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In cooperation with Qatar Stock Exchange and Qatar University
Ministry of Economy and Commerce organizes seminar on the transformation of Family businesses into public shareholding companies
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce organized on March 27, 2018, a seminar entitled “Transforming Family Companies into Public Shareholding Companies.” The seminar, which was organized in cooperation with the Qatar Stock Exchange and Qatar University, brought together owners and representatives of family companies, businessmen, private sector companies, entrepreneurs and interested parties.
The seminar falls in line with the ministry’s efforts to streamline business activities in Qatar and to provide flexibility and support for commercial companies, which will increase the level of confidence in the Qatari business environment and enhance partnerships with the private sector in a bid to promote a diversified and sustainable competitive economy in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
The seminar, which was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Qatar Stock Exchange and Qatar University, along with the representative of a family-owned company turned into a public shareholding company, touched on the important contribution of family businesses to the national economy. Participants said the transformation of these businesses into public shareholding companies through an initial public offering on the Qatar Stock Exchange will ensure their sustainability.
Speakers also outlined the advantages of turning family businesses into public shareholding companies, noting that it would help founders ensure business continuity and the transfer of ownership from one generation to another while enabling shareholding companies to secure more financing options to expand and implement new projects, issue sukuk or bonds and sell franchises as an alternative to bank borrowing, in addition to enhancing investment opportunities in financial markets.
Discussions also touched on the procedures and requirements for converting family businesses into public shareholding companies, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law No. 11 of 2015.
Participants also elaborated on the process of listing family businesses on the Qatar Stock Exchange after they became public shareholding companies, outlining the motives, key considerations, steps and listing model. Discussions also touched on the legislative framework for the transformation of these companies, the importance of listing a company on the stock market and the necessary procedures, stressing the importance of a corporate governance framework to support the transformation of a family-owned business into a public shareholding company.
The seminar also featured a panel discussion that brought together a number of experts to discuss the practical aspects of the transformation of family businesses into shareholding companies as well as case studies of some companies that underwent this transformation.
The seminar concluded with a Q&A on a number of topics related to family businesses and their transformation into public shareholding companies.