laws and regulations.

In the past few years, the state of Qatar witnessed a legislative revolution, which reflects the Qatari desire to attract foreign investments and to create confidence for the local established businesses, and some of the most significant laws, which were issued recently, are:

* Law No. (1) for the year 2010 amended the Law No. 13 for the year 2000 regulating Non-Qatari capital Investment in Economic activities, the new law allowed foreign investors to have up to 100% ownership in also the following sectors:

1- Consultancy services

2- Information Technology

3- Services related to sports, culture and entertainment

4- Distribution services

In 13 / 2000 the allowed activities were “agriculture, industry, health, education, tourism, development and exploitation of natural resources, energy and mining”.

*Law No 10/2010 amending the Law of Commerce No 27/2006 , the amendment related to article no 580 stipulating that cheque should be paid on the fixed date and not before.

*Law No. (16) for the year 2006 amended the Law No. (5) for the year 2002 mainly by adding (two forms to the companies forms):

1- One person company

2- Holding company

*Lease Law No (4) of 2008 (the "2008 Lease Law"), which replaces the previous Lease Law No (2) of 1975 (as amended) (the "1975 Lease Law").

The 2008 Lease Law provides for the following that were not in the 1975 Lease Law1:
It is stated to be effective from 15 February 2008.

It has widened the applicability of the Law (or removed any ambiguity in such respect) by making it clear that it applies to "furnished units the renting period of which exceeds one month"2.

*LAW NO. 21 OF THE YEAR 2009 ISSUING THE INCOME TAX

LAW

We, Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani Deputy of the Amir of the State of Qatar,

Having perused the Constitution;

And Decree-Law No. 11 of the year 1993 concerning Income Tax;

And the proposal of the Minister of Economy and Finance;

And the draft Law submitted by the Council of Ministers;

And the opinion of the Consultative Council;

Have decided the following law:

Article 1

The provisions of the Income Tax Law attached to this Law shall come into

force.

Article 2

Subject to the provisions of Article (20) of the attached law, the provisions of

the attached law do not apply to the following:

1- private associations and foundations and private foundations of public

interest constituted in accordance with the provisions the laws

governing each of them.

2- private bodies registered in the State or registered in another State and

authorized to operate in the State, provided that they do not aim to

achieve profits.

3- Salaries, wages, allowances and the like.

4- Gross income from legacies and inheritances.

Article 3

The Minister of Economy and Finance shall issue the executive regulations

and decisions required for the implementation of the attached law. And, until

these regulations and decisions are issued, the regulations and decisions

currently in force shall remain applicable in so far as they are not in

contradiction with the provisions of the attached law.

Article 4

Decree-Law No. 11 of the year 1993 concerning the Income Tax and any

provision in contradiction with the provisions of this law and the attached law

Shall be repealed.

Exemptions that are applicable at the date of entry into force of the attached

law shall remain effective until the expiry of their period.

*Law No. 8 of 2008 regarding Consumer Protection has been enacted. Previously protection was granted under Law No. 2 of 1999 on Combating Commercial Fraud,.

*Law No 19 of 2006 Regarding Competition Protection and the Prevention of Monopolistic Practices