DOHA: The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is set to embark on an extensive Investment Roadshow in Europe. The two-phase roadshow will offer exclusive consultation opportunities to the potential investors on how to expand their businesses to Qatar and beyond in the region, Sheikha Alanoud Hamad Al Thani (pictured), Managing Director, Business Development Qatar Financial Centre, told The Peninsula, yesterday.
The first phase of the European roadshow will cover Spain and France. The event will offer unique opportunities for the participants to meet and network with QFC’s leading investment experts. The second phase will start during the fourth quarter of 2018, she said on the sidelines of a workshop on bilateral investments and investment opportunities in Qatar and Spain titled, ‘Qatar-Spain: Growing Business Ties’.
“We are targeting the companies that would add value to QFC’s vision. Currently, there are no Spanish companies under the QFC. This is just a start.
Sheikha Alanoud said QFC has recently achieved the half mark of its 2022 target numbers.”Our 2022 target was 1000 firms. Recently, we have already met the half mark by bringing 500 companies under the QFC platform. These companies range from financial institutions to professional services, Sheikha Alanoud said.
Earlier, addressing the workshop, Sheikha Alanoud said the recent agreement on taxation adds to the already strong economic bonds between Qatar and Spain, leading to increased investment opportunities for both countries. This workshop underscores the growing importance of the QFC structures for those looking to take advantage of those opportunities and use QFC as a hub for regional investments and business operations.
QFC, as one of the leading financial and business centres in the region, is positioning its suite of financial sector products, especially holding companies and special purpose companies, for use by both Qatari and Spanish individuals and corporations for investment in either Qatar or Spain.
Since its inception, Sheikha Alanoud added, QFC has played a key role in attracting FDI by providing a competitive platform for firms to expand into Qatar and beyond. “We deliver a first-rate service for foreign companies seeking to do business in Qatar and the region by offering our very own legal, regulatory, tax and business environment”, she said.
QFC’s polices allow for 100 percent foreign ownership, 100 percent repatriation of profits, and a competitive rate of 10 percent corporate tax on locally sourced profits. “We welcome a broad range of financial and non-financial services firms, including professional and business services companies, auditing, accounting, tax, consulting and legal services, business council and professional associations.”
