Invest Qatar has launched a $1bn incentives programme, aimed at strengthening Qatar’s position as a leading global business hub, as part of strategy to drive investment growth and accelerate economic diversification.Unveiled at the Fifth Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg, the programme offers a comprehensive suite of incentive packages tailored for both local and international investors.These incentives provide financial support covering up to 40% of eligible local investment expenses over five years, including business setup costs, construction, office leases, equipment and employee-related expenses."This initiative is a renewed testament to our unwavering commitment to create a world-class investment environment, that not only drives sustainable economic growth but also delivers long-term value to our partners," said HE Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry and chairman of the Advisory Council.By aligning incentives with the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), he said it aims to attract and support investments that accelerate the development and growth of Qatar’s strategic economic clusters.Targeting key growth sectors identified in the NDS3 such as advanced industries, logistics, IT (information technology), digital and financial services, the incentive programme will be rolled out in phases.The first phase introduces four off-the-shelf incentive packages designed to support new investments, facilitate the expansion and digitisation of existing facilities, create high-skilled employment opportunities, promote knowledge transfer and foster an innovative, tech-driven ecosystem.The advanced industries package focuses on high-value, technology-intensive sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automotive and electronics, fostering innovation and value-added production.The logistics package is aimed at transforming Qatar into a leading global hub for logistics, re-export and distribution by promoting investments in infrastructure, automation and advanced logistics services.The technology package seeks to nurture a dynamic digital economy by attracting investments in cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven innovation.The Lusail financial services package is designed to strengthen Qatar’s financial ecosystem by advancing asset management, insurance, wealth management and fintech innovation. It also promotes the establishment of offices in the city of Lusail, Qatar’s premier financial and business district.The incentives programme is guided by a transparent set of eligibility criteria, including a minimum investment size of QR25mn over five years, job creation targets and a track record of operation in relevant sectors.These parameters ensure a streamlined and transparent evaluation process, expediting application reviews and approvals.Investors can access more information and apply for the incentive packages through the Invest Qatar Gateway, the country’s first digital investor platform, offering a seamless application submission."The launch of this programme marks a strategic step forward in achieving the goals of NDS3. It reinforces our commitment to support high-potential businesses that share our national vision for innovation, diversification and sustainable growth," according to Sheikh Ali Alwaleed al-Thani, chief executive officer, Invest Qatar.By addressing the evolving needs of investors, the incentive packages are tailored to unlock growth across today’s most dynamic sectors, while empowering the private sector, contributing to a more resilient, competitive and business-friendly landscape in Qatar, according to him.The incentives builds on Qatar’s National Incentives Framework, complementing the country’s continued efforts to improve its business environment, through strategic policy reforms, new digital services and streamlined licensing procedures across multiple sectors.In 2024, Qatar attracted $2.74bn in foreign direct investment (FDI) through 241 projects, which created 9,348 jobs.