Generalizes on the best strategy to enter the market, e.g., visiting the country; importance of relationships to finding a good partner; use of agents.
Last Published: 8/15/2019
  • If you are a new-to-exporting company, contact your local Export Assistance Center first for free export counseling and a balanced assessment of your company’s chances for success in Qatar.  To find your local export assistance center, please visit Export.gov.
  • Come visit:  As in many Middle Eastern countries, personal engagement with potential agents and partners is key to successfully conducting business in Qatar.
  • Get a lawyer:  Acquiring good legal representation is an important first step to entering the market.  This helps establish and maintain good business relationships with Qatari partners.  Hiring a lawyer is especially important before concluding commercial agreements. Occasionally, American firms report difficulties, including delayed payments with their local business partners once their company starts making a profit.  A good business lawyer can help address such issues.  The U.S. Embassy can provide you with a list of law firms currently operating in Qatar. https://qa.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/136/2017/05/Local-Attorney-List-Qatar.pdf.
  • Feasibility study:  U.S. firms already established in the market recommend that new entrants carefully conduct a feasibility study.  This study should be based on factors such as existing competition, market channels and local tastes.  The Commercial Service offers various industry market research reports, as well as Customized Market Research that can form a strong basis for a viable feasibility study.  Please contact the Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy in Doha for more information.
  • Vet partners:  The Commercial Section at the U.S. Embassy offers several services to help you thoroughly vet and identify prospective Qatari business partners.  These services include the International Company Profile, the International Partner Search, and the Gold Key Service.  These services are described here in more detail: U.S. Commercial Service Qatar.

  • Maintain independence:  Having a reliable local partner can mean the difference between success and failure in Qatar.  However, U.S. firms advise not to rely too much on your local partner for all market intelligence and contacts affecting your business.  For example, in the case of expatriate labor visa issues, these should be negotiated with sponsors, agents, and partners in the early stages of contract negotiation.

  • Adapt:  Successful U.S., European, and other foreign companies understand that doing business internationally always creates challenges and doing business in Qatar is no exception.  Learn to live with new procedures and laws by injecting a healthy dose of flexibility into your business plan.  The Commercial Service suggests U.S. firms insist on payment by letter of credit to avoid costly payment delays.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.