Cityscape Qatar 2023, the annual real estate flagship event, announced the participation of a Government Pavilion, featuring the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) and the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC). The pavilion comes as part of the strategic partnership forged between Cityscape Qatar and Invest Qatar.
Through this strategic partnership, Invest Qatar will highlight the supportive environment for foreign real estate investors in Qatar, and the nation’s commitment to promoting a conducive atmosphere for investments. This partnership emphasises Invest Qatar’s dedication to supporting the national real estate strategy by promoting opportunities to potential investors within local, regional, and international levels.
Additionally, Invest Qatar will participate in the popular Cityscape Talks, a series of talk panels covering Qatar’s thriving real estate sector. Hamad Rashid Al-Naimi, Strategy Manager at Invest Qatar, will share valuable insights into the sector’s growth prospects and numerous investment benefits during the session entitled “Invest in Qatar: Real Estate – A Safe Long-Term Investment”.
Captain Mubarak Awaida Al-Hajri, Head of the Government Services Centre at The Pearl, said: “The Ministry of Interior (MoI) will be actively participating in Cityscape with the objective of offering, both investors and visitors, a comprehensive insight into the services and facilities provided by the General Directorate of Passports. The Ministry offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at streamlining the process of obtaining real estate residency permits for investors. Furthermore, it also provides guidance on the procedures for individuals, whether they are current residents or foreign visitors, seeking residency permits through real estate investments within the country.”
He added: “A dedicated team of experts from the General Directorate of Passports will be providing support and addressing any inquiries related to the procedures for obtaining real estate residency permit cards. It is important to highlight that the permit can be swiftly issued directly to the investor.”
Mr. Amer Saeed Al-Ghafri, Director of the Real Estate Registration Department, Ministry of Justice, said:“The Ministry’s participation in the Cityscape Qatar 2023 aims to highlight the investment potential and the advanced legislative system that leverages the growing role of the real estate sector and its contribution to the country’s economic development.”
Al-Ghafri added: “Through our frequent participation in consecutive editions of this flagship event and our sponsorship of economic discussions, the Ministry remains dedicated to highlighting the favourable real estate landscape in Qatar and the multitude of benefits it offers. This commitment is especially evident with the issuance of Cabinet Resolution No. 28 of 2020, which has further bolstered foreign ownership by identifying areas where non-Qataris can own properties. This resolution also lays out the associated benefits, procedures and conditions for their property ownership and utilisation.”
The Director of the Real Estate Registration Department also pointed out: “The Ministry of Justice’s participation will offer attendees insights into the latest regulations, notably Law No. 1 of 2023 on the documentation. It will also emphasize the newly introduced electronic services, with a special focus on purchase transactions. These services are integral to our ambitious automation strategy aimed at enhancing efficiency in real estate transactions, attracting investment and simplifying property ownership for non-Qataris. Additionally, the Government Pavilion will showcase the streamlined process of obtaining ownership documents and the ongoing efforts to regulate real estate brokerage and the modernised property registration process.
Hamad Rashid Al-Naimi, Strategy Manager, Invest Qatar, said: “We are pleased to partner with Cityscape Qatar and be part of the Government Pavilion, reaffirming our steadfast commitment to support the national real estate promotion strategy. Our participation as a strategic partner and featured speaker aims to highlight the substantial growth prospects and lucrative investment opportunities within the sector. From offering permanent residency, free healthcare and education to facilitating investments in commercial activities, the multitude of benefits has strengthened the attractiveness of the real estate sector for investors.”
Nasser Al-Taweel, Deputy CEO and Chief Legal Officer, QFC, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Government Pavilion at Cityscape Qatar. Qatar’s real estate market is blooming, with Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) poised to play a pivotal role in bolstering the country’s investment economy. The Qatar Financial Centre is dedicated to nurturing the real estate sector by catering to the evolving requirements of its stakeholders through sound regulations and legal frameworks. We eagerly anticipate meaningful interactions with businesses and investors attending this conference and share valuable insights on leveraging Qatar’s burgeoning property market.”
Alex Edwards, Exhibition Director, Cityscape, said: “We are extremely excited to have Invest Qatar as our strategic partner and of course working closer than ever with the Ministry of Justice & Qatar Financial Centre. This partnership marks a significant milestone for us, as we align ourselves with the powerhouses of the region that have demonstrated unparalleled expertise and success in their respective fields. Their vision and plans perfectly align with our mission and strategy for Cityscape Qatar, especially when it comes to driving foreign direct investments in the country.
“This partnership goes beyond simply attracting an audience, it is also an opportunity to share knowledge with local and international investors who are excited about Qatar’s potential. Invest Qatar has played a key role in shaping the agenda for Cityscape Talks this year, and we look forward to collaborating on the exciting initiatives underway as part of the Qatar National Vision 2030 project.”
Held from 24 to 26 October at the Doha exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), Cityscape Qatar 2023 will bring together 5,000+ attendees and feature 50+ exhibitors presenting diverse real estate projects and services. Co-located with INDEX Design Qatar and The Big 5 Construct Qatar, the event will provide comprehensive access to all three exhibitions, enriching networking and insights for professionals in real estate, design and construction.
Real estate: One of the fastest-growing sectors in Qatar:
The real estate sector in Qatar is experiencing remarkable growth, driven by various factors including high GDP growth, an influx of population, abundant employment opportunities and favourable government policies. Qatar introduced unprecedented property ownership reforms that allow non-Qataris the eligibility to own property and invest in the real estate sector. These initiatives offer an array of privileges for investing in the real estate sector, such as permanent residency, providing free healthcare, education and the ability to invest in certain commercial activities. Financial institutions also offer attractive mortgage loans, with competitive rates and flexibility, appealing to investors and homebuyers. The growing diversity of properties and a range of cultural and entertainment attractions make Qatar an ideal location for real estate projects.
About Cityscape Qatar:
Cityscape Qatar is Qatar’s most prestigious real estate exhibition held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. The annual event serves as a valuable platform for serious investors, asset managers, homebuyers, and high-net-worth individuals to source exciting new property opportunities locally and internationally.
About Invest Qatar:
The Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) oversees investment promotion activities and acts as the country’s umbrella organisation for FDI attraction. Through its close coordination with Qatari licensing platforms, it helps businesses advance their ambitions and achieve long-term success by delivering the support, advice and expertise needed.
Invest Qatar’s goal is to showcase Qatar as an exceptional investment destination, connecting international investors to business opportunities, while bringing progress to the country’s economic development and diversification goals across sectors and geographies.
