The State of Qatar is playing an increasingly important role in international trade. It continues to attract more and more foreign investment and, in 2024, announced an ambitious Third National Development Strategy. We spoke about Qatar’s current and future plans with Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani, CEO of the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar), and Fahad Al-Kuwari, Head of Investor Relations at Invest Qatar.
Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani: Invest Qatar provides a holistic range of services
Can you please give an overview of Invest Qatar and its role in promoting foreign direct investment into Qatar?
The Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) is responsible for overseeing investment promotion activities, aimed at attracting foreign direct investment into Qatar. Established in 2019, Invest Qatar’s mission is to strengthen Qatar’s position as an ideal investment destination, while facilitating investments that foster economic diversification and development. As the gateway to investment solutions, Invest Qatar connects investors to an integrated ecosystem of business and licensing platforms. The Agency partners with investors throughout their journey, from exploration and setup to expansion, supporting their long-term growth by providing comprehensive insights into Qatar’s business landscape, sector-specific market knowledge and tailored investment facilitation. Beyond connecting investors to the right people, resources and platforms, Invest Qatar also plays a pivotal role in enhancing the nation’s investment ecosystem by developing policy recommendations to enhance Qatar’s business environment.
Could you please explain the main content points of Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy and how it relates to investments in Qatar?
Qatar has embarked on a comprehensive economic diversification strategy outlined in its Third National Development Strategy (NDS3). This ambitious plan, launched in January 2024, aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and aims to guide the nation through a turbulent global landscape. Central to the NDS3 are seven strategic national outcomes, encompassing sustainable economic growth, environmental sustainability, and other key priorities. By prioritising the diversification of key economic sectors and fostering a business-friendly environment, Qatar seeks to attract foreign investment and skilled talent, solidifying its position as a global business hub. Key FDI-related objectives include accelerating economic growth to an average of four percent annually until 2030, becoming a top ten destination for investors and businesses worldwide, boosting labour productivity by an average of two percent per year to create high-skilled jobs, and achieving an ambitious FDI target of 100 billion USD. These strategic goals demonstrate Qatar’s unwavering commitment to economic development and its aspiration to become a leading player in the global economy. Through targeted diversification efforts and a conducive business environment, the country is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious objectives and secure a prosperous future.
What are Qatar’s competitive advantages when considering investments, compared to other countries in the region?
It is important to note that we do not see investment attraction as a zero-sum game. Qatar’s view is that regional growth is good for Qatar. GCC countries, through enhanced intraregional trade and global economic integration, are actively reducing trade barriers, upgrading trade infrastructure and diversifying their economies. Qatar is constantly expanding opportunities for international companies looking to establish their presence in or extend their reach to Qatar and the Middle East. This is made possible through a rigorous reform agenda, a business-friendly environment, robust financial institutions, and a synergistic range of resources that together form an empowering and business-friendly climate for foreign investors.
Resilient and stable economy
• High credit quality: AA2 with stable outlook by Moody’s, AA by Fitch
• Average annual GDP growth rate of 6% over the past 15 years
• 1st in the GCC for Economic Resilience (FM Global Resilience Index 2024)
• 1st in the GCC for Financial Services (Global Opportunity Index 2024)
• 4th globally for Economic Performance (IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2024)
Future-ready infrastructure and global connectivity
• Qatar offers seamless market access and connectivity, located at the gateway between East and West with $8 trillion in combined GDP all within 3,000 km
• World’s Best Airline – Qatar Airways (Skytrax Awards 2024)
• World’s Best Airport – Hamad International Airport (Skytrax Awards 2024)
• Cargo Airline of the Year – Qatar Airways Cargo (World Air Cargo Awards 2024)
• 2nd globally for general infrastructure (Global Innovation Index 2024)
• Hamad Port: 15+ direct maritime shipping lanes and 40+ port connections across 3 continents
• 2nd globally for mobile internet speed (Internet Speed Index 2024)
Pro-business ekosystem
• 1st in the GCC for policy towards foreign investment (EIU Business Environment Ranking 2025)
• 1st globally for tax policies (IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, 2024)
• 2nd for business efficiency in the GCC (IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, 2024)
• 2nd in the GCC for business and investment opportunities (Global Opportunities Index 2025)
• No restrictions on profit repatriation and simplified commercial registration
• Double taxation agreements with 70+ countries
Talent and knowledge
• 2nd globally for healthcare (Expat Insider City Ranking 2024)
• 2nd globally for safety and security (Numbeo Quality of Life Index 2025)
• 3rd globally for external openness in welcoming foreign talent and 8th for brain gain (Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023)
• World’s most attractive country for international students (INSEAD 2023).
• Target Gross Expenditure on R&D of 1.5% of GDP (NDS3)
What services or support does Invest Qatar offer Czech businesses considering establishing or expanding their business to Qatar and the region?
Invest Qatar provides a holistic range of services designed to support businesses throughout the investment decision process. These services are structured into four key phases:
• 1. Discovery: Invest Qatar provides comprehensive information on business opportunities and the regulatory environment in Qatar. This helps investors make informed decisions by understanding the market landscape and potential opportunities.
• 2. Landing: To facilitate the initial stages of investment, Invest Qatar organises fact-finding trips and connects investors with key stakeholders. This ensures that investors have the necessary insights and contacts to proceed with their investment plans.
• 3. Setup facilitation: Invest Qatar supports investors in setting up their businesses by introducing them to solution partners who can assist with various aspects of the setup process. This includes navigating regulatory requirements and establishing operations smoothly.
• 4. Aftercare: Invest Qatar is committed to the long-term success of investments. They provide ongoing support to foster the growth and sustainability of businesses in Qatar, ensuring that investors continue to thrive in the market.
Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani speaing during a panel discussion at the Qatar Real Estate Forum 2024.
In addition to these investment facilitation services, Invest Qatar has continuously introduced and provided innovative channels to support investors' business setup and growth in the country. One notable initiative is the Invest Qatar Gateway – the first digital platform tailored for investors, which currently has over 10,000 members. This platform enables investors to search for business partners, explore public and private sector opportunities, access tenders, and connect with other members as well as our Investor Relations team for direct support on setting up or growing their business ventures across various sectors. Furthermore, Invest Qatar is one of the first investment promotion agencies in the world to adopt advanced technology and AI chatbot. The recently launched Ai.SHA is an Azure Open AI GPT-powered chatbot, developed in collaboration with Microsoft. This innovative tool enhances the support provided to investors by offering real-time assistance and information. Through these comprehensive solutions and innovative channels, Invest Qatar ensures that investors are well-supported and connected with the right people, resources and platforms throughout the entire investment process.
Fahad Al-Kuwari: Qatar offers a dynamic and welcoming environment
You cooperate with Invest Qatar and have previously worked with the Qatar Free Zones Authority. How important are these instutitions to Qatari investment objectives?
At Invest Qatar, we work closely with foreign investors from ideation to operations, understanding their overall objectives and connecting them with the right stakeholder, resources and platforms. Qatar offers several licensing platforms under which foreign investors can establish their business, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ), Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), and Media City Qatar (MCQ).
Can you tell us more about these institutions?
MoCI is sector agnostic and serves as the central architect, crafting policies that foster a competitive business environment and attract international investment across diverse sectors. QFC is one of the world’s leading and fastest growing onshore business and financial centres. QFC provides its own legal, regulatory, tax and business infrastructure, offering favourable conditions related to ownership requirements, profit repatriation, corporate taxation, legal jurisdiction based on English common law and dispute resolution. QFZ provides strategic locations and incentives for businesses seeking to establish operations in key sectors like logistics, technology, and manufacturing. By offering streamlined processes and access to global markets, QFZ enhances Qatar’s appeal as a destination for FDI. QSTP drives innovation and technology-based entrepreneurship. Its focus on research, development, and commercialisation attracts technology companies and fosters a knowledge-based economy, contributing to long-term economic diversification. MCQ cultivates a vibrant media ecosystem, attracting international media companies and fostering the growth of local talent. By providing state-of-the-art infrastructure and a supportive regulatory environment, Media City Qatar enhances Qatar’s position as a regional media hub, attracting significant FDI in the creative industries. These entities, all working in concert, are crucial to Qatar’s vision of a diversified and sustainable economy.
Which sectors in Qatar are most open to investments today?
Qatar launched its third National Development Strategy (NDS3) in January 2024 to serve as a roadmap guiding the nation towards realising Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030). NDS3 identifies several specialised economic clusters that will support Qatar’s transition to a diversified, knowledge-based economy. These include growth clusters such as Manufacturing, Logistics and Tourism; enabling clusters such as ICT, Financial Services and Education; and Resilience clusters including Healthcare and Food & Agriculture. By prioritising these key economic sectors and fostering a business-friendly environment, Qatar is committed to attracting foreign investment and skilled talent, solidifying its position as a global business hub.
Fahad Al-Kuwari speaking during a panel discussion at Collision 2024 in Toronto, Canada.
If I decide to set up a company in Qatar, how difficult is the journey for me from the decision to the actual setting up? What are the specifics of the business culture in Qatar compared to, for example, Europe, which are important to know before entering the Qatari market?
Like any market businesses enter for the first time, establishing relationships and understanding the business practices of that market can be a challenge. This is one of the reasons why we were created, to enable a smooth landing for investors, to facilitate introductions and connections and to supply investors with useful information about business customs and the regulatory environment. One of the key support services we provide foreign investors is fact-finding trips that connect investors with key stakeholders ensuring that investors have the necessary insights and contacts to proceed with their investment plans.
What makes Qatar more attractive for foreign investors? Are there any investment incentives?
Qatar offers a dynamic and welcoming environment for foreign direct investment, with a range of incentives designed to attract and support international businesses. The country’s strategic location, future-ready infrastructure and commitment to economic diversification make it an ideal destination for investors. From technical support and grants to customs duty and tax benefits, Qatar provides a comprehensive suite of incentives to facilitate business growth and success. To ensure investors are aware of the many incentives available in Qatar, we have created a dedicated section on the Invest Qatar Gateway (www.invest.qa/gateway) that has categorised the available incentives in the country according to the sector in which your business operates. I invite your readers to join the Invest Qatar Gateway, which is free to access, to explore the various opportunities available and to connect with Qatar’s business community.
ad
