Qatar plans to propose three new laws as part of a complete overhaul of its legal structure, with the goal of attracting more international investment to the Gulf state. Qatar’s newly appointed minister of commerce and economy, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani, acknowledged the proposal in an interview. The new legislation contains a bankruptcy law, a public-private partnership (PPP) law, and a commercial registration law, all of which are intended to streamline company operations and create a more investor-friendly climate.
Sheikh Faisal emphasised that Qatar is revising 27 legislation from 17 government ministries, affecting almost 500 activities. He anticipates the revised bankruptcy and PPP rules to be finalised by March, providing additional clarity and support to investors.
Qatar, one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas exporters, has set an ambitious aim of obtaining $100 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) by 2030, as specified in its national development policy. However, the country has lagged behind regional competitors like as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which have had higher FDI inflows in recent years.
Despite giving advantages such as tax breaks, free zone facilities, and long-term residency plans, Qatar’s investment inflows fell in 2023, indicating the need for quick regulatory reforms to catch up with its neighbours.
