News | Ministry of Transport

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Ministry’s Digital Incubation Center Launches IdeaCamp

Doha – Qatar The Digital Incubation Center at the Ministry of Transport and Communications has launched the IdeaCamp - a new program for entrepreneurs, developers and designers who have great ideas for a technology solution.IdeaCamp offers a series of workshops, training, and mentorships for five weeks that will help entrepreneurs develop business models, build prototypes and test their ideas with local customers.By the end of the program, the entrepreneurs with successful ideas will join the DIC Startup Track to take their ideas to the next level, which begins this December 1.Online applications to join the IdeaCamp are received at ideacamp.qa until October 18, 2017. Applications then are screened and owners of the accepted applications are informed.The IdeaCamp is accepting applications for any technology idea. However, priority is given to entrepreneurs who submit ideas in the following technology areas: Blockchain, 3D printing and the Internet of things (IoT).The Digital Incubation Center (DIC) was created in 2011 to boost ICT innovation in Qatar, particularly among young people at the critical early stages of starting or growing a technology-related business.The DIC is looking for entrepreneurs capable of harnessing emerging technologies to create innovative products, solutions, or services that will contribute to Qatar’s digital economy.The DIC offers startups free office space, technical support, training and guidance, mentorship, as well as business planning and legal advice.To apply to join IdeaCamp: http://ideacamp.qa/en/#applyFor Further Information about the Digital Incubation Center (DIC) visit http://www.motc.gov.qa/en/dic

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Ministry launches its first 2017-2018 cyber security capacity building training course

Doha – Qatar Qatar Computer Emergency Response Team (Q-CERT) at the Ministry of Transport and Communications has held a training course entitled “Intrusion Detection in Depth” for a group of IT and information security specialists from governmental and semi-governmental entities.The training aims to equip the attendees who work in the government and critical information infrastructure sectors with the core knowledge, tools, and techniques to increase their information security defense capabilities.“The training is a part of a series of specialized training courses the Ministry will be held throughout this year and the coming year in the implementation of the National Cyber Security Strategy. The aim is to build local cybersecurity capabilities and increase institutions’ efficiency and readiness to combat cyberattacks,” said Mr. Khalid Al-Hashmi, the Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary of Cyber Security.“The courses will focus on a number of key specialized themes within the realm of cybersecurity. Those themes were selected based on the outcome of the national cybersecurity drill and the needs and requirements of various governmental and semi-governmental entities, let alone the new cyber threats that emerge in that sector,” he added.Held at Q-CERT offices at the Ministry premises and presented by a professional trainer from SANS Institute, the 5-day specialized training was attended by 20 information security specialists from multiple entities.Participants hailed the training course. Sr. Cybersecurity Eng. at Qatar Petroleum, Mr. Khalid al Kubaisi, commended the highly distinguished performance at the training, describing it as a step in the right direction that came on the right time to sharpen local capabilities in the realm of cybersecurity.The courses qualify the participants to perform the tests needed to obtain Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), in addition to several other cybersecurity-related certifications.The Ministry offers the courses free of charge for Qatari specialists from governmental and semi-governmental entities and at a half-price discount for non-Qataris.This training course is part of Q-CERT training calendar which has been published on Q-CERT website www.qcert.org.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

HE The Minister Meets with Netherlands Director of Foreign Trade Affairs

Doha – Qatar HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti met here today with the Director of Foreign Trade Affairs for the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mr. Andre Driessen.The two officials discussed means of enhancing cooperation and relations between the two countries in the field of transport, mobility, and communications, in addition to the available investment opportunities.The meeting was attended by Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Qatar Dr. Bahia Tahzib-Lie.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Ministry Holds Workshop on Private Sector Participation Strategy for Transport Sector

Doha – Developing a strategy to undertake transport projects under a new Private Sector Participation (PSP) model aiming to leverage capital and efficiencies associated with the private sector in delivering excellent transport infrastructure projects was the theme of a workshop the Ministry of Transport and Communications held with multiple public and private stakeholders.The workshop mulled over a project on “Private Sector Participation Strategy for Qatar’s Transport Sector” and was attended by representatives from the Ministry, Qatar Chamber, relevant government entities, mobility, and transportation industry, several private sector companies and financial institutions.The workshop sought to understand preferences and views of all these entities for the best execution and outcome of the project.The project translates directives of Qatar’s wise leadership on the importance of boosting private sector participation in economic projects across the country with a view to maximizing its contribution to the development process nationwide.It also reflects the considerable attention the Qatari leadership pays to the regulation, standards, policies, and programs that help encourage larger private sector participation in national projects.The project aims to increase private sector participation in Qatar’s transport sector, attract more of its investments, develop a PSP Strategy and Framework for the transport sector at a national level, and understand transport sector’s readiness to receive such participation.It also aims to drive private sector’s investment into mobility and transport projects by creating a chain of potential projects where the private sector could step into and contribute.The aforementioned PSP Framework is going to cover all modes of transport including rail, marine, bus, taxi, and aviation. The aim of this consultancy project is to identify potential PSP projects, produce a policy framework and strategy to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities.The project that was reviewed at the workshop also includes studying a ‘pilot’ project for implementation under the PSP Framework.The Ministry is set to finalize that strategy before the end of this year.

Sunday, September 17, 2017

MOTC Minister: Qatar Post new logo a step towards achieving Qatar 2030 strategy

Doha-HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti has stressed that the Ministry will continue to develop and strengthen the basic elements involved in the advancement of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector by investing heavily in securing an efficient infrastructure and setting up an integrated system of policies, legislation and mechanisms.This will be done to create the right investment climate and continue implementing the projects and programmes of Qatar Digital Government 2020 and with regard to electronic security.In this context, the ministry is focusing on implementing strategic and pivotal programmes that contribute to the diversification of national income sources and help other sectors grow and flourish, including the Qatar Smart Programme (Tasmu), in addition to programmes that increase investments in electronic commerce, al-Sulaiti told reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of the new brand of Qatar Post yesterday.The Minister noted that launching the new identity and strategic direction of Qatar Post represents a new chapter in the achievements of the modern State of Qatar and an important step towards realising Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 under the wise leadership of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the directives of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, which attaches particular importance to the ICT sector and considers it as the basis for Qatar’s vision of building a knowledge-based society and a diverse digital economy that will cater to the needs of future generations and achieve social and economic well-being.Al-Sulaiti underlined that Qatar Post has all the strategic elements to develop the quality of postal services and the communication sector in general in line with QNV 2030. He stressed the commitment to provide full support to Qatar Post to complete the necessary requirements for transformation to the business system, enhance the economic status of the sector and enhance the quality of services based on international standards.The process of updating and launching the new brand of Qatar Post includes a comprehensive change in its works, services and postal products through a three-pronged strategic transformation process: improving service and customer experience, building a top-notch operating policy and strengthening the organisational capacity of staff through the creation of an effective working environment

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Two New Shipping Lines to Hamad Port Launched

Doha-Two new maritime lines will be launched to Hamad Port today. Both lines will run on a weekly basis.The first line starts in the Mediterranean and will be serviced by with four ships, with a total capacity of 6,000 containers including 400 reefer containers. The second line has one ship with a capacity of 6,000 containers including 400 reefer containers.The ships on the first line will stop at the following ports:MERSIN - TurkeyISTANBUL - Turkey TEKIRDAG - TurkeyCANAKKALE - TurkeyPIRAEUS - GreeceISKENDERUN - Turkey SALALAH - OmanHAMAD - QatarSOHAR - OmanMUNDRA - IndiaThe ship on the second line will stop at:SHANGHAI – ChinaNINGBO – ChinaKAOHSIUNG – TaiwanXIAMEN – ChinaSHEKOU – ChinaPORT KLANG – MalaysiaHAMAD - Qatar