Qatar: Financial Law Amendments Reviewed

Qatar Tribune, 26 March 2024: Qatar’s Shoura Council has reviewed a draft law amending Qatar Law No. 7/2005 (the Qatar Financial Centre Law).

It was referred to the Council by the government. The Council has decided to refer it to the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee to consider and report back to them on.

The Council has also approved a draft law regarding exemptions and facilitations for the State’s hosting of sports tournaments.

They approved it after reviewing a report from their Financial and Economic Affairs Committee and discussing it.

In addition, the Council approved a request to extend the Information and Cultural Affairs Committee’s study of a draft higher education institutions law.

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Qatar: Draft Law Amending Penal Code Reviewed

Qatar Tribune, 18 March 2024: Qatar’s Shoura Council has reviewed a draft law amending Qatar Law No. 11/2004 (the Penal Code),

It was referred to the Council by the government.

The government have decided to it to its Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee to consider and report back on to the Council.

The Council also approved a draft law repealing Qatar Law No. 2/1991 imposing a fee on extracting certificates issued by the Interior Ministry and its affiliated agencies.

In addition, the Council approved a draft law repealing Qatar Law No. 7/1991 imposing a fee on extracting certificates issued by the Defence Ministry.

It did so after reviewing a report from the Internal and External Affairs Committee on the laws.

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Qatar: Shoura Council Reviews National Identity Promotion Proposal

Qatar Tribune, 12 March 2024: Qatar’s Shoura Council has reviewed a national identity promotion proposal.

It was submitted by one of its members and relates to strengthening national belonging and identity among Qatari students in private schools.

It suggests strengthening students’ national identity, including by reconsidering legislation regulating private schools in terms of clothing.

It says this could be done by adding regulations that oblige all Qatari male students to wear Qatari traditional clothing and Qatari female students wear clothing in line with values, customs and traditions of the Qatari society.

This would help to preserve national identity in private schools.

The proposal also suggests determining the specifications of school uniforms for each grade and age.

In addition, it suggests performing the national anthem and raising the state flag in schoolyards or in private school buildings that have Qatari students.

They decided to refer the proposal to the government to consider.

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Qatar: Financial Centre Regulatory Authority Launches Consultation on Amendments to the Governance and Controlled Functions Rules 2020

Qatar’s Financial Centre Regulatory Authority has launched a consultation on significant amendments to the Governance and Controlled Functions Rules 2020. The consultation ends on 6 June 2024.

If approved, there will be new rules in the Governance and Controlled Functions Rules addressing the growing level and complexity of operational risks facing authorised firms, as well as placing an increased regulatory focus on their operational resilience in the event of disruptions and clarify and simplify specific rules relating to a firm’s risk management framework and centralising these in the Rules.

They will also remove the Sharia Supervisory Board requirements in the Islamic Banking Business Prudential Rules 2015 as these duplicate the Sharia Supervisory Board requirements contained in the Governance and Controlled Functions Rules.

There will also be miscellaneous amendments.

The proposed amendments are set out in the Governance and Controlled Functions (Operational Risk and Resilience) Amendments Rules 2024 and the BANK, PINS, INMA and IBANK (ORR and SSB) Amendments Rules 2024.

The amendments would come into force on 1 July 2025.

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Qatar: Draft Law on Protection of Public Electricity and Water Facilities Approved

Qatar Tribune, 22 February 2024: Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a draft law on the protection of public electricity and water facilities.

They have referred it to the Shoura Council to consider.

If approved, the law will update the legislation related to the Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation and replace Qatar Law No. 11/1979 regarding the protection of public facilities of electricity and water.

The Cabinet also adopted the Qatar National Cyber Security Strategy for 2024 to 2030 and approved the measures required to implement it.

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Qatar: Amendments to Tender Law Approved

Qatar Tribune, 15 February 2024: Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a draft law amending Qatar Law No. 24/2015 (the Law on the Regulation of Tenders and Auctions).

The Cabinet also approved a proposed Cloud Computing Policy.

The Policy was proposed by the Communications and Information Technology Ministry.

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Qatar: Amendments to National Counter-Terrorism Committee Decision Approved

Qatar Tribune, 8 February 2024: Qatar’s Cabinet has approved amendments to Qatar Cabinet Decision No. 29/2020 establishing the National Counter-Terrorism Committee.

The Decision also specifies its work system and remuneration and other rewards for its members.

In addition, the Cabinet approved a draft law to extend the concession granted to Qatar Fuel Company or Woqod to market, sell, transport and distribute gas and petroleum products.

Also reported in Al-Sharq on 7 February 2024. For the full story, click here.

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Qatar: Shoura Council Committee Discusses Fees for Interior Ministry Certificates

Raya, 5 February 2024: The Interior and Foreign Ministry Committee of Qatar’s Shoura Council has discussed fees for Interior Ministry and affiliated entity certificates.

Under Qatar Law No. 2/1991 fees can be imposed for these certificates.

The Committee also discussed Qatar Law No. 7/1991 imposing fees for the issuing of certificates by the Defence Ministry. It submitted the relevant report to the Council.

In addition, it discussed the procedures for the departure of domestic workers from the country and decided to continue this discussion in its next meeting.

For the full story, click here.

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Qatar: Draft District Cooling Law Approved

Raya, 25 January 2024: Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a draft law regulating district cooling businesses and services in the country.

It has referred it to the Shoura Council to consider.

The draft law proposes the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory framework for the district cooling sector in the country.

This includes the financial, technical, and legal aspects.

If approved, it will enable the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation to organise and manage district cooling business and services and set the rules regulating the relationship between parties in this sector.

For the full story, click here.

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