Qatar is one of the most prosperous countries in the world. The reason is that they are presenting an economy with constant growth and diversification. It is considered a nation with a variety of interesting aspects that make it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs. That is, for those people who want to start or expand their business successfully. In order to take advantage of these opportunities, you have to learn how to start a business in Qatar. It is essential that you inform yourself well about the process and costs of Company formation in this country.
In this article, we will offer you a practical and updated guide on how to start a business in Qatar. That is, what are all the costs involved, and what steps you must follow. In addition, you will see a set of key recommendations to be successful in this business adventure. This way, you will be able to make an informed decision and be able to enjoy the success that this country offers.
Research and Market Analysis
The management environment of a business or project greatly influences its success. In this way, in most cases, it will be seen that the environment in which a business or project is located is very active. At present, you can see the transformation of many industries and how these transformations are accelerated. In this case, a clear example of this is the digital transformation of recent years.
You can notice that the state of Qatar experienced one of the most notable transformations. In this way, it went from being a country with widespread poverty to being a richer one, with the highest per capita income in the world. For this reason, if you want to set up a business in Qatar successfully, you must evaluate, identify, and interpret all developments in the external environment.
Numerous factors make up market research and valuation. Among these, you can find the familiarization, identification, analysis, collection, interpretation of data, and application of qualitative and quantitative methods. In this way, in-depth interviews and customer surveys must be carried out to obtain a good image of the market.
Among the information that we must take into account includes the economy, technology, demographics, supply and demand, public, etc. One of the most reliable sources of information in the country is the Planning and Statistics Authority. In this way, even if you start an e-commerce business in Qatar, it is important that you study and analyze the market you want to enter.
Choose a Business Structure
One of the fastest-growing economies in the Middle East is Qatar. Boasting a free business environment, modern infrastructure, and stable governance, it makes it the ideal place to start your business. For this reason, when you are thinking about how to set up a Company in Qatar, you must know about registering companies in Qatar and obtaining the necessary licenses and permits.
It is important to note that company registration in Qatar varies according to certain factors. The business activity, type of industry, business requirements, and necessary facilities. In this way, companies have to decide to register in the appropriate structure. Below you will see some of the most used structures in Qatar.
Sole Proprietorship Company (SPC): This is the most common form of structure in Qatar. The SPC and Limited Liability Company structures are similar, but the SPC has a single shareholder, investor, or corporate entity.
Simple association company: It is made up of two or more legal entities. These people are personally and jointly responsible for all the obligations that the company has.
Limited Liability Company (LLC): This structure is the most popular and preferred by foreign entrepreneurs and investors to start their businesses in Qatar. For this reason, if you are wondering how to start a business in Qatar as a foreigner, this structure is one of the most recommended. Here, the company formed by joint partners in Qatar is responsible for the value of its shares held in the capital of the company.
Public limited company: In this structure, the capital shared by shareholders is separated according to its value. It allows a minimum of 5 shareholders and foreign shareholders can participate in it.
Business Plan and Name Registration
How to open a Company in Qatar? In order to obtain the answer to this we must see the following steps. This way, you can legally register your company in Qatar:
First step: You must choose your company name and verify that it is available.
Second step: Now you need to choose the type of company that best suits your needs. You can choose from a wide variety, including an LLC or an SPC.
Third step: Acquire all necessary initial licenses or approvals from the relevant authorities. Among these, you find the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Energy and Industry.
Fourth step: You will need to draft and sign the Memorandum of Association or MOA.
Fifth step: Register the company with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Sixth step: A business license must be obtained for business activities in Qatar.
Seventh step: Open a corporate bank account in the name of your company.
Eight step: Register the company for taxes with the General Tax Authority.
Ninth step: Now, register the company with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. This way, you will be able to obtain a work permit for all foreign employees of the company.
The entire process to register your company in Qatar can take between 4 and 12 weeks to complete. However, it should be noted that certain steps must be completed by you in advance to speed up the process.
Legal Requirements and Licensing
In order to register your company in Qatar you must present the following documents:
- A Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association.
- Copies of the passports and residences of the shareholders that the company has.
- The business license application form.
- Proof of payment of share capital.
- A power of attorney for the authorized signer.
- The sponsor’s No Objection Certificate if applicable.
- Extract from the Commercial Registry that you have from the country of origin.
- The commercial name reservation certificate.
- Approval from all relevant government authorities if necessary.
The company shall comply with relevant regulations and laws in Qatar. Among these, you find labor laws, health laws, tax laws, and safety laws. Now, you ask yourself something very important, how much does it cost to start a business in Qatar. The answer is simple and it varies according to the type of business, but in general, the rates have an approximate price.
In this way, you find that the fees to register a company with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry range from 10,000 to 20,000 QR. Additionally, this fee includes the cost of obtaining a business license, obtaining a visa, and registering the company with the Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, there may be various legal fees and other costs involved in setting up a business in Qatar.
It is advisable to look for different quotes from various service providers. This way, you will be able to get the best cost when registering your company in Qatar.
Location and Office Space
When choosing the ideal location for your business, it is important to take many factors into account. One of the most important is how close your business will be to public transportation. Having easy access to public transportation offers a wide variety of benefits to your company. Among them, improving the morale of your employees and greater efficiency.
On the other hand, you must ensure that your company is in a safe and accessible place. In this way, it is recommended that you create a list explaining the characteristics you want from your company. Aside from public transportation, you should consider the availability of parking and access to public spaces.
Then you need to get going and look at all the possible locations for your business. However, although proximity to public transportation is important, it should not be right next to a station. The important part of this is that employees can have easy access to public transportation.
Additionally, you can choose a location where your employees have easy access to private transportation services. There are many ways to find the ideal location. For this reason, the most important thing is to check the public transport options available in Dubai. Then you can start looking for potential places that meet all your requirements.
Capital and Investment
In the process of setting up a business in Qatar, you have to know what the financial requirements are. All business owners and foreign investors usually tend to form a Limited Liability Company (LLC). That is, they most commonly use LLCs to do business in Qatar. This type of business must have a minimum share capital of QAR200,000. In addition, it has two shareholders.
Generally, foreign investors have the possibility of holding a maximum of up to 49% of the share capital. The other remaining 51% must belong to one or more Qatari partners.
In specific sectors, the Minister of Economy and Commerce can grant permission for the participation of foreigners to exceed 49%. They can even have 100% ownership. For this, business activity has to be compatible with Qatar’s development plans.
Sponsorship and Partnerships
Generally, to participate in a project it is required to establish a presence in the country. It is important to know that the answer to the question, of how to start a business in Qatar, is varied. That is to say, there are many ways to establish a company in this country. The idea is to find an optimal and ideal solution for your company.
To shortlist and select a local Qatar partner depends on the requirements of the business initiator. In principle, the entrepreneur must create a business plan which must include certain relevant aspects. For instance, commercial activities, organization and operational structure, products and services, financing strategies, and more of the proposed business.
You have to know that local laws require you to hire a local partner. That is a natural person with Qatari nationality. The other option is to choose a legal entity that allows you to have full ownership of the business. However, this is a very specific exception. Generally, the local partner must own at least 51% of the shares of the proposed business according to the law.
On the other hand, if the business is registered with the Qatar Financial Center Authority or Qatar Science and Technology Park; the foreign investor is allowed to own up to 100% of the company’s shares.
This measure provides very interesting advantages concerning the commitment of a local partner. Among the most important are support in terms of business development and management of interested parties in the country. Additionally, depending on the profile of the local partner, they will be able to provide you with good guidance regarding business. That is, they can provide you with advice in advance on strategies in the public and private sectors to be successful.
Banking and Finance
Part of the process of learning how to start a business in Qatar is understanding financing. You should know that starting a business can be difficult due to the cost and not all entrepreneurs have these monetary requirements. That is why below you will see some tips to cover the Company formation cost in Qatar.
Investigate the financing options available in Qatar: In Qatar, there are a variety of options available for entrepreneurs. If you do your research you can find a wide range that suits your needs. For example, private loans and venture capital. Of course, it will all depend on your business goals and budget.
Investigate Qatar requirements and regulations: Part of the process of understanding how to start a business in Qatar is knowing a series of regulations for new businesses. Among the most important are product standard requirements, business registration regulations, and more.
Find an experienced business partner: For new entrepreneurs, it is important to start with an experienced business partner. The idea is that it can instruct you through the entire process and help you have successful results. Furthermore, this will save you hassle and, above all, time in the future.
Go to local community events: Entrepreneurs who are learning how to start a business in Qatar have to know about the events that exist in the country. By participating in these events you can support your business objectives. As a result, you will be able to connect with potential clients and partners, as well as promote your products in the city.
Use social media to promote the company: Finally, using social media is a useful way to reach new audiences – like future business partners – in addition to product and service promotion.
Hiring Employees
Generally, the process of hiring employees for your company is long and difficult. Especially, when you set up shop in a foreign country with different labor compliance laws. In addition, understanding cultural norms and other aspects. In summary, to understand the process of how to start a business in Qatar you have to know what the contracting laws are.
The first and most essential thing is to understand that local culture is an aspect of the hiring process. Additionally, you need to consider some aspects of Qatar logistics. Among them, are the best channels to search for talent and your legal responsibilities as an employer.
Secondly, you must start with the talent search, which is one of the first steps in hiring. In principle, you can post the company’s vacancies online or in local newspapers. On the other hand, it is important to remember that most business in the country is conducted in Arabic. That is, you will most likely need to work with a translator while you are in the hiring process.
Finally, the most important thing you need to know is the labor compliance law in Qatar. That is the employment contract. This is the key requirement in the employee hiring process in the country. All employees must be hired under an employment contract in the local language. Under the law, agreements must include the type and nature of the work. In addition, the place of work, start, and duration of employment.
In general, all employment information should be included. One recommendation is to include termination, benefits, rights terms, and more. The reason for this is to ensure that there is no confusion in the future. Any monetary information in the labor contract must be in its equivalent in Qatari rials.
Marketing and Branding
A crucial part of the process on how to start a business in Qatar is marketing and branding. Currently, to be successful in this step it is best to go directly to digital marketing. Small businesses and startups can take advantage of the strategies and tools of large companies. Thus, they can expand their audience and reach customers through the network. Below, you will see some strategies for startups in Qatar to stand out against the competition.
Know the tastes of your audience: The first step to establishing a successful marketing strategy is to understand your target audience. This can be done through research and listening to their feedback.
Once you understand your audience, you must delve deeper into what they want from life in the future. That is, discover their weak points, what makes them sad or happy, and how they spend their leisure time in Qatar.
Create an online presence: It is important to create an online presence and then make the most of your online presence. For this, you can use two foolproof techniques. The first will be to create a website. With this, you can show what you offer to people simply. The second option is to create a blog. Currently, blogging is one of the best ways to build an audience in Qatar.
The company has to be active on social networks: Currently, social networks are an essential way to interact with customers. Not only that but also to promote your brand in Qatar. A website is considered a useful source of information. However, social networks provide the opportunity to have direct contact with customers on a personal basis.
Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts
Previously, we provided you with a guide with all the steps you must follow in the process of how to start a business in Qatar. This is a young, dynamic, and rich country that has been growing very rapidly since the late 90s. Here you can have access to a skilled workforce and capital. Additionally, Qatar is rapidly becoming a global business hub. In order to take advantage of all the advantages of this nation, you must follow some key considerations for the process.
Determine your mission and business objectives: It is important to know what you want to achieve from your business. Not only that, you also have to know why you want your company to be famous. That is, you have to take into account the competition and how you stand out above it. This is essential in the process of how to start a business in Qatar.
Study the culture: Before setting up, you should think about how you want residents and citizens of Qatar to know your company. That is, you want to be known as a respectable institution. Or, on the contrary, you want to be seen as a low-quality local option that is not worth investing in. Consequently, this will have a significant impact on the results of your new business.
Getting the ideal infrastructure: For your business to be successful in Qatar, you will need to set up the ideal infrastructure. This takes into account an effective marketing and advertising strategy. In addition, having reliable and efficient transportation options. Finally, you must have a good logistics system so that products can be shipped easily and quickly.
If you want to start your business in Qatar, get in touch with us as soon as possible! We can help you streamline the process and successfully establish your company.
