His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, ratified a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the State of Qatar and the General Authority for Competition of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of competition protection, pursuant to Decree No. (38) of 2026.

The Decree stipulates that the Memorandum of Understanding, signed in Doha on 5 December 2023, shall have the force of law in accordance with Article (68) of the Constitution, and shall take effect from the date of issuance of the Decree and its publication in the Official Gazette.

The Memorandum aims to establish a framework for cooperation between the two sides in the field of competition, based on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit and equality, and in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of both countries. It also confirms that the Memorandum does not create legally binding obligations under international law.

Areas of cooperation include the exchange of expertise on legislative provisions and rules, competition-related matters and their application; mutual support to improve the implementation of competition legislation; and the exchange of expertise in investigating and examining violations of competition laws. Cooperation also extends to the examination of complaints and applications relating to the completion of economic concentration transactions.

The Memorandum further provides for the organization of conferences and training courses, the exchange of views on participation in international activities, and the exchange of periodic publications and awareness materials in the field of competition, in addition to any other areas of cooperation agreed upon by the two parties in writing within the framework of the Memorandum.