News | Ministry of Transport

Thursday, July 13, 2017

HE Minister Witnesses Signing of Agreement between MWANI Qatar, Malaysian Companies

Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti today witnessed the signing ceremony of an agreement between Qatar Ports Management Company (MWANI Qatar) and a number of Malaysian companies in the field of shipbuilding.As per the agreement signed today in Kuala Lumpur, the signatory Malaysian companies will provide MWANI Qatar with two ships for containers and general cargo transport at lengths of 68 meters and 64 meters, over the next few months.On this occasion HE the Minister, who is also Chairman of MWANI Qatar, said, “The agreement signed today contributes to boosting economic cooperation with Malaysian companies in a way that backs the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.”The agreement represents a key turning point for MWANI Qatar, HE Minister Al-Sulaiti said. He explained that beside its activity in managing ports, wharfs, dry ports, container terminals and cruise and passenger ship terminals, MWANI Qatar will be owner of the ships, and will be managing them for the interest of the national economy and in support for the domestic efforts that aim to promote Qatar’s competitiveness on world map.“We well know the amount of responsibility that we shoulder to ensure local market stability and the support for sustainable development efforts. For this, we have put a clear strategy with the aim of enabling our ports to become integrated economic entities that support and boost the national economy sustainability and that contribute to achieving the goals of transforming Qatar into a vibrant business hub in the region,” HE the Minister said.Captain Abdulla Al Khanji, CEO of MWANI Qatar, said that the two ships would be built under the supervision of NK, the Japanese classification society, which is one of the internationally recognized societies in the field. This, he noted, aims to ensure that the ships meet world shipbuilding standards and specifications. He also confirmed that the two ships would be equipped with latest world technological systems as MWANI Qatar always takes the matters of environment, security and safety as top priority in all its activities.The Malaysian companies that will build the two ships, Al Khanji said, are recognized in shipbuilding industry with long expertise in the field and owns a great market share in shipbuilding industry around the world.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

HE Minister Meets with President of Malaysian Senate

Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti met in Kuala Lumpur today with HE Dato' Sri SA. Vigneswaran, President of the Malaysian Senate.The meeting discussed the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, a number of matters of common interest, in addition to discussing latest developments relating to the blockade on the State of Qatar and its negative impact on several humanitarian and economic cases.The meeting was attended by HE Qatari Ambassador to Malaysia Eissa bin Mohammed Al-Mannai.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

HE Minister Meets with Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister

Kuala Lumpur – MalaysiaHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti held talks with HE Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, during his business trip in Malaysia.The meeting discussed the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries in the field of transport and communications and means of further enhancing them, in addition to matters of common interest.The meeting was attended by HE Qatari Ambassador to Malaysia Eissa bin Mohammed Al-Mannai.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

MOTC Minister Meets his Malaysian Counterpart

Malaysia, Kuala LumpurHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti met today at Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai.The meeting tackled bilateral relations between the two sisterly countries in the transport field and means of further enhancing them.The meeting also discussed the possibility of how to benefit from the investment opportunities available in the two countries and cooperation between them in the fields of ports, navigational lines, container and cargo vessels industry.During the meeting, Al-Sulaiti provided an explanation about technical reports Qatar submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) about the blockade countries’ violations of aviation’s safety and security, in addition to the serious encroachments they cause to air safety and security.The meeting was attended by Qatar’s Ambassador to Malaysia Eissa Bin Mohammed Al-Mannai and the Minister’s accompanying delegation.

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

MOTC, GAC Sign MoU to Develop Customs Clearance Services

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) in its capacity as head of the e-Government Steering Committee and the General Authority of Customs (GAC) inked a memorandum of understating (MoU) today with a view of further developing customs clearance services in Qatar.The MoU was signed by Mr. Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal, Chairman of GAC, and Mr. Hassan Jassim Al-Sayed, the Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary of Government Information Technology Sector.As per the MoU, the two parties will be collaborating in executing the second phase of the Customs Clearance Single Window “Al-Nadeeb” and supporting the deployment and implementation of its first phase.The agreement reflects the two parties’ continuing cooperation in developing customs services in accordance with the directives of the country’s leadership, toward modern electronic services as outlined in the strategic goals of the Qatar Digital Government 2020 Strategy.“Developing and upgrading the customs services in Qatar are a supportive tool to achieve the goals of the Qatar Digital Government 2020 Strategy and contribute to boosting national and global economy, facilitating world trade, and encouraging investment through streamlined and smoother customs procedures,” Mr. Al Jamal said on the occasion.“The Ministry is delighted to cooperate with GAC on developing the services relating to customs clearance and supporting GAC’s digital transformation plans,” said Mr. Al-Sayed.Today’s MoU, he added, “is a completion to the cooperation that GAC had started already with the Ministry in an earlier stage, which included the automation of customs services through Al-Nadeeb in its first phase and managing it over the past five years, and providing it with the required information technology infrastructure and contact center.”“Phase Two improvements will be focused on streamlining the procedures and enriching the customer experience, aiming to meet the growing needs and keep abreast of best international practices in that field,” he said, emphasizing the Ministry’s keenness to continue coordination with all ministries and government entities across the country to achieve the goals of Qatar Digital Government 2020 Strategy.

Monday, July 10, 2017

MOTC, Vodafone Qatar Sign MoU to Support “Better Connections” Program

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) and Vodafone Qatar signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the implementation of the executive phase of Better Connections Program.As per the MoU, Vodafone Qatar will support the ministry efforts in raising the ICT awareness and achieving better connections amongst migrant workers by providing internet connectivity services and devices in 1500 ICT established for the Better Connections Program.The MoU was signed by Reem Al Mansoori, the Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development at the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Ian Gray, Vodafone Qatar CEO and attended by Khalid Al-Ghanim, Labor International Relations Department Manager at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA).“MOTC will continue work with different entities and bodies concerned in the State of Qatar to broaden the program scope, increase the number of its beneficiaries and achieve more progress in digital inclusion across all the society,” said Al-Mansoori on the occasion.“I believe that such work and cooperation with our partners and stakeholders will make a positive difference towards achieving the program goals and bear amazing fruits in the years to come,” she added.From his part, Mr Ian Gray, CEO, Vodafone Qatar, said: “Vodafone globally have long championed the importance of giving internet access to all members of society so we are delighted that thousands of workers will benefit from being included in the digital world through the MOTC’s Better Connections Program that utilizes our world-class network.”“The Better Connections Program seeks to enable employers to provide ICT tools and the Internet to migrant workers in their accommodation places in order to integrate them into the digital community, keep them connected with their friends and families, and enhance their digital skills, in addition to helping them be aware of their work rights and responsibilities,” said Khalid Al-Ghanim, Labor International Relations Department Manager at MADLSA.In its coming executive plans, the program targets the following: 1.5 million workers in the country, establishing 1500 ICT Lab, providing 15,000 computer devices at a cost of QR 55 million and securing 3000 volunteers, he added.Following the MoU signing, Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Bin Jassim Al-Thani, Chief Operating Officer, Vodafone Qatar, handed over representatives of a number of contracting companies participating in the program their Vodafone internet devices.Launched by MOTC in cooperation with MADLSA last May, the executive phase of the Better Connections Program aims to broaden the program scope over the coming two years, taking the total number of ICT labs up to 1500 and achieving digital inclusion across all migrant workers in the country.Noteworthy, the Better Connections Program, launched in 2014, is a unique initiative that will help workers reach their families back home, learn basic IT skills and build their wider knowledge through being digitally connected. It gives contractors and employers a practical framework to provide training and access to ICT tools for their labors. Program partners include several Qatari institutions, entities, and local contracting firms.