Regulations set for economic zones in Qatar

The Cabinet has endorsed a draft law that specifies regulations for economic zones in Qatar and referred it to the Advisory Council.Provisions of the bill stipulate that the Cabinet, based on a proposal from the board of the Economic Zones Company (Manateq), can establish one or more economic zones for the purpose of executing projects and stimulating and attracting investments, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.The decision to establish such a zone will also specify its area and borders, and can include the establishment or attachment of one or more ports - sea, land or air - to the economic zone.“All types of companies, sharing contracts or other legal entities can be created or established within an economic zone, whether (they are) owned by one or more normal or legal persons - citizens or others,” the QNA report said.Such an entity is exempted from obtaining another licence, approval, permission or registration to practise that business, and enjoys unrestricted transfer of capital, revenues or investments out of the country.The company is to be granted a 50-year concession from the date of application of the law, during which it will remain solely in charge of the management, development, operation and maintenance of the zone in accordance with the law and the company’s statute.Gulf Times had earlier reported that the realisation of economic zones under Manateq was expected to further enhance Qatar’s position as a major commercial hub in the GCC region and speed up the country’s policy of diversifying the economy away from oil and gas.Manateq was established to develop and operate special economic zones that would provide infrastructure in accordance with the highest international standards in order to reach new levels of economic diversity and promote the growth of small and medium-sized companies and the private sector.After the regular weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani at the Emiri Diwan yesterday, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud said the Cabinet took the necessary measures to issue a draft law on psychological health after examining recommendations of the Advisory Council in this regard.The bill covers issues such as providing care for psychiatric patients and their rights, compulsory admission to psychiatric treatment institutions that are legally licensed to provide psychiatric services such as examination, treatment and care, judicial placement of defendants at a government facility, and treating and caring for psychiatric patients.According to provisions of the law, existing institutions – at the time of application of the law – are to adjust their status in line with its provisions within six months of its implementation.