Those looking to set up a business should have an understanding of the following procedures and measures prior to registering his company. These include:
Step 1 – Check the Name
A trade name should be unique and not registered as a trademark with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In order to ensure this, you should personally visit the Commercial Registration Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to obtain information on the trademark of a company.
Step 2 – Interim Bank Account
Obtaining a letter from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry addressed to a bank in Doha for the opening of an interim bank account. The bank should activate this account as soon as the amount corresponding to company’s capital is deposited.
Step 3 – Articles of Association:
Obtaining the approval of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on the Articles of Association (refer to forms including the articles of association of a limited liability company and the Articles of Association of a single proprietorship company on the following links:
Companies Control Department – Article of Association of a limited liability company
The Articles of Association should match the form prepared by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Not available in case of institutions). These Articles of Association should include the following:
- Name of the company, followed by “limited liability company” in case of companies.
- Company’s headquarters address.
- Purpose of the company.
- Term of the company.
- Capital of the company and description of in-kind shares.
- Restrictions on shares transfer (in case of companies only).
- Names, nationalities and residences of shareholders (in case of companies only).
- Losses and profits distribution methods among partners.
- Names of persons managing the company.
- Capital structure.
Step 4 – Capital Deposit:
Depositing the required statutory capital with the bank and obtaining a letter/ certificate confirming the deposit from the stated bank. The bank will require the following documents:
– Letter from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry addressed to the bank, requesting a bank account to be opened for the company.
– Copy of shareholders’ ID cards.
Step 5 – Submitting Additional Documents:
Submitting any additional documents required by the commercial registry, given that:
– For some business activities, additional licenses may be required by the competent authorities, including but not limited to activities in the engineering and tourism sectors.
– For industrial activities, a license is required from the Ministry of Energy and Industry for the establishment of an industrial project.
Step 6 – Approval of Incorporation Documents (Not required for institutions)
Obtaining approval on the documents of incorporation (such as Articles of Association) prior to registration in the commercial registry.
Period: Law firms can obtain such approval in one day given their experience when it comes to the requirements of the Ministry.
Step 7 – Articles of Association Notarization (Not required for institutions).
The Articles of Association should be notarized by the Ministry of Justice.
Step 8 – Commercial Registry:
Required documents for Commercial Register are:
– Application signed by the general manager in the case of a company or by the owner in the case of an institution.
– Copies of owners, partners or shareholders’ ID cards.
– Copy of the general manager’s ID card (Not required for institutions).
– Prior approval of the Articles of Association in Arabic.
– Letter from the bank as proof of the capital deposit.
– Payment receipt indicating the Articles of Association were reviewed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
– Notice form signed by the Qatari shareholder (for companies which require a Qatari shareholder).
Fees: QAR 500 – 10,000 for each activity (in accordance with the purposes list issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry).
Step 9 – Registration at Qatar Chamber
Joining the Qatar Chamber (direct submission at the Qatar Chamber building). The application should be signed by the general manager and should include the following:
– Commercial registration form.
– Copies of owners, partners or shareholders’ ID cards.
– Certified and legalized certificate of incorporation by the foreign companies consular office and legalized commercial registry for the Qatari companies which represent corporate entities not individuals.
– Copy of general manager ID card.
Fees: QAR 560 – 5.510 in accordance with capital of the company and its activities (purpose of the company).
Step 10 – Company Seal:
The seal of company should be manufactured by private companies and is not provided by governmental authorities.
Step 11 – Commercial license:
Submitting a request to obtain a commercial license from Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Required documents include:
– Commercial lease contract.
– Commercial registration.
– Copies of owners, partners or shareholders’ ID cards.
– Forms to be signed by the general manager.
– Photos for the commercial office/location.
– NOC in case the office is located at a recently completed building.
Period: Generally, within only one business day. If the company is located at the industrial zone, the approval may take a week or two or even more.
Fees: QAR 200 – 10,000 in accordance with capital of the company and its activities.
Step 12 – Licenses for signs:
Submitting an application to obtain a license for the signs from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Fees: Inside Doha – a minimum of QAR 50/ m2 for one sign, outside Doha – a minimum of QAR 20/ m2 for one sign.
Source: QatarServ
