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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Qatar: New Legislation Enhances Procedures for Certified Document Handling

This legislation, Qatar Ministerial Decision No. 157/2024, aims to ensure the integrity and compliance of certified documents when dealing with foreign authorities and within the judicial system.

The legislation outlines specific guidelines for the acceptance and deposit of certified documents before foreign authorities.

It mandates that documents must be authenticated by competent authorities in the issuing foreign country and the Foreign Affairs Minister in Qatar.

In a significant move to streamline the handling of certified documents, the Justice Ministry in Qatar has issued new legislation detailing comprehensive procedures and regulations.

Additionally, documents must comply to local laws and public morals, with certified Arabic translations required for non-Arabic documents.

Furthermore, the legislation provides a framework for issuing additional executable copies of previously executed documents.

It specifies the conditions under which such copies can be requested, ensuring that applicants have a legitimate interest and that the original document was issued by the administration.

The transfer of original documents to courts or prosecution is also addressed, with strict conditions to prevent unauthorised modifications.

The legislation requires that originals be returned after their intended use, maintaining the integrity of the documents.

Appointed experts reviewing certified documents must meet specific criteria, including registration with the Justice Ministry and presenting judicial appointment orders.

The review process is to be conducted under the supervision of responsible administration employees.

In cases where translators from outside the Ministry of Justice’s experts’ list are needed, the legislation sets conditions to ensure accountability and accuracy.

This includes the absence of registered translators in the required language and written undertakings from concerned parties to bear responsibility for the translation.

This legislation, effective from its issuance date, marks a significant step in enhancing the management and legal compliance of certified documents in Qatar.

It highlights the Ministry of Justice’s commitment to maintaining high standards in document handling and ensuring the smooth operation of legal and administrative processes.

It aims to ensure the integrity and compliance of certified documents when dealing with foreign authorities and within the judicial system.

The legislation outlines specific guidelines for the acceptance and deposit of certified documents before foreign authorities.

It mandates that documents must be authenticated by competent authorities in the issuing foreign country and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar.

Additionally, documents must adhere to local laws and public morals, with certified Arabic translations required for non-Arabic documents.

Furthermore, the legislation provides a framework for issuing additional executable copies of previously executed documents.

It specifies the conditions under which such copies can be requested, ensuring that applicants have a legitimate interest and that the original document was issued by the administration.

The transfer of original documents to courts or prosecution is also addressed, with strict conditions to prevent unauthorized modifications.

The legislation requires that originals be returned after their intended use, maintaining the integrity of the documents.

Appointed experts reviewing certified documents must meet specific criteria, including registration with the Ministry of Justice and presenting judicial appointment orders.

The review process is to be conducted under the supervision of responsible administration employees.

In cases where translators from outside the Ministry of Justice’s experts’ list are needed, the legislation sets conditions to ensure accountability and accuracy.

This includes the absence of registered translators in the required language and written undertakings from concerned parties to bear responsibility for the translation.

This legislation, effective from its issuance date, marks a significant step in enhancing the management and legal compliance of certified documents in Qatar.

It highlights the Ministry of Justice’s commitment to maintaining high standards in document handling and ensuring the smooth operation of legal and administrative processes.

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Qatar: Amendments to Income Tax Law

The Shura Council approved amendments to the Income Tax Law, aiming to ensure tax fairness between local and global companies operating in Qatar by establishing a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%.

Analysis

Qatar Shura Council approved amendments to the Income Tax Qatar Law No. 24/2018. The amendments aim to ensure tax equity between local and multinational companies operating in Qatar by implementing a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%. The General Tax Authority clarified that the new amendment applies exclusively to multinational corporations with foreign branches and annual revenues exceeding 3 billion Qatari Riyals, including Qatari companies with branches outside Qatar and global companies with branches in Qatar.

The amendment do not affect individual taxpayers or local companies operating in Qatar, which are currently subject to a 10% corporate income tax.

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