News | Ministry of Transport

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

MOTC Calls for Innovative Digital Content Entries for “World Summit Awards 2019"

Doha,The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) is now accepting applications at national level for the “World Summit Awards 2019”.The World Summit Awards (WSA) is an international competition that selects and promotes the world’s best start-ups in digital content and innovative applications that are having a significant impact on improving society. Combining an ongoing series of international events and activities with a global network of start-ups, social entrepreneurs, mentors, jurors, speakers, experts, government leaders, academics and civil society, WSA seeks to raise awareness and give recognition to the best e-Content produced all around the world.Companies, institutions and individuals across the country are now invited to join the competition by submitting their best digital content applications to compete in eight award categories, with winners representing Qatar at the world level. Applications will be accepted until June 10, 2019.The eight award categories are: government & citizen engagement, health & wellbeing, environment & green energy, business & commerce, learning & education, culture & tourism, smart settlements & urbanization, and inclusion & empowerment.A local jury, chaired by the national expert of WSA for Qatar, Ms. Reem Al-Mansoori, MOTC Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development Affairs, will assess the submissions and select one qualified work for each category to represent Qatar.The international selection process involves four stages, from local country selection to a global shortlist of five projects per category, and finally the announcement of the winners. Jury panels consist of renowned international experts. Winners will be announced to the public and will be invited to the WSA Global Congress where they will have the opportunity to pitch their projects to an international on-site panel.All submissions must be no more than two years old (after January 1, 2017) when submitted to the competition, and may include any applications that offer useful, high quality, innovative digital content such as webpages, interactive and SMS-based products, etc.Submitted projects should be real ventures that are already up and running. Incomplete trial versions will not be accepted and will be automatically eliminated.All work must be free of offensive or plagiarized content and may not violate human rights as laid out in the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Submissions that encourage war, violence or discrimination, will not be accepted. Similarly, submissions that violate international copyright provisions will be excluded.Qatari entrepreneur and inventor Mohammed Al Jefairia won the WSA for Digital Innovation 2018 in the Inclusion & Empowerment Category for his project Deaf Pedia - a platform that supports the deaf by offering an open source platform to share and improve sign language.Those interested in joining the competition are invited to send detailed information on their work to MOTC via email: wsa@motc.gov.qa. Further information is available here.

Monday, May 6, 2019

Doha Metro Red Line South Initial Operation Open for Public Wednesday

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications announces that the Doha Metro Red Line South will start its initial operation for the public this Wednesday, May 8. That Line extends from Al Qassar to Al Wakra.The initial operation includes 13 out of 18 Red Line stations: Al Qassar, DECC, QIC West Bay, Corniche, Al Bidda (Interchange Station), Msheireb (Interchange Station), Al Doha Al Jadeda, Umm Ghawalina, Al Matar Al Qadeem, Oqba Ibn Nafie, Free Zone, Ras Bu Fontas and Al Wakra.Operation timings will be from Sunday through Thursday from 08:00 to 23:00.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Minister Meets with Greek Foreign Minister

Doha – QatarHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti met here today with Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Mr. Georgios Katrougalos.The two officials discussed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and means of further enhancing them, in addition to several topics of common interest.The meeting was attended by HE Ambassador of Greece to Qatar Mr. Constantinos Orphanides.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Ministry Launches AI Hackfest

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications announces its Artificial Intelligence Hackfest is now open for government and semi-government entities from April 30 to May 2 as part of its endeavors to empowering digital transformation with AI.MOTC aims to contribute to boosting sustainable economic diversification and improving quality of life and public services.This came during the Qatar Artificial Intelligence Event held under the theme: “Empowering Digital Transformation with AI” at Marsa Malaz Kempinski. It was attended by more than 300 decision makers and interested companies.During the AI Hackfest, the Qatar Digital Government Training Program (QDGTP) will train work teams from government and semi-government entities over 3 days to develop solutions for 10 pilot projects that are hoped to help address some of the challenges those entities encounter.Work on these solutions is to continue for at least three more months to transform them into actual applicable business models.he event hosted several AI experts who exchanged viewpoints and insight on how to use AI to accelerate business development, increase customer interaction and engagement and improve products and services quality, particularly in the five priority sectors of Smart Qatar Program TASMU, namely transportation, logistics, environment, healthcare and sports.MOTC’s Assistant Undersecretary, Digital Society Development Affairs, Ms. Reem Al-Mansoori said that technology plays a key role in the Qatari leadership’s vision and “we, at MOTC, aim to keep up with all technological advancements to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 goals toward a knowledge-based economy.”Country Manager of Microsoft Qatar Lana Khalaf said that Microsoft is committed to empowering organizations by providing them with AI tools and solutions and this helps boost their business, empower their workforce and increase productivity.She said that they are looking forward to continuing their support to MOTC on its initiatives to raise awareness of AI and its positive impacts on all industries across the country.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Minister Meets with MSC Chief Operating Officer

Doha – QatarHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti met here today with Chief Operating Officer of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) Dr. Benedikt Franke.The meeting discussed means of boosting cooperation relations between the State of Qatar and the MSC in the field of cybersecurity and regional security.The meeting also reviewed the joint coordination between the two parties on the MSC Cyber Security Summit that Doha will host this October.

Friday, April 26, 2019

Ministers of Transport, Commerce Attend China’s 2nd Belt & Road Forum

Beijing – ChinaTheir Excellencies Ministers Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti of Transport and Communications and Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari of Commerce and Industry are representing the State of Qatar at the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which HE Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated today.“Qatar is among the very first countries to have supported the Belt and Road Initiative that aims for wider links between Asia, Africa and Europe. Qatar signed several agreements and MoUs that support that initiative. This returns positively on Qatar’s economy and supports its plan to becoming a key strategic and economic hub in the region and the world,” said HE Minister Al-Sulaiti.In Qatar, he said, “we look at the Belt and Road Initiative or the “Silk Road” from a strategic standpoint to link it with all our infrastructure such as ports and airports. This helps reduce time and cost for transporting goods. At the same time, it will be the road for the passage of such goods from China to all countries around the world.” He said that Qatar has an advanced world-class infrastructure in seaports, air transport and airports, in addition to its development operations in the logistics sector to fulfil the increased demand on transportation, handling and storage needs, let alone Qatar’s economic ties with several countries.“The Belt and Road Initiative, best known as Silk Road, which China launched in 2013, will contribute to creating new industrial cities and communities in a way that supports growth and common benefits for countries on its path,” said HE Minister Al Kuwari.The Silk Road, he said, would make Qatar a key economic and strategic hub in the region and the world and allow for new significant economic alliances and partnerships, making it a pivotal and active player in world trade.He also noted that Silk Road would complete the role modern infrastructure plays in Qatar in transportation industry such as ports and airports and maximize the benefit in a manner that achieves the desired economic development.Minister Al-Sulaiti participated in a working session on the connectivity between infrastructure and transportation that was attended by several ministers and senior officials at the Forum. Minister Al Kuwari also participated in a subforum on the interdependence of trade, covering some topics about the deepening of trade connection in light of the Belt and Road cooperation through openness, inclusion and innovation. The subforum was inaugurated by a number of Chinese ministers and senior government officials.In a meeting they held with HE Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Jorge Marcelo, Ministers Al-Sulaiti and Al Kuwari exchanged viewpoints on the Belt and Road Initiative and discussed a number of topics of common interest.Heads and leaders of 37 countries or governments are attending the Forum.It also attracts nearly 5000 participants from more than 150 countries and 80 international organizations, covering regions from five continents and multiple players such as governments, civil societies, business communities and academia.The theme of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum is "Belt and Road Cooperation, Shaping a Brighter Shared Future." The main purpose is to promote the high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation, which is the common aspiration of countries participating in the initiative.Qatar and China signed an MoU on promoting their cooperation in the building of the Silk Road during HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to China in 2014. This has since opened the door for fast-paced and comprehensive development in Qatari-Chinese relations.Last Jan., the two countries also signed a MoU on promoting their cooperation and partnership with regards to the Belt and Road Initiative. This made the two countries ready more than ever to strengthen their cooperation and work for shared interests.Qatar is also a founding member of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)- a new international financial institution that aims to meet infrastructure needs in Asia within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.