As part of its ongoing commitment to raising tax awareness and addressing the tax and legal aspects of sweetened beverage production and marketing, the General Tax Authority (GTA), in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, organized an introductory workshop for producers in the sector. The workshop was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Doha, with the esteemed presence of H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Jaham Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, and Mr. Saleh bin Majid Al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs and Business Development at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The event also gathered representatives from several sweetened beverage producers and manufacturers, alongside officials from the General Tax Authority and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. During the workshop, Mr. Badar Mohammed Al-Dosari, Head of Medium and Small Taxpayers Section at the General Tax Authority, delivered a comprehensive presentation on "Excise Tax for Producers of Sweetened Beverages". He explained the tax calculation process and outlined the legal obligations imposed on producers to ensure full compliance with tax regulations. The workshop concluded with an open dialogue session, during which all participants' inquiries concerning the Excise Tax on sweetened products were addressed, and further clarifications were provided on the regulatory aspects related to production and marketing. The Excise Tax was imposed in January 2019 as part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) agreement concluded in November 2016. In July 2019, the GCC agreed to extend the scope of the Excise Tax to include sweetened beverages. This was part of the GCC’s initiative to reduce the consumption of products harmful to public health, including sweetened beverages. The workshop underscores the GTA's commitment to establishing a transparent tax environment and supporting producers in complying with Excise Tax regulations.

H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, attended the 5th Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Forum (BRITACOF), held in Hong Kong from September 24 to 26 in the presence of Mr. John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This participation underscores the GTA's dedication to prompting transparency and international collaboration in the tax sector, facilitating knowledge exchange with global counterparts, and aligning its tax framework with international best practices. It also highlights the GTA's key role in advancing sustainable economic development both locally and globally. The BRITACOF featured significant participation from leaders and representatives of tax administrations worldwide, alongside delegates from international organizations, academic institutions, and the business sector. The discussions focused on creating a robust platform to drive cooperation in tax management and capacity building among tax administrations supporting the Belt and Road Initiative, while strengthening constructive dialogue with other key parties.

H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, held a meeting with H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the State of Qatar, Dr. Mehmet Mustafa Göksu, today, Thursday, September 12, 2024. The discussions focused on strengthening tax cooperation and sharing expertise. Additionally, both sides exchanged views on key tax issues of mutual interest, aiming to support and advance the tax policies of both countries.

The State of Qatar, represented by the General Tax Authority (GTA), concluded the 13th meeting of the Committee of Heads and Directors of Tax ‎Departments in the GCC countries. The meeting covered a broad array of topics related to enhancing tax policies and exchanging expertise across all GCC countries. H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, lauded the constructive collaboration among the Member States, highlighting that “The meeting showcased the essence of Gulf cooperation and served as a platform to strengthen tax integration, share expertise, coordinate policies, and unify efforts to address shared tax challenges." His Excellency emphasized the State of Qatar's ongoing commitment to supporting Gulf cooperation, adding: “The discussions during the meeting significantly contribute to advancing GCC tax coordination, which, in turn, enhances the flexibility and efficiency of our tax systems and helps develop a fairer and more transparent tax ecosystem.” The meeting concluded with GCC tax leaders praising the State of Qatar’s exceptional hosting. They highlighted the importance of regular gatherings to share knowledge, enhance coordination, and advance economic integration, with the aim of developing joint tax policies that best serve the interests of all GCC countries and nations.

The State of Qatar, represented by the General Tax Authority (GTA), will host the 13th meeting of the Committee of Heads and Directors of Tax Departments in the GCC countries in Doha, on September 2, 2024. The meeting brings together high-level representatives from all GCC Member States, led by H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority in the State of Qatar. Also participating will be H.E. Mr. Khalid Ali Al Sunaidi, Assistant Secretary for Economic and Development Affairs at the General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, along with the heads and directors of tax departments and authorities of the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, and the State of Kuwait. The meeting aims to enhance cooperation and integration among GCC tax authorities and departments, focusing on improving the efficiency of tax systems across the Member States. It will also spotlight the best practices, address tax evasion, and promote a more fair and transparent tax system in the Gulf region. By hosting this meeting, the State of Qatar reaffirms its commitment to advancing GCC cooperation across all critical sectors, with a particular focus on taxation, which is essential for supporting both national and regional economic stability and growth.

His Excellency Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, received His Excellency Dr. Ali Saleh Abadi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the State of Qatar, at the Authority’s headquarters. The meeting included discussions and an exchange of views on tax-related matters of mutual interest.

H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Hyunsoo Yun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the State of Qatar. The discussions focused on strengthening tax cooperation and sharing expertise to enhance transparency and align with international standards between the two countries.

As part of its commitment to social responsibility and its active role in community service, the General Tax Authority, in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation, organized an employee blood donation campaign on Tuesday, June 4. This event was held to mark World Blood Donor Day under the slogan "A Drop of Blood = Life." The campaign witnessed a significant turnout from GTA employees, who gathered at the fully equipped mobile blood donation unit at the Authority’s headquarters. The medical team accompanying the campaign ensured that all donors were examined for their safety before the donation process. Prior to the donations, a workshop was held to educate participants about the importance of blood donation and its benefits. These benefits include stimulating blood circulation, prompting bone marrow cells to renew their activities, and increasing their effectiveness. Blood donation also helps in reducing blood pressure, alleviating headaches, and enhancing vitality and overall well-being. This campaign aims to support the blood bank at Hamad Medical Corporation by meeting its diverse blood type needs and contributing to saving the lives of patients in urgent need. As the sole healthcare entity responsible for managing the national blood supply, Hamad Medical Corporation relies entirely on volunteers to ensure an adequate stock of blood for patients at the right time.

The General Tax Authority organized the “GTA Leaders Meeting” in the presence of H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, and a number of senior executive and supervisory leaders, as well as the Outstanding Employees for Q1 2024.‎ During the ceremony, His Excellency Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, delivered a speech emphasizing the significance of developing work procedures and human resources in the coming stage to enhance the public services provided by the GTA. He also highlighted that these improvements would contribute to a better experience for stakeholders and more effectively meet their needs. Additionally, he praised the GTA’s role in promoting tax and financial awareness, noting its positive impact on all taxpayers and society as a whole. During the event, His Excellency Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, ‎President of the General Tax Authority, honored the outstanding ‎employees for Q1 2024 from various GTA departments. This recognition is part of the "Ideal Employee ‎Program," celebrating the exceptional and dedicated efforts of the employees who have demonstrated commitment ‎and excellence in accomplishing their daily tasks efficiently. The program ‎aims to acknowledge exceptional performance and encourage a competitive ‎and innovative spirit among employees.‎ The Authority considers its human resources a true investment in ‎individual and collective skills and is committed to enhancing this ‎investment through the recognition of human resources and the ‎improvement of job performance.

As part of its continued commitment to supporting excellence and innovation in the financial sector, the General Tax Authority (GTA) participated as a silver sponsor for the 9th edition of the Financial Cadres (Kawader Malia) program. Organized by the Qatar Finance and Business Academy, this three-month program aims to empower new Qatari graduates and recent entrants to the labor market by enhancing their skills and knowledge in the financial services sector. The program also seeks to develop the participants’ leadership and administrative capabilities, thereby contributing to a pool of qualified professionals who will advance the Qatari financial sector and drive national economic development. In appreciation of the GTA's silver sponsorship for this edition of the program, the Qatar Finance and Business Academy honored the General Tax Authority (GTA), represented by H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, during the graduation ceremony of the Program's ninth cohort. On this occasion, H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, expressed his delight at this recognition, underscoring the GTA’s commitment to supporting educational and training initiatives aimed at empowering national cadres in the finance and business domains. He further emphasized that this sponsorship reflects the GTA’s strong belief in the need for educating and training Qatari cadres, considering it as an investment in the next generation of Qatari financial sector leaders and Qatar’s economic future. Empowering the next generation of financial professionals stands as a mutual priority for both the GTA and the Qatar Finance and Business Academy, recognizing its key role in propelling sustainable development in Qatar. It's noteworthy that three employees from the General Tax Authority were among the graduates of this program's latest iteration, which comprised approximately 80 participants carefully selected from a pool of over 300 applicants.