Doha: Ministry of Commerce and Industry today launched the first phase of single window services at its headquarters in Lusail City. The window provides a comprehensive service to establish businesses and factories that allows investors and businessmen to submit and sign applications and pay their fees electronically in order to obtain a license.
In his speech during the launch of the first phase of the single window services, Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari said that these services will establish the necessary electronic infrastructure to develop the business environment, and consolidate Qatar's position as an ideal destination for investment in the region.
The services of the first phase of the single window initiative include comprehensive establishment of companies and factories, which will be offered gradually in the coming weeks. More than 30 services related to the management of companies and factories will be added during the first quarter of 2020, the minister said, noting that the current phase includes the services of issuance of commercial license, registry for taxes and documentation of establishment contracts electronically, thus providing investors the opportunity to benefit from a unified and smart electronic platform to complete the business registration and licensing procedures.
The Minister added that the single window initiative shortens the procedures of receipt and verification of documents through a single smart electronic platform as compared to the previous procedures which involved more than 40 departments and required visiting many government agencies for approvals. This electronic platform will allow the investor to access the services of 18 government agencies in one place, thus incorporating all the procedures of venture establishment into a comprehensive procedure that shortens all the steps of establishing a firm.
The launch of the first phase of the single window services is part of the country's endeavor to provide a smart platform based on enabling all Qatari and foreign investors to establish their companies in an easy and fast way that reduces processing time and effort, in addition to improving the efficiency and operational effectiveness of the concerned authorities in the field of business licensing.
The comprehensive business and service establishment consists of an intelligent application processing system, an electronic signature system for contracts and an e-approvals portal.
Services will be offered gradually over the coming weeks, with more than 30 services to be added in the first quarter of 2020 related to corporate and factory management.
The intelligent application processing system allows for easy and fully electronic application, where all applications will be in one place. The application is made through one smart application form and one submission, which allows dispensing more than 100 paper forms, as well as allowing all investors to begin and perform business with easy and minimal effort.
The e-signature system for contracts is fully electronic and complies with Qatari laws, which is first applied through a single window, and will enable the government to use it in other cases such as signing contracts, official documents and value-added services.
The e-signature system also includes a set of steps: Creating a Memorandum of Association Form in digital format, sending a copy of the contract to each investor for signature, and then signing the contract by investors through a number of different ways. The investor signs the contract using his Qatari identity card through the single window services site, and after that comes the review of the contract and documented electronically by the notary of justice, and then the electronic contract will be sent to all investors.
The minister stated that the single window initiative allows follow-up and evaluation of the performance of various government agencies and provides integrated and accurate information on all licensed companies and the investment sector in the country in general, which helps investors to take appropriate decisions and encourages them to establish successful investment projects.
The launch of the single window services was attended by Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, First Vice Chairman of the Qatar Chamber Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al Kuwari, and a number of officials from the government agencies concerned with the single window services in addition to a group of investors and business leaders.
