DOCSLIB.ORG

RESTRICTED WT/TPR/S/296 18 March 2014 (14-1702) Page

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
RESTRICTED WT/TPR/S/296 18 March 2014 (14-1702) Page RESTRICTED WT/TPR/S/296 18 March 2014 (14-1702) Page: 1/87 Trade Policy Review Body TRADE POLICY REVIEW REPORT BY THE SECRETARIAT QATAR This report, prepared for the second Trade Policy Review of Qatar, has been drawn up by the WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility. The Secretariat has, as required by the Agreement establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), sought clarification from Qatar on its trade policies and practices. Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Ms Denby Probst (tel.: 022 739 5847). Document WT/TPR/G/296 contains the policy statement submitted by Qatar. Note: This report is subject to restricted circulation and press embargo until the end of the first session of the meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body on Qatar. This report was drafted in English. WT/TPR/S/296 • Qatar - 2 - CONTENTS SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ 8 1 ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................ 10 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 10 1.2 Recent economic developments .................................................................................. 10 1.3 Planning and strategy ............................................................................................... 11 1.3.1 Qatar National Vision 2030 ...................................................................................... 11 1.3.2 Qatar National Development Strategy, 2011-16 ......................................................... 11 1.4 Macroeconomic policies ............................................................................................. 11 1.4.1 Inflation ............................................................................................................... 11 1.4.2 Labour, employment, and the expatriate workforce..................................................... 11 1.4.3 Exchange rate policy .............................................................................................. 12 1.4.4 Treasury bills ........................................................................................................ 12 1.5 Fiscal situation ......................................................................................................... 12 1.6 Developments in trade .............................................................................................. 13 1.6.1 Trade in goods ...................................................................................................... 13 1.6.1.1 Exports .............................................................................................................. 13 1.6.1.2 Imports ............................................................................................................. 14 1.6.2 Trade in services ................................................................................................... 14 1.7 Foreign direct investment trends ................................................................................. 17 1.8 Outlook ................................................................................................................... 17 2 TRADE POLICY REGIME: FRAMEWORK AND OBJECTIVES .......................................... 19 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 19 2.2 General constitutional and legal framework .................................................................. 19 2.2.1 Constitution and legal overview ............................................................................... 19 2.2.2 Recent developments ............................................................................................. 19 2.3 Development and administration of trade policy ............................................................ 20 2.3.1 Main trade laws ..................................................................................................... 20 2.3.2 Agencies involved in trade policy implementation ....................................................... 20 2.4 Trade policy objectives .............................................................................................. 21 2.5 Qatar and the WTO ................................................................................................... 21 2.6 Trade agreements and arrangements .......................................................................... 21 2.6.1 Regional agreements .............................................................................................. 22 2.6.1.1 Gulf-Cooperation Council (GCC) Customs Union ....................................................... 22 2.6.1.2 GCC free-trade agreements .................................................................................. 23 2.6.1.3 Pan-Arab Free Trade Area (PAFTA or GAFTA) .......................................................... 23 2.6.2 Preferential trade ................................................................................................... 24 2.7 Trade disputes and consultations ................................................................................ 24 2.7.1 Dispute settlement in the WTO ................................................................................ 24 2.7.2 GCC and PAFTA dispute settlement mechanisms ......................................................... 24 WT/TPR/S/296 • Qatar - 3 - 2.8 Foreign investment regime ........................................................................................ 25 2.8.1 Legal framework .................................................................................................... 25 2.8.1.1 Incentives .......................................................................................................... 26 2.8.1.2 Bilateral investment agreements ........................................................................... 26 3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE ........................................................ 27 3.1 Measures directly affecting imports ............................................................................. 27 3.1.1 Customs procedures ............................................................................................... 27 3.1.1.1 Main laws and organization ................................................................................... 27 3.1.1.2 Multilateral Agreements on customs ....................................................................... 28 3.1.1.3 Bilateral cooperation on customs ........................................................................... 29 3.1.1.4 Single-window clearance ...................................................................................... 29 3.1.1.5 Import procedures and trading rights ..................................................................... 29 3.1.1.6 Customs brokers ................................................................................................. 30 3.1.1.7 Free trade zones ................................................................................................. 30 3.1.1.8 The 2013-16 Customs Strategic Plan ..................................................................... 30 3.1.2 Tariff schedule ....................................................................................................... 30 3.1.2.1 Applied rates ...................................................................................................... 30 3.1.2.2 WTO bindings ..................................................................................................... 32 3.1.2.3 Applied rates exceeding bound rates ...................................................................... 32 3.1.2.4 Preferential tariffs ............................................................................................... 32 3.1.2.5 Exemptions from customs duties ........................................................................... 32 3.1.3 Other charges affecting imports ............................................................................... 33 3.1.4 Customs valuation ................................................................................................. 33 3.1.5 Preferential and non-preferential rules of origin .......................................................... 33 3.1.6 Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing ........................................................... 33 3.1.6.1 Prohibitions and restrictions .................................................................................. 33 3.1.6.2 Licensing ........................................................................................................... 34 3.1.7 Contingency measures ........................................................................................... 34 3.1.8 Standards ............................................................................................................. 34 3.1.8.1 Standards and other technical requirements ........................................................... 34 3.1.8.2 SPS................................................................................................................... 35 3.1.8.3 Marking and labelling rules ..................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Foreign Filing Strategies for U.S.-Based Intellectual Assets Robert Fichter
    Cybaris® Volume 5 | Issue 1 Article 3 2014 Foreign Filing Strategies for U.S.-based Intellectual Assets Robert Fichter Nicholas Benham Follow this and additional works at: http://open.mitchellhamline.edu/cybaris Recommended Citation Fichter, Robert and Benham, Nicholas (2014) "Foreign Filing Strategies for U.S.-based Intellectual Assets," Cybaris®: Vol. 5: Iss. 1, Article 3. Available at: http://open.mitchellhamline.edu/cybaris/vol5/iss1/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Reviews and Journals at Mitchell Hamline Open Access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Cybaris® by an authorized administrator of Mitchell Hamline Open Access. For more information, please contact [email protected]. © Mitchell Hamline School of Law Fichter and Benham: Foreign Filing Strategies for U.S.-based Intellectual Assets FOREIGN FILING STRATEGIES FOR U.S.-BASED INTELLECTUAL ASSETS ROBERT FICHTER† AND NICHOLAS BENHAM‡ I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................25 II. UTILITY PATENTS .......................................................................26 A. Overview of Foreign Patent Filing ..................................26 B. Concerns, Cautions, and Considerations .........................28 C. Filing Strategies ...............................................................31 1. Cost Leadership ...........................................................31 2. Differentiation ..............................................................36 3. Enforceable
    [Show full text]
  • Page 01 Nov 27.Indd
    ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER Golden decade for petrochemicals industry Business | 21 Thursday 27 November 2014 • 5 Safar 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6262 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Ministry survey Qatar win Gulf Cup on work habits sparks debate We are hardworking, say citizens DOHA: An official survey have the household and children suggesting that Qataris spent to take care of. much less time on income-gen- Meanwhile, a senior offi- erating activities has kicked cial from the Ministry of up a row, prompting the Development Planning and planning ministry to issue a Statistics, said at a news briefing clarification. yesterday that the lower average Some public representatives working hours mentioned in the objected to the survey whose survey were the average for the findings on Monday said the country’s entire population and average Qatari spent barely a not for Qataris alone. few hours a day on income-gen- Economically active Qatari erating activities. men on average actually spend If Qataris didn’t work hard, eight hours and 11 minutes Qatar wouldn’t be where it is a day on income-generating today in terms of economic and activities and this average was social advancement, said a public seven hours and 26 minutes for representative. (economically active) Qatari Qatari players celebrate with the Gulf Cup trophy after defeating Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the final of the 22nd edition of the tournament at the King Mohamed bin Ali Al Athba, women. Fahad Stadium in Riyadh yesterday.
    [Show full text]
  • GCC) States and a Series of Recommendations to Develop an Integrated Approach to Intellectual Property Rights
    An examination of the intellectual property regimes in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states and a series of recommendations to develop an integrated approach to intellectual property rights Item Type Thesis Authors Naim, Nadia Publisher University of Bradford Rights <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by- nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>. Download date 24/09/2021 03:48:31 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10454/17386 An examination of the intellectual property regimes in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states and a series of recommendations to develop an integrated approach to intellectual property rights By Nadia Naim A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Bradford School of Law 2015 i ABSTRACT This thesis aims to examine the intellectual property regimes in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states and assess the relationships between legislation, enforcement mechanisms and sharia law. The GCC states, currently Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar, all have varied mechanisms in place for both the implementation and enforcement of intellectual property rights. The thesis pays close attention to the evolution of intellectual property laws and regulations in the GCC states with particular interest directed towards the development of national intellectual property laws within the GCC states from the 1970’s onwards1.
    [Show full text]
  • WT/TPR/S/408/Rev.1 28 May 2021 (21-4416) Page
    WT/TPR/S/408/Rev.1 28 May 2021 (21-4416) Page: 1/97 Trade Policy Review Body TRADE POLICY REVIEW REPORT BY THE SECRETARIAT QATAR Revision This report, prepared for the third Trade Policy Review of Qatar, has been drawn up by the WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility. The Secretariat has, as required by the Agreement establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), sought clarification from Qatar on its trade policies and practices. Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Mr Mark Koulen (tel: 022 739 5224); Mr Cato Adrian (tel: 022 739 5469); Ms Zheng Wang (tel: 022 739 5288) and Ms Takako Ikezuki (tel: 022 739 5534). Document WT/TPR/G/408/Rev.1 contains the policy statement submitted by Qatar. Note: This report was drafted in English. WT/TPR/S/408/Rev.1 • Qatar - 2 - CONTENTS SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ 6 1 ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................... 10 1.1 Main Features of the Economy .......................................................................................10 1.2 Recent Economic Developments .....................................................................................10 1.3 Developments in Trade and Investment ..........................................................................16 1.3.1 Trends and patterns in merchandise and services
    [Show full text]
  • Country's Biggest Automated Abattoir Begins Operations
    QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune WEDNESDAY JANUARY 15, 2020 JUMADA AL-AWWAL 20, 1441 VOL.13 NO. 4843 QR 2 Fajr: 5:01 am Dhuhr: 11:43 am Asr: 2:45 pm Maghrib: 5:06 pm Isha: 6:36 pm MAIN BRANCH LULU HYPER SANAYYA ALKHOR Business 9 Sports 12 Doha D-Ring Road Street-17 M & J Building QNB’s 2019 net profit On a wing and a prayer: PARTLY CLOUDY MATAR QADEEM MANSOURA ABU HAMOUR BIN OMRAN HIGH : 22°C Near Ahli Bank Al Meera Petrol Station Al Meera jumps 4 percent to Qatar brace for crucial LOW : 14°C alzamanexchange www.alzamanexchange.com 44441448 QR14.4 billion Japan clash Amir issues a AMIR GRANTS AL WAJBAH DECORATION host of laws TO BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ENVOY Country’s biggest THE Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani on Tuesday issued a host of laws. The Amir issued Law No 1 of 2020 on the uni- automated abattoir fied economic register. TheAmir also issued Law No 2 of 2020 amending some provisions of the Penal Code issued by Law No 11 of 2004. The Amir issued Law No 3 of 2020 amending some provisions of Law No 9 of 1987 on combat- begins operations ing drugs and dangerous psychotropic substanc- es and regulating their trade and use. The Amir also issued Law No 4 of 2020 amend- ing some provisions of Law No 15 of 2014 on the Al Wakra Central Market becomes operational regulation of charitable activities. The Amir issued Law No 5 of 2020 amending some provisions of SATYENDRA PATHAK ning.
    [Show full text]
  • Trade & Finance, Winter 2013/2014
    www.pwc.de/handelsfinanzierung Nachrichten für Experten Trade & Finance Winter 2013/2014 Feature Steuerung von Förderprogrammen Viewpoint Finanzierung von KMUs in einer postkarbonen Wirtschaft Snapshot Wirtschaftsförderung als strategischer Wegbereiter in den GCC-Staaten News for experts Winter 2013/2014 Feature Managing economic promotion programmes Viewpoint Financing SMEs in the post-carbon economy Snapshot Economic promotion as strategy enabler for the GCC countries Editorial Inhalt Contents Editorial .......................................3 Editorial ....................................... 3 Feature .........................................4 Feature .........................................4 Steuerung von Förderprogrammen ........................................4 Managing economic promotion programmes ........................ 4 Viewpoint ................................... 25 Viewpoint ................................... 25 Finanzierung von KMUs in einer postkarbonen Financing SMEs in the post-carbon Wirtschaft..............................................................................25 economy ................................................................................ 25 Snapshot..................................... 32 Snapshot..................................... 32 Wirtschaftsförderung als strategischer Wegbereiter Economic promotion as strategy enabler for in den GCC-Staaten...............................................................32 the GCC countries ................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Abdulla Siam OGS Approved Thesis .Pdf
    QATAR UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING FACTORS AFFECTING BUS RIDERSHIP IN QATAR BY ABDULLA SIAM A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the College of Engineering in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Science in Civil Engineering June 2018 © 2018 Abdulla Siam. All Rights Reserved. COMMITTEE PAGE The members of the Committee approve the Thesis of Abdulla Siam defended on 15/05/2018. Dr. Khaled Shaaban Thesis/Dissertation Supervisor Taha Hossein Rashidi External Examiner Shaibu Bala Garba Internal Examiner Approved: Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Dean, College of Engineering ii ABSTRACT Siam, Abdulla Abdelrahman, Masters: June: 2018, Masters of Science in Civil Engineering Title: Factors Affecting Bus Ridership in Qatar Supervisor ofThesis: Dr. Khaled Shaaban. Traffic congestion is a major problem in Qatar where most of the population are car dependent. The purpose of this study is to understand the influence of various attributes on the system wide and stop level of public buses in Qatar. The study is divided into two parts, macroscopic and mesoscopic levels. In the macroscopic assessment, the study focuses on the bus system in Qatar and the factors affecting ridership, like the population, network expansion, and weather. On the mesoscopic level, the study focuses on factors affecting stop level ridership. A Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) model was developed to identify the parameters that significantly influence the stop level boarding and alighting. The results indicate that planning parameters especially those related to, personal business and shopping places, shopping commuters, restaurant commuters, residents, and number of restaurants are the main factors affecting the bus ridership.
    [Show full text]
  • HERRENKNECHT Doha Tunnels Its Way to the Top. 111 Kilometers of New Metro Tunnels in 26 Months
    Pioneering Underground Technologies Page 1/7 Press Release HERRENKNECHT Doha tunnels its way to the top. 111 kilometers of new metro tunnels in 26 months. October 11, 2016 Schwanau, Germany / Doha, Qatar September 25, 2016, 10.44 a.m. local time in Doha, Hamad International Airport: unstoppable and precisely a 7 meter tunnel boring machine pierces the final target wall of the "Red Line South". It is the last of 76 breakthroughs in the gigantic milestone project Doha Metro. The TBM breaking through marks the spectacular finale of one of the most ambitious tunnel structures in the world. Cleverly master-planned and highly professionally directed by client Qatar Rail, it took just 26 months to provide the capital of Qatar with three city- wide metro lines: 111 kilometers of brand new, ultra-modern metro tunnel systems. Where before there was nothing, at peak times 2.5 kilometers of tunnel per week were added underground. The result is not only an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. _________________ "The world has never seen such performance. What Qatar Rail and our contractors in Doha have accomplished in just 26 months of construction time with the highest standards of performance, safety and quality is an absolutely Olympic achievement in modern infrastructure development," says Herrenknecht Chairman of the Board of Management Dr.-Ing. E.h. Martin Herrenknecht in summing up the mega tunnelling project Doha Metro that was brilliantly completed on September 25, 2016 with the final breakthrough of one of the company's EPB Shields. High-level political guests such as the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior H.E.
    [Show full text]
  • RESTRICTED WT/TPR/S/294 18 March 2014
    RESTRICTED WT/TPR/S/294 18 March 2014 (14-1700) Page: 1/78 Trade Policy Review Body TRADE POLICY REVIEW REPORT BY THE SECRETARIAT KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN This report, prepared for the third Trade Policy Review of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has been drawn up by the WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility. The Secretariat has, as required by the Agreement establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), sought clarification from the Kingdom of Bahrain on its trade policies and practices. Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to: Ms Mena Hassan (tel.: 022 739 6522). Document WT/TPR/G/294 contains the policy statement submitted by the Kingdom of Bahrain. Note: This report is subject to restricted circulation and press embargo until the end of the first session of the meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body on the Kingdom of Bahrain. This report was drafted in English. WT/TPR/S/294 • Kingdom of Bahrain - 2 - CONTENTS SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ 6 Economic environment ...................................................................................................... 6 Institutional framework ...................................................................................................... 6 Trade policy instruments .................................................................................................... 6 Sectoral policies ..............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Final Program
    2nd UITP PT for Large Events Summit & showcase and UITP Taxi Conference & showcase SAFETY & SECURITY FOR LARGE EVENTS 25 - 27 November, 2014 Local Host Final Program For More information, visit «www.uitpmowasalatsummit.com» SHAPING THE FUTURE OF QATAR TRANSPORTATION Under the Honorary Patronage of His Excellency Jassem Bin Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Qatar Minister of Transport, Ministry of Transport, Doha - Qatar Jassem Bin Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti Qatar Minister of Transport Ministry of Transport UITP MENA Chairman Doha - Qatar MENA Region is developing rapidly and is now taking a centre stage for hosting global events & conferences, and experiencing mega urban development. Efficient & effective growth in Public Transport & mass transportation system play a vital role to deliver such event successfully, and is significant constituent for people’s mobility. This needs to grow in tandem with infrastructure development. We share the same philosophy of UITP in advocating to “Promote and defend Public Transport & sustained mobility solutions” in bringing together key stakeholders, decision makers & other international organizations for knowledge share and adopt best practices. To meet Qatar’s growing population and economy requires reinforced transportation systems that continue to link industries to markets and people to services. Under the wise leadership of His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Transport ministry was re-established in June’13 with a strategic vision to provide direction on how Qatar’s transportation system will drive future sustainable economic growth and contribute to achieving QNV2030. The country is today investing heavily on transport infrastructure and such investments will be proven wise by achieving an effective integrated multimodal transportation system that will boost economy, enhance quality of life alleviating congestion and pollution besides providing vast employment opportunities.
    [Show full text]
  • GCC: Patent Office Is No Longer Accepting New Patent Applications
    GCC: Patent Office is no longer accepting new patent applications GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL On January 5, 2021, the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Patent Office announced informally that it was no longer accepting new patent applications as of January 6, 2021. The announcement came as a surprise, as the GCC Patent Office has been acting as a regional office for obtaining patent protection in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates (the GCC Member States) for more than 20 years. No formal communication has taken place yet, so we are awaiting further details regarding this situation. For now, it seems the GCC Patent Office Meanwhile, for new applications, our will continue being responsible for recommendation is to file a patent prosecution and grant of pending application in each of the individual applications and for granted patents. GCC Member States of interest, either However, there is no information yet through a Paris Convention application about the possibility of filing divisional within the 12 month priority period, or patents or whether any changes will via national phase entry within the 30 take place in examination procedures. month priority period using the Patent More specific information will be Cooperation Treaty (PCT). available once the amended law becomes published. We will be providing further details as new information is made available. Europe | U.S.A. | Argentina | Brazil | Mexico Disclaimer: Please note that the present communication is of a general nature. It is not intended as legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. No warranty of any kind is given with respect to the subject matter included herein or the completeness or accuracy of this note and no responsibility is assumed for any actions (or lack thereof) taken as a result of relying on or P 1 / 1 in any way using information contained in this note.
    [Show full text]
  • IP/C/W/644/Rev.1 21 September 2018 (18-5885
    IP/C/W/644/Rev.1 21 September 2018 (18-5885) Page: 1/3 Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Original: English Intellectual Property Rights TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES: INFORMATION FROM OTHER INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL (GCC) Revision* At its meeting of 4-5 June 2018, the Council for TRIPS agreed to invite intergovernmental organization observers to the Council to update the information on their technical and financial cooperation programmes relating to the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement. The present document reproduces the information which has been received from the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) by means of a communication dated 18 September 2018. Communications from other intergovernmental organizations will be circulated as addenda to this document. _______________ 1. GCC is an intergovernmental organization with membership of the following States: United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman, State of Qatar, and State of Kuwait. 2. Pursuant to Article (20) of the GCC Economic Agreement which states that "member States shall develop programmes encouraging talented individuals and supporting innovation and invention; cooperate in the field of intellectual property and develop regulations and procedures ensuring protection of intellectual property rights; and coordinate their relevant policies towards other countries, regional blocs and international and regional organizations", the GCC Secretariat General directs most of its technical cooperation activities to its member States. 3. This document presents a report on main technical cooperation activities undertaken by the Secretariat General of the GCC from 14 October 2017 to 10 October 2018, which are relevant to intellectual property issues, following the invitation of the Chairman of the WTO Council for TRIPS to provide updated information on such activities.
    [Show full text]