NO

BETTER
TIME

NO
BETTER
PLACE
An investment opportunity with a
difference: the new Qatar Free Zones
CONTENTS

A Message from the Chairman of the Board  4

A New Approach to Free Zone Development  6
Why Qatar  9
Ideal Geographic Position to Reach Your Markets  10
Enhanced Connectivity  11
A Strong Economy and Accelerated Growth Plans  12
Globally Competitive  13
A Friendly Regulatory Environment  14
World Class Infrastructure  15
SignIficant Investment Towards the 2022 World Cup  16

Why Qatar Free Zones  18

A Track Record of Success  19
A Unique Offering  20
Highly Developed Education System  21
Living in Qatar  22

The Free Zones  24

Umm Alhoul  27
Ras Bufontas  33

The Sectors  38
Unparalleled Sector Expertise  39
Logistics  41
Chemicals  42
Emerging Technology  43

Your Next Steps  45

Getting Started  46
Our People  47
A Dedicated Support Team  48

DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES 3

W ORK I NG T O G ETHER
F O R A BRI GHT FUTUR E
A Message from H.E. Minister of State
and Chairman of the Board

Welcome to Qatar Free Zones. Qatar has long been a center of

business excellence in the Middle East region. Now we are proud to
offer free zones, and look forward to showing you how we can work
together towards a bright future.

Qatar free zones are unlike other free zones. At the heart of
our mission is sustainability — building long-term partnerships,
interacting responsibly with our environment, and achieving
continued and sustainable growth for our economy and those
businesses working with us.

We have an unparalleled sector focus. This means we are

tailoring our new zones to meet the exacting requirements of
three important themes: logistics and trading across different
sectors, downstream chemicals, and emerging technology, which is
revolutionizing almost all industries. With brand new infrastructure
and state-of-the-art research and innovation facilities, we are able to
offer our partners solutions to their business needs in a way that no
other zones can.

The ease of doing business in Qatar is our priority. We want

to ensure that the application process is seamless and free from
bureaucracy. To that end, we have set up as an independent
regulatory authority, so regulatory changes require only the Qatar
Free Zones Authority board approval. We can assist with the
necessary processes involved in setting up a business to make the
experience as effortless as possible. Companies will benefit from
100% foreign ownership, renewable 20-year tax holidays, zero
corporate tax, zero customs duty and no personal income tax, as
well as a wealth of tailored incentives and access to a skilled and
flexible workforce.

  4   DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES

Qatar has enjoyed a period of phenomenal growth in the last 30
years. Our free zones are backed by the strength of our position as a
global industrials and logistics hub and a leading exporter of liquefied
natural gas, with one of the world’s highest GDP per capita income.
Our resources have enabled us to build brand new infrastructure, from
museums to the metro, and enhance our leading airport and seaport,
in addition to providing first-class education at school and university
levels. All this coupled with our geographical position at the center of
the Gulf region with access to global markets from Africa to Asia makes
100%
FOREIGN
Qatar a unique opportunity for businesses. We already have a strong OWNERSHIP
track record of foreign direct investment from international companies
which have chosen Qatar as a base, and the free zones provide a new
environment for companies to capitalize on these opportunities and
expand locally and regionally.
20YR TAX
HOLIDAYS
Basing in the free zones allows companies easy access to our own
national champions, including Qatar Airways which is one of the

Zero
largest cargo operators in the world. We work not only with globally
recognized firms but also with SMEs, and offer investment funds
dedicated to supporting growth and cultivating a great business CORPORATE
TAX
climate for the benefit of all our partners.

We look forward to welcoming companies of all sizes to explore these

An example of key
exciting opportunities in Qatar’s free zones. With continued investment incentives available to
and economic growth, there’s never been a better time to invest in companies investing in
the free zones.
Qatar.

Ahmad Al-Sayed
Minister of State
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Qatar Free Zones Authority

DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES 5

A NE W APPROACH

T O FR EE ZONE DEVE L OP M E NT

Long-Term Solutions Sector Focus Brand New Zones

Our ambition is to become We are focused on sectors & Infrastructure
a key driver of continued, where Qatar has a strong This allows us to tailor
sustainable growth, for the value proposition, particularly solutions for companies who
benefit of Qatar and those logistics, downstream chemi- operate in the free zones, and
businesses who work with us. cals and emerging technology. evolve to best suit their needs.

  6   DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES

 Seamless Application Partnerships Global LNG Hub
Process We offer investors access to local We are backed by the
Enjoy access to an integrated champions for partnership opportunities. strength of Qatar’s position
system ensuring a seamless Eligible SMEs can also benefit from an as one of the world’s leading
set-up, from licensing approv- investment fund, dedicated to helping exporters of liquefied natural
als to visa applications. companies thrive in Qatar. gas (LNG).

DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES 7

We are geographically well placed at
the crossroads between East and West to
access many attractive markets
WHY
Q ATA R ?

An economic power at the center

of a dynamic and growing region,
Qatar has all the right ingredients
for investment. A business-friendly
legal environment, world-class
infrastructure developments, robust
financial institutions, strong global
trade links and unsurpassed global
connectivity are just some of the
reasons Qatar is a great place to do
business. It’s also a great place to live
– a safe and welcoming community
with high-performing schools and
cutting-edge medical care, as well as
a wide range of cultural attractions.
I D E A L GEOGRAPHI C P OSI TI ON

TO R EA CH YOUR MAR KE TS

2 billion people across

25 economies with $6
trillion in combined
GDP are all within 3,000
kilometers of Qatar. 740m

India and Pakistan are both Yuzhny 70m

within easy reach, and Qatar Chornomorsk Novorossiysk
Ambarli
is well positioned to serve Tekirdag
Constanta
Izmit 1.7b Tianjin
Piraeus Mersin
Iran and help Iraq with Aliaga
Iskenderun
Beirut
Qingdao
Busan

Shanghai
rebuild activities. Further
Damietta Qatar
Umm Qasr
Ningbo
Kwangyang

Shenzhen Xiamen

afield markets like Turkey 330m Mundra Hazira Shekou Kaohsiung

Pipavav
200m
Sohar Yantian
and Commonwealth of Salalah
Nhava Sheva 1.9b
Independent States countries Colombo

offer a great deal of potential,

1.3b
Port Kelang
Singapore
particularly in the logistics

G
IN
IL
sector. Qatar also has S S
A
380m
5 D AY
excellent access to markets
across eastern Africa.

T
H
IG
FL
S
O UR 40m
8 H

POPULATION

TARGET LOGISTICS COUNTRIES

PORT DIRECTLY CONNECTED THROUGH A GLOBAL SHIPPING ROUTE

AIRPORT DIRECTLY CONNECTED [SELECTION ONLY]

60% of the world’s population

is within 8 hours flying
time of Qatar.
Asia, Europe and
the U.S. are just
18 days by ship

  10   DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES

E NHA N CED CONNEC TI VI TY

Qatar has signed a landmark open skies agreement with the European Union. The
agreement, signed in March 2019, allows air carriers from the 28 European Union member
states, and Qatar unlimited and unrestricted access to their respective territories. It is the
first agreement of its kind with a GCC member state.

The open skies agreement

sets a new global benchmark
by committing to strong, fair
competition mechanisms, and
including provisions not normally
covered by bilateral air transport
agreements, such as social and
environmental matters.

Enhanced connectivity for both partners providing important advantages and benefits to Qatar.

Wider Qatar Enhanced Liberalized Unlimited Increased Promoting

Airways’ inter-carrier mobility rights flights tourism and high standards for
network cooperation trade global aviation

DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES 11

A S T R ONG ECON OMY

A ND ACCELERATED G R OW TH P L A NS

Qatar has an ambitious agenda and the means to support it.

One of the highest GDP per capita in the world Strong investment track record

A stable government Business friendly legal environment

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Strong global relationships and Technologically advanced

bilateral agreements

One of the world’s leading LNG exporters Superior infrastructure

Hamad Port and Airport handle 4 million Robust financial institutions

tons of cargo each year

$52 billion trade surplus in 2018 Globally connected

DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES 12

GL O B A LLY COMPETI TIVE

Key Facts
POPULATION
2.6 million
Business safe environment
GDP

#1
USD 170 billion (2017)
Growing at 2.4%

GDP PER CAPITA

USD 124,529
One of the highest in the world

NATURAL GAS RESERVES

25 trillion m3
Third largest in the
world #1
Stable inflation
96.5/100
Infrastructure

Qatar scores

#5 highly on a
range of global
competitiveness
metrics
80/100
Macroeconomic
Venture capital stability

Entrepreneurship:

#1
#2
in the Arab World

#4 Impact of tax on business

Government efficiency

Source: World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report 2018

World Bank and WEF Global Entrepreneurship Index 2018

  13   DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES

A FR IENDLY REGULATORY E NVI R ONM E NT

A ND ACCESS TO TRADI NG PA RTNE R S

Unlike many other free zones, Qatar free zones are managed by an independent regulatory
authority, providing a one-stop shop for the entire set up and management process.

The Regulatory Environment

Strong intellectual property and

data protection laws

Clear and transparent

operating environment

The Qatar International Court

for Dispute Resolution

Compliance with international standards

and business-friendly FDI regulations

Qatar Free Zones offers opportunities to work with national champions, from Qatar Airways
to Ooredoo, and leverage their expertise to advance your business objectives.

DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES 14

W O R L D CLASS I N FRAS TR U C TU R E

Qatar is a global logistics hub, facilitated by our leading airport and seaport. Preparations
to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup have enhanced those strong foundations through projects
including the development of a metro system in Doha to the significant expansion of the
country’s hotel sector and a surge in green building. All together, Qatar is expected to be
among the fastest-growing construction markets in the world over the next five years.

Hamad International
Airport
220,000 flights a year, transporting 35 million
passengers and 2 million tons of cargo

54 shipping destinations worldwide

Qatar Airways Cargo offers fastest global

airline transfer and flexibility

First airport in MENA-region awarded ISO-

certification, and ranked internationally as
the 4th best airport in the world by the 2019
Skytrax Awards

Direct access to Ras Bufontas - Airport Free

Zone

Hamad Port
Currently capturing 27% of trade in the
Middle East and is on track to reach 35%
in the next two years

More than 15 direct shipping lines,

including to Oman, Pakistan, India,
Uruguay and South Korea

28.5 square kilometers, with an annual

capacity of 7.5 million
twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs)

Direct access to Umm Alhoul - Port Free

Zone
S IG NIFI CANT I NVEST M E NT

T O WA RDS THE 2022 W OR L D C U P

$200bn investment across a wide range of sectors

35B
State-of-the-art
11.4B
Transportation and
6.2B
Healthcare
5.2B
Education
2.4B
Water
metro system infrastructure

DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES 16

Qatar is ranked the eighth most
open country in the world for ease
of visa applications
WHY
Q ATA R
FREE
ZONES?

Businesses based in Qatar Free

Zones benefit from 0% corporate tax
for renewable 20 year periods, no
individual income tax, no restrictions
on capital repatriation, and a treaty
network with more than 65 countries.
Qatar is also uniquely positioned to
offer access to investment funding,
national champions and a highly skilled
local workforce.
A T R A C K RECORD OF SU C C E SS

Qatar already enjoys a strong track record with foreign investors –

just ask one of our partners.

THALES Developed a training

MICROSOFT Focuses on
center in Qatar and manages
projects with Qatar Airways, R&D and has established a
Qatar University and Qatar Microsoft IT Academy
Armed Forces

SHELL Largest foreign investor ROLLS ROYCE Design, testing,

with over $20B of FDI, running maintenance at QSTP Engines for
projects including Pearl GTL Qatar Airways/ Dolphin
and Qatargas 4

  19   DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES

A U NIQ UE OFFERI N G

Qatar Free Zones offer a range of incentives across four key areas: tax and capital, corporate
structuring, workforce options, property solutions and strategic infrastructure. Our property
solutions include pre-built and self-built land plot options, turnkey offices, and access to
infrastructure from the airport to the metro servicing both zones.

Tax & Capital

0% corporate tax for No restrictions on capital

renewable 20-year periods repatriation

100% foreign ownership

Branch or LLC
Corporate Zero customs duties
structuring options Structuring

Access to Robust data

investment funding protection & intellectual
property laws

No individual income tax Qatar’s double taxation treaty

network with 65+ countries

DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES 20

HIG HLY DEVELOPED EDU C ATI ON SY STE M

Qatar has partnered with leading international educational institutions to deliver a world-class
education for every child in Qatar, from primary school through university. This has nurtured a
deep talent pool, particularly in the STEM fields, which can be seen in the wide range of advanced
technology projects currently underway. The World Economic Forum ranked Qatar 4th in the world for
its education system, a testament to the success of this vision.

Qatar has more than 13 universities and colleges and several research centers. Through these
institutions Qatar can offer partners access to highly skilled students from Qatar and all over the world
– and those students will now have the opportunity to live permanently in Qatar, following the recent
move by the government to introduce permanent residency cards for eligible individuals.

  21   DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES

LIV ING I N QATAR

Qatar is more than just an exceptional business environment, it’s also a fantastic
place to live. The country boasts extremely low crime rates, world-class schools and
universities, cultural attractions and great recreational facilities.

Highly-ranked One of the world’s Cutting edge Wide range of Global cuisine
international best healthcare co-working spaces cultural events by world-leading
schools teaching systems, offering such as FabLabs, hosted by the restaurateurs,
British, American the latest therapies offering advanced modern public year-round events,
and IB curricula and medicines at digital technology library and over seventy 5-star
advanced hospitals including 3D the Doha Film hotels, and must-
and health research printers and laser Institute see cultural and
facilities cutting national treasures

THE NEW QATAR FREE ZONES 21

Making the most of Qatar’s global connectivity
THE
FREE
ZONES

QFZA currently oversees two free

zones - both excellently located
and with state-of-the-art facilities.
Ras Bufontas is located next to
Hamad International Airport, while
Umm Alhoul is located next to
Hamad Port, one of the world’s
largest greenfield ports. Both zones
are characterized by innovation,
technology, accelerated growth and
environmental awareness.
Q ATA R FREE ZON ES
Ras Bufontas
Airport Free Zone
Given its proximity to
Qatar Free Zones have strong network Hamad Airport, the Middle
infrastructure and superior land plots with East’s Best Airport of the
Year - 2019 Skytrax World
a variety of options to suit your needs.
Airport Awards, industries
based in Ras Bufontas
free zone will benefit from
unrivalled access to reliable
air transportation services.
AL RUWAIS PORT

DUKHAN

RAS LAFFAN
INDUSTRIAL CIITY

DOHA CITY CENTER

MESAIEED
INDUSTRIAL CIITY

Umm Alhoul
Port Free Zone
Umm Alhoul free zone is
directly adjacent to Hamad
Port, the world’s largest
greenfield seaport, providing
an optimal location for
industries which require or
benefit from access to sea
freight and shipping routes.

  25   DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES

Ras Bufontas

Umm Alhoul
Umm Alhoul
A 34km2 free zone near Hamad
Port, the world’s largest
greenfield port. It offers a wealth
of resources and connectivity,
already capturing 27% of trade in
the GCC region.

32 km2 total area

1.8 km2 of serviced plots
Free Zone has its own MARSA Port
Adjacent to Hamad Port

Key Sector Industries

Maritime Industries

Polymers and Plastics

Advanced Manufacturing

Logistics

Key

BUSINESS PARK
METALS
PETROCHEMICALS
LOGISTICS
BUILDING MATERIALS
TOOLS & MACHINERY
TRANSPORT & AUTOMOTIVE
FOOD PROCESSING
MARINE INDUSTRY
COMMERCIAL
COMMUNITY SERVICES
BLUE COLLAR WORKERS ACCOMMODATION
WHITE COLLAR WORKERS ACCOMMODATION
PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
UTILITIES
PETROL STATION
MEDICAL CENTER
FIRE STATION
WATER FRONT
METRO ALIGNMENT
Umm Alhoul - Port Free Zone

  28   THE NEW QATAR FREE ZONES

THE NEW QATAR FREE ZONES 29
Umm Alhoul includes MARSA, a
new marine cluster designed to
serve as a base for companies
from around the world to
conduct maritime activities as
diverse as ocean vessel building
and repair, safety training, boat
brokerage and maritime research.

  31   DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES

THE NEW QATAR FREE ZONES 31
Ras Bufontas
Ras Bufontas is situated 6 km
away from world-renowned
Hamad International Airport.
As a leader in freight and
passenger operations and
efficiency, let Ras Bufontas and
HIA take your business to new
heights.

4 km2 total area

2 km2 of serviced plots
Direct access to airport

Key Sector Industries

Logistics

Consumer Products

Light Manufacturing Services

Pharmaceuticals.

Technology and Applications

Key

QEZ-1 SITE BOIUNDARY

ROAD NETWORK

HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT

(WORKER’S ACCOMMODATION

COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

COMMUNITY CENTER DISTRICT

CITY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

MIXED USE DISTRICT (RESIDENTIAL)

RETAIL WAREHOUSE DISTRICT

LIGHT SERVICES DISTRICT

PARK DISTRICT

PARK (WATERFRONT) DISTRICTPUBLIC OPEN SPACE

PARK (ACTIVE RECREATION)

INFRASTRUCTURE
Ras Bufontas - Airport Free Zone
Tailored to meet your needs
THE
SECTORS

As a new organization, we are able

to tailor solutions for companies
which choose to operate in the free
zones and evolve to best suit their
needs. To achieve this, we have
initially focused on three key sectors:
Logistics, Chemicals and Emerging
Technology.
UNPA R ALLELED SECTOR E XP E RTI SE

We are particularly focused on certain key sectors where Qatar has a strong value
proposition, which we’ve identified as primarily being in logistics, chemicals and emerging
technologies.

We are creating specialized cluster areas within the zones for these sectors, allowing companies in
those sectors to benefit from a growing community of like-minded organizations, dedicated research
and innovation facilities and partnership opportunities. Clustered activities licensed by the Qatar Free
Zones Authority under the Licensing Regulations 2018 are listed below. The list may be updated from
time to time, so interested parties are advised to contact the Authority directly for further information.

Cluster Activities Schedule

Industrial Products and Services Projects supplying products and services to more than one the
identified clusters and / or, chemicals, plastics & rubber, metals,
minerals, paper, packaging, textiles, wood products and/or services

Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences and Healthcare, medical devices, biotechnologies

Medical Services
Automotive & Transport Equipment Auto components, automotive OEM, miscellaneous transport
equipment

Aerospace and Aviation Activities Aerospace, air transport, passengers and aircrafts assistance

Energy and Environmental Technologies Alternative or renewable energy, recycling, environmental control
systems, services for environment, energy production and efficiency

Construction and Real Estate Real estate and building, construction materials, construction
machinery and equipment, building products and parts

Food and Beverages All food, beverage and related projects

Consumer Goods Consumer electronics, accessories, cutlery, DIY, jewelry, toys

Marine Activities and Services Port related activities and services, maritime transport

Logistics and Warehousing Warehousing, includes production of bulk container, bulk storage,
transportation pipe production

Information and Communication Electronics, software and IT services, communications, broadcasting,

Technologies (ICT) business machines and office equipment

Media and Design Services Digital media, media, multi-media, video games, education, training,
publishing, news, printing, music, design services, film, broadcasting,
TV, architecture, advertising, market research, PR, theatre, cinema

Financial Services and Insurance Financial analysts, banks, trading, investment funds, venture
capital funds, hedge fund management, lending, management of
money and assets, insurance, consumer-finance, commercial loans,
brokerages, capital market services, foreign exchange services

Professional and Business Services Legal, accountancy, real estate advisors, consultancy, HR, market
research

Leisure and Hospitality Hotels, restaurants, leisure and entertainment

Retail Trade All consumer products retail activities, all retail from other sectors, all
restaurants

  39   DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES

Logistics
Benefit from the unparalleled
accessibility, connectivity and
capacity of Hamad Port and
Hamad Airport. Our port has a
current yearly cargo capacity of
2 million TEU, while the airport
transports 25 million passengers
and 2 million tons of cargo a year.

Chemicals
Tap into globally attractive end
user industries and diverse market
segments, such as advanced textiles
and engineered materials, by
capitalizing on Qatar’s vast natural
gas reserves and competitively
priced inputs.

Emerging
Technologies
Qatar’s small size, powerful
infrastructure, high internet and
smartphone penetration and
the continued growth of its tech
sector all make it an excellent
hub for tech operations, across
automotive, marine, aviation,
pharma and more.

DISCOVER
THE QATAR
NEW QATAR FREE
FREE ZONES 40
ZONES 39
LO GIS T ICS

Qatar has strong logistics fundamentals, with leading infrastructure and connectivity across
air and sea. This offers a wide range opportunities, particularly within pharmaceuticals,
electronic waste management, e-commerce, and high-value item storage.

Competitive Advantages

Market Reach Accessibility and Award Winning Capacity

Located in the heart of Connectivity Infrastructure Hamad Port offers more
the Middle East, Qatar Ras Bufontas Free Zone Hamad International Airport than 15 direct shipping lines,
is perfectly positioned has an airport within 6 was the first airport in the and connects to 40 different
to reach a substantial kilometers, and Umm MENA region to be awarded ports across 3 continents.
market share. Within a Alhoul free zone is directly ISO-certification, and is With a current yearly cargo
3,000 kilometer radius connected to a port. This ranked internationally as capacity of 2 million TEU it
there are 2 billion ease of accessibility means the 4th best airport in the currently controls 27% of
people and 6 trillion an increase in shipping world by the 2019 Skytrax trade in the GCC region.
USD in combined GDP, speed and a decrease Awards. Hamad Port is the Hamad International Airport
including India, Iraq, in hassle, saving your world’s biggest greenfield completes over 220,000 flights
Kuwait, Iran and many company time and money port project, and was recently a year, transporting 35 million
countries in eastern and resulting in a more celebrated as a finalist for passengers and 2 million
Africa. enjoyable customer service the Innovation Award at the tons of cargo. In total there
experience. prestigious Lloyd’s List Awards are 54 shipping destinations
for Maritime Intelligence. worldwide.

  41   DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES

C HEM I CALS

Umm Alhoul will house a world-class chemicals cluster, enhancing Qatar’s strong chemicals
landscape. The proposed chemicals cluster is a 5–6 square kilometer area within the free
zone that has been positioned to offer chemical companies, ranging from startups and SMEs
to large multinational corporations, the best access to infrastructure, resources, logistics,
and services.

Competitive Advantages

Natural Gas Reserves Strategic Location Competitively Priced World-Class Infrastructure

Tap into globally attractive Umm Alhoul is adjacent to Inputs Qatar Free Zones Authority
end user industries and Hamad Port, a leading deep Qatar has access to is working with leading
diverse market segments, sea port with a current capacity one of the world’s infrastructure developers
such as engineered of 7.5 million containers, which largest natural gas to create best-in-class
materials, advanced textiles, can be utilized for imports reserves, providing infrastructure for Free
and food ingredients by and exports. Additionally, the the opportunity for Zone tenants to provide
capitalizing on Qatar’s site is located close to the key feedstocks, raw necessities such as fuel gas,
natural gas holdings well-established Mesaieed materials, and utilities power, water, along with
and abundant supply of Industrial City, a center for to be arranged at a centralized effluent and
hydrocarbon resources. petrochemicals and oil refining competitive prices. hazardous waste treatment
activities of Qatar Petroleum, facility.
QAPCO, QChem and QAFCO,
QAFAC and others.

DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES 42

EM E R G IN G TECHN OLO G Y

Qatar is ranked in the top 10 countries in the world for the growth of innovative
companies and 15th globally for companies embracing disruptive ideas.

We are focusing business development efforts to attract and build clusters in emergingparticularly
focused on technologies including artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, automotive technologies,
cybersecurity, 3D Printing, Blockchain, Virtual reality, the Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics and
computing power.

Competitive Advantages

5G Implementation Competitively Priced Workforce Value Chain Optimization

Qatar’s telecom Energy Costs Qatar’s prominent universities Technology companies in the
operators will roll out Operational inputs of provide educated and free zones will benefit from
their 5G networks, industries within the adaptable individuals, a pre-existing network of
offering immense Technology Sector are energy often with significant STEM potential partners customers,
capability for intensive. Due to world- experience. It is also easy to as part of the country’s robust
technologically focused leading liquefied natural gas bring in foreign workers – value chain. Qatar’s national
industries such as IoT, production, Qatar is able there is no individual income industries provide local market
artificial intelligence and to offer stable and price- tax on attractive salaries opportunities, as well as the
autonomous vehicles. effective energy solutions, and administrative costs of potential to pilot, test and
setting the benchmark for employing foreign workers in market emerging technologies
energy and utility costs in Qatar are among the lowest from a free zone base.
the Gulf region. in the region.

  43   DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES

Explore the wealth of opportunities
in Qatar Free Zones
YOUR
NEXT
STEPS

Qatar Free Zones offer an

unparalleled and exciting business
opportunity, supported by a world
class team of industry specialists who
can advise you on the best options.
GE T T ING STARTED

We are dedicated to industries and companies that have the

potential to contribute significantly to Qatar’s economic diversification
and sustainable growth.

We are also looking for companies that:

Operate in one of our target sectors

Plan to use their position in Qatar to trade regionally

and/or internationally

Demonstrate the financial capability to undertake the

proposed investment

Your journey begins now. To lease land on the free zones and begin the next phase of
your company’s growth, follow these steps:

Explore opportunities Complete an online QFZA’s Business

and find out more on our enquiry on our website Development team will
website at fza.gov.qa, or contact you to discuss
by emailing our business your plans in more detail
development team at
[email protected]

If approved, you’ll Your application will If your business plan is

receive your plot and be evaluated against eligible, we will provide
be ready to put your our criteria and we will you with a formal
plans into action, with notify you promptly of application form and can
our continued support our decision help arrange a site visit

  46   DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES

O U R PEOPLE

Ahmad Al-Sayed
Minister of State
Chairman of the Board of Directors

Ahmed Al-Sayed served as Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Investment Authority and
Qatar Holding, where he played a critical role to build, oversee and manage the Qatar
Sovereign Wealth Fund. During his tenure, he executed mega deals such as the QIA/QH’s
investment in Credit Suisse and Barclays Bank, engineered the Merger of VW and Porsche
as well as Xstrata and Glencore, the take-over of Songbird and Canary Warf Group, and the
acquisition of Harrods Group, Iberdrola Energy, Tiffany, Heathrow Airport and others.

Prior to QIA, Al-Sayed held key roles in various local and international institutions, including
the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment. Al-Sayed has also served as
board member for different local and international companies like Qatar National Bank,
Canary Wharf Group and Volkswagen Group, Vice Chairman of Qatar Exchange and
Executive Chairman of Harrods Ltd.

Al-Sayed holds an MBA with Trium Global (from LSE, NYU Stern, HEC Paris), and a Master
of International Banking & Financial Law from Boston University, and an LLB from Qatar
University.

Lim Meng Hui

CEO

Lim Meng Hui previously held a range of roles managing free zone developments in Asia,
including as Executive Director of Singapore Suzhou Township Development Pte Ltd,
which invested in the 400-square kilometre China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP).
SIP was ranked first among China’s 219 state-level economic zones by China’s Ministry of
Commerce in 2018.
Meng Hui has also served as Chief Executive Officer of Guangdong-Macau Traditional
Chinese Medicine Technology Industrial Park in Zhuhai Special Zone and as the master
developer behind the 30 square kilometer eco city jointly developed by China and
Singapore. Before joining the private sector, he served 14 years in the Singapore
government, where he covered various market and industry portfolios in International
Enterprise Singapore (IES).

Abdulla Al-Misnad
Deputy CEO

Abdulla al-Misnad was previously Director of the Public Projects Department in Qatar’s
Ministry of Finances, where his responsibilities included managing the State’s $200 billion
infrastructure budget. He currently serves as a member of Qatar’s Research Development
and Innovation Council, a body responsible for coordinating research and innovation policy
in Qatar.
Before joining the public sector, Abdulla developed large oil and gas projects for Shell,
with a focus on deploying cutting-edge technology to promote sustainability. He was also
a fellow with Qatar’s Science and Technology Park.

DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES 47

A DE DICATED SUPPORT TE A M

Our team of industry specialists will help you every step of the way, from
finding the most suitable location within our zones to optimize your
business, to helping you navigate the setup process.

We will put our industry expertise to use in helping you enter the market
and maximize your position in it, in Qatar and beyond.

Fully serviced plots come in different sizes to suit specific industry

needs, and facilities are flexible, meaning that you can choose to build
your own facilities, hire QFZA to build it for you to exact specifications,
or use pre-built facilities.

For additional information please contact:

Qatar Free Zones Authority

General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers Building
P.O. Box 258
Doha, Qatar

Email [email protected]

Tel +974 440 18648

  48   DISCOVER QATAR FREE ZONES

Qatar Free Zones Authority
General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers Building
P.O. Box 258
Doha, Qatar

fza.gov.qa
www.fza.gov.qa