As part of Qatar University (QU)'s efforts, represented by the College of Business and Economics, to enhance collaboration with government entities and support the business and finance community, the College of Business and Economics, in partnership with the General Tax Authority, is organizing the fourth international conference on fiscal policies and economic development in Qatar. The event will take place from 26 to 27 February 2025, at the Andaz Doha Hotel, under the theme “Reformulating Financial Incentives for Investment in the GCC Countries." Additionally, a workshop titled “Tax Reform and Restructuring Tax Systems" will be held on the sidelines of the conference on 25 February 2025, at the College of Business and Economics building at QU.
In this context, Dr. Rana Sobh, Dean of the College of Business and Economics at QU, noted that this conference aligns with the college's strategy to enhance community engagement and address contemporary economic and fiscal policy issues affecting the economy and businesses. This initiative aims to provide recommendations that assist decision-makers. Dr. Sobh emphasized that strengthening cooperation with government entities involved in fiscal and economic policies, particularly the General Tax Authority, is one of the college's top priorities. This collaboration has led to the organization of numerous events and participation in the development of several academic programs within the college. Consequently, organizing this conference in partnership with the General Tax Authority reflects the college's commitment to enhancing its collaboration with the authority and exploring additional areas of partnership that serve the shared goals of both parties.
Dr. Sobh also emphasized that the conference will concentrate on the reformulation of financial incentives for investment in GCC countries in light of global economic developments, particularly international tax reforms. In this context, the conference will explore this topic through the following key themes:
- The Importance of Financial Incentives for Investment
- Current Trends in Non-Tax Investment Incentives
- Reformulating tax incentives under the second Pillar.
- Tax expenditures and their role in balancing tax and non-tax incentives.
Dr. Rana also mentioned that the conference will host a curated group of experts and researchers from various international financial institutions, global universities, relevant government agencies, consulting firms, and other stakeholders. This will help generate recommendations that are valuable to decision-makers.
Mr. Majid Abdulrahman A-Mahmoud, Economic consultant, and Director of Tax Policy at the General Tax Authority in Qatar, stated that the collaboration between the General Tax Authority and QU, represented by the College of Business and Economics, has been continuously evolving over several years. This partnership encompasses various areas, including field training for students and the joint organization of seminars and conferences. He added that hosting this conference reflects the collective efforts of both the Authority and the University in promoting cooperation and serving the community. He emphasized that increasing tax awareness among taxpayers enhances voluntary compliance and improves the investment and business environment in Qatar.
The conference aims to raise tax awareness among students and improve communication between the authority and the university community. Mr. Majid explained that Qatar is actively working to promote both local and foreign investments by providing a range of tax and non-tax incentives. The focus is on streamlining the process of granting tax incentives and maximizing their benefits to attract a diverse array of investments. He further emphasized that organizing this conference underscores the significance of these incentives and their impact on investment, business, and capital flows. Additionally, it aims to leverage the insights of experts and researchers in this field to bolster the university's efforts in specialized scientific research.
In a related context, Dr. Khalid Shams Al-Abdulqader, an Associate Professor in the Department of Finance and Economics, discussed the academic significance of the conference and its influence on the educational process. He explained that the pre-conference day would focus on tax reform and the restructuring of tax systems—topics of particular importance to regional countries as they seek to achieve financial stability and diversify their government revenue sources.
He noted that the conference would offer a comparative overview of the experiences of several countries regarding tax system restructuring. The focus will be on how Gulf countries can leverage these experiences to support economic diversification and enhance the contribution of various sectors to the national economy.
Regarding the conference program, Dr. Mahmoud Abdellatif, Associate Professor of Economics at the college and Chair of the conference organizing committee, announced that the main conference will take place on 26 and 27 February, featuring the participation of numerous experts and researchers from around the globe. The event will focus on research, studies, and experiences from various countries related to financial incentives for investment. The conference program encompasses four primary topics:
On the first day, 26 February, there will be an opening session featuring speeches from several keynote speakers. The morning session will address the importance of promoting investment and the role of financial incentives, as well as identifying non-tax incentives. In the afternoon, discussions will center on the significance of tax investment incentives and the impact of the Second Pillar on these incentives, emphasizing the need for a reevaluation.
On the second day, discussions will focus on investment incentives in free and special zones and how these are influenced by the implementation of the Second Pillar by various countries. Additionally, the topic of tax expenditures arising from the provision of tax incentives will be addressed. This will involve comparing the costs of tax and non-tax investment incentives, evaluating them against one another, and considering the formulation of an integrated package of tax and non-tax incentives designed to attract and promote investment, based on the presentations and discussions during these sessions.
Dr. Mahmoud stated that this conference presents a valuable opportunity for researchers and organizations focused on promoting investment in the region, as well as tax managers from Qatari institutions, professional offices, accountants, lawyers, and others interested in the professional and research aspects of taxation and financial studies. Attendees can benefit from the discussions and studies presented at the conference. Those interested in attending can visit the conference website to view the program and register