The Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) has officially launched a $1bn incentive programme, aimed at strengthening Qatar's position as a leading global business hub.
The programme offers a comprehensive suite of incentive packages tailored for both local and international investors. It targets key growth sectors identified in the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), namely, financial services, advanced industries, logistics, IT and digital services.
Financial services, including insurance
Among the packages is the Lusail Financial Services Package, designed to strengthen Qatar’s financial ecosystem by advancing insurance, asset management, wealth management and financial technology (FinTech) innovation. It also promotes the establishment of offices in the city of Lusail, Qatar’s premier financial and business district.
The incentives provide financial support covering up to 40% of eligible local investment expenses over five years, including business setup costs, construction, office leases, equipment and employee-related expenses.
Implementation
The programme will be rolled out in phases. The first phase introduces four off-the-shelf incentive packages designed to support new investments, facilitate the expansion and digitisation of existing facilities, create high-skilled employment opportunities, promote knowledge transfer and foster an innovative, tech-driven ecosystem.
The incentive programme is guided by a transparent set of eligibility criteria, including a minimum investment size of QAR25m ($6.9m) over five years, job creation targets and a track record of operation in relevant sectors. These parameters ensure a streamlined and transparent evaluation process, expediting application reviews and approvals. Investors can access more information and apply for incentive packages through the Invest Qatar Gateway, the country’s first digital investor platform, offering a seamless application submission.
Commenting on the launch of the new programme, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry and chairman of the Advisory Council, said, “By aligning incentives with the Third National Development Strategy, we aim to attract and support investments that accelerate the development and growth of Qatar’s strategic economic clusters.”
In 2024, Qatar attracted $2.74bn in foreign direct investments through 241 projects, which created 9,348 jobs.