The Qatari Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) issued a release to outline the services that are offered via the updated ‘Business Map Portal’ on its website to support the private sector and empower entrepreneurs. The services also seek to streamline incorporation procedures and contribute to the development of the business ecosystem.
The Business Map Portal provides a comprehensive database of investment incentives across Qatar’s various regions and enables users to access data on commercial establishments throughout the country.
Users can search for commercial establishments by region and access statistics on commercial activities and the business licences registered in each municipality, including newly issued and voided licences.
The Portal enables users to verify the validity and authenticity of commercial records and licences using the QR Code issued by the MoCI’s ‘Single Window’. Users can also search for active commercial establishments in a specific area and explore available and common commercial activities.
The Portal assists entrepreneurs and investors to decide on the most suitable activity and location to establish their business. It helps in mapping potential competitors and residential areas to determine the customer base and feasibility of a project in a specific area.
The Portal serves as an interactive tool to analyse the market and develop business strategies, providing educational content on the various aspects of a business such as marketing and project management, as well as case studies and success stories.
The Portal further provides a platform for entrepreneurs to communicate, share ideas and exchange expertise. This is intended to foster innovation and creativity, enabling investors to establish new projects that meet market needs.
The Ministry noted that the public and authorities can view all information and data related to various economic establishments by visiting the Business Map Portal webpage via the following link: https://businessmap.moci.gov.qa/
The Portal was launched last year in line with the requirements of Law No (1) of 2020 on the Unified Economic Register, which aims to bolster transparency in economic and financial transactions by providing information, data and documents in respect of economic establishments, legal arrangements, non-profit organisations and freelancers.
The initiative also falls in line with the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, which published its Fourth Round Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) on Qatar’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime on 31 May.
“MoCI’s recent updates to both the Single Window and Business Map Portal services in Qatar have greatly improved the experience for business incorporation and expansion in the local market. With extensive access to market information and a streamlined registration and licensing process, Qatar is making increasing efforts to be an attractive option for companies to approach the region,” said Paulina Zalewska-Dzieciuchowicz, Sovereign PRO Partner Group Country Manager for Qatar.
