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2009 Assessment

Qatar: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Qatar: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: State-Owned Enterprises
Indicators		Score
67	In law, is there an agency, series of agencies, or equivalent mechanism overseeing state-owned companies?	100
68	Is the agency, series of agencies, or equivalent mechanism overseeing state-owned companies effective?	60
69	Can citizens access the financial records of state-owned companies?	20

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

In law, is there an agency, series of agencies, or equivalent mechanism overseeing state-owned companies?

67: In law, is there an agency, series of agencies, or equivalent mechanism overseeing state-owned companies?

Score:

YES

Comments: The State Audit Bureau oversees the accounts and monitors the expenditures of all ministries, government agencies, public corporations and companies, at least 51percent of which are state owned.

References: Law No. 5 of 1975 establishing the State Audit Bureau, redefined by Law No. 4 of 1995 and amended by Law No. 12 of 1999.

Is the agency, series of agencies, or equivalent mechanism overseeing state-owned companies effective?

68a: In law, the agency, series of agencies, or equivalent mechanism overseeing state-owned companies is protected from political interference.

Score:

YES

Comments: Although the law stipulates that the State Bureau is an independent legal entity, it also states that this entity is directly answerable to the office of the Emir (the Head of State of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani). The Bureau's annual draft budget must be submitted to the Emir or any other regularly authorized official for ratification and its personnel affairs must by be ratified by the Emir-appointed Council of Ministers.

References: Law No. 5 of 1975 establishing the State Audit Bureau, redefined by Law No. 4 of 1995 and amended by Law No. 12 of 1999.

68b: In practice, the agency, series of agencies, or equivalent mechanism overseeing state-owned companies has a professional, full-time staff.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview with Majed Al-Ansari, Assistant Researcher at the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute at Qatar University. Interview date and location: March 24, 2010 at Qatar University.

68c: In practice, the agency, series of agencies, or equivalent mechanism overseeing state-owned companies receives regular funding.

Score:

100

Comments:

68d: In practice, when necessary, the agency, series of agencies, or equivalent mechanism overseeing state-owned companies independently initiates investigations.

Score:

100

Comments: In an interview with Qatar's English daily The Gulf Times, the Supreme Audit Bureau President Salah bin Ghanim al-Ali al-Maadeid stated, "The Bureau is focused on ensuring accountability to and credibility of the State rather than acting as a body which investigates and audits through fault-finding."

References: The Gulf Times, "Qatar Takes Steps to Fight Graft" (June 2, 2008) by Noimot Olayiwola. Available at: [ LINK ]. Accessed on April 2, 2010.

Interview with Majed Al-Ansari, Assistant Researcher at the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute at Qatar University. Interview date and location: March 24, 2010 at Qatar University.

68e: In practice, when necessary, the agency, series of agencies, or equivalent mechanism overseeing state-owned companies imposes penalties on offenders.

Score:

100

Comments:

Peer Review Comments: Worth noting that the State Audit Bureau does not have the authority to penalise offenders. Its role is to "call the attention" of government committees that are supervising compliance with rules. Source: website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs [ LINK ]

Can citizens access the financial records of state-owned companies?

69a: In law, citizens can access the financial records of state-owned companies.

Score:

YES

Comments: The State Audit Bureau is not required to make financial records accessible.

References: The State Audit Bureau was created by Law No. 5 of 1975 and redefined by Law No. 4 of 1995, amended by Law No. 12 of 1999.

69b: In practice, the financial records of state-owned companies are regularly updated.

Score:

100

Comments: The State Audit Bureau (SAB) is mandated to review and report on the financial records of state-owned enterprises. According to SAB President Salah bin Ghanim al-Ali al-Maadeid, the bureau's reports are submitted on an annual basis to Qatar's head of state, the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. Although the reports are timely and substantial, they are not available to the public.

References: The Gulf Times, "Qatar Takes Steps to Fight Graft" (June 2, 2008) by Noimot Olayiwola. Available at: [ LINK ]. Accessed on April 2, 2010.

Interview with Majed Al-Ansari, Assistant Researcher at the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute at Qatar University. Interview date and location: March 24, 2010 at Qatar

69c: In practice, the financial records of state-owned companies are audited according to international accounting standards.

Score:

100

Comments: According to an independent audit report, Qatar Telecom's financial statement was auditing according to international auditing standards. This may not be reflective of other state-owned companies, but at least seems to hold true for Qatar Telecom.

References: Qatar Telecom Independent Auditor's Report (as of December 31, 2009): [ LINK ]

69d: In practice, citizens can access the financial records of state-owned companies within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments: The State Audit Bureau, which has jurisdiction over state-owned enterprises, does not make these records accessible.

69e: In practice, citizens can access the financial records of state-owned companies at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments: The State Audit Bureau, which has jurisdiction over state-owned enterprises, does not make these records accessible.