Opened a road linking the new Hamad Port and Truck Route, which falls within the scope of works of the New Orbital Highway project.

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) opened today a road linking the new Hamad Port and Truck Route, which falls within the scope of works of the New Orbital Highway project. The opening was attended by HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, HE Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, and HE Ashghal President Dr. Eng Saad bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi, along with a number of senior officials of relevant authorities and institutions. The attendees were given a presentation and paid a field visit to a number of work sites of the New Orbital Highway project to learn about the progress attained in the project and the timetable for implementing its various phases. The newly opened road, which is approximately 5 km in length and multilevel interchanges with Mesaieed Road, consists of 4 lanes in each direction. It forms a free-flowing traffic route to Truck Route, helping to alleviate congestion, and better manage heavy vehicle movement. The road provides new access to the new Hamad Port, Mesaieed, Al Wakra and the temporary Truck Route. HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti appreciated the efforts made by Ashghal to open the road linking between Hamad Port and Truck Route, expressing his confidence that Ashghal will complete the next phases of the project with the same quality and according to the specified deadline. His Excellency stressed that the partial openings of New Orbital Highway project which are scheduled to take place in April and July reflected the magnitude of the great achievement made in this project. HE Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi praised the rapid execution of the construction of the road, pointing out that Ashghal delivered its work by the agreed deadline. His Excellency highlighted the importance of the road especially in providing free flowing traffic route for heavy vehicles from and to Hamad Port. HE the Minister added that upcoming launch of new roads within New Orbital Highway project will provide distinct transport services, particularly with respect to traffic safety on roads due to the separation of trucks lanes from those dedicated for light vehicles.

QITCOM 2017 to be a launch pad for Qatar’s Digital Industry

Doha – QITCOM is set to provide a launch pad for Qatar’s Digital Industry through showcasing entrepreneurship, championing digital innovation, promoting investment opportunities and tailored learning events, all taking place within a special Entrepreneurship Zone. The Entrepreneurship Zone is part of QITCOM 2017, Qatar’s biggest digital event running from 6 to 8 March at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).Managed by the Ministry of Transport and Communication’s (MOTC’s) Digital Incubation Centre, the Entrepreneurship Zone contains a variety of activities dedicated to entrepreneurs and SMEs in the digital space: a CodeCamp, Innovation Theatre, “Make the Deal” investor matchmaking, and a Startups Hub. Around 300 entrepreneurs will participate in the Entrepreneurship Zone activities, with more than 50 local, regional and international startups showcasing their products and services.Ms. Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development Sector, Ministry of Transport and Communications, said: “QITCOM 2017 strongly promotes entrepreneurship, innovation and learning, as these are integral to building a vibrant ICT sector and a knowledge-based economy. There are incredible opportunities for local entrepreneurs and SMEs at QITCOM 2017, and I encourage all to join us at the Entrepreneurship Zone and be part of Qatar’s smart future.”CodeCamp is a first-of-its-kind hackathon in Qatar, and a brand new addition to QITCOM. Taking place from 3 to 4 March in the QNCC, teams of young students and coders will work together to develop creative technological solutions to a specific problem in four subject matter areas set by CodeCamp’s partners: digital transformation (Microsoft), smart travel (Qatar Airways), e-health (Ooredoo), and assistive technology (Mada). After 48 hours of coding, a judging panel will shortlist the best three teams from each subject to go to the Innovation Theatre for a final pitch where four winners will be announced. The Innovation Theatre is a unique platform that promotes digital entrepreneurship by encouraging talent to develop their businesses, and acts as a hub for entrepreneurs to network, learn and share their latest innovations, experience and success stories. The Innovation Theatre is hosting the “Pitch-Win-Succeed” business plan competition, where entrepreneurs and startup owners will pitch an original business idea to a judging panel. Over the course of three days, forty ideas will be successively narrowed down in a series of pitching rounds, with the final five winners joining MOTC’s Digital Incubation Centre. To qualify, the product or service idea must be innovative, technologically advanced and have distinct competitive advantages. More than 30 mentors will be on hand to support the talented entrepreneurs to develop their ideas and pitch. Available to all during QITCOM are a series of keynote speeches and panel discussions at the Innovation Theatre on subjects chosen to help entrepreneurs turn their startups into scalable businesses.Separate to “Pitch-Win-Succeed”, the Innovation Theatre will also feature “Make the Deal” startup-investor matchmaking that connects high-impact technology startups with local, regional and international investors. “Make the Deal” is a special track within QITCOM 2017 that provides 18 startups with an amazing opportunity to meet with investors, network and grow their business. To qualify, the startups must offer a real solution in the digital and intelligence space such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, smart home technology, augmented and virtual reality, cyber security, big data and smart analytics.In the Startups Hub, twenty local, five regional, and ten international leading startups are showcasing their businesses to fellow entrepreneurs, investors and visitors in a dedicated exhibition space. The businesses have been selected based on a number of criteria including innovation, technology and their business model.In addition to the Digital Incubation Centre’s activities, MOTC’s Digital Industry Department are managing a Digital Masrah and BizTech Zone. Digital Masrah is an open stage featuring a combination of knowledge sharing sessions and specific workshops from technology innovators focused on the digital transformation of SMEs. The BizTech Zone brings business and technology together, enabling local businesses to gain insights on how to adopt new technologies.   

HE The Minister Meets with Ukraine’s Minister of Infrastructure

HE The Minister Meets with Ukraine’s Minister of Infrastructure

Geneva– Doha HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti met today with HE Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Volodymyr Omelyan on the sidelines of their participation in the ministerial meeting of the UNECE’s Inland Transport Committee (ITC), started in Geneva yesterday.The two officials discussed several topics of common interest between the two friendly countries in the field of transport, means of further enhancing them and benefiting from potential investment opportunities in both countries.The meeting was attended by Qatar's Permanent Representative to UN Office in Geneva HE Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri. 

H.E Minister of Transport and Communications takes part in UNECE’s Inland Transport Committee Ministerial Meeting

Geneva – DOHA, H.E Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Bin Saif Al-Sulaiti participated today (February 21) in the ministerial meeting of UNECE’s Inland Transport Committee which was held in Geneva under the title; “Past and Future of UNECE Inland Committee”.Attended by Transport Ministers from the UNECE region and beyond, the meeting tackled the work and achievements of the Inland Transport Committee and its future mission until 2030 at a time of profound changes, challenges and opportunities globally.The meeting was organized to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Inland Transport Committee, take stock of its past and decide on its future mission until 2030. The meeting coincided with the 79th annual meeting of Inland Transport Committee.Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri, Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, also attended the meeting.

Ministry Unveils Ship and Boat Berthing Spaces Project

Doha –The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) today unveiled a project for ship and boat berthing locations at Qatar’s harbors, as part of its efforts in marine transportation planning and development through direct coordination with the Fisheries Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, under which fishing harbors operate.The announcement was made today at a press briefing attended by Mr. Nasser Qadar, Director of Maritime Transport Licensing and Planning Department at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Mr. Mohamed Saeed Al Mohannadi, Director of Fisheries Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and Mr. Eng. Nabil Alkhaldi, Engineering Director at the Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar).“Given the growing number of private ships and boats registered with the Ministry, efforts were accelerated to provide solutions for ship and boat owners by allocating berthing locations for them,” said Mr. Qadar.A committee, established by HE Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Thani, formed a work group that conducted studies and drafted plans for the establishment of the berthing spaces, said Mr. Qadar. Headed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the committee has members from all governmental bodies concerned with the matter, he noted.“Berthing locations were decided to be at the four harbors of Al Ruwais, Al Khor, Al Zakhira and Al Wakra; these are state owned, operate under the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and are increasingly frequented by many ship owners,” he added.Mr. Qadar said that the project had been approved, its budget dedicated and implementation was commissioned by the Ministry of Transport and Communications to Mwani Qatar – a leading company with a record of experience in berthing and harbor development, in accordance with the best internationally-recognized safety and quality standards.The project reflects the considerable attention the MOTC pays to providing appropriate and modern facilities with global standards and specifications to meet the needs of ship and boat owners in a way that serves the national economy and contributes to better regulating ship berthing and stevedoring operations, in addition to protecting them from risks in cases of strong storms.It is also one of the strategic projects serving the private sector, as it will help elevate the efficiency of the facilities allocated for local communities, support the economic development at the abovementioned four sites by boosting business activities, and provide facilities for stakeholders. This is hoped to help in business development and contribute to achieving part of the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. “Picking up the four harbors of Al Ruwais, Al Khor, Al Zakhira and Al Wakra was based on a careful study. The new berthing spaces to be allocated for ship and boat owners will not be at the same spaces being used by ships and boats that belong to fishermen, but rather will be adjacent to them,” said Mr. Al Mohannadi.He stressed that the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Mwani Qatar, is eager to set up the project, which will contribute to providing solutions for ship and boat owners.“As per directives of HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Mwani Qatar was commissioned to prepare the necessary studies to initiate a project for ship and boat berthing at four of Qatar’s key fishing harbors; namely Al Ruwais, Al Khor, Al Zakhira and Al Wakra,” said Eng. Alkhaldi.Based on that, he remarked, Mwani Qatar prepared integrated planning and technical studies under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and engineering designs and drawings were approved for nearly 1000 berths at those four harbors.Eng. Alkhaldi said the execution of the project, which represents one more aspect of a policy of public-private sector partnership adopted by the MOTC, “is expected to begin within the next few months.”Work is underway to put the project out to public tender, followed by the award of the project, which should be completed in less than a year and half, he said.Eng. Alkhaldi said Mwani Qatar, supervised by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, “will be complying with the use of the best materials and making sure those materials meet the highest safety and quality standards in order to ensure that they are effective, sustainable and eco-friendly.”