The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) organised a seminar yesterday on ‘Transforming Family Companies into Public Shareholding Companies’, in co-operation with the Qatar Stock Exchange and Qatar University.
The event brought together owners and representatives of family companies, businessmen, private sector companies, entrepreneurs, and interested parties, the MEC said in a statement.
The seminar falls in line with the ministry’s efforts to streamline business activities in Qatar and to provide flexibility and support for commercial companies, which will increase the level of confidence in the Qatari business environment and enhance partnerships with the private sector in a bid to promote a diversified and sustainable competitive economy in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
The seminar discussed the important contribution of family businesses to the national economy. The participants said the transformation of these businesses into public shareholding companies through an initial public offering on the Qatar Stock Exchange will ensure their sustainability. 
Speakers also outlined the advantages of turning family businesses into public shareholding companies, noting that it would help founders ensure business continuity and the transfer of ownership from one generation to another, while enabling shareholding companies to secure more financing options to expand and implement new projects, issue sukuk or bonds, and sell franchises as an alternative to bank borrowing, in addition to enhancing investment opportunities in financial markets.
Discussions also touched on the procedures and requirements for converting family businesses into public shareholding companies, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law No 11 of 2015.
The participants also elaborated on the process of listing family businesses on the Qatar Stock Exchange after they became public shareholding companies, outlining the motives, key considerations, steps, and listing model. 
Discussions also touched on the legislative framework for the transformation of these companies, the importance of listing a company on the stock market and the necessary procedures, stressing the importance of a corporate governance framework to support the transformation of a family-owned business into a public shareholding company.
The seminar also featured a panel discussion that brought together a number of experts to discuss the practical aspects of the transformation of family businesses into shareholding companies, as well as case studies of some companies that underwent this transformation.