News | Ministry of Transport

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Minister at WSIS2021: “Qatar Pays Great Attention to Sustainable Development with All Its Various Aspects”

Doha – QatarThe State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, participated in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS2021) Virtual Exhibition, which opened yesterday.In remarks broadcasted during the inauguration of the exhibition, Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti said, “The State of Qatar, as part of the integrated vision of its policy at the national, regional and global levels, pays great attention to sustainable development with all its various aspects; social, economic and environmental, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Qatar understands that achieving sustainable development is a key challenge to countries at the national level as well as a global challenge that the international community must join forces to prioritize and make a reality. The State of Qatar is an active and effective contributor with other nations on this front.”“The State of Qatar is participating in the World Summit on the Information Society as a Gold Partner this year to express its support to the universal goals that aim at benefiting from the potential of ICT in accelerating the pace of social and economic development. The Ministry also works on monitoring achieving the Summit Action Lines for realizing the globally defined sustainable development goals through ICT, and which match with our national endeavors to establish a knowledge-based economy,” he added.During her participation in the inauguration event, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of Government Information Technology, MOTC, Ms. Mashael Ali Al-Hammadi, said that Qatar realizes the paramount role that the ICT sector plays in accelerating the pace of social and economic development and creating a knowledge-based economy. Accordingly, she added, the Qatar Digital Government Strategy 2026 will be an ambitious one that complies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, fostering values through ICT such as increased accessibility, and focusing on the quality of education, healthcare, and justice, while striving to make a better environmental impact for a more sustainable model, and empowering all social elements equally.Qatar, which participates as a Gold Partner in the WSIS Forum 2021 slated for this May, is looking forward to showcasing some of Qatar’s milestones with relation to WSIS Action Lines, some projects carried out under the umbrella of the Qatar Digital Government Strategy, as well as highlights from the TASMU Smart Qatar Program and several initiatives on digital inclusion for all sections of the society, including the disabled, the elderly and migrant workers.Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti at the opening of the WSIS Virtual Exhibition click here.

Saturday, March 13, 2021

MOTC, Doha Institute Sign MoU to Develop National Digital Skills

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications and Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI) signed an MoU to boost ties of constructive cooperation, exchange information and expertise and develop joint activities in the field of developing digital skills in Qatar.The MoU was signed by MOTC Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development HE Ms. Reem Mohammed Al-Mansoori and Associate Professor, Dean of the School of Public Administration and Development Economics at DI Prof. Hamid Ali.As per the MoU, the two parties will be cooperating in the fields of conducting research and studies of common interest and exchanging academic resources experienced in the field. They will be also cooperating in organizing workshops and symposia on topics of developing the professional and executive skills and leadership of Qatari nationals to contribute to the digital transformation of the country.Commenting on the MoU, Ms. Al-Mansoori said that the Qatar Digital Government Training Program of MOTC will continue to collaborate with partners and best technology service providers to provide high-quality training and boost the opportunities of accessing international certifications in the field of IT for ICT personnel working in the government sector. This, she noted, could guarantee the continuity of developing high-efficient managerial and leadership capacities in technology domains with a view of enhancing the execution of the objectives of the Qatar Digital Government Strategy and digital transformation plans in Qatar.“We are pleased to sign this MoU with Doha Institute for Graduate Studies and broaden the scope of cooperation and scientific, knowledge and research exchange with one of the most reputed Qatari institutions in the field of research projects and scientific and knowledge production and we are confident this cooperation will serve the digital transformation plans in the country.”From his Part, Dr. Hamid Ali, Dean of the School of Public Administration and Development Economics (SPADE) at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI), stated that the DI is a leading institution for research on social and economic trends affecting the needs of digital skills in Qatar, fully prepared to share and offer its academic experience and conduct training courses, as well as to provide academic staff who have regional and global experience. Dr Hamid added that the Doha Institute has assets and achievements in the field of training provided by the Excellence Center for Training and Consulting. Further, the signing of the MoU will allow the exchange of scientific, knowledge, expertise and experts, especially in scientific research and training.As per the MoU, DI students will be able to participate in the training courses QDGTP provides and QDGTP beneficiaries will have access to the professional training and programs that DI provides.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

10 Qatari Projects Qualify for Phase III of WSIS2021 Prizes

Doha – QatarTen Qatari projects have been nominated to the voting phase of the World Summit on the Information Society Prizes 2021 (WSIS2021) sponsored by the ITU. The voting phase is the pre-final phase ahead of selecting the winning projects in all the categories.The Ministry of Transport and Communications would like to invite the public and all stakeholders to vote online for the 10 projects via the link: https://www.itu.int/net4/wsis/stocktaking/Prizes/2021/ before the deadline for voting; March 31, 2021. Voters should vote in all categories and for only one project under each category.The contest has 18 categories. Five projects with the highest number of votes in each of the 18 categories will be identified and referred to final evaluation from a panel of experts from the ITU, who will select one wining project in eachThe 10 projects are:Theqa - eCommerce Trustmark from the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Category “ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life C7. E-business”Minors Relations Management System from the General Authority for Minors Affairs in Category “C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society”Government Media Analytics Service from the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Category “C9. Media”“Nar'aakom” Mobile Application from the Primary Health Care Corporation in Category “C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life; E-Health”The National Employment Platform "Kawader" from the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs in Category “C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life; E-Employment”Foreign Trade Portal from the Planning and Statistics Authority in Category “C11. International and regional cooperation”Tarsheed Summer Camp Website from the Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation “KAHRAMAA” in Category “C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life; E-Environment”National Cybersecurity Drill (Star) from the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Category “C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs”eCourt from the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre in Category “C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life; E-Government”KAHRAMAA Mobile Phone Application - Employee Section from the Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation “KAHRAMAA” in Category “C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life; E-Employment”The 5 most voted projects will be selected in each category of the 18 categories of the Prizes, then move to Phase 4 for final evaluation from a jury of experts from the ITU, who will select one winning project in each category. The WSIS Prizes is the unique global platform to identify and showcase success stories in the implementation of the WSIS 18 Action Lines and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The WSIS Prizes contest was developed in response to requests from the WSIS stakeholders to create an effective mechanism to evaluate projects and activities that leverage the power of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to advance sustainable development.There will be 18 prizes for each Action Line of the SDGs. The 18 winning projects will be announced and recognized at the WSIS Prize 2021 Ceremony at WSIS Forum 2021 (17 - 21 May).The WSIS Prizes contest is open for all WSIS stakeholders: governments, businesses, civil society, international organizations, academic institutions and others. It features 18 categories that directly match the WSIS Action Lines.

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Minister Inspects Construction Works of Public Bus Infrastructure Projects

Doha – Qatar(March 7, 2021) Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti today conducted an inspection tour of the ongoing projects of the Public Bus Infrastructure Program that MOTC is carrying out in collaboration with Public Works Authority (Ashghal).The Minister inspected work progress on the program’s fifth package in which 4 bus depots are being established at Lusail, Al-Rayyan, Al-Wakra and New Industrial Area.The new depots will include a bus care center and bus parking spaces fully equipped with an infrastructure supportive of e-bus charging. They will also include residential and recreational facilities and mosques.The bus depot in Lusail will have parking canopies powered by highly efficient solar panels, making it the first bus depot in the region to rely on solar energy as a renewable source of clean energy. The solar panels – totaling 10,720 units to generate four megawatts per day - plus the power station as a conventional source of energy, will provide the necessary energy for operating electric charging devices and the whole project at large, in line with highest standards and specifications.The Lusail bus depot will also include 217 150kilowatt dual bus charging devices and five 300kilowatt fast bus electric charging devices. It will also include 474 bus parking spaces. Works to establish the bus parking spaces and solar panel canopies are scheduled to complete in Q4 of 2021. The bus depot in Lusail is expected to complete in Q1 of 2022.In addition to bus depots, the Program also includes the Park and Ride parking spaces, bus stations and ferry (water taxi) terminals.“Park and Ride”Work to establish 4 new sites under the “Park and Ride” project has been wrapped up, as part of the first package of the Program. Two in Al Qassar and Al Wakra were inaugurated for the public in Jan. 2020. The other two in Lusail and Education City near 100% completion and are ready to open soon.Bus TerminalsWork is underway to establish 7 bus terminals within the second and third packages of the Program. Delivery nears 68% for bus terminals in Al-Sudan, Lusail, Al-Wakra, Education City and Industrial Area and would complete during Q3 of 2021.Works at bus terminals in Msheireb and Al-Gharafa are 31% complete and would be fully delivered during Q1 of 2022.Ferry TerminalsThe Program includes establishing a ferry terminal and parking spaces (water taxi) under the fourth package in Lusail, Doha Port, Hamad International Airport and the Pearl, in addition to establishing a bus terminal in the West Bay. Work is underway to award the project tender to the most qualified company during Q1 of 2021.Program ObjectivesPublic Bus Infrastructure Program aims to achieve integration with public transit systems countrywide and support transportation operations during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and beyond. It also wants to increase public transit ridership by offering high-quality service and facilities with world best technologies and specifications.Strategy of Switch to Clean EnergyThe Program reflects MOTC’s attention to implementing the strategy of switching to clean energy in transportation to reduce carbon emissions of conventional vehicles and improve overall air and climate quality in Qatar. Among key strategy objectives is supporting transit operations during FIFA 2022 to make Qatar second-to-none worldwide in using electric, eco-friendly vehicles during a FIFA championship, let alone integration with other public transit systems.

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Qatar Second on ESCWA Gov’t Electronic & Mobile Services Maturity Index 2020

Doha – QatarThe State of Qatar has been ranked second at the level of Arab countries on the Government Electronic and Mobile Services (GEMS) Maturity Index 2020, among 15 Arab countries covered by a report issued recently by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).GEMS indicator aims to measure the maturity of government services provided through the portal and through mobile applications in the Arab region. It seeks to bridge the gap in most of the international indicators, related to service maturity, its use and user satisfaction. It measures and compares the year-on-year performance. It also allows to track the progress in the switch to e-services, by annually comparing the national performance. The index also allows comparison between various countries and entities in e-services transformation. The evaluation process is based on three main pillars: service availability and sophistication, service use and satisfaction, and public outreach.Commenting on the news, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of Government Information Technology at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ms. Mashael Ali Al-Hammadi, said that the e-Government Steering Committee, chaired by MOTC, has since its inception been embracing a fast-paced digital transformation and enabling advanced technology; digital transformation plans have been developed and their execution overseen in collaboration with government entities nationwide, aiming to achieve the objectives of the Qatar Digital Government Strategy and this achievement is the culmination of significant efforts and concerted action by various government entities for developing and launching digital services.“We will continue to move forward with digitally transforming the services and institutional modernization and development as well as bolstering the themes of Qatar’s Second National Development Strategy (2018-2022) by capacity incorporation, fostering the institutional values to improve services provided to individuals and businesses, increasing government administration efficiency and effectively deploying the information technology for public service, thus enhancing the national vision for building a knowledge-based economy in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030,” she added.As per the index, Qatar came first among the Arab countries in two of the three main pillars of the index: service use and user satisfaction and public outreach.On the key performance indicators, the index says the Arab region in general needs to focus on providing the features suitable for the people with disabilities to use the government e-services, as well as enabling the individuals to share their feedback on such services and increasing the rate of using them, particularly on mobile devices. The index says it is equally important to pay a considerable attention to the collecting of data on the statistics relating to the transactions conducted electronically. It adds that it is also necessary to promote any new services through online and offline marketing and awareness campaigns to further increase the percentage of use and public outreach.There are so far more than 1200 digital services under the umbrella of QDG program.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Minister Heads Qatar Delegation to 2nd Maritime India Summit

Doha – QatarMinister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti today headed the Qatari delegation participating in the 2nd edition of Maritime India Summit, which India’s Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated today.The virtual Summit, which ends March 4, is attended by several ministers and decisionmakers representing the maritime industry, CEOs and chairmen of Indian and international maritime companies, as well as several global financial organizations that eye investment in maritime industry. It is also attended by multiple maritime industry enterprise and SMEs owners, academia and researchers.The 2nd edition of MIS will discuss latest and future trends in the maritime industry in the post-pandemic COVID-19 world, attracting potential global investors and exploring opportunities of cooperation between officials, representatives and delegations of the participating countries, aiming for the best use of the potential of the maritime industry around the world.HE the Minister also participated in the Ministerial Session, which discussed developing the maritime industry, ports and hot topics on environment and sustainability.The Qatari delegation includes representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Mwani Qatar, Qatar Navigation (Milaha) and QTerminals.