News | Ministry of Transport

Sunday, April 1, 2018

MOTC Launches Digital Transformation of SMEs Program

Doha – QatarHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti today launched the “Digital Transformation of SMEs” at an event the Ministry held today at Marsa Malaz Kempinski.In his opening speech, HE the Minister said that DTSMEs was designed to enable small and medium enterprises in Qatar to use and apply technology in the way that supports its digital transformation.He noted that by the end of 2019, more than 5000 SMEs are hoped to have benefited from the new program.He said, “We, in Qatar, under the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, proudly emphasize that we are continuing the process of progress and development, as well as keeping up with the digital age.”HE the Minister called upon Qatari SMEs and entrepreneurs to accelerate the pace of joining the program and accessing its services and benefits. He said the program was basically designed to support them to become in the forefront of the process of developing ICTs in Qatar.Led by MOTC with strategic partnership with Ministry of Economy and Commerce, QDB, Qatar Chamber, Communications Regulatory Authority, QNB, Ooredoo and Microsoft, DTSMEs is going to provide SMEs and small enterprisers with a package of digital and consultancy services in the areas of e-commerce. This is meant to connect SMEs with service providers, make their business more visible and modern, help stay ahead of competitors, optimize business models, allow them to identify customers’ demands, give them better control over their operations and finances and increase revenues while decreasing costs.The event featured two panel discussions on SMEs’ digital transformation for economic growth and harnessing the power of web, e-commerce and cloud computing technologies for SMEs growth.

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Ministry Holds Workshop on Smart Qatar Platform Development

Doha-QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications today organized a workshop on building the TASMU Smart Qatar Central Platform, with a number of local and global technology companies.The event introduced TASMU’s strategic partners to the architecture of the TASMU Smart Qatar Central Platform through discussions that covered best practices to set up the platform.The workshop featured a presentation about TASMU Smart Qatar Program’s vision and strategic objectives and ongoing efforts to harness the power of technology and innovation and its focus on harnessing the power of technology and innovation to drive sustainable economic diversification, improve the quality of life and enhance the delivery of public services across priority sectors.TASMU experts also showcased the platform architecture that was developed by TASMU team, Q-CERT and information technology sector at the MOTC. It covers all platform-related elements, including information security, data collection and classification, IoT, and others.“The advancement in digital technologies has opened up new opportunities to transform the way cities, countries and ultimately the way we live. Over the last decade, Qatar has made significant progress towards becoming a leader in the use of information technology to transform the key economic sectors that play a key role in driving Qatar’s economic diversification and growth strategy and that deliver impact to the daily life of citizens. Qatar is adapting and integrating the use of cutting-edge technologies from around the world that will help deliver exceptional outcomes for its citizens along with a sustainable economic development plan focused on innovation,” said MOTC’s Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Society Development Affairs HE Ms. Reem Al-Mansoori, in opening remarks.“It is of absolute interest for us to facilitate the ecosystem in order to achieve TASMU’s ambition of delivering the 100 plus services in the catalogue. Such achievement will be delivered by developing the national central platform, which would enable the nation wide data collection and functional services,” she added.“It is clear that the future looks bright for Qatar and continuous growth will be seen after new technologies are implemented and mandated across all sectors. The road to becoming a smart nation may have obstacles, but with TASMU and the government’s willingness to innovate as well at the private sector’s willingness to cooperate, there is an opportunity for Qatar to reimagine its future and ensure a sustainable economy for generations to come.”The platform will be providing the technology services that TASMU’s priority sectors need to avoid duplication and to empower and accelerate establishing each sector’s platform.This approach would help strike a balance between ownership and responsibility, as well as fulfilling sectoral needs and benefiting from all existing efforts in this respect. It would also help achieve inter-sector cooperation.The presentation was followed by interactive discussions and perspective exchange between attending companies where ideas were explored and requirements clarified. This comes ahead of launching the RFP for platform development, which signals the beginning of a multiyear partnership.

Monday, March 26, 2018

Minister, Sudanese Counterpart Meet on Suakin Port Development

Red Sea State – SudanHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti held talks with HE Sudanese Minister of Transportation, Roads and Bridges Eng. Makawi Mohamed Awad, in Sudan’s Red Sea State, today.The two officials discussed transit trade to neighboring countries and means of bolstering trade at the free zone of the Port of Suakin, in addition to establishing the Port’s infrastructures required to boosting its operations to qualify it to become the main trade gateway in the region.The meeting also discussed the investment opportunities in the fields of transportation and ports as well as a number of matters of common interest between the two brotherly countries.The meeting was attended by Qatar’s Ambassador to Sudan HE Mr. Rashid Bin Abdul Rahman Al Nuiami and Red Sea State Govenor HE Mr. Ali Ahmed Hamid.The two ministers paid a field visit to the Port of Suakin where they witnessed part of its operations and workflow. They also visited its floating dock and conducted a maritime tour around the Port.On this occasion, Minister Al Sulaiti emphasized the depth of Qatari-Sudanese ties and constructive cooperation in the fields of transportation and ports. He also said the coming days would witness the signing of a number of cooperation agreements in the interest of the two brotherly nations. He noted that the two sides share the same intentions that aim for developing these bilateral relations to the best format. “Today’s meeting comes in implementation of the MoU signed between the Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) and the Port of Port Sudan for developing the Port of Suakin on the Red Sea, making it a key seaport for cargo transportation,” he added.Mr. Al Sulaiti also said that the meeting brought forth an emphasis on commencing Suakin Port’s development works, in addition to giving directives to the work team to complete all necessary studies at the earliest possible date. Such a partnership will be granted a concession at the free economic zone in a way that serves mutual investment.

Monday, March 26, 2018

Sudanese President Welcomes Minister, Reviews Relations

Khartoum – SudanHE the Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir received HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti at the Presidential Palace in Khartoum today.HE the minister conveyed greetings from HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Emir HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and HE Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani to HE the Sudanese president. He also conveyed HH the Emir’s wishes for more progress and prosperity to Qatar-Sudan relations.On his part, HE the Sudanese 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 have been exchanged on a number of matters of common interest and means of further developing Qatari-Sudanese relations. Qatar’s Ambassador to Sudan HE Mr. Rashid Bin Abdul Rahman Al Nuiami attended the meeting.

Monday, March 26, 2018

Minister Witnesses Signing of Minutes of Joint Committee Meeting

Khartoum– SudanHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti and his Sudanese counterpart HE Minister of Transportation, Roads and Bridges Eng. Makawi Mohamed Awad today witnessed the signing of the minutes of the meeting of the joint committee on developing and managing the Sudanese Port of Suakin.Mr. Hassan bin Hassan Al Hail, chairman of the joint committee on transport with the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC), and the Director General of Sudan’s Maritime Ports Authority Dr. Abdul Hafiz Saleh Ali, signed the minutes of the meeting. The event was attended by Qatar’s Ambassador to Sudan HE Mr. Rashid Bin Abdul Rahman Al Nuiami.The minutes of the meeting, signed this morning at the premises of Sudan’s Ministry of Transportation, Roads and Bridges, outlines a future roadmap for cooperation and general frameworks for partnership.HE Minister Al-Sulaiti stressed the strength of Qatari-Sudanese relations for which the foundations were laid down by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and HE the Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir.This step, he added, would bring back Suakin Port’s historic glory and make it a maritime commercial gateway and a key, vital economic platform in the region.Saukin Port, the minister said, has comparative advantages and is supporting exports significantly, especially the economies of the African region. He also stressed its importance and vital, strategic location, its connection to the Silk Road and uniqueness for being a very important meeting point for exportation, particularly for neighboring countries, which makes it a value added to the economies.He emphasized that the Port’s development works would move at an accelerated pace to finalize the Port’s rehabilitation and development by 2020, taking into account applying world’s latest technologies for operations, as well as environment standards.Starting this April as a beginning for cooperation, he said, a maritime route would be launched between Hamad Port and Suakin Port to ship Sudanese livestock, stressing that the minutes of the meeting included a powerful economic cooperation in the interest of both brotherly countries.HE Minister Awad hailed the Qatari role that is supportive of Sudan in all fields, nothing that it had contributed to the country’s progress and economic development. He said the minutes of the meeting came within the framework of successful strategic partnerships between the two brotherly countries.Mr. Awad said the project would provide high-quality services to all vessels on the Red Sea, as Suakin Port is a new seaport for Africa and an investment source to be producing economic benefits for Sudan and serving the two countries’ interests. It would also provide Sudan with opportunities for training, capacity building and investment in all maritime transport areas, he noted.

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Ministry Obtains ISO 90012015 Quality Certification

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications has obtained its ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems certification from the British Standards Institution (BSI).The certification, maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), is a globally recognized metric validating the quality of an institution’s management, planning and quality systems.MOTC was awarded the certification following an intensive, all-out external audit from BSI team, who, after conducting a review of all processes, saw to what extent MOTC’s administrative system is complaint to internationally recognized standards and practices.This achievement corresponds to MOTC’s strategy for building a safe, sustainable and efficient transportation system capable of providing unique services. The Ministry also works on developing Qatar’s ICT sector in line with best standards and quality systems worldwide.“Obtaining this well-known certification is a new achievement added to a series of MOTC accomplishments. It reflects MOTC’s effort and hard work toward its employees to continue upgrading and promoting all departments to hit new levels of success,” said HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti.This certification, he added, “proves MOTC is committed to implementing the highest quality standards and best management practices with a view to supporting its strategy that aims to provide better services.”