Qatar: Cabinet Updates Building Technical and Architectural Requirements

Gulf Times, 16 April 2026: Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a decision updating architectural requirements and technical specifications for buildings.

The amendments revise provisions of Qatar Decision No. 7/1989, introducing updated standards for construction and design. Officials said the changes reflect Qatar’s broader development strategy, ensuring that building regulations keep pace with modern needs and sustainability goals.

The Society of Engineers stressed that the reforms will strengthen housing frameworks, improve safety standards and support better planning for residential and commercial projects. The decision also aligns with Qatar’s long‑term vision for sustainable urban growth.

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: Online System Launched for Agricultural Licences and Fertiliser Import Approvals

Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality has introduced an online application system for agricultural business licences and approvals to import restricted fertilisers.

The new platform allows businesses to submit applications, track approvals, and ensure compliance with the legal requirements governing agricultural operations and the importat of controlled fertiliser products.

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: Full Maritime Traffic Resumes Amid Security Controls

Gulf News, 11 April 2026: Qatar’s Ministry of Transport has reinstated full maritime traffic for all vessels from Sunday, 12 April 2026, operating daily from 6 am to 6 pm, while licensed fishing boats may continue around the clock.

The resumption follows a phased return after operators had previously restricted vessel movements to mitigate regional tensions. Under the updated directive, all vessel types can now navigate Qatari territorial waters within set hours. Licensed fishing vessels continue to enjoy 24/7 passage.

Vessels must comply with safety regulations: operators are required to verify safety and security equipment prior to and during voyages. Authorities also cautioned against unjustified price increases, warning that surcharges during the transition would be monitored under commercial and maritime laws.

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: General Tax Authority Clarifies Capital Gains Tax Exemption for Corporate Restructuring

Gulf Times, 2 April 2026: Qatar’s General Tax Authority issued clarifications on a capital gains tax exemption for intra‑group corporate restructuring, aiming to support business efficiency and strengthen the investment environment.

The General Tax Authority announced official clarifications on the application of capital gains tax in Qatar, confirming an exemption for gains arising from intra‑group corporate restructuring transactions. The clarification is intended to enable companies within the same group to restructure more efficiently, particularly through the transfer and exchange of assets within Qatar, and to improve the management of financial assets.

The authority explained that the exemption supports broader economic objectives, including facilitating company listings on the Qatar Stock Exchange and increasing market activity. It applies where restructuring serves a genuine economic, commercial or financial purpose and where the conditions set out in the Income Tax Law and its Executive Regulations are met.

The General Tax Authority also clarified the scope of capital gains subject to taxation in Qatar. Capital gains tax continues to apply to net gains from the sale or disposal of shares or ownership interests in companies resident or registered in Qatar, real estate connected to taxable business activities, certain foreign properties disposed of by Qatari projects without a permanent establishment abroad, and tangible and intangible assets linked to taxable business activities.

According to the authority, the intra‑group restructuring exemption strengthens existing exemptions already provided under Qatari law. These include gains realised by individuals from real estate and securities not connected to taxable business activities, as well as gains earned by non‑Qatari investors from trading listed securities and investment fund units on Qatari financial markets.

The exemption also covers certain revaluation transactions, subject to compliance with specific requirements. These conditions focus on confirming the restructuring’s economic substance and purpose and ensuring adherence to the regulatory framework governing corporate groups and ownership continuity.

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: Excise tax warehouse service launched to support business cash flow

2 April 2026: Qatar’s General Tax Authority (GTA) has launched an excise tax warehouse licensing service as part of efforts to enhance the implementation of excise tax and support business cashflow. The service enables licensed premises to produce, process, store or receive excise goods—whether locally manufactured or imported—under a tax‑suspension regime, allowing excise tax liability to be deferred while goods remain in approved warehouses.

The new regime will allow businesses to suspend tax payments until excise goods are released into the local market. By permitting the import and storage of excise goods and raw materials under tax suspension, the service will improvs cash‑flow efficiency, support production planning and enhances supply‑chain stability. Authorities have said the new framework will also contribute to improved inventory management and more efficient operational planning for registered taxpayers.

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: Tax Authority Clarifies Capital Gains Exemption for Group Restructurings

Qatar’s General Tax Authority clarified the scope of capital gains tax exemptions introduced for corporate restructuring transactions within the same group.

The General Tax Authority issued official clarifications on the application of capital gains tax exemptions for intra‑group corporate restructuring, confirming that qualifying transactions could proceed without triggering tax liability. The clarification followed the introduction of Qatar Cabinet Resolution No. 3/2026, which had expanded relief under Qatar’s Income Tax framework.

The Authority explained that capital gains arising from the transfer or exchange of assets between companies within the same corporate group could be exempt where the restructuring served a genuine economic, commercial, or financial purpose. The exemption applied to transactions conducted between related parties that met ownership and continuity thresholds defined under the Income Tax Law and its Executive Regulations.

The Authority confirmed that the exemption recognised transfers of tangible and intangible business assets, shares, and ownership interests, including transactions undertaken to improve financial efficiency or facilitate listings on the Qatar Stock Exchange. It also clarified that the relief complemented existing exemptions available to individuals and non‑Qatari investors in respect of securities and real estate not connected to taxable business activities.

The Tax Authority stressed that eligibility for the exemption remained conditional on compliance with prescribed requirements, including group‑relationship duration and ongoing ownership continuity.

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: QatarEnergy Declares Force Majeure On LNG Contracts

The Peninsula, 24 March 2026: QatarEnergy has declared force majeure on several long‑term LNG supply contracts after Iranian missile strikes damaged LNG Trains 4 and 6, cutting 12.8 MTPA of production—around 17% of Qatar’s exports.

The force majeure affects counterparties in Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China, with supply disruptions expected to last three to five years, the estimated period needed to repair the damaged facilities. The company confirmed that the outage has forced a halt in production of LNG and downstream products, including urea, polymers, methanol and aluminium.

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: MoI issues evacuation and safety guidelines for educational institutions

The Peninsula, 23 March 2026: Qatar’s Ministry of Interior issued updated evacuation and safety procedures to strengthen emergency preparedness across educational institutions.

The Ministry has assessed existing emergency‑response practices before outlining measures intended to help students, staff, and administrators respond safely during crises. The guidance requires institutions to familiarise all occupants with exits and assembly points, keep evacuation routes unobstructed, and ensure that safety equipment is properly identified and understood. Age‑appropriate awareness training forms part of these preparations.

When an alert is issued, activities must stop immediately, with individuals remaining calm and following instructions from the National Warning System and on‑site safety officers. The guidelines distinguish between internal hazards—where immediate evacuation is required—and external threats, where shelter‑in‑place procedures must be followed. During evacuation, the Ministry stressed the need to use stairs only, avoid returning for personal belongings, and proceed directly to assembly points without pushing or overcrowding.

Teaching and administrative staff are responsible for orderly evacuation, conducting headcounts, reassuring students, and reporting missing individuals. The instructions also detail tailored approaches for kindergarten pupils, school learners, and university students. At assembly points, individuals must remain until further official direction is given. The Ministry reiterated that calm adherence to official instructions remains essential for collective safety as institutions prepare for the gradual resumption of full in‑person learning.

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/.