BUSINESS START UP QATAR

Photo by BSUQ   Qatar continues to showcase its strong trade position with a foreign merchandise trade surplus of QAR 17.7 billion in September 2024, according to preliminary data from the National Planning Council. While the surplus reflects the nation’s robust economic activity, changes in export and import trends reveal key insights into the market. Export Highlights Total Exports: Qatar’s total exports, including domestic goods and re-exports, stood at QAR 27.6 billion. This represents: A 7.9% decrease compared to August 2024. A 7% drop year-on-year from September 2023. Petroleum Products: Exports of petroleum gases and gaseous hydrocarbons (including LNG, condensates, propane, and butane) amounted to QAR 16.7 billion, with a slight 0.1% decline . Crude petroleum oil exports fell by 31.3% , reaching QAR 3.7 billion. Non-crude petroleum oils dropped by 21.5% , totaling QAR 2.5 billion. Import Highlights Total Imports: Qatar’s imports reached approximately QAR 9.9 billion, re...

Qatar's Government Unveils Procurement Plan Forum 2025: Boosting Private Sector Growth and Economic Diversification Qatar’s Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Qatar Development Bank, and Qatar Chamber, recently hosted the second edition of the Government Procurement Plan Forum. The event highlighted Qatar’s commitment to driving economic diversification by strengthening the private sector as a key engine of growth and innovation. Key Highlights of the 2025 Procurement Strategy The forum showcased Qatar’s comprehensive procurement strategy for 2025, emphasizing transparency, collaboration, and creating more business opportunities for local companies. As part of the strategy, the government plans to release 3,303 tenders across 21 sectors— a significant increase from 2024, demonstrating Qatar’s dedication to diversifying its economy. Strategic Focus Areas for 2025 The majority of the tenders, approximately 71%, will be focused on five ke...

photo by Business Start Up Qatar The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) and Invest Qatar recently hosted the second annual Government Sector Forum, uniting over 50 representatives from 26 government agencies. This event aimed to evaluate achievements, address challenges, and outline strategies for empowering the private sector, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030. Key discussions included the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, which focuses on improving the business environment, driving economic diversification, and fostering private sector leadership. MoCI emphasized the importance of innovation, streamlined services, and strategic partnerships to position the private sector as a central contributor to Qatar's economic growth. Invest Qatar highlighted recent regulatory improvements and presented insights into the nation’s investment climate, showcasing its commitment to creating a business-friendly ecosystem. With initiatives like the Roundtable Project and...

Qatar Free Zones Authority Launches New Visa Service Office: Enhancing Business Opportunities Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) and the General Directorate of Passports at the Ministry of Interior (MOI) have inaugurated the Ras Bufontas Free Zone Visa Service Office. This new initiative aims to streamline processes for the expanding business community within Qatar’s free zones, making it easier for investors to manage their operations efficiently. The newly launched office offers a wide range of services, including residence permit renewals, issuance and extensions, work and family visit visas, multi-entry visas, and employer change processes. In addition, investors can handle company registration renewals using their residence or visa numbers. There’s also a dedicated traffic services section to facilitate driving license renewals and transfers, adding convenience for businesses operating within Qatar's free zones. This development is a critical part of Qatar’s ongoing strategy to ...

Qatar's agricultural sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with projections indicating significant growth in the coming years. According to research by Mordor Intelligence, the sector is expected to reach approximately QAR 812 million (USD 223.1 million) by 2029. This expansion, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% from an estimated QAR 623 million (USD 171 million) in 2024, is essential for enhancing the nation’s food security and achieving self-sufficiency. The upcoming National Food Security Strategy 2024-2030 is set to build on the successes of previous initiatives, which focused on four key pillars: diversifying trade routes, minimizing food losses, enhancing reserve capacities, and optimizing local cultivation of crops, livestock, and fish. This new strategy aims to promote sustainability through modern technologies and innovations, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030. One of the most exciting developments in Qatar's agriculture is the s...

Qatar recently concluded a diplomatic tour of Northern Europe, visiting Sweden, Norway, and Finland to bolster relations and explore areas of mutual interest. This strategic initiative has resulted in several key agreements that promise to deepen cooperation in various sectors. Sweden: Paving the Way for Enhanced Cooperation The first stop was in Sweden, where officials signed multiple Memorandas of Understanding (MoUs) and a letter of intent for military cooperation. The MoUs covered political consultations, peace and reconciliation, humanitarian and development cooperation, land transport and logistics services, and social development and family support. Additionally, Qatar Chamber and the Swedish Trade and Invest Council signed an MoU aimed at enhancing bilateral investment cooperation. Norway: Strengthening a Longstanding Relationship In Norway, the tour emphasized the strong and longstanding relationship between the two nations. Qatar and Norway signed MoUs in military cooperation...

Qatar and Uzbekistan have been strengthening their economic relationship through high-level meetings this year, focusing on digital technologies and trade. Qatar is set to participate in Global ICT Week 2024 in Tashkent, showcasing its commitment to advancing digital collaboration. Key Qatari stakeholders, including Qatar Investment Authority and Qatar Development Authority, will be present. Earlier in the year, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies attended the Web Summit 2024 in Doha. Plans are also underway for a Qatari business delegation to visit Uzbekistan in October, highlighting the growing interest in mutual investment opportunities. Both countries are exploring key sectors and leveraging existing agreements to boost trade. The Qatar Chamber is actively supporting partnerships and joint ventures, emphasizing the importance of investment incentives and protective legislation. Upcoming meetings in September and October will provide further insights into the investment cl...

  Strategic Expansion : Qatar Energy's North Field West project is a significant move to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading LNG exporter, involving substantial greenfield investments of up to QAR 65.5 billion (USD 18 billion). LNG Production Boost : The expansion will increase Qatar's LNG production capacity by 16 million tonnes per year, leading to an 85% total increase, bringing annual production to 142 million tonnes. Untapped Reserves : The North Field holds an estimated 240 trillion cubic feet of untapped gas reserves, increasing Qatar’s total reserves to over 2,000 trillion cubic feet, ensuring long-term competitive advantage. Market Opportunities : The project will open up numerous opportunities for businesses in Qatar, especially with the increase in tenders and contracts related to the expansion. Global LNG Market Influence : Qatar’s expansion positions it to meet the rising demand for LNG in both traditional Asian markets and the growing European market, seeking...

  The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) , Qatar’s premier onshore financial and business hub, has reported a significant rise in new company registrations for the first half of 2024. This marks a pivotal moment for the QFC as it continues to drive economic diversification and position Qatar as a leading technology hub in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Record Growth in Company Registrations In the first six months of 2024, QFC registered 505 new firms, a 230% increase from the 149 firms registered during the same period in 2023. This surge brings the total number of companies on the QFC platform to over 2,200, showcasing the growing appeal of Qatar as a destination for business and investment. Technology Sector Leading the Surge The technology sector emerged as the largest contributor to this growth, accounting for nearly 38% of the newly registered firms. This impressive figure is partly due to QFC’s strategic involvement in the Web Summit 2024 held in Doha, where exclusive...

  𝐐𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 2024 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: Qatar has risen to 11th place in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024 by IMD. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Economic Performance: 4th Government Efficiency: 7th Business Efficiency: 11th Infrastructure: 33rd 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Top rankings in unemployment rate, youth unemployment rate, and terms of trade index. First in consumption and personal income tax rates. Leading in corporate board effectiveness and energy infrastructure. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: Qatar's strides towards Vision 2030 are attracting global #investments and #startups. 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐔𝐩 𝐐𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫: Discover our expertise in market research, business development, and company formation in Qatar. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 to us and explore 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 with Business Start Up Qatar. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐨?...

Qatar’s telecommunications giant, Ooredoo, has partnered with NVIDIA to deploy cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology across its data centers in five Middle Eastern countries. This strategic collaboration marks NVIDIA's first large-scale launch in the Middle East, setting a promising precedent for AI technology in the region. Expanding AI Capabilities in the Middle East Ooredoo’s partnership with NVIDIA makes it the first company to provide clients in Qatar, Algeria, Tunisia, Oman, Kuwait, and the Maldives direct access to NVIDIA’s advanced AI and graphics processing technology. This initiative is part of Ooredoo’s broader strategy to boost AI infrastructure in the MENA region, ensuring enhanced security, optimized performance, and customization aligned with local standards. Development of the MENA Digital Hub Ooredoo is developing the MENA Digital Hub, an AI-ready platform powered by NVIDIA’s full-stack innovation. This platform will include systems, software, and se...