WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DU COMMERCE  
ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DEL COMERCIO WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
24 March 2005 
 (05-1250) 
Trade Policy Review Body 
21 and 23 February 2005  Original:  English/ 
                 anglais/                  inglés 
  
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
QATAR 
Minutes of Meeting
 
Addendum  
Chairperson:  H.E. Mr. Don Stephenson (Canada) 
 This document contains the advance writte n questions, and replies provided by Qatar.1 
__________________________________________________________________________________  
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales 
21 et 23 février 2005  
EXAMEN DES POLITIQUES COMMERCIALES 
QATAR 
Compte rendu de la réunion
 
Addendum  
Président:  S.E. M. Don Stephenson (Canada)  
 Le présent document contient les questions écrites communiquées à l'avance et les réponses 
fournies par le Qatar.1 
__________________________________________________________________________________  
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales 
21 y 23 de febrero de 2005 
 
EXAMEN DE LAS POLÍTICAS COMERCIALES 
QATAR  
Acta de la reunión
 
Addendum  
Presidente:  Excmo. Sr. Don Stephenson (Canadá) 
 En el presente documento figuran las pre guntas presentadas anticipadamente por escrito, 
junto con las respuestas facilitadas por Qatar.1 
 
                                                      
1 In English only./En anglais seulement./En inglés solamente. WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 3 
 
 
ADVANCE WRITTEN QUESTIONS AND  
REPLIES PROVIDED BY QATAR 
QUESTIONS FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES Investment Framework 
1. According to paragraph 30 of this section, the 2000 Investment Law provides that a company 
can be 100% foreign owned in selected sectors, such as agriculture, industry, tourism, education, 
health, and natural resources, subject to prior gove rnment approval and provided that the company is 
duly established.  Foreign equity is limited to 49% in the remaining sectors. 
A) Does Qatar have plans to eliminate its pr ior government approval requirement for foreign 
investments in excess of 49% equity? 
ANSWER: Qatar is aware of the various difficult ies which impede the effort of developing 
countries to liberalize their economies and integrat e them into the World economy.  It is also 
aware of the recognition of this fact by th e WTO provisions and the undertaking of developed 
countries to help developing countries to engage in progressive processes of building the 
institutions structures and the various capaci ties required for those purposes.  Starting from 
this, Qatar engaged itself in  a program to build the requisite environment which aims at integrating the people of Qatar, its institutions  and its official bodies in the economic processes 
and through that the sustainable integration in the global economy. All its liberalization 
decisions are taken according to this program and in a considerable number of cases taken unilaterally. (Hereinafter Program). 
There is no specific plan to eliminate prior governmental approval, however, the measures 
taken so far indicate that Qatar is integrating at a pace that will be sustainable.  A recent example, at the beginning of this month, is a decree which  allowed foreign investors to buy up 
to 25% of the securities of public companies trading on the Doha  Securities Market.  In addition , approval for foreign investment up to 49% is routine.  
B) Does Qatar have plans to increase the number sectors in which 100% foreign equity 
investment will be allowed? 
ANSWER: Qatar keeps under review its program of progressive liberalization of the financial 
sector, including the pace at which this further op ens the sector. This is being done unilaterally. 
2. The Secretariat Report in paragraph 31 of this section states that "the 2000 Investment Law 
gives foreign investors the right to lease land for setting up enterprises for up to 50 years, renewable 
(subject to government approval) for another 50 years." 
A) Is lease renewal automatic upon filing an applica tion and paying a fee?  If so, what is the fee? 
ANSWER:  Leases for the land are renewable accord ing to the terms of the lease and in general 
are renewal automatically.  The fees range from  QR 2 to QR 8 per me ter per annum (US$1 = 
3.65 Qatari riyal) . WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 4  
 
B) If government approval of the lease renewal is discretionary, what Qatar authority has 
decision-making power and what are the criteria for not renewing the lease?  
ANSWER:  There is no reason not to  renew the lease contract unless the project stopped  its 
operation knowing that the land lease is subject to the approved investment activity only.  The Qatar authority is designated in this relevan t legislation  and its decisions are based on 
regulation. 
3. According to paragraph 33 of this section of  the Secretariat Report, "parallel imports of 
certain products are subject to a 5% commission (on th e f.o.b. import value) on behalf of local agents 
with distributor rights. The vast majority of fo reign firms operating in Qatar are still required to 
import certain products through local agents. Only firms granted 100% foreign-ownership are 
excluded from the local agent requirement with distributor rights." 
A) What products are subject to this 5% commission? 
ANSWER:  All products. According to the Ag ency Law a commission not exceeding 5% is 
determined by the Minister of Economy a nd Commerce in cases where goods subject to 
exclusive distribution agency are imported fo r commercial purposes from sources other than 
the principal of the exclusive distributing age nt.  The rates are objectively determined.  
B) How is the practice of charging this commission and the requirement that foreign firms 
operating in Qatar import certain pr oducts through local agents consis tent with Qatar's obligations 
under the GATT 1994? 
ANSWER:  Law No. 8 of 2002 regulating the practi ces of the commercial agents, allow the local 
agent to receive a commission not exceeding 5% of the total value of the represented goods 
imported by other traders, according to a decision taken by the Ministry of Economy and 
Commerce. The customs department does not receive  any share of that commission.  Generally 
speaking, this practice has not been implemented. 
Trade Policies and Practices by Measure 
Measures Directly Affecting Imports – Registration 4. Paragraphs 5 and 6 of this section of the Secretariat Report summarized Qatar's registration 
requirements to trade in goods.  The information s uggests that the importer of record must have a 
physical presence in Qatar. 
A) Please confirm our understanding that Qatar law does not allow the importer of record to be 
located outside the Emirate's borders. 
B) If so, how does this physical presence requireme nt comply with Qatar's obligations under the 
GATT 1994? 
ANSWER:  (A and B) Qatari Law does not enfo rce any restrictions on imports or importers 
whether they are companies or individuals.  As for allowing a non-resident importer to import 
products to Qatar, there is no legal restriction as  long as there is a trading party in the state of 
Qatar to receive the imported products.  
All that is required is a legal status in Qatar and not a physical presence. WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 5 
 
 
Measures Directly Affecting Imports – Customs Procedures and Valuation  
5. According to paragraph 7 of the Secretaria t Report, "Commercial invoices must be certified 
by the Commercial Department of the Qatari Embassy in the country of origin.  Certification fees are 
charged on the basis of the invoice value and range  from QR 100 on an invoice of QR 5,000 up to 4% 
of the value of an invoice in excess of QR 1 million."  GATT Article VIII provides that all fees and 
charges imposed in connection with importation or exportation shall be limited in amount to the 
approximate cost of the services rendered and sha ll not represent taxation of imports or exports for 
fiscal purposes. 
Please explain the basis for the ad valorem  fees the Government of Qatar charges for certifying 
import documents. 
ANSWER:  The charges and fees applied by rel ated governmental agencies are limited to the 
approximate cost of the services rendered and in  accordance with  WTO requirements. The rate 
of 4% is not correct the correct rate is  0.4%.  
6. The Secretariat Report indicates in paragra ph 12 of this section that Qatar has not yet 
implemented the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuati on, and Qatar has not yet notified the WTO of 
its customs valuation legislation.  The paragraph a dds that Qatar uses reference prices as the basis for 
valuation. 
A) What is Qatar's timeline for implem enting the Customs Valuation Agreement? 
ANSWER:  Qatar has been implementing on a de facto basis the WTO Agreement on Customs 
Valuation since 2003 according to Qatar Customs Law which contains GATT Article 7 in the legal text. Qatar is committed to modifying all the procedures and regulations to comply with 
this through a newly established section and data base in all Customs Ports. A dispute settlement 
mechanism has also been established. 
B) When will Qatar notify the WTO of its customs valuation legislation? 
ANSWER:  Within this year. 
Measures Directly Affecting Imports – Tariffs , Other Duties, and Taxes – MFN Bound Tariffs
 
7. According to paragraph 22 of this section of the Secretariat Report, Qatar bound all tariffs at 
ad valorem rates as part of its Uruguay Round comm itments.  Since then, Qatar has imposed alternate 
rates on 69 tariff lines (see paragra phs 1 and 17 of this section).  Paragraph 22 also indicates that 
Qatar applies a 5% duty on 32 lines for which the bound rate is zero. 
A) Please provide Ad Valorem Equivalents  for the 69 lines for which Qatar has switched from its 
bound ad valorem  rates to alternate duty rates. 
ANSWER:  The 69 items referred to here includes products, some of which are prohibited and 
restricted goods on the grounds of public morality. There is one item petrochemicals in this list of 69, which is to be added to 32 tariff lines.  Qatar's WTO schedule indicates that these are zero  
rated and bound . 
B) When does Qatar intend to reduce the applie d duty rate to the bound rate of zero for the 32 
lines for which it is currently applying a 5% tariff? 
ANSWER:  The 5% applied duty will be phased out at the end of the 10 year period in the 
Schedule that entered into force in 1996. WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 6  
 
Measures Directly Affecting Imports – Tariffs, Ot her Duties, and Taxes – Duty and Tax Concessions
 
8. Paragraph 24 of this section of the Secret ariat Report stated that "Qatar grants duty 
concessions selectively on imports." 
A) What are the criteria to qualify for duty concessions? 
ANSWER:  Duty Concession is divided as follows: 
1. Exemption according to Customs law e.g. (d iplomatic, military, charitable associations, 
 personal belongings.)  2. Industrialized project according to Investment Law.  
B) What authority grants duty concessions? 
ANSWER:  The authorities granting duty concession are: 
1. Emiri Decree  
2. Ministerial Council  3. Industrial exemption according to Industr ial Regulation Law through Ministry of 
 Energy & Industry in accordance to certain mechanism. 
Measures Directly Affecting Imports – Impor t Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Licensing
 
9. The Secretariat stated in paragraph 7 of th is section that most imports require licenses.  
However, paragraph 28 indicated that in 1998, Qata r notified the WTO that it had not import licensing 
procedures in place and that it maintains no import licensing requirements. 
We request that Qatar comply with its WTO obligations and notify the WTO Committee on Import 
Licensing of its import licensing requirements and procedures as soon as possible. 
ANSWER:  There is no import license regime req uirements, however for certain products there 
might be specific procedures to ensure public health or national security . 
Measures Directly Affecting Imports – Standards and Other Technical Requirements – Marketing, 
Labelling, and Packaging  
10. As noted by the Secretariat Report in para graph 46 of this section, Qatar applies Gulf 
Standard GS 150/1993 Part I, (Qatar Standard QS  150/93 Part I) which establishes mandatory shelf 
life dates for 75 food products.  We also understand that Qatar al so applies GS 150/1993 Part II, 
which expanded the Part I list by an additiona l 95 products.  These government-mandated shelf-life 
standards are not in accordance with Codex Standa rd 1 (Labelling of Pre-packaged Food), which 
require only the publication of a date of minimum du rability ("best if used before" date).  The WTO 
SPS and TBT agreements commit countries to adopt in ternational standards from OIE, Codex, or the 
IPPC or conduct their own science-based risk assessment. 
What steps does Qatar intend to take to bring these standards into conformity with its obligations 
under the WTO SPS Agreement? 
ANSWER:  According to standards plan for G. C.C. 2005, G.C.C will make revision for G.C. 
Standards No. 150, 1059 (Shelf-Life for Food produc ts part 1 C II).  This revision will take into 
consideration what has been mentioned in Co dex standards No.1 (Labelling of pre-packaged 
foods). WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 7 
 
 
Measures Directly Affecting Imports – Government Procurement  
11. Paragraph 47 of this Section of the Secr etariat Report cites the legislation regulating 
government procurement, the last  of which was written in 1990. 
A) Are there any additional procurement la ws which have been enacted since 1990? 
ANSWER:  There are no additional substa ntive procurement laws enacted since 1990 . 
B) Are there any plans to enact ne w legislation in the near future? 
ANSWER:  Currently there is  a draft for a new law in its final stag. It has been approved by 
the Advisory Council. 
12. Paragraphs 47 and 50 in this  section of the Secretariat Report discussed the requirement for 
foreign firms to go through local agents in selli ng products and services to the Qatari Government, 
although Qatari ministries, government organiza tions and state-owned enterprises can and do buy 
directly from foreign firms.   
A) In what circumstances does Qatar require that  foreign firms go through local agents to sell 
goods and/or services to government entities? 
ANSWER:  There is nothing in the law that re quires the foreign compani es operating in Qatar 
to appoint a local agent.  Howev er,  local tenders are those which are limited to companies that 
are registered and have a License from th e Ministry of Economy and Commerce. 
B) When are local agents not required? 
ANSWER:  The Law number 8 of 2002 does not co mpel foreign companies to have local agent. 
However, should the foreign investor resort  to have a local agent, the law requires the 
appointment of the Qatari nationals  
C) Does Qatar have any future plans to  improve transparency in this area? 
ANSWER:  At the present all Governmental procurement is announced on websites and 
published in daily newspapers.  The draft tender law has emphasized this procedure . 
13. Paragraph 49 of the Secretariat Report stat ed that "Although preference normally goes to the 
lowest bidder that meets all specifications, the CT C has waived this rule in the past without 
necessarily providing the reason."   
A) Under what types of circumstanc es has Qatar waived this rule?   
ANSWER:  In principle the lowest tender that meets all the specifications will be awarded the 
contract.  However, in exceptional circumstances situation and although it is rare in practice, 
the CTC may waive this principle.  Article 15 of  Law No. (8) 1990 states that the lowest tender price should not give rise to suspicion as to its cr edibility.  An example of that is when it appears 
that the lowest bidder is facing a financial prob lem not capable of performing the contract for 
any reason that is brought to the attention of the CTC in the course of examining the technical documents, or it is proven that the said compan y has failed to comply with its obligations in 
previous contracts.  In short, all reasons for excluding the lowest bidder is always justified and 
the CTC always gives the lowest bidder the chan ce to question or challenge the CTC evaluation . WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 8  
 
B) Does Qatar have any future plans to  increase transparency in this area? 
ANSWER:  Yes .   
14. For government procurement tenders, does Qatar require suppliers to be majority owned by 
Qataris?  If yes, does Qatar have any plans to eliminate this requirement? 
ANSWER:  There is no such requirement . 
Measures Affecting Production and Trade – Incentives 
 
15. According to paragraph 65 on page 32 of the Secretariat Report, Qatar does not maintain any 
export finance, insurance, guarantees or promotion programs.  However, paragraph 68 indicates that 
Qatar offers various investment incentives to "encour age utilization of and add value to local products 
and promote exports."   
A) Please provide further details on the invest ment incentives offered to promote exports. 
ANSWER:  The Secretariat is requested to iden tify the exact publication by the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs that was footnoted on page 32 of the Secretariat Report. Incentives are provided 
to encourage investments and not to promote export . 
B) Do these export promotion activities focus on certain specific sectors?  
ANSWER:  No . 
C) Please explain what the phrase "encourage utili zation of, and add value to local products" in 
paragraph 68 means. 
ANSWER:  This phrase appears to come from in formation promoting Qatar.  It has no legal 
basis .  
D) Are any of these investment incentives c ontingents upon the use of domestically-sourced 
inputs and/or the employment of Qatari nationals? 
ANSWER:  Employment of Qatari nationals and th e use of domestically sourced inputs are not 
contingent on investment incentives .  
E) When does Qatar intend to provide its first notification on subsidies to the WTO as required 
by the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures? 
ANSWER:  Qatar is currently establishing a WTO sy stem of Notification which is expected to 
be completed soon. When the system is operative any required notification under WTO 
agreement shall be promptly communicated .  
Measures Affecting Production and Trade – Public Enterprises and Privatization  
16. According to paragraph 77 of this section of  the Secretariat Report, Qatar notified the WTO 
that it maintains no State Trading Enterprises.  Howeve r, the Report noted in the same paragraph that 
the importation and distribution of alcoholic bevera ges are the exclusive right of Qatar Distribution 
Company, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways.  In pa ragraph 3 on page 38, the Secretariat Report stated 
that "a major state-owned company, Qatar Petroleu m (QP), is the exclusive agent for oil and natural 
gas activities …"  WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 9 
 
 
Given that these entities appear to have special and/or exclusive trading rights, please explain why 
Qatar believes these entities are not  State Trading Enterprises. 
ANSWER:  For Qatar Distribution Company, subsid iary of Qatar Airways is a privately owned 
company, and is incorporated  under the Qatar companies act .  
QP manages Qatar's hydrocarbon resources on be half of the Government. The Government  
entrusts QP with the mandate to provide a stable long-term supply of oil, natural gas, and refined products to domestic and international markets .   
The management of natural resources such as oil & gas  are not conceived as ordinary trading 
activities .   
Measures Affecting Production and Trade – Intellectual Property Rights – Overview
 
17. According to paragraph 78 of the Secretar iat's Report (WT/TPR/S/144), special committees 
were set up to prepare draft laws, including one on  undisclosed information.  We understand that a 
2003 draft law on trade secrets has been completed.  Do es Qatar consider the draft law, e.g., Article 5 
therein, sufficient to meet its obligations under TRIPS Article 39.3?  If yes, please explain.  
ANSWER:  Yes, the draft law is based on the TRIPs Agreement and expected to be 
implemented shortly, and Article 5 protects trade secrets from unauthorized exploitation . 
Measures Affecting Production and Trade – Intellectual Property Rights – Patents  
18. According to paragraph 83 of the Secret ariat's Report (WT/TPR/S/144), a plant variety 
protection law is being studied for enactment.    
A)  Could you please update us on the status of this effort?   
ANSWER:  The said law is under development and it is anticipated that it will be ready for 
enactment late this year, 2005 . 
B) When is the law expected to be enacted?  
ANSWER:  See (A) above . 
Measures Affecting Production and Trade – Intellectual Property Rights – Copyright  
19. Paragraph 85, page 35, of the Secretariat Re port noted that Qatari Law No. 7 of 2002 provides 
for protection of copyright and related rights.  Ho wever, we note that the TRIPS Agreement requires 
that Member states' IPR laws provide for national treatment, c over unpublished works, criminalize 
end-user piracy, and treat computer programs as literary works.  Qatar's law does not appear to explicitly provide these protections.  How does Qatar protect computer programs as literary works as 
required under TRIPs Article 10? 
ANSWER:  Regarding the first part of the quest ion, Article 2, Paragraph 10 of the Copyright 
Law specifically refers to computer programs as lit erary works. Article 10 of this law defines 
computer programs to be literary wo rks and they are fully protected .  
B)  How does Qatar protect unpublished works as re quired by Article 3 of the Berne Convention? 
ANSWER:   Article 5 of the Copyright Law ha s catch-all language which provides that the 
protections enumerated in the Law also app lies to works protected by any international WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 10  
 
agreement or convention to which Qatar is a part y.  Qatar is a party to the Berne Convention 
and, hence, unpublished works which are protect ed under Article 3 of the Convention are 
automatically protected under the Qatari Copyright Law . 
C) What are Qatar's plans to criminalize end-user copyright piracy? 
ANSWER:  Article 20  of the Copyright Law proh ibits misuse or piracy by the end user of a 
copyrighted product. In the event such as misuse  or piracy was to occur, the infringer would 
automatically fall under the ambit of the sa nctions stated in Chapter 10 of the Law . 
Measures Affecting Production and Trade – Intell ectual Property Rights – Geographical Indications
 
20. According to paragraph 90 of the Secretaria t's Report,  Qatar states that "procedures for 
obtaining protection of geographical indications are the same as those for trademarks."  Are owners of 
earlier protected trademarks protected against sim ilar and later in time geographical indications? 
ANSWER:  Prior to the enactment the 2002 Trademark Law, geographical indications were 
registered as trademarks.  After the enactmen t of the 2002 Law, geographical indications are 
separated.  The executive regulations for the 2002 la w are being drafted.  For the time being, it 
is required that fresh applications must be  submitted in order to register geographical 
indications . 
Measures Affecting Production and Trade – Intellectual Property Rights – Enforcement  
21. Paragraph 98, page 37, of the Secretariat Re port states that "Qatar has some difficulties in 
enforcing its intellectual property rights laws," a nd notes that in 2002 not a single enforcement action 
was initiated by the Qatari Government.  Moreover,  it has come to our attention that piracy of 
software is very prevalent in Qatar.  
A) Please specify what Qatar intends to do to improve enforcement of its copyright law, both 
generally and specifically with regard to piracy of software. 
ANSWER:  All violations under Copyright law (s oftware) are dealt with in accordance with 
Article 20 and Chapter 10, enforced   through civil and criminal proceedings .  
B) Please also give the number of copyright enfo rcement actions initiated by  the Qatari Government 
in 2003, and in 2004.  
ANSWER:  In 2002, the number of raids was 30 and the number of cases filed at the courts was 
12.  In 2003, the number of raids increased to  35 and the number of court cases was 11 cases.  
And in 2004, the number of raids was 52 a nd the number of cases has increased to 14 . 
TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 
Manufacturing – Policy Framework  
22. The Secretariat Report states in paragraph 52 on page 52 that the Ministry of Energy and 
Industry's Department of Industria l Development offers "several i nvestment incentives to companies 
during pre-investment and construction stages, as well as other incentives for basic industries: 
exemption from import duties and other levies (e.g. on  machinery, equipment, and spare parts); five-
year tax-holidays, renewable for another simila r period; and customs cl earance facilities."  Please 
provide further details on the types of investment incentives offered by the Department of Industrial 
Development. WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 11 
 
 
ANSWER:  The incentives offered to all industr ial projects according to the law number 19 of 
the year 1995 concerning the industrial organization are: 
1. Income tax exemption for a period of five  years from the date of commencement of  
 production –renewable for one similar period of time. 2. Customs duties exemption for imports of machinery, equipment and spare-parts 
 required for project operation as well as raw materials, manufactured and semi 
 manufactured goods and packing materials necessary for project production purpose. 3. Allocation of one land plot or more for the industrial project. 
4. Supply of power, water, at concessional  rates . 
Manufacturing – Selected Industries – Chemicals
 
23. According to paragraph 57 on page 53 of the Secretariat Report, the chemicals and chemical 
products industries are major beneficiaries of inv estment incentives.  Are any of the incentives 
provided to the chemical sector are contingent up on exportation and/or the use of local content 
(including the employment  of Qatari nationals)? 
ANSWER:  No, they are not . 
Services – Financial Services – Insurance  
24. The following questions refer to paragraphs 78-81 on pages 58-59 of the Secretariat Report. 
A) Please confirm our understanding that there is a de facto moratorium on the issuance of new 
insurance licenses to non-GCC fore ign insurance companies.   
ANSWER:  The investment law was modified to allow non-Qatari investment in the field of 
insurance activities subject to prior approval from the Ministerial Council . 
B)  Does the State have a stake in any of the following national insurance companies:  Qatar 
General Insurance and Reinsurance Company; AI  Khaleej Insurance Company; Qatar Islamic 
Insurance Company; and Doha Insurance Company?  If so, what percentage is government-owned?  
ANSWER:  The State does not have any stake in  the mentioned companies except the share of 
12% in Qatar insurance company . 
A) Please confirm our understanding that insuran ce agencies must be entir ely Qatari-owned and 
individual agents must be Qatari nationals. 
ANSWER:  As mentioned above, and in the present situation, it is allowed for non-Qatari's to 
participate in the insurance activities whether they are insurance firms, agents or consultants . 
B) Please confirm our understanding that Qatari Insurance Company is a state-owned enterprise. 
ANSWER:  The Qatar insurance company is not a state-owned enterprise; the state owns only a 
stake of 12% . 
Services – Telecommunications and Postal Services  
25. The following questions refer to para graphs 82-85 of the Secretariat Report. WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 12  
 
A)  Does Qatar intend to become a signatory to the Basic Telecommunications Agreement? 
ANSWER:  When in full operation, the Suprem e Council for Information and Communication 
Technology, ( the ICT Council), will be looking for the best scenarios for the future of the 
telecommunications sector depending on the size of the market and what will be to the benefit of 
both the public and national interests. Based on  the results of the Council's assessment, Qatar 
will be in a good position to decide which commitments within the frame of the Basic Telecommunications Agreement it might make . 
B) Does Qatar have any plans to fully privatize Q-Te l?  If so, what is the target date to do so? 
ANSWER:  Decision of further privatization of Q-Tel will depend on the outcome of the telecom 
market assessment and the readiness of the telecom regulations .   
C) What liberalization plans, if any, does Qatar have for its telecommunications sector? 
ANSWER:  See (A) above . 
D)  Does Qatar have plans to begin allowing fo reign investment in its telecommunications sector? 
ANSWER:  See (B) above . 
26.  In paragraph 85, the Secretariat Report not ed that a 2004 decree law that established a new 
telecoms regulator to, inter alia, makes the market more efficient. 
A)  When will this new entity assume its responsibility for regulating the industry?   
ANSWER:  The ICT Supreme Council was established as the highest competent authority in 
the affairs of Communication and Informat ion Technology.  The Supreme Council is the 
responsible authority for regulating the Communication and Information sectors in the State of 
Qatar.  It was established in Nov 2004 and is exercising its authority since that time .  
The Supreme Council, working with ITU, is in the process of engaging a consultancy firm to 
help the council in the establishment of a fully operational regulatory authority (RA) .  
The fully operational regulatory authority will incorporate, in particular, the following 
elements : 
– An operational structure of the Supreme Council capable of dealing with the 
 telecommunication governance issues; 
– Critical elements of sector policy; – Liberalization strategy; – A Communication Act; – Essential regulations for effective function ing of the sector (e.g. interconnection, price 
 regulation, licensing); 
– Numbering plan; and 
– Developing Radio Regulation and National Radio frequency allocation table. 
In the meanwhile the Spectrum Management Syst em will be transferred  from Q-Tel to the 
Supreme Council within two weeks . 
B) Will this new entity be charged with est ablishing a regulatory environment to support a 
competitive telecommunications environment? 
ANSWER:  Yes . WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 13 
 
 
QUESTIONS FROM CANADA 
Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/144) 
Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure, (2) Measures Directly Affecting Imports, (ii) 
Customs procedures and valuation, Paragraph 7 : 
1. The Secretariat Report states that certification fees are charged on the basis of the invoice 
value and range from QR 100 on an invoice of QR 5,000 up to 4% of the value of an invoice in excess 
of QR 1 million."  GATT Article VIII specifies that customs fees and charges shall be limited to the 
cost of the services rendered. A GATT panel found that  this precludes an ad valorem customs fee.  
A)  Would Qatar please explain how these charges are related to the cost of certification fees?  
ANSWER:  Qatar would like to clarify that c ertifications of import documents are done 
through Qatar Embassies abroad a ccording to categories, up to 0.4% of the value of an invoice 
in excess of QR. 1 million . 
The charges and fees applied by related governmental agencies are limited to the approximate 
cost of the services rendered and in accordance wi th  WTO requirements. The rate of 4% is not 
correct. The correct amount is 0.4% . 
B)  If these fees are not related to the cost of the service rendered, what will Qatar do to correct 
the inconsistency? 
ANSWER:  Qatar would like to clarify that c ertifications on import documents are done 
through Qatar Embassies abroad according to categories, up to 0. 4% of the value of an invoice in excess of QR. 1 million.  The charges applied are limited to the cost  of services rendered. 
These are well below the 3% allowed in Qatar's WTO Protocol of Accession .        
Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure,  (2) Measures Directly Affecting Imports, (iii) 
Rules of origin, Paragraph 22: 
2. The Secretariat Report notes that "the im position of non-ad valorem tariff rates does not 
ensure compliance by Qatar with its WTO binding  commitments made at ad valorem rates on the 
products to which it applies non-ad valorem tariffs.  Moreover, on 32 tariff lines at the HS eight-digit 
level (i.e. 29011010 to 29029090), the applied MFN rate  of 5% is above the bound rate of zero."  
A) Can Qatar provide ad valorem  equivalents for its non- ad valorem  rates so that we can be 
assured that bindings have not been exceeded?  
ANSWER:  The 69 items referred to here include products, some of which are prohibited and 
restricted goods on the grounds of public morality. There is one item, petrochemicals in this list 
of 69, which is to be added to 32 tariff lines. 
Qatar's WTO Schedule indicates that these are zero   rated and bound.  5% applied duty will be 
phased out at the end of the 10 year period in the Schedule, which enter into force in 1996 . 
B)  With respect to the 32 tariff lines that ex ceed Qatar's bound rates, this clearly contravenes 
GATT Article II.  When will Qatar correct this situation? 
ANSWER:  See (A) above . WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 14  
 
Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure,  (2) Measures Directly Affecting Imports, (vii) 
Standards and other technical requirements, Paragraph 32:  
3. Canada is pleased to note that Qatar's nati onal standards body has accepted the Code of Good 
Practice.  Could Qatar please provide information with  respect to the schedule it intends to follow to 
fulfil its obligations under Article J of the Code of Good Practice regarding publication of a work 
programme containing standards under prep aration and standards adopted to date? 
ANSWER:  Qatar has already planned to implement Article 'J' of the Code of Good Practice as 
one of the standardization activities .  
4. Could Qatar please advise Canada when its implementation statement, required under Article 
15.2 of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement), will be made available? 
ANSWER:  Qatar is currently establishing a system  of Notification which is expected to be 
completed soon. When the system is operative any required notification under WTO agreement 
shall be promptly communicated .  
Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure,  (2) Measures Directly Affecting Imports, (vii) 
Standards and other technical requirements, Paragraph 33: 
5. In addition to publication in the "Official  Gazette", does Qatar notify WTO Members of its 
mandatory technical regulations (standards) as required under Articles 2.9 and 10 of the TBT 
Agreement?   
ANSWER:  Qatar is currently establishing a system  of Notification which is expected to be 
completed soon. When the system is operative any required notification under WTO agreement 
shall be promptly communicated .  
Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure,  (2) Measures Directly Affecting Imports, (vii) 
Standards and other technical requirements, Paragraph 33:  
6. Could Qatar please provide further informati on on the process it follows in the development 
of mandatory technical regulations (standards)? 
ANSWER:  During the process for development of T.R. (standards).  They are discussed in the 
technical committees, and the Standard's draft ar e circulated to the interested parties including 
the Qatar Chamber of Commerce to comment on it.  The draft will be circulated to WTO's 
Secretariat for distribution to all members in th e 60 days.  The standards are adopted by the 
Board .  
Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure,  (2) Measures Directly Affecting Imports, (vii) 
Standards and other technical requirements, Paragraph 34:  
7. The Secretariat Report states that "[i]n Qa tar, all GSMO standards are adopted by the 
QGOSM; all proposed standards are examined by  QGOSM."   Canada would appreciate further 
clarification of this statement regarding the process which Qatar utilizes for examining proposed 
standards. 
ANSWER:  The process is as follows :  
– G.C.C. proposes the plan for a common GCC standard. 
– Each member country  prepares its national draft standards. – These draft standards are discussed in the specialist technical committee of G.C.C. WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 15 
 
 
– The draft standards are circulated for comment. 
– The standards are harmonized in the G.C.C.  – After the adoption of the G.C.C. standard, it becomes the applicable standard in each 
 member coun try.   
Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure,  (2) Measures Directly Affecting Imports, (vii) 
Standards and other technical requirements, Paragraph 34:  
8. Has Qatar established a schedule for the review of GCC standards to assess their conformity 
with international standards?   
ANSWER:  There is a G.C.C. schedule for the revie w of G.C.C. Standards and Qatar takes part 
in the review .  
9. If GCC standards do not conform to internati onal standards, what will Qatar and/or GCC do 
to harmonize them with international standards? 
ANSWER:  If G.C.C. Standards do not confor m to the international standards, Qatar will 
discuss the standards with the G.C.C.  technical committee to review it. 
Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure,  (2) Measures Directly Affecting Imports, (vii) 
Standards and other technical requirements, Paragraph 35:  
10. Is Qatar accepting self-declaration from a ll suppliers or only certain suppliers?  
ANSWER:  In some cases, the authorized Qata ri administration accepts the self-declaration 
from the supplier, as example: chemical materials affecting the environment.  But in other cases, only the governmental declaration from the authorized administration of the exporting 
country is acceptable and must be attached to the product, as example: plants, flowers, etc . 
11. Does Qatar have a post-market surveillan ce program to deal with non-compliance? 
ANSWER:  Yes, in case of non conformity with  the standards, a post market procedure may 
apply to protect the customers by coordination with the authorized administrations in the state 
of Qatar, such as customer protection department . 
Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure,  (4) Measures Affecting Production and Trade, 
(iv) Intellectual property rights, Paragraph 86 :  
12. Canada notes that Qatar provides exceptions to copyrights in certain special cases including 
exceptions relating to teaching activities.  Could Qatar define more precisely, with respect to 
educational activities, what would constitute a case " not conflicting with the normal exploitation of 
the work, nor prejudicing unreasonably leg itimate interests of the right holder"? 
ANSWER:  The question posed apparently relates to the language reproduced in Law number 
No 7, 2002, Article 18, Paragraph 2. On this basis the language finds its genesis, and is 
consistent with, the language used in Article 10,  Paragraph (1) and (2) of the Berne Convention 
and is intended to ensure non-comm ercial exploitation of the work . 
Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure,  (4) Measures Affecting Production and Trade, 
(iv) Intellectual property rights, Paragraph 90 :  
13. The Secretariat Report states that Qatar's pr otection of geographical indications covers all 
goods.  Could Qatar please elaborate further on the natu re of this protection a nd in particular, indicate WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 16  
 
whether it reflects the two levels of protection found in Articles 22 and 23 of the Agreement on 
Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement)? 
ANSWER:  Article 23 of the TRIPS Agreement deals with the additional geographical 
indications' protection relating to alcoholic prod ucts.  Please be advised that the registration of 
trademarks and geographical indications relating to alcoholic products is not permitted in 
Qatar pursuant to Ministerial Decision No. 63 for the Year 1987 as this is against  public order . 
14. Could Qatar please explain why Chapter 11 of Law No. 9 of 2002 on Trademarks, 
Geographical Indications and Industrial Designs di d not implement any exceptions under Article 24 of 
the TRIPS Agreement? 
ANSWER:  This statement is not accurate.  Qata r has implemented Paragraph 8 of Article 24 of 
the TRIPS Agreement, which is duplicated in Arti cle 34 of the relevant Qatari legislations Law 
No 9, 2002 .   
Part IV.  Trade Policies by Sector, (5) Services, (i) Main features, Paragraph 67 : 
15. The Secretariat Report notes that under the Ge neral Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), 
Qatar scheduled commitments in six main ser vices categories: business services, communication 
services, construction and related engineering services , environmental services, financial services, and 
tourism and travel-related services. What are Qata r's intentions with respect to commitments on 
business visitors, professionals and transparency? 
ANSWER:  The matter of business visitors, professionals and transparency is part of our 
strategic consideration prior to submitting initial offer request list in the ongoing negotiations.  
However Qatar has initiated as it has done in th e past unilateral steps to progressively open our 
services market . 
16. Canada notes that under the GATS, Qatar's co mmitments in computer and related services are 
very limited.  Is this a reflection of the domes tic industry or Qatar's dom estic regulatory regime? 
ANSWER:  Computer related services are liberalized. The Protocol of Accession of Qatar 
published in November 1995 indicates that Qata r is committed under mode 3 in computer and 
related services (page 7). Several foreign softwar e firms such as  Microsoft, and Oracle are 
directly operating in Doha without local agents .  
17. Canada notes that Qatar has not made an y telecommunications services commitments in the 
GATS.  
A)  Is there anything that prevents Qatar from making telecommunications services commitments 
in the GATS? 
ANSWER:  When in full operation, the Info rmation Communication Technology  Higher 
Council will be looking for the best scenarios fo r the future of the telecommunications sector 
depending on the size of the market and what will be on the benefit of both the public and 
national interests. Based on the results of th e Council's assessment, Qatar will be in a good 
position to decide on which commitments of the GATS telecommunications services it will 
make .   
B)  Does Qatar foresee offering commitments for the telecommunications services sector in the 
current round of GATS negotiations? 
ANSWER:  No . WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 17 
 
 
Part IV. Trade Policies by Sector, (5) Services, (ii) Financial services, Paragraph 72 : 
18. The Secretariat Report notes that Qatar does not allow foreign investment in banking and that 
trading in banking and insurances shares is not availa ble to foreigners.  It also indicates that, under the 
GATS, Qatar has frozen the number of branches of fore ign banking institutions at  the level existing in 
March 1995 (8 branches). 
A) Could Qatar explain why foreign in vestment in banking is prohibited? 
ANSWER:  The Qatar Investment Law regulating foreign investments was recently modified to 
allow non-Qatari banks and insurance compani es to establish branches or new banks and 
insurance firms in the State of Qatar. This  matter will be addressed after the issuance of 
changes in the Central Bank Law .  
B) Could Qatar provide the rational behind not  permitting trading in banking and insurances 
shares by foreigners? 
ANSWER:  Doha Securities Market (DSM) is a ne w market and it is the latest in the Gulf 
region. The registered companies do not exceed th e total of 30 companies, and their internal 
regulations do not permit the sa le of their stocks to non-Qata ri investors.  However, some 
companies allowed the participatio n of non-Qatari capital, like Q- Tel, and Salam International. 
Recently, a new law was issued allowing foreign ers to purchase up to 25% of publicly traded  
shares in DSM. This is phase one towards allowi ng non-Qatari investors to acquire 100% of the 
shares .  
C)  Could Qatar explain the reason of the freez e on the number of branches of foreign banks at 
the level of March 1995? 
ANSWER:  The number of banks operating in Qa tar, both local and foreign (branches) has 
been frozen since 1995 due to the limited size and capacity of the local market.  However, this 
issue has been under revision and recently a new law was issued allowing foreign banks and 
insurance companies to operate in Qatar.  Operations of foreign banks/ branches and insurance 
companies under the new law will be subject to terms of a new Central Bank Law .  
Part IV. Trade Policies by Sector, (5) Services, (ii) Financial services, Paragraph 77 : 
19 The Secretariat Report states that foreign investors have access only to the shares of two 
specific firms (Q-Tel and Al-Salam International In vestment Company) and th at they can only invest 
in other Qatari's shares listed in the Doha Secu rities Market through mutual funds.  Could Qatar 
explain the rationale behind such strict r estrictions to access Qatar's securities market? 
ANSWER:  The recent amendment of Law number 13/2000 which allowed foreigners to own up 
to 25% of the securities of public companies tr ading on the Doha  Securities Market is a 
significant step in this regard. The expected establishment of the Financial Centre, the reformation of the Doha Securities Market and the setting up of the financial services authority 
will bring about major changes in  foreign investments in Qatar .   
Part IV. Trade Policies by Sector, (5) Services, (ii) Financial services, Paragraph 81 : 
20. The Secretariat Report indicates that, similar to the banking sector, foreign investment is not 
allowed in the insurance sector and that under th e GATS, Qatar has frozen th e number of branches of 
foreign insurance suppliers at the level existing in March 1995 (5 firms). WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 18  
 
A) Could Qatar explain why foreign investment in the insurance sector is prohibited? 
ANSWER:  Please refer to the above explanation in the answer to the question No. 19 above . 
B) Could Qatar explain the reason for the freeze on the number of branches of foreign insurers at 
the level of March 1995? 
ANSWER:  Qatar did not stop or freeze the activities of any foreign insurance company. There 
are several foreign insura nce companies working in Qatar fo r quite long time like Egyptian 
National Insurance Company and Arabian Insu rance Company.  All insurance companies, 
Qatari and non-Qatari, were asked to adjust their legal status in accordance to the terms of the 
new regulating law and all of them are still working smoothly . 
Part IV. Trade Policies by Sector, (5) Service s, (iii) Telecommunications and postal services, 
Paragraph 83 : 
21. The Secretariat report notes that Q-Tel, th e state-owned monopoly, is Qatar's regulatory 
authority in telecommunications.  Canada notes that  in 2004 Qatar issued a new decree law setting up 
a new telecoms regulator.  
A) Could Qatar provide an update on the status of this decree law? ANSWER:  The new telecoms regulator, the Supreme Council of Information and 
Communication Technology (ICT Council), was est ablished in August 2004 and activated in 
November of the same year.  During 2005, the Council will be in the process of internal set up and recruitments. In the meanwhile, the council is in the process of engaging a consultancy firm 
to assist the council on the establishment of a fully operational regulatory authority . 
B)  Does this decree law supersed e Q-Tel's regulatory authority? 
ANSWER:  Yes . 
C)  Could Qatar please explain how it will ensu re the independence of the new telecoms 
regulator? 
ANSWER:  The ICT Supreme Council is an inde pendent entity, and the management is 
conducted by a board of directors consisting of the Heir Apparent as chairman, a deputy 
chairman and several other members.  The board is  formed by Emiri Decision, which appoints 
its members and determines their nominations.  The General Secretariat employees are inspired 
to facilitate the development of ICTs to benefi t the overall Qatari society and not to promote 
interests of a particular company .  
22. The Secretariat report notes that, at the end of 1998, Qatar sold 45% of the capital of the state-
owned monopoly, Q-Tel, and granted it exclusivit y to provide all telecommunications services until 
2013. 
A) Could Qatar please explain why it chose a fifteen (15) year timeframe for the liberalization of 
its telecoms services sector? 
ANSWER:  Q-Tel's privatization was one of the fi rst privatization experiences within Qatar. In 
order to gain potential investors' trust, especia lly foreign investors, on the company future, a 
decision was taken to grant a monopoly for a period of 15 years.  At the time, liberalization 
experiences and its associated regulation frames were pre-mature within the region.  Therefore, WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 19 
 
 
to insure the success of the liberalization process a nd to best predict its impact, a 15 year frame 
was estimated to be fare . 
B)  Does Qatar plan on opening up its telecommunications services market to any competition 
before the end of Q-Tel's monopoly in 2013? 
ANSWER:  Qatar is in the process of establishi ng a fully operational regulatory authority, 
during which the liberalization strategy will be developed, and will formulate an optimal 
liberalization strategy for the state of Qatar . 
Also, Qatar believes on the impacts of liberalizing  over its telecom market and the criticality for 
any delays to the overall ICT national developm ents.  Yet, the decision will depend on the 
overall national and public interest and will be  based on the outcome of the ICT Council's 
national telecom market assessments and the readiness of the telecom regulations .  
C)  Does Qatar plan on further privatizing Q-Tel? 
ANSWER:  Decision of further privatization of Q-Tel will be depend on the outcome of the 
telecom market assessment and the rea diness of the telecom regulations .   
Part IV. Trade Policies by Sector, (5) Service s, (iii) Telecommunications and postal services, 
Paragraph 85 : 
23. Canada notes that Qatar hasn't signed onto th e Reference Paper.  Canada believes that the pro-
competitive principles in the Reference Paper are vita l to a healthy and competitive telecoms sector.  
A)  Could Qatar comment on its domestic re gime framework vis-à-vis some of he 
pro-competitive principles in the Referen ce Paper, e.g. independent regulators?  
ANSWER:  Qatar's ICT Council believes in the pr inciples of the Reference Paper; however, the 
Council is aware of associated needs for legal , regulatory, and industrial frame work proper 
modifications or restructuring ahead of committing to any form or strategy of liberalization  to 
enjoy a healthy telecom sector . 
B)  Does Qatar plan on signing onto the Reference Paper as a complement to Future liberalization 
of this sector?  
ANSWER:  Qatar is in the process of establishi ng a fully operational regulatory authority, 
during which the liberalization strategy will be developed, and will formulate an optimal 
liberalization strategy for the state of Qatar . 
Also, Qatar believes on the impacts of liberalizing  over its telecom market and the criticality for 
any delays to the overall ICT national developm ents.  Yet, the decision will depend on the 
overall national and public interest and will be  based on the outcome of the ICT Council's 
national telecom market assessments and the readiness of the telecom regulations .  
Part IV. Trade Policies by Sector, (5) Services, (v) Tourism, Paragraph 108 : 
The Secretariat Report notes that "the Government grants tourism-related investment incentives after 
a feasibility study has been undertaken, and provided the project is in line with the overall vision of 
the country."  Please provide examples of such incentives.  
ANSWER:  The incentives are enumerated in the newly enacted investment law and its 
amendments .  WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 20  
 
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Trade in goods 
1) Doing away with unnecessary external as well as in ternal impediments to trade is vital for the 
promotion of trade and development itself.  Accordin g to the report of the WTO Secretariat, Qatar has 
not implemented the WTO agreement on customs valu ation.  When does Qatar expect to implement 
this agreement, and how does Qatar assess the impact of trade of the current situation? 
ANSWER:  Qatar has been implementing the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation since 
2003 according to Qatar Customs Law which contains GATT Article 7 in the legal text.  Qatar is committed to modify all the procedures and reg ulations to comply with this through a newly 
established section and database in all Customs Po rts.  A dispute settlement mechanism has also 
been established . 
2) According to the report of the Government of  Qatar policies have been introduced with a 
view to diversify the production-base.  Could Qata r further expand on her plans?  How does Qatar 
evaluate the results of the efforts so far? 
ANSWER:  Government policies have been introduced  with a view to diversify production base.  
This is done through promotion of non-hydroc arbon based energy intensive industries such as 
Aluminium Smelter, expansion of Qatar Steel production range, expansion of cement and 
building materials, promotion of down stream in dustries based on locally produced items and 
intermediates.  Besides these measures active encouragement for small/medium scale industries 
in private sector is on the priority of Govt. of Qatar. 
Qatar will expand the above plans by stimulat ing private sector, promotion of private 
investments in industry, providing infrastruc ture through industrial estates and streamlining 
the procedures for promotion of industrial investments . 
3) The EC notes that Qatar does not allow for the import of certain goods originating in the EC 
because of the risk of transfer of BSE.  When can  the EC expect Qatar to suspend the ban was has 
been introduced? Does Qatar apply the standard s and guidelines of the OIE when adopting SPS-
measures? 
ANSWER:  Qatar applies the Standards and Guide of OIE . 
Trade in Services 
4) The EC notes the section on services in the report of the Government of Qatar, and should in 
continuation like to ask the following questions wh ich are aimed at sectors of importance to economic 
development in general.  
Tourism 
5) Would Qatar inform us on how many people work in the tourism sector and what has been the 
evolution in the last years? 
ANSWER:  Please consult: www. Planning.gov .qa for data related to this sector .  
6) Would Qatar inform us on how much of the FDI attracted by the country in the last years has 
been in the tourism sector? 
ANSWER:  The total FDI in all sectors in 2004 was about 7.5 $bn .  WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 21 
 
 
7) Would Qatar inform us about the measure s the government is taking to ensure non-
discrimination of foreign services suppliers in the tourism sector? 
The following answer covers the aforementioned questions.   
ANSWER:  The Qatari Law No. (6/1987) stipulates goods of national origin should have 
priority in purchases of Governmental and fo reign contractors in relation to Government 
tenders.  Presently there are no discrimination the award of tenders.  And this applies in the Tourism sector as in others . 
8) Would Qatar inform us about their plans for improving professional education and training 
related to the tourism sector? 
ANSWER:  In its plan to have internationally reputable academic institutions a Dutch 
University (HNC) is teaching tourism as a branch in Qatar . 
9) Does Qatar have views on the relationship be tween tourism and public policies in such areas 
as environment, urban planning, security, culture, public services, etc? 
ANSWER:  Overall, the Qatari authority will be assessing such relationship and promote 
economic development through addressing is sues currently discussed in tourism trade 
negotiations .  
10) Does Qatar have views on the relationship be tween tourism and overall economic growth and 
employment, and, in particular, other economic se ctors like construction, transport, and computer 
services? 
ANSWER:  Yes . 
11) Would Qatar inform us about the existing legislation applicable to tour managers 
(professionals accompanying groups of tourists in their travel through the country) and tourist guides? 
Would Qatar inform us about the plans that the government is considering to reduce or eliminate 
discrimination of foreign services suppliers in these fields? 
ANSWER:  The appropriate authority will be addressing the result  of the assessment 
procedures previously mentioned .  
Distribution services
 
12) Would Qatar inform us on how many people work in the distribution sector and what has 
been the evolution in the last years? 
ANSWER:  Please consult:  www. Planning.g ov.qa for data related to this sector . 
13) Would Qatar inform us on how much of the FDI attracted by the country in the last years has 
been in the distribution sector? 
ANSWER:  The total FDI in all sectors in 2004 was about 7.5 $bn .  
14) Does Qatar have views on the relationshi p between the distribution sector and overall 
economic growth and employment, and, in partic ular, other economic sectors like construction, 
transport, and computer services? 
ANSWER:  The appropriate authority will be add ressing the relationship after  finalizing the 
review of the assessment previously  mentioned in tourism section .  WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 22  
 
15) Would Qatar inform us about existing le gislation applicable to retailing services? 
ANSWER:  Qatar has no such legislation . 
Financial services
 
16) According to the Secretariat report, Qatar ma intains very low limits on the number of licenses 
for foreign insurers and for branches of foreign banks. Does Qatar have any plans for lifting these 
restrictions in order to enhance competition? 
ANSWER:  The investment law was modified to allow non-Qatari investment in the field of 
insurance activities subject to prior approval from the Council of Ministers . 
Postal and courier services  
17) What is the state of liberalisation of the following services:  handling of letters, handling of 
parcels, handling of newspapers , handling of unaddressed items?  
ANSWER:  Liberalisation – Q-post is a corp oration managed on a commercial basis and 
entrusted with the distribution of the Letter Mail and Parcel Mail, with Newspapers being 
considered as part of the Letter Mail tariff unde r the printed matter category.  Un-Addressed 
items such as advertising flyers are not restricted by Q-Post .  
18) The report mentions that express-courier operators  are free to operate.  Is there a definition of 
"express courier" in the Qatari law and if so, what is it?  
ANSWER:  Express Courier Operators – currently there is no definition under Qatari Law and 
in fact this subject is under consideration as part of the Q-Post Corporation Regulations being 
considered by the Ministerial Council. Q-Post administratively manage the function of   
delivery, e.g. national items .  
19) Is getting a licence required to operate "expr ess courier" services and if so, what are the 
criteria for obtaining the licence?  
ANSWER:  A license as part of career professional  qualifying procedures required by Q-Post.  
The license fee is 5% of gross (mail operations income) and QR. 5.00 per item, Courier 
companies have to register with Q-Post for an operator's license . 
Environmental services  
19) What is the state of liberalisation in the following sectors:  – water-related services  
– solid/hazardous waste management – protection of ambient air and climate  – remediation and clean up of soil and water 
– noise and vibration abatement 
– protection of biodiversity and landscape – other environmental services (notably environmental impact assessment)  WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 23 
 
 
ANSWER: 
Introduction Qatar environmental policy is at a relatively early stage of implementation in respect of 
National Institutions regulations and standards. In all areas, foreign private firms have engaged 
in a range of activities in those areas listed ab ove. Qatar has encouraged these activities through 
unilateral or autonomous measures aimed at  promoting sound environmental practices and 
sustainable development.  Qatar's liberalisatio n measures are limited to these steps. There are 
no commitments undertaken in the GATS.  Qatar is  following the negotiations on services and is 
preparing initial request and offer lists, incl uding for he environment, which has its own 
regulatory framework dealing with environmental goods and services. 
The Supreme Council for the Environment and Na tural Reserves (SCENR) was established in 
July 2000 as a governmental authority.  It was an important first step in the creation of a comprehensive and modern environmental admini stration in Qatar.  In addition, special 
consideration for environment protection is cont ained in the Permanent Constitution of Qatar 
issued in 2004. 
Accordingly, Qatar has reinforced its effort s and strengthened its commitment to active 
participation in global and regional environmental programs.  
Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Residential waste is collected by the General Cl eaning Project (GCP) in the Municipalities for 
disposal at municipality controlled landfills .  Approval of the Supreme Council for the 
Environment and Natural Reserv es (SCENR) is required when disposal of industrial non-
hazardous waste is sought.  All industrial haza rdous waste must currently be stockpiled until 
the central hazardous waste treatment facility is constructed at Messaid. 
Protection of ambient air and climate SCENR develops an ambient air quality monitoring  network in Doha and Alwakra cities.  The 
network consists of five fixed stations and one mobile.  Each station has the ability to detect 
major air pollutants (NOx, SO
2, O 3, PM 10, PM 2.6 and CO). In addition, the mobile station has the 
ability to detect BTEX and Mercaplants.  Oth er ambient air monitoring programs is currently 
conducted by the industrial companies in Alkhor, Ras Laffan and Messaid cities.  
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) EIAs have been used in Qatar from mid 1997.  The regulations governing the requirements for 
EIA were promulgated under the Environment Pr otection Law. No. 30 of year 2002.  EIA 
studies are compulsory for development projects such as power stations, airports, seaports, 
industrial projects and waste disposal sites a nd major roads.  EIA studies provide the data 
necessary to assess a given project and its anti cipated impact and to propose the means for 
preventing or mitigating adverse environmental impacts. 
Protection of biodiversity and landscape 
Approximately 1900 documented biological species have been identified in Qatar including 
approximately 1000 terrestrial and 900 marine speci es.  The conservation of species at risk or 
extinct in the wild is being undertaken by (S CENR).  Captive breeding programs began in 1979 
and have expanded to include Arabian Oryx and Arabian Gazelle.  There are 4 natural reserves 
and 30 farms for the breeding.  The Government encourages private farms to protect other wild WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 24  
 
species.  A future program is designed to establish new protected areas in Khor Al-Adaid, Al-
Thakhera and western part of Qatar.  According to that program the protected areas will form 
16% of the total area of the country . 
20) Are public-private partnershi ps (PPPs) allowed or practised in Qatar in environmental 
services and if so, under which conditions? Examples would be appreciated. 
ANSWER:  The Government of Qatar encourages private participation in all environmental 
services including waste treatment and recyclin g, conservation of wildlife, environmental 
monitoring, environmental management and all consultation services.  For instance, all EIA 
studies would be conducted by a private consulta nt which is hired by the project owner and 
many private projects for waste recycling and medical waste treatment were approved to 
provide services in Qatar .   
Qatar's trade strategy
 
21) Qatar reports that she has no competition le gislation, nor TDI legislation (anti-dumping, 
subsidies and countervailing measures and safeguard s). Are there any prospects for Qatar adopting 
such legislation in the near future, at  a national level or within the GCC? 
ANSWER:  The anti-dumping law was adopted since May 2004 with other preventive measures, 
waiting for the final endorsement by H.H. the Emir  to be applied. In addition, the State of 
Qatar approved the obligatory law for the GCC countries concerning the dumping and 
preventive measures and the head of the comme rcial affairs department is a member of the 
GCC permanent committee for dumping . 
A new law for competition and mo nopoly prevention was prepa red recently and submitted to 
the Cabinet Council for final approval . 
22) Qatar reports that it is a member of the Gu lf Co-operation Council (GCC), which is a customs 
union, effective since 1 January 2003.  In additio n, Qatar reports that trade agreements are under 
consideration with the United States and with Singa pore.  In continuation the EC should like to ask 
Qatar, considering that Qatar is a member of a customs union, how such negotiations will take place? 
Will Qatar negotiate on behalf of the GCC? Is ther e a mechanism in place in the GCC on how to carry 
out such negotiations? 
ANSWER:  The FTAs with the US and Singapore will be negotiated bilaterally.  The FTAs will 
be very substantial and cover trade in goods, trade in services, government procurement, and 
investment . 
23) The EC should furthermore like to ask Qatar the expected coverage of such negotiations and 
their prospects? 
ANSWER:  With respect to coverage, see the answer above . 
D) In the report of the WTO Secretariat (page 45 under, paragraph 26) it is stated that Qatar 
maintains price controls on petroleum products and natural gas.  Prices are differentiated according to 
final use.  Prices are suggested by QP, subject to approval by the Council of Ministers.  According to 
the authorities, there are no measures to promote lo cal processing of petroleum products before their 
exportation.  The EC should like Qatar to further clar ify how such price controls work, how the prices 
are determined and whether there is any diffe rence between the prices determined for local 
consumption and for export.  If there is a price di fferential between prices for local use and for export 
can Qatar please specify the level of these prices?  WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 25 
 
 
ANSWER:  The prices for petroleum products a nd natural gas are set on a commercial basis 
periodically in the domestic market for social and strategic objectives, as set out in paragraph 
26 in page 45. 
The export prices of these products are determ ined by the market. Qatar does not monitor the 
prices for local use and export market .  
24) Qatar has adopted strategies for developing cap acities in a number of fields. How is the issue 
of trade being dealt with in Qatar's strategies?  Are the strategies based on the possibilities for 
advancing the country's developm ent objectives in the context of increasing globalization through 
trade?  What is the relationship between Qatar's strategy vis-à-vis trade liberalisation and its development strategy? 
ANSWER:  Trade liberalization is a focal point in Qatar development strategy.  Trade is a 
strong tool in capacity building and in developi ng competitive sectors.  Qatar intends to become 
part of the global economy . 
25) Regional trade is an important tool for im proving and harvesting the benefits from trade. 
Qatar is actively promoting the ongoing integra tion-process in the GCC, including the establishment 
of a free-trade area and a common external tariff. What  is Qatar's strategy with regard to establishing 
national institutional mechanisms for enforcing GCC decisions? 
ANSWER:  Because Qatar is a member in the GCC,  all decisions that have been agreed on and 
issued by the GCC committees are enforceable through existing law enforcement agencies.  
There is no need to establish a separate institution to carry out the above task .  
26) The EC considers that the WTO and multilatera l liberalization is the most certain way for 
small countries to promote their interests. How do es Qatar judge the relative importance and weight 
of bilateral/FTA policies and further development of  the WTO system in terms of its own trade and 
development needs? 
ANSWER:  Qatar is adopting a very progressive policy in trade liberalization.  Qatar share the 
WTO point of view that bilateral and regional trade agreements are healthy and they 
complement the WTO objectives . 
QUESTIONS FROM HONG-KONG, CHINA 
Customs procedures and valuation
 
(WT/TPR/S/144, P. viii, Para. 10; and P. 21, Para. 7) 1. For products imported into Qatar, the importe rs must submit, inter alia, a commercial invoice 
certified by the Qatari Embassy in the country of origin.  Certification fees are charged on the basis of 
the commercial invoice value and range from Qatar ri yal (QR) 100 on an invoice of QR 5,000 up to 
4% of the value of an invoice in excess of QR 1 million.  Given that the fee charged and the formalities involved could have prohibi tive effects on imports into Qatar, we are interested to know if 
Qatar has any plan to remove such import requirement. 
ANSWER:  The certification fee for the service rendered is in a direct relationship with 
approximate cost determined by competent Gove rnmental authority. These fees are limited to 
the cost of the service rendered and permitted by Qatar protocol of accession to the WTO. WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 26  
 
The charges and fees applied by related governmental agencies are limited to the approximate 
cost of the services rendered and in accordance wi th  WTO requirements.  The rate of 4% is not 
correct.  The correct rate is 0.4% . 
(WT/TPR/S/144, P. 15, Para. 18; and P. 22, Para. 12) 2. We note that Qatar has not yet implemente d the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation and 
has not notified the WTO of its legislation on cust oms valuation.  Also, the customs value of goods 
imported into Qatar is generally based on refere nce prices.  We are interested to know Qatar's 
timetable for implementation of the Customs Valuation Agreement. 
Standards, testing and certification
 
(WT/TPR/S/144, P. 28, Paras. 33 - 34) ANSWER:  Qatar has been implementing the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation since 
2001 according to Qatar Customs Law which contains GATT article 7 in the legal text and Qatar is committed.  It is modifying all the pr ocedures and regulations to comply with this 
through newly established concerned section a nd database in all Customs ports and has 
established a dispute settlement mechanism . 
3. The GCC customs union entered into force on 1 January 2003.  While the GCC member 
states are working towards harmonizing their standa rds system, differences still exist.  Noting that 
harmonization of the standards within the customs uni on will facilitate the trade; we are interested to 
know the progress of the harmonization. 
ANSWER:  Qatar Standards are harmonized  with ISO.  The number of GS is 277 .  
4. There are currently 26 Qatari-specific standards (25 mandatory and one voluntary) on 
building, mechanical, and food products.  For those Qatari standards that are not based on 
international guidelines, how do the Qatari authorities ensure that they are not more trade restrictive 
than necessary? 
ANSWER:  Most of Qatar Standards are adapte d since 1995 and no trade issues have arisen. 
Most of these standards are harmoni zed with ISO, BSI, Codex and IEC .  
5. We note that the Gulf Standardization and Metrology Organization of the GCC is reviewing 
conformity of its standards with in ternational standards.  We would like to know details of the review 
programme, such as the timetable for the completion of the review and whether there are any plans to align non-conforming ones with international standards. 
ANSWER:  The GCC has established 5 technical committees to review the Gulf Standards 
through the next years to be conf ormed with international standards .  
Marking, labelling and packaging
 
(WT/TPR/S/144, P. 30, Para. 46) 6. GCC standards for marking, labelling and p ackaging have been criticized for being too 
restrictive.  In particular, shelf-life standards are cons idered to be set at arbitrary levels that restrict 
imports of a variety of food products.  We are inte rested to know whether Qatar will take any steps to 
address such criticisms. WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 27 
 
 
ANSWER:  According to the standards plan fo r GCC 2005. GS will make revision for G.C.C. 
Standards No. 150, 1059 (Shelf-Life for Food pro ducts part I and II).  This revision will take 
into consideration what has been mentioned in Codex standards No.1 (Labelling of pre-
packaged foods.) 
Financial Services  
(WT/TPR/S/144, P. 57; Para. 72; P. 58, Para. 77; and P. 59, Para. 81) 
7. We note that trading in banking and insuran ce shares, and in all firms listed on the Doha 
Securities Market (DSM) is restricted to Qatari nationals.  However, in its schedule of specific 
commitments under the GATS, Qatar has made fu ll commitments under modes 1 & 2 and partial 
commitments under mode 3 of "Banking and othe r financial services (excluding insurance)".  
According to the list of activities covered under "B anking and other financia l services (excluding 
insurance)" as defined in the GATS Annex on Fina ncial Services, it seems that Qatar's existing 
commitments would have covered "t rading of transferable securities".  Would Qatar please clarify its 
regime with respect to the trading of transferable securities? 
ANSWER:  Qatar Securities Market is a new market and it is the latest in the Gulf region. The 
registered companies do not exceed a total of 30 companies, and their internal regulations do 
not permit the sale of their stocks to non-Qata ri investors.  However,  some companies allowed 
the participation of non-Qatari capitals like Q- Tel, and Salam International. Recently, a new 
law was issued obliging all public share holding companies registered in the stock market to 
allow non-Qatari investors to acquire a maximu m of 25% of their shares including banks and 
insurance companies. This is phase one towards allowing non-Qa tari investors to acquire 100% 
of the shares . 
Qatar does not subscribe to the view that tradin g of transferable securities is part of Qatar 
commitments. However, Law nu mber 4/2005 allows foreign investors to own up to 25% of 
shares of public companies traded in Doha Securities Market.  
The recent amendment of Law number 13 /2000 wh ich allowed foreigners to own up to 25% of 
the securities of public companies trading on the Do ha  Securities Market is a significant step in 
this regard. The expected establishment of  the Financial Centre, the reformation of the Doha 
Securities Market and the setting up of the fi nancial services authority will bring about major 
changes in foreign investments in Qatar 
Tourism  
(WT/TPR/S/144, P. 65, Paras. 109 - 110) 8. It is noted that foreign investors may, s ubject to the Commercial Companies Law, own up to 
100% of total equity in the tourism sector under the new Investment Law.  It is also noted that Qatar 
has made full commitments in two sub-sectors of tourism services (i.e., hotels and restaurants) under 
the GATS.  Would Qatar please clarify the sub-secto rs in which full foreign ownership would be 
allowed?  Besides, would Qatar consider binding  such improvements in the present round of services 
negotiations? 
ANSWER:  According to the law, non-Qatari in vestors are allowed to have a 100% ownership 
of any investment project in the field of Industr y, Agriculture, Tourism, Health, education and 
other projects.  Although Qatar is committed in  the GATS Agreement in the field of tourism 
services (only to hotels and restaurants) the current law allows foreign investments in all 
tourism activities .  WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 28  
 
QUESTIONS BY JAPAN 
Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/144) 
IV. TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  (4) MANUFACTURING 
(ii) Policy framework (Page 52, para.51) According to the Secretariat Report, the Government  of Qatar is implementing "Quality Qatarization" 
which is a programme aimed at raising the share of "competent" Qatari nationa ls to 50% of the total 
labour force in the energy and industry sectors by the end of 2005. 
Please indicate the current status of "Quality Qatari zation" specifically, including the current rate of 
Qatari nationals in the energy and industry sectors and the prospects of  achieving the goal of the 
programme by the end of 2005. 
ANSWER:  The "Quality Qatarization" programme  adopted by the State of Qatar involves 
Qatarization of "qualified" Qatari nationals to 50% of labour force in energy and industry 
sectors by the end of 2005.  To meet this targ et Qatari graduates and other qualified candidates 
are encouraged to join the energy and industrial sect or at the trainee levels and are put through 
rigorous training programmes including class room based as well as actual hands on experience.  
(The current rate of Qatari national in the en ergy sector is stated in the Secretariat report at 
11.25 percent (page 41, Paragraph 18).  For furt her information, please consult the official 
Website: www.Qatarization.com.qa) 
Please consult the following website:  www.qatarization.com.qa . 
QUESTIONS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA 
 
1) Foreign Investment (WT/ TPR/G/144, page 9 para.31) 
What is the industry referred to in the phrase "…in  the sectors of agriculture, industry, healthcare, 
education, tourism, exploitation and developmen t of natural resources, energy or mining…"? 
ANSWER:  The industry which ensures ideal utiliz ation of the row materials available locally 
and the services that apply modern technologies le ading to establishing sophisticated national 
industries, or other projects those contribute to developing and qualifying national human 
resources. 
Any industry satisfying the requirements stipulated in the Article 22 in the stipulated law . 
2) Foreign Investment (WT/TPR/G/144, page 10 para. 37, WT/TPR/S/144, page 18 para.33) 
Is there any plan to allow foreign companies to import through their subsidiaries in Qatar, instead of 
through a local agent? 
ANSWER:  This issue is under consid eration by the Qatari authorities .  WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 29 
 
 
3)  Tariff (WT/TPR/G/144, page 12 para.5 0-51, WT/TPR/S/144, page 23 para.19) 
When will the imposition of a protective duty rate of  20% on iron from 10mm to 32mm end?  Is there 
any possibility of extending it? 
ANSWER:  Qatar is aware of the very difficult ies which impede the effort of developing 
countries to liberalize their economies and integrat e them into the World economy.  It is also 
aware of the recognition of this fact by th e WTO provisions and the undertaking of developed 
countries to help developing countries to engage in progressive processes of building the institutions structures and the various capaci ties required for those purposes.  Starting from 
this, Qatar engaged itself in  a program to build the requisite environment which aims at integrating the people of Qatar, its institutions  and its official bodies in the economic processes 
and through that the sustainable integration in the global economy.  All its liberalization 
decisions are taken according to this program and in a considerable number of cases taken 
unilaterally. (Hereinafter Program) . 
The measures taken so far indicate that Qatar is integrating at  a pace  that will be sustainable 
target. A recent example, at the beginning of th is month, is a decree which  allowed foreign 
investors to buy up to 25% of the securities of pu blic companies trading on the Doha  Securities 
Market .  
4)  Free Trade Agreement (WT/TPR/G/144, page 13 para.54) What are the status and the prospects of the Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the United 
States?  Is there any plan to pursue FTAs with E ast Asian countries such as Korea, Japan and China? 
ANSWER:  Qatar signed a Trade and Investment  Framework Agreement in 2004 with the US. 
The FTA with Singapore is making good progress. In  addition, Qatar is open to the potential for 
any FTA agreement with its Asian trading partners including the above mentioned countries .  
5)  Customs Procedure (WT/TPR/S/144 page 21 para.7) The Qatari customs procedure requires commercial invoices to be certified by the Qatari Embassy in 
the country of origin.  The fees that the Qatari  Embassy in Korea charges are unreasonably high (over 
1,200 USD per 1 stamp). Furthermore, it charges on ad valorem basis proportionally to the invoice 
value, instead of a fixed amount per stamp.  This practice may be inconsistent  with Article VIII:1(a) 
of GATT 1994 which stipulates that all fees an d charges "shall be limited in amount to the 
approximate cost of services rendered."  What is th e position of the Qatari government in this regard?  
Could it provide information on its relevant laws and regulations, along with any future plan on the 
certification system mentioned above? 
ANSWER:  The appropriate authority applies ch arges that are appropriate to the cost of 
services rendered in the line with WTO commitments stipulated in the accession protocol . 
The charges and fees applied by related governmental agencies are limited to the approximate 
cost of the services rendered and in accordance wi th WTO requirements.  The rate of 4% is not 
correct. The correct rate is 0.4% . 
QUESTIONS FROM MEXICO  
Qatar is requested to answer the following qu estions regarding documen t WT/TPR/S/144 of 24 
January 2005. WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 30  
 
IV. TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 5) SERVICES iv) Transport  
Document WT/TPR/S/144 mentions that transport services are not included in Qatar's schedule of 
commitments under the GATS.  Why has Qatar made no commitment in this sector? What are Qatar's plans to open this sector in the short-term?  
ANSWER:  Refer to answer to question number 5 above .  
IV. TRADE POLICES BY SECTOR 5) SERVICES v) Tourism  
Paragraph 109 indicates that the new Investment Law allows foreign investors to own up to 100% of 
total equity in the tourism subsector.  However, it mentions that this is "subject to the Commercial 
Companies Law".  What does this restriction mean?  
ANSWER:  Approving an investment in the field of Tourism is subject to the Investment law 
only, and if the investor is a company, it will be subjected to the law of the commercial 
companies in regard to the company regulations a nd not to the percentage of the ownership or 
the type of investment.  The investor should be an incorporated entity .  
Under the GATS, Qatar made some commitments in hotels and restaurants services.  However, due to 
the major boost tourism will be given, Mexico wishes to know whether other subsectors in which 
Qatar has no commitment (such as travel agencies;  package tours;  youth hostel and camping;  
motels) will be open.   
ANSWER:  The Investment Law allows foreigner s to invest in tourism services in general .  
QUESTIONS FROM TURKEY 
SECRETARIAT REPORT I. ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
1.  Major Features of the Economy 
Paragraph 2 states that "Qatar's economy depends heavily on its abundant petroleum and gas wealth, 
which accounted for 56.1 % of the country's GDP in 2003, around 70 % of government revenues, and 
almost 90 % of total merchandise exports earnings. On  the other hand, Paragraph 3 explains that the 
Qatari riyal was de facto pegged to US dollar in 2001 as a first step to comply with the decision by the 
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to launch a moneta ry union by 2007". We also know that Qatar 
wants to diversify sectoral composition of its GDP.  Considering the effect of high oil and gas prices 
and increased capital inflows into the economy, al so taking the problems arising from current fixed 
exchange rate arrangement into account, could Qatar kindly explain us their monetary policy 
experience in dealing with the resulting "Dutch Di sease" effect of inflows on diversification policy 
and its negative effects on the macro-econom ic policy coordination among GCC.    
ANSWER:  The experience of Qatar (and G CC Countries) with the Dutch Disease is 
dramatically different, where symptoms of the Du tch disease are not necessarily a consequence 
of high oil prices and the resulting capital inflows. The key point is that labour is importable in 
GCC countries. Incoming labour to GCC represen ts a large-scale permanent buffer use of the 
international labour flows (compared to the gu est worker system used in Germany and other 
Northern European Countries) that offsets the Dutch disease effect.  As the oil and non –
tradable producing sectors boom, labour is im ported, so that there would be no resources 
movement from lagging to booming sectors. More traded and non-traded goods are produced.  Excess supply pushes down the prices of non-trad ed goods (relative to the case of no labour WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 31 
 
 
imports)  but not the prices of tradable goods (since those reflect the exogenously determined 
world prices of importables),  therefore, a lleviate upward exchange rate pressures if not 
implying downward pressures ( vis-à-vis the standard case).  
Moreover, wages are moderated co mpared to the imported labour situation resulting, vis-à-vis 
the standard case, in  limiting expansion of the non-traded sector while promoting expansion in 
the tradable producing sectors. Hence, not on ly de-industrialization symptoms have been 
irrelevant to GCC States, but tradable producing sectors have also expanded.  So we can assert 
that Qatar did not catch the Dutch disease. Elas tic foreign labour supply facilitated avoidance 
of the Dutch disease symptoms that may have been  exported to some labour exporters countries. 
Indeed, Qatar has been rather witnessing pro- industrialization phenomenon rather than de-
industrialization symptoms as the oil and gas sector booms. The traditional strong Dutch 
disease effects could rather be seen in the case of no incoming labour.  
On other hand, Qatar has an open economy with  a perfectly convertible national currency . 
Traditionally Qatar has been a capital exporting country.  Even if returns to capital may have 
to be squeezed in the lagging sectors (which is  not the case), those capitals may be mobile 
enough to outflow, hence avoid the consequences of such a squeeze. 
Diversification:  on the economic diversification front, though facing difficulties other than 
Dutch disease effects, Qatar has been in a posi tion of continuing its diversification programs 
and competing for expansion of its import-substi tution and export market (fertilizers, steel, 
cement, tourism, and gas).  Although Qatar ca n sustain the economic oil growth model, the 
Qatari Government has more ambitious planne d diversification programs that are being 
implemented.  Furthermore, global compliance with WTO would improve and create access to a 
much more liberalized global market that woul d reduce costs of imports as trade barriers are 
reduced. 
Monetary Policy and the Financial Sectors: Qata r has adopted a de facto hard peg to the US 
dollar since 1980.  The peg has been highly credible  at all times since then. Thus the monetary 
policy has been necessarily accommodative. The Central Bank continues its endeavour in 
maintaining the money market interest rates in  tandem with the rates on major currencies in 
global financial centres while regulating the domestic liquidity in such a manner to secure 
monetary  stability and the stability of price levels . 
QUESTIONS FROM BRAZIL 
1) Qatar is not a member of the Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP) among developing 
countries. Given the importance of south-south trade to foster economic growth and improve 
developing countries share in global trade, does th e Qatari Government consider to accede to the 
System and take part in the "Sao Paulo Round"? 
ANSWER:  Qatar is not a member of the GSTP. However, it participates actively in South-
South trade.  It is worth noting that the trad e preferences offered  by the State of Qatar to 
developing countries exceeds those given under the GSTP. Moreover Qatar is looking forward 
to deepen cooperation with developing countri es. Qatar also presided over the G77 and China 
last year. Qatar will host the Second South Su mmit which is due to be held in June 2005 . 
2) According to the Secretariat Report (WT/TPR /S/144), Qatar is neither a signatory nor an 
observer to any of the WTO's plurilateral agr eements, including the Government Procurement 
agreement. What are the views of Qatar relating to  these agreements? Does Qatar consider that they 
bring burdensome obligations and/or  constraint Qatar's policy space? WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 32  
 
ANSWER:  Qatar is developing its institutio nal capacity and as it s economy becomes more 
diversified. It expects to pay closer attention to participating in these plurilateral agreements. 
Qatar has no views regarding the burdensomenes s of the plurilateral agreements nor on their 
potential constraints on the country's policy space . 
3) It is cited in the Secretariat Report that Qata r notified to the WTO that it had no laws and/or 
regulations on anti-dumping practices, subsidies a nd countervailing measures. Does Qatar intend to 
implement domestic legislation on this matter in orde r to improve the transparency in its trade policy? 
ANSWER:  Qatar is in a process of  implementing regulations of the anti-dumping law .  
4)  In accordance to WT/TPR/S/144, except for en try and temporary stay of managers, specialists 
and skilled technicians.  Qatar made no commitment s on the movement of natu ral persons, although it 
benefits from the presence of a significant foreign working population, estimated at 70% of the labour 
force. In this regard, does the Qatari Govern ment intend to improve its commitments on GATS 
Mode 4? 
ANSWER:  Qatar has been taking certain measu res such as providing visas at airport and 
allowing international engineering companies to open offices in Doha. Qatar is participating in 
negotiations  of all sectors of services and it w ill take decision in this matter according to the 
requirement of submitting the initial off er and  request in the ongoing negotiations .  
5)  Still in accordance to with WT/TPR/S/144, a program launched on 1 June 2000 by the MET, 
called Quality Qatarization, was aimed at increasing th e share of "quality, competent" Qatari nationals 
in the energy and industry sector to 50% by the end of 2005. Are there any specific plans to increase 
the national labour force participation in other sectors? 
ANSWER:  Qatar has a program to encourage Qata ri nationals to work in many areas of the 
private sector such as banking, insurance,  communication, electricity and water etc . 
6)  According to the Government Report (WT/ TPR/G/144), The main goal of Qatar's economic 
policy is to achieve sustainable economic growth in partnership w ith the private sector. However, 
according to WT/TPR/S/144, several state-owned co mpanies in Qatar dominate services activities and 
still operate under monopoly, or hold exclusive right s in some branches of the sector. These include 
Qatar Telecom, Qatar Postal Corporation and Qatar Airways, which are not scheduled for 
privatization.  Does Qatar consider any sort of  partnership between these companies and the private 
sector? 
ANSWER:  The above mentioned entities are curren tly sub-contracting activities to both local 
and foreign firms in the private sector. This pr actice is expected to increase in the future .   
7)  Still in accordance to the W'T/TPR/S/144, the Qatari authorities have recently been 
implementing measures to improve the investment c limate in the country. Nevertheless, it is stated 
that foreign investment is still not allowed in banking, insurance, commercial representation, and 
purchase of real estate; and foreign equity is limite d to 49% in the remaining sectors. Why are foreign 
companies excluded from investing in these sector s?  Are there any plans to abolish selective 
restrictions to FDI? 
ANSWER:  Please refer to the answer to the US  questions 1a, 1b. The Council of Ministers 
recently approved the establishment of the Qatar International Business and Financial Centre. 
The remaining step is the endorsement of H.H. th e Emir of the State of Qatar.  A new law was 
issued allowing foreigners to purchase up to 25% of publicly traded shares in Doha Securities 
Market . WT/TPR/M/144/Add.1 
Page 33 
 
 
8) Regarding paragraphs 27 to 29 in Chapter III (WT/TPR/S/ 144), is there any kind of register 
required from Qatar importers for import licensing ?  If that is the case, which are the required 
procedures for obtaining it? 
ANSWER:  There is no import license regime requirements. However for certain products 
there might be specific procedures to ensure public health or national security . 
9)  With respect to paragraphs 27 to 29 in Chapter III (WT/TPR/S/144), could Qatar inform the 
value of licensing fees to cover administrative expenses with the processing of documents'.? 
ANSWER:  See answer above, 8) . 
10)  According to paragraph 29 of Chapter III (WTITPR/S'144), permits are required for special 
goods. Could Qatar please provide a list of those goods with their respective Harmonized System 
code? 
ANSWER:  The list of those goods has been  fo rwarded to the secretariat, and this will be 
circulated shortly . 
11)  Paragraph 29 of Chapter III (WT/TPR/S144) informs that Qatar maintains both preferential 
and non-preferential rules of origin. Could Qatar in form which authorities are responsible for issuing 
certificates of origin in case they are needed? 
ANSWER:  Non preferential certificates of rules of  origin are issued by the Qatar Chamber of 
Commerce. Preferential certificates of rules of or igin are also issued by the Qatar Chamber of 
Commerce and certified by Ministry of Econom y and Commerce. The National Committee on 
the rules of origin established by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Ministry of Industry, Custom Authority in addition to Qa tar Chamber of Commerce, has responsibility for 
setting the rules of origin . 
__________