax Law, which now sets out the framework for applying the global and domestic minimum tax. This marks Qatar’s formal adoption of Pillar Two of the global tax initiative led by the OECD and G20, targeting tax challenges arising from the digitalised economy.

The decision applies to multinational enterprises with global revenues above EUR 750 million, requiring them to meet an effective minimum tax rate of 15% on foreign operations. Two core mechanisms are introduced:

• Global Minimum Tax – Qualified Income Inclusion Rule (IIR), and
• Domestic Minimum Tax – Qualified Domestic Minimum Top‑up Tax (DMTT)

These rules ensure multinational groups pay a minimum level of tax both in Qatar and abroad.

Qatar emphasised that this step enhances transparency, fairness, and tax‑base protection, preventing profit shifting to low‑tax jurisdictions. The GTA also highlighted the country’s role in supporting the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS and reinforcing its position as a reliable, compliant, and transparent financial hub.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

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.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

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.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.