Qatar Free Zone (QFZ)

QFZ offers a broad portfolio of Free Zones which are strategically located in proximity to ports and commercial zones. QFZ is made up of two free zones that are focused and centred around four main sectors of emerging technologies, industry, logistics and maritime. The first free zone, Ras Bufontas – the airport free zone, is connected to and supported by Hamad International Airport. The second free zone, Umm Al Houl – the seaport free zone, is next to and supported by a greenfield deep-seaport. From these two free zones, from time-sensitive products to heavy machinery, they’re able to supply industries worldwide. The free zones are a gateway for the world to the Middle East and the possibilities, opportunities and potential growth for investors are limitless.

Requirements to set up in QFZ

There are 2 main steps involved in starting your business in a Freezone in Qatar (QFZ) – application stage and registration stage. Both stages are handled by liaison with QFZA (Qatar Freezone Authority) or through a company service provider like PRO Partner Group. Note that PRO Partner Group (PPG) Qatar can act as your agent to assist with the set up and liaison with Qatar Freezone Authority to ensure the correct and timeline set up of the freezone company in QFZ. PPG can act as your main point of contact through the process.

What is the QFZ Application process

QFZA has set out the below list of permitted activities:

Consumer Goods

Energy & Environmental Technologies

Food & Beverages

ICT

Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences & Medical Services

Industrial Products & Services

Professional & Business Services

Leisure & Hospitality

Automotive & Transport Equipment

Logistics & Warehousing

Marine Activities & Services

Aerospace & Aviation Activities

This process includes obtaining general information on the company, financial and employment forecasts and a business plan detailing proposed operations and activities.

The documents that you will be required to submit at this stage are:

A copy of your company registration (If the company is already registered in Qatar)

Audited financial statements or a shareholder’s financial statement from the last 3 years

Copies of ID documents for all the directors of the proposed company

Proof of payment for the application

Registration of QFZ company

The licence types available in QFZ include:

Trading
Services
E-commerce (online portal activities – requires experience with managing these platforms)
Industrial

The documents that will be submitted at this stage depend on the proposed business activity and structure.

QFZ LLC Formation

For incorporation of an LLC in QFZ, you will require all the documents relating to the free zone entity. These are:

Articles of Associations (AoA), which must be signed by shareholders or authorised representatives of the shareholders on every page
Documents pertaining to the incorporation of the free zone entity and appointment of an authorised representative (shareholder’s resolution)
All governmental documents that relate to the company shareholders

Note that where shareholders may be corporate entities then the relevant Board Resolution and Power of Attorney must be obtained from the country of origin and Notarised, Legalised and Attested through the Qatar embassy in that country. PPG can fully assist with this process as needed.

QFZ Branch Formation

In order to register a branch office in the Qatar Freezone, you must provide the following:

All documents that relate to the authorisation for incorporation of a free zone branch
Any documents that are connected with the appointment of a manager
Any other constitutional documents that are related to the originating parent company

With setting up Branch office in QFZ the relevant Board Resolution and Power of Attorney must be drafted from the parent company and obtained from the country of origin and Notarised, Legalised and Attested through the Qatar embassy in that country. PPG can assist with this process as needed.

Benefits of setting up in QFZ

QFZ utilise the wage protection system (WPS). It might be helpful to engage with us for Payroll Services in Qatar to ensure the correct and timely payment of employees.
QFZ and the Qatar Airways provide well connected networks which investors would have access to which expands their reach to many regional markets worldwide.
Qatar is strategically positioned between the producing-East and consuming-West markets
QFZ is able to offer fully serviced offices, units and land plots within a dedicated zone
World-class infrastructure and logistics connectivity by land, sea and air - combining its strategic location with this large storage capacity could improve target global supply chain ensuring availability and speedy delivery of its products
100% Foreign Ownership of your business
Full capital repatriation
20 year corporate tax holiday
No rule round minimum number of local employees
Zero customs duties for in/out of free zones, but 5% customs duties apply when sold into Qatar