National Committees

Concealment refers to enabling a non-Qatari, whether a natural or legal person, to engage in or invest in a commercial, economic, or professional activity they are not licensed to perform under the laws in force in the state. This also includes obtaining a share of profits exceeding the percentages stipulated in the company’s founding documents or articles of association. It is also prohibited for any natural or legal person to conceal a non-Qatari by enabling them to engage in or invest in a commercial, economic, or professional activity that violates the laws in force in the state. This includes allowing them to use the concealer’s name, license, commercial or professional registration, or any other means that enable the non-Qatari to evade obligations imposed by the applicable laws, whether for the benefit of the concealed person, the concealer, or others. Non-Qataris are not permitted to engage in commercial activities that they are not authorized to practice under the laws of the state. Qatar has established specific percentages allowing foreigners to engage in commercial activities, with the law setting a maximum ownership percentage of 49% for foreigners, while Qataris must own 51% or more. Therefore, if a foreigner’s account receives substantial amounts exceeding their salary, it raises suspicion of concealment. The matter is then referred for investigation. This law also penalizes Qataris who enable foreigners to use their name, license, or commercial registration to evade the obligations stipulated in the laws of the state.

Article 3 of the above law stipulates the establishment of a Concealment Combat Committee within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The committee’s formation, its members’ remuneration, and its procedures are determined by a decision from the Council of Ministers. Under the Concealment Law, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry forms a committee comprising members from various state entities. Its primary objective is to investigate concealment crimes and hold accountable anyone who undermines or attempts to destabilize the state’s economy.

The Ministry prepared simplified educational booklets on commercial concealment, which were distributed to service offices and reception areas. The Public Relations and Communications Department issued informational brochures, launched media programs, and shared awareness-raising videos on the Ministry’s platforms and social media channels. Additionally, a dedicated page was created on the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s website, providing general information about concealment to encourage public participation in reporting such crimes. As concealment is a newly identified crime in the state that impacts transparency and the economy, the committee has focused on educating and raising community awareness through educational booklets, social media advertisements, and information available on the Ministry’s website.

Financial institutions are required to notify the Qatar Central Bank if they suspect concealment activities, providing details about individuals conducting financial transactions that indicate the possibility of such a crime. The Central Bank then informs the committee. If concealment is suspected, banks report any inflated accounts with unexplained funds compared to the individual’s salary to the Central Bank. The Central Bank investigates and refers the matter to the committee to determine whether concealment has occurred.

It is the social responsibility of every individual to report any suspected concealment crime, given the negative economic impact such crimes have on the country. Article (7) of the law emphasizes the obligation of individuals to report suspected concealment and to provide all available information. The responsibility is not limited to banks or financial institutions but extends to individuals as well. The legislator included the duty to report concealment in the law, highlighting the importance of providing evidence to support any suspicion. This reinforces the role of individuals in society and their responsibility to help prevent crimes that threaten the stability of the national economy.

Anyone found guilty of a concealment crime is subject to a fine of up to 500,000 Qatari Riyals and imprisonment for up to two years. The penalty also includes the confiscation of funds related to the crime and the deportation of the foreign offender, which is a newly introduced measure. Additionally, the convicted individual is prohibited from engaging in their activity for three years following the completion of the sentence. Lastly, the penalty is published at the convicted individual’s expense in a local newspaper or through electronic media.

Article (9) stipulates that if a false report of a concealment crime is made, or if someone is aware of such a crime and conceals it, they are subject to a fine not exceeding 100,000 Qatari Riyals. Individuals bear a significant responsibility towards their nation and must strive to protect society from corruption and practices that could harm the country, its economy, and its transparency. Everyone is expected to act responsibly to safeguard their homeland. For example, if someone reports a crime maliciously, and investigations reveal it to be untrue, or if an individual is aware of a crime but fails to report it, the law imposes a penalty of up to 100,000 Qatari Riyals on those who commit such acts.

The judicial enforcement officer is responsible for examining records, documents, and files, as well as computers or any other means used to store or process information, either at the company premises or any other location. The officer may also retain records and documents or obtain copies if evidence suggests the occurrence of a concealment crime. The judicial enforcement officer plays a crucial role by inspecting records and documents, both on-site and externally, and has the authority to seize documents or request copies when indications of concealment are found.

Article (11) of the law stipulates that the person managing the legal entity is subject to the same penalty for acts committed if it is proven that they were aware of the crime or negligent in their management at the time of its occurrence, as confirmed by investigations. Additionally, the private legal entity is subject to a fine if the acts were committed in its name, for its benefit, or by one of its employees. This does not exempt the natural person associated with the legal entity from their criminal responsibility.

The amendment of the law emphasizes the importance of protecting citizens’ rights, strengthening the national economy, and safeguarding commercial and economic activities. The updated version aligns with developments in the fields of economy and investment, aiming to reduce the negative impact of concealment crimes on the national economy. The penalty for committing a concealment crime has been amended to include imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of up to 500,000 Qatari Riyals, or one of these penalties. Under the previous law, the maximum imprisonment was one year, with a fine ranging between 20,000 and 500,000 Qatari Riyals, or one of these penalties (Article 8). The new law introduces the deportation of non-Qataris after serving their sentence (Article 9). Penalties related to the concealed project can now be adjusted to substitute imprisonment or deportation instead of liquidating or confiscating the company, preserving the rights of others (Article 17).

You can submit a complaint through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry website by downloading, filling out, and submitting the designated form electronically or in person.

• Complainant's details • Reported party's details • Description of the violation and supporting evidence • Statement of harm (if any)

Yes, if it does not meet the required data or supporting documentation.

Yes, through the Ministry's website or available digital channels.

Yes, prior approval must be obtained from the Competition Protection authority.

It refers to the transfer of ownership, assets, or shares between companies through mergers, acquisitions, or similar arrangements.

Up to 90 days from the date of completing all required documents. If no response is received, the request is considered implicitly approved.

Yes, they may impact market competition, which is why they are subject to review and approval.

Practices that harm fair competition, such as price manipulation, market restriction, or preventing competitors from entering the market.

It is the misuse of market control to impose unfair prices or conditions or to exclude competitors.

No, only those that restrict or harm competition, such as price-fixing or market-sharing agreements.

No, if the intention is to eliminate competitors, it is considered a prohibited practice.

They include coordination between competitors to manipulate bids or influence pricing outcomes.

Fines can reach up to QAR 5 million, along with confiscation of illegal profits.

Any individual or entity conducting economic activities in Qatar or affecting the local market.

The Tenders and Auctions Committee is responsible for managing procurement processes, evaluating bids, ensuring transparency, and awarding contracts in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.

Suppliers can participate by reviewing the published tenders, obtaining the tender documents, and submitting their bids before the specified deadline in accordance with the announced requirements.

Tender documents can be obtained through the Monaqasat platform, the Unified State Procurement Portal of the Ministry of Finance. After logging in and completing the required procedures for the relevant tender, suppliers can purchase tender documents and submit bids electronically through the platform

Electronic submission depends on the requirements of each tender. Please refer to the tender notice for the applicable submission method.

Late submissions are not accepted and will be excluded from the evaluation process.

Bids are evaluated based on the criteria specified in the tender documents, including technical compliance, financial offer, and fulfillment of all requirements.

Yes. Suppliers may submit inquiries during the clarification period specified in the tender schedule. Responses will be provided in accordance with the applicable procedures.

The successful bidder will be officially notified after the evaluation process has been completed and the contract award has been approved.