M&A Advisory in Qatar

M&A Advisory in Qatar

The firm covers Qatar matters in cooperation with an announced partner office in Qatar. That partner office is not a branch owned by the firm, and the firm does not itself hold a Qatar law practice license; local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter in the State of Qatar.

We advise buyers, sellers and investors on acquisitions of Qatari companies and businesses, whether the target is a mainland company or sits in the Qatar Financial Centre or a free zone, with the transaction work coordinated with our partner office in Qatar. The work is advisory: structure, due diligence, transaction documents and the order of approvals.

The Qatari legal framework for deals

Commercial companies in Qatar are governed by Commercial Companies Law No. 11 of 2015, as amended (including by Law No. 8 of 2021). Foreign investment is regulated by Law No. 1 of 2019, which allows up to full foreign ownership in most sectors with ministerial approval. Under the Competition Law (Law No. 19 of 2006), a person who intends to buy shares or assets, or to merge or combine entities, so as to control or dominate the market must notify the Competition Protection and Anti-Monopoly Committee at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Qatar Financial Centre applies its own framework, and the Qatar Financial Markets Authority regulates listed targets.

What we check on a Qatari deal

We establish which framework the target sits in, mainland, QFC or free zone, and whether a foreign buyer needs ministerial approval for the intended ownership level. We then test whether the competition notification applies, review the target's articles and shareholder arrangements, and map licences and change-of-control terms in key contracts. Approvals are sequenced before a closing date is committed. For the wider corporate practice, see General Commercial & Corporate; for a specific transaction, contact our team.

MENA coordination

The firm was founded in Kuwait in 1986 and has a branch in Cairo. It covers MENA matters in cooperation with partner offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, and partner offices in Turkey and the United States. Those partner offices are not branches owned by the firm; local licensing and advice are assessed in the relevant jurisdiction.

This page is general information, not advice for a particular entity or transaction.

Frequently asked questions

Does an acquisition in Qatar need competition clearance?

Under Law No. 19 of 2006, a transaction that would let a buyer control or dominate the market must be notified to the Competition Protection and Anti-Monopoly Committee at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. We assess whether a given deal falls within that.

Can a foreign buyer acquire a Qatari company outright?

Foreign Investment Law No. 1 of 2019 allows up to full foreign ownership in most sectors with ministerial approval. The answer depends on the sector and the framework the target sits in.

Who handles Qatar M&A at the firm?

Qatar matters are handled in cooperation with the firm's announced partner office in Qatar. The firm does not itself hold a Qatar law practice license, and local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter.

Other markets

Company Formation in Qatar · Corporate & Commercial Law in Qatar · M&A Advisory in Egypt · M&A Advisory in Saudi Arabia · M&A Advisory in the UAE · M&A Advisory in Oman · M&A Advisory in Bahrain