DOHA: Qatar’s Cabinet has decided to extend several incentives, exemptions and packages granted to the private sector to help them overcome the blows from the Covid-19 crisis.
The Cabinet also decided to increase the amount allocated for the National Guarantee Programme, which is managed by Qatar Development Bank, from QR3bn to QR5bn, in addition to extending the programme for an additional three months.
This means companies affected by the pandemic will continue to get soft loans to pay salaries to their employees for another three months.
The following are other decisions taken by the Cabinet to help the private sector:
– The exemption of food and medical goods from customs duties will continue for an additional three months. This should be reflected in the selling price to the consumer.
– The exemption from electricity and water charges will continue for an additional three months for the following sectors: the hospitality and tourism sector, the retail sector, the small and medium industries sector, the commercial complexes in exchange for providing services and exemptions to tenants, and the logistic areas.
– The exemption from rents for logistic areas and small and medium industries will continue for a period of three months.
— The automatic renewal of expired licenses and commercial registrations will continue for an additional three months, provided that the fees due are paid later.