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The ConteQ Expo24 will be held from 2024 September 16 to 18 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) while offering investment opportunities and highlighting latest trends in development and construction sectors, it was announced Monday.Jointly organised by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) and the Ministry of Labour, ConteQ Expo24 is described as an ideal venue for companies, construction, manufacturing, and retail industry leaders in Qatar to meet with thought leaders, suppliers and prominent industry leaders at the international level.The event will also showcase the latest research, innovations and technologies that enhance productivity, quality of implementation, cost reduction, waste reduction and energy efficiency. The details were announced during a press conference Monday.A statement from president Dr engineer Saad bin Ahmad al-Muhannadi said Ashghal is dedicated to embracing groundbreaking technologies that revolutionise the execution of construction projects. “Our emphasis lies in minimising dependence on unskilled labour while introducing innovative solutions that amplify efficiency and elevate quality. ConteQExpo24 provides a promising opportunity to explore cutting-edge advancements in technology, allowing us to uncover fresh approaches for enhancing our operations and project implementation,” he said.Projects Affairs director engineer Yousef al-Emadi told the press conference that Ashghal, while hosting the exhibition, will establish a foundation for initiating the journey of digital and technical transformation, particularly in the vital construction and services sector.“We are currently witnessing an impressive surge of progress and digitalisation across all industries. To keep up with this rapid advancement, it is crucial to swiftly act and provide a platform for innovators, enthusiasts, and technical experts to convene with decision-makers and creators,” he said.Ministry of Labour's assistant undersecretary Mohamed Hassan al-Obaidly said ConteQ Expo24 represents a pivotal stride towards realising the objectives and policies pursued by Qatar.“It not only facilitates the actual digital transformation within crucial sectors such as construction and services but also attracts specialised and skilled workers while curbing the reliance on unskilled labour. This endeavour bears significant positive implications as it enhances productivity and facilitates the execution of major projects in the country's construction and services sectors, adhering to the requisite standards."Moreover, it enables us to remain abreast of advanced digital solutions, emerging requirements, and evolving trends. This, in turn, fosters initiatives and ongoing endeavors in the realm of digital transformation within the construction and services fields,” al-Obaidly said.Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Public Relations Department head Jassim Mohammed al-Naama, said ConteQ Expo24 embodies the ministry’s commitment to advancing technology in the construction and services industry.“The exhibition will showcase advanced technologies and innovative solutions in the services sector, and provide a platform for companies, industry experts and innovators to meet with their counterparts and explore opportunities for cooperation and growth. We are excited to showcase new technologies that will automate many processes and thus simplify them and enhance efficiency in these areas," he said.The exhibition organising committee manager engineer Salem al-Shawi said the organisers are delighted to bring the world’s thought leaders and respected industry peers together with Qatar’s construction, manufacturing, and retail industry figures to digitise and advance the construction, manufacturing, and retail industries.“Digital transformation and its evolution are imperative to business and economic advancement. It enables collaboration, information flow, increased efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and safety. Showcasing the latest cutting-edge digital solutions, ConteQ Expo24 will be an exceptional event for companies striving for growth and advancement,” he noted.The press conference also marked signing of sponsorship contracts with UCC Holding (UrbaCon Trading & Contracting) the Official Sponsor, and Nafco Qatar,the Platinum Sponsor and AMANA company- Gold Sponsor.

An S-Band radar system was launched Wednesday at Hamad International Airport (HIA), which will be used in air traffic control systems to monitor and manage arriving and departing air traffic.HE the Minister of Transport Jassim Saif Ahmed al-Sulaiti launched the radar system in the presence of Italian ambassador Paolo Toschi, Leonardo Electronics senior V-P Davide Fazio and officials from the Ministry of Transport and Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA).Established in conjunction with Italian firm Leonardo, the S-Band radar system is equipped with advanced features and provides unparalleled accuracy, and will serve as the backbone of airspace surveillance, enabling swift and precise tracking of aircraft in real time.By providing essential information to air traffic controllers, pilots and aviation authorities, the radar system will significantly enhance situational awareness and streamline the management of air traffic.The S-Band radar covers a range of 200 miles and a height of 45,000ft. It is connected to the Long-Rang L-Band radar for smooth air traffic and safe and secure aviation. It updates flight locations every five seconds, helping detect aircraft locations with high accuracy.Such instant updates also help air controllers prioritise landing and takeoff operations in a fashion that enables the landing and takeoff of three aircraft at the same time, using three tarmacs at HIA and Doha International Airport (DIA), thus increasing the capacity to 100 aircraft per hour. This system is taking effect for the first time in the Middle East, the MoT explained in a statement.“The launch of this radar and the previous milestones during such a short period of time demonstrate the progress achieved in Qatari air navigation while supporting the build-up of a civil aviation system that is leading and sustainable relying on the best policies and practices and highest global standards in the field,” HE the Minister said.The aim, he noted, is to enhance the country’s position on the global aviation map to the best levels in terms of efficiency, quality and advancement, thus achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.He added that the deployment of advanced air navigation systems and technologies has contributed to achieving the strategic goals for keeping pace with the need to increase air traffic capacity as the number of air movements at HIA and DIA, from the start of operations during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 through the end of the championship, reached 26,425 - the equivalent of a landing and a takeoff per minute.The objective of the new radar system is to provide complete redundancy for the primary and secondary radar data, through state-of-the-art technology, in compliance with the latest national and international standards. It allows controllers to track the position, altitude, speed and heading of aircraft in real time. This information enables controllers to provide separation between aircraft, issue instructions and ensure the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.Mohamed Faleh al-Hajri, in charge of managing the QCAA, said the launch of the S-Band radar supports the progress of the current stage, complements the development plans in place, and marks a new step towards a more efficient future for civil aviation.Installing new devices and advanced technologies directly contributes to increasing the capacity and opening additional air routes, and this helps in the smooth flow of air traffic for arriving and departing aircraft, al-Hajri noted."In support of our national talent, Qatari engineers and technicians have been trained in the technologies of the S-Band radar system at the manufacturing company in Italy in the first phase. They will have hands-on training at the site of the radar here under the supervision of specialised engineers from Leonardo,” the QCAA official added.Earlier this week, the Long-Range L-Band radar was launched in the north of Qatar, marking a qualitative addition to air navigation measures.Supplied and installed by Thales, the L-band radar complies with state-of-the-art technology and latest national and international standards. It will be covering the Doha Flight Information Region (FIR) with a range of 250 nautical miles (about 400km), and can detect aircraft from a height of 3,000-65,000ft.

The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCCA) Monday launched a state-of-the-art Long-Range Band Radar at Al Shamal that will ensure smooth and secure air navigation with high levels of accuracy within the newly established Doha Flight Information Region (DFIR).HE the Minister of Transport Jassim Saif al-Sulaiti launched the radar in the presence of dignitaries and top officials from the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and QCCA.Supplied and installed by French multinational company Thales, L-Band Long Range Radar complies with the latest national and international airtraffic control standards. It consists of the basic radar to cover the Doha Flight Information Region, with a range of 250 nautical miles (about 400 km) that can detect aircraft that flies between the altitudes of 3000 feet and 65000 feet in the region. The radar and systems are linked with the Qatar Air Traffic Control Center. The long-range radar also covers Kuwaiti, Emirati, and Bahraini airspace, as well as parts of Saudi and Iranian airspace.It’s worth noting that six Qatari engineers from the Air Navigation Department were sent to get trained in its operations at the manufacturing company in France.The adoption of this radar comes as part of the measures taken by QCAA to achieve the main strategic objectives of the Doha Flight Information Region (FIR) such as to enhancing air traffic control in Qatari airspace enabling early detection of air traffic within the region while developing work mechanisms, adopting modern technologies, and keeping pace with international standards, to enhance the status and presence of Qatar on the global aviation map.“During the previous years, QCAA took many measures to improve the status of the civil aviation industry in the State of Qatar, and paid great attention to all areas of this vital sector, and to air navigation concerned with managing the airspace in the State of Qatar and maintaining its security and safety. This was reflected in the great support provided by the Authority to this field, in terms of adopting the latest technologies and providing the best systems used in the field of air navigation, in cooperation with several companies around the world, specialized in the development of air navigation, with the aim of keeping pace of global technological changes and developments and ensuring further development and progress. This is in addition to providing expertise and specialized cadres, intensifying training processes and developing existing competencies to improve the level of performance and quality of work,” a statement from QCCA noted.

Around 2,500 low-income individuals will benefit from the 19th Asian Medical Camp tomorrow at Ain Khalid Umm Al Seneem Health Centre.Jointly organised by the Centre for Indian Community (CIC) and the Indian Doctors Club Qatar (IDC), the camp will have 120 doctors along with paramedical staff examining patients from various communities.Addressing a press conference Wednesday, the organisers said all arrangements were completed for the camp which will start at 7am. The inaugural ceremony is at 9am. The camp will also host open to the public health awareness sessions in the afternoon by experts from various branches of medicine, including Dr Mahesh Menon, Dr Rashmi Gurav, Dr Devi Krishna and Dr Manichandran.“Expert doctors in various fields such as cardiology, ENT, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, and ophthalmology will conduct these examinations. Additionally, the camp will offer services such as scanning, ECG, audiometry, ophthalmology, oral checkups, cholesterol and sugar tests, as well as clinical tests like blood pressure monitoring. Free medication will be provided as prescribed by the doctors,” said Dr Biju Gafoor, IDC Qatar president.General secretary Dr Makthoom Mohamed said that patients who need further care will be referred to the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) facilities.“Since its inception in 2002, the Asian Medical Camp has provided relief to thousands of patients, establishing itself as a vital healthcare initiative. It holds the distinction of being the largest and most comprehensive camp in the Middle East in terms of participant numbers and range of medical services offered. Following a pause caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the medical camp is preparing to recommence its services while ensuring the continuity of its uninterrupted legacy of providing medical care,” noted a press statement from CIC.“In addition to the doctors, the camp will be supported by hundreds of paramedical staff, volunteers, and technical personnel, all dedicated to serving the attendees. Collaborating with the camp are various organisations and institutions, including the Indian Pharmacists Association Qatar, Qatar Diabetes Association and several other entities,” the statement added.The press conference was attended by Ishaq Ahmed Saeed, co-ordinator, Media Communications, HMC; Dr Mohamed Suhail, representative, PHCC; K C Abdul Latheef, vice chairman, Asian Medical Camp and vice president, CIC Qatar; and Rasheed Ahmed, Mohamed Ali and PP Rahim, also CIC Qatar officials.

The authorities concerned have advised travellers to reach Hamad International Airport (HIA) early in view of the expected summer rush.Lt-Col Abdullah Mohamed al-Jasmi, head of the Airport Passports Department at the Ministry of Interior (MoI), told Qatar Radio that all parties concerned need to co-operate to prevent any crowding or congestion at HIA in the coming period.The official shared a set of tips for travellers, including using facilities such as online check-in and using e-gates at HIA. “Arriving early is one of the most important tips for passengers to follow in order to save time, especially in case they have any visa or other issues,” he said. “It is possible to rely on the Metro to reach HIA faster."He noted that the most prominent recurring problems pertain to passports nearing their expiry date as some countries set certain conditions to allow foreign travellers to enter their territories. “The traveller must make sure that the passport is valid for at least six months in order to avoid any problems. This is because some countries refuse entry to travellers if the validity period of the passport is less than six months,” he explained.The MoI has set up e-gates for passengers to reduce the pressure on manually controlled immigration counters as part of the smart passenger project. The facility enables passengers to complete the entry or exit process through self-service terminals, which use smart technology, without the need to approach the counter staff.The activation of the electronic gates for residents has contributed to quick completion of their travel procedures without standing in long queues and waiting for passport control officers to verify their personal data and put the departure or arrival stamp on their passports.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani on Sunday inaugurated the first edition of the Qatar Real Estate Forum at the Sheraton Doha.The two-day forum has been organised by the Ministry of Municipality under the theme of 'Regulations and Legislation for an Optimal Quality of Life and a Sustainable Real Estate Industry'.A number of ministers and members of diplomatic missions accredited to the country, along with several senior officials and businesspersons, attended the inauguration of the forum.HE the Prime Minister hoped that the forum would serve as a platform for investors and realtors to exchange experiences.“Joined the opening of the first Qatar Real Estate Forum, titled 'Regulations and Legislation for an Optimal Quality of Life and a Sustainable Real Estate Industry', hoping it will be a platform for investors and realtors to exchange global and local experiences to reach a sustainable real estate industry,” he tweeted.The two-day forum is being attended by around 1,500 leaders, decision makers, experts and actors in the real estate from Qatar and beyond. It highlights regional and global best expertise and practices related to the real estate sector.The first session on the inaugural day of the forum saw a panel discussion on ‘Future Trends in Real Estate’, which was attended by HE Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, Minister of Municipality; Mutlaq Naief Omar Abu Raqaba al-Otaibi, Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy and Minister of State for Housing, Kuwait; and Hamad bin Ali bin Sulaiman al-Nazwani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for Housing, Oman.The session discussed the importance of real estate development to enhance the State's economy while shedding light on the strategic initiatives to build an attractive real estate investment environment.There were three more sessions Sunday, titled ‘Exploring the Future of Real Estate’, ‘Real Estate Sector Governance’ and ‘Digital Innovation for a Sustainable Real Estate Industry’.On Monday, the forum's sessions will focus on ‘The Post-World Cup Real Estate Sector’, ‘The Real Estate Investor’s Journey — Reality vs Hope’, ‘Funding Policies and Processes’, and ‘Future Cities for a Better Life Quality’.Besides, workshops are being held as part of the forum, while an accompanying exhibition showcases state-of-the-art technologies deployed in the sustainable real estate industry. (With inputs from QNA)

Foreign direct investment projects in Qatar witnessed a surge between 2019 and 2022 and are set to increase further this year, HE the Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie said at the inaugural Qatar Real Estate Forum Sunday.Speaking at the opening of the forum at the Sheraton Doha, HE the Minister explained that foreign direct investment projects in the country achieved a 70% annual growth during the 2019-2022 period, and are expected to grow by 2.4% by the end of 2023, putting the country on top of the list of recipients of foreign direct investment in the world.“The real estate sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in Qatar, and ranks second after the energy sector, with investments exceeding QR82bn (more than $23bn) and the launch of 135 real estate projects in 2022. This is a big addition to Qatar's infrastructure achievements," he said.He attributed this achievement to Qatar's infrastructure that is among the best in the world, and its position as the world's safest country for the fifth year in a row. Also, Qatar has highly advanced health and education sectors with one of the most flexible and adaptive sovereign funds, as well as strong financial institutions and an environment that encourages business growth, and a steady rise in the volume of local investment, he explained.Besides, Qatar is the first country in the Middle East where all municipalities have been awarded the 'Healthy City' title by the World Health Organisation, he added.All of these accomplishments embody the great efforts made in all sectors of the country in providing sustainable options to achieve the health and well-being of the residents of Qatar in addition to striving to implement the comprehensive urban plan for the country, as well as effective and directed investment for infrastructure projects, HE al-Subaie noted.“These are all in accordance with the Ministry of Municipality's national and sustainable development strategy aimed at the realisation of Qatar National Vision 2030,” he said.Further, HE the Minister stressed that the success achieved by the country in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 had a positive impact in terms of attracting a large number of foreign investors, thus enhancing the distinguished position that Doha occupies today as a thriving financial centre that leads dialogues and provides the possibility of exchanging views in order to enhance synergies among the main players in the economic arena at the local, regional and international levels.HE the Minister said that the first Qatar Real Estate Forum comes in the wake of Amiri Order No 28 of 2023, issued on April 11, establishing the Public Authority for Regulating the Real Estate Sector.“This is a pioneering and important step to strengthen this vital sector and continue its development through organising, motivating and contributing to its advancement, in implementation of the country’s ambitious policies and directions within Qatar National Vision 2030, taking into account the economic and social development plans and achieving urban development in a balanced and integrated manner that preserves the quality of life and sustainability,” he explained.He expressed happiness at the opening of the first edition of the forum, which sheds light on regulations and legislation and their role in achieving a sustainable real estate industry, and reviews the best regional and global experiences and practices related to the real estate sector with the aim of creating an outstanding climate for the real estate investment sector.He also expressed gratitude for the great interest that Qatar has in developing the real estate sector, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.The forum stems from the importance of the real estate sector in Qatar and its pivotal role in comprehensive development, as it is one of the active and influential sectors in the economic development process, HE the Minister said. “The forum also contributes to real estate development and sustainable housing amid the country's development and economic diversification, with the aim of reaching a future vision for the real estate industry and finding solutions to the challenges facing the future of real estate in Qatar in order to achieve an attractive and vital real estate boom,”He expressed hope that the forum would be a favorable opportunity to lay out a roadmap for the path of real estate development in Qatar, which would reflect positively on the returns for the real estate sector across all sectors that enhance it.The two-day forum has been organised by the Ministry of Municipality in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Finance, in addition to Expo 2023 Doha and Qatari Diar, under the theme of 'Regulations and Legislations for an Optimal Quality of Life and a Sustainable Real Estate Industry'.Gulf Times is a media partner of the forum.

Project Qatar’s Q Green Conference Thursday discussed the green, sustainable and environmental mobility solutions while underlining the need for integrating new approaches and innovation while implementing development projects. The Q Green Conference also hosted a workshop on ‘Exploring the Significance of ESG in Business Strategy’. The workshop touched on the crucial role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in shaping business strategies across industries in the rapidly changing business landscape where companies are recognising the significance of integrating ESG considerations into their core strategies. The workshop aimed to uncover the benefits and impacts of ESG integration on business performance, reputation, and stakeholder relationships.While presenting the topic ‘green, sustainable and environmental mobility solutions’, Anish Gopal, Warehouse Solutions Head, Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. WLL, stressed the need to go green while changing the behaviour and lifestyle to reduce the amount of pollution and waste we generate. While suggesting sustainable ways to go green, he said switching to electric or even hybrid or LPG cars and equipment can make the results. “Reuse, saving energy, and digital transformation are the sustainable ways to go green,” he said. Also, he explained the phases of evolution of power in the material handling industry.Emad Chen, Managing Director, MIDEA, addressed the conference on ‘Midea Comprehensive HVAC Solutions’ while Anne Marie Thodsen, Managing Director, The Umbrella Institute, had a presentation on ‘A Circular Systems Approach to Net Zero City Development:Ensuring in Country Value and Sustainable Supply Chains’.

The Q Tech Conference at Project Qatar yesterday underlined the need for transformation in urban planning while highlighting the latest trends and innovation in the urban development sector. Also, the panelists discussed during the conference the measures to transform industry with sustainable, offsite and digital solutions, contemplating on the means to integrate holistic approaches towards materialising urban development.Addressing the conference on ‘Pedestrian mobility amid growing infrastructure demand for high speed and grade separated roads in urban centres’, Moen Azmi, executive director of Arab Engineering Bureau, noted that there is a need to ensure pedestrian mobility in urban areas amid the growing infrastructure demand for high-speed and grade-separated roads.He said pedestrian mobility is important as it fosters vibrant public spaces, social interaction and economic vitality while making cities more livable and attractive places to work in and visit. "Also, it promotes walking while reducing carbon emission and generating economic benefits along with health and well-being, livability, urban revitalisation, multimodal integration, accessibility, social inclusion and tourism,” he said.Underlining the need to have a proper strategy on developing pedestrian space, Azmi said inadequate pedestrian planning negatively affects urban life. Ahmed El-Essnawi, vice-president and Operations director, Parsons, discussed the possibilities of digital design for large-scale projects while analysing various methods.Mona Noureldin Husen, deputy head of the Strategic Planning and Studies Unit at the Ministry of Municipality, shed light on the aspects of strategic development when building smart and sustainable cities. The presentation was on ‘The importance of holistic strategic development framework in creating smart and sustainable cities’.

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is striving to make Qatar a greener place while focusing on sustainability and environmental protection, Jasmine al-Sheikh, project design manager at the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar, has said.Speaking to Gulf Times at Project Qatar 2023, al-Sheikh noted that Ashghal’s infrastructure development and beautification projects are embodied with measures to ensure sustainability, with recycled and locally made projects getting due consideration.“The elements of sustainability are very much tangible in the recently completed beautification projects, including the West Bay North Beach, Ras Bu Abboud Beach Development and Doha Central Development and Beautification projects,” the official said, adding that heritage features are also taken into account when development projects are implemented.“We also make plans to preserve the past and heritage during the development of new areas, while also adding to their aesthetic features,” al-Sheikh added.Regarding the reliance on locally made products, she said that all of Ashghal’s projects promote Qatar-made products and manufacturers through its small-scale Qatari contractors initiative, Ta’heel.The official went on to say that the use of modern technology is being promoted while trying to achieve digital transformation in all of the authority’s projects.

Representatives of Expo 2023 Doha and the General Secretariat of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) met at the Ministry of Municipality's office Sunday to sign an agreement for the General Secretariat's participation in the expo that will be held from October 2 to March 28, 2024.The agreement-signing ceremony was held in the presence of HE the Minister of Municipality Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, who is also the chairman of Expo 2023 Doha’s National Committee, GCC secretary-general Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, and Expo 2023 Doha secretary-general Mohamed al-Khoury.The agreement was signed by Bader Omar Ismail al-Dafa, the Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Climate Change and Sustainability and the Expo 2023 Doha commissioner-general, and Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sheikh, director-general of the Office of Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC General Secretariat.Highlighting the regional commitment to build a more sustainable future, the GCC will have its own presence at Expo 2023 Doha with a dedicated pavilion that will showcase the latest initiatives to fight climate change and combat desertification, increase vegetation and boost food security.The pavilion will also offer space to small and medium enterprises from the region with the aim of fostering sustainable ecosystems across the GCC.“The participation of the GCC member states in Expo 2023 Doha demonstrates our shared commitment to support sustainable innovation and further strengthen cultural and economic ties between the Gulf states,” HE Dr al-Subaie said. “By highlighting our common achievements, projects and solutions, we send a strong message to the world emphasising the vitality of the Arab Gulf region, its huge potential and its well-deserved important position on the global stage.”Al-Budaiwi said the hosting of the biggest horticultural expo in Qatar comes at a crucial time when environmental action is at the top of the international agenda, and is testimony to Qatar’s ability and know-how in staging prestigious international events.“The GCC’s presence at the expo will highlight the region’s joint strategy and action in tackling the most pressing ecological and agricultural challenges, and the GCC pavilion will serve all member states of the organisation,” he noted.Al-Khoury said the agreement is the latest addition to the list of partnerships for Expo 2023 Doha, stressing that this partnership is an affirmation that the exhibition will discuss highly important issues affecting the entire Gulf region, as reducing desertification and finding effective ways to achieve sustainability are a necessary requirement for all GCC countries.“The participation of the GCC General Secretariat in Expo 2023 Doha is an embodiment of solidarity between all the countries of the Council and a qualitative addition to this global exhibition,” he said, indicating that the pavilion of the GCC General Secretariat of the Council will provide an "integrated picture of the joint Gulf action, and highlight the contributions of the GCC countries to global solidarity efforts in order to achieve the sustainable development goals".“The pavilion will enable the world to show the excellence of Gulf competencies and their successes in employing technology and innovation in modernising and developing agriculture, and directing Gulf capital towards profitable investments that benefit people and remain in the land,” al-Khoury added.He pointed out that the addition of the GCC General Secretariat to the list of partners will make a huge difference in consolidating the status of the exhibition, especially at the regional and global levels.Serving as a platform to deepen international collaboration and fostering new partnerships, Expo 2023 Doha will also be a major tourist attraction for the visitors from the Gulf and wider Arab region, who represented 45% of registered international arrivals to Qatar in 2022, a press statement by the organisers noted.Expo 2023 Doha will further boost regional tourism and contribute to building a green-minded community across the Gulf countries.Themed *Green Desert, Better Environment, Expo 2023 Doha will bring together nations, organisations and individuals from across the globe to explore new environmental and horticultural solutions.With cutting-edge technological displays, interactive exhibits, thought-provoking forums and vibrant cultural showcases, Expo 2023 Doha promises an immersive experience that will engage visitors and spark transformative conversations.

Hundreds of visitors witnessed yesterday the opening of the three-day Darb Lusail Flower Festival, with Al Sa’ad Plaza towards one end of Lusail Boulevard becoming an ocean of flowers. The event, organised by the Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company and open from 7pm-11pm, concludes tomorrow (Saturday). Flowers on the street dividers and other structures towering over the path have created a festive ambience and instagrammable frames for the visitors. Parades at 7pm and 9.30pm, each 30 minutes long, are major attractions of the festival. Artists in costume, popular cartoon characters and floats featuring prominent landmarks of Lusail City, including the Katara Towers and Al Sa’ad Plaza towers, are perfect eye candy.Buildings on either side of Lusail Boulevard, which will be a pedestrian zone throughout the festival, have been lit up in myriad colours. Light music wafts through the air.“We like this place and it has turned out to be one of the favourite weekend destinations of families,” Indian expatriate Abdul Rasheed told Gulf Times. Game stalls for children and adults, a local market selling flowers, bouquets and perfumes, artists doing live paintings and eateries offering a variety of snacks and beverages add to the attraction of the festival.In a statement, engineer Khaled al-Hammadi, director of Asset Management at Qatari Diar, stated that the Lusail Boulevard has proven to be an immensely popular destination, both during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the several other events. “Everyone is invited to visit the festival and enjoy the various activities,” he added.The entities concerned at the Ministry of the Interior has appealed to the public to co-operate with traffic police and abide by the traffic diversions to ensure the security and safety of all festival-goers.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tuesday said that her country has emerged as a model of women's empowerment, while also shedding light on the impressive socio-economic gains made by Bangladesh and the progress seen in education and creating a knowledge-based society.She made the observations while addressing a seminar on ‘Women's empowerment and its role in building institutions in the community: Bangladesh as a model’ at Qatar University (QU).Sheikh Hasina presented the seminar in front of a wide audience of senior QU officials, dignitaries, representatives from the embassy of Bangladesh and QU students. She said, “I am very pleased to be here with you all. I sincerely thank Qatar University for the warm welcome. I am delighted to be among the future generation’s leaders. I feel humbled to share the transformative development journey of my country, Bangladesh."Sheikh Hasina noted that after years of efforts, Bangladesh now ranks the highest in South Asia in reducing gender disparity. "We have gender parity in favour of our girls in primary and secondary education," she said. "We are among the world’s top 10 nations for women’s political empowerment. Bangladesh is perhaps the only country where the prime minister, speaker of the parliament, leader of the opposition, and deputy leader of the House are all women."We have 33% seats reserved for our women in local government bodies. I made it a point to break all glass ceilings by placing our deserving women in top leadership positions everywhere.""Bangladesh has the fourth largest Muslim population in the world, with over 91% Muslims. Our great Islam accords the highest respect to women and has many accounts of successful female leaders,” she pointed out.Further, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has made impressive gains in the areas of food security, free and affordable housing, community healthcare, compulsory primary education, women’s empowerment, financial inclusion, digital services, access to electricity, disaster preparedness and climate adaptation.She called on young women and girls to have a greater involvement in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. "Our government is setting up a technical training institute for them. We are preparing rural young women to allow them to work as digital freelancers from home. We must work together to end all forms of discrimination against girls,” Sheikh Hasina said, noting that there are various programmes to train the young generation.The Bangladesh primer minister said "today’s Bangladesh is a changed Bangladesh". "It’s dubbed as a role model for development. Hunger, poverty, malnutrition and illiteracy are vanishing fast. Our hard-earned development in the country is not a miracle. It is the collective work of our men and women. I have only tried to guide them in the desired direction," she said.She explained that her government managed to build a solid foundation for Bangladesh’s socio-economic transformation during her first regime from 1996 to 2001. She went on to say that the Ashrayan scheme is implemented to provide free houses for homeless families. “We have established over 18,000 community clinics and rural healthcare centres through which primary healthcare services are being provided to the people.”The initiatives include expansion of the social safety net to support the poor and marginalised sections of society and development in the education sector. She also noted that her government had taken a decision to give insulin free of charge from these centres. “All investment in the health sector has started to pay off.”Addressing the students at QU, she said: “Dear students, without an educated population no nation can prosper. So, since assuming office, our utmost priority is education.”“We want to build a knowledge-based Smart Bangladesh. In Smart Bangladesh, there will be a smart government, a smart economy, a smart population, a smart society and smart manpower. People will be made skilled in using digital devices so that they can contribute to the fourth industrial revolution,” she said. “The purpose of a Smart Bangladesh is to keep pace with a changing world and use digital devices in all areas of education, health, agriculture, industry, business and trade to achieve the goals. We are setting up digital labs in all educational institutions from primary to higher education levels.”Making a slew of suggestions to realise the development goals, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked students and youth to remain focused while representing values and keeping their spirits up,“I would like to share a few suggestions for future leaders from my life’s experience and struggles — first of all, represent a value; remain focused on your vision; make concrete plans to realise your vision; lead by example and be the change-maker; trust your people and team; invoke your maternal spirit; and embrace the new and the future," she advised.QU President Dr Hassan Rashid al-Derham honoured Sheikh Hasina at the event. Following the seminar, the floor was opened for a Q&A session, where Sheikh Hasina answered questions from the audience.

Reaching out to the blue-collar workforce, the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) has announced that it will honour five outstanding long-serving labourers on the occasion of the forum’s Labour Day celebrations.This comes as part of ICBF’s efforts to ensure the welfare of the workforce while making the organisation inclusive and accessible for all. The winners will be felicitated for their unwavering commitment and multiple contributions to Qatar's progress.Accordingly, ICBF is seeking nominations for its initiative to honour five long-serving labourers who have been residents of Qatar for more than 30 years. They will be honoured at the 'Labour Day Rang Tarang 2023' celebrations to be held at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium parking on May 26, from 5pm to 10pm.“Individuals are being nominated for the award and the winners will be selected by an independent jury,” ICBF president Shanavas Bava said while addressing a press conference in this regard Saturday.Named Rang Tarang, the Labour Day celebration will be held in co-ordination with the Indian embassy. Some government departments are also expected to participate in this event, ICBF said in a press statement.The event will showcase a variety of cultural programmes featuring Indian blue-collar workers in Qatar, associate organisations of ICBF and various Indian cultural groups in the country. Indian embassy officials and eminent personalities from Qatar are expected to grace the occasion, according to ICBF.The organisers said the event will feature cultural performances and bring the labour community together amid a joyous atmosphere. “The event is a testament to ICBF's commitment to recognising and celebrating the hardworking individuals who have shaped the nation,” the ICBF president said.ICBF is inviting all community members to come forward and nominate individuals "who have tirelessly dedicated themselves" to their work and our community, and are working with an organisation or with their sponsor as domestic help. No freelancers are eligible to participate. "If you know someone deserving of this recognition, we encourage you to submit their names with following supporting documents," ICBF said in a public announcement.Individuals who have dedicated over three decades of their lives as low-income employees in Qatar will be considered for the award. Nominations can be sent to [email protected] along with the name, length of residency in Qatar, nature of work and details of company or organisation. The nomination should include the contact details and brief description of the nominee. The deadline for the nomination is May 22.ICBF general secretary Varkey Boban can be contacted at 66100744 for further details. ICBF functionaries have urged all community members to nominate individuals.Explaining the recent accomplishments of the organisation, Bava said ICBF distributed Iftar kits during Ramadan. Food kits were distributed among needy labourers and fishermen. “The ICBF insurance desk has been set up at community events, further increasing awareness and participation in the insurance scheme,” he added.ICBF has been organising workshops for shelter inmates at the embassy, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge while covering various topics, including stitching, vocational training, art and craft, henna designing and language classes.The repatriation team has handled 26 death cases, ensuring the smooth return of the deceased to their home countries. “ICBF has been actively engaged in supporting jail visitation and assisting the relatives of inmates,” the ICBF president said.Advisory Board chairman S A M Basheer, general secretary Boban, vice-president Deepak Shetty, Programme Committee chairman Vinod Nair, secretary Mohamed Kunhi T K and treasurer Kuldeep Kaur were also present.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on launching a strategic dialogue between the two countries.The MoU comes as part of the efforts made to strengthen the close co-operation between the two countries in various fields.HE Sheikh Mohamed affirmed the remarkable development witnessed by bilateral relations between Qatar and Germany in various fields since the start of relations between them in 1973, noting that the visit of Baerbock is the culmination of 50 years of diplomatic relations and co-operation between the two countries.“We discussed several issues, on top of which was the strengthening of bilateral co-operation between the two countries,” HE the Prime Minister said during a joint press conference with Baerbock after the MoU-signing ceremony at the Amiri Diwan.Also, the promotion of friendly relations and the emphasis on co-operation in all fields were discussed along with the latest international developments. Discussions focused on economic relations, particularly the energy field and investment in clean energy and co-operation in the education field.HE the Prime Minister said the discussions covered the prospect of further investments by Qatar in Germany and increased co-operation on energy transition.The topics also included regional security, education and the environment, he said, expressing the aspiration of Qatar to establish a mechanism that promotes the establishment of joint projects with Germany, according to QNA."The friendship and partnership relations between the two countries extend for decades, and we see remarkable development in them in recent years, especially in the field of investment and energy. We look forward to creating a mechanism to promote the establishment of joint projects with Germany. The strategic dialogue is an important platform for discussing energy and co-operation," HE the Prime Minister said.In response to a question about the Qatari-German partnership in the field of gas, the signing of a long-term agreement between the two countries, and whether there are negotiations with the rest of the European Union regarding gas supplies, the nature of the relationship with European partners in light of the green agenda and Europe's tendency to move away from carbon sources, HE Sheikh Mohamed said: "The agreement between Qatar and Germany is a commercial agreement between companies, and this is the policy of Qatar with regard to energy, as QatarEnergy has signed with a group of German companies... which is an energy supply relationship like our relations with all other countries. We look forward to strengthening co-operation in this field, and at the governmental level, strengthening dialogue on co-operation in the field of energy in general and co-operation in the field of energy transition policies."The issue of energy transition and the green agenda, which today represents a priority for the European Union countries, is a global priority However, the criteria may differ from one country to another. There is room for co-operation and capacity-building for all countries, so that there will be a safe transition to energy in accordance with the agreed frameworks, in a way that achieves our interest at the national and international levels, as well as the national and international interests of the European Union countries."He said the two sides emphasised the importance of co-operation in facilitating humanitarian aid for civilians in Sudan and meeting their needs. "The meeting stressed the importance of engaging in broad negotiations involving all political forces to reach a comprehensive and sustainable peace agreement,” HE Sheikh Mohamed said. "We welcome the agreement between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support forces signed in Jeddah."Regarding Palestine, he noted that Qatar condemns the bombing of civilians in the Gaza Strip.Regarding the Ukraine war, HE Sheikh Mohamed said the discussion highlighted the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.On her part, Baerbock said: “This form of exchange with Qatar pursues the goal of working together even more closely in the future and exchanging ideas. We can also exchange views on issues where we have significantly different perspectives. And we seek to agree on a binding global goal on the expansion of renewable energy. We discussed the developments in Sudan, Syria and Yemen."Noting that natural gas supplies from Qatar will help Germany diversify its energy sources, she said: “We want stability in energy supplies through the relationship with Qatar."The German minister noted that Qatar and Germany are striving for closer ties and praised Qatar’s stand on the Ukraine war, saying the country has clearly raised its voice against the war.Asked about Syria's return to the Arab League and the crisis in the country, HE Sheikh Mohamed said the only solution is to find a just and comprehensive solution to the issue in Syria. He noted that there is joint Arab action "in which we all agree on the goals that there will be a safe return of refugees and finding a political solution in accordance with United Nations Resolution 2254.""We clarified our position regarding the decision on Syria returning to the Arab League. Qatar doesn't want to deviate from the Arab consensus on this issue, but leaves each country its sovereign decision to normalise bilateral relations," he said.He touched on the co-ordination between the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, in addition to Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, regarding the Syrian issue, saying in this context, "The positions differed, not about the goals, but about the methodology to reach these goals, and this is a natural thing."He stressed Qatar's support for constructive work to achieve these goals, and for any step of normalisation with the regime to contribute to achieving such a goal. "The issue is not between us and the Syrian regime, the issue is between the regime and the people, and the solution that will be implemented to restore stability in Syria must be a solution that satisfies this people, who have suffered from the scourge of this war over the past 12 years," he said, adding: "Qatar does not give any consideration to the criticisms directed at it arbitrarily."“We seek that the Syrian people live in safety and stability and that there be a political process in the country,” Baerbock said, noting that the brutality of Syria's president against his people cannot be ignored.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has praised Qatar’s labour reforms, noting that government reforms have improved the legal situation for around 2.6mn migrant workers in Qatar.She also thanked Qatar for its support during the evacuations from Afghanistan.Addressing a joint press conference at the Amiri Diwan along with HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Qatar and Germany, Baerbock said there is progress in the efforts made by Qatar in the field of workers’ rights.The German minister called for further efforts for the welfare of labourers while ensuring their rights.“Berlin is monitoring the development of Qatar's reforms,” she said, explaining that imbalances are recorded even in Germany while it comes to the wage gap.HE the Prime Minister rejected allegations of labour rights violations in Qatar.He explained that the reforms adopted by his country in the field of labour laws stem from desire and self-will. “Doha welcomes any constructive advice to achieve further progress in this field,” HE the Prime Minister said.

Under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, HE the Minister of Social Development and Family Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad Tuesday inaugurated the Qatar CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Summit 2023 hosted by Qatar University (QU).Running until Thursday, the event is being held in the Student Affairs Building at the university.HE the Minister participated in the opening event along with QU president Dr Hassan al-Derham, Ooredoo Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali bin Jabor al-Thani, QNB Group chief business officer Yousef Mahmoud al-Neama and Mubadara for Social Impact president Dr Saif al-Hajari.Also present were representatives of ministries and government agencies, managers of sponsoring companies, the administrative and educational staff at QU and a group of businesspersons and academics.The Qatar CSR Summit serves as a platform for local and international CSR experts and professionals to discuss how organisations can use CSR to integrate economic, social and environmental objectives with their operations. The summit gathers leaders in business, academics and law as well as representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions from various sectors to identify and discuss some of the key challenges and possible solutions that allow integrating CSR into the core business, build relationships with key partners in the private and public sectors, and promote their brands and initiatives.In her opening address, HE al-Misnad said: “I am pleased to be with a group of leaders of social responsibility development in Qatar, and officials of companies that have taken the initiative for many years to implement the goals related to social responsibility on the ground, to serve as an example for other institutions and companies.”She stressed that social responsibility "occupies an advanced position within the list of priorities of the wise government, and constitutes an important element in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 in the human, social, economic and environmental dimensions".“Reaching these goals requires us to commit, co-operate and work together, so that together we can achieve sustainable development and wellbeing for citizens and residents," she said.In his speech, Dr al-Derham said QU considers social responsibility an essential part of its students' educational journey.“We strive to enhance their awareness and develop their skills and abilities to become more interested in social and environmental problems and more aware of finding solutions to these problems. We encourage students to participate in CSR-related conferences and events to broaden their horizons and enhance their abilities to communicate effectively with others and work together to achieve common goals," he noted.Ooredoo Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali said: "Ooredoo strongly believes in the importance of social responsibility and sustainability, and we strive to incorporate these values into all its business. Supporting national events such as the Qatar CSR Summit is part of our strategy to make the world around us a better place, and we are committed to playing our part in building a sustainable future in Qatar and the world."On his part, al-Neama said: “We are delighted to be the official sponsor of the summit, as it strongly reflects our vision to provide long-term value and to underline our continuous efforts to support various CSR initiatives. This sponsorship reinforces the Group's efforts to maintain its CSR initiatives and projects, which are an important pillar of the Group's long-term strategy to deliver better performance and build a stronger brand.”During the event, Qatar Charity (QC) CEO Yousef Ahmed al-Kuwari was named CSR Person of the Year 2023, in recognition of his efforts and QC's continuous efforts in community development and relief.Sheikh Ali was also honoured and recognised in appreciation of Ooredoo’s activities during the holy month of Ramadan, while Seashore Group chairman Saeed Salem al-Mohannadi was honoured for the Group's role in supporting the sustainable development goals in co-operation with the ministry to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030.

While further spreading its wings and reaching out to more areas, the Qatar Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), with a membership of about 25,000 individuals, will implement a slew of welfare, empowerment and educational projects in the country.Addressing a press conference Sunday, the newly elected KMCC State Committee president Dr Abdul Samad said the organisation will increase the coverage of its insurance scheme for its members.The Sneha Suraksha Padhathi (Social Security Scheme) has now more than 18,000 beneficiaries, who can get financial aid of maximum INR 600,000. Also, the scheme envisages financial aid for the members for treatment and while they leave Qatar. “Our plan is to revamp the scheme while increasing the coverage in order to draw more members towards the scheme and ensure their welfare,” Dr Samad.KMCC also has plans for comprehensive pension and health insurance schemes for expatriates. “The new committee is planning to build a community school while there are plans to set up an emergency response team that will work in coordination with the government bodies concerned,” Dr Samad said.General secretary Saleem Nalakath said the new leadership will take the organisation to new heights while launching welfare and empowerment initiatives for the members and expatriates. “KMCC will continue to make remarkable contributions to Qatar and ensure the welfare of its members. Also, more wings will be formed while ensuring the involvement and representation of people from all walks of the life,” he said.The press conference was attended by PMA Salam, Kerala State Committee general secretary of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) along with KMCC Qatar treasurer PSM Hussein.PMA Salam said IUML, which is the parent organisation of KMCC, is looking to set up a global outfit that will coordinate the functions of various overseas orgnisations under the party.On Friday, KMCC elected the three new State Committee office bearers. Salam, who was the returning officer, said the final list of the new committee members will be announced after the election of the new executive and remaining office bearers. This will be carried out after consultations with district committees.The newly elected president Dr Samad has been active in social and cultural spheres in Qatar. The Doha-based physician and businessman is the managing director of Promise Medical Group. He was earlier KMCC's Kozhikode District Committee president. Currently, he is the vice chairman of Middle East Chandrika. Saleem Nalakath and PSM Hussein have so far held the State Committee secretary post while serving the organisation in various positions.