Doha
10 Apr 2017
(GOIC)

Third 'COVERTECH 2017' Exhibition will be held between the 10th and the 12th of October 2017 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).

It was announced today at a press conference held at GOIC’s headquarters in Doha. Present on the occasion were Abdulaziz Bin Hamad Al-Ageel, Secretary General of GOIC, Dr. Moyasser Saddiq, CEO of Ibhar Group and representatives of the exhibition’s sponsors.

Abdulaziz Bin Hamad Al-Ageel, Secretary General of GOIC in his speech said that GOIC is sponsoring this exhibition for the third consecutive year reflects its keenness to support specialised activities, events and exhibitions aiming at stimulating GCC economies. He said 'GOIC encourages GCC private sector’s events aiming at promoting the Gulf industrial sector and increasing industrial cooperation and coordination between GCC states.'

Secretary General of GOIC said 'For four decades now, GOIC has contributed to supporting the GCC industrial sector and deployed relentless efforts to achieve public and private sector socio-economic integration in the region. To accomplish this objective, GOIC has always encouraged the private sector to play an active role in the economies of GCC countries. In fact, GOIC, the internationally-renowned, competitive and outstanding expertise-hub in the area of industrial consulting services, has left a unique and remarkable fingerprint in the field of industrial development in the Gulf.”

Al-Ageel hoped the exhibition in its third version would achieve its objectives. 'We wish to see the 3rd COVERTECH achieving its goals in supplying a critical industrial sector – the building materials sector – with its needs, particularly at this stage during which many mega-projects relating to the 2022 FIFA World Cup like big malls, hotels and stadiums are being launched., he stated.

' This exhibition will be the ideal platform for companies and stakeholders, particularly Qatari and Gulf corporations, to meet representatives of global companies. This is very promising, as we are expecting major deals to be concluded, more fruitful business relations and expertise exchange. We also hope that COVERTECH 2017 will form an opportunity to strengthen industrial development and commercial cooperation between GCC countries in the best interest of our beloved Gulf countries, Al-Ageel said'.

Dr. Moyasser Al-Saddiq, CEO of Ibhar Group said 'COVERTECH is the only exhibition for wall and floor covering technologies and lighting in the GCC. He told that this year’s participants have doubled in numbers. Among participating countries include Qatar, Turkey, Brazil, China, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Tunisia, Ukraine, Italy, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, in addition to a number of chambers of commerce and industry from Arab and European countries.

Dr. Al-Saddiq commended GOIC led by Secretary General Abdulaziz Bin Hamad Al-Ageel on its active role in this area.

He praised the sponsors on their key role, such as the international union of economists and managers in the European union countries (international sponsor) and sponsors of last year’s COVERTECH to include Qatar Green Building Council and Qatar Development Bank (QDB). He also applauded Qatar Tourism Authority for supporting international specialised exhibitions promoting tourism and commercial exchange in Qatar and relevant countries.

Jamal Al Hariri the Managing Partner of Fantasia Design & Decoration, and Dr. Elisabeth Marascalchi, CEO of Riva Constructions, also spoke at the press conference.

COVERTECH 2017 is a platform to exhibit the latest building materials like hardwood flooring, marble, ceramics, paints, doors, windows, carpets, curtains and roof insulation products.

Doha
10 Apr 2017

On side line of 'Smart Parking Conference' took off today at the Hotel Intercontinental City Doha, Jason Cho said 'DY' Hanwha Corporation, South Korea along with Qatar based IETG hope to win two private contracts constructing first smart parking areas in Qatar.

He said smart parking not only saves almost 50 % of construction cost but it saves also a major part of the land which has much higher value in countries like State of Qatar. Cho told that his company has already completed over 130 construction sites in this regard.

He mentioned that among other additional features include long construction life since its a steel structure and easy to move to any other place.

During the presentations on the first day of the conference, Brig. Mohamed Al Malki, General Secretary, National Traffic Safety Committee, Ministry of Interior, Qatar was also present along with Qatari authorities and participating experts.

Prof. Dr. Kim Jraiw Maliki, Manager Office of National Traffic Safety, Public Works Department Qatar gave a brief about targets fixed by Qatar's National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC) to achieve achieve over 70 percent bringing down road accident deaths to 130 per year by 2022.

He said presently through effective implementation of road safety measures such as better road design, traffic awareness among road users and efficient rescue operation have led to a drop in the fatality rate to impressive 7.5 per 100,000 population as per 2016 statistics figures. He told that by 2022, he believes that Qatar will achieve it's target of minimizing road accidents from 227 in 2015 to 130 by 2022, i.e. six per 100,000 population rate. Dr. Kim told that in 2016, Qatar achieved a reduction of 49 fatalities from 227 (2015) to 178 which is impressive achievement.

On road safety progress in Qatar, 2015 has been identified as the base year for the 2016-2022 action plan. Qatar is also signatory to UN resolution of 2015 on Road Safety in order to promote road safety.

In his presentation, Dr. Kim told to participants that Qatar National Traffic safety Committee was established in 2013 and since then it has brought down the number of road accidents per 100,000 people from 14 in 2013 to 7.5 in 2016 inspite of increase in number of vehicles on the road year by year.

He said major road projects will be completed within 2-3 years, then a smooth flow of traffic will certainly contribute to reducing accidents significantly.

18,146 new driving licenses were issued during last two months in Qatar and 13,438 new vehicles are registered in same period.

According to a presentation, Qatar population reach to 2,673,022, among them 2,311,671 are over 15 years old. Around 579,000 visitors came to Qatar during almost 1st quarter of 2017.

Doha
09 April 2017
(QNA)

The total value of Qatar's non-oil exports in February reached QR 1.71 billion compared to QR 1.4 billion in January 2017, recording an increase of 22.1%, the monthly report of Qatar Chamber on the foreign trade of the private sector published on Sunday shows.

The report, which was prepared based on certificates of origin issued by Qatar Chamber last February, indicates that the increase reached 31.5% compared to the same month last year, which amounted to QR 1.3 billion. It pointed out that about 60.1% of these exports were received by the GCC countries at a value of about QR 1 billion, which indicates the strength of intra-GCC trade, while the rest of them were distributed to about 45 countries in the world.

The report shows that Qatar Chamber issued 4658 certificates of origin last February for many destinations in 51 international markets at least, which reflects the great mobility of the business activity of local companies and their strong growth. The Qatari exports went to a total of 51 countries in February, including 17 Arab countries, 11 European countries, 7 Asian countries, African countries and 4 countries of North and South Americas, the report said, adding that this indicates the widespread of export destinations for Qatari non-oil exports.

The UAE topped the list of countries which received Qatari non-oil exports in February 2017 with total exports amounting to QR 772.6 million, or 45.4% of Qatar's total non-oil exports for February, followed by the Arab Republic of Egypt with total exports amounted to QR 289.6 million or 17.1%. Oman came in third place with total exports amounted to QR 169.9 million or 9.9% of Qatar's total exports. Turkey ranked fourth with exports worth QR 72.8 million or 4.3%, followed by Saudi Arabia, which received QR 50.1 million exports or 2.9% of the Qatar's total exports during February.

In second place after the GCC comes other Arab countries. Exports to that group was QR362.9 million, which represents 21.2 percent of the total non-oil Qatari exports made during the same month. In third place was Asian countries which received Qatar exports of 191.3 million, which represents 11.2 percent of the total. European markets including Turkey received 5.7 percent of Qatari exports, or QR 97.7. African countries, North America, and South America represented 0.9 percent, 0.6 percent, 0.3 percent respectively of the total exports.
Arab countries including GCC took in 81.3 percent of the total Qatari exports, something that reflects the strong trade ties between Qatar and its Arab neighbors. The same statistic shows that the Qatari needs to work harder on expanding the international market for non-oil Qatari products. Aluminum bullions and alloys to the non-oil Qatari exports. They were followed by other products such as industrial gases, fertilizer, polyethylene, plastic bags, and flour.

Chairman of Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani said today that the increase in non-oil exports was a result of the wise policies of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and commitment to the private sector. The chairman of Qatar Chamber also praised local companies for their involvement in the country's foreign trade activities, and for the high growth in their exports to different country's around the world.

Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Director General of Qatar Chamber praised the increase in Qatari non-oil exports and said that the chamber was keen on working with state institutions to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030. He also expressed his delight that the majority of exports were from the industrial sector, saying that this was a clear indication that the economic diversification efforts were on the right track.

Doha, Qatar
09 Apr 2017
(HIA)

Hamad International Airport (HIA) is hosting the Airport Council International (ACI) Developing Nations Assistance (DNA) seminar in Doha from the 9th to the 10th April 2017. The seminar kick started with a welcome reception organized by Qatar’s airport on the 8th of April 2017.

The Developing Nations Assistance Programme, which is an ACI initiative, is targeted towards airport communities in developing countries and offers no cost and low cost training and other capacity building initiatives to realize their development objectives.

The two day seminar is being organised in conjunction with Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport and CIFAL-United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and will be focusing on ‘Airport Air Service Development’. The main topics addressed during the seminar will be defining the airport/airline business relations, identifying the market potential for an airport’s location, defining the overall airport marketing strategy to grow aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenues, and formulating marketing support and financial incentives schemes for route development

Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer of Hamad International Airport, said “Hamad International Airport is a relatively young airport, having started our operations in May 2014. Within the past three years, we have achieved our development objectives largely due to our investment on training and building capacities. Hence, we are happy to provide a similar learning environment, in collaboration with ACI, to all delegates. We hope they have a productive seminar and are able to take back knowledge that will bring them to greater heights.”

Angela Gittens, Director General of ACI World, said “I would like to thank Hamad International Airport for hosting the DNA seminar on ‘Airport Air Service Development.’ This is an increasingly important discipline as airports are no longer public utility monopolies but must compete effectively to attract and retain air service for the benefit of the communities they serve.'

'A well-developed route network improves connectivity of the local economy to the rest of the world as well as strengthens an airport’s commercial success. Helping airports serve their communities and achieve sustainable success is what ACI’s DNA programme is all about. ACI Members are renowned for their recognition that aviation is a system and that every airport has to consider the viability of other airports. The DNA programme is a manifestation of our philosophy to ‘leave no airport behind,’she said.

Doha, Qatar
09 April 2017

The World Innovation Summit for Education’s (WISE) Learners’ Voice Program has concluded its first residential session for the 2016-17 year.

Taking place in Athens, Greece, for the first time since its inception in 2010, the intensive workshops brought together 25 young people to explore the global forced migration and refugee crisis.

Designed to impart both practical and theoretical knowledge, the group spent the days supporting the work of organizations working with both urban and camp refugee communities in Athens, including: Khora Community Centre, METAdrasi, Orange House, Project Elea, and Organization Earth.

The practical component was complemented by evening sessions delivered by expert faculty from the University of Oxford, Harvard University, University of Bologña, and Save the Children, among others.

Dina Pasic, Head of Programs, WISE, said: “After visiting the Katsikas refugee camp last April, it became clear that if we are to seriously explore social issues, we must immerse ourselves and learn from those directly affected by them. The Learners’ Voice Program challenges its participants to develop feasible, actionable and educational solutions to such challenges. The setting of a thematic focus was in response to the immediate and ongoing needs of refugees, and the addition of the field component was to enable deeper awareness, to support the work of those on the ground, and to understand the role that the education sector can play in alleviating the symptoms of displacement.”

The sessions came to a close following the presentation of five group projects to a panel of education experts, including Stavros N. Yiannouka, CEO of WISE; and Dr. Stefanos Gialamas, President of the American Community School of Athens; as well as representatives from Project Elea, METAdrasi, and Organization Earth.

The residential sessions of the program are designed to support the participants as they research and develop a variety of innovative educational projects throughout the year.

The Learners will continue to develop projects that aim to support the needs of displaced individuals and their host communities through educational interventions. Successful projects will be pitched at the 2017 WISE Summit and the best project will have the opportunity to present at the 2017 Falling Wall Labs Conference in Berlin, Germany.

WISE, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), established the Learners’ Voice Program to engage the perspectives and creative energies of young people in discourse around important education issues and social challenges. This year’s participants, aged 18-25, were chosen from over 1,000 applications and collectively represent 21 countries. They will benefit from the expertise of the WISE team and global education specialists including faculty from Yale University, Harvard University, University of Oxford, and Babson College.

The Learners’ Voice Program is supported by its partners Banco Santander through its Universities Global Division and the American Community Schools of Athens.

For more information on the 2016-2017 program, please visit: http://www.wise-qatar.org/learners-voice-7

Doha
09 Apr 2017
(NHRC)

Abdullah Ali Al Mahmoud, Head of the Public Relations and Information Unit, NHRC representing National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Qatar, participated in a workshop in Tunis entitled '"Facing Social Transitions, Cities for All, Sustainable".

Organised by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the European Center for Training and Research in the Field of Human Rights and Democracy, Human in collaboration with the Arab Cities Alliance against Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia and Intolerance.

The workshop aims to strengthen a network of cities wishing to exchange experiences and knowledge to formulate policies against racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance.

The participants will also review the various developments in the Alliance and its activities in an attempt to confront intolerance, hatred and extremism. The participants

Workshop will also review over the various experiences and experiences of a number of cities, as well as trying to come up with visions and mechanisms to address these phenomena that are necessary because more than half of the world's population lives in cities.

In addition to harnessing major developments in the production of wealth and information technologies to face exclusion and marginalization Towards people, and to reduce the exacerbation of manifestations of fanaticism, extremism, exclusion and hatred.

Doha, Qatar
08 April 2017

The Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani inaugurated Mall of Qatar on Saturday 08th of April 2017 in presence of Over 150,000 visitors flocked to witness the grand opening as per the press release.

Rony Mourani, General Manager, Mall of Qatar said “We are inspired by the gracious patronage of His Highness The Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and we offer His Highness our utmost gratitude for his patronage. His Highness' invaluable support during the opening event assured visitors that Mall of Qatar is more than a mall, it is a representation of Qatar's vision for a diversified economy."

“It was a day filled with magnificent experiences, laughter and great times that truly set the tone for what is yet to come. We are really looking forward to welcoming more guests from near and far, and showing them our Mall of Qatar hospitality and a truly unique experience – where a new surprise will be waiting with every visit,” Rony Mourani said.

Guests were serenaded by the incredible vocals and lyrical prowess of multi-national awarded classical crossover vocal group - Il Divo. Around 200 artists performed in over 20 mall-wide shows, 300,000 balloons in movement with the special acts, and extraordinary celebrations.

In addition to a memorable performance by Il Divo, stage shows included Shaolin Warriors – a showcase of the remarkable skills of over 10 kung fu masters who demonstrated Chinese martial-arts culture, as well as the Dinosaur Zoo live performance with amazingly life-like dinosaurs and other creatures performed on stage. The mall-wide shows included tree walkers, balloon dragons and flower walking parades for all visitors to enjoy.

Families experienced thrilling kiddy balloon rides inside the mall.

Doha
08 Apr 2017
(NHRC)

The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in collaboration with the Supreme Commission for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, organized the Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition on "Human Rights in Islamic Culture" at Qatar embassy in Tunisia.

Present on the occasion were Dr. Ali Bin Samih Al Marri, Abdulaziz Mohamed Al Shaikh, Minister Delegate at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Tunisia, Ahmed Adhoum, Minister of Religious Affairs, along with a number of intellectuals, artists and media representatives.

Dr. Ali Bin Samih Al Marri, Chairman of the National Committee for Human Rights said that this exhibition, which includes creative paintings of the Arabic calligraphy, Qur'anic verses and prophetic traditions that are directly related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights conventions.

He told that the Committee had held this exhibition last year at the United Nations in Geneva, during the session of the Human Rights Council, and also held in Paris, France, and had a good response and a good echo to all attendees.

Al-Marri said "The Islamic religion has taken care of human rights and called for respect for its dignity and freedoms." His message was to consolidate the principles of justice and equality among all human beings and to end injustice, tyranny, racism and oppression.

He said religion Islam stress to live together between different religions, sects, races and races. The religious and ethnic minorities in the Islamic state have lived for more than 14 centuries. They enjoy safety and freedom in the practice of their rituals and rituals.

He pointed out that Islam embraces in its civilization the fine art and taste, and the wonderful heritage in the arts and architecture. This evidence is clear, and Islam also preserved the human heritage and heritage of the previous civilizations in the country that entered it to this day, believing that cultural and civilizational diversity is a gain for humanity, and its inheritance shall never be disfigured or destroyed.

The President of the National Committee for Human Rights thanked the High Commission for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of the sisterly Republic of Tunisia for its facilities in organizing the calligraphy exhibition on human rights in Islamic culture, which is being held by Qatar National Committee for Human Rights.

Tawfiq Abu Derbala, Chairman of the Supreme Commission for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms said "We gather today to learn about human rights in the Islamic civilization, a link to our glorious past and what we have done in our present in the global system of human rights.

He said that this confirms that the religions, especially the Islamic religion honored the human rights and recognized him and give it. Stressing the start of the Arab Islamic countries of its shortcomings and in cooperation with all the countries that have fused in the global system of human rights, which formed the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Abu Darbala said "Perhaps we have left behind because of colonialism and our history of attacks, which made us expect ourselves, but then we got caught up and we are now at the same level of world and accept all these universal principles of our Islamic culture and what is stated in the Koran and the Prophet's Hadith, Recognized by the Arab countries in their Islamic culture and found it in all the principles contained in the International Bill of Human Rights.

He said ' We are given in what we have and take in our present these rights are not only principles and goals, but faith, doctrine and application because the conflict with human rights is a conflict with the self.'

He said ' Islamic countries now are not late in the field of human rights, but we are and are influential with all countries of the world.'

The exhibition is held on the sidelines of the meetings of the 34th session of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Council in Tunis.

Doha, Qatar
5th Apr 2017
(HIA)

Hamad International Airport (HIA) is set to host the 12th Airport Council International (ACI) Asia Pacific Regional Assembly, Conference and Exhibition in Doha, Qatar, from the 10th to the 12th of April 2017.

The event’s agenda includes two ACI board meetings, namely the World Governing Board meeting and the Asia Pacific Regional Board meeting. In January 2017, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer of Hamad International Airport, was unanimously appointed by ACI’s Asia Pacific Executive Committee of the Board as Special Advisor to the ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Board. This prestigious position is earned by airport leaders who have proven their ability in providing leadership to the region and guidance on policy development, management and finances.

The ACI Asia Pacific Board comprises mainly of the Chief Executive Officers of 22 member airports including, Beijing, Shanghai, Incheon, Tokyo-Narita, Kuala Lumpur, Thailand, GMR, and Muscat.

The ACI World Governing Board is composed of Chief Executive Officers of 28 member airports nominated by the regional ACI Boards including Singapore-Changi, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Amsterdam-Heathrow, Paris, Istanbul, Toronto, Beijing and Sydney. It meets twice a year and has the authority to take decisions on all relevant issues that advance the collective interests of airports and promote professional excellence in airport management and operations.

During both Board meetings, Engr. Al Meer will be presenting the achievements of Hamad International Airport, highlighting its key success factors and explaining the strategy that has, within 3 years of its operations, made HIA one of the fastest growing hubs in world, the 6th best airport in the world and an example of a corporate social responsible airport.

The ACI Regional Assembly, Conference and Exhibition, which is hosted annually by airports around the world, will have in attendance aviation leaders and industry experts who will speak about industry hot-topics through moderated panel discussions.

The event will also see exhibitions of innovative products and award-winning services by a large number of service providers.

Ankara
22nd WPC

The top managers of leading oil and gas companies will meet at 22nd World Petroleum Congress (WPC) that will be held in Istanbul on 9-13 July.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Aramco Amin N. Nasser, CEOF of BP Bob Dudley, the head of China’s CNPC Wang Yilin, CEO of Petrobras Pedro Parente, the head of Shell Ben Van Beurden, CEO of Total Patrick Pouyanne, the head of IEA and OPEC will be among the speakers at the 22. WPC Congress that will be held in Istanbul on 9-13 July under the theme of “Bridges to Our Energy Future”.

Chairman of WPC Turkish National Committee and President and CEO of Turkish Petroleum Besim Sisman, said that all the preparations for 22nd WPC under the theme of “Bridges to our Energy Future” are nearly ready, by adding, “Technically a very qualified as well socially satisfying and exciting programme is waiting for the
participants”.

Sisman emphasized that WPC Congress Programme Committee is working on an extensive programme to cover all the opportunities and challenges regarding oil and gas industry, from energy geopolitics to finance, technical innovation to collaboration, new business models to energy access.

WPC meeting in Istanbul expects 50 ministers, 500 policy makers, 500 CEO’s and 5,000 delegates from 100 countries stressed Sisman, went on as, “We are also expecting 20,000 exhibition visitors. Turkey’s close to proximity more than 75 % of the global oil and gas reserves makes it a bridge between World’s second largest gas
market, the continental Europe and World’s largest oil and gas resources, namely the Middle East and the Caspian Region.”

Announcing today Saturday 8th of April 2017 of change of conference venue, following is the press release:

' The Congress recently had the honour of coming under the auspices of the President of Turkey, this has resulted in unprecedented global interest. Since there will be a significant number of Heads of State at the Congress and many more ministers than usual, the Congress venue will be moved from CNR Expo to the Congress Valley (including the Istanbul Congress Centre ICC and Lütfi Kirdar International Convention & Exhibition Centre ICEC) to minimize disruption to the city.

These purpose-built convention centres have ample modern and safe facilities for the Congress and offer delegates and visitors access to the heart of the cultural centre of Istanbul.

We look forward to seeing you all in July for what will surely be a Congress to remember! '