What may come as good news to many, is the new announcement by Qatar's Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) regarding the haunting task of attaining Civil Defense (CD) approval for the issuance of a trade license.
On May 16, 2015, the MEC announced that 55 classes of business may attain their trade license without having prior approval from the CD (with respect to safety of premises and so forth). This, however, only applies to businesses with premises not exceeding 250 sq meters.
Albeit the complete list of classes is exhaustible, some of those are, inter alia; confectionery stores, calligraphy and painting services, beauty salons, law firms, trade events, car showrooms, massage parlours, tailors, internet cafes, electricians, laundries, jewellery stores, bicycle repair shops, travel agencies, grocery stores, tobacconists, telecommunications services, garment stores and opticians.
Another condition behind this announcement is that companies would not be allowed to trade in the limbo period of having a trade license without CD approval, and that they would require to have CD approval within one month of having their trade license issued.
So what's the benefit you ask?
Well, for one thing, with the trade license issued, a company can issue their computer card, which would allow them to withdraw the initial capital deposited for establishment (variable for a limited liability company, QR 2 million minimum for private shareholding companies, and QR 10 million minimum for companies with a ‘holding company’ activity). Moreover, if the incumbent is already established and is looking to renew commercial documents such as the commercial registry, the issued trade license would permit such renewal.
Another big plus is that the computer card would also allow the incumbent to start applying for employee visas and acquiring human resources. This would expedite the process of establishment with respect to having access to the deposited working capital and streamlining labour and employment matters.
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