The liaison office in Qatar (representative office or RO) can be established by international entrepreneurs who want to introduce their business in this country, observe the investment direction, and have no operations in the first place. Immediate support and assistance are provided to foreign investors interested in a representative office in Qatar by our team of company formation specialists in Qatar. We are at your service if you would like to open a company in Qatar and need to know the general rules among other aspects.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| The purpose of a liaison office in Qatar | For business promotion, advertising products and services in Qatar, negotiating business contracts with potential local customers |
|
How is the liaison office known in Qatar? |
Also known as a representative office |
|
How can a representative office be registered in Qatar? |
By presenting the foreign company documents, such as Certificate of Incorporation, plus other standard forms provided by the local agencies |
| Can a liaison office in Qatar have commercial activities? (YES/NO) | NO |
| Contracting potential clients and partners (YES/NO) |
YES |
| Local agent required (YES/NO) |
YES |
| Attributes of a liaison officer |
– promoting the business operations of the foreign company, – making research on the local market, – getting in touch with local customers, – communicating with the parent company |
| Bank account for a liaison office in Qatar |
Recommended for the expenses of the liaison office on Qatar |
| Allowed to invoice local customers |
Restricted |
| The institution that authorizes the liaison office in Qatar | Ministry of Economy and Commerce |
| The costs of opening a representative office in Qatar |
Supported by the foreign company represented in Qatar |
| Travel requirements |
Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Business advertising through a liaison office in Qatar |
The products, services and operations of a foreign company can be promoted in Qatar through a representative office. |
| Time frame for opening a liaison office in Qatar |
A few days or months, depending on the procedures and related paperwork |
| Why choose our company formation agents in Qatar? |
We can offer: – assistance in preparing the documents for opening a liaison office in Qatar, – professionalism, – affordable costs. |
Table of Contents
What are the characteristics of a liaison office in Qatar?
Instead of establishing subsidiaries or branches, foreign entrepreneurs can set up liaison offices in Qatar and test the market in which they want to settle the business. Here is information and details about the liaison office you can establish in Qatar:
- A representative office in Qatar can develop and perform marketing activities in agreement with the parent company.
- There are no financial activities linked to a liaison office in Qatar.
- A liaison office in Qatar cannot operate contracts with other companies in the country.
- There is no capital requirement for liaison offices in Qatar.
- Through a liaison office in Qatar, you can get in touch with potential clients and collaborators and present your business direction.
A liaison office in Qatar is often the choice of entrepreneurs from abroad looking for exposure and to promote their business overseas. There aren’t complicated procedures for establishing a representative office in Qatar, however, you might want to talk to one of our company formation specialists in Qatar and find out more about the support we can offer in this direction.
You might want to watch the following infographic on this topic:
Do I need a name for a liaison office in Qatar?
Yes, the representative office in Qatar will have the same name as the foreign company. It is important to know that a liaison office in Qatar needs the approval of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce in Qatar, in agreement with the Commercial Registry Law. Let our team of specialists tell you more about how you can register a liaison office in Qatar.
If Qatar is the right option for the future activities of the company you own, you can also benefit from the services offered by our accountants in Qatar. With their help, you can ensure that the company complies with the requirements in this regard. Among the services you need in the company, we mention bookkeeping, payroll, HR administration, and preparation and submission of annual financial statements. Tax minimization methods can also be offered upon request.
Steps for opening a representative office in Qatar
The opening of a liaison office in Qatar is done with the local authorities for the registration of companies. As in the case of classic companies, certain formalities must be observed, among which we mention:
- The parent company must present a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation to start the registration formalities of the representative office in Qatar.
- It is necessary to have a business address for a liaison office in Qatar.
- It is necessary to appoint a liaison officer to represent the foreign company in Qatar. He/she has various but well-established, responsibilities.
- Even if there are no commercial activities with this structure, the representative office in Qatar must have a bank account. You can choose between local or international banks with a presence in Qatar.
- Registration for payment of taxes is the next step in registering a liaison office in Qatar.
- It is necessary to obtain authorization for opening a liaison office in Qatar, from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of this country.
Considering these procedures and formalities, it will be very simple to register a representative office in Qatar. You also have the support offered by one of our specialists with experience in company formation in Qatar. On the other hand, if you want to relocate staff for the business you own in this country, you must consider the formalities for immigration to Qatar, which can be explained to you by one of our experts.
We invite you to discover a video presentation we have prepared about liaison offices in Qatar:
What are the duties of a liaison officer in Qatar?
As mentioned earlier in the article, there is a need to appoint a liaison officer in Qatar. He or she has various responsibilities and attributions, including:
- He/she must know, first of all, the business direction of the company he represents.
- Business relationships can be established with good communication. Thus, a good liaison office must know how it can promote the activities of the company it represents in Qatar.
- All the activities of a liaison office in Qatar, including the reporting of results, are done to the parent company. This is one of the most important responsibilities and can even be said to be the main one.
- A liaison officer in Qatar must know what international business relations mean and value his accumulated experience in this field.
- In some cases, specific business tools can be recommended and implemented for future developments in Qatar. Such tools can be proposed to the foreign company in question.
- Conflict mediation is another aspect that a good liaison officer in Qatar must consider. There are cases in which different problems can arise in the business environment where the respective representative office in Qatar is located.
- Another responsibility of a representative office in Qatar is to conclude business contracts, not before receiving the consent of the foreign company that has its headquarters, through a liaison office in Qatar.
Who can open a liaison office in Qatar?
Companies from abroad interested in establishing their businesses in Qatar can decide on opening a liaison office through which they can commence marketing activities. This is the ideal choice for numerous investors who want to be sure that their activities will find a good place in the market for further profits. Entrepreneurs from around the world are invited to benefit from the excellent business opportunities in Qatar and establish a representative office in the first place, without needing a local partner in this matter.
Taxation of liaison offices in Qatar
Because a liaison office cannot perform financial activities, there is no need to consider paying taxes in Qatar or be subject to accounting requirements. However, it is mandatory to register the RO with the tax authorities in Qatar and pay attention to the annual financial statements. A liaison office in Qatar can have local or foreign employees, but you might want to observe the requirements in terms of visas and residence in this country.
Switching the RO into a legal structure
Once you decide it is time to implement your business operations in Qatar, you have the chance to convert the liaison office into a limited liability company with 100% ownership or direct your attention to a joint venture in Qatar. The registration is subject to several formalities among which preparing the Articles of Association and opening a bank account for depositing the minimum share capital if any. Let our company formation representatives in Qatar tell you more about how you can register a company in Qatar and about the formalities involved.
Top businesses you can develop in Qatar
Qatar is an ideal business destination for many investors from abroad, whether they have a large budget to invest or not. Computer-related companies, delivery service businesses, financial services companies, interior design, retail, import and export companies, and catering are among the activities and companies that can thrive in Qatar. Here are some facts about the business and the economy in Qatar:
- A total GDP of over USD 319 billion is estimated for the year 2023.
- An expansion of more than 53% has been registered in the public revenues sector in Qatar in 2022, summing up around USD 81.9 billion.
- About 14.2% was the fiscal surplus of GDP in Qatar in 2022.
International investors can also establish liaison offices in the free trade zones in Qatar and benefit from several tax advantages. If you are looking for more details about how to set up liaison offices in Qatar, you are invited to get in touch with our team of company formation representatives in Qatar and address your inquiries at any time.