News | Ministry of Transport

Thursday, March 2, 2017

HH the Emir to be Patron of QITCOM 2017 Opening March 6

Doha – HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to be patron of QITCOM 2017; the fourth edition of Qatar’s information and communication technology exhibition and conference and Qatar’s biggest digital event, organized at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) on March 6-8, under the theme “Qatar Towards a Smart Future.”QITCOM Exhibition and Conference is Qatar's biggest digital event, connecting smart technology with international expertise, industry specialists, key government decision makers, innovators, and entrepreneurs. It brings together a diverse ecosystem of stakeholders from the technology sector to exchange ideas and collaborate towards achieving the vision of a smarter Qatar, toward achieving the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030 to build a knowledge-based, technology-driven economy.QITCOM 2017 is set to be the largest to date. This year’s edition includes some 70 public and private partners, 15 sponsors, more than 120 local and global exhibitors in the field, and over 20 visiting international delegations representing global smart cities.The event would be attracting more than 13,000 visitors who will explore smart city solutions and programs and unique learning and business opportunities.The event features, among others, the Entrepreneurship Zone that 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.

Thursday, March 2, 2017

CRA wins best app award for ICT sector

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has won Best Mobile App for ICT sector, for its Arsel app which means ‘send’ in Arabic.The newly upgraded version of the app, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, won the award at the 8th Smart Government Excellence Awards ceremony held by Pan Arab Excellence Awards Academy recently in Cairo.“CRA is constantly looking for ways to improve the experience of consumers in Qatar, and Arsel app is a key element of this. It provides a range of useful functionality to users, significantly increases transparency for all parties and the data collected through the app will help CRA to work effectively with the service providers to improve the quality of services across the country,” said Faisal al-Shuaibi, CRA’s official spokesperson. “The mobile app is a key part of CRA’s strategy of ensuring that people have the right tools and technology at their fingertips to contribute to CRA’s vision of making Qatar a smart, connected nation,” he added. The app contains an extensive range of useful features such as an in-built complaints process, network status updates, speed testing and notifications.The app allows users to lodge complaints against the service providers using accurate location-based information, follow up on their complaints, send relevant documents and receive updates. The app takes users through a detailed step-by-step telecom consumer complaints process. Arsel also gives users the ability to check if there are any network coverage issues that have been reported in their area or all over Qatar and can filter by service provider. Additionally, the speed test functionality allows users to check internet speed (Mobile/Wi-Fi) and report this directly to the CRA, the app also highlights factors that may affect user’s data speed. Users can also receive notifications and be up to date with all the latest information from the CRA.CRA’s award joins awards won by other Qatari entities such as Ministry of Economy and Commerce which won the award in the Ministries sector and Qatar Media Corporation which won the award in the Media Sector.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Qatar Hosts Fifth Regional Cyber Drill March 5-9

Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, is hosting the fifth regional Cyber Drill for Arab countries, organized by the ITU-Arab Regional Cybersecurity Center (ARCC) in collaboration with the ITU Arab Regional Office, at the Four Seasons Doha Hotel on March 5-9.The workshop hosts Arab region’s CERTS, security operation centers at the vital sectors and private information security emergency centers.The workshop aims to boost communication capabilities, teambuilding and cyber threats response capabilities, aiming to maintain the ongoing efforts that Arab computer emergency response teams (CERTs) exert for combating cyber threats. It also works as a platform for cooperation and discussions on current challenges in cybersecurity domain among the participating countries.Over five days, the workshop will feature several sessions tackling current cybersecurity issues and training sessions on cybersecurity, in addition to mock cyberattacks that will feature different cyber threat scenarios of the most common cyberattacks.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Qatar to Host 19th GCC e-Government Executive Committee Meeting

Doha – Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, will host the 19th meeting of the GCC e-Government Executive Committee on March 5-6.The meeting, to be held at Saint Regis Hotel, will tackle several topics such as the progress made on GCC e-government initiatives, including the joint initiatives contained in the GCC Guidelines Strategy.The meeting will also discuss a working paper submitted by Qatar on the unified framework for e-access. The Committee will also look into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)’s report on arrangements for the 5th GCC e-Government Awards, Exhibition & Conference to be held in KSA in 2017.

Monday, February 27, 2017

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.

Sunday, February 26, 2017

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.