News | Ministry of Transport

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.

Monday, October 8, 2018

PM attends inauguration of new brand identity of Mwani Qatar

Doha-QatarHE Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani attended the inauguration of the new brand identity of the Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar), in a ceremony held at the Doha Sheraton Hotel last night.Addressing the ceremony, HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti said that the new strategy of Mwani Qatar requires a new brand identity that commensurates with the future development of the ports of the State.He underlined that Hamad Port, one of the largest ports in the region, ships to 70 international destinations and 132 indirect destinations, and is awaiting a future expansion that will start at the end of this year and end in 2021.The minister noted that the blockade was a major catalyst for the activity of three main ports in the country, which transformed Qatar from being reliant on small vessels that use an intermediary port, to an owner of a main and integrated port: Hamad Port, which receives about 1,000 vessels each year, with a capacity of more than 2.5mn containers per year, prompting Qatar’s exports to increase to nearly 1mn containers, a goal that Mwani sought to reach in 2021 and was reached today.The event featured a documentary film about Mwani Qatar.The ceremony was attended by a number of sheikhs, ministers and heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to the State.

Monday, October 8, 2018

“Better Connections” - New Milestone Reached by Opening 750th ICT Facility for Migrant Workers

Doha – QatarHE Minister of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs (ADLSA), Dr. Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, today opened the 750th Better Connections ICT facility. The event marks the halfway milestone on the program, which aims to equip and open 1500 ICT facilities for migrant workers at their accommodation sites to sharpen their information and communications technology skills and enable them to better participate in Qatari society.The “Better Connections Program” raises ICT awareness and skills among migrant workers with little or no prior knowledge and provide them with easy access to multilingual training in technology tools and the Internet where they live.The 750th ICT facility was opened at the workers’ residences at the Asian City Accommodation Asian Town, under the umbrella of the Private Engineering Office, after having been equipped with computers, software and wireless internet.The program is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) and Ministry of ADLSA and supported by multiple partners across Qatar.The event was witnessed by MOTC’s Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Society Development Affairs Ms. Reem Al-Mansoori and ADLSA’s Assistant Undersecretary of Labor Affairs Mr. Mohammad Hassan Al-Obaidly.First launched in 2014, “Better Connections” gives employers of migrant workers in Qatar a practical framework to provide their workers with access to information and communication technology tools. It aims to ensure that migrant workers in Qatar have access to and are well trained in using ICT and the Internet at their accommodations. Toward this goal, it helps employers provide ICT rooms where workers live and give them the knowledge, awareness and training they need in their own languages under the supervision of trainers and volunteers.In her presentation, Ms. Al-Mansoori said the number of employers who have joined the program to date has risen to 350 and the donated computers to 9000, of which around 7500 were refurbished and updated by both high school students at the “Green Computer Clubs”, another supportive initiative, and volunteers.She added that there are now 25 Green Computer Clubs where donated computers are refurbished and updated with new software and wireless internet connectivity.The number of program volunteers, who train workers in their own languages, has now risen to almost 1000.A Nov. 2017 Impact Analysis Study conducted by the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute at Qatar University (SESRI) reported that 93% of migrant workers said using the ICT facility was helping them to reduce stress and become more productive, while 99% said the internet has improved their ability to communicate with family, friends and other important people in their lives back home.

Sunday, October 7, 2018

Workshop focuses on transparency in govt procurements

Doha-QatarThe Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center recently concluded a four-day training workshop on the ‘National and international framework for ensuring integrity and transparency in government procurements’.HE the Attorney General Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri and HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti honoured the 30 graduates. The course covered all the aspects related to the legal procedures regarding public tenders and procurements to maintain public funds in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations internationally and locally. From the Ministry of Transport and Communications, 19 employees took part in the workshop and the remaining participants were from Qatar University and the Public Prosecution. Dr al-Marri pointed out that the centre has been playing a key role in supporting local and international entities in arbitration cases and establishing the rule of law. He said the course has helped the participants to master the necessary legal and accounting framework for public tenders and procurements, and to avoid committing mistakes that could lead to suspicion of corruption.In addition, the course equipped the trainees with the tools to tackle the situation in case of any charges of corruption is involved in such processes. Al-Sulaiti stressed the importance of the training course and said more courses are expected to follow. It would also be an important step towards including public tenders into the e-government system according to the applicable laws and regulations in this respect.The training at the workshop was presented by lecturers from the United Nations, Qatar University, the Public Prosecution, and The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center.

Sunday, October 7, 2018

Minister Honors Qatar Threat Hunters 2018 Competition Winners

Doha – QatarHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti today rewarded the winners of the top three positions at the “Qatar Threat Hunters 2018 Competition” which has now closed.This came at a special event held at the Office of the Minister in the presence of Mr. Eng. Khalid Al-Hashmi, Asst. Undersecretary of Cyber Security at MOTC, and team members of the Qatar Computer Emergency Response Team (Q-CERT).Mr. Jasem Al-Sadi received the best “Attacker” award, Mr. Ahmed Aziz received the best “Defender” award while Mr. Muath Mushtaha won the best “Responder” award.In remarks at the event, HE the Minister said; “I am proud to honor these talented young people in the field of cybersecurity. There is no doubt that without hard work, tenacity and learning more about information security they could not have reached this level of skill and won today’s awards.”MOTC through Q-CERT, he said, “places considerable attention on qualifying more national professionals in the field of cybersecurity. We aim to sharpen their skills, equip them with latest defense and security tools and technologies, and raise the capabilities of the new generations in terms of tracking, detecting and resolving all types of cyber threats and incidents.”MOTC in mid-July 2018 invited all Qatari talents who have unique skills in the realm of cybersecurity to join the competition.This national competition, “Qatar Threat Hunters 2018”, is a part of the Arab “Threat Hunter” competition that is organized by ITU-ARCC for the Arab youth to develop their skills and talents in the field. The aim is to qualify and prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and specialists and harness their capabilities for competing regionally and globally.As the cybersecurity skills gap continues to grow in both the private and public sectors, cybersecurity competitions have been recognized worldwide as an effective method for finding new cybersecurity talents and to foster the development of the required cybersecurity competencies.The competition revolves around several questions and challenges on cybersecurity domains such as ethical hacking, system exploitation, ICT infrastructure and system protection, computer forensics and malware analysis.The competition consisted of four phases. In the Registration and Pre-Selection phase, interested participants were invited to join the competition until last August 7.In the second phase, the National Semi-Finals, which took place in mid-August, a webpage was dedicated for each participating Arab country on the competition’s main website for competitors from inside each country.The third phase was the National Final Round, which took place in Sept. 2018. In that phase, Q-CERT hosted several qualified contestants, who competed at the Qatar national level. This resulted in the top three winners who were awarded today and who will compete regionally at the level of Arab countries at an event to be held later this month via the portal of the competition where participants from all Arab countries will compete on the first three awards.Competition winners will be awarded during the Regional Cybersecurity Week 2018 for the Arab Region in Kuwait, October 21-25.