Investors on the Qatari bourse became richer by a staggering over $11bn (QR41.97bn) in a single trading day yesterday as stocks rallied massively on reports of the government pumping an incredible QR15bn into the local banking system.
The 20-share main index of the bourse, the Doha Securities Market (DSM), shot up more than 390 points in a tizzy, to almost reach the 7,000-mark (6,981). The rise in percentage terms was 5.92.
“Banking is a key sector on the Qatari bourse so the impact of the state support has been so overwhelming,” said analyst
Thamer Hssan.
The counters have the potential to impact all other sectors, he added.
Reopening after weekly closure, during which the key government announcement came, the bourse witnessed feverish demand, pushing the lenders’ stocks up by a record 7.65 percent.
Doha Bank led the gainers on the index with a 9.97 percent jump. Qatar Islamic Bank trailed in with a marginally less percentage gain in an overall rally which analysts attributed to the state setting up a QR15bn ($4.1bn) fund to buy banks’ property portfolios.
This is the third time since the onset of the global recession late last year that the state has propped up listed banks pumping billions of riyals into the system. The latest support is aimed at pushing more liquidity into the banking industry so that lending to the real estate sector
is not affected.
The move aims at making sure that the record growth levels the national economy has been witnessing might not get adversely impacted, even slightly, due to the slowdown in the real
estate sector.
As a result, real estate stocks also rose on the back of increased demand. Barwa and Qatar Real Estate showed advances by more than five and six percent, respectively. Industrial counters witnessed the second largest increase after the banking stocks, while the insurance sector advanced a little more than two percent.
Trading value soared to breach the QR1bn-mark (QR1.19bn). It normally hovers around QR500m to QR600m levels. Trading volumes were close to the 40 million mark.
More than 15,400 deals were concluded by the close of trading. “This is one of the highest rallies on the DSM this year, the last being early in March,” said Hassan. “You can see that 37 of the 38 stocks that were traded yesterday were up.”
Original Article from: The Peninsula
Monday, 1 June 2009
Qatar to record highest GDP growth in world
Qatar’s per capita income has crossed the magical $70,000-mark making it one of the top 10 wealthiest nations in the world.
The country is also poised to report the highest economic growth in the world for the current year, says a prominent Kuwait-based financial
research firm.
Global Investment House said in a country report yesterday, quoting Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA), that Qatar’s per capita income was lifted to a record $70,630 as nominal gross domestic product (GDP) soared to a landmark QR372.4bn ($102.3bn) for 2008 with a growth of 44 percent. While Qatar Central Bank (QCB) estimates suggest a seven to nine percent economic growth for the current year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts real GDP growth at 15 to 18 percent.
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), on the other hand, projects real GDP growth of 13.4 percent, said Global. “According to such estimates, Qatar is on the way to reporting the highest economic growth in the world
for 2009.”
Original Article from: The Peninsula
The country is also poised to report the highest economic growth in the world for the current year, says a prominent Kuwait-based financial
research firm.
Global Investment House said in a country report yesterday, quoting Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA), that Qatar’s per capita income was lifted to a record $70,630 as nominal gross domestic product (GDP) soared to a landmark QR372.4bn ($102.3bn) for 2008 with a growth of 44 percent. While Qatar Central Bank (QCB) estimates suggest a seven to nine percent economic growth for the current year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts real GDP growth at 15 to 18 percent.
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), on the other hand, projects real GDP growth of 13.4 percent, said Global. “According to such estimates, Qatar is on the way to reporting the highest economic growth in the world
for 2009.”
Original Article from: The Peninsula
Monday, 4 May 2009
Qatar Airways allays fears over swine flu
Qatar Airways has assured passengers that is taking all measures to tackle health concern over the swine flu.
Qatar Airways has taken several steps to tackle health concerns following the recent outbreak of swine flu in Mexico.
Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar al- Baker said: “The health and wellbeing of all our passengers and employees is of paramount importance and Qatar Airways in no way compromises the safety of any individual.
“Passengers should be reassured that modern aircraft have very advanced air filtration systems which ensure a high level of air quality despite the confined environment they travel in.”
Qatar Airways has been working closely with health authorities in Qatar and monitoring developments with international health organisations and governments around the world in order to be able to take the most appropriate measures.
Since April 27, Qatar Airways has mandated that all flight deck and cabin crew wear masks on flights originating from the United States – namely daily services from New York, Washington DC and Houston.
The airline has taken additional mandatory measures for all 1,100 flight deck and 3,400 cabin crew in the company to be vaccinated against influenza to limit the risk of contamination to passengers and staff. The flu vaccine is a protective measure and only protects against a certain strain of flu, not swine flu, which is at the centre of the current health concerns.
Passengers on Qatar Airways’ flights originating from the US are being given masks upon boarding and advised to wear them on board. In addition, all Qatar Airways’ customer contact staff in the United States and at Doha International Airport are required to wear masks.
If prior to boarding in the US or during transit in Doha, passengers are identified as having flu or fever-like symptoms, they will be referred to a local medical centre to determine their suitability to travel.
The airline’s decision has been taken to control the potential transmission of the virus to fellow passengers and crew onboard.
Al-Baker said that the airline took these unconditional measures at an early stage in the full interests of the public.
“There is absolutely no compromise for the safety of any individual, whether they are travelling or not. As an airline we are fully responsible for the safety of our passengers, crew and ground staff, but also as the national carrier of the State of Qatar, we have a responsibility to reduce the risk of exposure to people living and working in the country.”
“Qatar Airways strongly recommends that in the best interests of fellow travellers, passengers refer to information available through international health authorities, including the World Health Organisation, at www.who.int prior to travelling. In addition, individual countries are issuing their own travel advisories.”
Qatar Airways Head of Medical Services Dr Soha al-Bayat added: “In light of the current situation, it is vital for people to observe strict personal hygiene controls to protect themselves and those around them.
“If passengers develop fever or flu-like symptoms, they are advised to consult their doctor or medical practitioner straightaway. Symptoms of this A (H1N1) particular strain of flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue,” she said.
Health authorities around the world have advised that in the interests of personal hygiene, people should cover their mouths when coughing and sneezing; avoid touching their eyes and nose in case the virus has been transmitted, and frequently wash their hands.
Gulf Times
Emir maps way out of crisis
The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday said the right way to deal with the current economic crisis is to acknowledge and correct past errors.
“The solution lies not in abandoning the market laws and free trade or to resort to selective protectionist measures or to reject planning entirely, but the solution as is the case with each crisis, lies in striking a balance between responsibility and freedom, between market laws, and public social responsibility,” the Emir said in his address to the 9th Doha Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade, that opened at the Doha-Sheraton last evening. He also said the crisis has exceeded what is usually foreseen and expected of the market activity, from expansion to deflation. “It has gone out of control and has turned into a dangerous hurricane that threatens beyond our imagination,” he said.
The crisis is not a natural catastrophe like a hurricane or earthquake, but a result of human policies, miss-planning, excessive self confidence, desire to get rich quickly, and mixing the necessary loans needed for production and consumption with borrowing for speculations that exceed the gross production, the Emir said.
“What happened was a result of confusing beneficial investment in the stock exchange with gambling. It was also a result of turning away from the fundamentals of sound economy that is based on labour, production, market, and profit,” he said. He added that what is more dangerous than the economic crisis is the cultural and moral crisis which would not have been taken seriously by some people, had this critical crisis not happened.
The culture of consumption and getting rich quickly without production, he said, has spread out and turning speculations into a norm in the same developed countries in which the extent of the financial catastrophe was suddenly revealed.
The Emir also pointed out that the state should interfere in a crisis of such a magnitude and adopt new laws to monitor the activities of banks and financial institutions in general.
“However, there should be a warning against this interference turning into a wrong attempt to put the blame on others or on the principle of free trade itself on the one hand or in exaggerations in defending all its negative aspects and those of the banking system on the other,” he said warning against protectionist measures as a way out of the crisis. He said such measures would hinder international efforts to face the crisis and its repercussions.
Historically the crises had a corrective effect on the course of economy when producers and decision makers collaborated in drawing the correct conclusions, and not by looking for sedatives and painkillers that would mitigate the symptoms while the ailment aggravates, the Emir said.
The Peninsula
“The solution lies not in abandoning the market laws and free trade or to resort to selective protectionist measures or to reject planning entirely, but the solution as is the case with each crisis, lies in striking a balance between responsibility and freedom, between market laws, and public social responsibility,” the Emir said in his address to the 9th Doha Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade, that opened at the Doha-Sheraton last evening. He also said the crisis has exceeded what is usually foreseen and expected of the market activity, from expansion to deflation. “It has gone out of control and has turned into a dangerous hurricane that threatens beyond our imagination,” he said.
The crisis is not a natural catastrophe like a hurricane or earthquake, but a result of human policies, miss-planning, excessive self confidence, desire to get rich quickly, and mixing the necessary loans needed for production and consumption with borrowing for speculations that exceed the gross production, the Emir said.
“What happened was a result of confusing beneficial investment in the stock exchange with gambling. It was also a result of turning away from the fundamentals of sound economy that is based on labour, production, market, and profit,” he said. He added that what is more dangerous than the economic crisis is the cultural and moral crisis which would not have been taken seriously by some people, had this critical crisis not happened.
The culture of consumption and getting rich quickly without production, he said, has spread out and turning speculations into a norm in the same developed countries in which the extent of the financial catastrophe was suddenly revealed.
The Emir also pointed out that the state should interfere in a crisis of such a magnitude and adopt new laws to monitor the activities of banks and financial institutions in general.
“However, there should be a warning against this interference turning into a wrong attempt to put the blame on others or on the principle of free trade itself on the one hand or in exaggerations in defending all its negative aspects and those of the banking system on the other,” he said warning against protectionist measures as a way out of the crisis. He said such measures would hinder international efforts to face the crisis and its repercussions.
Historically the crises had a corrective effect on the course of economy when producers and decision makers collaborated in drawing the correct conclusions, and not by looking for sedatives and painkillers that would mitigate the symptoms while the ailment aggravates, the Emir said.
The Peninsula
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Lisbon links
HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani being welcomed by Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates upon his arrival at Sao Bento Palace in Lisbon yesterday.They attended the signing of a joint statement to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries, an agreement to encourage and protect mutual investments, and a memorandum of understanding between Qatar Olympic Committee and the Olympic Committee of Portugal.
Original Article from : Gulf Times
Monday, 20 April 2009
QCB official hails Qatar monetary policy
The US dollar is expected to fall again by 2010 triggering up inflation rates in the Gulf states, a top Qatar Central Bank official said in Doha yesterday.
“This will happen by 2010-end when the global financial crisis is likely to reach its end in the US,” said Khaled Rashed al-Khater, director of the department of research and monetary policy at QCB.
About the repercussions of the global financial crisis on the US, the official predicted that the dollar will lose its position as the international reserve currency in the long-run, saying that the US share of the world output would decline in the coming years.
“There will be a shift of weight of world demand for oil from the US to China, India, and other countries. The current rally of the US dollar is temporary. It is expected to depreciate in the medium-run by no less than 20%,” he said.
Qatar’s proven resilient banking system amid the current financial turmoil as well as its “credible and independent” monetary policy make it “very eligible” to host the planned common Gulf central bank, the senior official said.
Speaking at a lecture yesterday at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, al-Khater said that Qatar’s independent monetary policy as well as its resilient banking system made it very eligible to be the hosting country of the Gulf central bank.
“We are very eligible. We have a credible monetary policy. We conducted many researches on monetary union and inflation in the Gulf states. At a time when all the Gulf states followed the US Fed cutting the interest, Qatar was the only country among the group which did not follow the US Fed. We also do not have a problem with our banking system or the availability of liquidity,” al-Khater said.
Gulf leaders are due to meet in Saudi Arabia next month to decide on the location of the common central bank which is expected to administer the planned monetary union which will culminate in the single Gulf currency.
However, al-Khater ruled out the possibility that the Gulf states would be able to meet the 2010 deadline for the single currency.
“It is unlikely or impossible to launch the single currency in 2010. The plans for the monetary union have started but still need more effort to meet the criteria,” he said.
Asked whether the QCB would interfere in the local banks policies regarding overseas investment, the official stressed that the central bank would not impose any restrictions on local banks about their investment choices, saying that such decisions were up to the banks.
“This is free economy and free market. Of course there are regulations that banks should abide by, but we do not interfere in their investment policies,” he added.
The expert also admitted that there was a decline in the cash inflow for Qatar, saying that this was due to shortage of liquidity in the entire world.
About Qatar’s monetary policy, al-Khater hailed it as “credible and independent”, saying that Qatar’s banking sector was among the least affected and the most resilient in the region during the current global financial turmoil.
“When the market bubbles burst in the region in 2006, Qatar was the least affected among its neighbours. Thanks to QCB’s pre-emptive conservative credit policy during the lending boom in 2002-03, our banking system is still the most resilient in the region,” he added.
“If we do not have an independent and credible monetary policy, we would have to follow the recent interest cut made by the Fed since we are pegged to the US dollar, but we did not,” he maintained.
He added that QCB was still ready to extend liquidity in the banking system via its collateralised and refinance-standing facilities, and direct deposit at the micro-level.
Al-Khater, who was briefing the Georgetown University School of Foreign Services on his views about the implications of the global crisis as well as Qatar’s monetary policy, also said that the implications of the financial crisis would require the Gulf states to reconsider their dollar peg arrangements in the future.
Original Article from: Gulf Times
“This will happen by 2010-end when the global financial crisis is likely to reach its end in the US,” said Khaled Rashed al-Khater, director of the department of research and monetary policy at QCB.
About the repercussions of the global financial crisis on the US, the official predicted that the dollar will lose its position as the international reserve currency in the long-run, saying that the US share of the world output would decline in the coming years.
“There will be a shift of weight of world demand for oil from the US to China, India, and other countries. The current rally of the US dollar is temporary. It is expected to depreciate in the medium-run by no less than 20%,” he said.
Qatar’s proven resilient banking system amid the current financial turmoil as well as its “credible and independent” monetary policy make it “very eligible” to host the planned common Gulf central bank, the senior official said.
Speaking at a lecture yesterday at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, al-Khater said that Qatar’s independent monetary policy as well as its resilient banking system made it very eligible to be the hosting country of the Gulf central bank.
“We are very eligible. We have a credible monetary policy. We conducted many researches on monetary union and inflation in the Gulf states. At a time when all the Gulf states followed the US Fed cutting the interest, Qatar was the only country among the group which did not follow the US Fed. We also do not have a problem with our banking system or the availability of liquidity,” al-Khater said.
Gulf leaders are due to meet in Saudi Arabia next month to decide on the location of the common central bank which is expected to administer the planned monetary union which will culminate in the single Gulf currency.
However, al-Khater ruled out the possibility that the Gulf states would be able to meet the 2010 deadline for the single currency.
“It is unlikely or impossible to launch the single currency in 2010. The plans for the monetary union have started but still need more effort to meet the criteria,” he said.
Asked whether the QCB would interfere in the local banks policies regarding overseas investment, the official stressed that the central bank would not impose any restrictions on local banks about their investment choices, saying that such decisions were up to the banks.
“This is free economy and free market. Of course there are regulations that banks should abide by, but we do not interfere in their investment policies,” he added.
The expert also admitted that there was a decline in the cash inflow for Qatar, saying that this was due to shortage of liquidity in the entire world.
About Qatar’s monetary policy, al-Khater hailed it as “credible and independent”, saying that Qatar’s banking sector was among the least affected and the most resilient in the region during the current global financial turmoil.
“When the market bubbles burst in the region in 2006, Qatar was the least affected among its neighbours. Thanks to QCB’s pre-emptive conservative credit policy during the lending boom in 2002-03, our banking system is still the most resilient in the region,” he added.
“If we do not have an independent and credible monetary policy, we would have to follow the recent interest cut made by the Fed since we are pegged to the US dollar, but we did not,” he maintained.
He added that QCB was still ready to extend liquidity in the banking system via its collateralised and refinance-standing facilities, and direct deposit at the micro-level.
Al-Khater, who was briefing the Georgetown University School of Foreign Services on his views about the implications of the global crisis as well as Qatar’s monetary policy, also said that the implications of the financial crisis would require the Gulf states to reconsider their dollar peg arrangements in the future.
Original Article from: Gulf Times
Qatar shines amid global gloom: Expert
The World Bank warned yesterday that the global recession was going to last long and the worst has yet to come, especially in the developing countries.
The world has experienced economic shocks and there has been a contraction in trade this year, Carlos Primo Braga, Director for Economic Policy, World Bank, said during the conclusion of a conference here yesterday.
Addressing the 3rd International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development (ICTD) 2009 at the Carnegie Mellon University-Qatar, Braga, however, said the only high-growth country in these challenging times was Qatar due to its vibrant liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry.
Qatar’s efforts to put emphasis on knowledge-based economy has played a significant role in stimulating stable economic growth even in the face of the global financial crisis.
Braga said with the deepening financial crisis, several governments saw investments in Information Communication Technologies (ICT) as an integral part of recovery efforts.
“I’m happy with what I’m seeing in Qatar, which is investing in its future, not only in infrastructure, but is also concentrating in its knowledge-based economy to sustain significant growth.”
The ICT industry is better positioned to confront the crisis, said Braga. “The telecommunications service is the leading indicator of economic recovery.”
Braga concluded that e-business and ICT use will continue to expand on a global basis and their benefits can be substantial not only for business, but in also promoting trade and enhancing productivity at a macro-level.
“Convergence in e-business practices can happen, but… unless the governments provide the proper regulatory environment for private action and support efforts to expand digital literacy, with special attention to the needs of Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SME), the digital divide at the level of business practices will widen,” he said.
With more than 350 scholars, practitioners and social scientists focused on a broad range of domains from around the world, the ICTD organisers have declared the conference a success.
“ICTD2009 has already achieved great success. We are extremely pleased with the number of people who have joined us from so many places around the world. The level of excitement and quality of participation has exceeded our expectations,” said Bernardine Dias, PhD, assistant research professor of Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University and ICTD2009 Conference Chair. Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar hosted the three-day ICTD2009 conference, with the TechBridgeWorld research group.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
The world has experienced economic shocks and there has been a contraction in trade this year, Carlos Primo Braga, Director for Economic Policy, World Bank, said during the conclusion of a conference here yesterday.
Addressing the 3rd International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development (ICTD) 2009 at the Carnegie Mellon University-Qatar, Braga, however, said the only high-growth country in these challenging times was Qatar due to its vibrant liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry.
Qatar’s efforts to put emphasis on knowledge-based economy has played a significant role in stimulating stable economic growth even in the face of the global financial crisis.
Braga said with the deepening financial crisis, several governments saw investments in Information Communication Technologies (ICT) as an integral part of recovery efforts.
“I’m happy with what I’m seeing in Qatar, which is investing in its future, not only in infrastructure, but is also concentrating in its knowledge-based economy to sustain significant growth.”
The ICT industry is better positioned to confront the crisis, said Braga. “The telecommunications service is the leading indicator of economic recovery.”
Braga concluded that e-business and ICT use will continue to expand on a global basis and their benefits can be substantial not only for business, but in also promoting trade and enhancing productivity at a macro-level.
“Convergence in e-business practices can happen, but… unless the governments provide the proper regulatory environment for private action and support efforts to expand digital literacy, with special attention to the needs of Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SME), the digital divide at the level of business practices will widen,” he said.
With more than 350 scholars, practitioners and social scientists focused on a broad range of domains from around the world, the ICTD organisers have declared the conference a success.
“ICTD2009 has already achieved great success. We are extremely pleased with the number of people who have joined us from so many places around the world. The level of excitement and quality of participation has exceeded our expectations,” said Bernardine Dias, PhD, assistant research professor of Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University and ICTD2009 Conference Chair. Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar hosted the three-day ICTD2009 conference, with the TechBridgeWorld research group.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Emir holds official talks in Tanzania
HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete held a round of official talks here yesterday.Bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them as well as a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern were reviewed during the talks.
The talks were attended by HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah and HH the Emir’s Secretary for Follow-up Affairs Saad bin Mohamed al-Rumeihi.
On the Tanzanian side, the talks were attended by Minister of Education and Vocational Training Professor Jumanne Abdullah Maghembe and Deputy Finance Minister Youssuf Mezzi.
Separately HH Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad held talks with the Tanzanian president’s wife Salma Kikwete.
A number of issues of mutual concern were taken up during the meeting.
Later, the Emir and Sheikha Mozah left Tanzania wrapping up a brief visit. They were seen off at the airport by the Tanzanian president and his wife.
Original Article from: Gulf Times
No amnesty for illegal workers on cards
There are no plans to declare another amnesty in Qatar but illegal workers who voluntarily surrender to the law enforcing authorities have been allowed to return home without facing imprisonment, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Interior.
Colonel Mohammed Al Ateeq, assistant director of the General Directorate of Borders, Passports and Expatriate Affairs at the ministry, told The Peninsula yesterday that the ministry had seen a recent rise in the number of expatriate workers fleeing their sponsors and working illegally in the country.
“We have been conducting daily inspections mainly in areas where there is a concentration of expatriate workers. A number of runaway workers and those who are working outside their legal sponsors are being arrested in these raids,” said Al Ateeq.
Asked if there were plans to declare another amnesty in Qatar to facilitate repatriation of illegal workers, he said, “There are no such plans at the moment, but we are helping such workers to leave the country if they voluntarily surrender to the authorities. They can return home after paying the fines and they don’t have to face imprisonment. We have seen a significant rise in the number of people voluntarily reporting at the ministry to return home.”
He said the ministry was keen to make the procedure of their repatriation as fast and simple as possible.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
Colonel Mohammed Al Ateeq, assistant director of the General Directorate of Borders, Passports and Expatriate Affairs at the ministry, told The Peninsula yesterday that the ministry had seen a recent rise in the number of expatriate workers fleeing their sponsors and working illegally in the country.
“We have been conducting daily inspections mainly in areas where there is a concentration of expatriate workers. A number of runaway workers and those who are working outside their legal sponsors are being arrested in these raids,” said Al Ateeq.
Asked if there were plans to declare another amnesty in Qatar to facilitate repatriation of illegal workers, he said, “There are no such plans at the moment, but we are helping such workers to leave the country if they voluntarily surrender to the authorities. They can return home after paying the fines and they don’t have to face imprisonment. We have seen a significant rise in the number of people voluntarily reporting at the ministry to return home.”
He said the ministry was keen to make the procedure of their repatriation as fast and simple as possible.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
Medical test at home for job seekers
Qatar will soon make it mandatory for job seekers from several Asian, African and Middle East countries to undergo medical check-up in their home countries before their arrival here.
The rule, once implemented, will apply to job seekers from 11 countries – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria and Eritrea.
Currently, every foreigner coming to Qatar must undergo mandatory medical tests at the Medical Commission functioning under the Ministry of Health within one month of their arrival. However, medical tests in the countries of origin were not compulsory.
“We have not finalised the dates for implementing the mandatory tests, which will be announced very soon. We are in the process of developing a mechanism for implementing the new system, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, e-government and the recruiting agencies,” Colonel Mohammed Al Ateeq, assistant director of the General Directorate of Borders, Passports and Expatriate affairs at the Ministry of Interior said in a press conference yesterday. Dr Ahmed Kamal Naji, director of the Medical Commission and assistant minister for health affairs at the Ministry of Health and Hamad Al Sulaiti from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present.
The mandatory tests will be conducted in authorised medical centres in the said countries. Currently there are more than 200 medical centres spread over these countries and more centres will be opened in the coming years, said the officials.
The tests will not be made mandatory for people coming to Qatar on a visit visa. Only those seeking a residence permit in the country will have to undergo the check-up, explained Al Ateeq.
Naji said the mandatory tests at the Medical Commission would continue even after the new system is implemented. This is to reassure that the newly-recruited workers are free from contagious diseases. The officials said the medical check-up in the countries of origin would help job seekers and employers to avoid huge losses. The losses are multifarious if a worker is sent back after failing the test at the Medical Commission.
The offices of JAMCA, which is the union of approved medical centres by the GCC countries, were formed in most of the countries and cities from where the foreign workers are being recruited. The JAMCA offices and medical centres have been connected through a computer programme that guarantees secrecy, security and fast transfer of data between the medical centres and JAMCA offices.
Al Ateeq said until this computer network becomes fully functional, the new recruits should produce the medical certificate from the approved medical centers. These certificates are to be attested by the Qatari missions.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
The rule, once implemented, will apply to job seekers from 11 countries – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria and Eritrea.
Currently, every foreigner coming to Qatar must undergo mandatory medical tests at the Medical Commission functioning under the Ministry of Health within one month of their arrival. However, medical tests in the countries of origin were not compulsory.
“We have not finalised the dates for implementing the mandatory tests, which will be announced very soon. We are in the process of developing a mechanism for implementing the new system, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, e-government and the recruiting agencies,” Colonel Mohammed Al Ateeq, assistant director of the General Directorate of Borders, Passports and Expatriate affairs at the Ministry of Interior said in a press conference yesterday. Dr Ahmed Kamal Naji, director of the Medical Commission and assistant minister for health affairs at the Ministry of Health and Hamad Al Sulaiti from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present.
The mandatory tests will be conducted in authorised medical centres in the said countries. Currently there are more than 200 medical centres spread over these countries and more centres will be opened in the coming years, said the officials.
The tests will not be made mandatory for people coming to Qatar on a visit visa. Only those seeking a residence permit in the country will have to undergo the check-up, explained Al Ateeq.
Naji said the mandatory tests at the Medical Commission would continue even after the new system is implemented. This is to reassure that the newly-recruited workers are free from contagious diseases. The officials said the medical check-up in the countries of origin would help job seekers and employers to avoid huge losses. The losses are multifarious if a worker is sent back after failing the test at the Medical Commission.
The offices of JAMCA, which is the union of approved medical centres by the GCC countries, were formed in most of the countries and cities from where the foreign workers are being recruited. The JAMCA offices and medical centres have been connected through a computer programme that guarantees secrecy, security and fast transfer of data between the medical centres and JAMCA offices.
Al Ateeq said until this computer network becomes fully functional, the new recruits should produce the medical certificate from the approved medical centers. These certificates are to be attested by the Qatari missions.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
Monday, 6 April 2009
Globe-pedaller arrives in Qatar
Qatar has become the 59th country Argentinean adventurer Pablo Garcia has visited after an ambitious 71,798-km nine-year journey by bicycle in an attempt to circumnavigate the world to spread the message of peace and friendship.Arriving here just a couple days ago, Pablo Garcia, 35, shared interesting anecdotes from his travels with the media during a press conference hosted yesterday by Doha Marriott Hotel, one of the sponsors for his Qatar stint.
“My travel started as a dream of wanting to see the world. I was curious to know what lies on the other side of the world — the people, their culture and traditions,” Garcia explained, during a brief tête-à -tête with media persons after showing a number of clips of his ‘Around the World by Bicycle’ project.
Having opted for tour guiding as a career, he demonstrated an unusual penchant for various cultures. He showed this in the clips of his travels to Africa and the Middle East. Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Uganda, Eritrea, and Ethiopia are just some of the African countries visited by him to figure prominently in his experiences, aside from Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan in the Middle East.
“A common trait among the people of Arab and Muslim countries is their hospitality,” he said, adding he would remember Qatar as a small country with a progressive city in the middle of the desert inhabited by very hospitable people. Among the places in Qatar he said he would remember are the Corniche and the Museum of Islamic Art.
He said he still had to complete around 50,000km in four years, passing through Asia and Australia, to finish his journey through 100 countries.
After the press conference, he showed his bicycle, his constant companion in his journey to different countries. Weighing 60 kilos with all his things, the bicycle features small flags of the countries he has been to, including a white flag symbolising peace.
“I choose to travel by bicycle because I see much more and get in touch with people differently,” Garcia quipped.
Despite the many challenges and dangers he has met along the way, he has never thought of quitting. “Once I conclude my journey, I would compile all the materials and transmit them to people,” he said.
Garcia’s local sponsors include Qatar National Hotels Company, Doha Marriott, Qatar Olympic Committee, Mitsubishi and Qatar Cycling Federation.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
World’s largest gas plant opens in Ras Laffan
HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani inaugurated the world’s largest liquefied natural gas project–Qatargas 2 at Ras Laffan yesterday.The key components of the $13.2bn project are two of the world’s largest LNG trains (with 7.8mn tonnes per year (tpy) capacity each) and associated facilities at Ras Laffan, a fleet comprising 14 super LNG tankers and the regasification facility (terminal) at Wales in the United Kingdom.
Qatargas 2, whose production capacity is 15.6mn tpy, is the culmination of a historic project to create a “fully integrated value chain”. The LNG trains represent a 50% increase on any performance previously achieved in the global energy industry.
The project consists of three offshore unmanned platforms, two world class LNG trains, five storage tanks, two loading berths, a fleet of 14 state-of-the-art LNG ships and a receiving (South Hook) terminal in Milford Haven, Wales.
Qatargas 2 will send its first LNG shipment to the UK within three weeks. On an average, one LNG cargo will be sent from Ras Laffan to the South Hook Terminal every three days.
Some 40 new technologies and 3mn pounds of equipment and systems have been used in the completion of the project. Low emission technology and waste-heat recovery systems are incorporated to reduce emission levels. These innovations have made the Qatargas 2 trains extremely efficient.
Within a decade, Qatargas Operating Company has grown from a company with three trains producing 6mn tonnes of LNG per year with one primary customer, to a global leader in the industry supplying 42mn tonnes per year to markets on three continents.
About 2.9bn cubic feet of gas a day is required to produce 15.6mn tonnes of LNG a year from Qatargas 2. The LNG process involves four stages - offshore, onshore, shipping and distribution.
Qatargas 2 and its owners, Qatar Petroleum, ExxonMobil and Total, have achieved “several milestones” in the establishment of offshore and onshore facilities in Qatar and shipping and regasification facilities.
The Duke of York, Prince Andrew and HE the Deputy Premier Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, also the Minister of Energy and Industry, were among the dignitaries present at the inauguration.
Original Article from: Gulf Times
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Emir to inaugurate world’s largest LNG project today
The world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) project will be inaugurated today at Ras Laffan. Guests from around the world are travelling to Ras Laffan City to celebrate the historic launch of Qatargas 2 and to witness an innovation in global energy.
The occasion will be marked with the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani officially inaugurating the Qatargas 2 project. Notable guests will include industry representatives from Qatargas’ stakeholders, Qatar Petroleum (QP), ExxonMobil Qatargas II Limited and Total E&P Qatargas II Holdings LTD.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
The occasion will be marked with the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani officially inaugurating the Qatargas 2 project. Notable guests will include industry representatives from Qatargas’ stakeholders, Qatar Petroleum (QP), ExxonMobil Qatargas II Limited and Total E&P Qatargas II Holdings LTD.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
More expats choose to stay put in Middle East: Survey
A chunk of the expatriate workforce in the Gulf and the Middle East — 36 percent — sees no reason to leave the country of residence on the back of the global meltdown, according to a survey conducted by a leading job site
in the region.
The online poll titled ‘reactions to economic conditions’ was carried out by Bayt.com to assess how employees feel about the impact of the economic crisis on their lives — in terms of work and finances — and elicit their opinion on the likely longevity of the crisis in their country of residence.
The survey conducted between February 8 and March 30, had a total of 22,708 respondents from across the Middle East. Twenty eight percent of the respondents felt that they may have no choice but to return home as a result of the current conditions. Twenty one percent said instead of going back to their country of origin, they would consider moving to a new country, seeking a job.
Unlike previous polls which suggested employees would like to move jobs relatively quickly, the latest data suggested that employees are more willing to stay put, perhaps given the instability. Thirty percent said they would stay for more than 36 months, compared to 22 percent who said they would consider moving in the next three months. Additionally, 15 percent saw themselves staying at their present job for six to 12 months. Interestingly, the economic crisis is having a positive affect on some residents in terms of their savings.
A total of 69 percent said they were saving more money — of which 37 percent said they were saving considerably more — apparently to secure their family’s future in case of further economic instability.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
in the region.
The online poll titled ‘reactions to economic conditions’ was carried out by Bayt.com to assess how employees feel about the impact of the economic crisis on their lives — in terms of work and finances — and elicit their opinion on the likely longevity of the crisis in their country of residence.
The survey conducted between February 8 and March 30, had a total of 22,708 respondents from across the Middle East. Twenty eight percent of the respondents felt that they may have no choice but to return home as a result of the current conditions. Twenty one percent said instead of going back to their country of origin, they would consider moving to a new country, seeking a job.
Unlike previous polls which suggested employees would like to move jobs relatively quickly, the latest data suggested that employees are more willing to stay put, perhaps given the instability. Thirty percent said they would stay for more than 36 months, compared to 22 percent who said they would consider moving in the next three months. Additionally, 15 percent saw themselves staying at their present job for six to 12 months. Interestingly, the economic crisis is having a positive affect on some residents in terms of their savings.
A total of 69 percent said they were saving more money — of which 37 percent said they were saving considerably more — apparently to secure their family’s future in case of further economic instability.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
Singapore office in Doha appoints Centre Director
International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, the first Singapore government office in Doha, recently appointed Kenneth Sim as Centre Director.
Sim will be the successor to Feroz Siddiqui, who set up IE Singapore’s office in Doha. Over the last three years, Siddiqui oversaw the growth of bilateral trade between Qatar and Singapore.
Joining IE Singapore last year, Kenneth Sim was overseeing the Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait markets at its headquarters. He formerly worked at the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry doing small and medium enterprise development policies and was the anchor person for the pro-enterprise initiative to implement the Online Business Licensing Service, a one-stop licensing portal for Singapore start-ups and businesses to apply for licenses from more than 30 government agencies.
International Enterprise (IE) Singapore is an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry spearheading the development of Singapore’s external economic wing. Its mission is to promote the overseas growth of Singapore-based enterprises and international trade.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
Sim will be the successor to Feroz Siddiqui, who set up IE Singapore’s office in Doha. Over the last three years, Siddiqui oversaw the growth of bilateral trade between Qatar and Singapore.
Joining IE Singapore last year, Kenneth Sim was overseeing the Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait markets at its headquarters. He formerly worked at the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry doing small and medium enterprise development policies and was the anchor person for the pro-enterprise initiative to implement the Online Business Licensing Service, a one-stop licensing portal for Singapore start-ups and businesses to apply for licenses from more than 30 government agencies.
International Enterprise (IE) Singapore is an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry spearheading the development of Singapore’s external economic wing. Its mission is to promote the overseas growth of Singapore-based enterprises and international trade.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
Saturday, 4 April 2009
ROTA team helps Cambodia orphans
Qatar-based NGO Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) has added one more feather to its cap by organising another successful volunteer trip to Cambodia, in partnership with Education City. The trip, from March 19 to 25, involved ROTA representatives, students and staff from Education City as well as representatives from Qatar Foundation and crew from the Al Jazeera children’s channel.The volunteers visited the city of Siem Reap to support an ongoing project for the Working for Children (WFC) orphanage in Pouk district. At WFC, the team equipped a library with bookshelves, books and learning materials. They assisted in building a 400-metre fence to stop invasions by wild animals and also engaged in a little bit of gardening. The students also conducted educational workshops and entertainment activities, including face-painting, games, sports activities and English lessons.
A cultural element was the highlight of the volunteer trip — encompassing a Tuc-Tuc tour around Siem Reap, a traditional dance show, and visits to Tonle Sap floating village, Ta Prohm Temple (from the famed Indian Jones movies) and the Temple of Angkor Wat — one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Cambodia suffers from a high drop-out rate in schools. On average, for every 100 students that starts Grade One, only 15 will get to Grade 12, of which only seven students will pass the exams and become eligible to pursue higher education.
The idea for a charity which would reach out to the Asian continent to provide those in need with quality education was conceived by Qatar’s Heir Apparent, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in November, 2005.
Guided by its Chairperson,
H E Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Reach Out To Asia operates as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) within the framework of Qatar Foundation — a private non-profit organisation founded in 1995 by H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar.
Qatar Foundation is built on the principle that a nation’s greatest resource is the potential of its people, and it aims to develop that potential internationally through a network of centers devoted to progressive education, research and community welfare.
ROTA’s mission is to extend that assistance into Asia — where it’s strategic geographic location gives it a unique opportunity to support its neighboring countries as they overcome developmental difficulties. In addition, more than 60 percent of Qatar’s own expatriate community is of Asian origin, giving ROTA added insight and understanding of the needs and cultural norms of the Asian people.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
National action plan to curb human trafficking in offing
The Qatar Foundation for Combating Human Trafficking is seeking to develop a national action plan for combating trafficking in humans that will meet international standards.
The Foundation yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Protection Project at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, DC that will enable cooperation between the two institutions in developing policies and mechanisms for combating trafficking in humans.
The MoU was signed by Mariam Al Malki, director of the Foundation and Dr Mohamed Mattar, executive director of the Protection Project.
The Protection Project is a human rights research institute based at the Foreign Policy Institute at SAIS.
The activities of the Project include development of a human rights-based approach to trafficking in humans and advocacy for the protection of the rights of victims of trafficking against all forms of exploitation
Speaking at a joint press conference after signing the agreement, the officials said a major area of cooperation was to promote research to assess the extent of the problem in Qatar and in the region and identify the victims.
“Lack of information is a major problem that most countries are facing in this field. We will work together to establish a database in Qatar that will help identify the causes of the problem and find solutions. The MoU will also help the Foundation to develop legislation as well as a national plan for combating trafficking in humans, that will meet international standards,” said Mattar.
Malki said Qatar had gone a long way in combating trafficking in persons and the new agreement would enable the Foundation to become a prominent regional centre dedicated to this task.
“Women and children are the most vulnerable to trafficking in humans. Qatar is not totally free from this menace, but it has not become a phenomenon in the country. The MoU will help us develop more practical steps to combat this problem,” said Al Malki.
The press conference was followed by a seminar focusing on various aspects of trafficking, with participation of experts from various Arab and GCC countries including Iraq, Jordan and Tunisia.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
The Foundation yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Protection Project at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, DC that will enable cooperation between the two institutions in developing policies and mechanisms for combating trafficking in humans.
The MoU was signed by Mariam Al Malki, director of the Foundation and Dr Mohamed Mattar, executive director of the Protection Project.
The Protection Project is a human rights research institute based at the Foreign Policy Institute at SAIS.
The activities of the Project include development of a human rights-based approach to trafficking in humans and advocacy for the protection of the rights of victims of trafficking against all forms of exploitation
Speaking at a joint press conference after signing the agreement, the officials said a major area of cooperation was to promote research to assess the extent of the problem in Qatar and in the region and identify the victims.
“Lack of information is a major problem that most countries are facing in this field. We will work together to establish a database in Qatar that will help identify the causes of the problem and find solutions. The MoU will also help the Foundation to develop legislation as well as a national plan for combating trafficking in humans, that will meet international standards,” said Mattar.
Malki said Qatar had gone a long way in combating trafficking in persons and the new agreement would enable the Foundation to become a prominent regional centre dedicated to this task.
“Women and children are the most vulnerable to trafficking in humans. Qatar is not totally free from this menace, but it has not become a phenomenon in the country. The MoU will help us develop more practical steps to combat this problem,” said Al Malki.
The press conference was followed by a seminar focusing on various aspects of trafficking, with participation of experts from various Arab and GCC countries including Iraq, Jordan and Tunisia.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
Artificial heart awaits nod for Qatar trials
The European Aeronautics Defence & Space, better known as EADS, is busy working on implanting its recently developed innovative artificial human heart among patients in Qatar.
EADS and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) held several rounds of discussions and are waiting for the nod of top government authorities to go ahead for the clinical trial, sources revealed to The Peninsula.
Biomedical firm Carmat, a start-up funded by the EADS - the parent company of passenger jet maker Airbus - after its 15-year-secret-project had come out with the vastly improved artificial human heart in October last year claiming that the new device could represent a major breakthrough for millions of people around the world who suffer from cardiovascular diseases, of whom more than 10 million die every year. “We are on the verge of starting clinical trials; and pending the approval of French and Qatari medical authorities, the artificial heart could be implanted in the first human patient within three years,” said Mohamed S Al Kuwari, General Manager EADS Competence Centre of Qatar (CCQ), a partner company of QSTP.
“The HMC is very much interested in the project. We held several rounds of discussions with the HMC experts. There has to be more research ahead of the clinical trial. We are waiting for the final nod for the trial from higher authorities,” Al Kuwari told this newspaper over phone from Germany.
“The project is part of the recently launched EADS Competence Centre of Qatar at QSTP. The CCQ is very optimistic about Qatar becoming the first country to implant an artificial human heart in the region. The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned made very encouraging comments when they visited the CCQ on the inaugural day of QSTP,” he said.
Earlier, talking to The Peninsula, a top Carmat official from France said a team of 30 experts are working on the project. “We have successfully completed the clinical trial among animals. If everything goes well Hamad will perform the first artificial human heart transplantation by 2011”.
On the newly-developed heart’s advantages over its earlier versions, he said, it employs two internal pumps to move blood to the lungs and into the body, rather than the single pump typical of earlier designs.
The new design also uses cutting-edge biopolymer material that promise to reduce the formation of dangerous blood clots — a persistent problem with early artificial hearts — and may even spare patients from needing to use nettlesome anticoagulant drugs.
Feedback sensors and software can adjust the heart’s speed and pressure depending on the exertion level of the wearer, permitting a vastly greater range of physical activity.
The immediate goal is to develop about 20 artificial hearts that can be implanted into patients over the next two years. At first, the devices will be given only to people who would otherwise die.
The cost of Carmat heart is expected to be slightly less than a human heart transplant, which averages about $250,000 in the US and an additional $20,000 per year in a follow-up treatment.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. It is the first international company to participate in the expansion of QSTP by operating its Competence Centre in the science park.
Qatari and US troops in joint exercise
Qatari and American military forces are conducting a two-week joint military exercise designed to build and improve cooperation between both military forces and strengthen the defensive capabilities of both nations. During Exercise Eastern Maverick 2009, which began on March 28, elements of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, including Marines and sailors will conduct a number of training exercises alongside the Qatari military, including small-unit vehicle training and live-fire exercises, as well as pilot training with the
Qatari Air Force.
US Ambassador to Qatar Joseph LeBaron said: “The military relationship is a vital part of our bilateral relations with Qatar — a relationship that the United States values deeply.” A US Marine explains a point about infantry patrolling to his Qatari counterparts during the ongoing Exercise Eastern Maverick 2009.
The ambassador added that the exercise, which is conducted annually, provides an excellent opportunity for both militaries to renew and strengthen the bonds that are vital to understanding and working with
one another.
The US Marines and sailors are also taking time off from their exercise schedule to learn more about Qatari culture through visits to local schools and friendly sporting events with their Qatari military colleagues.
Lt-Colonel Tye R Wallace, commanding officer of Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/1 assigned to the 13th MEU, said: “Exercises like this one provide important opportunities for us to work more closely together with our friends in the region, thereby helping to enhance understanding, security and stability throughout the Middle East.”
“Understanding and communication are vital to a strong friendship, and these exercises are an excellent opportunity for us to further develop both of these with our Qatari friends,” he added.
The US Marines and sailors participated in a friendly game of volleyball on the first night of the exercise with several
Qatari soldiers.
“It is good for integration and to get to know each other in one way or another,” said Major Adel Ali Al Saadi, a maintenance officer for the Qatar Maintenance Corps. “It’s a way to break down the barriers.”
“We should do this every time during exercises – it builds unity and friendship,” said Staff Sergeant Steve D Oldham, 3rd platoon sergeant for Company B, BLT 1/1. “This helps strengthen relationships with our host nation, which is important.”
“I think it was a great game,” said Pfc. Abdul Rahman, a rocketman in the Qatari Emiri Land Forces. “This created a good team environment for the upcoming training between us and the Marines.”
The 13th MEU is embarked aboard Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group ships deployed to the US Fifth Fleet area of operations to conduct Maritime Security Operations.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Germany relations take a healthy turn
A high-level delegation from the German Federal Ministry of Health is scheduled to visit Qatar from May 6 – 8 in a bid to bolster relations as well as co-operation between the two countries’ ministries of health.The delegation, expected to be led by parliamentary state secretary and deputy health minister Marion Caspers-Merk, will be accompanied by a business delegation comprising representatives of the healthcare sector and medical technology experts.
Christian Lindenau, managing director of Germany-based Gepa2 GmbH, who was on a preparatory mission to Doha recently, said the entrepreneurs would meet with the representatives of Qatar’s health sector such as the Ministry of Health, Hamad Medical Corporation and Sidra Medical and Research Centre, as well as the Qatar Chambers of Commerce.
Caspers-Merk was planning to hold a meeting with HE Sheikha Dr Ghalia bint Mohamed al-Thani and representatives of the HMC board to discuss health issues, he said, adding that she also hoped to meet the UN Special Rapporteur on Disability HE Sheikha Hessa bint Khalifa al-Thani.
“German leads in medical expertise and Qatar is adopting modern medical technology as it strives to be a leader in the medical field within the Arab region,” he said, adding, “More than 12 companies will be making presentations about their healthcare products.”
“We have come to realise that Qatar is willing to invest in quality medical products and that the Qatari government is also looking to strengthen bilateral relations with any forward looking country,” he noted while adding that he hoped Caspers-Merk would initiate projects with Sidra Medical on its planned state-of-the-art hospitals.
Lindenau said the agenda included an exchange of expertise between the two countries in terms of medical training courses and field experience.
Lindenau has met with senior officials at the Ministry of Health, Sidra Medical and HMC during his visit to Qatar.
Original Article from: Gulftimes
Qatar becoming popular place for events and meetings: survey
Qatar is becoming a popular destination for meetings organisers in the Middle East, says a Middle East Meetings Industry research report 2009.The report, presented at the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM), the largest meetings trade show in the Middle East concluding today in Abu Dhabi, states that Qatar is being recognised as an emerging quality destination for meetings and events, with a promising future, by peers, buyers and counterparts.
Twelve per cent of buyers questioned in the survey declared - having organised an event in Qatar in 2008, which ranks the country as the 7th favourite destination among the Arab states - that buyers will increase their use of Qatar as a meetings destination by 10.5 % in the next 12 months.
When coming to ratings of the experience at the destinations, Qatar moves to the 6th position, with more than 55% of buyers rating Qatar as a very good destination for services, quality and the range of cultural activities, according to the report.
Participating in the GIBTM was the Qatar Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, which received record numbers of event organisers and buyers visiting the stand to find out more about Qatar as a business and upscale leisure destination and investigate new commercial partnerships designed to bring more visitors to Qatar.
Among notable guests to the QTEA stand was the chairman of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and Tourism Development and Investment Company Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon al-Nahyan.
QTEA’s head of Promotion and Organising Exhibitions Abroad, Soha Moussa, said: “We are delighted of the success we met during the first two days of the exhibition. GIBTM is a show of quality, fitting perfectly our strategy of attracting meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions buyers. There’s an increasing positive echo about Qatar as a surging destination from the Middle East, as well as from Europe and from Asia.”
Staged annually in Abu Dhabi, GIBTM is a three-day business to business event presenting a diverse range of destinations, products and services from around 250 organisations from the region and around the world. The event brings together meetings and incentives professionals from the Gulf and Middle East region as well as from around the world.
QTEA will also participate in other international exhibitions, such as Arabian Travel Market in Dubai and IMEX, the worldwide exhibition for incentive travel meetings, to be held in Frankfurt.
Original Article from: Gulf Times
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Call for healing ‘Arab rifts’
Arab leaders opened their annual summit in Doha yesterday amid calls for healing inter-Arab rifts, rejecting the ICC arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, taking a joint stance on the Palestinian issue as well as an Arab action plan to deal with the global financial crisis.HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who presided over the meeting, called for setting up a “mechanism for managing differences among Arab states”.
“Our internal disputes urge us to reach at least a mechanism to manage our differences so that differences do not jeopardise closer relations,” the Emir said.
The Emir also welcomed the Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz who launched an initiative to bridge inter-Arab differences at the Arab economic summit held in Kuwait in January.
“We all have one goal which is the interest of our people and our nation and raising its status,” the Emir added.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who handed over the presidency of the Arab League to Qatar, opened the session with a speech calling for unity among Arab states.
He hit out at Israel, saying “there is no peace partner for Arabs in Israel”.
“Peace for the Israelis is only a tactical option which aims at covering their long-term goals based on not returning any of the rights they usurped from us,” he said.
The Syrian president lambasted the warrant issued against al-Bashir, as a “prelude to reintroducing colonialism in a more modernised form”.
Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa called for setting up a collective security system in the Middle East, which he said, should exclude Israel until it ratified the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and end the Arab Israeli conflict.
“About the Arab solidarity, he said Arab states should be able to manage their “differences” without allowing them to reach to the “clash and bickering stages”.
Bashir, who attended the summit defying the arrest warrant, defended his action and also urged support for the Palestinians as well as the reconciliation efforts in Somalia.
Al-Bashir also hit out at the UN Security Council, the body that mandated the ICC prosecutor to investigate the situation in Darfur.
Other Arab leaders also stressed the need for unity and closer relations among the Arab countries.
The meeting was attended also by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Jean Ping, chairperson of the commission of the African Union.
Original Article from: Gulf Times
Bashir blasts UN ‘double standards’
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir yesterday called for reforming the UN Security Council, describing it as an organisation that had a “selective undemocratic constitution”.Speaking to the Arab leaders at the Doha Summit, Bashir said that the Security Council did not know that the standards applied for the cause of justice should be the same, “but double standards have been applied and the criminals were pardoned”.
“The lack of justice creates grudge and feeds extremism,” he said.
Bashir accused Israel of training the “separatists of Darfur”, supporting them with weapons, hosting them in hotels and financing them. “Our Sudanese people know that and wash their hands off them,” he said.
Bashir, who is facing an ICC arrest warrant, said that some of the officials in Darfur were taken to the court and were executed in accordance with the law and fair trials. “That caused the wrath of the so-called human rights organisations.”
On his decision to suspend the activities of 13 international relief organisations out of a total 118, he said that they were costing the country 70% of its administrative spending but they were carrying out only 4.5% of the total humanitarian activities in Sudan.
The Sudanese president accused them of working beyond their mandates, and having secret agreements with the ICC and giving the International Criminal Court “false reports”.
Original Article from: Gulf Times
Emir warns of another Iraq if Sudan sinks into chaos
HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani has warned that if anything happened to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Sudan ended up in chaos, the whole of Africa would also sink into chaos and that Al Qaeda would be happy to see Sudan become like Iraq.In an interview with the German magazine Spiegel, the Emir noted that Qatar has been mediating in Sudan for a long time, particularly because the groups in Darfur do not want the Arab League to get involved.
The Emir stressed the need to give the parties time to let them voice their grievances, and finally discuss the future of their country.
Concerning the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s attendance to the Arab Summit, the Emir said: “I don’t think so this time, because some Arab countries do not want this. They are not realising that America is talking to Ahmadinejad. They took their action because America was against Iran. But they do not realise that a big change is happening in the US. It will take some time, but they will run to Tehran. I know this very well.”
To a question about the Arab and the Latin American summits, hosted by Doha, the Emir said: “We in the Middle East like to talk politics, we like to argue. Just look at the three prophets, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. They are all from this small region which creates problems all the time. So I think we will talk politics. But of course in the Arab countries this is leaders’ politics, since there are no elections that any leader will be tied to. Finding a link to Latin America will be an economic issue.”
Concerning the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s attendance, the Emir said: “Yes, my friend Hugo Chavez is coming.”
The Emir expressed the hope that the global economic crisis would end, saying: “When the Americans recover from their depression, the world will recover.”
He said the oil price should continue to stay in the $40 range for at least one or two more years, saying: “This way we can help the world out of this crisis. If the world economy recovers, it will be good for us, too. Automatically, the price of oil will go up again. I don’t see why Opec countries should continue to cut production just to keep the price of oil high. This will not affect the industrial countries alone; it will also hit poor countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Who will look after them?”
“This limits our ambitions. But I expected the price of oil to go down one day because we already suffered from this after 1973. When the oil price went up we became so rich. People bought a lot of things and they travelled every summer. Then the oil price went down and everything shrank. Since then, I have sought to avoid letting this happen again,” the Emir noted.
Answering a question about how the Gulf countries spent their wealth over the past years, the Emir said: “Up until now, we have spent most of this money domestically, on infrastructure, on factories, hospitals and universities. But two years ago we started to invest outside the country. With the current crisis, many countries prefer to keep their money instead of investing it abroad. For us, though, this is an opportunity that will not be repeated in the next 20 years. We have, for example, acquired 16% of shares in Barclays bank (in Britain) and 10% of Credit Suisse. We are going ahead.”
Concerning Qatar’s plans to invest in Germany, the Emir said: “Germany is a very important industrial country. We know that the Germans are hard workers; we know that they will fight for their economy. We also discussed Daimler. To invest in such companies is a first rate opportunity. Of course we are coming to invest in Germany. That is certain.”
The Emir noted German cars were used in most of the Gulf countries, saying: “German trucks are the most important in the world and they have been used heavily here in our region. For sure we will invest in the car manufacturers in Germany. But we will have to find the right time and the right price. We are also trying to bring high tech to our country, which we want to make a place of science and technology.”
“To invest in a carmaker is good because automobiles are not only sold in a small country, but rather all over the world. In fact, in the 1960s, our ruler Sheikh Ahmad was the first Gulf leader to visit Daimler. We were rich before oil because we exported pearls. Then the Japanese came with the artificial pearl and we became poor again. All things change, and this is often on my mind,” the Emir added.
About the interest in having German universities in the Education City, the Emir said: “They are welcome. But are they ready? The same question applies to the British: We have had relations with them for a long time, but they have only started to talk to us (about this issue) recently. I really don’t want you to think of Qatar as a hydrocarbon country alone. We know that hydrocarbons will come and go. But education will stay. It is the most important thing for us.”
Concerning his expectations on the global crisis, the Emir said: “China is coming, India is coming and Russia is on its way, too, although they are suffering because the price of oil has come down. China has almost 30mn jobless now. But I think they will recover. I don’t know if America and Europe will still be leading. The main thing now, though, is that they prevent the world economy from collapsing.”
About Qatar’s ability to supply Europe with gas if Russia fails to deliver, the Emir said: “We are selling gas to Italy, Spain, Belgium and, starting within the next few weeks, to Britain. I know that the Germans prefer to have their own gas supply, but I think our gas could come to Germany through another European country. However, this depends on the quantities we have on hand and the price.”
“With Opec they have a cartel. Why don’t we have this gas cartel as well? And why don’t we make a sort of agreement between consumers and producers? I wouldn’t mind such a gas cartel, but it will take time because some countries today sell for high prices and others sell for low prices. It will be hard for those selling high to bring their prices down. So we will need time.”
Original Article from: Gulf Times
Please Don't
Don't
Look or stare at people closely no matter how fascinating their dress. This general courtesy is particularly important in a society where modesty of dress and behavior is mandatory.
Ask an Arabic lady for information or direction in a public place if you are a man. Arabic ladies will be more willing to help other females and if you are a family let your wife do the talking.
Be offended if your hand shake is refused by a Muslim. Hand shake are most often refused to member of the opposite sex. It is not meant personally, but simply a religious prohibition applicable to other Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Take a photograph without permission of either people (including the police or armed forces) or sensitive sites. Arabic women and many older people strongly object to being photographed.
Be annoyed if your guest /contact is late. Just remember, time is more elastic in Qatar.
Use your left hand for contact with other people or eating. Following Muslim conventions the right hand is considered more propitious and the left hand reserved for bodily functions.
Sit with the soles of your shoes or feet pointing to your Qatari hosts; it is considered insulting. Equally, don't sit with your back to the other guest.
Drink to much that your behavior is affected in public. Alcohol in Qatar is strictly regulated concession and there is zero tolerance for drink-driving and rowdy behavior.
Go barefoot in the sea, where stone fish (who look alike stone) lie along the shoreline. Although rare, their poisonous defense mechanism causes excruciating pain and needs a hospital visit.
Look or stare at people closely no matter how fascinating their dress. This general courtesy is particularly important in a society where modesty of dress and behavior is mandatory.
Ask an Arabic lady for information or direction in a public place if you are a man. Arabic ladies will be more willing to help other females and if you are a family let your wife do the talking.
Be offended if your hand shake is refused by a Muslim. Hand shake are most often refused to member of the opposite sex. It is not meant personally, but simply a religious prohibition applicable to other Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Take a photograph without permission of either people (including the police or armed forces) or sensitive sites. Arabic women and many older people strongly object to being photographed.
Be annoyed if your guest /contact is late. Just remember, time is more elastic in Qatar.
Use your left hand for contact with other people or eating. Following Muslim conventions the right hand is considered more propitious and the left hand reserved for bodily functions.
Sit with the soles of your shoes or feet pointing to your Qatari hosts; it is considered insulting. Equally, don't sit with your back to the other guest.
Drink to much that your behavior is affected in public. Alcohol in Qatar is strictly regulated concession and there is zero tolerance for drink-driving and rowdy behavior.
Go barefoot in the sea, where stone fish (who look alike stone) lie along the shoreline. Although rare, their poisonous defense mechanism causes excruciating pain and needs a hospital visit.
Please Do
Do's
Use greeting and formalities as they are particularly important when dealing with Arabs. It is considered impolite to start any conversation or request without at least saying "Good Morning" or "Good Afternoon".
Dress modesty in Qatar, which is a Muslim country with conservative dress codes. Trousers are acceptable for women, but avoid shorts, strappy low-cut tops, see through and transparent clothes.
Hail Mowasalat turquoise taxis, which are safe, clean and metered. The majority of the driver speaks English.
Bargain with shopkeepers which is the norm here in the souqs, so let go of your inhibitions and allow yourself some extra time for a good barter. Always counter the original offer with a lower price than you expect to pay and work slowly upwards to what you wish to spend.
Watch out for separate counters and sections for women in banks and utilities.
Enjoy Qatar at night as it is one of the safest places in the world during the hot summer and during Ramadan you will see people around town well into the early morning.
Drink plenty of water in addition to other beverages. At a temperature of 2°C you need at least two liters a day. Deep yellow urine is a sign of dehydration.
Use high factor sunblock on all exposed skin (even in the winter sun), including the tops of your feet if wearing sandals. Children and fair skinned people also need a hat or a cap.
Remember the air-conditioning, which can chill you to the bone at restaurants, cinemas and malls. Take along a light jacket or a sweater as a precaution.
Use greeting and formalities as they are particularly important when dealing with Arabs. It is considered impolite to start any conversation or request without at least saying "Good Morning" or "Good Afternoon".
Dress modesty in Qatar, which is a Muslim country with conservative dress codes. Trousers are acceptable for women, but avoid shorts, strappy low-cut tops, see through and transparent clothes.
Hail Mowasalat turquoise taxis, which are safe, clean and metered. The majority of the driver speaks English.
Bargain with shopkeepers which is the norm here in the souqs, so let go of your inhibitions and allow yourself some extra time for a good barter. Always counter the original offer with a lower price than you expect to pay and work slowly upwards to what you wish to spend.
Watch out for separate counters and sections for women in banks and utilities.
Enjoy Qatar at night as it is one of the safest places in the world during the hot summer and during Ramadan you will see people around town well into the early morning.
Drink plenty of water in addition to other beverages. At a temperature of 2°C you need at least two liters a day. Deep yellow urine is a sign of dehydration.
Use high factor sunblock on all exposed skin (even in the winter sun), including the tops of your feet if wearing sandals. Children and fair skinned people also need a hat or a cap.
Remember the air-conditioning, which can chill you to the bone at restaurants, cinemas and malls. Take along a light jacket or a sweater as a precaution.
Internet
Internet Connections
Mos hotels offers internet connections, there is a numbers of internet cafe's in Doha.
Hotspots
Qtel hotspots - broadband wireless internet service offers internet access at 10 times the speed of dial-up services at selected location through prepaid Hotspsots cards. Locations include the InterContinental and Merweb Hotels, various cafe's and the Diplomatic Club. Access cards valid for one year can be purchased at H otspots locations and cost from QR 30, QR 50 or QR 70.
iParks
Free wireless internet access is offered at public parks and at present include Doha's Sheraton Park, Al Rmailah PArk and Dahl Al Hamam Park.
Mos hotels offers internet connections, there is a numbers of internet cafe's in Doha.
Hotspots
Qtel hotspots - broadband wireless internet service offers internet access at 10 times the speed of dial-up services at selected location through prepaid Hotspsots cards. Locations include the InterContinental and Merweb Hotels, various cafe's and the Diplomatic Club. Access cards valid for one year can be purchased at H otspots locations and cost from QR 30, QR 50 or QR 70.
iParks
Free wireless internet access is offered at public parks and at present include Doha's Sheraton Park, Al Rmailah PArk and Dahl Al Hamam Park.
Monday, 30 March 2009
Telephone
International and Local Calls
Qatar Telecom (Qtel) provides international Direct Dialing (IDD) to most countries; you can dial +1 or 00 to call out. the international Dialing Code for Qatar is +974. Where there is not available, you can book a call through directory inquiries.
Local calls from private houses and businesses are free, but hotel charge a nominal fee for local calls made from the room. Local and international calls made from blue and white Qtel telephone booth are chargeable.
Hala Plus- Hala Pre-paid Phone Cards
In addition to its regular post-paid Qatarnet GSM service, Qtel also offers Hala Plus, a pre-paid GSM service. Prepaid telephone cards can be baught from Qtel, bookstores and most supermarkets. Qtel now offers and all-day customer service at its City Center-Doha Mall and Landmark Mall offices, open 10:00 am to 10:00 Pm daily and 4:00 PM tp 10:00 PM on Fridays.
Telephone Information Services
Main Qtel Office
->440-0400
Telephone Directory Inquiries within Qatar
->180
From Overseas
-> +9744380000
Telephpone Assistant (local)
-> 111
International Call (inquiries)
-> 150
Sepaking Clock Arabic
-> 141
Speaking Clock English
->140
Weather Forecast (arabic/english)
-> 4553612
Wake up calls can be placed from private direct telephone line by keying in *13, followed by the time the call is required according to 24 hour clock.
Qatar Telecom (Qtel) provides international Direct Dialing (IDD) to most countries; you can dial +1 or 00 to call out. the international Dialing Code for Qatar is +974. Where there is not available, you can book a call through directory inquiries.
Local calls from private houses and businesses are free, but hotel charge a nominal fee for local calls made from the room. Local and international calls made from blue and white Qtel telephone booth are chargeable.
Hala Plus- Hala Pre-paid Phone Cards
In addition to its regular post-paid Qatarnet GSM service, Qtel also offers Hala Plus, a pre-paid GSM service. Prepaid telephone cards can be baught from Qtel, bookstores and most supermarkets. Qtel now offers and all-day customer service at its City Center-Doha Mall and Landmark Mall offices, open 10:00 am to 10:00 Pm daily and 4:00 PM tp 10:00 PM on Fridays.
Telephone Information Services
Main Qtel Office
->440-0400
Telephone Directory Inquiries within Qatar
->180
From Overseas
-> +9744380000
Telephpone Assistant (local)
-> 111
International Call (inquiries)
-> 150
Sepaking Clock Arabic
-> 141
Speaking Clock English
->140
Weather Forecast (arabic/english)
-> 4553612
Wake up calls can be placed from private direct telephone line by keying in *13, followed by the time the call is required according to 24 hour clock.
Places of Worship
Islam is the official religion of Qatar, but in line with the government policy of religious tolerance, many expatriate communities hold church services that cover a variety of denominations.
Fanar Bulding (Doha Corniche)
Al Juma'a Khutba and prayer in English for English speaking Muslims of both sexes on Friday at 11:30 am. Call 444-7444/425-0250
Al Shamal
Non Denominational
Solid Rock Youth Group - Age: 14-19
Tel: 584-8731
Catholic Church of our Lady of Rosary
Under the Vatican Jurisdiction
P.O Box 12230
Tel: 490-1907 Fax: 490-1908
Web: www.rosaryqatar.net
Church of the Epiphany
Anglican / Episcopal
Child and teen program for 2-7 years old
Tel: 442-6831
Doha Fellowship
Non-denominational / Evangelical
Tel: 436-1283
E-mail: dohafellowship@hotmail.com
Grace Fellowship
Non-denominational / Evangelical
Tel: 450-7167
Kirche Am Golf
German Protestant Church
Tel: 584-5105, 487-8074
E-mail: qatar@kirche-golf.de
Qatar International Christian Ministry
Non-denominational
Sunshine Club for 4-13 years old
Tel: 553-4685
Web: www.erejoice.org
Fanar Bulding (Doha Corniche)
Al Juma'a Khutba and prayer in English for English speaking Muslims of both sexes on Friday at 11:30 am. Call 444-7444/425-0250
Al Shamal
Non Denominational
Solid Rock Youth Group - Age: 14-19
Tel: 584-8731
Catholic Church of our Lady of Rosary
Under the Vatican Jurisdiction
P.O Box 12230
Tel: 490-1907 Fax: 490-1908
Web: www.rosaryqatar.net
Church of the Epiphany
Anglican / Episcopal
Child and teen program for 2-7 years old
Tel: 442-6831
Doha Fellowship
Non-denominational / Evangelical
Tel: 436-1283
E-mail: dohafellowship@hotmail.com
Grace Fellowship
Non-denominational / Evangelical
Tel: 450-7167
Kirche Am Golf
German Protestant Church
Tel: 584-5105, 487-8074
E-mail: qatar@kirche-golf.de
Qatar International Christian Ministry
Non-denominational
Sunshine Club for 4-13 years old
Tel: 553-4685
Web: www.erejoice.org
Service Apartments
AHB-Bilal Suites
Tel: 442-7788 Fax: 441-9002
Al Emadi Enterprises
Tel: 466-6625 Fax: 466-4166
Web: www.alemadi.com.qa
E-mail: alemadi@alemadi.com.qa / info@alemadi.com.qa
Al Jawhara Service Apartments
Tel: 435-8249 Fax: 435-7658
AL Jazeera Service Apartments
Tel: 431-7986 Fax: 431-3901
Al Sadd Suites
Tel: 444-4199 Fax: 442-2700
AL Riraaj Furnished Suites
Tel: 458-2809
Web: www.alsiraag.net
Bavaria City Suites
Tel: 554-8678
Web: www.bgihotels.com
Homes 2 Rent
Tel: 413-4817 Fax: 413-4846
Le Mirage Executive Residencee
Tel: 444-0111 Fax: 442-3104
Le Mirage Suites
Tel: 444-7111 Fax: 436-7195
Retaj Executive Suites
Tel: 455-333 Fax: 455-3553
RE/MAX
Tel: 458-3712
Retaj Residence
Tel: 489-5555 Fax: 489-5500
Royal Wings Apartment Hotel
Tel: 421-1333 Fax: 421-1999
Tel: 442-7788 Fax: 441-9002
Al Emadi Enterprises
Tel: 466-6625 Fax: 466-4166
Web: www.alemadi.com.qa
E-mail: alemadi@alemadi.com.qa / info@alemadi.com.qa
Al Jawhara Service Apartments
Tel: 435-8249 Fax: 435-7658
AL Jazeera Service Apartments
Tel: 431-7986 Fax: 431-3901
Al Sadd Suites
Tel: 444-4199 Fax: 442-2700
AL Riraaj Furnished Suites
Tel: 458-2809
Web: www.alsiraag.net
Bavaria City Suites
Tel: 554-8678
Web: www.bgihotels.com
Homes 2 Rent
Tel: 413-4817 Fax: 413-4846
Le Mirage Executive Residencee
Tel: 444-0111 Fax: 442-3104
Le Mirage Suites
Tel: 444-7111 Fax: 436-7195
Retaj Executive Suites
Tel: 455-333 Fax: 455-3553
RE/MAX
Tel: 458-3712
Retaj Residence
Tel: 489-5555 Fax: 489-5500
Royal Wings Apartment Hotel
Tel: 421-1333 Fax: 421-1999
Estate Agents
Al Emadi Enterprises
Tel: 436-6664
DTZ Qatar
Tel: 443-7596
Ireland Real Estate
Tel: 450-5176
Mirage International Properties
Tel: 444-4431
Re/Max Properties Qatar
Tel: 458-3712
Retaj Properties
Tel: 489-5555
The Wall Real Estate
Tel: 455-3241
Tel: 436-6664
DTZ Qatar
Tel: 443-7596
Ireland Real Estate
Tel: 450-5176
Mirage International Properties
Tel: 444-4431
Re/Max Properties Qatar
Tel: 458-3712
Retaj Properties
Tel: 489-5555
The Wall Real Estate
Tel: 455-3241
Bill Gates to be keynote speaker at IT conference
Microsoft founder Bill Gates will be the keynote speaker during the global conference on Information and Communication Technologies Development (ICTD) to held at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar from April 17 to 19.
Gates, who is also co-chairman of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will be addressing some 300 expected participants at the three-day conference. The other important speaker will be Carlos A Primo Braga, Director of Economic Policy and Debt at the World Bank. Experts who will give presentations at the conference come from different sectors, including governments, academia, start-ups, large corporations, inter-government organisations, and non-governmental bodies.
The Supreme Council of Information, Communications and Technology (ictQATAR) is participating as organising sponsor and ictQATAR Secretary General Dr Hessa Al Jaber is serving as honorary chair for the conference.
“We are seeing the tremendous societal and economic impact ICT can have right here in Qatar. I am excited to welcome the leading scholars in the field of ICT and development to Doha and eager to participate in meaningful discussions on these important issues,” said Dr Hessa.
Academics and scholarly practitioners from around the world will be coming to discuss the latest research and thinking on the role and impact of ICT in international development.
The conference will have numerous presentations of research and papers, along with engaging workshops and panel discussions. Topics covered range from digital literacy for low income workers to ICT in higher education, educational games to e-government projects. Numerous best practice case studies will be also presented. ictQATAR will be leading a panel discussion on assistive technologies in developing countries. “Assistive technologies have enjoyed a sustained evolution in developed countries, leading to enhanced accessibility and availability of such technologies benefiting those with disabilities,” said Dr Yasir Khan, Clinical Adviser to the e-health program at ictQATAR.
ictQATAR has made assistive technologies a priority for 2009. In December 2008, ictQATAR hosted a forum on assistive technologies to mark the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” and also upgraded its website to meet international accessibility standards.Original article from: The Peninsula
Sunday, 29 March 2009
New study to look into root cause of TB in Qatar
A study which will look into the root cause of tuberculosis among Qataris and long-time residents will soon commence in Qatar, Gulf Times has learnt.Speaking in an exclusive interview on the level of TB infections in Qatar and the means of curtailing the disease, the co-ordinator of the national TB programme, Dr Abdullatif al-Khal said the study would hopefully trace the epidemiology of TB among Qataris and residents, how it is being transmitted and ways of uprooting the cause.
“We are at the planning stage of the research and no further information is available yet, but we hope to use the study to get to the root cause of TB infections in the country, especially among labourers and housemaids,” he said.
However, the doctor noted that even though tuberculosis is highly controllable and costs less to treat, the disease is still spreading fast and wide with around 100,000 deaths per year worldwide.
“The spread of TB hinges on many reasons such as poverty, poor hygiene, over-crowding, lack of political and public interest, lack of commitment and poor nutrition, especially among the poor, as well as lack of information as high risk group, who should benefit from TB control messages, are either difficult to reach or there is language barrier,” observed the doctor.
Dr Al-Khal, who is also the head of the TB Unit at Rumailah Hospital, stressed that TB is a highly communicable disease because it is air-borne. It can spread through persistence coughs for weeks and even months and could be transmitted to others before diagnosis.
“Last year, we screened about 1,853 people we believed had come in contact with TB patients before diagnosis and of this number, 400 were found with the bacteria and preventive treatment was quickly administered to them,” he disclosed.
He lamented that the worst part was the increase in cases of multiple drug resistance TB bacteria accounting for 5% of the total burden on healthcare budget, while noting that the overall incidence of TB in Qatar’s population is 35 per 100,000.
“Our intention is to bring the incidence to the lowest level and we have recorded success among Qataris and stable residents, while the most challenging part still remains with the labourers coming into the country in droves,” he said.
“The multiple drug resistant TB is very expensive and difficult to treat and the death rate is higher than in normal active TB. Also another fraction of this particular type of TB called extensively or extremely multi-drug resistance TB was found among labourers for the first time in Qatar last year,” he said.
The doctor said that in 2008, out of a total 567 cases of active TB including five multi drug resistance, three labourers found with extensively multi drug resistance had since being repatriated to avoid spreading the bacteria to others, because it has ‘no cure’ at present.
He said that of the total number of cases recorded last year only 4% or 24 cases were Qataris, while in 2007, out of 399 TB cases, 17 were Qataris, multi-drug resistance only six cases while majority of cases were found among Southeast Asian population.
However, the official maintained that the policy of the health ministry to deport newcomers found with TB does not affect residents diagnosed with the disease.
“People contract both fractions of TB if they do not cure themselves totally of the disease at first contact,” he said.
Original Article from: Gulf Times
Arab-S American meet to tackle financial crisis
The second Arab-South American countries summit, which is to be held in Doha tomorrow, is expected to seek a joint mechanism to deal with the global financial crisis as well as enhance joint investment and co-operation between the two blocs.
HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani will address the opening session of the summit along with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who is also the head of the Union of South American nations, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva.
Among the other South American leaders who will be attending the meeting is Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez and the President of Argentina Cristina Elisabet Fern?ndez de Kirchner.
The Arab-South American meeting is due to start immediately after the closing session of the Arab Summit Meeting starting today.
Earlier this month, HE Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs chaired a joint meeting between Arab foreign ministers and their counterparts from 12 South American nations at the Arab League in Cairo where they discussed the Doha draft declaration, which is expected to be approved by the leaders of the participating nations.
The Doha declaration will focus on promoting trade ties between the two groups and looking into ways to deal with the financial crisis.
Nabil bin Ali, an analyst at the Algeria Radio, said that the two regions, which are separated geographically, are looking for ways to find new markets and go beyond their traditional partners.
“Although the volume of trade between the two groups is relatively low, they hope they can open untraditional markets and focus on economic issues. It is important for South American nations, who are generally adopting anti-American stances to find partners in the Middle East countries,” he told Gulf Times.
However, Bin Ali saw the recent meeting between US President Barack Obama and the Brazilian president, whose country has aspirations for playing a leading regional role on the international stage and securing a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, as dimming the hopes for the meeting.
“Brazil is a giant player among the group, and in case it lowers its support for promoting the ties between the two regions, the group may lose much of its lustre,” he added.
About the political aspect of the Doha draft declaration, Bin Ali said that President Chavez of Venezuela might get a hero’s reception in the Middle East thanks to his recent stance on the 22-day Israeli war on Gaza Strip when Venezuela dismissed the Israeli ambassador in support of Gaza.
The first meeting that brought the leaders of the two regions together was held in Brazil in 2005.
Original article from: Gulf Times
HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani will address the opening session of the summit along with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who is also the head of the Union of South American nations, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva.
Among the other South American leaders who will be attending the meeting is Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez and the President of Argentina Cristina Elisabet Fern?ndez de Kirchner.
The Arab-South American meeting is due to start immediately after the closing session of the Arab Summit Meeting starting today.
Earlier this month, HE Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs chaired a joint meeting between Arab foreign ministers and their counterparts from 12 South American nations at the Arab League in Cairo where they discussed the Doha draft declaration, which is expected to be approved by the leaders of the participating nations.
The Doha declaration will focus on promoting trade ties between the two groups and looking into ways to deal with the financial crisis.
Nabil bin Ali, an analyst at the Algeria Radio, said that the two regions, which are separated geographically, are looking for ways to find new markets and go beyond their traditional partners.
“Although the volume of trade between the two groups is relatively low, they hope they can open untraditional markets and focus on economic issues. It is important for South American nations, who are generally adopting anti-American stances to find partners in the Middle East countries,” he told Gulf Times.
However, Bin Ali saw the recent meeting between US President Barack Obama and the Brazilian president, whose country has aspirations for playing a leading regional role on the international stage and securing a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, as dimming the hopes for the meeting.
“Brazil is a giant player among the group, and in case it lowers its support for promoting the ties between the two regions, the group may lose much of its lustre,” he added.
About the political aspect of the Doha draft declaration, Bin Ali said that President Chavez of Venezuela might get a hero’s reception in the Middle East thanks to his recent stance on the 22-day Israeli war on Gaza Strip when Venezuela dismissed the Israeli ambassador in support of Gaza.
The first meeting that brought the leaders of the two regions together was held in Brazil in 2005.
Original article from: Gulf Times
Qatar boosts ICT standing
Proof of the country’s efforts to embrace information and communication technology (ICT)bearing fruit can be found in the *Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009: Qatar has moved three places up, securing 29th position.
The annual report, released by the World Economic Forum and INSEAD, is the world’s most comprehensive international assessment of the impact of ICT on nations’ development and international competitiveness.
This year the report has surveyed 134 developed and developing economies, which account for more than 98% of world GDP (gross domestic product).
Last year’s report surveyed 127 countries. The cornerstone of the report is the Networked Readiness Index. In the 2008-2009 Index, Qatar rose to the 29th place from the 32nd position among 127 surveyed nations in 2007-2008. The preceding period, 2006-2007, Qatar was ranked 36th. In 2005-2006, when Qatar was included in the global assessment for the first time, the country was ranked 39th.
The Networked Readiness Index examines how prepared countries are in the use of ICT in three areas:- n General business, regulatory and infrastructure environment for ICT
n Readiness of government, individuals, and businesses to use and benefit from ICT
n The actual usage of available ICT by these stakeholder groups. The report underscores that good education fundamentals, innovation, and wide ICT access are key to nations’ social growth and economic competitiveness. “Since 2006, Qatar has improved its standing in the index because both the public and private sectors are dedicated to leveraging ICT to help Qatar achieve its leadership role in the global economy - even as more competitor countries have been added to the survey,” said ictQATAR secretary-general Dr Hessa al-Jaber.
“But most importantly, our efforts are benefiting people of all ages and income levels, throughout the country,” she added.
The only other country from the Arab region in the top 30 economies is the United Arab Emirates, ranking two places ahead of Qatar, at 27. Denmark ranks first in the world, as it did last year. Portugal follows Qatar on the list, at 30th place. Qatar’s government readiness and usage of ICT has witnessed a leap this year. The report indicated that Qatar is ranked 22nd in government readiness. “Government readiness” covers areas like government prioritisation of ICT, government procurement of advanced technology products, and importance of ICT to government vision of the future. In government usage, Qatar is ranked 25th. “Government usage” covers areas like government success in ICT promotion, availability of government online services, ICT use and government efficiency and presence of ICT in government offices.
The ictQATAR’s accomplishments since its establishment in 2005 include opening the country’s mobile and fixed line telecoms sectors to competition, launching Hukoomi, the easy-to-use online gateway to government information and services, and implementing programmes to help students of all ages learn.
“With the exciting programmes we have underway in ICT sector development, government, literacy, and telecommunications liberalisation, we are confident ICT will continue to benefit all those who live and work here,” Dr al-Jaber said. In May, ictQATAR will release a comprehensive landscape assessment that details ICT adoption sector by sector and examines its impact.
Original article from : Gulf Times
The annual report, released by the World Economic Forum and INSEAD, is the world’s most comprehensive international assessment of the impact of ICT on nations’ development and international competitiveness.
This year the report has surveyed 134 developed and developing economies, which account for more than 98% of world GDP (gross domestic product).
Last year’s report surveyed 127 countries. The cornerstone of the report is the Networked Readiness Index. In the 2008-2009 Index, Qatar rose to the 29th place from the 32nd position among 127 surveyed nations in 2007-2008. The preceding period, 2006-2007, Qatar was ranked 36th. In 2005-2006, when Qatar was included in the global assessment for the first time, the country was ranked 39th.
The Networked Readiness Index examines how prepared countries are in the use of ICT in three areas:- n General business, regulatory and infrastructure environment for ICT
n Readiness of government, individuals, and businesses to use and benefit from ICT
n The actual usage of available ICT by these stakeholder groups. The report underscores that good education fundamentals, innovation, and wide ICT access are key to nations’ social growth and economic competitiveness. “Since 2006, Qatar has improved its standing in the index because both the public and private sectors are dedicated to leveraging ICT to help Qatar achieve its leadership role in the global economy - even as more competitor countries have been added to the survey,” said ictQATAR secretary-general Dr Hessa al-Jaber.
“But most importantly, our efforts are benefiting people of all ages and income levels, throughout the country,” she added.
The only other country from the Arab region in the top 30 economies is the United Arab Emirates, ranking two places ahead of Qatar, at 27. Denmark ranks first in the world, as it did last year. Portugal follows Qatar on the list, at 30th place. Qatar’s government readiness and usage of ICT has witnessed a leap this year. The report indicated that Qatar is ranked 22nd in government readiness. “Government readiness” covers areas like government prioritisation of ICT, government procurement of advanced technology products, and importance of ICT to government vision of the future. In government usage, Qatar is ranked 25th. “Government usage” covers areas like government success in ICT promotion, availability of government online services, ICT use and government efficiency and presence of ICT in government offices.
The ictQATAR’s accomplishments since its establishment in 2005 include opening the country’s mobile and fixed line telecoms sectors to competition, launching Hukoomi, the easy-to-use online gateway to government information and services, and implementing programmes to help students of all ages learn.
“With the exciting programmes we have underway in ICT sector development, government, literacy, and telecommunications liberalisation, we are confident ICT will continue to benefit all those who live and work here,” Dr al-Jaber said. In May, ictQATAR will release a comprehensive landscape assessment that details ICT adoption sector by sector and examines its impact.
Original article from : Gulf Times
Emir: Qatar keen to invest in German auto industry
BERLIN: Qatar has plans to invest in Germany, and has not ruled out a possible stake in ailing carmaker Opel, the Emir HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said yesterday. “We will definitely invest in Germany,” the Emir told weekly Spiegel news magazine.
The Emir said the global economic crisis was a good opportunity to invest in Europe’s largest economy. “The Germans count as the most industrious workers of the world, they will fight for their economy,” the Emir said.
Sheikh Hamad said Qatar had an eye on Germany’s car sector. “It is certain that we will invest in the German car industry, but we need to find the right time and the right price to do so. It makes sense to become involved in a car manufacturer such as Opel or Daimler, since cars are sold worldwide,” the Emir added.
Sheikh Hamad said he wanted to ensure that the state’s wealth outlived its oil resources. “Long-term, I see Qatar as more of an education centre than energy supplier.” Qatar, the Emir said, was just entering into discussions with British universities, but he said “Germany could approach us in a more engaged manner”.
On Qatar’s relations with its Middle East neighbours, the Emir made it clear they had no enemies. “We would never side with America against Iran, for example,” the Emir said adding, “Iran has never caused us problems.”
The Emir also explained why his country opposed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir. “If something happens to Al Bashir and chaos erupted in Sudan, all of Africa will descend into chaos,” he said, adding that the only people to benefit would be Al Qaeda. He said Qatar continued to believe in a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, and would continue to allow high ranking Israelis to visit the state. “We have no dark intentions, we are just giving our opinions. And we want peace,” the Emir said.Original Article from: THE PENINSULA
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