Qatar: General Tax Authority Launches 100% Financial Penalty Exemption Initiative

Qatar Tribune, 25 February 2025: The General Tax Authority has unveiled a 100% financial penalty exemption initiative.

Starting on 1 March 2025, the initiative will be available for six months, complying with the relevant rules and regulations.

To be eligible, companies must register on the “Dhareeba Tax Portal” and ensure all taxpayer information is current.

They must also submit all required tax returns and financial statements in line with regulations and commit to maintaining full compliance over the next three years (2026, 2027, and 2028) by timely submission of returns and payment of tax dues.

During the initiative, eligible businesses can apply for penalty exemptions via the Dhareeba Tax Portal.

The General Tax Authority will evaluate applications individually and communicate approval decisions through the applicants’ portal accounts.

Taxpayers are invited to review the comprehensive guidelines available on the Authority’s website, which details the initiative’s conditions, requirements, and application procedures.

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Qatar: Streamlined Environmental Permits for Industrial Growth

The Peninsula, 14 February 2025: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change have unveiled a new initiative aimed at streamlining the process of issuing environmental permits for industrial facilities.

The initiative introduces a simplified process for granting environmental permits, aligning with international best practices.

Under this new system MOCI will directly issue industrial permits for 861 activities, based on predefined environmental criteria, once the construction of the facility is completed.

This change benefits investors involved in 66% of all industrial activities.

Additionally, the initiative exempts 257 industrial activities from needing environmental and operational permits from the Environment and Climate Change Ministry, covering 20% of all industrial activities.

Only 182 activities, representing 14% of the total, will require prior environmental approval.

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Qatar: Central Bank Introduces Real Estate Development Escrow Account Guidelines

The Peninsula, 10 February 2025: Qatar Central Bank (QCB), in collaboration with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority – Aqarat, has announced new guidelines for the creation and management of real estate development escrow accounts.

This initiative is part of QCB’s ongoing efforts to regulate banks’ interactions with escrow accounts specifically for real estate development, ensuring a structured and supervised approach.

The guidelines aim to streamline the operation of escrow accounts, facilitate necessary approvals, and manage off-plan sales effectively.

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Qatar: MoJ Unveils New Digital Real Estate Services

Qatar Tribune, 5 February 2025: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in Qatar has launched a new suite of electronic services aimed at modernising real estate registration and documentation.

The updated Sak Application now offers services such as issuing replacement title deeds, correcting property details, and managing mortgages.

It also features QR codes on title deeds for easy access to property information and location via GIS and Google Maps.

Transactions can be completed electronically, with documents delivered through Qatar Post, reducing the need for in-person visits.

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Qatar: GRSIA Enhances Social Insurance with New Regulations

The Peninsula, 27 January 2025: The General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority (GRSIA) has welcomed the ratification of the executive regulations of Qatar Law No. 1/2022.

These regulations are designed to enhance transparency and efficiency in the implementation of the Social Insurance Law, ensuring the rights of insured citizens and promoting financial sustainability.

The regulations establish a clear framework for retirement and insurance contributions and benefits, with GRSIA committed to delivering high-quality services to all beneficiaries.

Notably, the regulations introduce an additional bonus for each year beyond the 30th year of subscription, up to a maximum of ten years.

This bonus is calculated based on the pension account salary, with specific provisions for the first five years and subsequent years, while ensuring the pension account salary does not exceed 100,000 riyals.

Additionally, the regulations address advances for retirees, allowing for a maximum advance of 300,000 riyals, repayable over five years through monthly pension deductions.

Qatar has also ratified Qatar Ministerial Decision No. 4/2025, issuing the executive regulations of Qatar Law No. 2/2022 on military retirement.

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Qatar: Cabinet Okays Draft Law on Drones

Qatar Tribune, 16 January 2025: The Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has given the green light to a draft law concerning drones, forwarding it to the Shura Council for further consideration.

This proposed legislation aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for drone usage, ensuring the security and safety of air navigation, safeguarding lives and property, and delineating the roles and responsibilities of relevant authorities.

It also seeks to promote optimal drone utilisation and encourage innovation and investment in this burgeoning sector.

At the start of the meeting, the Cabinet commended the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Strategy and the Qatar National Manufacturing Strategy for 2024-2030.

These initiatives, launched under the theme “Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth,” align with the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy, marking the final phase of Qatar National Vision 2030.

The strategies aim to bolster sustainable economic growth, diversify key economic sectors, and enhance the private sector’s contribution to the GDP.

They also focus on advancing manufacturing industries and boosting Qatar’s economic competitiveness on both regional and global stages.

The Cabinet has acknowledged the Shura Council’s endorsement of a draft law concerning the state emblem, designed to provide legal protection and regulate its use.

Additionally, the Cabinet provisionally approved a draft decision to define the coordinates of tourist areas with notable features, including archaeological, historical, natural, climatic, environmental, or vital attributes.

This decision aims to classify certain areas as tourist destinations, enhancing the country’s standing as a premier global tourist destination of qualitative value.

Furthermore, the Cabinet has resolved to take necessary steps to ratify an agreement on international land transport and goods cooperation between Qatar and Turkiye.

It has also approved several proposals, including the registration of the National Archives of Qatar with the Secretariat General for Centres of Documents and Studies of GCC States, and various draft agreements and MoU with countries such as Algeria, Oman, Djibouti, Paraguay, El Salvador, and Chile, covering areas like air transport, museums, higher education, public prosecution, security cooperation, and political consultations.

The meeting concluded with the review of four reports, leading to appropriate decisions.

These reports included the second follow-up on the National Framework for Promoting Values and Morals in Qatari Society for 2024, the annual report of Qatar Development Bank for 2024, and reports on the participation of Qatari ministers in international environmental and health forums.

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