Qatar
Business/social hints
Appointments: must be made in advance. If the visiting executive is a woman this must be stated beforehand.
Attire for business meetings: men should wear a lightweight suit and tie, women a cotton dress or wide trousers. Revealing clothes should not be worn.
Etiquette: men shake hands on meeting and taking leave. Some people may prefer not to shake hands with those of the opposite sex. At meetings it is polite to drink coffee when offered.
Language:most executives speak English.
Laws:alcohol is forbidden in public. Smoking is generally accepted.
Invitations:when there is no service charge, gratuities around 10% are appreciated.
Local time: GMT +3hrs
Capital:Doha.
Language: Arabic, English.
Electricity: 240/415V AC 50Hz.
Int. direct dialling code: 974.
Driving: temporary driving permit required, issued at the Traffic and Licence Office on presentation of a national licence or international driving permit. Applicants required to pass an oral highway code test and should be accompanied by a person familiar with the procedure.
Currency: Qatar Riyal (QAR 1 = 100 Dirhams).
Notes: QAR: 1; 5; 10; 50; 100; 500.
Coins:Dirhams:1, 5, 10, 25, 50.
Business hours
Banks:7.30am-11.30pm Sat-Thur.
Offices:7.30am-12.30pm and 2.30pm-6pm Sat-Thur; 6am-1pm Sat-Thur (Government offices)
Shops:8am-12pm and 4pm-8pm Sat-Thur.
Emergency services
Police, Fire, Ambulance: 999.
Health
Compulsory vaccinations: AIDS test required if visit is for employment purposes. All persons arriving on visitors visa and staying more than 30 days are required to have medical tests.
Recommended immunisations: diphtheria and TB, hepatitis A and B, polio, tetanus, tyhoid.
Health risks: rabies.
Clothing
Lightweights with warmer clothing for cooler evenings and winter months. Light rainwear also recommended for winter periods.
Weather
Climate
Very hot with no rain between Jun-Oct with high humidity on the coast. The rest of the year is pleasently mild, warm and sunny with occasional showery rain during Dec-Mar.
Doha Temp C Humidity % Rain
Max/Min am pm (mm)
January 23 15 78 – 0
February 29 11 77 – 25
March 32 12 75 – 25
April 37 16 71 – 0
May 40 21 67 – 0
June 40 24 67 – 0
July 40 29 68 – 0
August 42 26 70 – 0
September 70 23 70 – 0
October 36 21 68 – 0
November 33 17 75 – 25
December 28 12 81 – 25
Doha International DOH
Postal Address: Doha International Airport Public Corporation, PO Box 73, Doha, Qatar.
Telephone:+974 351550/622222.
Telex: 4306 CIVAR.
Fax: +974 622044.
Location: five miles southeast of Doha.
Transportation to city centre: taxi and limousine available.
Airport departure tax: QAR 20, children under 12 are exempt.
Flight information: tel 351550 ext 265, available 24hrs or Airport Information tel 622999.
Passport
Required by all.
Customs
Import allowances: 454gr of tobacco, perfume up to the value of QAR 1000.