News | Ministry of Transport

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Digital Incubation Center Takes Part in GEW

Doha-The Digital Incubation Center has partnered with Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) at the launch of its second edition. The Qatar-based instalment of the worldwide initiative is designed to promote entrepreneurship by connecting startup owners, investors, researchers and policymakers from across the globe. This year’s edition of GEW is being hosted from 13 – 17 November 2016, at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), under the patronage of the Minister of Economy and Trade, H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim al-Thani.GEW takes place in nearly 160 countries across six continents simultaneously each year. The international initiative introduces entrepreneurship to communities through a series of discussion panels, workshops and training courses. In addition to highlighting key issues of interest to the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, the platform provides a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to establish bridges across industries.Mrs. Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary Digital Society Sector Development, MOTC, and a team from DIC attended the launch event and are available during the exhibition and conference days.In addition, five incubated startups from DIC are present at the exhibition to showcase their projects;- Urban Point: a Mobile App that brings deals and discount offers to users at hundreds of outlets in Qatar every month- Schools in Qatar: a comprehensive directory of schools including users reviews and ratings, in addition to a discount club for members that provides added value to families and kids in Qatar.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Digital Incubation Center of MoTC Wins Tech Innovation Award 2016

Doha-Digital Incubation Center (DIC) won the “Tech Innovation Award 2016” at the “Enterprise Agility Awards 2016” organized Monday by Entrepreneur Qatar at Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel.Several entrepreneurs and companies were recognized and appreciated at the event that was attended by multiple businesspeople, company owners and entrepreneurs.DIC Manager Duha Al-Buhendi received the award, which comes as an appreciation to the efforts of DIC throughout the past year aiming at supporting and enabling technological innovation among young entrepreneurs and startup owners in Qatar.Commenting on the award, Al-Buhendi said, “We are really happy for this recognition and we consider this as an encouragement and furthering our objectives to develop the technology innovation within the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Qatar.”“The Center supports people who have the passion and tenacity to grow a business through various tracks that help entrepreneurs nurture their ICT ideas, turn them into business opportunities and accelerate the development of their business,” she added.Meddy, a startup incubated at the DIC, won the “Best Startup of the Year Award”. Meddy co-founder Abdullah Al Khanji said, “We are delighted to be awarded best startup of the year at Enterprise Agility Awards 2016. It is truly an honor to be recognized among one of the best companies and initiatives in Qatar’s business ecosystem.”Seif Qadi, Co-founder of Urban Point, which is incubated at the DIC and won the “Mobile App of the Year Award”, said, “It is a massive honor to receive the Mobile App of the Year Award from an organization which is a source of inspiration and information for millions and is considered the voice of entrepreneurship around the world. Great credit goes to DIC, our investor, the team, mentors and partners for their role in our success and for helping us achieve this.”Founded in 2011, the DIC offers expertise and professional guidance in the fields of technology and business. Services include access to space, business planning, education and training, mentorship, and legal advice, among others throughout the phases of the start-up development.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Mowasalat, General Directorate of Traffic Discuss Mitigating the Risks of Transporting Dangerous Goods

Under the patronage of H.E. Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Mowasalat (Karwa) held a workshop on sustainable public transport and mitigating the risks of transporting dangerous goods.Mowasalat (Karwa), represented by Karwa Driving School, was joined at the workshop by representatives from the General Directorate of Traffic, the National Traffic Safety Committee and the International Road Transport Union Academy.The event discussed boosting safer road transport and relevant research, studies and applications. It also tackled topics of sustainable public transport requirements and traffic safety.In his opening remarks, Chairman of Mowasalat Nasser Mohammed Al Malki, highlighted effective measures that help prevent road accidents and how this positively reflects on the safety of society as a whole.Safe mobility and the importance of enhancing relevant partnerships were also discussed with the aim of achieving the state plans and Qatar National Vision 2030.“We, in Mowasalat Karwa, work on diversifying safety measures and raising awareness to prevent road accidents and mitigating their negative impact on society and individuals from social, health, psychological and economic perspectives, as well as promoting the laws and policies that need to be enforced to protect the national economy,” said Al Malki.Mowasalat Managing Director Khalid Nasser Al Hail said protecting lives and improving road safety are top of the company’s priorities and that Karwa Driving School has obtained multiple international certifications based on which the school is able to provide specific driving licenses that contribute to safer driving.He also said they are keen on organizing such workshops and training courses that focus on road and traffic safety as part of their corporate social responsibility programs.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Q-CERT Stages First GCC Cyber Security Drill

Doha – QatarQatar represented by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC)’s Qatar Computer Emergency Response Team (Q-CERT) carried out the First GCC Cyber Security Drill.Cyber defenders from four GCC countries participated in the event, which was held based on a recommendation from the GCC CERTS Committee of the Secretariat General of the GCC.The drill aimed at exploring the best practices and tactics in terms of early and successful detection and blocking of cyber threats, in addition to testing the core elements of resiliency and strength throughout GCC cyber defense systems and networks.Among key objectives as well is to enhance coordination, communication, teamwork and GCC computer emergency response teams’ capabilities by sharing information, alerts and potential threats in order to ensure continued collective efforts against cyber threats.The drill featured multiple mock cyberattacks that organizations counter. The aim is to learn, test and share how GCC government and private organizations respond and handle such attacks rapidly and effectively.The brotherly GCC countries that participated in the mock exercises hailed that the drill was planned and managed efficiently by Q-CERT.This First GCC Cyber Security Drill precedes the Regional Cyber Security Drill to be held next year with participation from some Arab countries and the ITU Regional Office, under the patronage of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and for which Q-CERT will design all mock cyberattack scenarios.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Ministry of Interior Obtains Access Certified Award From Mada Center

DohaThe Information Systems Department of the Ministry of Interior has obtained the Access Certified Award from Qatar Assistive Technology Centre (Mada) for applying the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 AA (WCAG 2.0 AA), which aim to ensure that websites have accessible features for people with disabilities.Mada’s award was handed over by Ms. Maha Al Mansoori, CEO of Mada, and received by Information Systems Department’s Director Brigadier Ibrahim Mohammed Al-Harami.“We would like to thank Information Systems Department of the Ministry of Interior for their commitment to applying global e-accessibility standards and guidelines on their website, which is one of the most visited portals in Qatar rich with information and services that all need, including the disabled,” said Ms. Al Mansoori.She added, “We aim to increase the number of websites that are accessible by people with disabilities in Qatar — something that would make a massive change in terms of how far the disabled could easily access information through information and communications technology. Mada has a special team dedicated to regularly reviewing the global e-accessibility requirements and standards to ensure that government websites in Qatar are designed in a way that makes them flexible and accessible by disabled people and the elderly.”“MOI places considerable attention to ensure that all people with disabilities in Qatar benefit from the several advantages and potential of information and communications technology. At MOI, we are glad to apply all guidelines and requirements related to online accessibility in order to make it easier for the disabled to reach all information and government services that MOI provides,” Al-Harami said,Captain Abdul Aziz Al-Rweili, Assistant Director of Information Systems Department, emphasized continuing the efforts of improving the quality of online services tailored for the people with disability to ensure their accessibility to all types of digital services.The Ministry is committed to developing how people in Qatar use the ICTs in order for everyone to become an effective and active component in the digital landscape in Qatar, which will contribute to achieving Qatar’s vision toward building a knowledge-based economy,’ said Mr. Rashid Mohsin Al-Shahwani, Director of Public Relations & Communications Dept. at the Ministry of Transport and Communications.From that standpoint, he noted, the Ministry has launched several policies to ensure digital accessibility for everyone, atop of them was the eAccessibility Policy’ released in 2011 to ensure that people with disabilities have access to technology and enjoy equal opportunities for digital accessibility.The event was attended by Capt. Ali Ahmed Al Binali, Head of e-Services, Information Systems Department at MOI and some representatives from MoTC and Mada.The award is “often given to institutions that have websites that meet international standards and which can be easily accessed and used by people with disabilities.Mada is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting people with disabilities to the world of information and communication technology. Mada was established in 2010 under the umbrella of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Mada is a proactive response to the belief that ICT can play a critical role in improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Hamad Port Wins GORD’s “Sustainability Award 2016” in Light Industry Ports Category

Hamad Port has received the “2016 Sustainability Award” from the Gulf Organization for Research & Development (GORD), “Light Industry Ports” category, for its commitment to adopting sustainability best practices.GORD’s “Sustainability Awards” are given to organizations and companies inside and outside of Qatar for their leadership and compliance with sustainability best practices by adopting the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) criteria.GSAS is a green building certification system developed for the State of Qatar. The primary objective of GSAS is to create a sustainable built environment that minimizes ecological impact while addressing the specific regional needs and environment of Qatar.Hamad Port has received the award on the sidelines of “The Carbon & Climate Change and Sustainability Environment Conference” Summit that GORD holds in cooperation with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and the Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company. The event is attended by many experts and specialists from the IEA, the UN, the WB and the EU, in addition to several stakeholders and specialists from the public and private sectors in Qatar. GORD is a Qatari governmental organization that leads the way to changing buildings’ design, construction and operations through green practices in the field of energy and efficient construction.