2016 REPORT ON QATAR TO PUT CHANGING LEGAL LANDSCAPE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

A report by the global publishing firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) will shine a spotlight on the raft of new legislation which is being introduced in Qatar, with a view to enabling the State’s National Vision 2030.

The new Commercial Companies Law and the highly-anticipated Arbitration Law, which will have a bearing both on businesses already operating in the country and others looking to invest, are just two of the topics analysed in The Report: Qatar 2016. 

Long-awaited updates to the kafala (sponsorship) system, which are expected to be finalised by the end of the year, will also be given in-depth coverage. The system, which governs the monitoring of migrant labourers, has been subject to scrutiny by the world’s media as Qatar’s many megaprojects gain pace.

OBG’s analysis of Qatar’s legislation will be provided once again by law firm Pinsent Masons Qatar. The company has signed a second Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OBG to produce the Legal Framework Chapter of The Report: Qatar 2016.

James Elwen, Head of the Qatar Office and a Partner at Pinsent Masons, said he was delighted to be contributing to OBG’s forthcoming report which, he added, came at a time when keeping up to date on the country’s legal framework was essential.

“Qatar’s far-reaching plans, led by its huge infrastructure drive and efforts to galvanise small and medium-sized enterprises, have necessitated significant legislative updates to accommodate the government’s vision for the country,” he said. “It will be a pleasure to work with Oxford Business Group’s team to map out these changes for business leaders eyeing Qatar’s many exciting opportunities.”

OBG’s Managing Director for the Middle East Jana Treeck agreed that the Legal Framework Chapter of The Report: Qatar 2016 would be a valuable tool for readers looking to keep informed on what the changes to the country’s legal and regulatory environment mean for their investment plans.

“The new legislation already in place reflects Qatar’s evolving economy, while other draft amendments, such as planned changes to the rules covering expatriates’ contracts, merit in-depth discussion,” she said. “Pinsent Masons’ team brought an added dimension to our 2015 report with their local knowledge and expertise. I’m delighted that we will benefit from their insight once again.”

The Report: Qatar 2016 will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments. The publication will be available in the first quarter of 2016, in print or online.