ICDT’s Member States Business Guides QATAR I. PROFILE Location Qatar is situated halfway along the west coast of the Arabian Gulf, east of the Arabian peninsula. It is itself a peninsula between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Its territory includes a number of islands in the waters around it. The most well known of these are the Hawar Islands, Halul which is the export terminal for the offshore oil fields and others. Official name State of Qatar Area 11,437 sq km Population 723,542 inhabitants in 1999 Capital Doha Major cities Wakrah, Dukhan, Umm Said, Al-Khor and Madinat Shamal Language Arabic is Official . English is used in business Currency Qatar riyal;1 Qatar riyal = 100 dirhams; $1 = 3.64 Qatar riyals Climate There are two climatic zones: Qatar’s climate is dry and hot in summer during which temperature may reach 49°C. in coastal areas humidity is considerable. The hottest months are July- September. Rains are very light. In winter, the climate is relatively mild. The coldest months are December-March during which temperatures vary between 10 and 25°C. Main holidays February 22nd , June 27th, September 3rd (Independence), Eid-ul Fitr*, Eid-ul Adha, Mouharram 1st and Eid-ul Mouloud*. Weekly day off Thursday afternoon- Friday. Local time GMT + 3. Working hours * Administration: Saturday-Thursday: from 8.00 A.m. to 1.00 P.m. Banks: Saturday-Wednesday: From 7.30 A.m. to 11.30 A.m. Thursday from 7.30 a.m. to 11.a.m. Business: Saturday-Thursday: 7.30.A.m. to 12.00.A.m And from: 2.30. P.m. to 6.00 P.m. Banks (Ramadan): Saturday-Wednesday: from 8.00 A.m. to 12.00 A.m. Thursday: from 8.00 A.m. to 11.30 A.m. Principle Manufacturing and Gas Growth Sectors (*) Variable dates II. ECONOMIC SECTORS The main economic sectors are: oil and gas, agriculture and fisheries, industry and manufacturing. II.1. OIL AND GAS ICDT’s Member States Business Guides Oil has played a significant role in Qatar's economy accounting for about 85% of export earnings and 75% of government revenues. Currently, the country boasts oil reserves of about 3.3 billion barrels. One of the smallest OPEC members, Qatar produces over 400,000 barrels per day. Monitored by the state owned Qatar General Petroleum Corporation (QGPC), oil has been pumped from the onshore Dukhan field on the west side of the peninsula and three offshore fields. Qatar jointly owns the Bundaq oil field with the United Arab Emirates. QGPC has brought two refineries into operation with a majority of production being exported. The state-run company is hoping to increase overall oil production to 500,000 bpd. Qatar boasts the third largest reserves of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world behind the former Soviet Union and Iran. Qatar, according to a report by the international energy consultant firm Gaffney, Cline & Associates, possesses 30% of the world's proven gas reserves, but accounts for only 5% of global consumption. The country is expected to increase annual gas exports from the present level of 120,000 million cubic feet to 2.6 trillion cubic feet by the year 2010. II.2 AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES The agriculture sector is modest and contributes about 2% to GDP annually. Currently, the country is self-sufficient for 70% of its summer vegetables and 40% in winter vegetables. There is some production of grains, eggs and poultry; however, the country is still dependent on food imports. Most of the workers in the agricultural sector are foreign. The government has made an effort to strengthen the agricultural sector offering several incentives to investors. Qatar has 28,000 hectares of arable land. The government has also placed increased emphasis on the fishing industry. The Qatar Fishing Company leads the sector and has a processing plant, which handles about 7 thousand tons of shrimp per year. II.3 INDUSTRY AND MANUFACTURING The government has actively promoted the development of both heavy and light industry concentrating on in-country resources. Cheap energy has led to the development of a steel and iron industry and healthy gas reserves have led to the establishment of chemical, fertilizer, and petrochemical industries. Cement is also produced in Qatar. Qatar's steel industry has established itself as a regional supplier. The Qatar Steel Company (QASCO) began production in 1978 under the management of the Japanese. In the late 1980s, management passed to the Qatari government and since 1988, QASCO has operated at a profit. Qatar is the only Middle Eastern producer that has successfully exported a major portion of its steel production. During the last decade, 90% of the company's concrete reinforcing bars have supplied 30% of the GCC market. 2 ICDT’s Member States Business Guides Recently QASCO became the first Arab steel producer accredited with the Japanese Industrial Standard. This could lead to further Qatari exports to Japan and other East Asian countries. State-run companies have collaborated with foreign investors in developing petrochemical and fertilizer plants. Much of the production resulting from these ventures has been exported throughout the Gulf and the Far East. The Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMCO) has been established to promote private sector investment in small and medium-sized ventures. QIMCO holds direct investment in eight projects around the region. III. INFRASTRUCTURES III.1. ROAD NETWORK The road network links Doha to Saudi Arabia at Abu Samra and to the United Arab Emirates at Sauda Nathil. There is a continuous land connection with Europe. There is no railway network in the State of Qatar. III.2. AIR TRANSPORT The national Airline Company is Gulf Air in co-ownership with Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The international airport is located in Doha 6km from the city. Other international Airlines Companies serve Doha international Airport such as Air France, Air India, Alyemda, Balkan, Binan, Bangladesh, British Airways, Egyptian Airlines, Iran Air, KLM, Kuwait Airways, MEA, PIA, Royal Jordanian, Saudi, Sudan Airways, Syrian Arab, TWA and Yemenia. III.3. MARITIME TRANSPORT The main ports of Qatar are the following: Doha port (General Cargo), Umm Said port (industrial and oil products) and Ras Laffan port. Most of them are deepwater ports and are provided with berths. Besides most of containers enter from Dubai. III.4. TELECOMMUNICATIONS Telephone, telex, fax and telegrams services are available in Qatar. Direct lines link Qatar to more than 170 countries in the world. Qatar is member of Intelsat for international communications. 3 ICDT’s Member States Business Guides IV. FOREIGN TRADE REGULATIONS IV.1. THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF TRADE RELATIONS: Qatar is member of the following international organisations: • World Trade Organisation (WTO); • United Nations Organisation (UNO) and its specialised organs; • League of Arab States; • Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC); • The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC); • non-aligned Movement; • Oil Producing and Exporting Countries (OPEC); • The Group of 77; Economic and commercial agreements were signed between Qatar and the Gulf Co-operation Council Countries but also with the Countries of the League of Arab States. IV.2. TRADE STRUCTURE: IV.2-1. Main exported products: • Oil products; • Steel; • Fertilisers. IV.2-2. Main imported products: • Machinery and transport equipment; • Foodstuffs; • Chemicals. IV.2-3. Main trading partners: Main suppliers Main customers - Japan - France - Korea - United States - Singapore - Italy - United States - Japan - United Arab Emirates - Germany IV.3. FOREIGN TRADE CONTROL: IV.3-1. Imports regulations: * Pork and products are prohibited, while the imports of alcoholic beverages, firearms, ammunition and certain drugs are subject to licensing. Import licenses may be obtained from the Ministry of Finance, Economy and trade. 4 ICDT’s Member States Business Guides Import documentary requirements are as follows: • Commercial invoice: Two original commercial invoices and at least one copy must be submitted, The exporter should check with the customer for the specific number of copies required. The invoice should contain full description of the packing along with the name of the supplier and the consignee, quantity, marks and numbers of goods, origin of goods, accurate description of the merchandise, value of the goods, CIF or otherwise itemising all expenses and the name of the vessel and the date of departure. The commercial invoice should be signed by the exporter or an authorised representative and certified by the appropriate chamber of commerce. • Certificate of origin: The original and one copy of the certificate of origin. The latter should indicate the name and address of the manufacturer or the producer of goods and the name of the vessel are required for shipment to Qatar. Shippers also must include a notarised statement certifying the document is true and correct. Exporters should contact their importers to ascertain the number of copies of this document that are required. The appropriate chamber of commerce must certify this certificate of origin, which must also be legalised by a consular service. • Bill of lading: There are no regulations specifying the form or number of bills of lading required for shipments. Bills of lading should show the name of the shipper, the name and address of the consignee, port of destination, description of the goods, the listing of freight and other charges, the number of the bills of lading in the full set, the date and signature of the carrier’s official acknowledging receipt on board of the goods for shipment. The information should correspond with that shown on the invoices and the packages. Expenses are generally paid in advance. The airway bill replaces the bill of lading on air cargo shipment. • Pro forma invoice: If required, a pro forma invoice stamped and signed by the supplying company or the exporter must be submitted.