tag

The Ministry of Public Health announced the results of implementing the National Food Monitoring and Surveillance Plan for the first half of 2026, which aims to enhance food safety and protect consumers' health in the State of Qatar through ongoing surveillance and laboratory analysis programmes for food products available in local markets and those imported through border entry points.The results of the Plan, which was implemented by the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health, showed a high level of compliance with food safety requirements.A total of 7,755 food samples were laboratory tested from January to June 2026, covering the various food commodities available in the State. The results showed that 97 percent of the samples complied with the approved requirements and technical regulations, while non-compliant samples accounted for only 3 percent. This reflects the effectiveness of the food control system and the efficiency of the measures applied to ensure food safety in the State of Qatar.The National Plan also gave particular attention to the fresh fruit and vegetable sector, given that fresh fruit and vegetables are among the most widely consumed products, with 1476 samples of various local and imported varieties tested. The results showed a compliance rate of 98 percent, reflecting the effectiveness of monitoring pesticide residues and microbial contaminants and the safety of agricultural products available in local markets.In the fish and seafood sector, 779 samples of various seafood products were tested as part of control programmes aimed at verifying the safety of highly sensitive products by monitoring safety and quality indicators, including chemical contaminants and indicators relating to proper handling and storage. The results showed a compliance rate exceeding 98 percent, thereby enhancing the safety of seafood products available to consumers. A total of 1,374 samples of meat and poultry were tested, with a conformity rate exceeding 93 percent.Surveillance activities also covered 1,321 samples of dairy products. The results showed high levels of compliance with the approved technical requirements, with the sample compliance rate exceeding 98 percent. Meanwhile, the Ministry continued to follow up on a limited number of non-compliance cases related to quality indicators and nutritional composition to ensure that the quality of products available in markets is maintained. The results also confirmed the success of the risk-based control approach. Monitoring efforts were directed towards the most widely consumed products and those most closely associated with public health, with a focus on the early detection of risks and the implementation of the necessary preventive measures. This contributed to maintaining stable food safety indicators and raising compliance levels during the first half of 2026.The Ministry of Public Health confirmed that it would continue to implement the National Food Surveillance Plan, while strengthening inspection, laboratory analysis and early-warning programmes to ensure the provision of safe and wholesome food to consumers in the State of Qatar. 

A Swiss parliamentary committee on Tuesday failed to reach an agreement on proposed new banking regulations for UBS as some lawmakers pushed to soften tougher rules drafted by the government after Credit Suisse's collapse.The draft bill would require UBS to hold about $20bn in additional Common Equity Tier-1 capital (CET1) to help prevent another banking crisis and protect taxpayers.But UBS, which acquired Credit Suisse following its 2023 demise, argues the requirement is excessive, would undermine its competitiveness and damage Switzerland's banking sector.The bill is being examined by the economic affairs and taxation committee of parliament's upper house, where lawmakers concerned the measures are too burdensome have proposed amendments to reduce the capital requirement for UBS.No agreement was reached on Tuesday and the committee will reconvene on August 31, Fabio Regazzi, a committee member from the Centre party, said. The goal remains to bring the bill to an upper-house vote in September, he said.At the heart of the bill is a proposal for UBS to fully capitalise its foreign subsidiaries, up from 60% currently, using CET1 capital alone.Under the current framework, part of the requirement can be met with less costly forms of capital.The committee has discussed allowing UBS to use Additional Tier 1 (AT1) capital to meet part of the requirement. AT1 debt is cheaper to hold than CET1 capital and is designed to absorb losses during times of stress, but regulators regard it as less secure.Lawmakers said discussions have also covered steps to strengthen AT1 instruments, including introducing a new, higher regulatory trigger point.That could require UBS to suspend payouts to investors if its capital ratio falls below a specified threshold, enhancing the loss-absorbing capacity of AT1 bonds.However, lawmakers said details of how such measures could work have yet to be resolved. 

With reference to the statement issued by the Council of Ministers Secretariat General on March 8, regarding remote work, it has been decided that work will resume as normal from offices, in accordance with the applicable regulations, effective today, across all ministries, other government entities, and public bodies and institutions.Following this decision, the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) announced that normal office work would resume across all financial institutions operating in the country starting today.In a post on X, the QCB said: "With reference to the statement issued on March 8, 2026 regarding remote work, it has been decided that work will resume as normal from offices in accordance with the applicable regulations, effective Tuesday, March 24, 2026, across all financial institutions operating in the State of Qatar.”Similarly, the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has announced the resumption of normal operations across all its medical facilities and clinics, effective today.For appointments and inquiries, the HMC has urged patients to contact the "Nesma'ak" customer service at 16060 or use the "Lbaih" app.  

Qatar’s diversification and streamlined business regulations have made it an attractive investment destination and a friendly base for female and foreign entrepreneurs, according to Japanese business strategist Ruqaiya Mihara Rieh. “The culture here is welcoming to anyone who takes on a challenge, regardless of gender or nationality, as long as they have a strong will, a great idea, and respect for the culture,” she told Gulf Times. After doing business in Japan and Pakistan, Mihara, who now works as a consultant in Qatar’s travel, food, and hospitality sectors, points to her own journey as a testament to the Gulf state's openness. She also assists Qatar’s first Japanese travel coordination agency, a venture she said aims to go beyond traditional tourism. Her main goal is to create opportunities for “education and cultural exchange” and to dispel common misconceptions about the Middle East. “Much of the information about the Middle East, Gulf and Islam that reaches Japan is biased. I want Japanese students, in particular, to experience the reality of Qatar in Gulf: a safe, clean place with highly educated people,” she said. Mihara believes that promoting exchanges between Japanese and Qatari students will serve as an “invaluable bridge” for the future of the two countries. Citing the broader tourism industry as an example, Mihara expressed optimism about Qatar’s steady transformation from a post-World Cup sports hub to a cultural and business hub. She said she sees the recent 2025 Osaka Expo as a platform to showcase this "new face" of Qatar to the Japanese market. “I am confident that relations between the two countries will deepen further by promoting Qatar not only as an important energy partner for Japan, but also as a destination for cultural exchange and educational travel,” Mihara said. She also noted that Qatar's unique blend of Islamic traditions and an ultra-modern city appeals strongly to Japanese travellers, noting that many customers who visit Doha on a short layover return for longer stays to experience Qatar in depth. Mihara noted that the government’s efforts to diversify the economy are evident in the streamlined registration procedures and the flexibility it now allows foreigners to independently establish businesses. She said that international entrepreneurs considering entering the Gulf market should recognise that financial incentives are a consideration of Islamic culture. “Currently, Qatar has no sales or income tax. Foreign-only corporations are required to pay a 10% corporate tax, which is a very friendly rate compared to other countries. If you are grateful for this favourable situation and act in a way that respects Arab, Qatari, and Islamic culture, you will surely find good allies and supporters,” she explained. She encouraged potential investors to have a long-term perspective and patience, saying, “Qatar has a grand national vision. If you work with the spirit of wanting to contribute, even if only a small contribution, to the further development of Qatar’s future generations, you will surely be able to seize great opportunities”. 

The Ministerial Committee for Standardization Affairs of the GCC countries, has adopted 14 new draft Gulf technical regulations and converted 25 existing technical regulations into Gulf standard specifications. It also withdrew 34 technical regulations to keep pace with international developments and technological advancements in the markets.This occurred during the Committee's tenth meeting yesterday in Kuwait, chaired by the Kuwait's Minister of Commerce and Industry, and attended by ministers, heads of national standardization bodies, and delegations from member states.At the beginning of the meeting,Chairman of the GCC Standardization Organization, Engineer Nawaf bin Ibrahim Al Mana, presented the organization's progress report for the period from April to September of last year. The report highlighted key achievements and projects implemented in the fields of standardization, conformity assessment, and metrology, as well as strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening Gulf economic integration and supporting the competitiveness of Gulf industries.The esteemed committee also approved the Gulf Standardization Organization's budget for the fiscal year 2026, along with adopting the updated organizational structure and strategic plan for the period 2026-2030.These decisions come within the framework of ongoing efforts to develop the Gulf standardization system and enhance its institutional integration, contributing to the realization of the GCC Standardization Organization's 2030 vision, which aims to raise the efficiency of the legislative framework supporting Gulf products and improve their competitiveness in regional and global markets.These results also reflect the commitment of the Ministerial Committee and the GCC Standardization Organization to continue joint Gulf action in the fields of standardization, quality, and conformity assessment, and to consolidate the GCC system's position in regional and international forums, in line with the GCC Vision 2030, which aims for sustainable industrial and commercial development and enhanced economic integration among member states.

QNB Group has been awarded the “Best Data Protection Innovation of the Year 2025” at the 11th Middle East Enterprise AI & Analytics Summit held recently in Doha, for the second consecutive year, which highlights QNB’s advanced use of technology to strengthen data protection and compliance with privacy regulations.The award recognises organisations that demonstrate exceptional innovation in utilising technology to enhance data protection practices. QNB was honoured for its cutting-edge approach to ensuring secure data management, safeguarding customer information, and maintaining the highest international standards of data privacy.The independent jury panel highlighted QNB’s continuous investment in technological advancement and innovation, which has positioned the bank as a regional leader in data governance, privacy and compliance.This recognition reflects QNB Group’s unwavering commitment to protecting its customers’ data and build trust through advanced technologies and robust privacy frameworks. QNB’s data protection strategy forms part of its broader digital transformation roadmap, which emphasises leveraging AI and analytics to deliver secure, efficient, and customer-centric banking experiences.