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His Excellency Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, received on Thursday a copy of the credentials from the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Oliver Owcza and the Ambassador of the French Republic to the State of Qatar Arnaud Pescheux. HE the Secretary-General, wished both Ambassadors' success in carrying out their duties, stressing that they will receive full support to strengthen bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and their respective countries, in order to achieve closer cooperation across various fields.

China's fiscal revenue edged up 0.3 percent year on year to 14.82 trillion yuan (about 2.09 trillion US dollars) in the first eight months of this year, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday.The central government collected about 6.43 trillion yuan in fiscal revenue during the period, down 1.7 percent year on year, while local governments collected 8.39 trillion yuan, up 1.8 percent year on year, according to (Xinhua) news agency.In the first eight months, the country's tax revenue totaled 12.11 trillion yuan, edging up 0.02 percent year on year, while non-tax revenue increased 1.5 percent to 2.71 trillion yuan.China's fiscal expenditure expanded 3.1 percent year on year to 17.93 trillion yuan in the first eight months. The central government's fiscal expenditure rose 8 percent year on year, and there was a 2.3 percent increase in local government expenditure during the same period.Spending on education came in at approximately 2.71 trillion yuan, up 5.6 percent year on year. Science and technology expenditure reached 587.4 billion yuan, marking a 3.1 percent year-on-year increase.Spending on social security and employment stood at 3.07 trillion yuan, up 10 percent year on year.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has organised a specialised seminar on enhancing quality management in the auditing profession.Held at the ministry's premises with the participation of registered auditors, the seminar aimed to bolster their understanding of the latest updates to quality management standards in the auditing profession and to raise awareness of the practical applications of these standards, thereby contributing to enhancing the quality of auditing work and ensuring strict compliance with professional and regulatory requirements, in accordance with best practices.This event was part of MoCI's steadfast efforts to advance this profession, as regulated by Law No 8 of 2020, through backing auditors' capabilities and enhancing their performance to ensure accurate and reliable financial reports.The seminar featured the International Standard on Quality Management (ISQM 1), which aims to enhance the efficiency of audit processes and emphasises the importance of quality management within auditing and assurance firms, whether regarding financial statement audits or assurance and related services, including engagement quality reviews.In addition, the seminar emphasised that it is important for auditing firms to establish integrated quality management systems, pursue a constant optimisation approach, and implement a monitoring mechanism as a key enabler of success, through quality standards impacting the quality of audit services and their role in building client trust and enhancing firms' presence and credibility in the market.The seminar concluded with an interactive panel discussion, during which experts answered the participants' questions, reviewing methods of navigating key challenges they might encounter when applying these standards, thereby fostering the quality of auditing processes and adherence to international standards.

Commercial Bank saw a remarkable turnout at ‘Career Day’, hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour. Due to the success of the event, Commercial Bank will be hosting Career Day annually to continue opening doors for Qatari nationals and children of Qatari mothers to join the private sector.The event attracted large number of Qatari candidates, of whom 53% were invited for an on-site interview and 42% of the interviewees received job offers on the day.The Career Day welcomed students and young professionals alike and introduced attendees to career pathways in fields beyond banking and finance including economics, MIS, computer engineering, cybersecurity, data engineering, technology and law.The hiring process followed standard stages of registration and CV collection, HR screening, interviews with hiring managers, role assessments where required, reference and background checks, and final onboarding.Out of the interviewees, seven young Qataris including the children of Qatari mothers were invited to sign the accepted job offers in the presence of Mohammed Juma al-Kuwari, Assistant Director of the Department of National Manpower Recruitment Department.Qatarisation remains a strategic priority for Commercial Bank. The bank currently employs 38.1% Qatari nationals across multiple business units and has set annual targets to increase representation in specialist and leadership roles. As part of this commitment, Commercial Bank provides tailored internship and training programmes that equip young Qataris with practical skills and career development opportunities, ensuring their active participation across departments and strengthening the pipeline of future leaders.Speaking on the occasion, Khalifa al-Rayes, Executive General Manager and Chief Human Capital Officer of Commercial Bank, said: “We are delighted with the success of our recent Career Day held at Commercial Bank Plaza.This is just the beginning, CB Career Day will now become an annual initiative, reflecting our strong commitment to supporting Qatar’s workforce and building a sustainable talent pipeline in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030. Once again, we affirm at Commercial Bank our commitment to being at the forefront of financial institutions that open new horizons for Qatari talent.”By offering opportunities to explore careers and gain insight into the banking sector, the initiative reinforces Commercial Bank’s commitment to developing human capital and supporting Qatar’s long-term economic and social development objectives.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), has organised a two-day training workshop for members of the National Network of Technology and Innovation Support Centres (TISC) at the ministry’s headquarters in Lusail City.The workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ skills in patent research and to stress the importance of intellectual property intelligence in supporting innovation and development. It comprised specialised training sessions that were delivered by experts from the WIPO, covering topics including research strategy, access to international databases, among other areas of speciality.The workshop is part of the ministry’s efforts to reinforce the national innovation ecosystem and to build the capacity of national professionals in the fields of intellectual property.

QNB Group, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor, organised the Open Recruitment Day which witnessed a large turnout of Qatari national graduates and talents seeking careers in the banking sector, supporting job nationalization plan within Qatar National Vision 2030 for sustainable economic growth. This initiative is part of QNB's ongoing programs, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor, to implement this plan in line with the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030 aimed at empowering citizens to increasingly participate in the labour market, providing them with unique job opportunities in the financial sector, QNB Group said in a press release. Senior Executive Vice President - Group Human Capital in QNB Group Abdullah Nasser Al Khalifa said: "The significant participation in the event clearly reflets Qatari youth's confidence in QNB as an employer of choice, on the one hand, and our commitment to engage more local talent across various roles, on the other hand. This initiative aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 which places great emphasis on investing in our youth to support Qatar's sustainable development." "Our strong partnership with the Ministry of Labor demonstrates the success of the bank's nationalization strategy, strengthening the role of local talent in the sector and developing the next generation of leaders, while ensuring diversity and equal opportunity," he added. The event served as an active platform for participants to explore an array of career paths offered the bank and to apply for current openings. They also learned about current training opportunities, scholarships, and leadership development programs to support their career progression and prepare them for future leadership roles within the bank. This initiative underscores QNB's efforts in workforce nationalization which represents a major priority. The bank actively supports job localization, having more than 60% of its total workforce. The proportion of Qatari nationals holding leadership and senior positions increased to 76%, while women represent about 64% from the total Qatari workforce in the bank. At the branch level, the bank has achieved a 100% Qatarization rate for branch managers.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) Strategy 2025-30 focuses on environmental sustainability and digital transformation to ensure modern and inclusive transportation, a senior official has said.While talking to Qatar TV, Sheikha Dana bint Abdullah al-Thani, the head of the MoT’s Strategic Planning Department, said that the ministry’s strategy takes into account elements of environmental sustainability and digital transformation to ensure modern transportation that serves everyone.The MoT recently launched the strategy under the slogan Reaching Beyond Horizons.It features an ambitious roadmap focused on developing the transportation and mobility industry in Qatar and enhancing its role in economic growth, sustainability and innovation.The strategy is based on the ministry’s vision of “an integrated, secure, resilient, and sustainable transport ecosystem” and mission of “driving the development of the transport ecosystem towards high logistic efficiency while supporting the pillars of Qatar National Vision”.“The strategy is not limited to infrastructure, but rather focuses on people first and makes daily transportation a smoother and safer experience,” Sheikha Dana said. “The strategy takes into account elements of accessibility to serve everyone with high quality and sustainable efficiency.”One of the most prominent expected impacts of the strategy is reducing traffic congestion and travel time, which are hindrances to traffic safety, through developing roads and activating integrated public transportation while providing multiple flexible transportation options.These include public and smart transportation and bicycles in addition to improving air quality by reducing emissions and encouraging clean transportation methods.The MoT official said that the new strategy includes 42 initiatives and 152 projects.Sheikha Dana added that it represents a comprehensive roadmap for developing the country’s transportation sector, enabling economic growth through supporting logistics services and strengthening the mobility of people and goods as well as customer-centric services in addition to enhancing the utilisation of existing services and infrastructure.The projects and initiatives also ensure sustainability and resilience through policies and technologies that support reducing emissions and developing human capital.Sheikha Dana said that the strategy covers various transportation sectors including land and maritime transport.“There are supporting projects in the areas of digital transformation, sustainability and capacity development,” she stressed. “In its first phase, a group of vital projects and initiatives will be launched.”

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), in partnership with Generation Amazing (GA) Foundation, has completed two teacher training workshops under Cycle 2 of the Healthy Cities: Sports for Health and Development Programme. The initiative supports Qatar’s broader Healthy Cities vision and aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030 by promoting health, wellbeing, and inclusion through sport, a statement from GA said.Bringing together more than 40 teachers from 15 schools across Qatar, the workshops were designed to equip educators with the tools to deliver a sports-based health curriculum to students aged 8–12. To ensure accessibility and inclusivity, training was delivered in both English and Arabic.On August 27, Awsaj Academy in Education City hosted English-language sessions for teachers from 11 international schools, including Qatar Academy Doha, Qatar Academy Sidra, Qatar Academy Wakra, Qatar Academy Msheireb, Awsaj, Renad, Tariq Bin Ziad and Academyati, Sherborne Qatar School, Newton International School, Compass International School Doha, the Palestinian School and Podar Pearl School.On September 1, Fifth Assalam School under the umbrella of Education Above All (EAA) Foundation’s Together Project welcomed Arabic-speaking teachers from the Assalam Group of Schools for a full-day workshop. The sessions combined theoretical learning, hands-on activities, and interactive workshops to ensure teachers were fully prepared to deliver six engaging lessons in the new academic year. Jassim al-Ali, events director at GA, said: “Sport is a powerful tool for development; it brings communities together, builds life skills, and promotes health in a way that is both engaging and transformative. Through this initiative, we are using sport to foster inclusion, leadership, and positive change in schools and communities across Qatar.” These workshops are part of the ongoing rollout of the Sports for Health and Development Programme, established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between MoPH and GA in October 2024. Cycle 2 represents a major step forward in expanding the initiative and reinforcing the critical role schools play in promoting healthier, more active lifestyles among children in Qatar.Representatives from both MoPH and GA attended the sessions, with closing remarks underscoring the pivotal role of teachers as changemakers and champions of wellbeing in their schools and communities.

The Ministry of Transport has called on all maritime vessel owners, be they individuals or companies, to suspend all forms of maritime navigation (recreation, tourism, fishing, and similar activities), as well as marine vessel rentals (recreation, scooters, jet boats, and similar activities) from Hamad International Airport to the Waterfront in Lusail City.This circular will be effective from 9pm on Saturday, September 13, until 9pm on Monday, September 15.In a statement, the Ministry urged everyone to adhere to this circular, as it coincides with Qatar's hosting of the emergency Arab-Islamic Summit, and within the framework of national measures taken to support public security and the safety of individuals.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has organised a workshop on E-commerce, highlighting the key opportunities and challenges facing the sector. The workshop “The Impact of E-Commerce on the Local Retail Sector” at the ministry’s headquarters in Lusail city, examined the effects of E-commerce on the dynamics of domestic retail market in Qatar. The event brought together a number of specialised entities active in the field of E-commerce in Qatar, including local and global companies, as well as representatives from the MOCI, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Strategy& team. Participants addressed a wide range of themes, discussed the preliminary findings of an ongoing study on E-commerce conducted in collaboration with local stakeholders; and tackled proposals for potential future policy measures. The workshop is part of the ministry’s efforts to strengthen Qatar’s digital business environment and develop policies that support the retail sector. Such efforts enable local companies to keep pace with global developments and enhance the role of E-commerce in achieving economic diversification under Qatar National Vision 2030. (Ends)

The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned on Wednesday the Israeli aggression against Qatar, describing it as a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter.In a statement, the ministry urged all concerned parties to take a responsible approach and avoid actions that could lead to a deterioration of the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone and complicate the search for a political settlement.The ministry stressed that Russia considers this incident a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter, an assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent state, and a step that will lead to further escalation and destabilization of the situation in the Middle East.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced the launch of the first edition of a guide for educational systems in private schools and kindergartens for 2025 during a press conference held today. The guide aims to standardize administrative and educational procedures in private schools, ensure compliance with national standards, enhance transparency in accreditation and evaluation processes, and support educational diversity by offering multiple systems, such as the British and American curricula, the International Baccalaureate, and others, to meet the needs of the local and international community. Director of the Ministry's Private Schools and Kindergartens Department Dr. Rania Mohamed said that the launch of this guide reflects the State of Qatar's commitment to developing an integrated educational environment in private schools, based on quality, transparency, and excellence. She emphasized that it represents a regulatory and procedural reference that helps schools, parents, and students make informed educational decisions. Dr. Mohamed added that the guide reflects the ministry's strategic direction in supporting Qatar National Vision 2030 by building an educated generation capable of creativity, innovation, and global competitiveness. She noted that the philosophy of education in Qatar is based on providing equal opportunities for all students, developing critical thinking and analytical skills, and promoting the values ​​of responsibility and openness to other cultures. She explained that the preparation of the guide went through a meticulous process that extended from December 2023 to June 2025. The review included a review of national policies and relevant legislation, a study of the various educational systems applied in private schools, and an examination of international best practices. Education experts, educational supervisors, and private schools, were also involved before being subjected to final review and approval by the ministry's specialized committees. Dr. Mohamed explained that the guide includes a comprehensive definition of the approved educational systems, their accreditation requirements, and their assessment mechanisms. It also includes a chapter on the BTEC curriculum, which covers specialized professional tracks such as business and engineering, and an appendix detailing the names of the schools that implement each system. This will help parents choose the appropriate system for their children based on clear and transparent criteria. Dr. Rania Mohamed also expressed her appreciation for the private schools that participated in preparing this guide, stressing that the cooperation of these institutions reflects the spirit of partnership with the ministry in serving the educational process, contributes to the development of private education to keep pace with the best international experiences, and enhances Qatar's position as a leading educational destination regionally and internationally.