Qatar to ease ownership law

* username: rupertbu

Qatar is considering an amendment to its investment law that allows up to 100 per cent foreign ownership in certain commercial enterprises, a local daily reported yesterday.

"The Minister of Business and Trade may now issue a resolution to allow the foreign ownership limit to exceed 49 per cent in the sectors of business consulting, technical services, information technology, distribution services and cultural, sports and leisure services," Gulf Times said.

Outside investors have since 2000 been exempt from the 49 per cent capital ownership rule only if they were involved in agriculture, manufacturing, health, tourism, development and exploitation of natural resources, energy or mining.