U.S. suppliers should emphasize the value-for-price, high quality and, if applicable, the new-to-market status of their products. Initial face-to-face contact with potential partners and importers will significantly increase a company’s business prospects. Qatari companies distributing foreign products usually request marketing and advertising assistance from the principals to introduce a new product to the market or to improve sales of existing products.
Trade Promotion & Advertising
Many advertising practices and strategies used by U.S. companies are familiar to Qatari firms. The most common forms of advertising are media announcements, billboards, and flyers. Local distributors generally develop advertising strategies in coordination with their principals. Several private advertising firms are equipped to handle promotional activities. Incorporating the use of social media (Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn) into your trade promotion and advertising engagement plans is also strongly suggested, as Qataris look to these outlets for local information.
Most newspapers in Qatar, including five Arabic and three English dailies, have a large readership. These include the following:
Arabic:
Al-Sharq
P.O. Box 3488, Doha, State of Qatar
Tel: (+974) 44557780
Fax: (+974) 44557864
Email: adv@al-sharq.com
Al-Watan
P.O. Box 22345, Doha, State of Qatar,
Tel: (+974) 40002121
Fax: (+974) 40002230
Email: alwatan@qatar.net.qa
Al-Raya
P.O. Box 533, Doha, State of Qatar, Office of the Editorial President
Tel: (+974) 44466566 or 4437 1353
Fax: (+974) 4435 0476
Email: Editor@raya.com
Al-Arab
P.O. Box 22612, Doha, State of Qatar
Tel: (+974) 4499 7333
Email: alarab@alarab.qa
Lusail
P.O. Box 559, Doha, State of Qatar
Tel: (+974) 44627575
Fax: (+974) 44627576
Email: lusail@lusailnews.qa
English:
Gulf Times
P.O. Box 533, Doha, State of Qatar
Tel: (+974) 4435 0478(News) 4446 6404(Sports)
4446 6609(Advertising) 4 44411300(Home delivery)
Fax: (+974) 4435 0474(Editorial) 44418811(Advertising)
Email: editor@gulf-times.com
P.O. Box 23493, Doha, State of Qatar
Tel: (+974) 4442 2077/4466 6810/ 4455 4333
Fax: (+974) 4441 6790
Email: editor@qatar-tribune.com
The Channel is a diversified channel operated by Al Rayyan Media and Marketing. It targets the Qatari audience. Al Rayyan is as a familiar news service at the national and regional levels.
General Enquiries: +974 44240515
Advertising and Marketing: +974 44240271 / +974 44243160
Fax Nos.: +974 44413311 / +974 44245794
Email: advertising.marketing@alrayyan.qa
Qatar Broadcasting Service (QBS) / Qatar News Agency
P.O. Box 1414, Doha, State of Qatar,
Tel: (+974) 4489 4444, Fax: (+974) 4487 0712
The state-owned Qatar Radio and Television Corporation operates Qatar Television (QTV) and the radio station Qatar Broadcasting Service (QBS). QTV, comprising Arabic and English channels, broadcasts pre-recorded commercials. QBS also carries advertisements.
(Al-Jazeera Satellite Channel: Al-Jazeera Live, Al-Jazeera, and Al-Jazeera Documentary)
P.O. Box 23123, Doha, Tel: (+974) 40158585
Email: advertising@aljazeera.net
The locally operated pan-Arab satellite channel Al-Jazeera receives some public funding but is independently owned and operated. It also broadcasts advertising for local and regional companies and products. The Al-Jazeera network of channels is carried by Qatar’s satellites, Es’hailSat 1 and 2.
Al-Jazeera is an excellent means of promotion and advertising, as it broadcasts to more than 310 million households in more than 100 countries, with extensive coverage across the Middle East and North Africa, especially. Aljazeera.net is the most visited website in the Arab world.
Pricing
There is a large variety of local and foreign products in the Qatari market. Local consumers are very price conscious and actively seek out sales and promotions. Local distributors of international products often engage in promotions to attract consumers and gain market share. U.S. firms should work closely with their local distributor to determine appropriate pricing strategies.
There is currently no value-added tax (VAT) or sales tax in Qatar. However, the government is considering introducing a 5 percent VAT at some point in the next 1-3 years.
Sales Service/Customer Support
Post-sales service and customer support is considered the responsibility of the local distributor or agent. Since a Qatari entity must obtain a license for all imports, local firms generally maintain a supply of spare parts for distributed products. Local distributors may also establish workshops for after-sales support, as appropriate. Foreign principals often provide regional and international training for technical support staff.
Local Professional Services
Auditing Firms
Hotels
Major Hotel Chains in Qatar:
- Crowne Plaza
- Four Seasons Hotel Doha
- Hilton Hotel
- Grand Hyatt Doha
- Park Hyatt Doha
- InterContinental Doha
- Kempinski Residences and Suites Doha
- Kempinski Marsa Malaz at the Pearl
- La Cigale Hotel
- M Grand Doha Hotel
- Mandarin Oriental
- Marriott Marquis City Center Hotel
- JW Marriott Hotel
- Millennium Hotel
- Mondrian Hotel
- Movenpick Tower Doha
- Oryx Rotana Doha
- Radisson Blu Hotel Doha
- The Ritz Carlton Doha
- The St Regis Doha
- Sealine Beach Resort
- Sharq Village & Spa Doha
- Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel
- The Torch Doha
- W Doha
- Westin Doha Hotel & Spa
- Wyndham Grand Regency Doha
Insurance Companies
- Al-Khaleej Insurance Company
- Al Koot Insurance and Reinsurance Co
- Allianz Takaful QFC
- Arabia Insurance Co
- AXA Insurance (Gulf) BSC (C)
- Capital Insurance Brokers LLC
- Ceylinco Insurance
- Doha Bank Assurance Company LLC
- Doha Insurance Co (QSC)
- General Takaful
- Libano-Suisse Insurance Company
- Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) International
- Qatar General Insurance and Re-Insurance Company
- Qatar Insurance Company
- Qatar Islamic Insurance Company
- SEIB Insurance & Reinsurance Co LLC
- Tazur Company BSC
- Metlife
Local Attorney List
Please refer to the U.S. Embassy in Doha webpage for a list of local attorneys and other useful information for U.S. travelers to Qatar.
Telecommunications
- Ooredoo
- Vodafone
Freight Forwarding and Courier Services
- Aramex
- DHL
- Federal Express/TNT
- UPS
- Skynet
Principal Business Associations
The American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar was the first legally established foreign Chamber of Commerce in Qatar. AmCham Qatar was first launched February 2010 and is a non-profit, non-governmental, and non-political organization dedicated to fostering cooperation and understanding between Qatar and the United States through trade, commerce, and investment. Its main objectives are to:
- Promote the expansion of trade and investment between the United States and Qatar
- Serve as a forum in which American businesspeople in Qatar can identify, discuss and pursue common commercial interests
- Work with organizations in Qatar and internationally on matters of mutual interest
- Serve as a conduit of information to the governments and publics of the United States and Qatar concerning the improvement of business conditions
- Maintain relations with chambers of commerce in the United States and other chambers of commerce or commercial organizations
- Contribute to the development of a vibrant private sector in Qatar and uphold the highest standards of corporate and commercial practice.
The Qatari Businessmen Association is a prominent local business organization, formed in 2010, that aims to connect the State of Qatar’s strategic plans, like Qatar National Vision 2030, with Qatari private sector leaders and economic growth activities.
Established in 1963, the Qatar Chamber is one of the oldest chambers in the GCC countries. Its main role is to organize business interests and represent the Qatari private sector locally and globally, as well as support the country’s economic actors and productivity.
The U.S.-Qatar Business Council is a bilaterally focused entity that develops, supports, and advances the bilateral relationship between the United States and Qatar, with an interest in political, business, cultural, and security relations.
For more information about business associations in Qatar, or to express interest in exporting goods and services, contact the Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy to meet trade professionals who can provide market intelligence and local business connections.