News | Ministry of Transport

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Statement from the Ministry of Transport and Communications

Doha – QatarQatar’s Ministry of Transport and Communications is aware of the surprising news being reported in some media outlets, which claims that arms shipments have passed through Doha from Tehran in a cargo aircraft that landed at Hamad International Airport and then left for the Lebanese capital Beirut.This story is completely baseless. After reviewing the records and comparing them to the stories being reported, it was confirmed beyond doubt that this story is incorrect and not based on any facts.The stories claim that an aircraft carrying the number QFZ-9950 landed in Doha, which is incorrect. The aircraft that landed at Hamad International Airport was carrying the number QFZ9976, which landed at 22:20 pm Doha time on Wednesday 17 October 2018. This was a cargo aircraft carrying a shipment of livestock belonging to the Qatari company Widam Food, which then left Doha for Tehran at 10:30 am on Thursday, 18 October 2018.The Ministry of Transport and Communications condemns the false allegations that Qatar facilitates the transfer of arms. The Ministry reaffirms that all of its institutions comply with the highest international security standards and all relevant domestic and international laws to ensure international security and safety at all land, air and sea ports.The Ministry calls on all media to ensure accuracy and credibility of their reporting before further dissemination of baseless information.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Ministry Wraps up Workshop on Adobe Government Framework Agreement

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications has wrapped up a workshop on Government Framework Agreement signed between the Government of Qatar, represented by MOTC, and computer software company Adobe, represented by its local agent here the Information and Communication Technology W.L.L (ICT).The agreement aims to secure technology needs for government entities in order to further enhance efficiency and advance the digital transformation agenda across all government sectors.The event was attended by representatives and specialists from multiple government entities.Attendees were introduced to the particulars of the agreement, its scope and objectives, and what it provides to government entities. Experts from MOTC and Adobe, who addressed the attendees, covered topics such as Adobe licenses management, services, products, applications, project management and support and the dedicated resources.They also talked about user training through the Qatar Digital Government Training Program (QDGTP), which is concerned with supporting the Qatar Digital Government 2020 (QDG2020) Strategy in terms of boosting and enhancing the digital transformation at government entities and institutions. QDGTP does that through specially-designed training courses that focus on upgrading and sharpening the technical capabilities of ICT employees countrywide. Speaking to government representatives, MOTC’s Assistant Undersecretary of Government Information Technology Sector Mr. Hassan Jassim Al-Sayed gave an overview of the agreement and the services it provides to subscribing government entities. He said Qatar was among the very first countries in the Middle East to have signed framework agreements with international technology companies, thus keeping up with the latest technologies.“The area of interaction between the Government of Qatar on one hand and individuals and companies on the other hand, has been expanding. This means we are having an upward curve in terms of digital transformation via almost all channels,” said Mr. Al-Sayed.“However, we don’t stop at the mere observing and monitoring of such a constrictive and growing interaction. Indeed, we work on boosting and enhancing it, aiming to take it to the highest levels. We prioritize that and toward that end we provide more government framework agreements with more international companies to help provide all the applications, products and services required for QDG2020.”By so doing, he explained, “we assist the government entities in providing and innovating the processes and applications that help improve and enhance our online services.”The workshop also featured a presentation conducted by QDGTP team on the program mission, objectives and milestones since it has been launched. QDGTP trains and qualifies more national leaders and professionals in the field of ICT and ICT executive management.The event concluded with intensive, one-on-one sessions and discussions between Adobe and MOTC experts and government entity representatives.

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Ministry Conducts Inspection Campaign on Sea Modes of Transport

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications today conducted an inspection campaign on sea modes of transport with the participation of the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security and Qatar Tourism Authority.The campaign falls within continuous cooperation and coordination between all bodies concerned countrywide and aims to ensure all sea modes of transport follow and work in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. It also aims to crack down on violations.It is also conducted with an eye on the importance of ensuring maritime safety and security as well as protecting lives and property in the sea.Today’s campaign is one in a series of campaigns to be conducted over the coming period within the framework of a plan set by the bodies concerned to ensure highest levels of maritime safety and security on Qatari waters.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

International Road Transport Union Praises Qatar's Efforts in Traffic Safety

Doha-QatarThe International Road Transport Union (IRU) praised the achievements of the State of Qatar in the field of traffic safety thanks to the support of the country's senior leadership for the strategic plans and the adoption of a comprehensive system of road safety.IRU's Patrick Philip said in a speech today at the opening session of the 8th annual seminar and workshop on reducing road traffic accidents the that State of Qatar has shown a strong commitment to the goals of sustainable development of the United Nations 2030, lauding the country's traffic safety achievements, which he said made it a leader in the region.He stressed that the union is committed to working with the competent authorities in the State of Qatar to achieve the goals set by the traffic strategy for the coming years and to build a safe and sustainable traffic system that promotes economic growth and sustainable development.He pointed out that road safety is the main focus of IRU's efforts as one of the fundamentals of economic growth, community prosperity and a decent life for all peoples. He noted that Traffic accidents cause 1.2 million deaths annually, with developing countries having the highest mortality rates. He added that the deaths was particularly among people between the ages of 15 and 29, saying it is something that requires greater efforts to reduce the number victims. He stressed the need to focus on the human factor in traffic accidents, He pointed out that this year's conference focuses in its meetings on this factor to reach safer ways.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Annual Workshop on Reducing Traffic Accidents Begins in Doha

Doha-QatarThe 8th annual seminar and workshop on reducing road traffic accidents began today. It is organized by Karwa in cooperation with the International Road Transport Union (IRU), in partnership with the General Directorate of Traffic and the National Traffic Safety Committee.The conference will be held over two days and will include panel discussions and presentations featuring a range of national and international road safety experts covering the latest ideas on education, law enforcement, road and vehicle engineering.Mowasalat Chairman Nasser bin Mohammed Al Malki said today that the company is committed to the highest levels of service, in addition to spreading the culture of traffic safety. He stressed the importance of focusing on the transport industry, especially that the transportation system is the main engine of new investments and the heart of economic growth and social development. He then highlighted that the company was working with the designated authorities on limiting the number of accidents.Meanwhile the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the strategic sponsor of the event, stressed that the transport sector is one of the most important non-oil sectors in the country and is the fastest growing and contributing to the local GDP. They added that the sector can be characterized by its great dynamism, wide variety and ability to influence the overall development process in the State of Qatar.Head of the Land Transport Licensing Department HE Sheikh Nayef bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who is also the acting head of the department of quality of land transport services at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, said that the State of Qatar has witnessed rapid population growth over the past few years, accompanied by strong economic expansion, necessitating further developments and modernization of the transport infrastructure, and providing services that meet the highest international standards.He pointed out that pointed out that the Ministry's mission is not only to establish a world-class road infrastructure and to provide an effective, economical and safe road transport system but also to improve the level of road safety and minimize accidents and losses resulting from it.HE Sheikh Nayef stated that since its inception in 2014, the Ministry of Transport and Communications has devoted great importance to improving road traffic safety from planning, design, implementation, operation and maintenance of road networks as international statistics indicate that the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents is not less than 1.5 million people, plus approximately 50 million people are subjected to traffic accidents every year.His Excellency pointed out that the Ministry of Transport and Communications works in coordination with the concerned authorities in the state, including the public Works authority, the General Directorate of Traffic and the National Committee for Traffic safety, to develop comprehensive plans and programs to improve the level of road safety and to develop appropriate solutions to address the causes of accidents and reduce the resulting losses.The head of Land Transport Licensing Department stated that the Ministry sets standards and requirements for the operation of land transport services activities and quality provisions of its services, and implements strategies and programs that will enhance traffic safety and reduce road accidents, and enable the Ministry to organize and operate the Land transport sector as required, and establish regulations governing road transport activity and the efficiency and safety of drivers and vehicles, and the application of pedestrian protection systems in order to minimize the risks to road users.His Excellency stressed that the provision of an efficient, safe and environmentally friendly transport system is a requirement for sustainable development and contributes to the maintenance of the safety of life and property, noting that the Government of the State of Qatar is represented by the Ministry of Transport and communications and in coordination with other relevant bodies has invested in infrastructure projects transport infrastructure such as airports, ports, roads and railways, and has ensured that the land transport system is operated in a harmonious and coherent manner in order to achieve a higher standard of living and provide well-being for all citizens and residents.His Excellency further explained that the Ministry is updating the comprehensive transport plan for the state of Qatar, which aims to establish a clear future "vision" for the state transport system in the future, and to develop strategies and policies to achieve this vision, facilitate road traffic, ease congestion, and increase operational efficiency, Reducing energy consumption to reduce environmental impacts. The Ministry is also developing the comprehensive pedestrian crossing plan with the aim of maintaining the safety of lives and property and reducing traffic accidents by providing convenient and safe facilities, transit corridors that also cater to the needs of the disabled and the development of related regulations.Director of road management Hamad Eissa said that traffic safety was an important issue in the State of Qatar, especially that the transport sector became a primary engine of growth for the national economy. He added that the value of transportation infrastructure in the country has been increasing with each passing day, stressing the ministry's commitment to having world-class transportation infrastructure.He reviewed a number of laws and draft laws set by the Ministry to achieve traffic safety in line with the highest international standards, including the Qatari railway, operation of limousines and services, and standards of land transport and upgrading the services. He Added that the ministry is working with the National Traffic Safety Committee to prepare an integrated project to reduce traffic accidents and develop appropriate solutions to them.He pointed out that the Ministry recognizes the importance of strategic planning for roads and road transport, thus providing sustainable transport through reducing accidents, protecting lives, providing pedestrian crossings and preparing engineering designs for roads, taking into account the provision of world-class networks and the development of laws and regulations regulating the operation of this integrated system.

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

HE Minister said Hamad Port acquires 28% of trade volume in the Middle East

Doha-QatarHE Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti Minister of Transport and Communications said that Hamad Port has acquired 28 percent share in the volume of trade in the Middle East.HE was speaking in a panel discussion on the second day of the International Products Exhibition and Conference (IPEC) being held at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.The share of Hamad Port in the volume of trade in Qatar in terms of exports and imports has reached 95 percent, which makes the port an important port of the economy and contributes effectively to people’s daily lives.He added that Hamad Port currently connects more than 40 ports with over 24 shipping services and offers a wide range of guaranteed and reliable options for its customers.It also plays a major role in securing the needs of local markets and projects implemented by the state, ensuring access of Qatari products to the global markets. This enhances global confidence in Qatar and its productsHe pointed out that the launch of Hamad Port has positively affected the volume of trade between the friendly and brotherly countries, adding that the expansion plans of Hamad Port.