Non-Regulated Activities. Application Guidelines

Transcription

1 Nn-Regulated Activities Applicatin Guidelines

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 03 The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) 03 Permitted Activities within the QFC 03 Wh are these guidelines fr? 04 2 WHAT ARE NON-REGULATED ACTIVITIES 05 Licensing 06 Registratin Apprval as an Apprved Auditr/ Inslvency Practitiner/ SSP 06 3 LICENSING 07 Strategic fit 07 Cmpleting Frm Q01 07 Part 1 General infrmatin 08 Part 2 Activity dependent infrmatin 08 Part 3 Ntificatin f a change in registered functin 10 Fees 11 Applicatin submissin and prcessing 11 4 REGISTRATION Apprval as an Apprved Auditr/Inslvency Practitiner/SSP 12 Wh can apply fr registratin? Apprval as an Apprved Auditr/Inslvency Practitiner/SSP 12 Cmpleting the Frm Q04 12 Fees 15 Applicatin submissin and prcessing 15 5 GLOSSARY 16 2

3 1 INTRODUCTION The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) The QFC is a financial and business centre established by the Gvernment f Qatar and lcated in Dha. The QFC has been designed t attract internatinal financial services institutins and majr multinatinal crpratins. It aims t encurage participatin in the grwing market fr financial services in the State f Qatar and elsewhere in the regin. In particular, the QFC aims t establish Qatar as a vibrant hub fr a wide range f related financial and ancillary activities in the Gulf regin. The QFC is perated by the Qatar Financial Centre Authrity (QFC Authrity) which is respnsible fr the legal envirnment, cmmercial strategy and business develpment, and prvides the centre s administrative functins. Further infrmatin abut the QFC Authrity can be btained frm the QFC website at The Cmpanies Registratin Office (CRO) is respnsible fr the incrpratin and registratin f cmpanies in the QFC. Permitted Activities within the QFC The activities that can be undertaken in r frm the QFC are prescribed by Law N. 7 f 2005, as amended ( QFC Law ) (Schedule 3) and are termed Permitted Activities, which includes Regulated Activities and Nn-Regulated Activities. T cnduct Nn-Regulated Activities, Applicant Firms must btain a Licence frm the QFC Authrity and they must als be incrprated in the QFC r registered by the CRO. The QFC Authrity als registers firms and individuals that wish t act as an Apprved Auditr, an Inslvency Practitiner r a Supprt Services Prvider (SSP). These activities d nt require a licence, but registratin may als be applied fr at the same time as a licence in the case f Apprved Auditrs and SSPs. T cnduct Regulated Activities, Applicant Firms must apprach the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatry Authrity (QFC Regulatry Authrity) t apply fr an Authrisatin and a Licence. Please visit fr further infrmatin. A firm seeking authrisatin t carry ut Regulated Activities des nt need t apply separately fr a Licence frm the QFC Authrity. 3

4 Wh are these guidelines fr? These guidelines are fr firms applying fr a Licence t cnduct Nn-Regulated Activities, and fr firms r individuals wh wish t register as an Apprved Auditr, Inslvency Practitiner r SSP with the QFC Authrity. These guidelines prvide a summary f Nn-Regulated Activities and an verview f Licensing and registratin requirements as well as assistance with the cmpletin f tw QFC frms: Frm Q01 Applicatin fr a Licence t cnduct Nn-Regulated Activities Frm Q04 Applicatin fr registratin Applicants shuld read these guidelines in cnjunctin with a cpy f the relevant applicatin frm. Applicants shuld als refer t the separate Nn-Regulated Activities Applicatin FAQs dcument. Defined terms are identified thrughut the frm by the capitalisatin f the initial letter and italicisatin f the wrd r phrase. Please refer t the glssary fr definitins. 4

5 2 WHAT ARE NON-REGULATED ACTIVITIES? QFC Law (Schedule 3 Part 2), prescribes the Nn-Regulated Activities that may be carried n in r frm the QFC. These activities are detailed in the table fund n this page. Nn-Regulated Activities Ship brking and agencies The business f prvisin f classificatin services and investment grading and ther grading services including: Classificatin f vessels Credit rating Business activities f: Cmpany headquarters Management peratins Treasury peratins and ther related functins fr all kinds f business, and the administratin f cmpanies generally The business f prviding prfessinal services: Advisry/ Cnsulting Audit HR cnsultancy Infrmatin services Legal Lss adjustment Public relatins Tax cnsultancy Third party administratr Other services Business activities f hlding cmpanies, and the prvisin, frmatin, peratin and administratin f trusts and similar arrangements f all kinds, including: Administratin f trusts Hlding cmpany Single Family Office Special Purpse Cmpany (SPC) The business f prvisin, frmatin, peratin and administratins f cmpanies. 5

6 Licensing A firm must be Licensed t carry n Nn-Regulated Activities. T btain a Licence frm the QFC Authrity, the Applicant Firm must cmplete Frm Q01 Applicatin fr a Licence t cnduct Nn-Regulated Activities. Once a firm is licensed, it is required t cmply with the applicable regulatins and rules (further detail n which is prvided in Chapter 5 f these guidelines). Please refer t Chapter 3 f this dcument fr further details n the applicatin fr Licensing. Registratin Apprval as an Apprved Auditr/ Inslvency Practitiner/ SSP An individual r firm must btain apprval frm the QFC Authrity using Frm Q04 Applicatin fr registratin, in rder t be registered befre undertaking any f the fllwing activities in the QFC: An Apprved Auditr An Inslvency Practitiner A SSP If an Applicant Firm is seeking registratin at the time f applying fr a Licence t cnduct Nn- Regulated Activities, it shuld indicate this in Frm Q01. Such an Applicant Firm des nt need t apply separately fr registratin using Frm Q04. Please refer t Chapter 4 fr further details n the applicatin fr Apprved Auditrs/ Inslvency Practitiners/ SSPs. Fr further infrmatin and guidance, please cntact the QFC Authrity at licensing@qfc.cm.qa. 6

7 3 LICENSING The fllwing chapter prvides assistance t the Applicant Firm thrugh the applicatin prcess. Please nte that this guidance is general in nature and may nt deal with all f the specific circumstances f an individual applicatin. Read this chapter tgether with Frm Q01. Pre-Applicatin Assessment Step 1. Meet the Strategic Develpment Team. Befre applying fr a Licence, every Applicant Firm must meet with the QFC Authrity s Strategic Develpment team t discuss the Applicant Firm s prpsed business in r frm the QFC. The meeting will assist the QFC Authrity t understand the Applicant Firm s business case and hw it aligns with the QFC visin and strategy. Step 2. Meet the Licensing Team. Once the Applicant Firm has met with the Strategic Develpment Team and has received strategic fit apprval, the Applicant Firm shuld meet the QFC Authrity Licensing team. Thereafter the Applicant Firm may cmplete QFC Frm Q01 Applicatin fr a Licence t cnduct Nn-Regulated Activities that is available t dwnlad frm the QFC Authrity website at this link. Cmpleting Frm Q01 Step 3. Cmplete Frm Q01, which cnsists f three parts: Part 1 General infrmatin must be cmpleted by every type f Applicant Firm seeking t btain a Licence t carry n Nn-Regulated Activities. Part 2 Activity dependant infrmatin cntains sectins requiring mre detailed infrmatin. The cmpletin f these sectins will depend n the Permitted Activities applied fr by the Applicant Firm. There is a guidance table n page 3 f the frm, as well as ntes and filter questins embedded within the frm t assist the Applicant Firm in cmpleting this sectin. Part 3 Ntificatin f a change in registered functin is nly t be used by existing nnregulated firms t ntify the QFC Authrity f a change in the individual carrying ut a registered functin. This part is nt applicable t applicants seeking a Licence. There is a checklist at the end f each part f the frm that details a list f dcuments an Applicant Firm may need t attach in rder t supprt its applicatin. Fr further guidance abut which sectins t cmplete, cntact the QFC Authrity s Licensing team at: licensing@qfc.cm.qa. The Applicant Firm must als cmplete a separate Cmpanies Registratin Office (CRO) frm in rder t be incrprated as an apprved legal structure r registered as a branch. Please nte that the relevant CRO frm is available at the fllwing link. 7

8 Part 1 General infrmatin Part 1 must be cmpleted by all Applicant Firms. An Applicant Firm shall indicate which activity it wishes t be licensed fr. This Part captures the basic infrmatin that is required fr the QFC Authrity t prcess the applicatin. An Applicant Firm als seeking registratin as an Apprved Auditr r SSP at the time f Licensing shuld indicate this in the Frm Q01. In such cases an Applicant Firm des nt need t apply separately fr registratin. Appendix A t Part 1 als cntains a fitness and prpriety questinnaire t be cmpleted by individuals that will be carrying ut the Senir Executive, MLRO and Designated Representative functins, as well as all f the Applicant Firm s individual Cntrllers. Part 2 Activity dependent infrmatin Part 2 is activity dependent, which means that the Applicant Firm s answers t Part 1 will largely determine which sectins must be cmpleted in Part 2. Each sectin is either required, cnditinal r nt required, depending n the Nn-Regulated Activity the Applicant Firm is applying t be licensed fr. Cnditinal means that the sectin may need t be cmpleted depending n the specific nature f the prpsed activity. The pre-applicatin meeting with the QFC Authrity Licensing Team shuld clarify whether the Applicant Firm needs t cmplete a cnditinal sectin. The table belw prvides a breakdwn f each sectin in Frm Q01 t guide the Applicant Firm as t which sectins are applicable t them, what infrmatin they are required t prvide and any relevant additinal dcumentatin they may need t attach with their applicatin. Please nte that althugh the Applicant Firm may nt be required t cmplete certain sectins, it is nt exempt frm abiding by the relevant law, regulatins r rules. Q01 - Part 2 Wh shuld cmplete this sectin? What infrmatin is required? Additinal dcumentatin 1. Financial resurces This sectin is cmpulsry fr mst Applicant Firms. The exceptins are hlding cmpanies, SPCs, treasury peratins, management peratins and cmpany headquarters. This sectin requires Applicant Firms t prvide details abut their financial standing, hw they intend t finance future grwth and the results f the review f their cash flw mdel. Applicant Firms may attach extra dcumentatin r refer t previusly attached dcumentatin (e.g. business plan, 2 years audited financial statements and details abut the review f their cash flw mdel). 2. Cnduct f business This sectin is cmpulsry fr credit rating firms, trust administratrs and prfessinal services firms (except fr HR cnsultancies). Other Applicant Firms wuld nt typically need t cmplete this sectin. This sectin requires Applicant Firms t prvide details abut their internal cntrls fr dealing with issues such as cmmunicatins plicy, cnflict f interest, cmplaints handling and strage f recrds. Applicant Firms may attach certain plicies, prcedures r manuals rather than describing them. 8

9 Q01 - Part 2 Wh shuld cmplete this sectin? What infrmatin is required? Additinal dcumentatin 3. Recruitment and training This sectin is cmpulsry fr credit rating firms, treasury peratins and prfessinal services firms (except fr HR cnsultancies, infrmatin services and public relatins cmpanies). Other Applicant Firms wuld nt typically need t cmplete this sectin. This sectin requires Applicant Firms t prvide details n the number f staff, staff cmpsitin, persns respnsible fr recruitment and hw cmpetency is maintained n an n-ging basis. Internal rganisatin and reprting structure chart 4. Anti-mney laundering This sectin is cmpulsry fr any firm that meets the definitin f a Designated Nn-Financial Business r Prfessin (DNFBP). The first questin in this sectin wuld help the Applicant Firm t determine if it meets the definitin. This sectin requires details abut the plicies, prcedures and staff that will be put in place t cmply with the AML/CFT Rules and hw the Applicant Firm will ensure n-ging cmpliance. Anti-mney laundering plicies and prcedures 5. Prfessinal memberships and cmpetence This sectin is cmpulsry fr audit firms, legal firms and tax cnsultancies. Fr ther Applicant Firms apart frm administratin f cmpanies this sectin is cnditinal and may be required. This sectin seeks details abut the prfessinal bdies that the Applicant Firm and its prfessinal staff are affiliated with, and hw these affiliatins are maintained. Evidence f prfessinal memberships 6. Prfessinal Indemnity Insurance (PII) This sectin is cmpulsry fr audit firms, legal firms and tax cnsultancies, and is cnditinal fr ther types f Applicant Firms. This sectin seeks details abut the PII cver that Applicant Firm has (r will have) in place fr their QFC peratins. Evidence f PII It is the Applicant Firm s respnsibility t ensure their PII cverage is adequate fr the nature and size f their peratins. 7. Ownership This sectin is cmpulsry fr any Applicant Firm which has a parent cmpany r is part f a grup (i.e. t establish a branch r subsidiary). Start-up entities in the QFC wuld nt typically need t cmplete this sectin. This sectin seeks details abut the parent cmpany f the Applicant Firm. Gvernance structure f the parent and grup cmpanies Grup structure chart 9

10 Q01 - Part 2 Wh shuld cmplete this sectin? What infrmatin is required? Additinal dcumentatin 8. Client mney This sectin is cnditinal fr all types f Applicant Firms, and becmes cmpulsry if they intend t hld client mney. This sectin requires the Applicant Firm t prvide details abut hw they intend t cmply with the Licensed Firms Asset Rules (LFAR Rules). Samples f client ntificatins and reprts regarding client mney 9. Business cntinuity and IT systems This sectin is cnditinal fr mst Applicant Firms. Cmpany headquarters, management peratins and treasury peratins, Hlding cmpanies and SPCs d nt need t cmplete this sectin. This sectin requires the Applicant Firm t prvide details abut its IT architecture and BCP plicies hw they supprt its activities. Business cntinuity plicies and prcedures IT architecture and plicy Part 3 Ntificatin f a change in registered functin Part 3 is nt applicable t an Applicant Firm applying fr a Licence. It is nly t be used by existing QFC Licensed firms t ntify the QFC Authrity f a change in registered functin. It is a requirement under the QFCA Rules and the Single Family Office Regulatins fr nn-regulated firms t ntify the QFC Authrity if there is a change in the individual carrying ut ne f the fllwing functins: Senir Executive Functin (SEF) Mney Laundering Reprting Officer (MLRO) Designated Representative (applicable t Single Family Offices nly) T ntify the QFC Authrity f such a change, QFC Licensed firms shuld cmplete Part 3 f Frm Q01 nly. 10

11 Fees The fllwing fees are applicable fr Licensing (all fees are stated in US dllars): Applicatin Fee (USD) Annual fee (USD) Nn-Regulated Activities 5,000 5,000 Special Cmpany Activities 5, On receipt f the Applicant Firm s applicatin, the QFC Authrity will invice the Applicant Firm fr the applicatin fee. Please nte that upn Licensing an initial annual fee is payable, which is pr-rated frm the date the Licence is granted. If the Applicant Firm als applied fr registratin as part f the Licensing applicatin, registratin fees will nt apply. Please refer t Chapter 4 fr further details n registratin fees. Applicatin submissin and prcessing The cmpleted frmal applicatin Frm Q01, the relevant CRO frm and supprting dcuments shuld be submitted t the QFC Authrity in bth hard and sft cpy. The QFC Authrity will review the infrmatin prvided in the Frm Q01 and make an assessment f the suitability f the Applicant Firm t be granted a Licence (and assciated registratin, if sught). The hard cpy shuld be delivered t the address as stated n the cver f Frm Q01. The actual time t prcess an applicatin wuld generally be abut ne mnth frm the date the Licensing team receives the dcumentatin, prvided the applicatin is cmplete. The applicatin prcess is interactive and may invlve crrespndences, meetings and reprts frm third parties. 11

12 4 REGISTRATION Apprval as an Apprved Auditr/Inslvency Practitiner/ SSP The registratin prcess cvers applicatins by firms r individuals, where applicable, t be registered either as an Apprved Auditr, Inslvency Practitiner r SSP. T be registered an individual r firm must btain apprval frm the QFC Authrity and shuld use Frm Q04 Applicatin fr registratin. If an Applicant Firm is seeking registratin at the same time as applying fr a Licence, it shuld indicate this in Frm Q01. Such an Applicant Firm des nt need t apply separately fr registratin using Frm Q04. Read this chapter alngside a cpy f Frm Q04. Wh can apply fr registratin? Apprval as an Apprved Auditr/Inslvency Practitiner/SSP Applicants wuld typically fall int ne f these categries: A firm licensed t carry n Nn-Regulated Activities in the QFC; A firm r individual licensed, r registered, in anther acceptable jurisdictin; A firm authrised t carry n Regulated Activities in the QFC that has the apprval f the QFC Regulatry Authrity t be registered with the QFC Authrity (this wuld typically be relevant fr authrised firms seeking t register as SSPs). If the applicant des nt fall int ne f these categries, they shuld instead cnsider applying fr a Licence frm the QFC Authrity by cmpleting Frm Q01 and indicating that they wuld als like t be cnsidered fr registratin in Part 1, Sectin 2 f that frm. T initiate the registratin prcess, the Applicant is strngly encuraged t meet the QFC Authrity Licensing Team. Thereafter the Applicant may cmplete Frm Q04 Applicatin fr registratin that is available t dwnlad frm the QFC Authrity website at this link. Cmpleting the Frm Q04 The Frm Q04 shuld be cmpleted as fllws: Part 1 General infrmatin must be cmpleted by all applicants seeking apprval fr registratin. Sectins 4 and 5 are applicable nly t applicatins being made by a firm and Sectin 8 applies nly t applicatins being made by an individual. Part 2 Staffing must be cmpleted by applicants applying fr registratin as Apprved Auditrs and SSPs. Part 3 Security Bnd must be cmpleted by individuals applying fr registratin as an Inslvency Practitiner. Part 4 Other requirements must be cmpleted by SSPs. 12

13 The table belw prvides a breakdwn f each sectin in Frm Q04 t guide applicants as t which sectins are applicable t them, what infrmatin they are required t prvide and any relevant additinal dcumentatin they may need t attach with their applicatin. Frm Q04 Wh shuld cmplete this sectin? What infrmatin is required? Additinal dcumentatin Part 1 General infrmatin 1. Undertaking All applicants. Name and signature f the individual making the applicatin, either as an individual r n behalf f a firm. Bard minutes r similar evidence f authrity t register an entity in the QFC. 2. Activities fr which registratin is sught All applicants. Applicants are required t indicate which activity they are applying fr and whether they are applying as a firm r an individual. N additinal dcumentatin required. 3. Applicant details All applicants. Basic infrmatin abut applicant and the main cntact persn fr the applicatin, such as name, phne number and ffice address. N additinal dcumentatin required. 4. Prfessinal memberships and cmpetence Firms nly, individuals d nt need t cmplete this sectin. Details f the prfessinal bdies that the Applicant Firm is assciated with r regulated by, and any cdes f practice that the Applicant Firm cmplies with. Evidence f prfessinal membership. 13

14 Frm Q04 Wh shuld cmplete this sectin? What infrmatin is required? Additinal dcumentatin 5. Ownership Firms nly, individuals d nt need t cmplete this sectin. Details f the Applicant Firm s entity, including its Cntrllers and members f its gverning bdy. N additinal dcumentatin required. 6. Histry f applicant All applicants. Details abut the backgrund and experience f the applicant. Supprting evidence where applicant has answered Yes t any f the questins. 7. Prfessinal Indemnity Insurance (PII) All applicants. Details abut any PII that the applicant hlds, hw much cverage it prvides and whether that cverage extends t all its intended QFC peratins. Evidence f PII. 8. Qualificatins and cmpetence Individuals nly, firms d nt need t cmplete this sectin. Details f the prfessinal qualificatin(s), Licence and experience f the applicant. Certificate f registratin and prfessinal qualificatin(s). Part 2 Staffing 1. Staffing Firms applying t be registered as an Apprved Auditr r a SSP Details f the staff within the firm and the partners r executives f the firm. Internal rganisatin and reprting lines structure chart. Part 3 Security 1. Security bnd Individuals applying t be registered as an Inslvency Practitiner. Details f the security held by the applicant, sums assured, assured persns and entities and details f the liability cvered under the bnd. Cpy f General Bnd and a Specific Bnd Inslvency Practitiner certificate Part 4 Other requirements 1. Hme jurisdictin Firms applying t be registered as a SSP. Details abut the license held by the applicant, what aspects f their business are mnitred and wh mnitrs them and whether the Applicant Firm has infrmed the bdy that licensed them f their intentin t be registered within the QFC. Cpy f the license in hme jurisdictin Cpy f the ntificatin t the licenser and mnitring 14

15 Fees The fllwing fees are applicable fr registratin (all fees are stated in US dllars): Activity Applicatin Fee (USD) Annual fee (USD) Apprved Auditr Inslvency Practitiner SSP On receipt f the applicatin, the QFC Authrity will invice the applicant fr the applicatin fee. Please nte that upn registratin an initial annual fee is payable, which is pr-rated frm the date the registratin is granted. Applicatin submissin and prcessing The cmpleted Frm Q04 shuld be submitted t the QFC Authrity in bth hard and sft cpy which will review the applicatin and assess the suitability f the applicant t be apprved by the QFC Authrity t cnduct the indicated activities in the QFC. The hard cpy shuld be delivered t the address stated n the cver f Frm Q04. 15

16 GLOSSARY AML/CFT Rules: The Anti-Mney Laundering and Cmbating Terrrist Financing Rules Applicant Firm: The firm making the applicatin t be licensed t carry n Nn-Regulated Activities in the QFC. Apprved Auditr: An auditr that satisfies the requirements as set ut in Sectin 4 f the QFC Cmpanies Rules and appears n the apprved register f auditrs fr the QFC. Bdy Crprate: Any Bdy Crprate, including a LLP, cnstituted under the Cmpanies Regulatins r the Limited Liability Partnership Regulatins and a bdy crprate cnstituted under the law f a cuntry r territry utside f the QFC. Cntrller: A Cntrller is anyne with an interest equal t r greater than 10% in the Applicant Firm r a parent entity, and/r smene wh is in a psitin t exercise significant influence ver the management r decisin making prcess in the Applicant Firm by virtue f sharehlding, vting pwer r by cntractual r ther arrangements. CRO: The Cmpanies Registratin Office. Designated Premises: Premises designated as QFC premises by the Cuncil f Ministers. Designated Representative Functin: Each single family ffice must appint a Designated Representative t be the pint f cntact fr the QFC Authrity and carry ut the rle prescribed under Article 21 f the Single Family Office Regulatins. Directr: In relatin t any Bdy Crprate, unincrprated assciatin r Partnership a Persn appinted t direct its affairs including a Persn named as Directr r any Persn in accrdance with whse instructins that Bdy Crprate r Partnership is accustmed t act. FATF: The Financial Actin Task Frce, an inter-gvernmental bdy develping and prmting plicies t cmbat mney laundering and terrrist financing. GAAP: Generally Accepted Accunting Principles. IFRS: Internatinal Financial Reprting Standards. Inslvency Practitiner: An individual wh meets the requirements as set ut in Part 10 f the Inslvency Regulatins Licence: A Licence t carry n Permitted Activities in r frm the QFC granted in accrdance with Article 11 f the QFC Law. LLP: Limited Liability Partnership. 16

17 Glssary MLRO: Mney Laundering Reprting Officer. This is the individual respnsible fr ensuring that the nnregulated firm meets its n-ging bligatins t the AML/CFT Rules. Nn-Regulated Activities: Schedule 3, Part 2 f QFC Law, N. (7) f 2005 describes a range f Nn-Regulated Activities that may be carried n in r frm the QFC. Overseas Licensing Authrity/Bdy: A regulatry r gvernmental authrity, bdy r agency in a jurisdictin utside the QFC (whether in the State f Qatar r therwise). Partnership: Any partnership, including a partnership cnstituted under the law f a cuntry r territry utside the QFC, but nt including a LLP. Permitted Activities: Any activities which are required by QFC Law r Regulatins, nt t be cnducted except pursuant t an apprval, authrisatin, r Licence. Persns: Any Persn and includes a natural r legal persn, Bdy Crprate, r bdy unincrprated, including a branch, cmpany, partnership, unincrprated assciatin r ther undertaking, gvernment r state. QFC: The Qatar Financial Centre. QFC Authrity: The Qatar Financial Centre Authrity. QFC Regulatry Authrity: The Qatar Financial Centre Regulatry Authrity. Regulated Activities: Law N. 7 f 2005 ( QFC Law ) (Schedule 3 Part 1) describes a range f Regulated Activities that may be carried n in r frm the QFC. Senir Executive Functin (SEF): The Senir Executive Functin is the functin f having verall respnsibility alne r jintly with ne r mre individuals: fr the cnduct f the whle business f a nn-regulated firm; r in the case f a nn-regulated firm established utside the QFC perating thrugh a branch in the QFC (a nn-lcal firm), fr the business f the nn-regulated firm carried ut in r frm the QFC. Supprt Services Prvider (SSP): A Bdy Crprate, Partnership r LLP apprved by the QFC Authrity t act as a SSP. Such a SSP is appinted and retained by a Special Purpse Cmpany t prvide the fllwing services: management and administrative services; services as a registered agent, directr r similar fficer; prvisin f a registered ffice, place f business r address; and such ther services as may be prescribed frm time t time by the QFC Authrity. 17