The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), one of the world's leading and fastest growing onshore business and financial centres, participated in the International Products Exhibition & Conference (IPEC), which took place from 8 to 10 October 2018 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).

Held under the Patronage of H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the State of Qatar, IPEC 2018 is a unique that gathers foreign investors and business leaders to explore investment and development opportunities in Qatar across different sectors.

As part of the event, the QFC took part in the Qatar Pavilion, which brought together key Qatari Ministries and Administrations who play a key role in Qatar's economic growth and bilateral and international trade relations. In addition, IPEC hosted a conference that explored Qatar's achievements, projects and plans towards realising the Qatar National Vision 2030, and trade and economic development.

Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) participated in a panel discussion entitled 'Strategies and Initiatives Towards National Vision 2030' which focused on upcoming projects and opportunities on the road to the FIFA World Cup 2022, and strategies and initiatives towards the National Vision 2030. Other high-level panelists included Akbar Al-Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Airways, Hassan Al-Thawadi, Secretary General, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari, Group Chief Executive Officer, Qatar National Bank (QNB), and Hassan Abdulrahman Al-Ibrahim, Acting Chairman, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).

Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, QFC Authority
"We are honoured to take part in IPEC, a unique event that brings together key local drivers of Qatar's economic development alongside our international partners to discuss and explore future opportunities for investment and sustainable growth across different sectors of the economy."

Al-Jaida added: "At the QFC we remain committed to fostering an ecosystem that fully supports businesses in realising their growth potential and contributing to the diversification of the economy, and thereby support Qatar in its efforts to achieving the objectives set out in the Qatar National Vision 2030."

The QFC is an onshore jurisdiction, allowing companies to operate in and from Qatar within the QFC legal and tax environment. The QFC endeavours to promote Qatar as an attractive business destination. Companies that wish to establish a business in the QFC are guided throughout by a dedicated QFC relationship manager who assists in the process of obtaining a licence and offers support in matters related to operating a business in Qatar. QFC firms enjoy competitive benefits, such as working within a legal environment based on English common law, the right to trade in any currency, up to 100% foreign ownership, 100% repatriation of profits, 10% corporate tax on locally sourced profits, and an extensive double tax treaty agreement network with 60+ countries.

In addition, the independent Employment Standards Office of the QFC embodies a unique Administrative Employment Dispute Resolution Centre accredited by the International Labour Organization (ILO), providing conciliation and adjudication services free of charge to help resolve workplace conflicts. The ESO is fully aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and aspires to promote international best practices in the field of human capital.