QFC cuts 90% off application fee to ease business set up in Qatar
Doha – Qatar: Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), a leading onshore financial and business centre in the region, has implemented a substantial reduction in the application fee for licensing an entity on its platform, dropping it from USD 5,000 to USD 500. The new fee structure applies to all applicants seeking a license to conduct non-regulated activities in the QFC, except for the activities of Single Family Offices.
The decision to reduce the application fee aligns with QFC's broader strategy to create an optimal environment for businesses of all sizes and reflects a commitment to simplifying business set-up to drive economic growth. By offering a more competitive fee, QFC is making market entry easier for startups, SMEs, and global companies seeking to expand into Qatar's dynamic market.
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, QFC, commented on the reduced fee, stating, 'This significant reduction in our application fee is one of many steps we are taking to make the QFC an even more attractive platform for businesses looking to establish operations in Qatar and the region. We expect this initiative to further enhance Qatar's position as a leading business destination and encourage more entrepreneurs to take the first step towards launching their ventures.'
This pivotal initiative follows the previously implemented company-incorporation process that enables applicants to instantly establish an entity and obtain a licence to conduct non-regulated activities in the QFC, provided they meet the necessary requirements.
As a gateway for businesses to Qatar and the region, QFC continues to invest in strengthening its regulatory framework and support services. The platform offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including an onshore jurisdiction, legal and judicial frameworks based on common law, up to 100% foreign ownership, a competitive and transparent tax system, double taxation agreements with over 80 jurisdictions, a 10% corporate tax on locally sourced profits, 100% repatriation of profits, the freedom to trade in any currency, and a streamlined licensing process.
By lowering financial barriers to entry, QFC is enabling more businesses to establish and operate with ease and confidence in a world-class jurisdiction.
ABOUT THE QATAR FINANCIAL CENTRE
The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is an onshore business and financial centre located in Doha, providing an excellent platform for firms to do business in Qatar and the region. The QFC offers its own legal, regulatory, tax and business environment, which allows up to 100% foreign ownership, 100% repatriation of profits, and charges a competitive rate of 10% corporate tax on locally sourced profits. The QFC welcomes a broad range of financial and non-financial services firms.
For more information about the permitted activities and the benefits of setting up in the QFC, please visit www.qfc.qa
@QFCAuthority | #QFCMeansBusiness
MEDIA CONTACT
QFC Corporate Communications
Rasha Kamaleddine | E. r.kamaleddine@qfc.qa
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
29-05-2025
- Zawya
AlRayan Bank announces successful issuance of $500mln 5-year Senior unsecured RegS sukuk
Doha, Qatar: AlRayan Bank rated A2 by Moody's with a stable outlook has successfully issued its $500m 5-year Senior Unsecured RegS Sukuk at a final Price of 5-year US Treasuries + 80 bps (Expected Profit rate of 4.875% at an Issue price of 99.82). The successful completion of this transaction underscores the robustness of the Qatari economy and AlRayan Bank's strong credit fundamentals. This issuance reaffirms AlRayan Bank's standing as a leading financial institution in the region and marks a significant milestone in its journey to diversify its funding sources and continue to strengthen its presence in the international markets. In many ways this was a landmark transaction, including a strong return to the Capital markets after a 5-year hiatus. AlRayan Bank's first transaction since the successful completion of the merger in December 2021 and the establishment of the bank's new corporate identity 'AlRayan Bank' First Qatari bank to issue a USD benchmark Sukuk RegS offering out of the QFC Entity (MAR Finance LLC, established in Qatar Financial Centre 'QFC') Largest price tightening from IPTs in recent deals with a sizeable 40bps reduction in spread. Tightest re-offer spread over US Treasuries ever achieved by any Qatari bank at US 5Y Treasury+80bps A final orderbook of $1.5bn (covered more than 3 times) that peaked at over $1.9bn. Both investors and geographic diversification were achieved. H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad Bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of AlRayan Bank, commented 'We are delighted with the outstanding success of this issuance." "The significant demand for our sukuk reflects the financial strength and credit worthiness of AlRayan Bank, which is backed by its asset quality, strong liquidity & robust capitalization. We extend our sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of this transaction Omar Al-Emadi, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of AlRayan Bank, commented 'AlRayan Bank is pleased with its successful return to the international capital markets and with the remarkable response of this sukuk issuance not only from Qatar institutions but also from a diverse group of regional and international investors." "This underscores the global confidence in Qatar's economic resilience and AlRayan Bank's solid financial standing within the international financial markets. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Joint Global Coordinators & JLMs, whose expertise and unwavering commitment & support played a pivotal role in the success of this transaction.' Mizuho & HSBC acted as Joint Global Coordinators while Al Rayan Investment, Dubai Islamic Bank, Dukhan Bank, The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, Mashreq bank, MUFG, Qatar International Islamic Bank, QNB Capital, SMBC, Standard Chartered Bank and Warba Bank acted as the Joint Lead Managers and Book runners. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Zawya
QFC and Ashmore Group sign deal to boost Qatar's asset management sector
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), a leading onshore financial and business centre in the region, signs an MoU with the Ashmore Group, a globally recognised emerging markets asset manager that manages $46.2bn, to support the expansion of Qatari capital markets. The partnership aims to strengthen Qatar's local asset management sector by fostering knowledge exchange and promoting the development of innovative investment solutions. A central element of the agreement is the commitment to nurturing local talent within the financial services industry, supporting Qatar's broader vision of building a diversified, knowledge-based economy. Commenting on the importance of this partnership, Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, QFC, said: 'Ashmore Group's deep expertise in asset management, combined with the QFC's drive for financial innovation, makes this partnership a strong catalyst for long-term development. Through this collaboration, we aim to strengthen Qatar's asset management sector and elevate our capital markets by introducing global best practices and innovative investment solutions.' Mark Coombs, Chief Executive Officer, Ashmore Group plc, said: 'Ashmore has a long history of investing in Qatar and is excited to partner with the QFC to deliver further development in Qatar's financial services industry over the coming years." "We also look forward to helping raise the profile of Qatar as a destination for international investors, in line with the ambitions of the National Vision 2030.' This MoU builds on the recent milestone of QFC registering Ashmore Group under its platform and supporting the launch of its new office in Qatar. It also marks a significant step in expanding Ashmore's long-standing relationship with the country. The office will support local investment activity and deepen engagement with regional investors, further positioning Qatar as a growing hub for asset management. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
25-05-2025
- Zawya
QFC and Ashmore Group sign MoU to boost Qatar's asset management sector
Doha – Qatar: Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), a leading onshore financial and business centre in the region, signs an MoU with the Ashmore Group, a globally recognised emerging markets asset manager that manages US$46.2 billion, to support the expansion of Qatari capital markets. The partnership aims to strengthen Qatar's local asset management sector by fostering knowledge exchange and promoting the development of innovative investment solutions. A central element of the agreement is the commitment to nurturing local talent within the financial services industry, supporting Qatar's broader vision of building a diversified, knowledge-based economy. Commenting on the importance of this partnership, Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, QFC, said: 'Ashmore Group's deep expertise in asset management, combined with the QFC's drive for financial innovation, makes this partnership a strong catalyst for long-term development. Through this collaboration, we aim to strengthen Qatar's asset management sector and elevate our capital markets by introducing global best practices and innovative investment solutions.' Mark Coombs, Chief Executive Officer, Ashmore Group plc, said: 'Ashmore has a long history of investing in Qatar and is excited to partner with the QFC to deliver further development in Qatar's financial services industry over the coming years. We also look forward to helping raise the profile of Qatar as a destination for international investors, in line with the ambitions of the National Vision 2030.' This MoU builds on the recent milestone of QFC registering Ashmore Group under its platform and supporting the launch of its new office in Qatar. It also marks a significant step in expanding Ashmore's long-standing relationship with the country. The office will support local investment activity and deepen engagement with regional investors, further positioning Qatar as a growing hub for asset management. ABOUT THE QATAR FINANCIAL CENTRE The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is an onshore business and financial centre located in Doha, providing an excellent platform for firms to do business in Qatar and the region. The QFC offers its own legal, regulatory, tax and business environment, which allows up to 100% foreign ownership, 100% repatriation of profits, and charges a competitive rate of 10% corporate tax on locally sourced profits. The QFC welcomes a broad range of financial and non-financial services firms. For more information about the permitted activities and the benefits of setting up in the QFC, please visit @QFCAuthority | #QFCMeansBusiness MEDIA CONTACTS QFC Corporate Communications Rasha Kamaleddine | E.
