News | Ministry of Transport

Monday, April 15, 2019

Qatar Ranks Third in Arab World on Global Cybersecurity Index 2018

Doha - QatarQatar has achieved high rankings in terms of cybersecurity and ranked third in the Arab world and 17th globally on the Global Cybersecurity Index 2018 released recently by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU).This year, Qatar advanced eight positions on the global landscape and occupied the 17th position, from the 25th in 2017.GCI 2018, which covered 175 countries around the world, placed Qatar with the top three countries in the Arab States region.GCI is an index developed by the ITU aiming to provide insight into the cybersecurity engagement of Member States. Rooted in the ITU’s Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA), the third version - GCI 2018 - still oversees the level of commitment in five areas: legal measures, technical measures, organizational measures, capacity building, and cooperation.GCI 2018 said “Qatar ranks third with a strong legal framework and a robust organizational structure with a National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) that has a key focus on securing critical information infrastructure and a National Cybersecurity Committee responsible to implement and drive that Strategy. Their eCrime law integrates a large arsenal of procedural measures.”GCI top ten most committed countries globally in 2018 included United Kingdom, ranked first, USA, second and France, third. Positions from four through ten went to Lithuania, Estonia, Singapore, Spain, Malaysia, Norway, Canada and Australia, respectively.GCI 2018 says that in 2018, the majority of countries reported having a national cybersecurity strategy, which is an increase from last year, and 47% have metrics to measure cybersecurity development at a national level, which is also an improvement, since in 2017 only 21% had metrics. It says that the overall result shows improvement and strengthening of all five pillars of the cybersecurity agenda in various countries in all regions.The GCI is included under ITU Plenipotentiary Resolution 130 on strengthening the role of ITU in building confidence and security in the use of information and communication technologies. The ultimate goal is to foster a global culture of cybersecurity and its integration at the core of information and communication technologies.The first GCI survey was conducted in 2013/2014 in partnership with ABI Research where a total of 105 countries responded out of 193 ITU Member States and the results were published in 2015.

Sunday, April 14, 2019

Qatar’s presence felt at Seatrade Cruise Global Expo in Miami

Doha-A Qatari delegation comprising five government and private sector parties led by the Ministry of Transport and Communication, Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC), and Qatar Ports, participated in the Seatrade Cruise Global Expo and Conference, which concluded in Miami, US recently.Considered one of the largest and most significant events in the global cruise industry calendar, the Seatrade Cruise Global expo provides a valuable opportunity to directly promote cruise destinations, network with partners from around the world, and conclude agreements and deals with global cruise lines.This year the participants from over 130 countries included more than 11,000 cruise industry leaders and 700 exhibitors. Qatar’s delegation to the conference also visited Cruise Terminal A in Miami Port, considered globally to be a model cruise port.The delegation examined the facilities and services provided to passengers and cruise ships, taking note of the standards to be applied as Qatar develops its own temporary cruise terminals in Doha Port.“Seatrade Cruise Global is a great platform for sector leaders and key universal cruise operators to know Qatar’s potentials and resources, which qualify it to be among their cruise programs,” said Mr. Mohammed Al-Mutawa, Maritime Transport Services Quality Director at the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The Doha Port, he said, plays a key role in boosting Qatar’s ranking as an attractive tourist destination in the region through receiving global cruise ships and providing a full range of resources and this helps in the growth of such a key sector, thus achieving economic diversity, which is one of Qatar National Vision 2030’s top goals.“Doha Port’s growing role is a reflection of a comprehensive development operation that aims to transform it into a unique integrated tourism hub in the region. Dredging works to deepen its channel have lately completed and this bolsters its capacity to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships.”He hailed the roles played by Mwani Qatar, the National Tourism Council and stakeholders. He also emphasized that all the concerned bodies pay a great attention to providing topnotch services to cruise ships, plus all the necessary facilitations to ensure flexible passage and departure. This would contribute to making it a cruise hub in the region for inbound and outbound cruises.These temporary terminals will serve cruise passengers over the next few seasons until the full-time and permanent terminal is complete in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.Capt Abdulla al-Khanji, CEO, Mwani Qatar, said, “We are very pleased with the significant successes that have been achieved in securing Qatar’s place on the global cruise map in the region and we look forward to further success in the coming seasons with our commitment to harnessing all logistical and technical capabilities and ensuring better service to our visitors in collaboration with all stakeholders.”He added, “The important developments come at a time we are improving infrastructure and building the necessary facilities at Doha Port, which will become Qatar’s gateway to marine tourism as part of the Ministry of Transport and Communications strategic plan aimed at supporting Qatar’s marine tourism sector and enhance economic diversification in line with Qatar National Vision 2030”He noted that Mwani Qatar’s participation in Seatrade Cruise Global, along with the Ministry of Transport and Communications and QNTC has provided an ample opportunity to get a closer look at the latest experiences and best practices in the cruise industry and to hold fruitful meetings with a number of operators of cruise ships and ports around the world.Rashed al-Qurese, chief marketing officer, QNTC, commented, “We are working with our partners at the Ministry of Transport and Communication, Mwani, Qatar Airways, and the various destination management companies to move to the next level in the development of the cruise industry, which will see Qatar emerging as a turnaround port for cruise ships during the 2019/2020 winter season.Maritime Transport Services Quality Director at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Mohamed al-Mutawa, commented: “Seatrade Cruise Global is a great platform for sector leaders and key universal cruise operators to know Qatar’s potential and its resources, which qualify it to be featured in their cruise itineraries.Doha Port plays a key role in boosting Qatar’s ranking as an attractive tourist destination in the region through receiving cruise ships from around the world and providing a full range of resources.This helps in the growth of such a key sector, thus achieving the economic diversity that is one of Qatar National Vision 2030s top goals.”He added, “Doha Port’s growing role is a reflection of a comprehensive development operation that aims to transform it into a unique integrated tourism hub in the region. Dredging works to deepen its channel have been recently completed and this bolsters its capacity to accommodate the worlds largest cruise ships.”Al-Mutawa also hailed the roles played by Mwani Qatar, Qatar National Tourism Council and other stakeholders in converting Doha Port into a cruise hub in the region for inbound and outbound cruises, emphasising that all concerned parties pay great attention to providing high quality services to cruise ships, as well as all the necessary facilitations to ensure flexible passage and departure.The cruise industry is one of six tourism segments which the National Tourism Sector Strategy focuses on.It is also one of the fastest growing tourism segments, with Qatar seeing a 39% increase in the number of cruise passengers in 2017/2018. Growth is expected to double this season.Ahead of the 2018/2019 season, QNTC signed a number of co-operation agreements, including with Germany’s Aida Cruises and Italy’s Costa Cruises.

Saturday, April 13, 2019

Qatar Makes Region’s First-Ever G5 Phone Call

Doha-QatarQatar has become the first country in the region to have conducted the first-ever phone call through G5 network. The call was conducted via Vodafone Qatar’s G5 network - a move that confirms Qatar’s leadership as one of the world’s most advanced countries in the field of digital communications.HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti made the phone call today with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General HE Mr. Houlin Zhao, who’s now the recipient of the world’s first-ever G5 phone call. The two officials discussed the relations between the State of Qatar and the ITU and means of further enhancing them.Qatar’s two telecom service providers have earlier announced the launch of their G5 networks, which will bring about a paradigm shift across all sectors in the country thanks to the huge opportunities and potentials they offer.In transportation industry, for instance, the new technology will allow for vehicle-to-vehicle communications (V2V), traffic management, advanced driver-assistance systems and driverless cars.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Minister Meets with Eswatini, Ukrainian Ambassadors

Doha – QatarHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti held separate meetings here today with Their Excellencies the Ambassadors Mr. Felizwe Dlamini of Eswatini and Mr. Yevhen Mykytenko of Ukraine.The two meetings discussed cooperation relations between Qatar and the two friendly countries in the fields of transport and communications and means of further enhancing them.

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Ministry Participates in "2019 Procurement"

Doha - QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) is participating in the 4th Government Procurement & Contracting Conference & Exhibition (Moushtarayat 2019), which opened yesterday and closes tomorrow, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).At its booth, MOTC displays contracting opportunities for the upcoming period particularly those relating to the Smart Qatar Program TASMU through on-site meetings with interested companies to provide them with all information required about tendering and contracting.“Moushtarayat 2019 reflects the amount of support from the government to help SMEs reach the tenders that government entities issue. The event offers a unique opportunity for direct meeting between interested companies and ministries and government entities and this helps pave the way for SMEs’ participation in government tendering and contracting. This also reflects the real meaning of a public-private sector partnership,” said MOTC’s Finance and Administration Dept. Director, Ms. Mai Ahmed Al-Buainain.“Through Moushtarayat 2019, MOTC showcases 20 smart solution projects in TASMU’s five key sectors; transportation, logistics, environment, health and sports, out of which eight target micro- and small-scale enterprises because MOTC believes those enterprises can make a big difference in modern technology landscape in Qatar and also because MOTC wants to qualify and enable them to contribute to achieving TASMU’s strategic objectives,” she added.“MOTC is collaborating with Qatar Development Bank to boost micro- and small-scale enterprises’ involvement and provide the necessary facilitations in accordance with laws and controls in place,” Al-Buainain noted.MOTC’s operation plan for this year includes the initiation of several projects in land and maritime transport sector as well as in ICT.Observing fairness and transparency, MOTC announces its tenders via multiple channels such as the Moushtarayat portal, MOTC website, MOTC’s tendering portal and local newspapers.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Ministry Holds Second QGDTP Annual Event

Doha-QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) held its second annual event of the Qatar Digital Government Training Program (QDGTP) at Mondrian Doha Hotel today, under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani.Attended by several government officials, the event highlighted training accomplishments and unveiled its new partnerships and training plans for 2019.HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, who addressed the event, honored 24 graduates of the first class of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Training Program and 23 graduates of the second class of the IT Talent Program. Both programs function under the wider QDGTP.“At a time while Qatar has come a long way on transforming into smart government, we should emphasize our commitment to qualifying our Qatari youth to enhance our country’s progress by enabling them to apply innovative digital solutions and manage change,” he added.“Our country’s advanced deployment and use of technology in government compared to other developed countries is reflected in Qatar’s ranking on global indicators. However, technology innovations are dynamic and we must continue to keep pace with such innovations if we really want to remain among the leaders in this domain,” said HE the Minister in his speech at the event.By providing support and training to those talented in the ICT domain, including fresh graduates and CTOs, “we help sharpen their experience for now and well into the future, thus enabling the government of Qatar to achieve more growth and progress.”“We can make profound changes through investing in ICT professionals and giving them the support and training they need. Undoubtedly, programs like QDGTP help further enable ICT government sector professionals.”“Digital government is the future of government services in Qatar and we will go on with transformation thanks to the support and contribution from the bodies concerned and all government entities, as well as our commitment to qualifying the government sector’s ICT professionals to a higher level of quality.”QDGTP has surpassed its targets set out for the last three years by successfully providing 4800 training opportunities, including 1800 training seats in 2018 through 312 training courses for more than 70 government and semi-government entities of which 134 courses were conducted in 2018, said MOTC’s Assistant Undersecretary, Digital Society Development Affairs, Ms. Reem Al-Mansoori, as she showcased QDGTP’s milestones to the audience.She said the program also provided the necessary facilitations that helped trainees obtain nearly 380 international certifications, including 118 certifications in 2018.“Thanks to such remarkable results, QDGTP has received considerable attention from government entities seeking to fulfill their training needs such as MOI, the State Audit Bureau and Planning and Statistics Authority. They have all hosted special training sessions for their staff throughout 2018” she said.She stressed they “will continue the program driven by the passion and enthusiasm from program applicants, commitment from government and semi-government entities and the support from program partners and we look forward to broadening the scope of the program to cover more entities and businesses.”Qatar launched its Qatar Digital Government 2020 Strategy in May 2014. It includes an integrated system for digital transformation with key strategic objectives. The system includes technology infrastructure, shared government applications, policies and standards that regulate the functioning of the system.