Money:
The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QAR), which divides
into 100 dirhams. The Riyal exchange rate is pegged to the US
Dollar at QR 3.65. Money and travellers cheques can be exchanged at
banks, the airport and exchange dealers. To avoid additional
charges it is best to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or
Pounds Sterling. The main bank branches are on Grand Hamad Street
in Doha. Banks are open Saturday to Thursday 8am to 1pm and some
are open into the evening. ATMs are available on the main streets
of the cities and towns, at banks and in shopping malls and most
shops, hotels and restaurants accept international credit
cards.
Time:
Local time is GMT +3.
Electricity:
Electrical current is 240/415 volts AC; 50Hz. Round
pin plugs with grounding and rectangular blade plugs are in
use.
Language:
Arabic is the official language, but English is widely
used.
Health:
No vaccinations are a health requirement for entry to Qatar, but
it is recommended that visitors be up to date with routine
vaccinations. Modern medical care and medicine is available in
Doha. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for
medical services, and treatment is expensive; it is advisable for
travellers to hold comprehensive medical insurance. Traveller's
diarrhoea is a risk, therefore visitors should drink bottled water
and avoid under-cooked food and unwashed fruit and vegetables,
particularly outside of the hotels and resorts.
Tipping:
A service charge of 10% is usually added to hotel and restaurant
bills in Qatar, in which case tipping is not necessary. However if
there is no service charge a 10% tip is appreciated. Taxi drivers
do not expect a tip, but it is good to round off the amount
due.
Safety:
Safety in Qatar is generally not an issue but the country, like
most in the Gulf Region, is rated as being under high threat of
indiscriminate terrorist attacks against western interests.
Visitors should therefore be vigilant in public places. There is a
low incidence of crime, but women are advised to take care when
travelling alone at night.
Customs:
Qatar is an Islamic state, which prohibits drinking alcohol in
public other than at licensed hotel restaurants and bars. Religious
customs should be respected, particularly during the month of
Ramadan when eating, drinking and smoking in public are forbidden
by Muslim Law. Intimacy between men and women in public can lead to
arrest, and homosexuality is illegal. Visitors should dress
modestly and respect local customs. The right hand should be used
for everything, including eating and the giving and receiving of
things, as the left is considered unclean. The import of
pornographic material, non-Islamic religious material, alcohol or
pork products is strictly prohibited.
Business:
Since nearly 80 percent of the country's population is comprised
of foreign nationals, the customs and protocols for doing business
in Qatar will depend on the business contacts that you make over
there - you might find yourself dealing exclusively with other
expats, in a corporate milieu that you are familiar with. However,
the following advice pertains to Arabic business culture, to help
prepare westerners for that eventuality. It is important to bear in
mind that Qatar is an Islamic country - and that you should always
remain sensitive and respectful of the large influence that these
religious beliefs have on ordinary social life.The business culture of Qatar could be described as 'typically
Arabic', in that a great emphasis is placed on
personal relationshipsbetween business associates - Qatari
businessmen will always prefer to do business with people they are
familiar with, and who they feel they can trust. For this reason,
you will probably be required to engage the services of a local
agent (or sponsor) in Qatar, who'll be able to provide you with
important introductions and recommendations. Furthermore, you will
also have to remain patient during your first dealings with your
new Qatari business partners - especially in the beginning, your
new business partners will be far more interested in
you, as a person they are looking to befriend, than your
corporate expertise or qualifications; and a good amount of time
will be devoted to 'getting to know each other',
beforeany 'actual business' is discussed. Don't get
impatient: long-term, personal business relationships in Qatar are
certainly worth the investment of your time and energy.The management style that predominates in Qatar is strictly
hierarchical - decisions are made at the top level, and clear,
direct instructions are given to staff, who are expected to follow
them to the letter. Note that it is unusual to hear the word 'No'
outright in Qatar - a more polite, indirect method of refusal is
usually preferred. Business etiquette in Qatar reflects the close
relationship between personal and professional life mentioned
above. Use Arabic titles where appropriate, such as Haji and
Sheikh, to indicate your respect for your associates - however,
also be prepared to engage in long, personal discussions with them.
Make sure that when discussing business, you can deliver everything
you promise to - verbal commitments are treated as solemnly
(perhaps even more so) than written contracts in Qatar.Business meetings in Qatar will most likely be lengthy, and
subject to numerous personal digressions, and perhaps even
unexpected visitors. Dress conservatively for business meetings
(especially women), and remain patient, even if the meeting's
agenda becomes abandoned -
do notresort to hard-sell tactics, as they will be
interpreted as aggression on your part. Do not publicly criticise
or undermine any associates - if you feel the need to say
something, do it in private. It is common to exchange business
cards when meeting new associates for the first time. Make sure
your details are printed in Arabic on the reverse side of your
card, and always spend a little time regarding someone else's card
before putting it away. Business dress is smart, formal and
conservative - especially for women, who must take care not to wear
anything too revealing. The official language of Qatar is Arabic,
though English is widely spoken and widely understood in the
business world. Business hours are generally, 7.30am (or 8am) to
12pm, and then 3.30pm (or 4pm) to 7pm, from Saturday to Thursday.
Friday is a day of rest.
Duty Free:
Travellers to Qatar do not have to pay duty on tobacco products
and perfume for personal use. Alcohol may not be imported under any
circumstances. Prohibited items include wild birds, without an
import authorisation from Ministry of Agriculture and Municipal
Affairs (MMAA). Travellers are also prohibited from importing
pork-related products and pornographic or sexually explicit
material.
Communications:
The international access code for Qatar is +974, and the
outgoing code is 0, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 027
for South Africa). City/area codes are not necessary. There are
numerous Internet cafes in Doha. The country is well covered by the
Q-Tel GSM 900/1800 mobile phone network. As of July 28th 2010,
telephone numbers in Qatar gain an extra digit by repeating the
first number (ie. 522-2222 becomes 5522-2222).