By: Aciel Kafu – Legal Researcher
As part of the commitment to fostering economic expansion and in line with the Qatar National Vision of 2030, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (“MOCI”) issued Ministerial Decision No. 60 of 2024 (“Decision”) reducing official fees, in some cases up to 90%, for services provided by MOCI relating to the commercial, industrial, business development and consumer protection sectors. The Decision came into effect on July 11, 2024, following its publication in the Official Gazette.
The Decision came as a result of analyses of the business environment and investors’ needs and to attract both local and foreign businesses. The Decision is expected to not only foster existing business growth in the country but also encourage organisations with exciting business ideas and limited finances to establish businesses that will contribute to the growth of the national economy.
MOCI’s fee reductions cover several crucial services, enhancing accessibility and affordability for businesses to operate in Qatar. Some of the significant fee reductions include the annual registration fee for a single primary activity in the commercial register, which has been reduced from QR 10,000 to QR 500. Similarly, the annual renewal fee for maintaining this registration has also been lowered from the maximum fee of QR 10,000 to QR 500.
Further, the annual licensing fee for similar commercial, industrial, or public premises, including branches, has been drastically reduced from the maximum fee of QR 10,000 to QR 500. This reduction also applies to the annual renewal of such licenses. Additionally, the annual fee for licensing home-based business activities has been decreased from the maximum fee of QR 10,000 to QR 500, with the same reduction applying to the renewal of these licenses.
Commercial registration and licensing fees have been reduced from QR 5,000 to QR 500, and from QR 3,000 to QR 300, respectively. Licensing renewal fees have also been reduced from QR 2,000 to QR 200.
The complete list of reduced fees may be found at the link below: https://www.moci.gov.qa/downloads/feesEn.pdf
