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U.S. Department of State  
Qatar Country Commercial Guide  
Office of the Coordinator for Business Affairs  
 
 
                                COUNTRY COMMERCIAL GUIDE 
                                         Qatar 
                                   Fiscal Year 1996 
 
This Country Commercial Guide (CCG) presents a comprehensive look at 
Qatar's commercial environment through economic, political and market 
analyses.   
 
The CCGs were established by recommendation of the Trade Promotion 
Coordinating Committee (TPCC), a multi-agency task force, to consolidate 
various reporting documents prepared for the U.S. business community.  
Country Commercial Guides are prepared annualy at U.S. Embassies through 
the combined efforts of several U.S. governement agencies.   
 
Table of Contents: 
 
Chapter I.  Executive Summary 
 
Chapter II.  Economic Trends and Outlook 
-  Major Trends and Outlook 
-  Principal Growth Sectors 
-  Government Role in the Economy 
-  Balance of Payments Situation 
 
Chapter III.  Political Environment 
-  Nature of Bilateral Relationship with the United States 
 
Chapter IV.  Marketing of U.S. Products and Services 
-  Distribution and Sales Channels 
-  Use of Agents/Distributors 
-  Franchising/licensing 
-  Steps to Establishing an Office 
-  Selling Factors and Techniques 
-  Advertising and Trade Promotion 
-  Pricing a Product 
-  Selling to the Government 
-  Protecting your product from IPR Infringement 
-  Need for a local attorney 
 
Chapter V.  Leading Sectors for U.S. Exports and Investment 
-  Best Prospects for Non-Agricultural Goods and Services 
-  Best Prospects for Agricultural Products 
-  Significant Investment Opportunities  
 
Chapter VI.  Trade Regulations and Standards 
-  Trade Barriers 
-  Tariffs 
-  Import Licenses 
-  Import/Export Documentation 
-  Temporary Entry 
-  Labeling 
-  Prohibited Imports 
 
Chapter VII.  Investment Climate 
-  Openness to Foreign Investment 
-  Conversion and Transfer Policies 
-  Expropriation and Compensation 
-  Dispute Settlement 
-  Political Violence 
-  Performance Requirements/Incentives 
-  Right to Private Ownership and Establishment 
-  Protection of Property Rights 
-  Regulatory System:  Laws and Procedures 
-  Bilateral Investment Agreements 
-  OPIC and Other Investment Insurance Programs 
-  Labor 
-  Foreign Trade Zones/Free Ports 
-  Capital Outflow Policy 
 
Chapter VIII.  Trade and Project Financing 
 
Chapter IX.  Business Travel 
-  Business hours 
-  Holidays 
-  Entry Visa Requirements 
-  Transportation 
-  Communications 
-  Housing 
-  Health 
-  Food 
 
Chapter X.  Appendices 
-  Appendix A:  Country Data 
-  Appendix B:  Domestic Economy 
-  Appendix C:  Trade 
-  Appendix D:  Investment statistics 
-  Appendix E:  U.S. and Country Contacts 
-  Appendix F:  Market Research 
-  Appendix G:  Trade Event Schedule 
 
 
Chapter I.  Executive Summary 
 
As is the case in the nearby Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, the 
Qatari economy has started to recover and will probably register a 
positive growth rate in 1995 after some decline in 1993-94 caused by 
weak oil prices and reduced oil  production potential. As crude oil 
prices are expected to be nearly US$ 2 higher than 1994, the oil sector 
in Qatar will reverse a downward trend which prevailed throughout 
previous years. 
 
The Government of Qatar (GOQ) is the largest (and, in some cases, the 
only) importer and end-user of a wide range of products and services in 
the country.  It is also the largest employer of Qatari and expatriate 
manpower in the Qatari marketplace.  Other economic and commercial 
activities are, therefore, heavily dependent upon GOQ spending.  
However, recent sharp cuts in government expenditure have had a 
depressive effect on the public sector itself and offset growth in other 
sectors. In order to finance the huge costs of developing its immense 
natural gas reserves in the North Gas field, the State-owned Qatar 
General Petroleum Corporation (QGPC) has resorted to foreign loans and 
entered into foreign equity participation agreements with leading oil 
companies, such as Mobil Oil (USA), Total (France), Mitsui and Marubeni 
(Japan).  Agreements with the U.S. firm Enron, and others are also being 
considered. 
 
While Phase I development (800 million cu. ft. per day for domestic 
purposes) is already completed (US$ 1.5 billion), Qatar Liquefied 
Natural Gas Company (Qatargas) (6 million m. tons per year), will begin 
shipping liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Japan in 1997.  Another project, 
the Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company (Rasgas) (10 million m. 
tons per year), is in progress. 
 
The assumption of power by Qatar's new Amir is viewed by many observers 
as a step towards opening up the way for foreign investors as well as 
privatization of several GOQ entities.  More U.S. and other 
international oil companies are expected to enter into Qatar's oil 
industry, for enhancing oil production levels in the producing onshore 
and offshore stations.  While Occidental (U.S.) has already entered into 
a standard production sharing agreement with QGPC to enhance oil 
production in one of the offshore fields, the U.S. firms Pennzoil and 
ARCO have likewise entered into standard production sharing agreements 
for oil and gas exploration operations in two specific offshore areas in 
Qatar's territorial waters.  Further offers from various sources for 
enhancement of oil recovery as well as oil and gas exploration are under 
serious consideration by QGPC. 
 
U.S. exports to Qatar reached US$ 220 million in 1993, the second 
highest level ever in the country's 23 years of independence.  These 
data do not include services, for which no official records are 
available.  U.S. exports to Qatar in 1993 represent an increase of about 
400 percent above their level in 1973, the year Qatar began experiencing 
its first economic boom and development.  The United States has 
maintained, for the third consecutive year, its position of second major 
supplier to Qatar, the role traditionally maintained by the U.K.  While 
Japan continues to occupy the first position, the gap is narrowing 
gradually. 
 
Major business opportunities for the United States in Qatar stand out in 
the liquefaction of natural gas (LNG), an industry that looms over all 
other projects in Qatar.  Other sectors include:  oil and gas 
exploration, enhancement of oil recovery, power generation and water 
desalination, medical and pharmaceutical equipment and supplies, 
computers and communications. 
 
High value U.S. food products with strong market potential in Qatar 
include frozen poultry (parts and whole birds), hot sauces, salad 
dressings and dips, frozen beef, snack foods, coffee whiteners, frozen 
vegetables, biscuits and crackers, ice cream and fresh apples and pears.  
In addition, growth in the local food processing industry is driving 
demand for semi-processed products such as beverage bases, snack foods, 
specialty flours and a variety of food ingredients. 
  
American products and technology are well-respected in Qatar.  U.S. 
firms interested in doing business in Qatar or expanding their presence 
here need to be aggressive and competitive.   Selection of the proper 
local agent as well as personal visits and contacts have proved to be 
very good initial steps.  Country Commercial Guides are available on the 
National Trade Data Bank on CD-ROM or through the Internet.  Please 
contact STAT-USA at 1-800-STAT-USA for more information.  To locate 
Country Commercial Guides via the Internet, please use the following 
world wide web address:  WWW.STAT-USA.GOV.  CCGs can also be ordered in 
hard copy or on diskette from the National Technical Information Service 
(NTIS) at 1-800-553-NTIS. 
 
 
Chapter II.  Economic Trends and Outlook 
 
Major Trends and Outlook:  The Qatari economy is undergoing a period of 
reform and uncertainty.  During the years 1993-1994 and early 1995, the 
economy posted no worthwhile growth. In Qatar, economy is sensitive to 
government spending, because the Government of Qatar (GOQ) is the main, 
if not the only, end-user of a wide range of products and services.  In 
its turn, the GOQ's public spending is sensitive to fluctuations in oil 
productions and international market price levels.  The downward trend 
in the latter was responsible for the decreasing revenues from oil 
exports to the Far East and Europe. 
 
Operating through the Ministry of Energy and Industry and the State-
owned Qatar General Petroleum Corporation (QGPC), the GOQ, under the 
leadership of the new Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, is 
determined to invite international expertise to enhance oil production 
from aging onshore and offshore oil wells.  Standard production sharing 
agreements were reached with three U.S. oil companies to enhance oil 
recovery and/or explore additional sources in 1994. 
 
As an alternative source of revenue, the North Gas Field development 
looms over all other present and future projects in Qatar.  Phase One 
development (800 million cubic ft/day, for domestic purposes only) was 
inaugurated on September 3, 1991.  Phase II development, now in 
progress, is known as the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) stage.  Formed by 
QGPC and four other equity partners - American, French and Japanese -  
the Qatar Liquefied Natural Gas Company (Qatargas) is due to launch its 
first shipment of LNG to Japan in early 1997.  Qatargas is being 
designed to produce and export 6 million m. tons of LNG per year.  
Another, and larger, joint venture for production and export of LNG, the 
Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company (Rasgas), is now in progress.  
Rasgas is owned 70 percent by QGPC and 30 percent by Mobil Oil (U.S.A.). 
 
Other LNG joint ventures are under consideration. 
 
Principal Growth Sectors:  According to latest official data issued by 
the Central Statistical organization (CSO), Qatar's GDP in 1993 was 
estimated at Qatari Riyals (QR) 26,183 million (US$ 7,173 million).  
This represents a decrease of 5.9 percent below the 1992 estimates of QR 
27,832 million (US$ 7,625 million).  The lower rate of input by the oil 
sector in 1993 is a principal factor in the lower GDP for that year. 
 
Revenues from oil exports to the Far East and Europe in 1993 and 1994 
witnessed a sharp decline due to a steep drop in both oil production and 
price levels.  In 1993 alone, the international oil spot market rate 
dropped by 11.5 percent.  As a result, the oil sector's contribution to 
the GDP dropped from QR 9,969 (US$ 2,731 million) in 1992 to QR 8,480 
million (US$ 2,323 million) in 1993, a decline of 14.9 percent.  This 
decline is significant because in Qatar, the oil sector alone accounts 
for over one third of the country's GDP.  Non-oil sector input to the 
GDP in 1993 reached QR 17,703 million (US$ 4,850 million) in 1993, 
against QR 17,863 million (US$ 4,894 million) in 1992, a decline of 
nearly 0.9 percent. 
 
Over the past few years, the relative importance of the non-oil sector 
in the country's GDP ranged from 63 to 69 percent.  A review of the 
performance of the non-oil sector and sub-sectors indicate that 
agriculture and fishing, electricity and water, building and 
construction, and communications have all recorded increases in 1993, 
ranging from 1.5 to 10.4 percent.  The sub-sectors with negative growth 
in 1993 include manufacturing industries and services (trade, 
restaurants and hotels), at the rate of 8.9 and 2.8 percent 
respectively. 
 
Government Role in the Economy:  In Qatar, the Government is the main 
end-user of a wide range of products and services.  The GOQ's 
procurement policy is based on standard tender procedures.  In order for 
foreign firms to participate in those tenders, they must  first have a 
local agent.  In evaluating tenders, the Central Tenders Committee of 
the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Commerce gives 10 percent 
preference to products of national Qatari origin, and 5 percent to 
products of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) origin.  According to a 
reciprocity agreement among the GCC states, products of GCC origin are 
exempted from customs duties.  Except for steel, along with tobacco and 
cigarettes,  all general merchandise is subject to 4 percent customs 
duties.  The current rate of customs duties for steel is 20 percent, 10 
percent for hi-fi equipment and 50 percent for tobacco and cigarettes. 
 
The Qatari economy is sensitive to GOQ spending which, in its turn, is 
sensitive to revenues from oil and other sectors.  Because of steeply 
declining levels of oil production and revenue, the GOQ budgets 
throughout the past several years have continued to suffer from a 
persisting annual deficit ranging from QR 3,285 million (US$ 900 
million) to QR 5.5 (US$ 1.5 billion).  The current budget covering the 
period April 1, 1995 to March 31, 1996, is no exception.  The 
development of the country's huge reserves of natural gas in the North 
Field, off the northern coast of Qatar, has been carried out through 
long-term foreign finance packages.  Further development of country's 
LNG industry will have to be carried out on the same basis.  Until the 
GOQ starts earning revenues from LNG exports to Japan and other markets 
as an alternative source to oil revenues, Qatar's economy will continue 
to suffer from restrained public spending, which leads to recessionary 
conditions in both public and private sectors. 
 
Balance of Payments Situation:  According to recently released official 
data for 1994, Qatar's imports have increased, while exports declined 
slightly. 
 
For the fourth year in a row, Qatar's balance of payments have continued 
to suffer from a deficit ranging from QR 431 million (US$ 118 million) 
in 1992 to QR 1,970 (US$ 540 million) in 1993. 
 
The following is a review of the basic components of Qatar's balance of 
payments for 1993 (latest available data): 
 
-  A.  The trade balance surplus decreased from QR 6,264 million (US$ 
1,716 million) in 1992 to QR 4,696 (US$ 1,287 million) in 1993 and QR 
4,440 million (US$ 1,216 million) in 1994.  This resulted from a higher 
rate of decrease in value of exports than in the value of imports.  
Exports declined from QR 13,600 million (US$ 3,726 million) in 1992 to 
QR 11,578 million (US$ 3,172 million) in 1993 and QR 11,450 million (US$ 
3,137 million) in 1994.  In their turn, imports decreased from QR 7,336 
million (US$ 2,010 million) in 1992 to QR 6,882 million (US$ 1,885 
million) in 1993, while rising to QR 7,010 million (US$ 1,921 million) 
in 1994. 
 
-  B.  Services and private transfers:  This component which also 
includes invisible transactions, registered an increased deficit of QR 
6,740 million (US$ 1,847 million) in 1993, against QR 6,675 million (US$ 
1,829 million) in 1992.  This deficit more than absorbed the surplus in 
the trade balance, leading to an overall deficit worth QR 1,809 million 
(US$ 496 million) in the current account balance in 1993, against a 
deficit of only QR 31 million (US$ 8.5 million) in 1992. 
 
-  C.  Net Capital Transfers (Private and Official):  This component, 
which represents net foreign borrowing and repayments, as well as both 
official and private investments, posted a decreased deficit of QR 161 
million (US$ 44 million) in 1993, against a deficit of QR 400 million 
(US$ 110 million) in 1992, a decrease of 59.8 percent.  Net capital 
transfers represent 8.2 percent of total deficit in 1993, compared with 
92.8 percent in 1992. 
 
-  D.  Balance of Payments (Surplus/deficit):  Developments in the above 
components have led to a negative impact on the balance of the banking 
sector transactions represented by changes in net foreign assets held by 
the commercial banks and the GOQ.  No data are available.  The balance 
of payments deficit decreased from  QR 431 million (US$ 118 million) in 
1992 to QR 1,970 million (US$ 540 million) in 1993. 
 
 
Chapter III.  Political Environment 
 
A member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Qatar is one of the 
smaller Arabian Gulf states in terms of population and area. 
 
Since independence from Britain in 1971, and the accession of the former 
Amir, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani in 1972, and of his son and heir 
apparent Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani on June 27, 1995, the country 
has operated under a provisional constitution enacted in 1970.  This 
constitution declared Qatar as an independent Arab state with Islam as 
its national religion, the Islamic Sharia as the main source of law, and 
Arabic as its official language. 
 
According to the provisional constitution, the Amir, as the Head of 
State, enjoys both executive and legislative powers.  He promulgates 
laws through the advice of the Council of Ministers, which comprises 
heads of Qatar's 15 ministries, and consults with the country's Advisory 
Council (Parliament), a semi-legislative body composed of 30 members 
appointed by the Amir who represent the leading families of Qatar. 
 
The Council of Ministers (Cabinet) proposes draft laws regulating the 
country's foreign and internal policies, as well as the financial and 
administrative affairs of the State.  It also drafts the Amir's decrees 
required to implement these laws.  The Advisory Council reviews laws and 
regulations passed by the Cabinet.  Final approval for proposed laws is 
given only by the Amir. 
 
Political Issues Affecting Business Climate:  As is the case in nearby 
GCC states, Qatar has no political parties and consequently no political 
elections of any kind.  Yet, the country has been politically stable and 
there has been no political domestic issue which could impact on the 
country's business climate. 
 
However, the business climate in Qatar is very sensitive to the 
Government's economic and financial policies which are, in their turn, 
sensitive to OPEC-mandated policies and oil prices in international 
markets.  Declining levels of oil exports and revenues have brought 
about a drastic reduction in the Government's spending on major 
projects. 
 
In Qatar, the Government is the main buyer and end-user of a wide range 
of products and services.  The private sector follows where the public 
sector leads.  Several private firms were unable to weather the 
recession of the mid-1980s.  Significantly, only the  financially-secure 
larger businesses survived the economic slump beginning in the late 
1980s, despite a lower level of turnover and profit.  The Government's 
current spending on developing the North Gas Field has yet to  make an 
impact on the private sector.  The overwhelming majority of contracts 
for engineering services and products required in development of Qatar's 
liquefied natural gas industry have been won by firms offering 
comprehensive financing packages with their offers. 
 
Nature of Bilateral Relationship with the United States:  The United 
States and Qatar have traditionally enjoyed warm relations.  United 
States companies have gained a sizeable market share for a variety of 
products and services and the U.S. company Mobil is actively engaged in 
assisting Qatar develop its LNG export industry. 
 
Qatar cooperated with the United States during the 1991 allied effort to 
liberate Kuwait, and suffered combat loss.  Like the United States, 
Qatar is concerned about security of the Gulf and has supported 
bilateral agreements to enhance that security. 
 
 
Chapter IV.  Marketing U.S. Products and Services 
 
Distribution and Sales Channels:  U.S. firms interested in selling their 
products and services in the Qatari market should adhere to provisions 
of Law No. 4 (1986), which deals with local agency arrangements, and Law 
No. 25 (1990), which deals with foreign equity participation.  The two 
laws and related regulations highlight the necessity of having a local 
agent or representative as a sales channel for promoting products and 
services in the local market.  Officially, such a requirement is not 
applicable to foreign suppliers of capital goods and services to the 
Qatari Armed Forces and the police force. 
 
Many food importers are generally also wholesalers, distributors, and 
retailers.  Major fruit and vegetable importers also import eggs.  A 
handful of large local companies tend to dominate sales.  In Qatar, 
consumer cooperative stores account for about 25 percent of total food 
retail sales. 
 
There is growing demand among processors and packers for bulk shipments 
of semi-processed food products for final processing and packaging, 
especially corn oil, tree nuts, dairy products, fruit juices, and snack 
foods.  Imported U.S. beef products are mostly purchased by hotels, 
restaurants and catering companies. 
 
Use of Agents/Distributors:  Finding a partner:  The local agent or 
representative must be a Qatari national or a company with at least 51 
percent Qatari ownership.  All goods imported to Qatar for sale must be 
imported by a holder of an import license which is issued only to Qatari 
citizens by the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Commerce. 
 
Because it is a very difficult and time-consuming process to change a 
local agent or representative, selection of those agents should be given 
serious consideration.  It should be done on the basis of personal 
visits to this market and by reviewing the nominated agent's potential.  
A well-selected agent in Qatar would have extensive contacts in both 
public and private sectors, enabling him to collect valuable information 
on upcoming Government tenders.  A local agent should be able to 
introduce products and services of his foreign suppliers to key 
government officials. 
 
In Qatar, the Government is the largest end-user of a wide range of 
products and services.  The Government's procurement process is based on 
standard tender procedures.  A foreign supplier wishing to participate 
in government tenders should go through a local representative who can 
be easily called upon for any kind of contact with foreign suppliers.  
In many cases, bid and performance bonds are required to be presented by 
the foreign suppliers and guaranteed by local agents. 
 
It is common practice in Qatar and other Arabian Gulf countries to 
appoint an exclusive agent or representative as a sales channel.  While 
applicable to selling products, this practice may involve some risk in 
the case of services.  U.S. firms are advised to have local agents or 
representatives for their services on a project-to-project basis, since 
a local agent or representative may be very well-connected in some 
areas, but not in others.  Although exclusive for a specific project, 
representation on a project-to-project basis provides legal space and 
grounds for foreign suppliers to change agents as deemed necessary. 
 
U.S. firms are strongly advised to avoid appointing one regional agent 
to cover all the Arabic Gulf countries.  They should deal directly 
through a Qatari citizen or firm as agent.  Establishing a regional 
agent was the more acceptable procedure prior to Qatar's independence 
from Britain in 1971.  However, today Qataris view an exclusive agency 
as a matter of prestige.  They like to meet key officers of the foreign 
firm, and they feel that the amount of interest displayed by the foreign 
firm in the form of frequent visits makes the difference between winning 
or losing a major contract. 
 
When finally approved by both parties, agency or representation 
agreements should be registered with the Commercial Registration 
Department of the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Commerce.  The local 
agents usually follow up on the routine work required by the Ministry 
regulations.  The Ministry also has responsibility for arbitrating 
between parties in disputes relating to an agency agreement.  The local 
civil courts look into disputes which are beyond the Ministry to 
resolve. 
 
Local agency laws prohibit the importation and sale of brand name food 
products by other than the principal agent. 
 
Franchising/licensing:  This is another promising sales channel for U.S. 
goods and services in the Qatari market.  Qatar has no special rules or 
regulations governing either licensing or franchising operations.  
Moreover, there are no restrictions on the payment of fees and 
royalties.  However, U.S. firms interested in licensing or franchising 
their operations in Qatar should identify local agents.  The 
restrictions and precautions which apply in the case of  appointing 
local agents for products and services also apply here.  The current 
five U.S. franchise operations in Qatar (mainly fast food services) are 
reported to be doing well in a market of no more than 400,000 
inhabitants. 
 
Steps to Establishing an Office:  The local agent requirement applies to 
all foreign firms interested in doing business in Qatar.  This 
requirement applies to foreign firms wishing to establish a branch in 
Qatar for a mother company abroad, as well as those foreign firms 
entering into a joint venture on a basis of up to 49 percent foreign 
equity and no less than 51 percent local equity . The foreign firm, 
together with the local agent, should apply for official registration of 
the agency, the joint venture or the branch office, with the Commercial 
Registration Department of the Ministry of Finance, Economy and 
Commerce.  Fees are minimal;  original copies of the related agreements 
between the foreign firms and their local partners are required.  This 
process may take up to two weeks, unlike the procedure for registration 
of trademarks, which may require several months to complete. 
 
Acquiring the business practice permit is more time consuming than 
registration of agency agreements.  This permit is issued by the 
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture.  Copies of agency and 
commercial registration are required when applying for the business 
permit.  Moreover, the Ministry often conducts a check on the location 
and residence permit of the foreign representative involved in the 
permit under consideration.  Naturally, the local agent should be the 
local sponsor for the foreign representative' residence permit, which is 
issued by the Immigration/Passport Department of the Ministry of 
Interior. 
 
Selling Factors and Techniques:  It is important to stress quality, 
since U.S. industrial and food products tend to be higher priced than 
similar products from other origins.  Qatari consumers recognize the 
high quality of the U.S. products and are willing to pay a premium for 
such products.  Arabic labels are required. U.S. companies willing to 
print Arabic labels and provide promotional and marketing assistance 
will have a competitive edge.  Face-to-face contact can significantly 
increase the chances of establishing successful business relations. 
 
Advertising and Trade Promotion (including listing of major newspapers 
and business journals):  The business framework which U.S. firms are 
accustomed to has been developed to a good extent in Qatar.  While trade 
statistical data is the responsibility of the Government-appointed 
Central Statistical Organization (CSO), several private advertising 
firms are now equipped to handle promotional activities. 
 
Most publications in Qatar, including three Arabic and one English 
dailies, as well as three weekly magazines, have a large readership.  
These include:  "Al-Sharq" (P.O. Box 3488); "Al-Arab" and "Al-Orouba" 
(P.O. Box 633):"Gulf Times" and "Arrayah" (P.O. Box 533); and "Akhbar 
Al-Ousbou" (P.O. Box 4869).  The State-owned radio, Qatar Broadcasting 
Corporation (QBS), established in 1968, broadcasts on medium-wave, 
short-wave and FM frequencies.   Most broadcasts on the medium-wave are 
in Arabic.  The FM stereo station which transmits for about 18 hours 
daily is mainly used for English programs.  There are no private radio 
stations.  Unlike the State-owned television, Qatar Television (QTV), 
QBS is yet to introduce advertisements in its programs.  The TV station, 
comprising Arabic and English  channels, broadcasts pre-recorded 
commercials.  Further information on advertising in these two separate 
channels can be obtained from the Advertising Department, Qatar 
Television, P.O. Box 1944, Doha, State of Qatar. 
 
Pricing a Product:  The average importer markup on food products is 
about 10-15 percent.  Retail food prices are generally 20-30 percent 
above import/wholesale prices. 
 
Selling to the Government:  In Qatar, the Government is the main end-
user of a wide range of products and services.  All Government 
procurement controls are let under provisions of bidding and tender 
regulations included in Law no. 8 for the year 1979.  The Government's 
standard procurement tender process is divided into two sections.  The 
Central Tender Committee (CTC) of the Ministry of Finance, Economy and 
Commerce handles procurement worth US$ 12,000 and above.  Procurement 
below this amount is usually processed by in-house tender committees in 
each ministry.  U.S. firms interested in selling products and services 
to the Government should go through local agents.  Exemptions exist in 
case of selling capital goods and services to the Ministry of Defense. 
 
Under the direction of the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Commerce, 
CTC handles the bidding process and awarding of contracts.  The Ministry 
of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture, which replaced the former Ministry 
of Public Works, is the principal construction supervisor of the Qatari 
government.  It supervises contracts for civil construction and highway 
projects.  The Ministry of Energy and Industry and the Ministry of 
Electricity and Water supervise certain projects in their specialized 
fields. 
 
As a general rule, the Government of Qatar does not award turnkey 
contracts, preferring to award separate contracts to consultants.  The 
role of the consultant (usually a foreign firm) includes, among other 
things, the task of short-listing firms to be invited to bid for 
projects.  Contracts for small projects worth about US$ 80,000 or less 
are awarded only to local contractors or merchants who are officially 
registered with the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Commerce.  CTC 
normally invites pre-qualification documents from short-listed foreign 
and/or local contractors or merchants for larger projects.  The 
government announces invitations to pre-qualify in local and/or foreign 
papers and occasionally through Qatari embassies abroad.  Law No. 8 for 
the year 1977 provides for classification of contractors by a committee 
operating under CTC.  The classification process is based on the firm's 
financial strength, business reputation and experience.  Although 
preference should go to lowest bids meeting all specifications, CTC has 
in practice waived this rule on various occasions without providing the 
reason. 
 
Bid and performance bonds are required in the form of unconditional 
guarantees with a local bank.  The standard bid bond is 5 percent and 
performance bond is 10 percent of the contract.  However, the above rate 
can be larger for certain projects. Foreign firms are not required to 
have a local agent for the bid process.  However, by the time a contract 
is ready to be signed, participating foreign firms should have already 
honored the local agent requirement.   U.S. firms are advised that a 
well connected local agent can be an asset, even during the bidding 
process. 
 
The State Purchase Office (SPO), a division of CTC, handles all local 
purchase orders (LPO's) for equipment and supplies required by various 
Government ministries.  SPO handles bids worth hundreds of millions of 
dollars every year.  The period for preparation of quotations is usually 
30 days and very often less than three weeks after the announcement of 
tenders.  Under these circumstances, an already established local agency 
arrangement is crucial for successful bidding. 
 
Also known as SPO, the Special Projects Office located at the Office of 
the Head of State handles private construction projects related to the 
residences of the Head of State and immediate members of his family.  
The Special Projects Office, which is controlled entirely by the Office 
of the Head of State, employs its own engineering consultants, who 
invite pre-qualification documents from local and foreign firms for each 
project, and prepare a shortlist of contractors.  The Special Projects 
Office also acts as the engineering supervisor for these specific 
projects. 
 
Government contracts normally include arbitration clauses.  Unless 
stated otherwise in the contract, the standard clauses stipulate that 
disputes emanating from government contracts will be subject to 
arbitration in Qatar.  U.S. firms are advised to reserve the right to 
resort to appeal local arbitration decisions abroad whenever possible. 
 
Foreign and local contractors are usually paid 20 percent of the 
contract awarded to them against unconditional bank guarantees.  Further 
payments are made according to the progress of the project.  Foreign and 
local contractors have had mixed experience with delayed payments 
without interest. 
 
Arabic is the official language in Qatar though English is widely used.  
Bids should be in Arabic unless specifically indicated in the tender 
document that English is required.  Specifications have been generally 
made to conform with British/European standards.  This situation is 
gradually changing as more Qatari students go the United States for 
higher education and come back to replace retiring British advisors in 
the areas of power generation and water desalination, public works, 
municipal planning and physical development plan preparation. 
 
Protecting your product from IPR Infringement:  Apart from the GATT, 
Qatar is not a member of any international convention in which the 
United States participates on the subject of patents, trademarks or 
copyright protection. Qatar's Law No. 3 for the year 1978, known as "The 
Law of Trademarks and Commercial Indications" provides provisions for 
trademark registration and penalties for infringement.  In practice, 
protection is afforded by advertising a cautionary notice in Qatar's 
daily newspapers.  There are no patent laws in effect in Qatar.  As is 
the case with trademarks, protection is afforded by advertising a 
cautionary notice in local dailies. 
 
On July 22, 1995, the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, 
issued the long-awaited Law No. 25 for the year 1995 concerning 
protection of intellectual property and copyrights. The law will take 
effect from September 22, 1995 and will be enforced by a special agency 
called the "Bureau of Protecting the Intellectual Property and 
Copyrights", to be set up within the Department of Censorship at the 
Ministry of Information and Culture. 
 
Need for a local attorney:  A list of local attorneys is provided below 
(Qatar's country code is 974.  There are no area codes): 
 
Abdullah Essa Al-Ansari Law Office: 
Abdullah Essa Al-Ansari, (Qatari), P.O. Box 23399, Doha, Qatar 
Tel: 351-418/351-419/351-420 
Fax: 351-421 
Lawyers and legal consultants 
Languages:  English and Arabic 
 
Ali R.N. Al-Buainain, Attorney and Legal Consultants: 
Ali R.N. Al-Buainain (Qatari), P.O. Box 6764, Doha, Qatar 
Tel: 415-080/1 
Fax: 329-735 
Specializes in real estate, commercial, criminal and civil law. 
Languages:  Arabic 
 
Behzad Y. Behzad Law Office 
Behzad Y. Behzad, (Qatari), P.O. Box 869, Doha, Qatar 
Tel: 433-119/433-224 
Fax: 352-888/443-635 
Specializes in civil, maritime, insurance, trademark, construction and 
contract laws. 
Languages:  English and Arabic 
 
Hassan A. Al-Khater: 
Hassan A. Al-Khater (Qatari), P.O. Box 1737, Doha, Qatar (3rd Floor, 
Gemco Building, Suhaim bin Hamad St.) 
Tel: 437-770 
Fax: 437-772 
Full range of legal services.  UK educated. 
Languages:  English and Arabic 
 
Kabbani Law Office: 
Nizar Kabbani, (Lebanese), P.O. Box 8717, Embassy Street,  Al-Obaidly 
Tower, 4th Floor, Doha, Qatar 
Tel: 431-015 
Fax: 432-060 
Specializes in commercial and civil law 
Languages:  English, Arabic and French 
 
Majdalany and Partners Law Office: 
Gebran Majdalany,(Lebanese), P.O. Box 4004, Doha, Qatar 
Tel: 428-899 
Fax: 417-817 
Specializes in business law (commercial, banking, company law), civil 
law including building law, real estate, shipping,insurance 
Languages:  English, Arabic and French 
 
Mueen Aref Al-Akhal Law Office: 
Mueen Aref Al-Akhal, (Lebanese), P.O. Box 5922, Jaidah Tower,8th Flr, 
Doha, Qatar 
Tel: 424-856/421-620/(R)427-882   
Fax: 434-336 
Specializes in commercial law and civil law 
Languages:  English, Arabic, French 
 
Rashid Jassim Al-Buainin Law Office: 
Anthony Rutland, Consultant, P.O. Box 9393, Doha, Qatar 
Tel: 441-651/2 
Fax: 414-127 
Attorneys and legal consultants 
Languages:  English and Arabic 
 
Rouhani and Partners Law Office: 
Riad Rouhani, (Qatari), P.O. Box 8747, Doha, Qatar 
Tel: 425-815 
Fax: 441-428 
Specializes in criminal, labor and civil law 
Languages:  English, Arabic and French 
 
Sayel Daher Law Office: 
Sayel Mohammed Daher, (Jordanian), P.O. Box 5684, Doha, Qatar 
Tel: 415-080/1 
Fax: 443-930 
General practice.  Associated with Walker Martineau, Lawyers, London, UK 
Languages:  Arabic and English 
 
 
Chapter V.  Leading Sectors for U.S. Exports and Investment 
 
Best Prospects for Non-Agricultural Goods and Services: 
American business involvement in the Qatari market since the early 
1960's consisted principally of providing a wide range of products, 
including automotive and spare parts, as well as oil field supplies.  In 
recent years, however, American technology, products and services were 
imported by various sectors of the Qatari market, including those which 
were previously dominated by European suppliers.  Such sectors are 
electricity and water, oil and natural gas development and enhancement 
of recovery of these resources. 
 
Import of goods of U.S. origin which were reported at only US$ 45 
million in 1975, reached US$ 175 million in 1982 and peaked in 1992 at 
US$ 230 million.  U.S. engineering services rendered to the State-owned 
QGPC in 1990/91 reached the highest ever level of US$ 200 million, well 
above the US$ 100 million level in 1992.  Initial findings indicate that 
leading U.S. items exported to Qatar in the above mentioned peak years 
included passenger cars, oil/gas field equipment and supplies, medical 
equipment and supplies, pharmaceutical products, computers and 
foodstuffs. 
 
Although the oil boom in Qatar is clearly over, the next several years 
will witness further government spending on further phases of 
development of LNG and gas-intensive industrial projects, which utilize 
gas as fuel or feedstock.  The projects will generate significant 
economic opportunities for foreign engineering firms through to the year 
2010.  Spending on such projects by the Government of Qatar (GOQ) will 
have a locomotive effect on the entire economy. 
 
Table 5.1:  U.S. exports to Qatar (in millions of U.S. dollars) 
(Exchange rate:  US$ 1:00 for QR 3.65, as set by the GOQ in June 1980 
and unchanged since then.) 
                                                                  
SN   Category  Imports from the U.S.A. 
-                                        1992   1993    1994   1995 
-                                                      (est.)  (est.) 
                                                                  
1.  Machinery and transport equipment 
                                       163.28  158.13  146.20  162.88 
2.  Manufactured goods classified  
-   chiefly by materials                25.16   20.73   19.28   21.45 
3.  Miscellaneous manufactured  
-   goods                               14.88   15.00   14.00   15.45 
4.  Food and Live Animals                9.99    8.93    8.30    9.40 
5.  Chemicals and related products       9.19   10.28    9.70   10.69 
6.  Beverages and tobacco                5.76    5.10    4.74    5.26 
7.  Crude materials, inedible  
-   except fuels                         0.88    0.71    0.76    0.83 
8.  Mineral fuels, lubricants and  
-   related materials                    0.41    0.35    0.33    0.46 
9.  Animal and vegetable oils,  
-   fat and waxes                        0.17    0.05    0.05    0.05 
10.  Others                              0.04    0.28    0.29    0.29 
                                                                  
Total                                  229.76  219.56  203.65  226.76 
                                                                  
 
01 - Machinery and transport equipment (APS, AUT, BUS, CPT, CSF, ELP, 
OGM, TEL) 
 
This sector has usually occupied the leading position among U.S. exports 
to the Qatari market.  Since the early 90's, after the deletion from the 
Arab Boycott of Israel list, Ford Motors and Jeep Corporations have been 
able to export to Qatar.  This sector has shown a steady growth ranging 
from 10 to 20 percent throughout the past ten years.  Although Japan 
continues to occupy the number one position among all countries 
exporting vehicles to Qatar, its role is gradually declining due to the 
increasing exchange rate of the Japanese currency.This also applies to 
the German mark.  In Qatar, the U.S. dollar is the only currency with a 
fixed rate against the Qatari riyal. 
 
Also included in this sector are:  Office equipment, air-
conditioning/refrigeration, electric power generation equipment.  These 
are next only to motor vehicles as major fields of U.S. exports to 
Qatar. 
 
This sector is likely to continue to lead in terms of positive growth. 
 
02 - Manufactured Goods (IRN, PAP, TXF) 
 
Included in the above sector are:  Textile fabrics, paper products, and 
iron and steel related products.  Qatar's ready-made garments industry 
has witnessed significant expansion in recent years.  U.S. textile 
products are usually imported into Qatar for conversion into ready-made 
garments for export purposes.  Steel, iron, and paper are also imported 
by local industries mainly for re-production purposes. 
 
03 - Miscellaneous Manufactured Goods (BLD, FUR, FOT, GCG) 
 
Included in this sector are:  Various kinds of building and construction 
materials, furniture, travel accessories, footwear and apparel. 
 
04 - Foodstuffs (FOD) 
 
See Best Prospects for Agricultural Products below. 
 
05 - Chemicals and Related Products (DRG, COS, ICH) 
 
This sector includes mainly:  Oil field chemicals, pharmaceuticals and 
perfumes. 
 
06 - Beverages and Tobacco (FOD) 
 
Included in this sector are:  Various kinds of cigarettes, tobacco 
products and soft drinks concentrates.  While almost all well-known 
cigarettes are already represented in the local market, there seems to 
be room for more.  The same applies to imports of beverage concentrates 
and refreshment. 
 
Best Prospects for Agricultural Products: 
 
High value U.S. food products with strong market potential in Qatar 
include frozen poultry (parts and whole birds), hot sauces, salad 
dressings and dips, frozen beef, snack foods, coffee whiteners, frozen 
vegetables, biscuits and crackers, ice cream and fresh apples and pears.  
In addition, growth in the local food processing industry is driving 
demand for semi-processed products such as beverage bases, snack foods, 
specialty flours and a variety of food ingredients.  The local food 
processing industry will continue to expand offering export 
opportunities for semi-processed agricultural products.  Major growth 
sectors are beverages (juices and soft drinks), dairy products (ice 
cream and yogurt), vegetable oils and snack foods. 
 
Significant Investment Opportunities: 
 
The GOQ has yet to establish a statistical data for services imported 
into the country.  However,the U.S. services imported into Qatar have 
traditionally included engineering design, construction contracts, 
architectural contracts and oil/gas related services for exploration and 
enhancement or recovery operations. 
 
Listed below are areas of prospective services contracts which 
specialized U.S. firms may wish to keep in mind: 
 
A.  Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG):  Major projects:  With financial loans 
from Japan worth about US$ 3 billion, Qatar is currently spending about 
US$ 5 billion on developing its first LNG facility at Ras Laffan, north 
of Doha.  Known as Qatar Gas, the Qatar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) 
Company is, in fact, a partnership between the State-owned Qatar General 
Petroleum Corporation (QGPC) (65 percent), Mobil Oil (United States), 
(10 percent), Total (France) (10 percent), Marubeni and Mitsui (Japan) 
(7.5 percent each).  Still in the early stages of implementation, the 
second LNG facility, known as Ras Laffan LNG Company, is expected to 
cost about twice as much as the Qatar LNG project.  U.S. firms 
interested in following up on the Ras Laffan LNG project, a partnership 
between QGPC (70 percent) and Mobil Oil (30 percent), should immediately 
consider appointing local agents for any of the project's 
upstream/downstream contracts or sub-contracts.  The project's scope of 
work includes, but is not restricted to, drilling operations, well-head 
jackets, platforms, piping system (offshore/onshore), catering, LNG 
plant, tanks, tankers and related projects.  Further stages of 
development of the North Gas Field are under consideration. 
 
LNG projects loom over all other projects in Qatar.  It is strongly 
recommended that all offers presented to QGPC on LNG projects be 
associated with some kind of finance package.  It was due to carefully 
studied finance schemes that the Qatar LNG project was awarded to 
Japanese energy related firms.  Moreover, the Japanese firm Chubu 
Electric has already signed a selling purchasing agreement (SPA) with 
QGPC to purchase 4 million metric tons of LNG per year for 25 years as 
of 1997. 
 
Qatar Steel Company (QASCO):  QASCO is expected to decide by the end of 
1995 whether to proceed with a US$ 250 million expansion of its Umm Said 
plant. 
 
C.  Doha International Airport:  GOQ is likely to announce within the 
next few months whether a new international airport will be built.  It 
has also to decide whether to build the new airport on the same premises 
as the present Doha International Airport, or to build the new airport 
at another location in the country. 
 
In July 1992, GOQ awarded the new airport's engineering consultancy 
contract to the French firm Aeroports de Paris (ADP) at a cost of about 
QR 52 million (US$ 14.2 million).  The contract was awarded on the basis 
that the new airport would be built on the premises of the present one.  
The U.S. firm Turner Steiner was selected by GOQ as project manager. 
 
D.  Health care projects: 
 
D1.  Hospitals and health centers:  A new pediatric hospital, 350 beds, 
is scheduled to be built at an estimated cost of QR 135 million (US$ 37 
million).  A Qatari-Lebanese firm, Dar Al-Handasa, was awarded a 
contract in mid-1993 for detailed design work.  No progress is reported 
to date. 
 
D2.  Al-Ahli private hospital:  A license was given by GOQ in June 1992 
to a group of local investors to establish this hospital which will be 
the first private facility of its own in the country.  No progress is 
reported to date. 
 
D3.  Expansion of the State-owned Hamad General Hospital (660 beds):  
The expansion plans include laboratory and respiratory therapy building, 
accident/emergency building, oncology cancer treatment center, warehouse 
extension and laundry/central sterilization extension. 
 
D4.  Health clinics:  The Ministry of Public Health has plans for 
establishing six additional health clinics to service six suburbs of 
Doha and nearby locations. 
 
E.  Infrastructure:  Ras Laffan Industrial Area:  Government sources 
anticipate that this project may cost up to US$ 3 billion.  Ras Laffan 
area, north of Doha, is now witnessing major changes.  The LNG export 
port is now under construction.  Other natural gas intensive industries 
are scheduled to be established in that area.  No further information is 
available. 
 
F.  Private small projects under consideration: Pharmaceutical products, 
footwear, paper bags for cement and gypsum, gypsum boards, amino resins, 
graphite electrodes, ceramic tiles, aluminum foil, sodium sulphate. 
 
G.  Government buildings:  Three major construction projects for GOQ use 
are planned, to house the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of 
Municipal Affairs and Agriculture.  As with several other projects, the 
future of these will depend upon the perennial problem of availability 
of finance. 
 
The Government of the United States acknowledges the contribution that 
outward foreign direct investment makes to the U.S. economy.  U.S. 
foreign direct investment is increasingly viewed as a complement or even 
a necessary component of trade.  For example, roughly 60 percent of U.S. 
exports are sold by American firms that have operations abroad.  
Recognizing the benefits that U.S. outward investment brings to the U.S. 
economy, the Government of the United States undertakes initiatives, 
such as Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) programs, 
investment treaty negotiations, and business facilitation programs, that 
support U.S. investors. 
 
 
Chapter VI.  Trade Regulations and Standards 
 
Qatar recently became a member of the General Agreement on Tariffs and 
Trade (GATT).  Earlier it participated in GATT as an observer.  As a 
member of the GCC, it also participates in the Gulf Cooperation 
Council's (GCC) free trade arrangements, which provide duty-free access 
to all goods produced in GCC states, provided that the goods meet GCC 
content requirements (at least 40 percent value-added within GCC in 
plants which are at least 51 percent owned by GCC nationals).  GCC 
states have yet to integrate matters such as external tariffs, 
standardization of investment and industrial rules and regulations, and 
facilitation of intra-GCC travel.  Qatar also became a member of the 
World Trade Organization (WTO) on July 27, 1995. 
 
Qatar has been engaged through the GCC in trade and investment 
negotiations with the United States, the European Community and Japan.  
The dialogue initiated among them is on-going.  In addition to the GCC 
Economic Agreement (1983) signed among member states of the GCC, Qatar 
has signed economic/commercial agreements with Egypt and Tunisia in 
recent years.  While some slight progress has been made in carrying out 
the GCC economic agreement, there have been few developments on any of 
the other agreements.  Yet Qatar continues to hold discussions with many 
countries on improving trade ties and exchanges. 
 
Trade Barriers:  Internally, Qatar maintains a variety of trade barriers 
which can affect foreign investors.   Import of religiously or 
politically sensitive items may also be banned by the Government of 
Qatar (GOQ).  Tariffs are relatively low (4 percent on a very wide range 
of products).  Exceptions include cigarettes and steel.  Cigarettes 
carry a tariff of 50 percent, while the GOQ still maintains a high 
tariff level of 20 percent on steel imports in order to protect the 
State-owned Qatar Steel Company. 
 
Prior to closing down the Arab Boycott of Israel Office in Doha in early 
1995, the GOQ deleted unilaterally some giant foreign firms, including 
some U.S. corporations, from the blacklist.  Moreover, Qatar has moved 
to lift the secondary and tertiary aspects of the boycott.  Further 
action will be linked to progress in Middle East peace process. 
 
All importers are required by law to have an import license for almost 
all products.  Such import licenses are issued only to Qatari nationals.  
Even in the case of joint ventures between foreign and Qatari partners, 
agency/dealership agreements issued by foreign suppliers can be 
registered only in the name of the Qatari partner in the Commercial 
Registration Department of the Ministry of Finance, Economy and 
Commerce.  Foreign investors entering into a joint venture with Qatari 
partners are allowed a maximum of 49 percent interest in the business. 
 
Taken together, the above represents a formidable array of privileges 
and preferences, which disadvantage a foreign investor in the Qatari 
market.  Despite stated fines and penalties, the practice of a Qatari 
illegally lending his name to a foreign-owned/operated business has been 
common, but on a reduced scale in recent years. 
 
Current laws and regulations of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and 
Agriculture and the Ministry of Public Health require labeling and 
marking requirements to be honored, especially where import of 
foodstuffs is concerned.  Arabic labels should clearly show name and 
address of producers, dates of production and expiry, contents and 
components.  Shelf life validity of all foodstuffs should not be less 
than six months, as of date of entry of the products into Qatar.  All 
foodstuffs are examined at  the State-owned and State-regulated Central 
Laboratories before they reach consumers.  Import and distribution of 
alcoholic liquor is strictly controlled, through an arrangement between 
the Customs Department and the British Embassy in Doha.   Alcoholic 
drinks are not allowed to be imported into Qatar by any other means.  
Additionally, in accordance with Islamic laws and regulations, pork and 
pork derivatives are not allowed to be brought  into the country. 
 
Qatar and other GCC member states are preparing lists of standards to be 
termed "GCC Standards" for all imports into the six member countries.  
GCC specifications on motor vehicles have been introduced already, and 
have been incorporated at the manufacturing level in producing 
countries.  Until specifications relating to other imports are drafted 
and approved, Qatar continues to acknowledge international standards. 
 
Tariffs:  Generally 4 percent ad valorem on all foodstuffs and other 
industrial products.  Hi-fi equipment 10 percent, steel 20 percent and 
cigarettes 50 percent. 
 
Import Licenses:  All imported beef and poultry products require a 
health certificate from the country of origin and a halal slaughter 
certificate issued by an approved Islamic center in the country of 
origin.  As is the case with other products, importers of foodstuffs 
should have an import license, which is issued only to Qatari nationals 
by the Government.  All shipping documents must be legalized by a Qatar 
Embassy or consulate in the country of origin. 
 
Import/Export Documentation:  In Qatar, the letter of credit (LC) is the 
most common instrument for controlling exports and imports.  When an LC 
is opened, the supplier is required to undertake to provide a 
certificate of origin, and a certificate from the captain of the ship or 
from the shipping agency stating that the ship is allowed to enter Arab 
ports.  Both documents should be notarized by an Arab Embassy or 
consulate or an Arab Chamber of Commerce in the exporting country.  In 
order to clear goods from Customs zones at ports or land boundaries in 
Qatar, importers must  submit a variety of documents, including a Bill 
of lading, certificate of origin, proforma invoice and import license.  
In Qatar, only authorized local agents are allowed officially to import 
specific goods produced by the foreign firms they represent in the local 
market.  However, this requirement may be waived if the local agent 
fails to provide the necessary spare parts and backup services for the 
product in Qatar. 
 
Labeling:  Labeling, Marking Requirements:  Agriculture:  Food labels 
must include product and brand names, production and expiry dates, 
country of origin, name of the manufacturer, net weight in metric units, 
and a list of the ingredients and additives in descending order of 
importance.  All fats and oils used as ingredients must be specifically 
identified on the label.  Labels must be in Arabic. 
 
Prohibited  imports:  Pork and pork products and constituents. 
 
 
Chapter VII.  Investment Climate 
 
Openness to Foreign Investment: 
 
Prompted by declining rates of both production and price of oil, Qatar 
has resorted in recent years to various options to maintain an 
acceptable economic performance.  Foreign finance has become an 
increasingly important element in executing development projects, 
including those of the country's current entry into the liquefied 
natural gas (LNG) industry.  In fact, recent experience suggests that 
Qatar will only consider major contract bids if they carry a finance 
package. 
 
The Government of Qatar (GOQ) encourages foreign investment, 
particularly in joint ventures with Qatari partners.  Wholly foreign 
owned firms are permitted to operate in Qatar, provided they have a 
local agent or a sponsor.  However, there is a clear local hierarchy of 
privileges and preferences that favor Qatari firms and joint ventures 
with Qatari participation.  Foreign- owned firms and the foreign owned 
portions of joint ventures are subject to corporate income tax, ranging 
from 5 percent to 35 percent of net profits.  Qatari and Gulf 
Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals and business concerns are exempted 
from the income tax provisions.  Qatar has yet to establish a personal 
income tax system. 
 
In the late 1980's, the GOQ unilaterally deleted some giant foreign 
firms, including some U.S. corporations, from the blacklist of the Arab 
Boycott of Israel.  Moreover, Qatar has moved to lift the secondary and 
tertiary aspects of the boycott and closed down the Arab Boycott of 
Israel office in early 1995.  Further action will be linked to progress 
in Middle East peace process. 
 
All importers are required by law to have an import license for almost 
all products.  Such import licenses are only issued to Qatari nationals.  
Even in the case of joint ventures between foreign and Qatari partners, 
agency/dealership agreements issued by foreign suppliers can be 
registered only in the name of the Qatari partner in the Commercial 
Registration Department of the Ministry of Finance, Economy and 
Commerce.  Foreign investors entering into a joint venture with Qatari 
partners are allowed to have only up to 49 percent of the business.  The 
Qatari partner/s should have no less than 51 percent (Law No. 25 for the 
year 1990). 
 
Taken together, the above represents a formidable array of privileges 
and preferences, which can put a foreign investor at a severe 
disadvantage in the Qatari market.  Despite stated fines and penalties, 
the practice of a Qatari illegally lending his name to a foreign-
owned/operated business has been common, but on a reduced scale in 
recent years. 
 
Conversion and Transfer Policies:   
 
Qatar's official currency, the Qatari Riyal (QR) is a floating currency.  
Due to little demand on the QR outside Qatar, the GOQ has pegged the QR 
exchange rate to the U.S. dollar (US$) but maintained a floating rate 
against all other currencies.  The current rate is QR 1:00 for US$ 0.27 
or US$ 1:00 for QR 3.65, as set by the GOQ in June 1980 and unchanged 
since then. 
 
In Qatar, there is no restriction on transfer of funds associated with 
an investment.  Similarly, there are no limitations on the inflow or 
outflow of funds for remittances of profits, debt services, capital, 
capital gains and other returns.  It is unlikely that Qatar will impose 
conversion or transfer restrictions in the future.  However, in case of 
commercial disputes, a court decision may tighten certain remittances. 
 
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC):  Investment 
Insurance Agreement was approved by the GOQ in March 1988.  The 
agreement was first submitted in October 1984.  OPIC's activities in 
Qatar have, since then, been relatively modest.   Only one U.S. firm 
which was involved in the Phase I development of the North Gas Field 
Project has bought the OPIC insurance for risk of inconvertibility and 
war.  Other U.S. firms have expressed interest in OPIC insurance, 
pending an estimated US$ 5 billion investment in Phase II development 
(LNG) in the same project.  Phase II, now in progress, will mark Qatar's 
debut in the LNG industry.  While the U.S. share in Phase I accounted 
for about 28 percent (US$ 450  million in products and services) in 
Phase I, Phase II projects have so far gone mainly to Japanese and some 
French firms.  In the first major deal, a Qatar Gas consortium agreement 
with a Japanese power company, Japanese firms were apparently favored 
because the buyer was Japanese and the bid included an attractive 
finance package. 
 
Bankruptcy and Mortgage: In the complete absence of specialized laws and 
regulations to control commercial bankruptcy and mortgage procedures, 
the civil law of Qatar is, in fact, the only reference to govern such 
operations.  Consequently, commercial bankruptcy in Qatar is viewed as a 
civil liability, whereby the person and/or firm involved will be 
officially held  responsible for settlement of all debts  emanating from 
bankruptcy.  Similarly, there are no special laws or regulations for 
controlling mortgage operations.  Although it is now common practice in 
Qatar to provide guarantees for various kinds of loans, mortgage 
liabilities are also controlled by civil law. 
 
Apparently, the absence of specialized bankruptcy and mortgage laws does 
not seem to have had a significant impact on the previous and ongoing 
investments, foreign or local. 
 
U.S. Government (USG) Interests:  USG maintains a small Embassy program 
(SEP) post and other offices in Doha.  The current estimated cost for 
all USG presence in Qatar is US$ 2.2. million per year.  Future plans 
call for building a new Embassy and Ambassador's residence in the 
diplomatic enclave at Doha's West Bay area.  The unofficial estimated 
cost for this project is between US$ 25 million and US$ 35 million.  
While the location of the new Embassy premises and the Ambassador's 
residence is already allocated on a rental basis by the GOQ, USG has yet 
to decide on an exact time for executing this project. 
 
Expropriation and Compensation: 
 
There has been no expropriatory action in Qatar.  Embassy is of the 
opinion that there will be no such steps in the foreseeable future. 
 
Dispute Settlement: 
 
Qatar is not a member of the International Center for the Settlement of 
Investment Disputes (ICSID) and is not a signatory to the New York 
Convention of 1958 on the same subject.  Qatar accepts binding 
international arbitration of investment disputes between the GOQ and 
foreign investors.  Resorting to arbitration to solve disputes can be 
more binding if clearly stipulated in contracts.  Effective Qatari laws 
- Civil and Sharia (Islamic law) - have provided sufficient means for 
enforcing property and contractual laws.  However, this is a very long 
and time-consuming process. 
  
Political Violence: 
 
Located in the heart of the Gulf region, Qatar has been politically 
stable.  The country enjoys a very strict internal security system.  
Despite a wide diversity of expatriate residents, Qatar has a very low 
crime rate.  Expatriate communities are screened before taking up work 
and residence in Qatar.  Follow up on law violations is strict.  
Deportation is a common practice here for persons who cause or may cause 
disturbances of any kind. 
 
In the complete absence of any kind of labor unions or associations, it 
is most unlikely that there will be nascent insurrections.  In Qatar, 
family and tribal ties are strong.  On almost all national occasions, 
heads and leading members of all tribes renew their loyalty to the head 
of state, other leading members of the ruling family and to the 
Government. 
 
There have been no incidents of organized political violence since the 
country's independence from Britain in 1971.  Embassy is not aware of 
any politically motivated damage to projects and/or installations. 
 
Qatar has unresolved disputes with the State of  Bahrain over its 
borders, involving Hawar Island and two other smaller islands off the 
country's west coast.  Similarly, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have yet to 
establish their boundaries to the south of Qatar.  Qatar's maritime 
boundaries with Iran have been the subject of bilateral discussions 
since Iran's announcement of a commercial exclusion zone in 1992.  Qatar 
has pronounced itself satisfied with the results of these talks.  Fully 
established and reorganized maritime limits between Qatar and the 
U.A.E., as well as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have not been finalized.  
However, the absence of clear-cut boundary lines of each country in the 
small Gulf area does not seem to always affect the friendly ties among 
those countries.  Qatar's territorial waters in the Gulf were not 
disputed when they were drawn up by an Amiri decree in early 1993.   
Nor, however, do the neighboring countries officially recognize those 
limits.  Qatar's claims in the Gulf waters are in line with 
international standards. 
 
Performance Requirements/Incentives: 
 
Foreign investors are not allowed to expand their investment beyond 
limits set forth in the law.  Performance requirements for such a 
purpose do not exist.  However, an Amiri decree can allow the expansion 
of a foreign investment in Qatar.  Transfer of technology, management 
and marketing, as was the case in establishing steel, fertilizers  and 
petrochemical industries in the 1970s, were taken as part of the foreign 
equity (20 or 25 percent).  This is still an accepted practice in Qatar.  
Unless otherwise stated in the binding contracts, foreign equity cannot 
be diluted over time.  In the long run, the GOQ intends to ease 
requirements for foreign investments.  The government is currently 
looking at the possibility of privatizing some of its services.  
Privatization may lead to the promulgation of laws/regulations allowing 
a more active role in local investment to offset sizeable Qatari 
investments in foreign countries.  In the not so distant future, the 
increasing number of Qatari graduates from local and foreign 
universities may find it difficult to find jobs within the limited 
government circles.  Therefore, some government officials think that the 
GOQ will have to impose certain ratios of Qatari employees in each 
privatized firm of specific size, including foreign joint ventures. 
 
Right to Private Ownership and Establishments: 
 
While the Commercial Companies Law in Qatar permits a variety of 
corporate structures, joint ventures involving foreign partners almost 
always take the form of limited liability partnership.  Law No. 25 for 
the year 1990, which controls foreign investment in Qatar's market, made 
it very clear that foreign investors are not allowed to enter into 
partnership in a joint stock company with Qatari firms.  The limited 
liability partnership form of organization confers limited liability.  
The above law allows foreign investors to have up to 49 percent but the 
Qatari partner should have no less than 51 percent of the business 
concern.  Foreign partners in contracting ventures organized as limited 
liability partnership must pay in the full amount of their contribution 
to authorized capital in cash or kind, prior to the start of operations.  
Usually, such firms are required to set aside 10 percent of profits each 
year in a statutory reserve, until it equals 50 percent of the venture's 
authorized capital. 
 
Under common practice, foreigners, excluding GCC nationals, are not 
allowed to own property or invest in privatized public services.  
However, as indicated above, foreign industrial firms were allowed to 
own up to 25 percent in steel, fertilizers and petrochemical industries.  
Their contribution took the form of technology transfer and/or marketing 
expertise.  It is most likely, however, that only Qatari nationals will 
be allowed to own portions of the shares of those industries (with GOQ's 
share 75 to 80 percent) in case of privatization.  The GOQ is now 
looking at this step as a possible means of reinforcing private sector 
investment in the Qatari market. 
 
Despite assurances contained in the current commercial laws, foreign 
investors are advised that there have been a few disputed court cases in 
recent years, in which limited liability protection was denied to joint 
venture partners.  Although very few, such cases did have a direct 
impact on the partners concerned. 
 
Protection of Property Rights: 
 
Qatar is not a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization 
(WIPO).  Nor does it belong to the Paris Convention for Protection of 
Intellectual Property.  Within Qatar, therefore, owners of trade marks 
and copyrights and holders of patents are dependent on Qatar's own 
national laws and regulations for protection. 
 
Trademarks/Patents:  Both aspects are contained in Law No. 3 for the 
year 1978.  Known as "The Law of Trademarks and Commercial Indications", 
it generally allows internationally accepted norms.  This law requires 
the registration of collective trademarks.  Fees for registration are 
around US$ 65 per registration per class of goods. 
 
The Trademarks/Patents Law, as promulgated in 1978, allows the Ministry 
of Finance, Economy and Commerce to initiate action against 
trademark/patent violators.  Moreover, the law permits the Ministry to 
penalize those who describe products deceptively with respect to their 
nature, type, kind, essential properties, origin, and other related 
aspects such as weight and amount.  Enforcement of this law has been 
slightly more strict in recent years, but still falls short of what is 
required.  There are continuing problems with imports of counterfeit 
products, including auto spare parts, household items, and clothing 
accessories. 
 
Copyrights:  On July 22, 1995, the GOQ promulgated Law No. 25 for the 
year 1995 on intellectual property and copyright protection.  A special 
department will soon be established for enforcing this law, which is the 
first legislation of its kind in Qatar.  The law is scheduled to take 
effect on September 22, 1995. 
 
Trade Secrets:  No rules or regulations are available. 
 
Semiconductor Chip Layout Design:  No rules or regulations are 
available. 
 
Regulatory System:  Laws and Procedures: 
 
Qatar recently became a member of the General Agreement on Tariffs and 
Trade (GATT).  Earlier it participated in GATT as an observer.  It is a 
member of the GCC and as such, participates in the GCC's free trade 
arrangements, which provide duty-free access to all goods produced in 
the GCC states, provided that the goods meet the GCC's basic local 
content requirements (at least 40 percent value-added within the GCC in 
plants which are at least 51 percent owned by GCC nationals).  The GCC 
states have yet to work on regional integration of matters such as 
external tariff, standardization of investment and industrial rules and 
regulations, and facilitation of intra-GCC travel. 
 
Qatar has been engaged through the GCC in trade and investment 
negotiations with the United States, the European Community and Japan.  
Several aspects of the negotiations are yet to materialize.  In addition 
to the GCC Economic Agreement (1983), Qatar signed economic/commercial 
agreements with Egypt and Tunisia in recent years.  While some slight 
progress has been made in carrying out the GCC economic agreement, there 
has been no real headway on any of the other above-mentioned agreements. 
 
Internally, Qatar maintains a variety of trade barriers which can affect 
foreign investors.  The Boycott of Israel was discussed earlier in this 
chapter.  Import of religiously or politically sensitive items may also 
be banned by the GOQ.  Although tariffs are relatively low (4 percent on 
a very wide range of products), the GOQ recently raised the tariff on 
cigarettes to reach 50 percent; the GOQ still maintains a high tariff 
level of 20 percent on steel imports (protection of the State-owned 
Qatar Steel Company). 
 
The Government's procurement regulations strongly favor Qatari and GCC 
nationals.  According to an Amiri decree issued 1987, GOQ products are 
given priority in GOQ programs.  In Qatar, the Government is a major 
end-user of a wide range of products and services.  GCC products now 
receive up to 10 percent price preference over non-GCC products in all 
GOQ contracts.  Unless exempted by Amiri decree on case by case basis, 
foreign contractors are required to import their own goods and supplies 
exclusively through Qatari agents. 
 
Bilateral Investment Agreements: 
 
Only with the United States. 
 
OPIC and other investment insurance programs: 
 
The OPIC Investment Insurance Agreement was approved in March 1989.  It 
was first submitted in October 1984.  To date, only one U.S. firm, 
involved in the Phase I development of the North Gas field project, has 
bought the OPIC insurance for risk of convertibility and war.  Other 
U.S. firms have expressed interest in OPIC insurance in connection with 
an estimated US$ 10 billion investment in Phase II of the same project.  
Because Japanese firms already have a lion's share in the first project 
in Phase II (Qatar Liquefied Gas Company  (Qatargas)), U.S. firms may 
have better prospects in the larger and more expensive second project 
known as Ras Laffan LNG company.  This project is owned by the State-
owned Qatar General Petroleum Corporation (QGPC) and the U.S. firm Mobil 
Oil (30 percent). 
 
Qatar is not a member of the Multilateral Guarantee Agency (MICA).  
There are no plans at the present to become a member of this agency. 
 
Labor: 
 
The majority of Qatar's labor force consists of expatriate workers.  
With a total estimated population of 400,000 and Qataris constituting no 
more than one fourth of this number, the role of expatriates in 
different sectors of the economy is very important.  The Ministry of 
Interior and the Labor Department of the Civil Service Diwan regulate 
recruitment of expatriate labor.  The Ministry of Labor and Social 
Affairs was dissolved by an Amiri decree issued July 16, 1995.  The 
largest groups of foreign workers now come from India, Pakistan, and the 
Philippines.  Restrictions on some Arab nationalities, following the 
invasion and liberation of Kuwait, are still in effect.  Exemptions 
exist. 
 
Internally, Qatar's plan to develop its own manpower resources at all 
levels has continued to receive attention at all government levels.  
However, the country is still far from being self-sufficient in this 
regard.  The Ministry of Interior must approve all transfers of 
sponsorship of an expatriate from one Qatari national or firm to 
another.  By law, an expatriate is only entitled to two sponsorship 
transfers throughout his/her stay in the country.  Official fee for each 
transfer is about US$ 275.  Approval of old and new sponsors is 
required. 
 
It is common practice in Qatar for expatriate workers and staff to be 
given accommodation along with salaries, end of service benefits and 
return tickets to fly home every one or two years.  There is no minimum 
wage regulation.  While salaries and wages are negotiable, end of 
service benefits are subject to three different laws.  The most 
rewarding is that of the State-owned QGPC, then the Civil Service, and 
finally, the Labor Law, which applies mainly to unskilled workers, 
office boys and maids. 
 
Foreign Trade Zones/Free Ports: 
 
In Qatar, there are no foreign trade zones or free ports. 
 
Capital Outflow Policy: 
 
Qatar has no restrictions on capital outflow.  Both public and private 
sector investment in third world and developing countries are minimal. 
 
As for Qatar's investments in foreign countries, GOQ considers this to 
be classified information and only a  few higher  management officials 
are aware of the volume of such investments.  However, GOQ officials 
have noted that foreign investments, at one time estimated at US$ 10 
billion, have dropped considerably in recent years.  This drop was 
caused by a continued budget deficit, ranging from US$ 900 million to 
US$ 1.5 billion each year during the low oil revenue years from 1985 to 
the present. 
 
Apart from GOQ investment in developing countries, Europe, Japan, and 
the United States, the State-owned Qatar General Petroleum Corporation 
is an equity participant in the following Arab joint ventures.  QGPC's 
share in each venture is indicated in each case. 
 
-  Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Co. (ASRY) 
-    (Bahrain), 19 percent. 
-  Arab Maritime Petroleum Transport Company 
-    (AMPTC) (Kuwait), 14 percent. 
-  Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation 
-    (APICORP) (Saudi Arabia), 10 percent. 
-  Arab Petroleum Services Company (APSC) 
-    (Libya), 10 percent. 
-  Arab Petroleum Pipelines Company (SUMED) 
-    (Egypt), 5 percent. 
 
According to the Economic Review Report, 1991 (latest available figures) 
of the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Commerce and updates from 
contacts at the Ministry, the total number of joint ventures involving 
foreign and Qatari nationals licensed to operate in the State of Qatar 
was 3245.  Total foreign capital outlay for the above ventures is QR 
3579.6 (US$ 981 million).  According to the same sources, 1036 joint 
ventures were established on the basis of up to 49 percent foreign and 
no less than 51 percent Qatari.  The number of wholly owned foreign 
investment registered firms reached 512 and individual foreign 
investment firms reached 1697. 
 
The following tables show the number of trading firms in Qatar and their 
capital content: 
 
Table 7.1.  Number of Trade Companies by Type of Capital 
                                                                  
   Type of Company    Year-             1989  1990  1991 
National Companies                      3852  4289  4609 
Mixed Companies                         1003   987  1036 
Foreign Companies                        501   509   512 
National Establishments                 8153  8953  9573 
Foreign Establishments                  1677  1686  1697 
                                                                  
 
Table 7.2.  Total Capital Invested in Trade, Industry and Oil Companies 
(in millions of US$) 
                                                                  
   Description      Year            1989    1990    1991 
National Companies                1382.2  1612.4  1638.1 
Mixed Companies                    521.6   549.8   655.4 
Foreign Companies                  258.8   262.0   322.1 
National Establishments            518.7   531.7   532.4 
Foreign Establishments               5.2     5.7     6.0 

 
It should be noted that the above figures represent firms and capital 
officially registered, but not necessarily still operating.  As per 
common practice, and as an exception to current rules and regulations, 
wholly-owned foreign firms, as well as individually owned businesses, 
are allowed to operate in Qatar by force of an Amiri decree.  Such firms 
are usually licensed to operate only on certain projects and move 
outside the country when the contracted works/services are completed.  
It should be noted that the amount of registered capital does not 
reflect the actual volume of  foreign and/or Qatari investment. 
 
According to the 1992 Economic Survey of Qatar (latest available) issued 
by the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Commerce, U.S. investments in 
Qatar were estimated at QR 235 million (US$ 64 million) in 1991.  No 
further breakdown was reported. 
 
However, the above data does not include the U.S. firm Mobil Oil's entry 
into Qatar as an investor.  Mobil owns 10 percent of Qatar Liquefied Gas 
Company (Qatar Gas), which was established in May 1992, with an equity 
share capital of QR 500 million (US$ 137 million). 
 
Moreover, Mobil Oil holds 30 percent equity in Ras Laffan LNG Company, 
which was established in June 1993 with an equity share capital of QR 
7.2 billion (US$ 2 billion). 
 
There is no major foreign investment by the USG or U.S. private firms in 
Qatar.  However, the U.S. firm Amoco recently completed a lengthy but 
unsuccessful oil and gas exploration operation  covering about 85 
percent of Qatar's mainland.  Total cost of more than US$ 60 million led 
to no commercially viable findings.  Amoco failed to win a second 
production sharing agreement for oil exploration operations covering the 
offshore gas-rich area five, north of the Qatari coast.  Other U.S. 
firms are now competing for production sharing contracts related to the 
upgrading of Qatar's oil fields, as well as upstream/downstream natural 
gas works. 
 
The following is a list of foreign equity participation investment, U.S. 
firms included,  in some major state-owned industrial/petroleum related 
industries: 
 
Qatar Steel Company (QASCO):  Equity share capital:  QR 200 million (US$ 
55 million).  Shareholders:  GOQ 70 percent, Kobe Steel (Japan) 20 
percent, Tokyo Boeki (Japan) 20 percent.  Year established:  1974.  
Commencement of commercial production:  1978.  Current value of foreign 
equity:  Not available. 
 
Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO): Equity share capital:  QR 360 
million (US$ 98.6 million).  Shareholders:  GOQ 80 percent, CDF Chimie 
Atochem (France) 10 percent and Enichem (Italy), 10 percent.  Year 
established:  1975.  Commencement of commercial production:  1981.  
Current value of foreign equity:  Not available. 
 
Qatar Fertilizer Company (QAFCO):  Equity share capital:   QR 100 
million  (US$ 27.4 million).  Shareholders:  GOQ 70 percent, Norsk Hydro 
(Norway)  25 percent, Davy McKee Ltd. (U.K.)  
3 percent, Hambros Bank Ltd. (U.K.), 2 percent.  Year established:  
1969.  Commencement of commercial production:  1974.  Current value of 
foreign equity:  Not available.  Foreign equity:  Not available. 
 
Qatar Liquefied Gas Company (Qatar Gas):  Equity share capital:  QR 500 
million (US$ 137.5 million).  Shareholders are:  the State-owned Qatar 
General Petroleum Corporation , 65 percent, CFP/Total (France) 10 
percent, Marubeni Corporation (Japan) and Mitsui Company Ltd. (Japan) 
7.5 percent each and Mobil Oil (U.S.A.) 10 percent.  Year established:  
1984.  Qatar Gas objectives:  Produce and export LNG from Qatar's North 
gas Field.  Commencement of commercial production:  Production is 
scheduled to start in 1997.  In May 1992, Qatar Gas signed a Sales and 
Purchase Agreement (SPA) with the Japanese firm Chubu Electric Power 
Company, for the sale of 4  million m. tons of LNG per year for a period 
of 25 years commencing 1997. 
 
Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co.:  Equity share capital:  QR 7.28 
billion (US$ 2 billion); QGPC 70 percent, U.S. firm Mobil Oil 30 
percent; This company was established as per Amiri Decree 48 for the 
year 1993 dated June 29, 1993.  Objectives:  To produce natural gas from 
the North Gas Field for the production of an estimated amount of 10 
million m. tons of LNG per year.  End-users of LNG worldwide.  Upstream 
operations are already in early stages. 
 
 
Chapter VIII.  Trade and Project Financing 
 
The Central Bank of Qatar was established by Law No. 15 for the year 
1993 to handle functions previously administered by the Qatar Monetary 
Agency (QMA), which, in its turn, was established in 1973. 
 
The Central Bank's major responsibilities include issuance and 
redemption of the country's currency - the Qatari Riyal (QR).  It also 
controls the country's monetary policy and monitors the banking system.  
Moreover, the Central Bank of Qatar regulates interest rates on Qatari 
Riyal funds, which are closely aligned to the U.S. dollar interest 
rates. 
 
There are currently 14 commercial banks operating in Qatar.  These 
consist of six Qatari, two Arab and six foreign banks.  A list 
comprising all banks and number of branches is available at the end of 
this chapter. 
 
Qatar has no foreign exchange restrictions. The current banking 
regulations permit all usual types of commercial banking operations, 
including financing of trade operations and local development projects. 
 
Total assets of all banks operating in Qatar was estimated at QR 28.5 
billion (US$ 7.8 billion) in 1993.  Qatar's imports of various kinds of 
goods were estimated at about US$ 2 billion in 1993.  Almost all import 
transactions are controlled by standard letters of credit (LC's) 
processed by local banks and corresponding banks in the exporting 
countries.  Almost all local merchants in Qatar make use of the 
overdraft facilities provided by banks to process their import 
operations.  Most banks in Qatar provide short term credit facilities of 
up to 75 percent of LC values. 
 
According to guidelines issued by the Central Bank of Qatar, the local 
banks should give priority to local individual or public development 
projects in their project finance operations.  The Central Bank also 
discourages local banks from financing foreign stock market operations. 
 
The current interest rates charged by the banking system on general 
credit facilities are very much in line with interest rates prevailing 
in the international markets.   In addition to the usual insurance, 
foreign firms operating in Qatar, including those of the 49-51 percent 
equity participation, are required to provide guarantees signed by their 
Qatari agents/sponsors to be able to have access to credit facilities 
from the local banks. 
 
In the absence of governmental finance programs for exports, banks in 
Qatar continue to be the main source of finance.  In recent years, Qatar 
has witnessed the establishment of two Islamic banks.  Based on profit 
sharing with customers, financing provided by Qatar Islamic Bank and 
Qatar International Islamic Bank covers products and projects in Qatar 
and other Islamic countries. 
 
In the insurance field, there are nine companies operating in Qatar, 
five of which are foreign owned.  Qatar Insurance Company has the lion's 
share of the market and manages the Government's insurance business.  
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Agreement was 
approved in March 1989.  It was first submitted in October 1984.  To 
date, only one U.S. firm, involved in the Phase I development of the 
North Gas field project, has bought the OPIC insurance for risk of 
convertibility and war.   Other U.S. firms have expressed interest in 
OPIC coverage for future projects involving subsequent phases of the 
development of the North Gas Field. 
 
U.S. firms interested in seeking finance for products or projects in 
Qatar may wish to check, through their local agents, with leading banks 
in Qatar, viz., Qatar National Bank, Commercial Bank of Qatar, Doha Bank 
Limited, and Al-Ahli Bank.  Although there does not seem to be any 
instance  of the U.S. Exim Bank having financed any U.S. products 
destined for Qatar, U.S. firms are urged to bring their financing 
matters to the Exim Bank.  There are no restrictions on the Exim Bank's 
finance operations in Qatar. 
 
The development of Qatar's North Gas Field looms over all projects in 
the country.  Currently in progress, Qatar's Liquefied Natural Gas 
industry is, in fact, a product of Japanese financing programs.  As 
mentioned elsewhere in this report, Qatar LNG Company (Qatar Gas) was 
recently awarded finance packages from various private Japanese banks 
and the Japan Development Bank worth well above US$ 2.5 billion. 
 
U.S. firms considering entry into Qatar's oil and gas industry should 
submit carefully studied competitive finance packages.  This condition 
is likewise applicable to the development projects such as the new Doha 
International Airport. 
 
Described below is the basic structure of Qatar's banking and financial 
system.  It is comprised of the banking and non-banking financial firms 
operating in Qatar, both local and foreign.  The year of establishment 
and the  number of branches for each firm is also included below. 
 
The Banking and Financial System of Qatar: 
 
I.  Banking System: 
 
I.A  The Central Bank of Qatar 
 
I.B  Commercial banks: 
-     I.B.1  National: 
--        Qatar National Bank (1965)(10) 
--        Commercial Bank of Qatar Ltd. 
--          (1975)(5) 
--        Doha Bank Ltd. (1979)(7) 
--        Qatar Islamic Bank (1983)(4) 
--        Al-Ahli Bank of Qatar (1984)(3) 
--        Qatar International Islamic Bank 
--          (1991)(0) 
 
-     I.B.2  Arab: 
--        The Arab Bank Ltd. (1957)(2) 
--        Al-Mashriq (1971)(1) 
 
-     I.B.3  Foreign: 
--        Standard Chartered Bank (1950)(1) 
--        British Bank of the Middle East 
--          (1954)(2) 
--        Grindlays Bank Ltd. (1956)(1) 
--        United Bank (1970)(1) 
--        Bank Saderat Iran (1970)(1) 
--        Banque Paribas (1973)(1) 
 
I.C  Money exchange companies: 
 
-  Khalil Ibrahim Al-Fardan Exchange (1955) 
-  Mohamed Haji Nazar Money Exchange (1969) 
-  Al-Fardan Exchange and Finance Co. (1970) 
-  Al-Basry Exchange (1972) 
-  Trust Exchange Co.  (1976) 
-  Gulf Finance and Exchange Co. (1977) 
-  Habib Qatar International Finance and 
-    Investment Ltd. (1978) 
-  City Exchange (1978) 
-  Mohamed Salih Ali Exchange (1978) 
-  Al-Zaman Exchange (1978) 
-  Al-Mana Exchange (1979) 
-  Eastern Exchange and Finance Organization 
-    (1979) 
-  Qatar Financial Services and Exchange Ltd. 
-    (1979) 
-  Al-Shaibi Finance and Exchange Co. (1979) 
-  Middle East Exchange Co. Ltd. (1983) 
-  Qatar International Exchange Co. (1983) 
 
II. Non-banking System: 
 
II.A Insurance companies: 
-     II.A.1  National: 
--        Qatar Insurance Co. (1964) 
--        The Qatar General Insurance and 
--          Re-Insurance Co. (1978) 
--        Al-Khaleej Insurance Co. (1978) 
 
-     II.A.2  Foreign: 
--        Atlas Insurance Co. (1966) 
--        Arabian Insurance Co. (1966) 
--        Libano-Suisse Insurance Co.(1966) 
--        The National Insurance Co. of    
--          Egypt (1969) 
 
 
Chapter IX.  Business Travel 
 
Arabic is the official language in Qatar, but English is widely spoken 
and is generally acceptable in private and public sectors.  U.S. 
business representatives will find it very useful to bring promotional 
material and brochures in English and/or Arabic when travelling to 
Qatar. 
 
Business hours:  The Government of Qatar's official working hours are 
8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, Saturday through Thursday.  Banking hours are 8:00 
AM to 12:30 PM, while private sector hours are generally 8:00 AM to 
12:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM, Saturday through Thursday.  Friday is a 
day of rest for all sectors, including all embassies.  The U.S. Embassy 
hours are 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Saturday through Wednesday. 
 
Holidays:  Officially, Qatar uses the Gregorian calendar year for all 
purposes.  The Hijra (Islamic) calendar is also widely used.  Religious 
holidays vary from year to year.  Eid Al-Fitr (four days) marks the end 
of the fasting month of Ramadan and Eid Al-Adha marks the conclusion of 
the pilgrimage (Haj) to Mecca.  The only fixed holiday is:  Independence 
Day - September 3. 
 
The months from October through April are generally considered the best 
period for foreign business representatives to visit Qatar.  The summer 
months are usually very hot and very frequently humid.  Decision makers 
in both public and private sectors can be expected to be absent from the 
country during some part of the period June to September. 
 
Entry Visa Requirements:  All travellers to Qatar should have passports 
valid for the next six months at least, and should hold valid entry 
visas.  The Embassy of Qatar in Washington, DC, and the Qatari mission 
to the United Nations in New York are the only parties in the United 
States authorized to issue entry visas.  Four passport-sized 
photographs, a visa application and a letter from the sponsor in Qatar 
should be submitted for this purpose.  This procedure will usually take 
four working days or more. (include:  multiple entry 10 yr visa for U.S. 
citizens in Qatar) 
 
However, during the last few years, the Government of Qatar has eased 
restrictions on entry visas issued upon arrival at Doha International 
Airport.  This procedure enables business representatives to have a 
seven-day visa if the local sponsor submits a special request to the 
Immigration Department three days ahead of the visitor's arrival at the 
airport.  While no photographs are required, visitors should provide the 
local sponsor/agent, well in advance of the proposed visit, with 
passport details, religion, date/time of arrival, as well as name and 
flight number of the carrier airline.  If approved, the entry visa is 
issued upon arrival against a fee of US$ 30.00.  This fee may be waived 
if the visitor is sponsored by an official government department. 
 
Transportation:  
 
Road Transportation:  Qatar has developed a good highway system which 
connects all the main points of the peninsula.  The country's road 
connection with the rest of the world has to go through Saudi Arabia via 
the Salwa border town on the Saudi Arabia side of the South Eastern 
shoreline of the Salwa Gulf. There are over 1000 miles of roads, most of 
which are hard-surfaced.  Qatar is now connected with Europe via the 
Trans Arabia Highway in Saudi Arabia and with the United Arab Emirates 
and Oman via a hard surfaced route.   A very large portion of Qatar's 
imports are now brought in overland by trucks with increasing amounts 
coming from container facilities at the ports of Dubai and Sharjah in 
the U.A.E. 
 
Port Facilities:  Qatar is currently serviced by two ports capable of 
handling cargo.  General cargo usually enters through the eleven berths 
at the Doha port.  After completion of the current dredging operations 
to widen and deepen the port's main channel, the Government plans to 
establish a new container service port at the Doha port.  Similar 
dredging operations are simultaneously ongoing to establish a smaller 
port facility for Qatar Flour Mill Company to handle wheat imports to 
the country. 
 
Bulk shipments are handled at the nine-berth Umm Said port, 30 miles 
south of Doha.  General cargo is usually unloaded at Umm Said and 
brought by barge to Doha by the Qatar National Navigation and 
Transportation Company. 
 
Currently under construction, the Ras Laffan port facility (US$ 800 
million), about 50 miles north of Doha on Qatar's East coast is meant 
for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) to world markets as of 1997.  
When completed, the Ras Laffan LNG port will give Qatar three adequate 
port facilities. 
 
Air Transport:  In addition to the recently established Qatar Airways, 
Gulf Air is the country's national carrier.  Doha International Airport 
is served by 20 international passenger airlines, including Gulf Air.  
The only one of its kind in Qatar, the airport is capable of handling 
large amounts of air freight. 
 
To cope with the increasing passenger and freight traffic (15 percent 
increase in 1993) the Government plans to construct a new large airport 
facility on the area adjacent to the premises of the present one.  
Offers including finance programs presented by international contractor 
are under consideration. 
 
Communications:  Qatar enjoys excellent local and international 
telephone and fax facilities.  A second earth satellite station was 
completed in 1988 and mobile telephone service was inaugurated in 
February 1994.  Automatic telephone and fax dialing is available to more 
than 150 countries worldwide.  The cost of international phone calls and 
fax from Doha to the United States are 30 percent higher than prevailing 
rates in the United States.  Internal calls, however, are free of 
charge. 
 
Housing:  Doha is the capital of the State of Qatar.  It is 
simultaneously the country's commercial, marketing and banking center.  
More than 80 percent of Qatar's population (estimated at 400,000) live 
in Doha and suburbs.  To meet the growing demand for houses, the 
Government and the private sector have resorted to establishing housing 
complexes of various oriental and western designs. 
 
It has been a common practice in Qatar for employers in both the 
Government and the private sector to provide furnished accommodation for 
their expatriate employees. Alternatively, some employers provide 
housing allowances. 
 
Contrary to the 1970s and the early 1980s when a small apartment fetched 
a rent of US$ 5000 a month, houses are now available at about half or 
less of this rate.  This depends, of course, upon locality, type of 
house and facilities.  At the most recent housing complexes, three-
bedroom villas are available at a monthly rent of US$ 2200, and four-
bedroom villas at US$ 2,700.  Qatari landlords usually require a one 
year lease with advance payment of six months' rent, although exceptions 
exist.  However, such arrangements, as well as the above rates, do not 
apply to larger single villas and palaces built for the use of higher 
management, bankers and leading businessmen.  Electricity, water and 
gardens represent additional costs.  In recent years, the lease contract 
in some cases has included a provision for the Qatari landlord to meet 
the cost of basic maintenance. 
 
Health:  All residents of Qatar have enjoyed free State-provided medical 
care ranging from outpatient clinics to hospitalization.  However, due 
to declining oil production and revenues, the Government has instituted 
an austerity program in recent years.  According to recently issued 
regulations, expatriates have to pay fees for certain medical reports 
and for birth registration.  While medicines are mostly dispersed free 
of charge for Qatari and non-Qatari patients, the expatriate communities 
have to pay for certain expensive drugs. 
 
A visitor to Qatar holding no residence permit has to pay  for all 
medical services required throughout his/her visit to the country.  
Recently, a new form of payment has evolved: prior to undergoing 
surgery, a resident expatriate patient is required to donate blood.  
Import of all blood groups to Qatar has been suspended after discovery 
of some infected shipments of blood. 
 
Apart from a few private clinics, medical care is provided by the State 
through the Ministry of Public Health.  The nation's hospital needs were 
largely met in 1982, when the 660-bed Hamad General Hospital was 
inaugurated.  Operating under Hamad General Hospital is the 300-bed 
Maternity Hospital, the only one of its kind in this country.  The 
Government owns and operates two other hospitals.  One, the  Rumaillah 
Hospital, is meant to handle geriatric and  disability cases and the 
other provides basic treatment for psychological diseases. 
 
In recent years, Qatar has eased restrictions on private medical 
institutions.  In addition to the State-owned and State-operated 20 
health care centers, the Government has licensed about 20 private 
clinics including some advanced dental centers. 
 
Future plans include charging all expatriates in Qatar for all 
medical/medicinal services.  A private children's hospital is already 
licensed and more private clinics are under consideration.  In addition, 
visiting medical and surgical consultants from various countries provide 
treatment on difficult cases to supplement local medical services.  It 
should be noted that health insurance is not a common practice in Qatar. 
 
Food:  Makhbous ( rice with roast sheep) is the most common food in the 
Gulf area.  Qatar is no exception.  Mutton figures prominently in the 
fare of most Qataris.  Fish is also widely available and popular.  
Dishes prepared with grouper ("hammour") and sea bass are common.  
Chicken and beef are given second and third on their list of meats. 
 
In recent years, Qataris have been giving up their age-old tradition of 
hosting ceremonial dinners at home.  Instead, they have started hosting 
large, elaborate parties at one of the four five-star hotels in Doha 
which have international standards. 
 
A wide variety of foodstuffs is usually imported to the country 
throughout the year in order to cater to the tastes of the large 
expatriate community drawn from several different countries.  Several 
supermarkets in Doha have a wide range of foodstuffs readily available 
at all times. 
 
U.S. business representatives visiting Qatar should not turn down an 
invitation to lunch or dinner at home extended by their trade partners.  
Reciprocity is expected when the host visits the United States. 
 
Alcoholic drinks are served only to visitors residing at the major 
hotels.  Only holders of a special permit from the British Embassy may 
serve alcoholic drinks at home.  In accordance with Islamic laws and 
regulations, pork and pork derivatives are not allowed to be brought 
into the country. 
 
 
Chapter X.  Appendices 
 
A.  Country Data: 
 
Source:  Central Statistical Organization and other public/private 
sources. 
 
A1.  Profile: 
Population:  372,000 (1986 census) 
Population Growth Rate: 2.8 percent per year 
Religion:  Mainly Islam.  Minority Christian expatriate communities 
Government System:  Monarchy 
Languages:  Mainly Arabic.  English is widely spoken 
Work Week:  Saturday-Thursday 
 
B.  Domestic Economy: 
GDP:  US$ 7.6 billion (1992), 7.1 billion (1993), 7.3 billion (1994, 
estimated), 7.5 (1995, estimated) 
 
GDP Growth Rate:  11 percent (1991-1992), -5.9 percent (1992-1993), 4 
percent (1993-1994, estimated), 3 percent (1994-1995, estimated)  
 
GDP Per Capita:  US$ 18,000 (1992), 16,000 (1993), 15,000 (1994, 
estimated), 15,000 (1995, estimated) 
 
Government Spending as percent of GDP:  46 percent (1990), 44 percent 
(1991), 43 percent (1992), 41 percent (1993), 38 percent (1994, 
estimated), 35 percent (1995, estimated) 
 
Inflation (Consumer Price Index, Base year 1988 = 100): 
3.3 percent (1989), 6.4 percent (1990), 11.1 percent (1991), 14.5 
percent (1992), 15.5 percent (1993-1995, estimated) 
 
Unemployment:  Not applicable 
 
Foreign Exchange Reserves:  Not available 
 
Average Exchange rate for US$ 1.00:  3.65 (as set by the Government of 
Qatar in 1980 and unchanged since then) 
 
Foreign Debt:  Not available 
 
Debt Service Ratio (Ratio of principal and interest payments on foreign 
debt to foreign income):  Not applicable 
 
U.S. Economic/Military Assistance:  Not applicable. 
 
Appendix C.  Trade: 
 
Total Imports (All in US$):  1,715 million (1991);  2,010 million 
(1992);  1,886 million (1993);  1,900 million (1994); 2,000  million 
(1995, estimated) 
 
U.S. Share of Imports (All in US$):  199 million (1991);  230 million 
(1992);  220 million (1993);  204 million (1994);  227 million (1995, 
estimated) 
 
U.S. Share of Imports (All in percentage): 11.6 percent (1991); 11.4 
percent (1992); 11.6 percent (1993); 10.6 percent  (1994); 11.5 percent 
(1995, estimated) 
 
Total Exports (All in US$):  3,039 million (1991);  3,726 million 
(1992); 3,172 million (1993); 3,100 million (1994); 3,200 million (1995, 
estimated) 
 
Exports to the U.S. (All in US$):  16 million (1991);  31 million 
(1992);  43 million (1993);  63 million (1994, estimated);  81  million 
(1995, estimated) 
 
D:  Investment Statistics: 
 
E.  U.S. and Country Business Contacts: 
 
Note:  Area code for all telephone numbers in Qatar:  974 
 
E1.  Country Government Agencies: 
 
Selected ministries relevant to this report: 
 
OFFICE OF H.H. THE AMIR 
H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, 
Defence Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces 
P.O. Box 923, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 468-333 
Fax: 427-132 
Office Director:  Mr. Abdullah Al-Attiyah 
 
H.E. Dr. Issa Ghanim Al-Kowari, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs, Tel: 
324-262 
 
-  Amiri Protocol Department: 
Sheikh Mohammed bin Fahd bin Mohammed Al-Thani, Director, Tel: 462-
273/416-782 
H.E. Ibrahim Ahmed Al Malki, Asst. Director, Tel: 422-322 
H.E. Abdul Aziz Mohamed Khaled Al-Rabban, Asst. Director 
 
-  Legal Affairs Department: 
Mr. Adel Ahmed Al-Sharbini, Legal Advisor, Tel: 462-172/412-726 
Mr. Mohammed Hanafin Osman, Legal Advisor, Tel: 462-194/412-849 
 
-  Economic Studies Department: 
Dr. Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al-Khater, Director, Tel: 462-3313 
Mr. Mohammed Shaheen Al-Kawari, Econ. Researcher, Tel: 462-200 
Mr. Bashir Yousef Al-Kahlout, Economic Researcher, Tel: 462-320 
 
-  The Special Projects Office (SPO): 
P.O. Box 4044 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 436-978/438-477 
Fax: 436-977 
 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman, Tel: 436-976 
Mr. Mohammed Al-Akor, Manager 
Mr. Faqeer Mohammed, Secretary 
Mr. Azzam Al-Fakih, Project Manager 
Mr. Mohammed Afifa, Project Manager 
Mr. Omar Hamadi, Project Manager 
Mr. Ahmed Al-Sabiq, Project Manager 
Mr. David Routledge,Project Manager 
Mr. Kuldip Singh, Quantity Surveyor 
Mr. Pratab Singh, In-House Consultant 
Mr. Mike Davies, Resident Architect 
 
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE 
P.O. Box 4000, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 415-888, Fax: 437-660/417-393 
 
Office Director- Vacant, Tel: 351-351/325-823 
H.E. Sheikh Hassan bin Khalid bin Hassan Al-Thani, Private Secretary, 
Tel: 462-231/442-222 
 
-  Economic Studies Department: 
Mr. Majid Saleh Al-Khalifa, Director, Tel: 462-220/412-944/412-187 
Dr. Ibrahim Butros Ibrahim, Economic Expert, Tel: 412-942 
 
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT 
P.O. Box 3416, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 832-727 
Fax: 835-888 
 
-  Minister's Office: 
P.O. Box 3416 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 832-727 
Fax: 835-888 
 
H.E. Mr. Abdullah Saleh Al-Mana, Minister, Tel: 835-522/33 
Mr. Zamil Issa Al-Kholeifi, Office Director, Tel: 835-353 
 
-  Under-Secretary's Office: 
H.E. Mr. Abdullah Hussain Salat, Under-Secretary, Tel: 835-234 
Mr. Rashid Fadl Al-Buainian, Office Director, Tel: 464-606 
 
-  Department of Post: 
Tel: 414-144/464-000 
Fax: 837-777 
 
Mr. Abdul Rahman Jaber Muftah, Director, Tel: 835-555 
Mr. Abulkassem Abdulrahman, Secretary, Tel: 835-050 
Mr. Mohammed Ali Mubarak Darwish, Asst. Director for Postal Affairs, 
Tel: 835-511 
Mr. Shahine Saad Al-Kawari, Asst. Director for Traffic 
 
-  Department of Ports: 
P.O. Box 313 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 457-457 
Fax: 413-563 
 
Mr. Gholam Abdullah Jenkeer, Director, Tel: 414-626 
Mr. Abdulrahman Abdul Mohsin Al-Mahmood, Asst. Director, Tel: 414-626 
Mr. Abdul Azizi Saleh Al-Baker, Asst. Director (Traffic and Overland 
Transport), Tel: 457-246 
Mr. Rashid Saleh Faris, Office and PR Manager, Tel: 414-526 
Mr. Abdullah Issa Al-Hitmi, Traffic Manager, Tel: 413-713 
Capt. Ahmed Al-Mas, Harbour Master, Tel: 414-287 
 
-  Department of Civil Aviation: 
P.O. Box 3000 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 426-262/351-550 
Fax: 429-070 
 
Mr. Abdul Aziz Mohammed Al-Noaimi, Director, Tel: 428-177 
Mr. Mohd Ali Hassan Al-Mohannadi, Asst. Director,Services and Airport 
Mgr., Tel: 320-493 
Mr. Salem Daen Al-Kawari, Asst. Director for Aviation Affairs, Tel: 449-
471 
Mr. Ibrahim Abdul Qader Ibrahim, Director of Technical Services, Tel: 
428-174 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Thani, Head of Air Transport, Tel: 
429-066 
Mr. Mohammed Yousef Asheer, Director of Airport Services, Tel: 429-068 
 
Civil Aviation College: 
P.O. Box 4050 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 652-555 
Fax: 652-646 
 
Mr. Ali Ibrahim Al-Malki, Director, Tel: 651-956 
Mrs. Salwa Nahar, Secretary 
Mr. Salim Al-Saada, Director, Admin and Finance, Tel: 651-956 
Mr. Gunnar Emausson, Director of Studies, Tel: 652-288 
Mr. Mubarak Abdullah Mansouri, Registrar, Tel: 974)651-955 
 
-  Qatar Public Telecommunications Corp. (Q-Tel): 
P.O. Box 217, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 400-400 
Fax: 413-904 
 
Board Members: 
H.E. Mr. Abdullah Saleh Al-Mana, Chairman 
H.E. Mr. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Vice Chairman 
H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad bin Khalid Al-Thani, Member 
H.E. Sheikh Hassan bin Khalid bin Hassan Al-Thani, Member 
H.E. Mr. Yousef Hussain Kamal, Member 
Mr. Abdulrahman Jaber Muftah, Member 
Mr. Rashid Abdullah Al-Khalifa, Member 
Mr. Izzat Mohammed Rashid, General Manager 
 
Management: 
Mr. Izzat Mohammed Rashid, General Manager, Tel: 400-333 
Mr. Bashir Al-Kholeifi, Office Manager, Tel: 400-444 
Mr. Fouad Abbas, Asst.General Manager (Engineering), Tel: 400-399 
Mr. Aubrey Cloke, Asst.General Manager (Finance), Tel: 400-640 
 
Public and International Relations: 
Mr. Abdul Wahad Fakhroo, Manager, Tel: 400-678 
 
Procurement: 
Mr. Ibrahim Al-Obaidly, Procurement Manager, Tel: 400-363 
Mr. Nagi Al-Saygh, Purchasing Controller, Tel: 400-355 
 
Commercial and Marketing: 
Mr. Hashim Mustafawi, Manager, Tel: 400-456 
 
Customer (Business Sales): 
Mr. David W. Harris, Manager, Business Sales, Tel: 400-211 
 
Sales and Marketing: 
Mr. Bill Wilson, Manager, Marketing and Sales Admin, Tel: 400-249 
 
Information Section: 
Mr. Jamal Al-Sada, Manager, Tel: 400-401 
 
Tenders Committees: 
 
Lower Tender Committee - QR 50,000-200,000 (US$ 13,699-54,796) 
Mr. Aubrey Cloke, Chairman 
Mr. Husain Makki, Vice Chairman 
 
Higher Tender Committee - over QR 200,000 (over US$ 54,796): 
Mr. Izzat Rashid, Chairman 
Mr. Abdullah Mannai, Vice Chairman 
 
Engineering and Operations: 
Mr. Fouad Abbas, Asst.General Manager, Tel: 400-399 
 
Engineering Support and Projects: 
Mr. Ahmed Al-Derbasti, Manager, Tel: 400-213 
 
Finance Division: 
Mr. Aubrey Cloke, Asst.General Manager, Tel: 400-640 
 
Treasury: 
Mr. Afzal Shah, Treasurer, Tel: 400-484 
 
Management Accounts: 
Mr. J.T. Balchin, Manager, Tel: 400-654 
 
Financial Accounts: 
Mr. Colin J.C. Campbell, Manager, Tel: 400-557 
 
Revenue Accounts: 
Mr. Ahmed Muftah, Manager, Tel: 400-290 
 
MINISTRY OF ELECTRICITY AND WATER 
P.O. Box 41, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 326-622/443-222/494-444 
Fax: 426-608 
 
-  Minister's Office: 
Tel: 437-633 
 
H.E. Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Ali Al-Subai, Minister, Tel: 423-251/424-543, 
Fax: 440-048 
Mr. Mohammed Ali Mohammad Al-Muttawa, Office Director, Tel: 423-251/424-
543 
Mr. Mubarak Jabr Abdullah Al-Musallam, Asst. Office Director, Tel: 410-
613 
Mr. Ahmed Issa Jattal, Technical Expert, Tel: 416-305 
Dr. Jaffar Abdulrahman, Legal Expert, Tel: 438-879 
Mr.Ahmed Mohammed Abdullah Al-Khouri, Head of Co-ordination and Follow 
Up Unit, Tel: 351-162 
 
-  Under-Secretary's Office: 
H.E. Mr. Khamis Mohammed Al-Sulaiti, Under-Secretary, Tel: 326-626/351-
036, Fax: 437-572 
Mr. Mohammed Yousef Abdullah Al-Sheeb, Office Director (Acting), Tel: 
445-653 
 
-  Assistant Under-Secretary's Office: 
H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Nasser bin Faleh Al-Thani, Asst. Under-Secretary 
(Admin. and Finance), Tel: 494-262/494-263 
 
-  Administrative and Financial Affairs Department: 
Mr. Mohammed Ali Abdullah Al-Sayegh, Asst. Director, Admin and Finance, 
Tel: 494-219 
 
-  Generation and Desalination Department: 
P.O. Box 41 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 437-633/326-622 
Fax: 426-608 
Mr. Ali Abdullah Mohammed Al-Obeidly, Director, Tel: 435-701/426-675 
Mr. Ali Saif Saad Al-Malki, Asst. Director 
 
Ras Abu Fontas Power Station: 
P.O. Box 9426 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 651-30 
Fax: 650-801 
 
Mr. Fahad Mubarak Al-Dulaimi, Superintendent, Tel: 651-165/651-394 
Mr. Voby Abraham, Secretary 
Mr. Brian Holford, Maintenance Superintendent, Tel: 651-030 
 
Ras Abu Aboud Power Station: 
P.O. Box 41 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 326-661 
Fax: 431-402 
 
Mr. Hasan Muftah, Station Superintendent, Tel: 435-709/435-710 
Mr. Rashid Saffar Abdullah, Operations Superintendent 
Mr. M. Crossley, Mechanical Maintenance Eng. (Water) 
Mr. Ziaud Nabi, Mechanical Maintenance Eng. (Power) 
 
-  Electricity Networks Department: 
P.O. Box 41 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 326-622 
 
Mr. Mohammed Murtada Al-Khouri, Director, Tel: 325-734/430-655, Fax: 
326-075 
Mr. Khamis Badr Ibrahim Al-Badr, Asst. Director, Tel: 419-825 
Mr. Abdulrahman Abdullatif, Secretary, Tel: 325-734 
 
Transmission Affairs Section: 
Mr. Abdullah Saif Alawai, Public Lighting Engineer, Tel: 420-103 
Mr. J. Pande, Senior Protection Engineer, Tel: 420-102 
Mr. V. Chandrashekaran, Senior Project Engineer, Transmission, Tel: 432-
237 
 
-  Consumer Affairs Department: 
Mr. Mohammed Yousef Al-Kawari, Director, Tel: 322-644, Fax: 326-748 
H.E. Sheikh Jabor Hamad bin Khalid Al-Thani, Asst. Director, Tel: 432-
505 
Mr. Rashid Abdullah Al-Kubaisi, Asst. Director, Water, Tel: 494-350 
 
-  Water Networks Department: 
P.O. Box 162 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 494-248 
Fax: 324-912 
 
Mr. Ali Abdullatif Mohammed Al-Mohannadi,Director,Tel: 415-900/494-
248,Fax: 324-912 
Mr. Ibrahim Saleh Ahmed Bu-Matar Al-Muhannadi, Asst. Director, Tel: 494-
248 
Mr. Mohammed Ayoub, Secretary, Tel: 494-263 
 
-  Programs and Projects Department: 
P.O. Box 41 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 435-707/443-222 
Fax: 326-096 
 
Dr. Ali Abdullah Al-Marri, Director, Tel: 321-823/435-707, Fax: 326-096 
Mr. Yousef Ahmed Al-Hammadi, Asst. Director, Tel: 432-237 
 
Water Projects Section: 
Mr. Hamad Hamoud Al-Qahtani, Director, Tel: 494-252 
Mr. Mohammed Al-Souj, Water Planning and Development Engineer, Tel: 443-
397/494-245 
 
Support Services Section: 
Mr. Abdullah Ahmed Saleh Mansouri, Director, Tel: 494-390 
 
Ras Abu Fontas B Power Station: 
Mr. Abdul Sattar Mohammed Rasheed, Project Director 
 
Electrical Projects Section: 
Mr. Yousuf Al-Hamadi, Director 
 
MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND INDUSTRY 
P.O. Box 3212, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 835-666/835-777/491-491 
Fax: 836-999 
 
-  Minister's Office: 
P.O. Box 3212 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
 
H.E. Mr. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Minister 
Mr. Hassan Ali Abdullah Al-Saad, Office Director, Tel: 491-444/491-455 
Mr. Yousef Al-Yousefi, Technical Advisor 
Mr. Sabri Abdul Razzak Kazem, Technical Advisor, Tel: 491-381 
Mr. Ali Al-Jazzar, Economic Advisor, Tel: 491-538 
Mr. Salem Bati Al-Nuaimi, Economic Expert, Tel: 491-515 
Mr. Mike Gardner, Director, Auditing Office, Tel: 491-511 
 
-  Department of Industrial Development: 
P.O. Box 2599 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 832-121/2/3/4 
Fax: 832-024 
 
Management: 
H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al-Thani, Director, Tel: 832-098 
 
Mr. E.A. K. Ahmed, Secretary, Tel: 832-101 
Mr. Abdullatif Abu Zinad, Electrical Engineer 
Mr. Mohammed Abdul Sattar, Mechanical Engineer, Tel: 832-152 
 
-  Qatar General Petroleum Corporation (QGPC): 
P.O. Box 3212, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 491-491 
Fax: 402-020 
 
P.O. Box 47 (Doha, State of Qatar) (Ras Abu Aboud Office) 
Tel: 402-200 
Fax: 402-584/402-781 
 
P.O. Box 70 (Doha, State of Qatar) (Rumaillah Office) 
Fax: 445-408 
 
-  Board of Directors: 
H.E. Mr. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Chairman and Managing Director 
H.E. Mr. Yousef Hussain Kamal, Member 
Dr. Jaber Abdul Al-Hadi Al-Marri, Vice Chairman 
Mr. Ibrahim Nooh Al-Mutawa, Member 
Dr. Ibrahim Butros Ibrahim, Member 
Mr. Abdul Aziz Hamad Al-Dulaimi, Member 
Mr. Faisal Al-Suwaidi, Member 
Mr. Mohammed Al-Fuhaid, Secretary, Tel: 831-202 
 
-  Chairman and Managing Director's Office: 
H.E. Mr. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Chairman and Managing Director 
Mr. Hassan Ali Abdullah Al-Saad, Office Manager, Tel: 491-444 
 
-  Director-General's Office: 
Dr. Jaber Abdul Al-Hadi Al-Marri, Director-General, Tel: 491-466/831-818 
Mr. Ahmed Rashid AL-Buainain, Secretary 
 
-  Operations Directorate, Qatar General Petroleum Corporation, P.O. Box 
47, Doha, State of Qatar: 
 
Mr. Said Al-Muhannadi, Director, Operations, Tel: 402-400, Fax: 402-090 
Mrs. Fadila, Secretary 
 
--  Drilling Department: 
P.O. Box 47, Tel: 402-934, Fax: 402-490 
Mr. Abdul Jabbar A. Mohammed, Director, Drilling Dept., Tel: 402-528 
Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Gosaibi, Director, Drilling Engineering, Tel: 402-436 
 
--  Operations Dukhan: 
P.O. Box 100001, Dukhan, State of Qatar 
 
Mr. Hamad M. Al-Tamimi, Operations Manager, Tel: 711-500, Fax: 711-571 
Mr. Ibrahim A. Fakhroo, Manager, Production Dept., Tel: 711-840, Fax: 
711-790 
Mr. Werner Taylor, Manager, Maintenance Dept., Tel: 711-655 
Mr. Norman Garnsey, Mechanical Engineer Inspector 
Mr. P. Sule, Head, Planning 
Mr. Abdul Reda Nayrose, Head, Corrosion Department 
 
Operations Ras Abu Aboud (Offshore Fields): 
P.O. Box 47, Tel: 402-200 
 
Mr. Said M. Al-Muhannadi, Operations Manager (Offshore), Tel: 402-222 
Mr. Hassan Y. Asheer, Manager, Production Dept. (Offshore Fields), Tel: 
402-431 
Mr. Pieter Steynis, Manager, Marine Dept. (Offshore Fields), Tel: 402-
666 
Mr. Khalil Abdul Aziz Al-Baker, Head of Workshop, Tel: 402-553 
Mr. Khalid Al-Hajiri, Head of Maintenance, Tel: 342-320 
 
Operations Umm Said Facilities: 
P.O. Box 50070, Umm Said, State of Qatar 
Tel: 771-923 
Fax: 770-433 
 
Mr. Ahmed Ali Al-Najjar, Operations Manager, Tel: 774-300 
Mr.Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Emadi, Manager, Gas Processing and Distr Dept., Tel: 
774-235 
Mr. Ibrahim M. Al-Sulaiti, Manager (Maintenance Dept.), Tel: 774-235 
Mr. Abdul Aziz S. Al-Qahtani, Manager, Marine and Export Dept, Tel: 774-
210 
 
-  Marketing Directorate: 
Qatar General Petroleum Corporation 
P.O. Box 3212 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
 
Mr. Ibrahim Nooh Al-Mutawa, Director, Tel: 491-340/831-205 
Mrs. Salwa, Secretary 
Mr. Jassim Mohammed Na'ama, manager of Crude Oil Marketing, Tel: 491-361 
Mr. Ahmed A. Al-Salem, Manager, Gas Marketing, Tel: 491-360 
Mr. Abdullah Ismail Al-Ansari, Manager, Petrochemicals Marketing, Tel: 
491-348 
Mr. Mohammed A. Al-Thani, Manager, Refined Products Marketing, Tel: 491-
303 
 
--  Engineering Department: 
P.O. Box 47 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
 
Mr. Mohammad A. S. Al-Sulaiti, Manager, Tel: 402-540, Fax: 402-138 
 
---  Offshore Projects: 
P.O. Box 47 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
 
Mr. Husain Al-Ishaq, Director of Offshore Projects, Tel: 402-633, Fax: 
402-758 
Mr. Alan Cooper, Acting Head, Offshore Field Support 
Mr. G. McCann, Head of Development Project 
Mr. R. Sykes, Head, INT Field Upgrade Project, Tel: 402-343 
Mr. G. Campbell, Document Controller, Tel: 491-395 
 
---  Onshore Projects: 
P.O. Box 70 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Mr. Jamal bin Amor, Head of Onshore Projects, Tel: 343-227 
Mr. K. Pickworth, Project Manager, Tel: 343-417 
Mr. Brian Hall, Senior Project Engineer 
Mr. Tom Gibson, Senior Project Engineer 
Mr. R.L. Parry, Project Manager, Tel: 343-358/438-970 
Mr. E. Bottomley, Project Manager, Tel: 343-374 
Mr. D.M. Falgate, Project Manager, Tel: 343-357 
Mr. J. Shelford, Project Manager, Tel: 343-426 
 
---  Inspection and Environment Department: 
P.O. Box 47 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
 
Dr. Mohammed S. Al-Sayed, Manager, Tel: 402-697, Fax: 402-207 
Dr. Mohammed Al-Sayed, Environment Inspector 
Mr. Noel Hollingsworth, Quality Assurance,Tel: 402-210 
Mr. Leonard J. Latter, Safety, Tel: 402-840 
Mr. Mohammed Maslamani, Corrosion 
 
--  Materials Department: 
P.O. Box 47 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
 
Mr. Nasir M. Al-Nuaimi, Manager, Tel: 332-222, Fax: 445-408 
Mr. Hassan Issa, Procurement Services Manager, Tel: 332-240 
Mr. George Wales, Buyer, Tel: 332-264 
Mr. Les Anderson, Buyer, Tel: 332-205 
Mr. Brian Elliott, Buyer, Tel: 332-206 
Mr. W.V. Zarazun, Buyer, Tel: 332-208 
Mr. Jim O'Brien, Buyer, Tel: 332-207 
Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Taleb, Buyer, Tel: 332-209 
Mr. Khalifa Al-Suwaidi,Buyer, Tel: 332-233 
 
-  Exploration and Development of New Ventures Directorate, Qatar 
General Petroleum Corporation, P.O. Box 3212 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
 
Mr. Nasir K. Jaidah, Tel: 833-091/491-288 
Mrs. Lillian Boog, Secretary 
 
Mr. Rashid Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, Manager, Exploration and Upstream Ventures, 
Tel: 831-286 
Mr. Ismail M. Nasrulla, Manager, Downstream ventures, Tel: 491-448/831-
294, Fax: 831-850 
Mr. Per Erik Hansen, Head of Project Services, Tel: 491-437, Fax: 831-
544 
Dr. Roger I. Ertefai, Project Financial Specialist, Tel: 491-329, Fax: 
831-544 
 
-  Finance Directorate: 
Qatar General Petroleum Corporation 
P.O. Box 3212 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
 
Mr. Abdul Rahman Hammam Al-Abdullah, Director, Tel: 491-290 
Mr. Rashid M. Al-Hajri, Manager, Management Accounting, Tel: 491-236 
Mr. Mohammed S. Al-Sherawi, Manager of Financial Accounting, Tel: 438-
963 
 
--  Planning Department: 
P.O. Box 3212 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Mr. Issa S. Al-Ghanim, Manager, Tel: 831-204 
 
--  Legal and Contracts Department: 
Dr. Hassan O Ahmed, Manager 
 
--  Information and Computer Services Department: 
P.O. Box 3212 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Mr. Abdulla Z. Al-Talib, Manager, Tel: 412-127/402-236 
 
--  Public Relation Department: 
P.O. Box 3212 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
 
Mr. Ali A. Al-Nuaimi, Manager, Tel: 831-203 
Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Malki, Deputy Manager 
 
MINISTRY OF FINANCE, ECONOMY AND COMMERCE 
P.O. Box 3322, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 461-444 
Fax: 413-617 
 
-  Minister's Office: 
Fax: 351-185/436-959 
 
H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Minister, Tel: 413-624/8/433-
777 
Mr. Ali Khalifa Al-Attiyah, Office Director, Tel: 413-366 
Mr. Salah Ahmed Anber, Secretary, Tel: 414-914 
Mr. Mohammed Hamad Al-Nuaimi, Head of PR, Tel: 413-377 
H.E. Sheikh Salman bin Khalid Al-Thani, Head of Follow-Up, Tel: 414-436 
Dr. Najm Eddin Dajani, Senior Planning Expert, Tel: 413-200 
 
-  Under-Secretary's Office: 
Tel: 413-300 
Fax: 413-617 
H.E. Mr. Yousef Hussain Kamal, Under-Secretary 
Mr. Abdul Rahman Dashti, Office Director, Tel: 413-570 
 
-  General Financial Affairs Department: 
P.O. Box 83 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 461-444 
Fax: 413-617 
 
Mr. Sagr Dhaher Al-Muraikhi, Director, Tel: 419-758 
Dr. Hussain Abdullah, Asst. Director 
Mr. Abdullah Shawabke, Expert, Tel: 414-852 
Mr. Hussain Haboub, Expert, Tel: 413-574 
Mr. Rashid Saad Al-Sulaiti, Head, Admin Affairs and Deputy Director, 
Tel: 417-358 
Mr. Abdul Reda Al-Lingawi, Admin. Asst., Tel: 413-183 
Mr. Mohammed Abdul Karem Al-Meer, Head, Budgets, Tel: 413-067 
Mr. Muftah Jassim Muftah, Head, Income Tax, Tel: 414-944 
Sheikh Hamad bin Nasir bin Faleh Al-Thani, Head, Computers, Tel: 414-336 
Mr. Hamad Hazeem Al-Muraikhi, Head, Advances, Tel: 413-186 
Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani, Investment Section, Tel: 451-542 
 
-  Investment Board: 
H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani (Minister of Finance, Economy 
and Commerce), Chairman 
H.E. Dr. Issa Ghanem Al-Kawari (Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs) 
Dr. Hussain Abdullah (Advisor, Amiri Diwan) 
Mr. Yousef Hussain Kamal (Under-Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Economy 
and Commerce) 
 
-  Income Tax Department: 
P.O. Box 83 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 461-144 
Mr. Muftah Jassim Muftah, Director, Tel: 414-944 
 
-  Customs Department: 
P.O. Box 81 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 457-457 
Fax: 414-459 
 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal bin Thani Al-Thani, Director-General, Tel: 
414-333 
Mr. Meqbel Ali Khalifa Al-Hitmi, Deputy Director, Tel;  414-528 
Mr. Abdulmajeed Al-Rumaihi, Airport Customs Manager, Tel: 324-848 
H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim bin Fahad Al-Thani, Asst. Airport 
Manager 
 
Mr. Abdullah Al-Saie, Airport Chief Inspector, Tel: 324-104 
Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Mutawa, Overland Transport, Tel: 810-877 
Mr. Jabor Rashid Al-Hajiri, Customs, Abu Samra, Tel: 755-241/2, Souda 
Natheel, Tel: 770-200 
Mr. Khamis Ali Al-Mahannadi, Customs, Khor, Tel: 720-246 
Mr. Sidiq Abdullah Al-Qattam, Customs Umm Said, Tel: 771-435 
 
-  Central Tenders Committee (CTC): 
P.O. Box 19908 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 413-098/414-265 
 
--  Committee: 
Mr. Khalaf Issa Bujamhoor Al-Mohanadi, Chairman, Tel;  413-826/8/414-265 
Mr. Ahmed Jassim Al-Faihani, Vice Chairman, Tel: 413-098/414-265 
Mr. Saad Nasir Al-Abdulla (Legal Affairs Department) 
Mr. Nasir Hamad Al-Kubaisi (Ministry of Public Works) 
Mr. Majid Abdullah Al-Malki (Industrial Affairs Department) 
Mr. Majid Saleh Al-Kholaifi 
Dr. Abdulrahman Ali Al-Buainain 
Mr. Muftah Jasim Muftah 
 
--  CTC Secretariat: 
Mr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Moadadi, Office Manager, Tel: 414-265-4138 
Mr. Yousef Hassan Abu Nada, Secretary, Tel: 461-300 
Mr. Hamad Al-Asiri, Treasurer, Tel: 414-926 
Mr. Ahmed Abu Baker, Registrar/Admin. Asst, Tel: 430-250 
 
-  State Purchases Department: 
P.O. Box 1908 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 414-555 
Mr. Khalifa Saqr Al-Hitmi, Director, Tel: 414-290 
Mr. Saqr Al-Muraikhi, Deputy Director, Tel: 414-290 
Mr. Ali Khalil Ali, Secretary, Tel: 413-243 
Mr. Ali Hamad Lakhan, Local Purchases, Tel: 413-971 
Mr. Amin Abdulnoor Abduljaber, External Purchases, Tel: 413-241 
Mr. Rashid Said Al-Ali, Head, Auctions, Tel: 413-857 
 
-  Economic Affairs Department: 
Mr. Ali Hassan Khalaf, Director, Tel: 413-571436-305 
Mr. Saoud Jassim Al-Jufairi, Deputy Director,Tel: 413-566, Fax: 413-682 
 
-  Statistics Section, Economic Affairs Department: 
Mr. Mubarak Rashid Al-Khalifa, Head of Section, Tel: 434-888/414-950 
 
-  Economic Researchers, Economic Affairs Department: 
Mr. Hassan Ali Mohsen Jassim, Head of Section 
 
-  International Affairs, Economic Affairs Department: 
Mr. Ahmed Saleh bin Matar, Head of Section 
Mr. Ahmed Khalifa Albinali, Asst. 
 
-  Commercial Registration Department: 
Tel: 408-555 
Fax: 420-489 
Mr. Mohammed Hassan Al-Saadi, Director, Tel: 427-588/408-600 
Mr. Nasir Barghash Al-Nuaimi, Asst. Director, Tel: 433-465 
Mr. Ahmed Taha Al-Jammal, Records Examiner, Tel: 436-112 
Mr. Saad Al-Hajiri, Head, Imports Office, Tel: 433-468 
Mr. Mohammed Nasir Ahmed Ramel, Head Examination Office, Tel: (9740427-
476 
Mr. Mohammed Jassim Muhaizie, Head, Commercial Register, Tel: 329-858 
Mr. Abdullah Abdul Jabbar Al-Khalifa, Head, Contractors' Registration, 
Tel: 427-468 
 
--  Trade Marks Section: 
Mr. Abdullah Saoud Al-Asiri, Head, Trade Marks Office 
Mr. Ahmed Al-Jufari, Asst. 
 
--  Legal Affairs and Technical Research Section: 
Mr. Maher Salamah Al-Mahdi, Head, Tel: 329-252 
 
-  Price Control and Consumer Protection Department: 
P.O. Box 1968 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 408-555 
Fax: 426-599 
Mr. Saleh Mohammed Al-Kawari, Director, Tel: 423-117/426-599 
Mr. Nasir Abdullah Al-Ghanim, Tel: 435-935 
 
-  Companies Affairs Department: 
P.O. Box 1968 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 408-555 
Fax: 426-299 
H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Director, Tel: 428-725/426-
226 
 
-  Specifications, Standards, Assaying and Weights Department: 
P.O. Box 1968 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 408-555 
Fax: 425-449 
H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Saoud Al-Thani, Director, Tel: 408-500/442-935 
Mr. Abdullah Mujalli Atique, Head of Weights Section, Tel: 435-659 
 
-  Exhibitions Department: 
Tel: 831-666/834-550/834-551 
Fax: 834-480 
 
Mr. Abdullah Ibrahim Mohammed, Director, Tel: 832-838 
Mr. Yousef Zaini, Head, International Fairs 
Mr. Sultan Obaidan Fakhroo, Head, Local Fairs 
Mr. Ahmed Obaidan Fakhroo, Interior Designer 
 
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P.O. Box 250, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 415-000 
Fax: 324-329/429-454/442/777/426-276 
 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani, Minister, Tel: 436-976 
H.E. Mr. Ahmed Abdullah Al-Mahmood, Minister of State for Foreign 
Affairs 
H.E. Ambassador Abul Rahman Hamad Al-Attiya 
H.E. Ambasador Ibrahim Hamad Al-Nasir, Director, Consular, Economic and 
Cultural Affairs Dept., Tel: 435-834, Fax: 426-279 
Mr. Ali Hussain Muftah, Director, Political Affairs Dept., Tel: 325-172, 
Fax: 321-625 
H.E. Ambassador Ahmed Jassim Al-Mulla, Director, Protocol Dept., Tel: 
416-416 
H.E. Ambassador Mohammed Nasr Hassan Al-Nasr, Minister's Office 
Director, Tel: 424-160 
H.E. Ambassador Mahmood Abdul Aziz Al-Sahlawi, Director, Admin and 
Financial Affairs Dept., Tel: 324-950, Fax: 429454 
Mr. Yousef Issa Al-Jaber, Director, GCC Affairs Dept., Tel: 411-275/8, 
Fax: 444-640 
H.E. Sheikh Jassim bin Nasser Al-Thani, Legal Affairs Dept. 
 
-  Embassy of the State of Qatar: 
600 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Suite 1180, Washington, DC 20037-2403 
Tel: (202)338-0111 
Fax: (202)337-2989 
 
Ambassador:  H.E. Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Saeed Al-Thani 
First Counsellor:  Mr. Ali Sadd Al-Kharji 
Second Counsellor (Consular/Commercial Attache): Yousuf Hassan Al-Saai 
 
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION and CULTURE 
P. O. Box 1836, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 831-333 
Fax: 831-860 
 
-  Minister's Office: 
H.E. Dr. Hamad Abdul Aziz Al-Kuwari, Minister, Tel: 832-266/831-444, 
Fax: 832-288 
Mr. Mohammed Jassim Al-Kaabi, Office Director (Acting), Tel: 832-255, 
Fax: 832-288 
 
-  Under-Secretary's Office: 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al-Thani, Under-Secretary, Tel: 831-
221/831-301, Fax: 831-269 
Mr. Badr Salem Al-Badr, Office Manager, Tel: 831-448, Fax: 831-518 
Mr. Samir Daoud Abdullah, Follow-Up, Tel: 831-162 
Mr. Salah Darwish, Press Officer, Tel: 831-163 
Mr. Jowhara Sultan Saif, Head, Conferences and International 
Organizations, Tel: 831-171 
Mr. Juma Al-Hitmi, Head, Info Relations, Tel: 831-169 
Mr. Ahmed Yousef Al-Jaidah, Head Public Relations, Tel: 831-336 
Mr. Ahmed Al-Saie, Asst. Head PR, Tel: 831-446 
 
-  Assistant Under-Secretaries: 
Mr. Abdul Rahman Saif Al-Moadada, Asst. Under-Secretary for Broadcasting 
and T.V., Tel: 864-111/894-203, Fax: 894-202 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al-Thani, Asst. Under-Secretary for 
Information Affairs, Tel: 448-040, Fax: 445-072 
Mr. Mousa Zainal Mousa, Asst. Under-Secretary for Cultural Affairs and 
Arts, Tel: 427-258, Fax: 424-724 
 
-  Broadcasting Department: 
P.O. Box 1414 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 894-444 
 
Mr. Mubarak Jeham Al-Kawari, Director, Tel: 864-821/894-200, Fax: 822-
888 
Mr. Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Haj, Radio and TV News Department Manager, Tel: 
864-805 
Mr. Hussain Jafar, Head of Engineering for Radio and Qatar TV Affairs, 
Tel: 864-518 
Mr. Hassan Abdullah Rasheed, General Program Controller and Expert, Tel: 
864-818/894-215 
Mr. Mohammed Jassim Al-Moadadi, Dep. Gen. Program Contr., Tel: 864-
815/894-231 
Mr. Salah Sulaiman Khalifa, Programs Expert, Tel: 864-816/894-232 
Mr. Ghazi Hussain Ibrahim, Popular Programs Controller, Tel: 870-712 
 
-  Television Department: 
P.O. Box 1944 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 894-444 
 
Mr. Sa'ad Al-Rumaihi, Director, Tel: 864-575, Fax: 864-223 
Mr. Abdullah Saoud Al-Khalfan, Secretary, Tel: 894-059 
Mr. Abdulwahab Mohammed Mutawa, Asst. Director, Tel: 864-787 
Dr. Yousuf Ibrahim, Programs Expert, Tel: 864-121 
Mr. Mohammed Jassem Al-Ali, Programs Expert, Tel: 864-121 
Mr. Fahd Mohammed Al-Khater, Engg. Affairs Controller (Acting), Tel: 
864-397 
Mr. Mohammed Abdu Rahman Al-Kawari, News Controller, Tel: 863-394 
Mr. Ali Al-Kahtani, Channel 37 Programs Controller, Tel: 821-370 
 
-  Information Affairs Department: 
P.O. Box 5147 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 427-333 
Fax: 445-070 
 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al-Thani, Under-Secretary, Tel: 448-040 
Mr. Mohammed Al-Nama, Secretary, Tel: 448-040 
Mr. Hassan Rihan, Head of Finance, Tel: 448-040 
Mr. Mustafa Al-Aydi, Head, Public Relations, Tel: 320-560 
 
-  Publishing and External Information Department: 
Mr. Ahmed Jassim Al-Hamar, Director (Acting) 
Mr. Sultan Al-Ghanim, Asst. Director 
 
-  Qatar News Agency: 
P.O. Box 3299 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 450-450 
Fax: 442-282 
 
Mr. Ali Said Al-Kawari, Director/Editor-in-Chief, Tel: 322-725, Fax: 
442-282 
Mr. Ahmed Ali Al-Tamimi, Asst. Dir., Tel: 320-684 
Mr. Khalid Abdullah Zeyar, Head of Arabic Editing 
Mr. Sa'ad Al-Dabbagh, Head, Engineering, Tel: 450-321 
 
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR 
P.O. Box 2433, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 330-000 
Fax: 443-750 
 
-  Minister's Office: 
H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Deputy Premier and  Minister 
of Interior, Tel: 325-078/421-044/433-555, Fax: 351-359 
H.E. Capt. Jassim bin Hassan bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani, Office Director, 
Tel: 351-3359 
H.E. Ghanem Sultan Al-Hudeifi, Undersecretary 
 
-  Directorate of Immigration, Passports and Naturalization: 
P.O. Box 122 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 330-000, Fax:  443-750 
 
Col. Hamad Al-Houli, Acting Director, Tel: 872-415/822-822 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Nasir Al-Thani, Office Director, Tel: 822-822 
Capt. Majid Mohammed Al-Majid, Head, Immigration and Residence Permits 
Major Jassim Mohammed Al-Kawari, Head, Borders Ports 
Major Abdullah Al-Kubaisi, Head, Research Follow-Up 
 
-  Logistics Department: 
P.O. Box 4020 
Fax: 449-228 
Brig. Abdullah Mohammed Abdullah, Director, Tel: 443-961/428-833 
 
-  Capital Security Department: 
Lt. Col. Saraye Rashid Al-Kaabi, Director, Tel: 446-777 
 
-  Traffic and Patrol Department: 
Lt. Col. Mohammed Yousef Abdul Rahman Al-Mana, Director, Tel: 861-511 
 
MINISTRY OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS AND AGRICULTURE 
P.O. Box 2727, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 336-336 
Fax: 414-868/437-630 
 
-  Minister's Office: 
Fax: 413-233 
 
H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad bin Khalid Al-Thani, Minister, Tel: 413-580 
Mr. Ali bin Saad Al-Kuwari, Deputy Minister, Tel: 336-308 
Engineer Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Hamar, Office Director (Acting), Tel;  413-
580, Fax: 413-395 
Mr. Thallab Hamad Al-Hajiri, Asst. Office Director, Tel: 413-743, Fax: 
413-395 
 
-  Assistant Under-Secretaries: 
Mr. Mohammed Fahad Al-Faihani, Asst. Under-Secretary for Agricultural 
Affairs 
Mr. Abdul Rahman Rashid Al-Buainain, Asst. Undersec for Planning and 
Land Affairs, Fax: 351-895 
Mr. Ali Saad Al-Kowari, Asst. Under-Secretary for Municipal Affairs, 
Fax: 413-849 
 
-  Town Planning Department: 
Mr. Ahmed Dabet Al-Dosari, Director (Acting), Town Planning Dept. 
Mr. Abdul Aziz Radwani, Head (Acting), General Planning Sec. 
 
Administration and Financial Affairs Department 
Mr. Saqr Nasir Al-Nuaimi, Director, Tel: 428-100, Fax: 434-727 
Mr. Shaheen Rashid Al-Sulaiti, Asst. Director, Tel: 428-100, Fax: 434-
727 
Mr. Adel Mubarak Al-Mansouri, Office Director, Tel: 428-100, Fax: 434-
727 
 
-  Civil Engineering Department: 
P.O. Box 22188 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 337-444 
Fax: 439-104 
 
Mr. Mubarak Abdullah Al-Kholeifi, Director, Tel: 320-800 
H.E. Sheikh Ali bin Nasir bin Faleh Al-Thani, Asst. Director, Tel: 320-
800 
 
-  Building Engineering Department (BED): 
P.O. Box 22306 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 337-337 
Fax: 418-620/430-475 
 
Mr. Issa Abdullah Al-Kubaisi, Director, Tel: 427-140, Fax: 418-620 
Mr. Jumaa' Al-Mohannadi, Acting Asst. Director, Tel: 421-263 
 
--  Public Projects Division: 
Mr. Abdullah Bu Humaid, Acting Head, Public Projects Div., Tel: 333-700 
Mr. Hassan Marzooqi, Project Manager (Schools) 
Mr. Mohammed Mustafawi, Project Manager (Hospitals and Sport Facilities) 
Mr. Mohammed Darwish, Project Manager (Co-ops) 
Mr. Khalid Fakhroo, Project Manager (Mosques and Ministry of 
Communications and Transport Buildings) 
Mr. Abdul hamid Radwani, Project Manager (MEW Projects) 
Mr. Mohammed Mansoor, Project Manager (Golf Courses and Multi-Storey Car 
Parks) 
Mr. Nasser Hassan Mansoori, Project Coordinator (New Airport) 
Mr. Dimitrious Antzoulis, Project Manager (New Doha International 
Airport) 
 
--  Municipal Projects Division: 
Mr. Hassan Ali Yousef Darwish, Acting Head of Municipal Projects Div., 
Tel: 337-722 
Mr. Mohammed Al-Tayyeb, Head of Maintenance Section 
 
--  Projects Control Division: 
Mr. Abdulrahman Yousef Al-Khuleifi, Acting Head, Projects Control Div., 
Tel: 337-744 
Mr. Ahmed John, Project Manager 
Mr. Ray McDonald, Project Manager 
 
--  Consultancy Services Division: 
Mr. Adib Khashabi, Acting Head of Consultancy Services Div., Tel: 337-
755 
Mr. Ibrahim Jaidah, Head, Architecture Section, Tel: 337-766, Fax: 430-
475 
Mr. Ken McKenzie,Head of Quantity Surveying Section 
Mr. Mohammed Al-Uthman, Head of Building Services Section 
Mr. Jim Harper, Asst. Head of Building Services section 
 
--  Housing Projects Division: 
Mr. Abdullah Ahmed Al-Hamadi, Acting Head of Housing Projects Div., Tel: 
337-711, Fax: 425-283 
Mr. Khalid Saad, Acting Head of Senior Staff Housing, Tel: 831-290, Fax: 
836-405 
 
-  Mechanical Equipment Department (MED): 
P.O. Box 39 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 328-241 
Fax: 324-580/326-087 
 
Mr. Hassan Sultan Al-Kawari, Director (Acting), Tel: 328-240 
Mr. Mohammed Mubarak Al-Khayyarin, Head of Admin 
Mr. Faleh Ahmed Al-Daleel, Head of Accounts 
Mr. Safar Mohammed Al-Shafi, Salaries Section 
Mr. Hamad Majid Al-Taan, Head of Garage 
Mr. Nasir Mubarak Al-Nasir, Head of Workshop 
Mr. Mahdi Rashid Al-Dosari, Head of Equipment Division 
 
-  Fisheries Department: 
P.O. Box 8703 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 426-121 
Fax: 431-181 
 
Mr. Naeem Abdullah Al-Baker, Director, Tel: 420-158, Fax: 431-181 
Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Koori, Biologist, Tel: 426-121 
Mr. Ali Ahmed Al-Mulla, Biologist 
Mr. A.C. Prashar, Secretary 
 
-  Agricultural and Water Research Department: 
P.O. Box 1967 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 433-400 
Fax: 410-526 
 
Mr. Mohammed Fahad Al-Faihani, Asst. Under-Secretary for Agriculture, 
Tel: 417-662, Fax: 410-526 
M. Abdul Rahman Mohammed Yousef Al-Mahmood, Asst. Director, Tel: 418-
821/417-662 
Mr. Ahmed Abdul Malik, Head of Water Research Section, Tel: 412-784 
Mr. Ahmed Hassan, Head of Agricultural Research Section 
Mr. Ali Hashem, Head of Soil Research Section, Tel: 433-400 
Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Mannai, Admin Officer, Tel: 433-400 
Dr. Abdul Basith, Agriculture Economics and Statistics, Tel: 431-803 
 
-  Agricultural Development Department: 
P.O. Box 1966 and 2727 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 440-660 
Fax: 322-002 
 
Mr. Ahmed Jaber Sorour, Director, Tel: 445-957/432-594, Fax: 322-002 
Mr. Khalid Abdulrehman Al-Saad, Asst. Director (Agr. Prod. Affairs), 
Tel: 427-861/432-594 
Mr. Ali Mohammed Al-Kubaisi, Asst. Director (Agr. Svcs. Affairs), Tel: 
427-437 
Dr. Majid Rashid Al-Kawari, Asst. Director (Animal Health Affairs), Tel: 
653-086 
Mr. Sayed Mahbob Shah, Head of Agr. Prod. (Acting), Tel: 832-161 
Mr. Baried Amer Al-Humaidi, Head of Agri. Guidance (Acting), Tel: 440-
660 
Mr. Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Sada, Head of Agri. Sect. and Maintenance 
(Acting), Tel: 440-660 
Mr. Abdullah Saqr Khanji, Head of Plant Protection Sect, Tel: 670-576 
Mr. Saad Ibrahim Al-Kawari, Head of Plantation and Irrigation, Tel: 440-
660 
 
-  Environment Department: 
P.O. Box 7634, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 320-825 
Fax: 415-246 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Suhaim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Minister of State at 
the Emiri Diwan and President of the Environment Department 
Dr. Gabr Mohanna Al-Noaimi, Vice Chairman 
 
-  Doha Municipality: 
P.O. Box 820, Doha 
Tel: 413535 
Fax: 418-620 
 
Mr. Ali bin Saad Al-Kawari, Asst. Under-Secretary for Municipalities 
Affairs, Tel: 413-715, Fax: 418-620 
Mr. Hamad Mubarak Al-Sulaiti, Director (Acting) 
Mr. Yacoub Al-Mass, Asst. Director for General Affairs, Tel: 414-
352/413-715, Fax: 418-620 
Mr. Mohammed bin rashid Al-Rashid, Asst. Director for Health Affairs, 
Tel: 413-715 
Mr. Fahad Abdullah Al-Suwailem, Asst. Director for Technical Affairs, 
Tel: 413-715 
 
-  Geographical Information Center (GIS): 
P.O. Box 2727, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 444-142 
Fax: 444-036 
 
Mr. Zulfiqar Giwani, Head of Section, Tel: 444-142 
 
-  Admin Information Systems Center: 
P.O. Box 2727 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 435-743 
Fax: 434-727 
Mr. Jassim Mohammed Mansouri, Manager, Tel: 435-743 
 
-  Health Affairs Department: 
General Cleaning Project 
P.O. Box 163 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 884-880 
Fax: 884-980 
Mr. Calum Reid, Operations Manager 
 
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH 
P.O. Box 42, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 468-468/441-555 
Fax: 428-099/429-786 
 
-  Minister's Office: 
Fax: 429-786 
 
H.E. Ali Sa'eed Al-Khayarin, Minister, Tel: 324-566/417-733 
Mr. Sultan Abdullah Al-Jaber, Office Director, Tel: 414-777 
Dr. Abu Baker Abdul Muez Abdul Sattar, Head, Medical Relations 
Mr. Abdul Hakeem Abdulla Al-Abdul rahman, Head, International Relations, 
Tel: 324-911 
Mr. Mohammad Jassim Al-Jassim, Head, Public Relations, Tel: 468-427 
Mr. Abdul Aziz Mohammed Nishwar, Acting Head, Planning and Follow-Up 
Unit 
 
-  Under-Secretary's Office: 
Vacant 
 
-  Assistant Under-Secretaries: 
Fax: 429-786 
Dr. Abdul Jaleel Mohammed Salman, Asst. Under-Secretary (Technical 
Affairs), Tel: 435-365 
Mr. Ahmed Khalifa Al-Asiri, Asst. Under-Secretary (Admin and Financial 
Aff), Tel: 422-825 
 
-  Administration and Financial Affairs Dept.: 
Mr. Hassan Ali Bu Kshaisa, Director, Tel: 468-468 
Mr. Nasser Al-Shahwani, Head of Personnel, Tel: 446-128/441-551 
 
-  Preventative Health Care Department: 
Dr. Khalifa Ahmed Al-Jaber, Director, Tel: 410-791/423-366 
Mr. Mubarak Saad Al-Oulan, Secretary, Tel: 425-005 
Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Ibrahim, Deputy Director, Tel: 321-770 
 
-  Central Laboratory (For Food Contamination Monitoring): 
P.O. Box 42 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Dr. Ahmed Ramzi Kotb, Director, Tel: 432-418 
 
-  Pharmaceuticals and Medicines Control Dept.: 
Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Hail, Director, Tel: 432-985 
 
-  Drug Supply Section: 
Dr. Hamdi Abdul Mumen, Head 
Dr. Mohammed Metwali, Deputy 
 
-  Permanent Committee for Registration of Pharmaceutical Companies and 
their Products: 
Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Hail, Chairman, Tel: 432-985 
Dr. Aisha Al-Malki, Registrar, Tel: 493-187 
 
-  Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC): 
Hamad General Hospital (HGH): 
P.O. Box 3050, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 446-446 
 
--  Board of Directors: 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Suheim Al-Thani (Minister of Public Health), 
Chairman 
 
--  Members: 
Dr. Abdullah Al-Kubaisi (Qatar University) 
H.E. Mr. Yousef Hussain Kamal (Under-Secretary of Finance, Economy and 
Commerce) 
H.E. Mr. Khattab Omer Al-Dafa (President of Civil Servants Bureau) 
Dr. Mohammed Al-Harami (Deputy Chairman of Surgery) 
Dr. Hassan Al-Abdallah (Medical Director) 
Dr. Khalifa Al-Jaber (Preventative Health Care Director) 
 
--  Materials Management: 
P.O. Box 3050 (Doha, State of Qatar) 
Tel: 446-446 
Fax: 423-399 
 
Mr. Homud Al-Marri, Director, Tel: 492-117 
Mr. Denis Welch, Consultant Advisor 
Mr. Mahmood Zaid Al-Mahmood, Asst. Director 
Mr. Faisal Al-Sayegh, Warehouse Manager, Tel: 492-460 
Mr. Mohammed Rashid Al-Mahannadi, Asst. Director, Tel: 492-379 
Tender Section, Tel: 492-124/91 
Contract Section, Tel: 492-312 
Medical Team, Tel: 492-352/918 
General Team, Tel: 492-120 
Engineering Team, Tel: 492-121/295 
Expenditure Section, Tel: 492-965/125 
 
--  Public Relations Department: 
Mr. Salim Al-Mohannadi, Director, Tel: 492-012 
Mr. Abdulreda Hashim, Asst. Director, Tel: 492-137 
 
--  Medical Department: 
Dr. Hassan Abdulla, Medical Director, Tel: 492-012 
Mrs. Connie Dolina, Secretary, Tel: 492-010 
 
Other Government Organizations and Public Corporations: 
 
CENTRAL STATISTICAL ORGANIZATION 
P.O. Box 7283, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 497-497 
Fax: 445-573 
 
-  President's Office: 
Mr. Mohammed Ma'youf Al-Nuaimi, President, Tel: 445-575 
Mr. Mohammed Ashraf, Secretary, Tel: 497-333 
Mr. Hassan Hajji, Head, Public Relations, Tel: 497-223 
 
-  Economic and Population Survey Section: 
Hassan Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Emadi, Head, Economics and Statistics, Tel: 
497-352 
Mr. Mohammed Sirrel Khitm Taha, Asst. Head, Economic Section, Tel: 497-
354 
 
QATAR CENTRAL BANK 
P.O. Box 1234, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 456-456 
Fax: 413-650 
 
-  Governor's Office: 
H.E. Mr. Abdullah Khalid Al-Attiyah, Governor, Tel: 456-400/415-777, 
Fax: 415-587 
H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Saoud Al-Thani, Deputy Governor, Tel: 456-
444/417-700, Fax: 415-587 
Mr. Issa Ali Mannai, Office Manager, Tel: 456-402, Fax: 415-587 
Mr. Majid Mohammed Majid Al-Saad, Expert, Tel: 456-403 
 
-  Administrative and Finance Department: 
Mr. Ali Salem Al-Marri, Director, Tel: 456-200 
Mr. Ahmed Adbul Rabb, Asst. Director, Tel: 456-202 
Mr. Abdul Latif Abdullah, Head, Procurement and Maintenance, Tel: 456-
210 
Mr. Bader Darwish, Head, Personnel Affairs Section, Tel: 456-220 
Mr. Ahmed Ali Khalaf, Head, Public Relations, Tel: 456-221 
Mr. Adel Al-Baker, Head, Accounts, Tel: 456-232 
 
-  Exchange and Currency Issue Department: 
H.E. Sheikh Fahad bin Faisal Al-Thani, Director, Tel: 456-333 
Mr. Abdullah Ahmed Zaini, Asst. Director, Tel: 456-356 
Mr. Ali Azad Al-Hajji, Director, Currency Issue Department, Tel: 456241 
 
--  Legal Affairs Section: 
Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Malki, Head, Tel: 456-390 
 
-  Investment and Foreign Exchange Department: 
Mr. Hassan Abdullah Al-Khal, Director, Tel: 456-375, Fax: 413-650 
Mr. Muhanna Ali Al-Kawari, Asst. Director, Tel: 456-376 
Mr. Abdul Bassit Al-Sheebi, Head, Trading and Foreign Exchange, Tel: 
456-377 
 
-  Bank Control Department: 
Mr.Mejeb Turki Al-Turki, Director,Tel: 456-300 
Mr. Abdul Wahab Mohammed Nasrulla, Asst. Director, Tel: 456-301 
 
-  Research and Statistics Department: 
H.E. Sheikh Mubarak bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Director, Tel: 456-420 
Dr. Nabil Hasshad, Economic Expert, Tel: 456-434 
 
SUPREME COUNCIL FOR PLANNING 
P.O. Box 1855, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 468-222/468-333 
Fax: 425-555 
 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, President 
H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Vice President, Member 
H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Member 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani, Member 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Thani, Member (Also:  Minister of 
State for Defence Affairs and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed 
Forces) 
H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalid Al-Thani, Member (Also:  Minister of 
Islamic Endowments and Islamic Affairs) 
H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad bin Khalid Al-Thani, Member 
H.E. Mr. Abdul Aziz Abdullah Turki, Member 
H.E. Mr. Abdul Rahman Saad Al-Dirham, Member 
H.E. Mr. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Member 
H.E. Mr. Saleh Abu Daoud Al-Mohannadi, Secretary General, Tel: 419-437 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani, Private Sector Rep. 
Dr. Abdullah Jumaa Al-Kubaisi 
Mr. Yousef Jassim Al-Darwish 
Mr. Abdul Aziz Hussain Salat 
 
-  Secretary General's Office: 
H.E. Mr. Saleh Abu Daoud Al-Mohannadi, Secretary General, Tel: 444-141 
Mr. Abdullah Mohammed Al-Hail, Office Director, Tel: 444-141 
 
-  Assistant Secretary General: 
Mr. Abdul Aziz Mohammed Al-Mannai, Asst. Secretary General, Tel: 328-558 
 
-  Admin and Finance Department: 
Mr. Hamza Mohammed Al-Kawari, Director, Tel: 444-462 
 
-  Economic Planning Department: 
H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Jabor Al-Thani, Director, Tel: 328-
044/324-621 
Dr. Majid Masoud, Expert 
 
-  Social Planning Department: 
Dr. Ibrahim Ali Al-Saada, Director, Tel: 410-846 
Dr. Hussain Saleh, Expert 
 
-  Performance Evaluation Department: 
Eng. Fahad Mohammed Al-Nuaimi, Director (Acting), Tel: 468-113 
 
E2.  Country Trade Associations/Chambers of Commerce: 
 
QATAR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY 
P.O. Box 405, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 351-499 
Fax: 324-338 
 
Board of Directors: 
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani, President, P.O. Box 
1277, Tel: 414-862, Fax: 430-112 
Mr. Saleh Mubarak Al-Khuleifi, Vice President, P.O. Box 132, Tel: 414-
277, Fax: 414-654 
Mr. Abdul Rahman Muftah Al-Muftah, Honorary Treasurer, Tel: 446-161, 
P.O. Box 875, Fax: 441-410 
 
Members: 
H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Jassim bin Faisal Al-Thani, Tel: 445-861, P.O. 
Box 6, Fax: 447-189 
Mr. Ahmed Abdullah Al-Misnad, Tel: 428-818, P.O. Box 2304, Fax: 328-929 
Mr. Saleh Salem Al-Kawari, Tel: 413-493, P.O.  Box 2258, Fax: 437-370 
Mr. Jassim Mohammed Jaidah, Tel: 424-568, P.O. Box 150, Fax: 446-640 
Mr. Mohammed Hamad Almana, Tel: 425-641, P.O. Box 1391, Fax: 435-030 
Mr. Abdul Hadi Al-Shahwani, Tel: 325-257, P.O. Box 5653, Fax: 327-143 
Mr. Shaheen bin Mohammed Rashid Al-Assiry, Tel: 414-200, P.O. Box 1465, 
Fax: 413-504 
Mr. Ahmed Abdul Rahman Obaidan Fakhroo, Tel: 320-356, P.O. Box 1486, 
Fax: 439-896 
Mr. Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Sowaidi, Tel: 415-531, P.O. Box 775, Fax: 415-
329 
Mr. Rashid bin Faisal Al-Nuaimi, Tel: 324-920, P.O. Box 2686, Fax: 831-
213 
Mr. Latfallah Ismail bin Ali, Tel: 423-262, P.O. Box 1140 
Mr. Khalil Ibrahim Al-Radwani, Tel: 422-312, P.O. Box 35, Fax: 410-454 
 
Management: 
Dr. Majid Al-Malki, Gneeral Manager, P.O. Box 402, Tel: 351-491/351-499, 
Fax: 324-338 
Mr. Ghazi Khalaf, Public Relations Manager, Tel: 423-677 
Mr. Sudki Hassan Sulaiman Abu Ruzz, Head of Legal Studies, Tel: 431-427 
 
E3.  Country Market Research Firms:  Not available. 
 
E4.  Country Commercial Banks: 
 
Qatar Banking Institutions: 
 
(All in Doha, State of Qatar) 
Central Bank of Qatar: 
P. O. Box 1234, Tel: 456-456, Fax: 415-587 
(H.E. Abdullah bin Khalid Al-Attiyah, Governor) 
 
Al-Ahli Bank of Qatar 
P. O. Box 2309 
Tel: 326-611 
Fax: 444-652 
Contact:  Mr. Taha Omar, General Manager 
 
Arab Bank Ltd. 
P. O. Box 172 
Tel: 437-979 
Fax: 410-774 
Contact:  Mr. Ghassan Ahmed Bundabji, Area Manager 
Tel: 422-814, Fax: 410-774 
 
British Bank of the Middle East (BBME) 
P. O. Box 57 
Tel: 423-124/422-646/426-628 
Fax: 416-353 
Contact:  Mr. John Bascoe, General Manager, Qatar 
Mr. Jassim Abu Abbas, Deputy General Manager, Qatar 
Mr. P. J. Hannay, Operations Manager 
 
Commercial Bank of Qatar Ltd. 
Head Office/Main Branch 
P. O. Box 3232 
Tel: 490-222 
Fax: 438-182 
Contact:  Mr. T. P. Nunan, General Manager 
 
Doha Bank Ltd. 
P. O. Box 3818 
Tel: 435-444 
Fax: 416-631 
Contact:  Mr. Maqboul H. Khalfan, General Manager 
 
Grindlays Bank PLC 
P. O. Box 2001 
Tel: 327-711/425-466/426-356 
Fax: 428-077 
Contact:  Mr. P. O. Tomkins, General Manager 
 
Al-Mashriq (Formerly:Bank of Oman Ltd.) 
P. O.  Box 173 
Tel: 413-213/7 
Fax: 413-880 
Contact:  Mr. Khwaja Zafrullah, Manager 
 
Banque Paribas 
P. O. Box 2636 
Tel: 433-844/7/433-855/6, 426-077 
Fax: 410-861 
Contact:  Mr. Christian Mourot, General Manager 
 
Qatar Islamic Bank 
P. O. Box 559 
Tel: 438-000/439-498/439-339 
Fax: 412-700 
Contact:  Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim 
Siddiqui El-Emadi, General Manager 
 
Qatar National Bank 
P. O. Box 1002 
Tel: 413-511 
Fax: 413-753 
Contact:   Mr. Abdullah Al-Khater,  General Manager 
 
Bank Saderat Iran 
P. O. Box 2256 
Tel: 424-447/329-292/329-203 
Contact:  Mr. Mansoor Tafazoli, Manager 
 
Standard Chartered Bank PLC 
P. O. Box 29 
Tel: 414-251/414-252/414-248/430-360, Fax: 413-739 
Contact:  Mr. A. R. Barry, Manager 
 
United Bank Ltd. 
P. O. Box 242 
Tel: 438-666/424-400 
Fax: 424-600 
Contact:  Mr. Ray Mansoor Ahmed Khan, General Manager 
 
E5.  Leading Diversified Business Firms in Qatar: 
 
(All in Doha, State of Qatar) 
 
Al-Fardan Group, P.O. Box 63 
Tel: 408-408  Fax: 351-885 
Contact:  Mr. Hussain Al-Fardan, Managing Director 
 
Al-Jabor Group, P.O. Box 295 
Tel: 328-500  Fax: 449-411 
Contact:  Sheikh Jabor bin Jassim Al-Thani 
 
Jameel Showroom, P.O. Box 5 
Tel: 325-618/324-806  Fax: 434-433 
Contact:  Mr. Abdullah Abdulrahim Emadi, Mannaging Partner 
 
Al-Khalaf Brothers, P.O. Box 5774 
Tel: 810-069/810-411  Fax: n/a 
Contact:  Mr. Ahmed Hussain Khalaf, Managing Director 
 
Al-Muftah Group, P.O. Box 63 
Tel: 446-868  Fax: 441-415 
Contact:  Mr. Abdulrahman Muftah Al-Muftah, Managing Director 
 
Al-Nasr Group, P.O. Box 28 
Tel: 417-333/432-377  Fax: 423-971 
Contact:  Mr. Mohammad Sultan Seif Al-Issa, Owner 
 
Ali bin Ali Group, P.O. Box 1993 
Tel: 423-911  Fax:  
Contact:  Mr. Adel Ali bin Ali, General Manager 
 
Almana Group, P.O. Box 491 
Tel: 418-333  Fax: 432-420 
Contact:  Mr Omar Almana, Managing Director 
 
Blue Salon, P.O. Box 6255 
Tel: 447-408  Fax: 446-456 
Contact:  Mr. Ashraf Abdulrahim Abu Issa, General Manager 
 
Doha Motors and Trading, P.O. 145 
Tel: 851-141  Fax: 851-502/803-234 
Contact:  Ahmed Hussain Abu Abbas, Managing Director 
 
Faisal bin Jassim Group, P.O. Box 3288 
Tel: 440-244  Fax: 447-189 
Contact:  Sheikh Faisal bin Jassim Al-Thani, Chairman 
 
GEMCO Group (Gulf Engineering Materials Company), P.O. Box 157 
Tel: 433-268/329-480  Fax: 434-583 
Contact:  Mr. Ahmed Saleh Al-Obaidley, Owner 
 
Hamad bin Khalid (HBK) Group, P.O. Box 1362 
Tel: 433-644  Fax: 438-729 
Contact:  Mr. Victor Tabri, Deputy General Manager 
 
Jaidah Motors and Trading Co., P.O. Box 150 
Tel: 426-161  Fax: 414-100 
Contact:  Mr. Jassim Jaidah, Chairman 
 
Kassim Darwish Fakhroo and Sons Group (KDS), P.O. Box 350 
Tel: 422-739  Fax: 422-781 
Contact:  Mr. Hassan Darwish, Managing Director 
 
Khalid Scientific Corporation, P.O. Box 4349 
Tel: 325-198/417-371  Fax: 443-487 
Contact:  Mr. Yacoub Soussou, General Manager 
 
Mannai Corporation, P.O. Box 76 
Tel: 412-555  Fax: 411-982 
Contact:  Mr. Ahmed Mannai, Managing Director 
 
Merch Trading Establishment, P.O. Box 5511 
Tel: 328-892  Fax: 441-239 
Contact:  Mr. Rashid Massoud, Manager 
 
Middle East Traders, P. O. Box 273 
Tel: 325-367/320252  Fax: 423-486 
Contact:  Mr. Mohammed Bayyari, General Manager 
 
Midmac, P.O. Box 1758 
Tel: 425-125  Fax: 884-630 
Contact:  Sheikh Ahmed bin Khalifa Al-Thani 
 
Modern Home, P.O. Box 615 
Tel: 422-815/426-833  Fax;  437-002 
Contact:  Mr. Badr Darwish, Managing Director 
 
Nasser bin Khalid (NBK) Group, P.O. Box 82 
Tel: 443-838  Fax: 433-652 
Contact:  Sheikh Abdulla bin Nasser bin Khalid Al-Thani 
and Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser bin Khalid Al-Thani, Partners 
 
Qatar Decoration, P.O. Box 1943 
Tel: 424-302/416-912  Fax: 884-118 
Contact:  Mr. Fathi Samara, Manager 
 
Salam Group, P.O. Box 121 
Tel: 832-050  Fax: 832-180 
Contact:  Mr. Issa Abu Issa, General Manager 
 
Teyseer Group, P.O. Box 1555 
Tel: 321-833/328-285  Fax: 424-282 
Contact:  Mr. Abdulrahman Mannai, Group General Manager 
 
Trading and Agency Services (TRAGS), P.O. Box 1884 
Tel: 432-212  Fax: 422-255 
Contact:  Mr. Munir Issa, General Manager 
 
E6. U.S. Embassy (trade personnel): 
 
Embassy of the United States of America 
P.O. Box 2399, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: Main: 864-701, Commercial Section:  867-460 
Fax: 861-669 
 
Deputy Chief of Mission:  Todd P. Schwartz 
Economic Commercial Advisor:  Jiryis H. Khoury 
Commercial Clerk:  Sima Carri 
 
E7.  Washington-based USG Country Contacts: 
 
E7.1.  Country Desk Officer:  Department of Commerce: 
 
Qatar Desk Officer 
Office of the Near East, Room 2039 
U.S. Department of Commerce 
14th Street and Constitution Ave. N.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20230 
Tel: (202)482-5545 
Fax: (202)482-0878 
 
E7.2.  Country Desk Officer:  State Department: 
 
Mr. Kevin Briscoe 
NEA/ARP, Room 4224 
Department of State 
Washington, DC 20520-4224 
Tel: (202)647-6558 
Fax: (202)736-4459 
 
E7.3.  Trade Development Agency (TDA) 
SA-16, Room 309 
Washington, D.C. 20523-1602 
Contact:  Regional Director, Africa and Middle East 
Tel: (703)875-4357 
Fax: (703)875-4000 
 
E8.  U.S.-based Bilateral Organizations Relevant for Country: 
 
U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce 
1825 K. Street N.W., Suite 1107 
Washington, D.C. 20006 
Tel: (202)331-8010 
Fax: (202)331-8297 
Mr. J. Abi Nader, President 
 
F.  Market Research: Not applicable 
 
G.  Trade Events in the State of Qatar 
(Venue:  Qatar International Exhibition Center, Doha, State of Qatar, 
except those marked *) 
 
Date        Trade Event 
1995: 
September  Instore Promotion of U.S. Food Products* 
 
October 23-26  Qatar International Oil and Gas and Heavy  
-      Industries Exhibition 
 
November 5-10  American Products Exhibition 
 
November 19-24  Egyptian Products Exhibition 
 
1996: 
January 7-12  The Tunisian Products Exhibition  
-      (Organizers:  Tunisian Embassy) 
 
January 16-19  The Third Qatar International Exhibition for 
-      Information Systems  
-      (Organizers:  Qatar Expo - Bridge International) 
 
March 24-29  Jordanian Products Exhibition 
-      (Organizers:  Al-Maraya Public Relations) 
 
May 5-10  The Iranian Products Exhibition  
-      (Organizers: Media Production and Marketing) 
 
May 19-24  The International Exhibition for Children's Toys 
-      (Organizers:  Al-Mutawasit For Exhibitions) 
 
September 22-27  The Egyptian Products Exhibition  
-        (Organizers:  Media Production and Marketing) 
 
November 16-22  Qatar International Oil and Gas Exhibition 
-      (Organizers:  Media Production and Marketing) 
 
Notes: 
1.  For further information on trade events in Qatar, contact: 
 
Mr. Abdullah Ibrahim Mohammed, Director, Fairs and Exhibitions 
Department, Ministry of Finance, Economy and Commerce, P.O. Box 1968, 
Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: 831-666, Fax: 834-480 
 
2.  American Embassy Doha is a co-sponsor/promoter of the American 
Products Exhibition, to be held November 5-10, 1995.  This is the first 
event of its kind in Qatar.  The organizer/local sponsor is: 
 
Mr. Mohammed Abdul Karim Al-Emadi, General Manager, Al-Baz Publicity & 
Advertising, P.O. Box 3890, Doha, State of Qatar 
Tel: (Office) (974)446-344, Fax: (974)446-641 
Address in the United States: 
8150 Leesburg Pike, Suite 600 & 700, Vienna, VA 22182, U.S.A. 
Tel: (703)883-8230  Fax: (703)883-8207
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