QNA/Doha

As per this amendment, non-Qatari investors may have a ratio of not more than 49% of the capital of sharing companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange, after the approval of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on the ratio proposed in the memorandum of association and articles of association. 

Non-Qatari investors may have a ratio of more than the percentage referred to, with the approval of the Cabinet upon the proposal of the Minister of Economy and Commerce. The citizens of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) will be treated like Qatari nationals in owning shares of companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange.

The Cabinet issued draft laws based  on the recommendations of the Advisory (Shura) Council .  

The Cabinet also issued a draft law on organising Charitable Works:

Under the provisions of the draft law, the Qatar Authority for Charitable Works shall organise, develop and support charities.

Charities shall be subject to the supervision and control of the Qatar Authority for Charitable Works including the registered charity associations and private institutions or the charity institutions that will be established, registered and announced according to the provisions of the law, as well as other authorised bodies to initiate charitable or humanitarian works, and individuals who are authorised to collect donations or transfer financial donations for charitable or humanitarian purposes.

Charity organisations or any other entities or individuals shall not collect donations without permission from Qatar Authority for Charitable Works unless for a specific purpose for a limited period, in accordance with the provisions of this law.

The Cabinet, upon the proposal of the president may grant the charitable organisations a subsidy or a loan, and charities may also be exempted from any taxes or fees.

A draft Law on regulation of providing Haj and Umrah (pilgrimage) services was also issued.

The draft law includes the conditions and regulations necessary for the granting a licence to practise the profession of providing Haj (pilgrimage) and Umrah services. The company applying for the licence shall be wholly owned by Qataris.

The draft law also includes the formation of the Qatari Haj Mission and determining its mandate and terms of reference.

The Cabinet also issued a draft law to determine the border of Tembuk Village and to determine the border of Sanie  Al Hemaidi Village.  

The Cabinet then approved a draft law amending some provisions of Decree-Law No 17 of  2010, on organising the National Human Rights Committee. 

A draft law on a national system to control nuclear material was also approved.

The draft law meets the requirement of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons that Qatar establishes a system for controlling all nuclear material subject to safeguards.

The bill included basic provisions including the jurisdiction of the National Committee on Arms Embargo to apply the provisions of the law and the provisions of the safeguards agreement and the statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in addition to controlling nuclear materials that are used or produced in all operations, and providing IAEA with reports in line with the agreement.

The Cabinet approved an Emiri Decision on the formation of a board for the entity in charge of regulating charity work.

The board is headed by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and has members from relevant entities. The board is to serve a three-year renewable term.

The Cabinet then approved the following draft decisions:

a. A draft Cabinet decision on establishing Al Shahaniya municipality.

b. A draft decision by the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning to set the geographic borders of Al Shahaniya municipality.

c.  A draft decision by the Minister of Environment on adopting some technical regulations and standards as Qatari technical regulations and standards.

d. A draft decision of the minister of environment on the adoption of Qatari technical regulations and standards. 

The Cabinet reviewed the following issues and took decisions:

1. A letter by the Minister of Economy and Commerce on a report on the second review of trade policies of Qatar at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva during the month of April.

The review praised the enormous economic achievements in guiding macroeconomic and development plans since the mid-nineties, and welcomed Qatar’s efforts to diversify its economy, not directly depending on oil and gas, and ensuring justice among generations in relation to the best use of non-renewable resources through the establishment of projects in the sectors of health, education and infrastructure.

2. A memo by the Foreign Minister, who is also chairman of Qatar Committee For Alliance of Civilisations (QCAC), on its fourth annual report for the year 2013-14.

QCAC is in charge of supervising the implementation of Qatar’s plan and contributions to the Alliance of Civilisations (AOC).

The report included details of events, programmes and activities organised by QCAC in that period, which aim to highlight the concept of AOC, and strengthen Qatar’s leading role within it, especially as it chairs the secretariat of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.

3. A memo by the Minister of Youth and Sports on the outcome of the 37th session of the council of Arab ministers of youth and sports and its executive bureau (Sharm El-Sheikh - May 2014).

4. A letter by the Minister of Justice on samples of draft agreements and memoranda of understanding between the government of Qatar and the governments of other countries in the different fields.

A draft agreement on co-operation between the governments of Qatar and Spain in the education sector was also approved.