Qatar has a number of banks, operating mainly in Doha. There are seven Qatari owned banks (AI Ahli Bank, Commercial Bank of Qatar, Doha Bank, Grindlays Qatar Bank, Qatar National Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank and Qatar International Islamic Bank) and seven foreign banks (Arab Bank, Bank Sederat Iran, HSBC, Mashreq Bank, BNP Pari bas, Standard Chartered and United Bank).

Standard banking facilities are available at most banks, including current and savings accounts, loans, credit cards, transfers (with reasonable fees), credit and debit cards, and exchange facilities. If you are paid in foreign currency, such as US dollars, you may be able to open an account in that currency. Most banks are open from 07:00 to 13:00 Sunday to Thursday, although some also open in the afternoons. Certain banks have branches in shopping centres that tend to open a bit later in the morning and close later in the afternoon. Qatar National Bank has branches in the City Center and The Mall, which are also open on Fridays and Saturdays. There are a large number of ATMs scattered around Doha, representing all the major banks.

The majority of expats living in Qatar will have some sort of saving scheme, usually offshon Your stay in Qatar is the perfect opportunity t save, as most people don't pay for the accommodation and there is no personal incorr tax. Most international banks and some of If local banks have financial planners who will t happy to meet with you and discuss your option Alternatively you can contact either Lloyds TSB Barclays Bank in Dubai, who offer offsho financial schemes in the Isle of Man, Jersey ar Guernsey. Qatar Financial Centre has recent opened and it is sure to have a wide range facilities for financial planning. International companies may offer a pension scheme, b alternatively, QFC is sure to endorse company that will be able to advise you. Many ex pats look after their finances via t internet, and most large banks (both local an international) now offer internet banking. If you considering buying a property in one of Qatar new developments, The Commercial Bank of Qatar and Qatar National Bank both offer mortgages expat buyers.

Cost of Living
Beer(pint)	QR 20
Camera film (J6 exp)	QR 8
Camera film processing (J6 exp, colour)	QR 35
Cappuccino	QR 13
Car rental (daily)	QR 80
Chocolate bar	QR 2
Cigarettes (pack of 20)	QR 5.50
Cinema ticket	QR 30
Eggs (6) imported	QR 15
Eggs (6) local	QR 3
Fresh fruit cocktail	QR 10
Golf (lB holes, non-member)	QR 450
House wine (bottle)	QR 100
Loaf of bread	QR 5
Milk (2 liter)	QR 8.50
Postcard	QR 2
Salon haircut (female)	QR 80
Salon haircut (male)	QR 70
House wine (glass)	QR 25
Shawarma	QR 3
Takeaway burger	QR 10
Taxi (airport to city)	QR 15
Water 1.5 Htres (restaurant)	QR 12
Whole roast chicken	QR 10

A huge benefit to living and working in this part of the world is the fact that there is no income tax. However, you are taxed on the purchase of alcohol- a whopping 17.5% when drinking in bars and restaurants.

The legal system in Qatar is based on civil law. A new constitution came into effect on June 7 2005, and it allows for three divisions in the judiciary system. The divisions are the Al Shour Council, the legislative authority (where 30 members are appointed by votes and 15 are appointed by the Emir - the Emir himself is to take up the executive authority with advice from the Council of Ministers and the courts, which will be the judicial authority. Qatar's legal system used to be based on Sharia law, which has its roots firmly in Islam. The court system was recently restructured and has brought together Sharia and civil courts to form a court called the Court of Cassation, which is the highest court in the country. There are two other levels of court, namely Courts of the First Instance and Courts of Appeal. All court proceedings are generally in Arabic. Laws in Qatar are strictly applied and there are certain crimes for which there is zero tolerance, such as possession of drugs. Few crimes are reported in the media, which leads one to mistakenly believe that no crime exists in Qatar. The best advice is to obey the laws and stay out of trouble as far as possible!

Law Firms
Al Kabbi Law Firm	4436222
Arab Law Bureau	4830202
Behzad Law Office	4660333
Office for Advocacy &Legal Consul	4357779
Law Offices of Abdulla Fakhrook	4446749
Law Offices of Dr Najeeb AI Nauimi	4311124
Law Offices of Mohsin Makki	4420017
Pallon Boggs LIp	4478300
Rouhani & Partners	4425815
Simmons & Simmons	4839466