News | Ministry of Transport

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

MOTC‘s “Digital Incubation Center” Begins 2nd Edition of “IdeaCamp”

Doha – QatarThe 2nd edition of the IdeaCamp – a program of the Digital Incubation Center at the Ministry of Transport and Communications – is now receiving applications to qualify for winning an incubation opportunity at the DIC.The IdeaCamp is a program for entrepreneurs, developers and designers who have great ideas for a technology solution. It offers a series of workshops, training, and mentorships for six weeks to help entrepreneurs develop business models, build prototypes and test their ideas with local customers.Online applications to join the IdeaCamp are received at https://dic.motc.gov.qa/ or https://goo.gl/rUWVaL until this October 20. After being received, all applications are screened and assessed and owners of the accepted applications are informed. At the end of the six-week program, entrepreneurs with unique, successful ideas join the DIC “Startup Track”, which begins early January 2019, to take their ideas to the next level.DIC launched the first edition of the IdeaCamp early October 2017 and it received some 85 innovative ideas, 27 of which made it to the finals and won an incubation opportunity with the Center. Those winning ideas covered a wide range of fields across multiple segments of society, based on modern technology.The IdeaCamp accepts applications for any technology idea. However, priority is given to entrepreneurs who submit ideas in the following technology areas: Blockchain, 3D Printing and the Internet of Things (IoT).The DIC was established in 2011 to boost ICT innovation in Qatar, particularly among young people at the critical early stages of starting or growing a technology-related business.It looks for entrepreneurs who are capable of harnessing emerging technologies to create innovative products, solutions, or services that will contribute to Qatar’s digital economy.The Center offers startups free office space, technical support, training and guidance, mentorship, as well as business planning and legal advice.All innovative ideas are encouraged to join the 2nd edition of IdeaCamp via this link: https://dic.motc.gov.qa/

Monday, October 1, 2018

Minister Holds Talsk with Kenya Minister of Transport

Nairobi – KenyaHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti held talks with HE Kenyan Minister of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Mr. James Macharia, in Nairobi today.The two ministers discussed aspects of cooperation between Qatar and Kenya in the fields of transport services, ports and aviation, and means of further enhancing them. They also discussed potential investment opportunities in these fields, in addition to a number of matters of common interest between the two friendly countries.Qatar Airways Group CEO HE Mr. Akbar Al Baker and Qatari Ambassador in Nairobi HE Mr. Jabr Bin Ali Al-Dosari attended the meeting.

Monday, October 1, 2018

Kenyan President Meets MOTC Minister

Nairobi - KenyaHE the President of the Republic of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta received HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti in Nairobi today evening.HE the Minister conveyed greetings from HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to HE the Kenyan president. He also conveyed HH the Emir’s wishes for more progress and prosperity in Qatar-Kenyan relations.For his part, HE the Kenyan president expressed greetings to HH the Emir of Qatar and his wishes for more prosperity to the State and people of Qatar.At the meeting, viewpoints were exchanged on a number of matters of common interest and means of further developing Qatari-Kenyan relations. The meeting was also attended by Qatar Airways CEO HE Mr. Akbar al Bakr and Qatari Ambassador in Nairobi HE Mr. Jabr Bin Ali Al-Dosari.

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Ministry Starts Electric Bus Pilot Testing In collaboration with KAHRAMAA, Karwa

Doha - QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) has started the pilot testing of electric buses in Qatar in collaboration with Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), Mowasalat “Karwa” and China Harbor Engineering Co.This comes within Ministry’s ongoing endeavors to provide eco-friendly and sustainable transport modes that help reduce carbon emissions from public transit. The MOTC will assess the pilot testing, which is planned to continue for several months, to ensure electric buses suit Qatar’s weather conditions before deploying them.The testing comes in line with the ‘Green Vehicle Initiative’ jointly coordinated and launched by the Ministry of Energy and Industry, MOTC and KAHRAMAA. The Initiative forms part of KAHRAMAA’s wider National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed).Preparations for the electric bus pilot testing saw extensive support from KAHRAMAA while Karwa carried out the actual testing operations.The testing of the electric busses on Qatar’s streets, if proved successful, will support the diversification of the country’s public transport sector as it will provide vehicles that both consume less energy and emit less carbon. The vehicles also promote the use of more eco-friendly materials, which helps strike an economic and environmental balance in all transport infrastructure projects.MOTC works on providing an integrated, multimodal and world-class transportation system that provides safe and reliable services in line with the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030. It also works on developing transport modes in accordance with the best worldwide eco-friendly systems, in addition to using alternative and clean energy in the field for lower carbon emissions.The Ministry places environmental issues and energy efficiency at the top of its priorities in all transport projects. It also supports all aspects of cooperation between government and non-government entities to achieve a cleaner environment and boost the culture of sustainable transportation.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Ministry Holds Workshop on MARPOL 73/78

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications has wrapped up a workshop on the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 – globally referred to as MARPOL 73/78.Held at MOTC premises, the workshop was attended by employees from maritime transport, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Environment and Municipality, the Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) and Qatar Petroleum (Port of Ras Laffan and Mesaieed Port).MOTC continues hosting employees and specialists from maritime transport affairs and all bodies concerned across the country to update them on latest information and developments relating to international maritime conventions.The event featured a detailed presentation and explanation on the MARPOL Annex VI requirements, countermeasures for air pollution and relevant ship emissions reduction schemes through efficient energy use.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Q-CERT Wraps up Two Training Courses on Key Cybersecurity Topics

Doha - QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications’ Qatar Computer Emergency Response Team (Q-CERT) has wrapped up two training courses covering key cybersecurity topics within the scope of the National Information Assurance Policy (NIA) and digital forensics.The NIA Policy is the national information security policy for the State of Qatar and it is mandatory for government entities and critical industries across the country. It helps organizations implement an information security management system and build a cybersecurity culture within the business, thereby improving their cybersecurity maturity.Held earlier this month at Q-CERT offices, the first course hosted 15 consultancy firms where they learned about the NIA Policy, which they must put into place and follow when executing information technology projects with government entities across the country.Later in the month, Q-CERT organized a training course on “Advanced Digital Forensics, Incident Response & Threat Hunting” in association with the SANS Institute.The weeklong event hosted members of computer emergency response teams from Tunisia, Sudan, and Morocco. It was also attended by cybersecurity professionals and specialists from several Qatari government entities.Participants learned about the techniques and principles for digital forensics and the spectrum of available computer forensics tools. The course also tackled core forensics procedures and writing forensics reports.