An Overview of Their Roles and Responsibilities

Qatar ministries play crucial roles in the country’s sustainable development. Qatar is a small but influential country located in the Middle East. Despite its size, it is a significant player in the global economy, with a strong focus on energy and finance.

One of the reasons for its success is the efficiency of its government, which comprises various ministries responsible for different areas of the country’s development. In this post, we will look closer at the Qatar Ministries, their roles, and their importance to the country’s developing business sector.

1. Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI)

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the main regulatory ministry for company formation and sets the ground regulations for local businesses and any corporate matters in Qatar. The ministry is responsible for company formation and closure, commercial activities regulations, Commercial Law implementation, and issuing corporate licences such as Commercial Registration and Trade licence. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry offers a range of services, transaction forms and useful information to both investors and consumers.

Qatar has been able to consolidate its position on the map of the global economy, where the country has been classified over the past years as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Fusion Middle East are experts for company formation with over 50 years of combined local experience, focusing on Limited Liability Companies and local corporate partnership.

Fusion Support Services offer further expertise in setting up LLCs with various ownership structure, Foreign Branch Offices, Trade Representative Offices, processing changes in corporate licenses and closing companies etc.

We are proud of our longstanding cooperation with MOCI, while ensuring there is trusted guidance and clarity regarding local laws and regulation to our valued clients.

2. Ministry of Justice (MOJ)

The Ministry of Justice ensures the proper administration of justice in Qatar. The Ministry oversees the country’s judicial system and works towards promoting human rights and the rule of law. MOJ has launched an online portal called SAK for processing documentation used to process e-services, which is a part of the ministry endeavours to facilitate services and deliver them to the application users quickly and smartly, taking into consideration the importance of the privacy and confidentiality of their data. A range of services are delivered to various beneficiaries, including individuals, businesses, investors, and government bodies.

Every business owner and /or manager is encouraged to set up SAK registration and account, as MOJ approval is required for signature authentication and notarization of various agreements, resolutions for setting up a local corporate bank account, delegating Power of Attorney etc. Fusion team may provide guidance and processing any such requests.

3. Ministry of Interior (MOI)

The Ministry of Interior ensures internal security and maintains law and order in the country. Ministry of Interior is providing peace and security and organizing police forces guaranteeing the protection of national security, maintaining safety and security of nationals and expatriates as well taking all necessary measures to prevent the happenings of crimes and taking care of nationality related affairs, issuing travel documents, organizing expatriates’ entry to the country and their residence. The ministry is the regulatory authority for any corporate immigration matters in Qatar. It is required for a company to have the Establishment Card issued by MOI, and the ministry regulates all official expatriate employees’ documents.

There are many PRO Services for company employees that Fusion provides in cooperation with MOI, like the full process for Work Visas for Residency Permits/QIDs, support with Family Visa applications for Residency, renewals of QIDs and updating personal information on QIDs, reporting lost documents and obtaining new ones, issuing Gate Passes for offshore works etc. You can focus on running your business, while resting assured that all employee matters will be taken care of and manged ahead of time, with full transparency regarding requirements and timelines.

4. Ministry of Labour (MOL)

The Ministry of Labour is responsible for regulating any employment matters in Qatar. MOL is in charge of proposing and executing public policies, regulations and systems concerning the workforce in Qatar, overseeing recruitment policies and Qatarisation (nationalisation) of jobs, ensures protection of migrant workers socially and legally as well as implementing the Labour Law https://www.mol.gov.qa/en/ministry/Pages/LawDetails.aspx?itemid=204

The ministry also approves employee quotas for companies, has the registry system for local employment contracts (E-Contracts), obligatory for all expat employees. By collation immigration data and employee E-Contracts, MOL also monitors the Wages Protection System for regular employee salaries payment. It is required for eth business to maintain regular salaries payment records in order to keep a good standing record with MOL and be able to have labour quota approved as requested.

As a part of varies Fusion PRO Services for employees/sponsored individuals, Fusion team processes E-Contracts, assists with change of employers (transfers of sponsorship), processing of all requirements for best outcome labour quota requests, advises on job titles and completes job position changes etc. Providing the right information, guidance on requirements and procedures that need to be followed, Fusion ensures our clients are well taken acre of and have best records at MOL.

5. Ministry of Finance (MOF)

The Ministry of Finance manages Qatar’s financial affairs and promotes economic growth. It oversees various policies and initiatives related to taxation, budgeting, and public debt. The ministry plays a crucial role in ensuring financial stability and sustainability in the country.

The ministry oversees the General Tax Authority (GTA) and provides the Dahreeba online portal for registering all companies in Qatar, submitting annual audits, and managing all tax-related matters.

It is required for all local business to appoint local auditors for GTA – Dhareeba company registration as well as filing annual audit of accounts and managing access and updating information in Dhareeba system. Fusion provides guidance and relevant updates, such as remining all of our newly formed business to register with Dhareeba in 60 days after issuance of first company licenses in order to avoid penalties (20,000 QAR).

6. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs manages Qatar’s foreign relations and diplomacy. The ministry attests local documents for official use abroad and provides final attestation services. It also provides final attestation for using foreign documents (already attested by the Qatar Embassy) in the State of Qatar. Fusion provides full attestation services, as well as official translation from English to Arabic (and vice Versa) of foreign documents.

7. Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE)

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) promotes and develops Qatar’s education system. It oversees various initiatives and policies, including school curriculums, teacher training, and educational programs. The ministry also plays a crucial role in regulation of private schools, kindergartens and nurseries, with respective licenses. Fusion may assist with liaising with the Ministry in obtaining the required approvals such as for School’s Education license. Curriculum approval and school premises inspection are essential, as well as timing all processes in line with starting of every new school year.

8. Ministry of Public Health (MOPH)

Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) is responsible for the oversight of the quality and effectiveness of services delivered by public and private sector health service providers. It manages public health service programs, including disease prevention, occupational health, food safety, environmental safety and national immunization programs as well as preparation and development of Qatar’s National Health and Public Health Strategies and monitoring their progress. All healthcare practitioners who wish to work within Qatar’s healthcare sector must be registered and licensed by The Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP). For setting up a private hospital, clinic or other medical facility in Qatar, it is necessary to obtain approval from MOPH and the relevant license. Fusion may assist with the full process of medical facility set up, licensing and all relevant license renewals.

9. Ministry of Municipality (MOM)

The Ministry of Municipality (MOM) is responsible for promoting and regulating sustainable development in the country. It oversees various initiatives and policies related to urban planning, environmental conservation, and public health. The ministry plays a crucial role in ensuring a sustainable future for Qatar. MME also includes Qatar General Authority for Standardization and Metrology, as well as the Engineering Committee in charge of regulating Engineering licenses for companies and individuals. Fusion may support international engineering consultancies to set up in Qatar by following the required licensing process for the company and its engineers.

10. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC)

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is responsible for promoting and regulating environmental policies and initiatives in Qatar. The ministry works towards promoting sustainability and reducing carbon emissions in the country.

11. Ministry of Transport (MOT)

The Ministry of Transport promotes and regulates Qatar’s transportation sector. The ministry provides special approvals for certain transport-related commercial activities and obtaining approvals for temporary road regulation, machinery transport, construction grounds and various facility locations (schools, kindergartens, nurseries).

12. Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT)

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is responsible for promoting and regulating Qatar’s communication and information technology sectors. The ministry oversees the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA). The CRA manages ICT approvals for the import of specific communications/IT equipment to the Qatar market. The ministry also provides special approvals for certain communication and IT-related commercial activities.

13. Ministry of Sports and Youth (MSY)

The Ministry of Sports and Youth promotes and regulates sports and youth-related activities in Qatar. Its mission is to supervise the Olympic movement in Qatar and encourage the community to participate in sports. Additionally, the committee has a role in hosting sporting events locally, regionally, and internationally. After the historic FIFA World Cup 2022, as the first in the Middle East and any Arab country, Qatar has already secured itself as a leading sports events host with events such as Formula 1® Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix in October 2023, the 2023 AFC Asian Cup is scheduled to be held from January 12 to February 10, 2024 as well as the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.

14. Ministry of Culture (MOC)

The Ministry of Culture is the regulatory authority for license requests to operate advertising and public relations activity, artistic production, artistic works, studios, cinema theatres, importing educational books for government agencies, photography and film shooting license requests, music education registration requests, preparation of concerts and general artistic events registration requests, creative event license requests, among others. The ministry aims to promote cultural diversity and the arts in Qatar.

15. Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF)

The Ministry of Social Development and Family provides services for Qatari nationals and families. The ministry aims to promote social welfare and development in Qatar.

16. Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs

The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs promotes and regulates Islamic affairs in Qatar. The ministry oversees various Islamic education, charity, and community development initiatives. It also promotes interfaith dialogue and cooperation among different religious communities in the country.