MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Figures concerning the trade between Italy and Qatar are over recent years in strong increase. Intensify of bilateral relations has produced a clearly and constant increase of the Italian exports in Qatar. Also the Italian imports from Qatar have increased during the last few years and their value is destined to grow further with the beginning of the liquefied natural gas supplies from Qatar through the Terminal of Rovigo. The share of  instrumental items is by far most meaningful and among them the main voices have been machinery (in particular those for production and employment of mechanical energy), tubes, motor vehicles and the instruments of measurement and control. Among the consumer goods the most sold are: furnitures, jewels, and products of the food industry.
In 2003 total trade has been larger than 2002, with exports that reached the value of  255,6 million Euro (+16%) and imports that reached the value of 25,9 million Euro (+75%).  
In 2004 Italian exports reached the total value of 320,8 million Euro with an increment of 25.5% regarding 2003, while the imports a value of 41,9 million Euro (+ 61.8%).
In 2005 our exports amounted to Euro 500 million (+55.87% regarding 2004) while the Italian imports from Qatar amounted to Euro 45,2 million (+7% regarding 2004).
The data regarding 2006 show a very strong increase of our exports towards Qatar that reached the level of 1,013.2 millions Euro with an increment of 102% the same period of 2005.
The data released by the ICE for 2007 show another good performance of our exports towards Qatar that jumped up to 1,624 millions Euro with an increment of 60,5% the same period of 2006. (Source: ICE )
The main Italian companies presents in Qatar are: Snamprogetti, Enel Power, Enereco, Fata Group, FISIA Italimpianti, Grandi Lavori Fincosit , Technip, Rizzani De Eccher, Technital Consulting, Nuovo Pignone - General Electric, Saipem, Socotherm, Swissboring, Tecnimont, Vai Pomini.  


BUSINESS POLICY AND ACCESS AT THE MARKET  

There are no particular restrictions in the access to the Qatari market. Qatar is member of WTO since December 1995.
A customs union with the other Countries of the GCC is in force since January 2003. It provides for a custom rate of 5% on import . A free trade agreement with UE is currently under negotiation, which would lead to the elimination of EU’s tariffs on the import of petrochemical products, with remarkable advantages for Qatar. The opening to foreign investments, follows the policy of modernization and liberalization of the national economy.
The law on foreign investments establishes that the foreign investor can invest in nearly all the sectors of the national economy (with the exception of  banking and insurance, real estate one, trade agencies ) in partnership with one or more Qatari citizens whose shares is not less than 51%.
In 2000 has been introduced a new rule that allows the foreigners to own more than 50% of a company, but only if approved by the Ministry of the Economy and the Commerce, and in few sectors such as education, agriculture, the health and the tourism where the foreigner could be allowed to own the 100%.

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