Regulatory Alerts2019-01-01
Law No. 1 of 2019 on the Regulation of Non-Qatari Capital Investment in Economic Activity
Issued by Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Law No. 1 of 2019 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for non-Qatari capital investment in Qatar's economic activities, permitting foreign ownership up to 100% across all sectors while explicitly restricting banking, insurance, and commercial agency fields. The legislation streamlines licensing procedures, mandates administrative approvals for shareholdings exceeding 49%, and grants targeted incentives including land allocation, customs exemptions, income tax relief, and unrestricted capital repatriation. Furthermore, it codifies dispute resolution mechanisms, establishes clear penalties for non-compliance up to 500,000 riyals, and explicitly repeals the prior 2000 investment law to consolidate foreign investment governance under a unified statutory regime.