There are more expatriate(partnership) owned businesses than Qatari owned ones. And there are many expat owned businesses where the Qatari only does sponsorship ie. no investment/involvement. I have a WLL(With Limited Liability) business with a Qatari partner. I dont like the 51(Qatari):49(Foreigner) thing but I have no choice. Hope someday there'll be better investor friendly laws in Qatar.

Commercial spaces are scarce not just in the city. I went as far as Shamal and Alkhor for a shop/office and I couldn find anythin within my budget(QR.2500-3500).