Qatar to Host 19th GCC e-Government Executive Committee Meeting

Doha – Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, will host the 19th meeting of the GCC e-Government Executive Committee on March 5-6.The meeting, to be held at Saint Regis Hotel, will tackle several topics such as the progress made on GCC e-government initiatives, including the joint initiatives contained in the GCC Guidelines Strategy.The meeting will also discuss a working paper submitted by Qatar on the unified framework for e-access. The Committee will also look into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)’s report on arrangements for the 5th GCC e-Government Awards, Exhibition & Conference to be held in KSA in 2017.

Opened a road linking the new Hamad Port and Truck Route, which falls within the scope of works of the New Orbital Highway project.

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) opened today a road linking the new Hamad Port and Truck Route, which falls within the scope of works of the New Orbital Highway project. The opening was attended by HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, HE Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, and HE Ashghal President Dr. Eng Saad bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi, along with a number of senior officials of relevant authorities and institutions. The attendees were given a presentation and paid a field visit to a number of work sites of the New Orbital Highway project to learn about the progress attained in the project and the timetable for implementing its various phases. The newly opened road, which is approximately 5 km in length and multilevel interchanges with Mesaieed Road, consists of 4 lanes in each direction. It forms a free-flowing traffic route to Truck Route, helping to alleviate congestion, and better manage heavy vehicle movement. The road provides new access to the new Hamad Port, Mesaieed, Al Wakra and the temporary Truck Route. HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti appreciated the efforts made by Ashghal to open the road linking between Hamad Port and Truck Route, expressing his confidence that Ashghal will complete the next phases of the project with the same quality and according to the specified deadline. His Excellency stressed that the partial openings of New Orbital Highway project which are scheduled to take place in April and July reflected the magnitude of the great achievement made in this project. HE Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi praised the rapid execution of the construction of the road, pointing out that Ashghal delivered its work by the agreed deadline. His Excellency highlighted the importance of the road especially in providing free flowing traffic route for heavy vehicles from and to Hamad Port. HE the Minister added that upcoming launch of new roads within New Orbital Highway project will provide distinct transport services, particularly with respect to traffic safety on roads due to the separation of trucks lanes from those dedicated for light vehicles.

QITCOM 2017 to be a launch pad for Qatar’s Digital Industry

Doha – QITCOM is set to provide a launch pad for Qatar’s Digital Industry through showcasing entrepreneurship, championing digital innovation, promoting investment opportunities and tailored learning events, all taking place within a special Entrepreneurship Zone. The Entrepreneurship Zone is part of QITCOM 2017, Qatar’s biggest digital event running from 6 to 8 March at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).Managed by the Ministry of Transport and Communication’s (MOTC’s) Digital Incubation Centre, the Entrepreneurship Zone contains a variety of activities dedicated to entrepreneurs and SMEs in the digital space: a CodeCamp, Innovation Theatre, “Make the Deal” investor matchmaking, and a Startups Hub. Around 300 entrepreneurs will participate in the Entrepreneurship Zone activities, with more than 50 local, regional and international startups showcasing their products and services.Ms. Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development Sector, Ministry of Transport and Communications, said: “QITCOM 2017 strongly promotes entrepreneurship, innovation and learning, as these are integral to building a vibrant ICT sector and a knowledge-based economy. There are incredible opportunities for local entrepreneurs and SMEs at QITCOM 2017, and I encourage all to join us at the Entrepreneurship Zone and be part of Qatar’s smart future.”CodeCamp is a first-of-its-kind hackathon in Qatar, and a brand new addition to QITCOM. Taking place from 3 to 4 March in the QNCC, teams of young students and coders will work together to develop creative technological solutions to a specific problem in four subject matter areas set by CodeCamp’s partners: digital transformation (Microsoft), smart travel (Qatar Airways), e-health (Ooredoo), and assistive technology (Mada). After 48 hours of coding, a judging panel will shortlist the best three teams from each subject to go to the Innovation Theatre for a final pitch where four winners will be announced. The Innovation Theatre is a unique platform that promotes digital entrepreneurship by encouraging talent to develop their businesses, and acts as a hub for entrepreneurs to network, learn and share their latest innovations, experience and success stories. The Innovation Theatre is hosting the “Pitch-Win-Succeed” business plan competition, where entrepreneurs and startup owners will pitch an original business idea to a judging panel. Over the course of three days, forty ideas will be successively narrowed down in a series of pitching rounds, with the final five winners joining MOTC’s Digital Incubation Centre. To qualify, the product or service idea must be innovative, technologically advanced and have distinct competitive advantages. More than 30 mentors will be on hand to support the talented entrepreneurs to develop their ideas and pitch. Available to all during QITCOM are a series of keynote speeches and panel discussions at the Innovation Theatre on subjects chosen to help entrepreneurs turn their startups into scalable businesses.Separate to “Pitch-Win-Succeed”, the Innovation Theatre will also feature “Make the Deal” startup-investor matchmaking that connects high-impact technology startups with local, regional and international investors. “Make the Deal” is a special track within QITCOM 2017 that provides 18 startups with an amazing opportunity to meet with investors, network and grow their business. To qualify, the startups must offer a real solution in the digital and intelligence space such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, smart home technology, augmented and virtual reality, cyber security, big data and smart analytics.In the Startups Hub, twenty local, five regional, and ten international leading startups are showcasing their businesses to fellow entrepreneurs, investors and visitors in a dedicated exhibition space. The businesses have been selected based on a number of criteria including innovation, technology and their business model.In addition to the Digital Incubation Centre’s activities, MOTC’s Digital Industry Department are managing a Digital Masrah and BizTech Zone. Digital Masrah is an open stage featuring a combination of knowledge sharing sessions and specific workshops from technology innovators focused on the digital transformation of SMEs. The BizTech Zone brings business and technology together, enabling local businesses to gain insights on how to adopt new technologies.   

HE The Minister Meets with Ukraine’s Minister of Infrastructure

HE The Minister Meets with Ukraine’s Minister of Infrastructure

Geneva– Doha HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti met today with HE Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Volodymyr Omelyan on the sidelines of their participation in the ministerial meeting of the UNECE’s Inland Transport Committee (ITC), started in Geneva yesterday.The two officials discussed several topics of common interest between the two friendly countries in the field of transport, means of further enhancing them and benefiting from potential investment opportunities in both countries.The meeting was attended by Qatar's Permanent Representative to UN Office in Geneva HE Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri. 

H.E Minister of Transport and Communications takes part in UNECE’s Inland Transport Committee Ministerial Meeting

Geneva – DOHA, H.E Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Bin Saif Al-Sulaiti participated today (February 21) in the ministerial meeting of UNECE’s Inland Transport Committee which was held in Geneva under the title; “Past and Future of UNECE Inland Committee”.Attended by Transport Ministers from the UNECE region and beyond, the meeting tackled the work and achievements of the Inland Transport Committee and its future mission until 2030 at a time of profound changes, challenges and opportunities globally.The meeting was organized to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Inland Transport Committee, take stock of its past and decide on its future mission until 2030. The meeting coincided with the 79th annual meeting of Inland Transport Committee.Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri, Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, also attended the meeting.