Investment opportunities in GCC countries has shown immense potential mainly because of the GCC legal business framework which greatly favours and has made the GCC business environment more conducive for foreign business.

According to UNCTAD report, Governments in developing countries perceive FDI as a key source of economic development.Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)is basically a political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern countries-Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,the United Arab Emirates,Qatar,Bahrain,and Oman, united based on their similar political and cultural identities.

Since late 1990s, there has been continuous legal reforms, especially with rules directing the status of foreign firms, commercial laws, & laws to protect intellectual property rights. International Investment has become very easy in GCC countries as the FDI policy has become more flexible than 1990s and legal environment has become favourable for foreign investors.

According to a report issued by the Kuwait-based Arab investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation, Gulf Cooperation Council states have made it easy for global investments, as a result of which UAE topped the list with around $9bn, followed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia in second and third places.FDI inflows to Arab countries has witnessed an increase which reached $30.8bn in 2016 and created more than 115,000 new jobs as well.

Foreign companies wishing to conduct business in GCC countries can expect  lucrative business incentives, transparent policies, faster processing of business licenses, strong and profitable banking sector, and efficient administrative services. This greatly motivates foreign investors to set-up their off shore branches and business agencies in GCC Countries.

Please connect with us, as our team focusses exclusively on providing consulting services to foreign companies and individuals willing to expand their operations in the GCC countries.We as a reputed company can help you with your business operations in the GCC Countries and guide you regarding how to set up a company.We can help you in getting investor visa.

• The UAE symbolizes a prosperous economy that includes a thriving tourist industry, which greatly encourages foreign investors to look for foreign direct investment.UAE is considered to be one of the most developed economies ranking 5th in the world as per GDP per capita.
• The prime destination in Middle East, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are considered to be the most popular hubs for businesses having large number of regional head-offices of several Multinational Companies.With its state of the art infrastructure and facilities like high quality connectivity and communication set-up, UAE offers a unique platform to foreign investors and a flexible business environment where top Multinationals to SME’s have the opportunity to operate and grow.
• Setting up a company in UAE can prove to be beneficial for  foreign investors. According to 2013 Global Investment Report UAE (Comprising of Seven Emirates; Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sarah, Ajman, Umm Al Taiwan, Ras Al Khaimah And Fujairah) was ranked third largest country as far as FDI is concerned in West Asia region.
• The absence of taxes and a low cost of living are great incentives  attracting foreign investor and encouraging leading foreign companies to establish their foreign business in the Emirates’ free zones and industrial cities. Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have very flexible rules concerning the acquisition of real estate property by foreigners.
• Flexible Tax system with 0% corporate tax, and 0% income tax, makes it one of the most favourite hot spot destination for investment and for setting up a company. It offers up to 100% foreign ownership in Free Zones.As per World Bank/IFC ranking 2009,UAE is considered amongst top 10 reformers of the world and as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
• Investing in UAE will greatly bring profit to foreign investors as Traditionally Dubai is famous for it’s mostly Oil and Gas reserves and with changing environment the City has ventured into Banking, Real Estate, Health Care, Retail, Manufacturing and Information Technology including Hospitality & Tourism.
• The economy of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, grew at an estimated rate of 2.2% in the year 2014 and is second only to Dubai in terms of infrastructure and growing tourism.

• Foreign investment and foreign trade has always been welcomed at Kuwait by the government which greatly welcomes foreign investors in the country.According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report ,2016 (UNCTAD), Kuwait witnessed around foreign Direct investment of USD 293 million in the year 2015, compared with FDI outflows of USD 5.4 billion which proves that Country has always favoured foreign investment.
• High quality infrastructures, inexpensive labour force due to presence of immigrants, and absence of taxes are reasons favouring foreign investors to go ahead with company formation in Kuwait.Foreign companies investing in Kuwait will get to experience a country where there is good financial management and a solid banking system.
• Kuwait’s government, in its initiative to attract foreign investments issued a law in 2001, (renewed in 2003) allowing investors to own capital holdings that is up to 100% equity (provided the business are in areas that the government wants to develop). That includes areas like water, power, energy, drainage and communications including investing companies such as insurance, information technologies, hospitals, hotels, construction of housing zones, freight transportation, etc.
• Moreover In 2014, the government issued rules implementing a 2013 foreign direct investment (FDI) law that eased out the process of doing business in Kuwait and helped foreign investors to get company registration easily.
• Legislation on free zones and the creation of independent stock market regulator (January 2010) greatly attracting foreign direct investment in Kuwait.Foreign investment in Kuwait is easier as taxation Law has been passed in the year 2008 which has decreased the tax rates on profits earned by foreign investor.

• According to the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics (MDPS) reports foreign investments in the year 2015 has increased by 11% year- which accounted for QR537.3bn foreign direct investments.
• Foreign Investors looking for investment can consider Qatar as it’s the wealthiest country in the GCC per capita and enjoys vast gas reserves.Qatar laws authorizes and gives foreign investor in Qatar 100-percent ownership in most sectors of the economy which in a way encourages investors.
• Qatar investment opportunities are wide as the biggest contributors to FDI are countries like United States, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.The main sectors that attract foreign investment are oil and gas, construction,public works and financial services. 2022 World Cup in Qatar is expected to attract numbers of foreign investors in future.
• Qatar laws has been amended which has made corporate income tax system more transparent,and have reduced tariff rates on imports following the standards set by World Trade Organization.This has made company incorporation more easy for foreign investors.
• State-centric development and economic diversification have been given important role in the country’s economic development plan, which greatly favours foreign investors. This has helped investors to get investor visa easily & has transformed the country into a sports and business destination.

• According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) records, Oman economy witnessed an increase of foreign direct Investment by OMR0.8b in the year 2016, until the final quarter of 2016 alone saw an investment of OMR 717.5m. All this greatly highlights the backbone of the local economy and its ability to create new opportunities for foreign investors.
• Investing in Oman greatly benefits foreign investors as the process is flexible and greatly promotes foreign business. Countries attitude towards foreign business, the concept of free markets, comparatively low taxes, customs duty exemptions and the one-stop-shop services provided by Ministry of Commerce and Industry for securing business registration certificate greatly motivates investors
• Strategic location of Oman, just outside the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, supervising the world’s maritime commercial traffic, with convenient access and connections to the Gulf, Africa, and the subcontinent is creating diverse investment opportunities & greatly motivating and encouraging foreign investors. According to World Bank report, Oman ranked 66th according to 2017 census doing Business.

• Foreign business ownership is fully allowed in more than 95% of all economic activities, which greatly attracts and motivates foreign investors for company formation in Bahrain.According to UN Conference on Trade and Development’s report Bahrain witnessed an FDI flow of US $989m in the year 2013, up 11% from $891m in 2012.
• Foreign companies setting up business in Bahrain will greatly benefit as the country has flexible approach towards foreign investment. It has taken various measures such as the formation of a Supreme Council for privatisation in the year 2001,the formation of the Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company in 2006, (responsible for public investment), and the creation of the Bahrain Investors Centre (BIC) serving investors with different kinds of business services including licensing and business certificate registration.
• For global investment, Bahrain is undoubtedly an attractive destination to foreign investors mainly because of presence of certain things that Includes presence of skilled workforce, country’s strategic location in the northern Gulf, good communications links with Saudi Arabia giving easy access to other Gulf markets, easier tax systems which are some encouraging trends.

Foreign company setting up business in GCC countries can consider the following opportunities.

UAE

• The gas and oil sectors
• High Potential Sectors-Aircraft parts and services, the construction industry, franchising, healthcare services, oil and gas field machinery and services, renewable energy.
• Abu Dhabi to restructure certain public services like water and electricity distribution & welcomes investors with opportunities for investment.
• And many more ………………..

KUWAIT

• Kuwait Investment Authority.
• Kuwait Foreign Investment Bureau.
• Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement
• And many more ………………..

QATAR

• Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement
• Tenders Info, Tenders in Qatar
• DgMarket, Tenders Worldwide
• And many more ………………..

OMAN

• Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement
• Tenders Info, Tenders in Oman
• Dg Market, Tenders Worldwide
• And many more ………………..

BAHRAIN

• Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement
• Tenders Info, Tenders in Bahrain
• Dg Market, Tenders Worldwide
• And many more ………………..

Legal Forms of Business

UAE government has introduced economic and administrative policies which has made UAE an attractive business destination for international investment. Foreign companies willing to establish their office for business in UAE under UAE Law are allowed to function under the following heads. Following are the common legal forms of business in UAE:

• Sole Establishment
• Civil Company
• Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Free Zone Company
• Partnership
• Offshore company
• Branches
• Representative Offices

Limited Liability Company

Foreign firms investing in UAE can register with a Limited Liability Company (LLC) which is the most popular one for company incorporation, and usually is advised where the purpose of the entity is to make sales within the region. 100% foreign ownership of such an entity is not allowed.

Free Zone Company

Benefits of foreign investment in UAE is immense as establishing a foreign business in one of the UAE’s many Free trade zones (FTZs) is one of the most viable options for foreign investors.All free zones in UAE offer following incentives 00% foreign ownership of the enterprises, 100% cent import and export tax exemptions, No currency restrictions.

Offshore Company

Registering foreign business in UAE with an offshore company registration is a very popular method of doing business in the Middle East region.This entitles foreign investors with the following benefits: No Corporate tax, 100% foreign ownership, gives absolute Confidentiality

Branch/Representative Office

Biggest foreign investors in UAE can look for a branch office which will get the same legal identity as its parent company and will supervise the business under the name of its parent company.Representative office,on the other hand, is limited to promoting its parent company’s activities i.e. gathering information and soliciting orders and projects to be performed by the company’s head office.

Civil Company

Foreign Corporation doing business in UAE can register with civil company which is like a business partnership for professionals like doctors, lawyers, engineers and accountants.

Kuwaiti law allows foreign presence in Kuwait through investment in companies in the following ways

A Limited Liability Company (WLL)

Foreign company operating in Kuwait can establish this type of company. According to Companies Law,Kuwaiti national must own at least 51% of the shareholding of the company to get company registration.

A Closed Joint Stock Company (KSC Closed)

Foreign companies interested in Kuwait investment  must have shareholders in their companies who are Kuwaiti nationals.Foreign investors can own 49% of the share capital after obtaining approval from relevant authorities. Moreover foreign investors can make their presence through a permanent business especially with a Public Joint Stock Company.

Branch Office

Top Foreign Companies investing in Kuwait under this type of structure can conduct business and commercial activities through a Kuwaiti agent under whose name and sponsorship the operation will be conducted.

Offshore Companies

By incorporating a company offshore,business owners and investors can set-up a business and expand their business operations. Offshore companies are traditionally incorporated with lower fees and taxes.

Foreign investors through company incoporation can avail number of different opportunities’ to set up companies in Qatar, and the requirements usually varies according to the nature of business and capital investment. Ministry of Economy and Commerce with the help of its subsidiary the Qatar Investment Promotion Department (IPD) greatly motivates Foreign Investment

• 100 percent Foreign Investment
• Limited Liability Company Formation in Qatar
• Branches
• Commercial Agencies
• Representative Trade Offices>
• General Partnership Company
• Limited Share Partnership Company
• Holding Company
• Public Share Holding Company
• Joint Venture

100 percent Foreign Investment

Country authorizes foreign firms with 100 percent ownership of companies in the following areas like agriculture, industry, health, education, tourism, IT Easier mode of registration attracts foreign companies for investment.

Limited Liability Company Formation in Qatar

Foreign companies willing to conduct business in Qatar can go ahead with this model for company formation, as this is the most popular one. Registering a company requires minimum share capital of Qrs 200, 000 in Qatar.

Branches

Foreign company looking for business registration certificate to operate their business in Qatar can go ahead with setting of a branch of a foreign company and can get it registered in Qatar. Provided the foreign company has a contract in Qatar and promotes the performance of a public service or utility.

Commercial Agencies

The foreign company does not set up their business in Qatar, but on the other hand appoints an agent who on behalf of them market goods and services within Qatar.

Representative Trade Offices

The Decision of the Minister of Business and Trade No142/2006 provides that willing foreign companies can open a representational office without a local partner, but will not involve in any financial transactions related to the company’s commercial activities in Qatar, and therefore will not be subject to taxation.

General Partnership Company

In this kind of set up two or more individuals can join together for the purpose of commercial activity for company formation in Qatar.

Limited Share Partnership Company

Setting up foreign business in Qatar for incorporating a company requires at least one or more joint partner and at least four trustee shareholding partners.The minimum share capital of the company should be 1,000,000 QR.

Holding Company

A holding company can be a shareholding company or limited liability company which has financial and management control on companies, by owning at least 51% of that company.

Public Share Holding Company

It’s known as the Joint Stock Company or Qatari share holding company.

Joint Venture

An entity comprised of two or more persons that combine to carry out a project.

The Sultanate of Oman has witnessed growth and development in the last 40 years, which made Oman an attractive destination amongst foreign investors for foreign direct investment.

Foreign businesses in Oman have to register with Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce to secure License for business registration certificate issued by municipality of incorporation before starting up their ventures. Foreign investors can start their business operation in Oman by following several business models.:

• Limited Liability Company
• Joint Stock Company
• Branch
• Commercial Agency
• Commercial Representative Office

Limited Liability Company

A business investment opportunity in Oman gives an investor the opportunity to register with the Limited Liability Company which is the most common type of business entity. Under this model a company operates with a company name and ownership of the company is in the form of shares.

Joint Stock Company

This is equivalent to a public company in most countries. For international business operations, companies can privately or publicly held joint stock companies.

Branch

Global investment opportunities authorizes a foreign branch to offer non-Omani corporate entity and individuals permission to set up their business in Oman with a limited legal presence.

Commercial Agency

Under this model, govt of Oman gives a merchant the opportunity or a commercial company to promote or distribute products or services of a foreign entity.

Commercial Representative Office

Representative offices are not legally given permission to involve themselves in any commercial activities that will bring profits.

Starting a foreign business in Bahrain can be done through the following ways,

• Free zone company
• Branch,
• Representative office of one’s overseas company.

Commercial legal structures for company formation in Bahrain.

1.Bahrain Shareholding Company Public

Foreign company doing business in Bahrain can go for a public shareholding company which comprises of a number of promoters (not less than 7) who come together through negotiable shares.

2.With Limited Liability Company (W.L.L.)

International Investment opportunities provides a foreign investor,the opportunity to start their business operations with a limited liability company where one of the partners is responsible for paying the debts of the company according to their shareholding in the capital.

3.Partnership Company

A partnership company is a company without limited liability and is formed between two or more persons under a specific name, in which partners assume joint responsibility for foreign investment.

5.Simple Commandite

Foreign company operating in Bahrain can go for a simple commandite which is a limited partnership company for global investments.This companies can be established by one or more partners and are jointly liable for company’s obligations.

6. Commandite by Shares

A commandite partnership can be formed by distributing the shares of a company between two categories of partners.Joint partners are jointly responsible for investment opportunities.

7. Single Person Company (S.P.C.)

A single person company is a company where the capital of the company is fully owned by a single natural or corporate person.

8. Individual Establishment

A foreign business in Baharain can be started by an individual establishment and can be only registered  by Bahraini citizens and citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (must be resident in Bahrain).

9.Foreign Company Branch

Under this model govt authorizes a branch of a foreign company which is registered outside the Kingdom of Bahrain, to establish an operational office, a representative office, or a regional office in Bahrain.

The future of social, economic, and political developments of the country as well as countries favourable policy towards investment programme greatly highlights that GCC Countries welcomes foreign investors. More liberal entry, fewer performance requirements, more incentives,more guarantees and protection for investors have been greatly perceived that will bring foreign investment benefits.

Our experienced team members have extensive experience regarding foreign investments, Finance and Legal areas and investor visas.We have been successful in developing long-term relationship with key stakeholders which has helped in growing our business and have guided our clients with valuable information and in developing varied perspectives about the market.