Remerciez-le!

Remerciez @Admin pour avoir partagé cet document gratuitement, de la manière la plus simple, en partageant sur les réseaux sociaux.

Doing Business in Qatar: 2012 Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies INTER

Doing Business in Qatar: 2012 Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 2012. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. • Chapter 1: Doing Business In Qatar • Chapter 2: Political and Economic Environment • Chapter 3: Selling U.S. Products and Services • Chapter 4: Leading Sectors for U.S. Export and Investment • Chapter 5: Trade Regulations, Customs and Standards • Chapter 6: Investment Climate • Chapter 7: Trade and Project Financing • Chapter 8: Business Travel • Chapter 9: Contacts, Market Research and Trade Events • Chapter 10: Guide to Our Services Return to table of contents Chapter 1: Doing Business In Qatar • Market Overview • Market Challenges • Market Opportunities • Market Entry Strategy Market Overview Return to top • Qatar’s economic performance is expected to remain strong in 2012, despite difficult global economic conditions. Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to moderate to 6% in 2012 on the back of government spending on large infrastructure projects and increased production in the manufacturing sector. Qatar recorded 19% GDP growth in 2011, rising to $181.7 billion from approximately $153 Billion in 2010, largely attributable to sustained high oil and gas prices and increases in LNG production as decades-long expansion plans reached completion. From 2006 – 2011, Qatar’s nominal GDP growth averaged 25.44%.The main drivers for this growth can be attributed to general increases in production and exports of LNG, oil, petrochemicals and related industries, barring a slight fall of 15.2% between 2009 and 2010. During the same period (2004-2011), the non-oil and gas sector’s compound annual growth rate was 25.7%.In 2011, the oil and gas sector accounted for over 60% of overall GDP, while the non-oil and gas sector accounted for the remainder of 40%. According to Qatar National Bank, the Per Capita GDP in Qatar is expected to rise to $109,000 by 2012, the highest in the world. There is no personal income tax in Qatar. • In 2011, Qatar was the United States’ 56th Largest Export Market. • Commercial ties between the United States and Qatar have been expanding at a rapid pace over the last seven years, with trade volumes growing by more than 446%, from $738 million in 2003 to $4.03 billion in 2011. Over the same period, U.S. exports increased 580% to $2.8 billion, making the United States a major import partner for Qatar, accounting for about 11% of total Qatari imports (2011). Market Challenges Return to top • Foreign Investment: With certain exceptions, Qatar’s foreign investment law limits foreign ownership of local entities to 49% of the entity’s capital. Foreign investors may own 100% of an entity’s capital in sectors like agriculture, industry, health care, education, tourism and the exploitation and development of natural resources subject to approval by the Government of Qatar (“GOQ”). • Foreign investors must receive permission from the government to invest in the banking and insurance sectors. Foreign investment is not allowed in commercial agencies and real estate, although with respect to real estate there are limited opportunities for foreigners to own interests in select real estate projects in the West Bay Lagoon area, Al-Khor district, Pearl of the Gulf Development project and certain other designated zones. • Banking: A total of 19 banks operate in Qatar, including 11 Qatari institutions and eight foreign branch banks. Out of the 11 Qatari banks, eight are commercial institutions (Ahlibank, Al Khaliji Bank, Barwa Bank, Commercial Bank of Qatar, Doha Bank, International Bank of Qatar, Qatar Development Bank, and Qatar National Bank); the other three are Islamic institutions (Masraf Al Rayan, Qatar International Islamic Bank and Qatar Islamic Bank). The eight foreign banks include: Arab Bank, Bank Saderat Iran, BNP Paribas, HSBC, Mashreq Bank, Standard Chartered, Barclays Bank and United Bank. • Commercial Agents: The Commercial Agents law requires all agency agreements to be exclusive arrangements. • Corporate Income Tax: The corporate income tax rate has been cut to a flat rate of 10%, effective January 1, 2010. Previously, foreign companies had to pay between 5 and 35 percent. • Government Procurement: There are concerns about transparency in government procurement, particularly regarding the following: a lack of clarity in the conditions and criteria of tenders, improper notification or explanation to non- qualifying companies, irregularities in the awards process, and the inability to formally challenge awards. • Import Duties: The import duty for most processed food products is a flat five percent ad valorem. There is no import duty for live animals, fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, grains, flours, tea, sugar, spices and seeds for planting. Existing import duties on tobacco products have been increased two-fold, from 100 to 200%, based on talks between the ministers of finance and health of several GCC countries. • Import Restrictions: Qatar has no import quotas. However, non-tariff barriers arise occasionally. For example, a ban on pork was maintained until late 2011 but has been lifted as of 2012. Sale of pork is, however, regulated heavily, with sales being restricted to only be handled by Qatar Distribution Company. • Inflation: The booming economy in Qatar is leading to shortages of materials and labor. This is compounded by a rapidly growing population, which is approaching two million people, up from just 700,000 five years ago. This has an inflationary effect on the economy, with housing prices particularly hard hit in years up to 2010. Inflation levels hit 3.3% in 2011 and are expected to average at 4% in 2012, with housing prices remaining depressed and the main brunt of burden falling upon food prices. The cost of living in Qatar is high by U.S. standards. • Standards and Labeling: As part of the GCC Customs Union, the six Member States are working toward unifying their standards and conformity assessment regimes. However, each Member State applies its own standards until a uniform GCC standard has been set. Labeling and marking requirements are compulsory for any products exported to Qatar. • Transparency: Qatar ranked 22nd on Transparency International’s 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index, outperforming all other Middle Eastern economies. • Food Labeling and Packaging: Arabic or bilingual English and Arabic language labels (or stickers) are required for all food products. Production and expiry dates are required to be on all “original” food labels. • Travel Advisories: Americans visiting Qatar are advised to check the website http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1003.html for the latest information on travel to Qatar. Market Opportunities Return to top • The Government of Qatar will continue to maintain high levels of capital spending on education and health. The government plans to invest $9.9 billion on these sectors in the 2012/2013 fiscal year, accounting for 15% of its 2010/2011 fiscal budget. The Government of Qatar’s strong commitment to invest in economic diversification through public spending on transportation, health care, education and housing projects will create multiplier effects on the rest of the economy, contributing to increased consumption and demand for better quality housing, office and retail facilities. • Energy Sector: Qatar has attracted an estimated $100 billion in investment, with approximately $60-70 billion coming from the U.S. It is estimated that Qatar will invest over $120 billion in the energy sector in the next ten years. Although a moratorium on North Field development is in place until at least 2015, Qatar is committed to diversifying within the hydrocarbon sector and developing its petrochemical industries in particular. Construction: It is estimated that Qatar will invest $200 billion in roads, rail, port and other infrastructure development, housing and real estate, health/medical and sanitation projects in the next decade. USD 17 billion of Qatar’s FY 2012 budget has been allocated to public works (25% of the total). The GOQ and private sector are actively seeking project designers, engineers and managers, in addition to needed production inputs like cement and heavy machinery and equipment. • Qatar imports over 90 percent of its food. Major food suppliers to Qatar include the EU, Australia and Saudi Arabia. Most of Qatar’s food product imports transit through the United Arab Emirates. • Other sectors with significant opportunities include: Education and Training Services, Information Communication Technologies, Architecture, Construction, Engineering Services, Air Conditioning Equipment, Safety and Security, Defense Sales, Oil and Gas Equipment and Services, Medical Equipment and Services, and other sectors. Please see Chapter 4: Leading Sectors for U.S. Export and Investment. Market Entry Strategy Return to top • If you are a new-to-exporting company, first contact your local Export Assistance Center for free export counseling at http://export.gov/export/index.asp. • The Commercial Section of the United States Embassy can give you a balanced assessment of your company’s chances for success in Qatar. For more information, please visit http://export.gov/qatar/> • Come visit: Qatar is like many Middle Eastern countries in that personal contact with potential agents and partners is key to successfully conducting business. • Get a lawyer: Many U.S. companies advise that acquiring good legal representation is an important first step to entering the market. This helps you to establish and maintain good business relationships with Qatari partners. Hiring uploads/Industriel/ qatar-business-guide.pdf