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Qatar Commercial Guide

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Qatar Commercial Guide Qatar Table of Contents Doing Business in Qatar ........................................................................................................ 4 Market Overview ............................................................................................................... 4 Market Challenges ............................................................................................................. 5 Market Opportunities ........................................................................................................ 8 Market Entry Strategy ....................................................................................................... 9 Political and Economic Environment ................................................................................... 11 Political Environment ...................................................................................................... 11 Selling US Products & Services ............................................................................................. 11 Using an Agent to Sell US Products and Services .............................................................. 11 Establishing an Office ...................................................................................................... 12 Franchising ...................................................................................................................... 14 Direct Marketing .............................................................................................................. 14 Joint Ventures/Licensing .................................................................................................. 14 Selling to the Government ................................................................................................ 15 Distribution & Sales Channels .......................................................................................... 16 Express Delivery ............................................................................................................... 17 Selling Factors & Techniques ........................................................................................... 17 eCommerce ...................................................................................................................... 17 Trade Promotion & Advertising ........................................................................................ 17 Pricing............................................................................................................................. 20 Sales Service/Customer Support ...................................................................................... 20 Due Diligence ................................................................................................................... 21 Local Professional Services............................................................................................... 21 Principle Business Associations ...................................................................................... 23 Limitations on Selling US Products and Services ............................................................. 24 Web Resources ................................................................................................................ 24 Leading Sectors for US Exports & Investments ................................................................... 25 Aviation & Defense .......................................................................................................... 25 Architecture Engineering & Construction ........................................................................ 26 Automotive ...................................................................................................................... 28 Education Training and Equipment ................................................................................. 29 Information, and Communication Technology ................................................................ 32 Medical Equipment and Services ...................................................................................... 33 Oil & Gas Field Machinery and Equipment ....................................................................... 34 Safety & Security ............................................................................................................. 35 Travel and Tourism ..........................................................................................................37 Customs, Regulations & Standards ..................................................................................... 43 Trade Barriers ................................................................................................................. 43 Import Tariffs ................................................................................................................. 43 Import Requirements & Documentation .......................................................................... 43 U.S. Export Controls ........................................................................................................ 44 Temporary Entry ............................................................................................................. 45 Labeling/Marking Requirements ..................................................................................... 46 2 Prohibited & Restricted Imports ...................................................................................... 46 Customs Regulations ....................................................................................................... 46 Standards for Trade ......................................................................................................... 47 Trade Agreements ........................................................................................................... 48 Web Resources ................................................................................................................ 48 Investment Climate Statement ........................................................................................... 49 Executive Summary ......................................................................................................... 49 Openness To, and Restrictions Upon, Foreign Investment .............................................. 50 Bilateral Investment Agreements and Taxation Treaties ................................................. 52 Legal Regime ................................................................................................................... 53 Industrial Policies ........................................................................................................... 58 Protection of Property Rights .......................................................................................... 60 Financial Sector ............................................................................................................... 63 State-Owned Enterprises ................................................................................................ 66 Responsible Business Conduct ........................................................................................ 67 Corruption ....................................................................................................................... 68 Political and Security Environment ................................................................................. 69 Labor Policies and Practices ............................................................................................ 69 OPIC and Other Investment Insurance Programs ............................................................. 71 Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Portfolio Investment Statistics ........................... 71 Contact for More Information ..............................................................................................73 INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. 3 Doing Business in Qatar Market Overview Throughout 2016, the U.S.-Qatar political, commercial, economic and security relationship grew even stronger than before. Qatar continues to be a resilient and diverse market despite regional unrest and some uncertainty in the global market, including the decline in energy prices. With U.S. exports to Qatar growing to nearly $5 billion in 2016, U.S. companies performed well in the market with major awards in aviation, defense and infrastructure. Regional Political Disagreements. On June 5, 2017, the governments of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and the Maldives all ceased diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar and severed most contacts. Thus far, the impact has primarily been on regional travel, with Qatar Airways suspending flights to those countries and airlines from those countries (such as Emirates, Etihad, Saudia, Gulf Air) suspending flights to/from Qatar. The movement of goods across land and sea borders has also been impacted. Qatar has moved quickly to establish other sources of imports and continues that effort, which might present new opportunities for American suppliers. The U.S. Embassy in Doha and the U.S. Commercial Service are closely monitoring the situation and continue to provide guidance and support to U.S. companies wishing to enter the market as well as those already doing business in the country. U.S. companies are encouraged to
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