Unlocking Qatar’s Investment Potential: A Critical Analysis of Law No.1 of 2019, and the Influence of International Investment Law in Achieving Qatar National Vision 2030

Abstract

This thesis critically analyses Qatar’s Law No. 1 of 2019 on the Regulation of the Investment of Non-Qatari Capital in Economic Activity and its role in achieving Qatar National Vision 2030. As the cornerstone of Qatar’s foreign investment framework, the law seeks to balance economic diversification and sovereignty by regulating foreign ownership. However, the law imposes restrictive measures, including a 49% cap on foreign ownership in certain sectors, with higher percentages requiring ministerial approvals. These restrictions significantly impact FDI inflows, limiting Qatar’s ambition to position itself as a competitive regional hub in the global market. The analysis situates Law No. 1 of 2019 within the broader shift from a liberal trade order, characterised by neoliberal principles of minimal state intervention, to a post-liberal trade order where state sovereignty and national economic control are prioritised. This global trend is evident in Qatar’s approach to foreign investment, which focuses on maintaining regulatory autonomy. The thesis conducts a comparative legal analysis of Saudi Arabia and Singapore to highlight alternative regulatory approaches. Saudi Arabia's less restrictive framework encourages greater foreign participation, whereas Singapore's more restrictive policies incorporate ‘investment screening’ mechanisms to safeguard national interests. By examining these models, the thesis highlights the tension between maintaining state sovereignty and attracting foreign investment. It concludes that legal reforms to Qatar’s foreign investment legal framework, guided by international best practices and investment principles, could enhance its competitiveness and support the achievement of Qatar National Vision 2030.

Date of Award	2026
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Law