Qatar is positioning itself as a stable, digitally advanced gateway for global technology firms, offering policy certainty, strategic access and targeted incentives to accelerate regional expansion and long-term investment, according to a senior official at Invest Qatar.
Invest Qatar acting chief marketing and communications officer Reem Saad al-Kuwari told Gulf Times that Qatar is reinforcing its standing as a strategic base for global technology companies and high-growth startups seeking to enter the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
She added that the country’s proposition is built on long-term certainty and ecosystem readiness.
“Qatar offers startups a compelling blend of stability, connectivity and pro-business regulation,” al-Kuwari said. “As one of the world’s safest countries with top-tier healthcare, infrastructure and quality of life, it provides a reliable environment for teams to thrive and innovate.”
Qatar has risen 22 places in the Global Innovation Index over the past six years, ranking 48th in 2025.
It also ranks second globally for general infrastructure in the 2024 index and second worldwide for mobile Internet speeds in 2025 – performance indicators that reinforce investor confidence in its digital backbone.
Al-Kuwari highlighted the country’s geographic and commercial positioning as a key differentiator.
“Qatar serves as an ideal entry point to the wider region,” she said. “Its strategic location, world-class connectivity and digitally mature market allow startups to pilot, refine and localise their products before scaling into high-growth markets across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.”
“This reduces risk while accelerating regional expansion,” al-Kuwari stated.
It is learnt that through the Startup Qatar Investment Programme, early-stage firms establishing in the country can access funding of up to $1.1mn, while mature startups expanding into the market may receive up to $5.5mn.
In parallel, the Invest Qatar Incentives Programme offers up to 40% reimbursement on eligible local investment costs over five years, including setup, infrastructure, equipment, leasing and employee expenses.
Investor momentum is strongest across the technology, financial services, advanced manufacturing, and logistics sectors, aligned with diversification objectives under Qatar National Vision 2030.
“In technology, momentum continues to accelerate thanks to Qatar’s rising innovation capacity and growing depth in applied R&D,” al-Kuwari said, citing partnerships such as imec establishing its regional headquarters in Qatar to strengthen the semiconductor and advanced technology pipeline.
She added that financial services benefit from “a robust regulatory landscape and strong demand for fintech, asset management and digital financial innovation”.
At the same time, advanced manufacturing is supported by “reliable and sustainable energy supply, sector-specific infrastructure and a national strategy that prioritises high-value production and Industry 4.0 capabilities”.
In an increasingly competitive global environment, al-Kuwari said that founders consistently point to three differentiators: “stability, access and speed”.
“They emphasise stability as a core strength – a predictable policy framework, clear national priorities and long-horizon economic planning give them the certainty to invest, hire and scale with conviction,” she said. “They also highlight the access they gain and the speed and responsiveness of our systems.”
