News | Ministry of Transport

Monday, July 31, 2017

CRA launches public consultation for short range technologies

Doha-QatarThe Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has launched a public consultation for revision to the class licence for short range devices (SRDs). The modifications will ensure that CRA enables stakeholders to introduce new technologies and devices in the market and be better prepared for the future demands, according to a statement. Interested stakeholders have until August 16 to comment on the proposed changes published on the CRA website. The proposed revision to the class licence is designed to accommodate advances in radio-communications equipment and applications, and include new frequency ranges for SRDs. The proposed changes relate especially to Annexure (2) and propose the addition of new frequency bands for SRDs such as wide range of machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The modifications also introduce a separate section for Wireless Access Systems, including Radio Local Area Networks Applications, with the corresponding authorised frequency ranges with the maximum allowed output power.Mohamed Ali al-Mannai, president of CRA, said: “As part of CRA’s mission to ensure the provision of advanced, innovative and reliable ICT services across the State of Qatar, it is critical that there is enough spectrum to accommodate the rapidly evolving technological environment.” “The introduction of additional frequency ranges for short range devices is in response to numerous recent advancements in radio-communications applications and technologies. The additional frequencies will allow for a greater variety of short range devices, including M2M and IoT applications, being sold and used in the country which in turn will benefit consumers. The public consultation is a crucial part of this process because it allows us to understand, and take into account, the needs of all stakeholders in an organised and transparent manner,” he added. The modified class licence is open for consultation until August 16. Comments from interested stakeholders should be sent to type.approval@cra.gov.qa. The proposed modifications to the current short range devices licence are available at http://www.cra.gov.qa/en/document/modification-class-license-short-range-devices-srds The current class licence and annexure for short range devices are available at http://cra.gov.qa/en/document/class-license-short-range-devices-srds and http://cra.gov.qa/en/news/modification-annexure-2-class-license-short-range-devices-srds

Saturday, July 29, 2017

HE Minister Meets with ICAO Secretary General

Montreal – CanadaHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti met today with the Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Dr. Fang Liu at the ICAO’s headquarters in Montreal.The meeting discussed Qatar’s demands for getting its right of innocent passage in international air routes in accordance with the international law and its agreements.During the meeting, the Qatari delegation refuted the allegations of the four blockade countries before the meeting to be held on Monday, July 31 to present Qatar’s technical dossier and the blockade countries’ response to the complaint submitted by the State of Qatar on the level of ministers.During the meeting, a copy of Qatar's application to obtain its own flight information region was submitted.Al-Sulaiti highly appreciated the ICAO for convening its session at this critical time.The meeting was attended by the Qatari Ambassador to Canada Mr. Fahad Mohammed Yousif Kafood and Chairman of Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority HE Mr. Abdullah bin Nasser Turki Al-Subaey.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

HE Minister Meets with COO of Airbus

Doha – QatarHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti met here today with Mr. Fabrice Brégier, President of Airbus Commercial Aircraft & COO of Airbus. The two officials reviewed developments in the field of air transport.

Saturday, July 22, 2017

The Ministry announced the launch of a new shipping line between Qatar and Oman.

Doha-The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) announced the launch of a new shipping line between Qatar and Oman. The new service connects Hamad Port with the Sahar and Salalah Ports in Oman.Operations at Hamad Port "saw a change in the destinations of shipping lines", the port can accommodate all types of goods and is able to cover the needs of the State.With its capacity, the port, which opened in December 2015 six months ahead of schedule, has helped reduce dependency on transporting goods through the land border.Previously, The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) has launched a new direct service between Hamad Port and with the Mundra and Nhava Sheva ports in India. under Milaha’s DMJ service, which will operate five times a week.This new service is part of the efforts of Ministry of Transport and Communications to build new partnerships to meet the growing needs of the local market and to strengthen Hamad Port as a vital business hub in the region.

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

HE Minister Meets with IRU Advisor for the Middle East

Doha – QatarHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti met here today with the International Road Transport Union (IRU) Advisor for the Middle East Mr. Rani Wahba.The meeting reviewed the developments in the field of mobility and transport and a number of IRU-related matters.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

New Port Project, AlJaber Engineering Sign Contract to Establish Food Security Facility

Doha – QatarThe New Port Project (NPP) Steering Committee and AlJaber Engineering (JEC) signed a contract for designing and constructing food security facilities and warehouses at Hamad Port at a cost of QAR 1.6billion.HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications and Chairman of the NPP Steering Committee witnessed the signing ceremony, held at the Ministry headquarters today.The facilities of the project will be developed and constructed on an area of approximately 53 hectares (about 530,000 square meters). The project consists of specialized facilities for the processing, manufacturing, and refining of rice, raw sugar, and edible oils. These products will be available for local, regional and global use.The project also includes bulk storage silos with their associated infrastructure and conveyance equipment, in addition to the fundamental structures fully equipped for the project associated operations of handling, processing, packaging, reloading, and transport.One more feature of the project will be a specialized facility for the recycling of waste products arising from the processing of basic commodities to create animal feed.Those facilities will operate as a fully functional standalone terminal, while 500 meters of the wharf of the port will be dedicated for the berthing and discharging of the ships of this new project.As per the agreement, those food security facilities and warehouses will be built and equipped in collaboration with international consultants, observing best international practices and standards for manufacturing and quality such as German Ipro and Global Port – two prestigious global companies in the field of storage and world ports design. There will also be work with global foodstuff processing and storage companies, including Bühler; a leading global Swiss-German food industries company, German BIA; the world’s top in designing and constructing raw sugar plants, sugar packaging and storage, and C.M Bernardini; leading global Italian company specialized in the design and supply of equipment and plants for oils and fats industry.On this occasion, HE Minister Al-Sulaiti said, “The State of Qatar views food security as an integral part of its national security. This new project springs from the wisdom and insightful vision of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on the importance of the strategic stockpile for food security and giving it a very important place in the country’s strategies and plans and at the top of its priorities. It also springs from the close follow-up from HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani.”HE the Minister said Qatar over the past few years has remarkably managed to handle its strategic stockpile for food security and expanded its investment in this regard in several world countries.He noted that such an expansion would make Qatar preserve its consumptive market over the coming years regardless of the circumstances it encounters.HE the Minister said that food security warehouses project at Hamad Port will provide a stockpile for 3 million people for two years for each commodity being processed and stored. He added that the project will be constructed in accordance with best international practices and standards and will provide a high capacity for storage, packaging, conveyance, and handling, utilizing latest world technologies.Adding to what this strategic project will be achieving for the strategic stockpile for food security, the Minister said, it also comes as part of the Ministry of Transport and Communications’ efforts to encourage Qatari private sector’s contribution to transport projects to harness the expertise and applied technology, as well as achieving the vision of HH the Emir. The aim is to increase Qatari private sector’s contribution to development endeavors by promoting that contribution to become a source for our national economy.Mr. Mohammed Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman of AlJaber Group of Companies said: “We are thankful to The Ministry of Transport and Communications and the New Port Project Steering Committee for trusting AlJaber Engineering with the design and construction of the ‘Strategic Food Security Facilities Project.”“Being a Qatari company, we are proud to have been chosen for this strategic project for the State of Qatar. AlJaber Group of Companies shall provide full support to the project team to ensure high standards of quality and delivery of time,” he added.The contract was signed by Mr. Eng. Maisar Jamil El Qutami, Project Executive Director, New Port Project and Mr. Osama Hadid, CEO, AlJaber Engineering.The signing ceremony was attended by HE Ambassador of Switzerland Mr. Etienne Thevoz, HE Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Mr. Hans-Udo Muzel and HE Ambassador of Italy Mr. Pasquale Salzano.