Qatar IT Business 2016 Awards Celebrate Excellence in the Nation’s IT Sector

A gala awards ceremony for the Qatar IT Business 2016 Awards was held last night at the St Regis Doha. The prestigious awards celebrate Qatari companies’ contribution to the IT sector and are an initiative of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The winners were announced in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications and HE. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al-Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce.The award included seven categories: Service Provider of the Year, Cloud Service Provider of the Year, Tech Startup of the Year, Best Mobile Application of the Year, Best IT Adoption in the SME Sector and Smart Solution of the Year.The winners were Malomatia for Service Provider (Software), Mannai Infotech for Service Provider (Hardware), Meeza for Cloud Service, Meddy for Tech Startup, Oordeoo for best Mobile Application of the Year, Riyada Trading for best IT Adoption in the SME sector and QMIC for Smart Solutions.Judging was conducted through an online portal and included the following leading industry experts: Hamad Khamis Al Kubaisi, Executive Director of Advisory Services, Qatar Development Bank; Dr. Munir Tag, Director, ICT - Qatar National Research Fund (Qatar Foundation); Marwan Mahmoud, Consultant; Mohammed Al Daou, Head of Research and Development, Hamadan International Photography Awards; Mohammad Zebian, Innovation Manager, QSTP; Juha Perälampi, Business Incubator at the Center for Entrepreneurship Qatar University and Mahmoud Raef Haggag, Country Manager, PayFort Qatar.Qatar IT Business Awards are a worthy initiative by the Ministry of Transport and Communications and provide a recognized platform to showcase IT business-related achievements in the country. The awards invited companies to submit projects that have demonstrated great innovation, best practice and inspirational ways developing new ideas to drive a connected society.As part of the Qatar National Vision 2030, Qatar is transforming itself into a global, knowledge-based economy, focusing on knowledge and expertise rather than natural resources. Under the stewardship of The Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Qatar IT Business Awards recognize, reflect and support this dynamic vision.Speaking at the event gala dinner, His Excellency Mr. Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications, highlighted the value of the awards: “Initiatives such as the Qatar IT Business Awards help to build understanding, generate interest and perhaps more importantly, recognize those people who are at the forefront of information and communications technology in Qatar.”During the event, HE Minister Al Sulaiti announced the launch of the “Qatar ICT Directory” in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce. The Directory is part of MoTC’s efforts to enhance private sector’s footprint in the market by ensuring their competitiveness regionally and globally, as well as helping public and private sectors and business community find best ICT service providers and products.The Qatar ICT Directory has developed a database of ICT companies in the State of Qatar that will help government and businesses select suitable ICT companies. It also helps better understand Qatar’s ICT landscape.The Directory has a fast search feature where users can search for companies, services and products. Users can also smoothly review a list of all ICT companies, let alone the advanced search to find specific results.By understanding the ICT sector’s actual volume and needs, the Directory could effectively help dialogue the factors that hamper SMEs and startups.Reem al-Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, added: “Initiatives like these allow us to create awareness of the importance of IT Businesses in the rapid growth and economic development of Qatar. We congratulate the winners and wish to support them with an IT business friendly environment to achieve great success for the IT Business sector of Qatar.”Sponsors of the Qatar IT Business 2016 Awards included leading Qatari organizations, with Qatar Development Bank (QDB) as Platinum Sponsor, Vodafone as Gold Sponsor, and Microsoft and Qatar Rail as Silver Sponsors.

MOTC Finalizes Arbitration Process for Qatar IT Business Awards 2016 Nominations

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has finalized the assessment and arbitration process for the Qatar IT Business Awards 2016 nominations. Results and winners are yet to be unveiled by the end of this month at a special event.The Awards reflect the Ministry’s commitment to honoring the businesses that have added a significant value to Qatari ICT market. The aim is to recognize not only businesses’ unremitting efforts to attract local promising talent, but also the local accomplishments, in addition to the key objective of supporting innovation in that field.The Awards will be sponsored by Qatar Development Bank (QDB), Vodafone Qatar, the Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) and Microsoft Qatar.“The Ministry always supported and encouraged entrepreneurs in the ICT sector, as well as invigorating and enabling the breakthrough innovations that reflect positively on all sections and segments of the society,” said Mrs. Reem Al-Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Society Development at the Ministry.Al-Mansoori added that the Awards come as part of the Ministry’s efforts to provide the incentives necessary to develop and reinforce the digital industry, raise awareness of the importance of the ultimate and safe usage of ICT, in addition to sharpen the competitiveness of Qatari ICT products by further promoting the quality and performance standards.The Ministry has dedicated all Awards categories to local Qatari businesses. It also dedicated one category to honor the best IT adopter in the SME sector as a manifestation of Ministry’s commitment to backing up that vital industry.The Awards include seven categories: Service Provider of the Year (Hardware), Cloud Service Provider of the Year, Service Provider of the Year (Software), Tech Startup of the Year, Best Mobile Application of the Year, Best IT Adoption in SME Sector and Smart Solution of the Year.

Hukoomi Wins “Access Certified Award”

The Qatar e-Government Portal (Hukoomi) has won the Access Certified Award from the Qatar Assistive Technology Center (Mada) for applying the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 AA (WCAG 2.0 AA) which aim to ensure that websites have accessible features for people with disabilities.The Award is often given to institutions that have websites that meet the international standards and which can be easily accessed and used by people with disabilities.Mada’s Award was received by the Government Portal Department Manager Mr. Tareq Al Emadi on Thursday, May 19; the day Global Accessibility Awareness Day is celebrated around the world.“Hukoomi places considerable attention to ensuring that all people with disabilities in Qatar benefit from the several advantages and potential of information and communications technology. At Hukoomi, we are glad to apply all guidelines and requirements related to online accessibility in order to make it easier for the disabled to reach all information and government services that Hukoomi provides,” said Mr. Al Emadi.“We thank Mada for its unremitting efforts to better serve people with disabilities in Qatar, aiming to ensure that they can access and use government websites. Mada does that by making sure that these websites meet all the requirements stated in the e-Accessibility Policy launched by the Ministry of Transport and Communications in 2011, in addition to meeting relevant global digital accessibility requirements,” he added.Mada CEO Mrs. Maha al Mansouri said, “We aim to increase the number of websites that are accessible by people with disabilities in Qatar; something that would make a massive change in terms of how far the disabled could easily access information through information and communications technology,”“Mada has a special team dedicated to regularly reviewing the global e-accessibility requirements and standards to ensure that government websites in Qatar are designed in a way that make them flexible and accessible by disabled people and the elderly, she added.“We would like to thank Hukoomi team for their commitment to applying global e-accessibility standards and guidelines. Hukoomi is counted among the most important government portals in Qatar due to the amount of content and information it contains, and which are needed by all people including the disabled. We at Mada encourage all public and private entities to develop their websites in a way that is accessible and usable by people with disabilities. The aim is move forward with achieving digital inclusion,” she continued. 

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Digital Incubation Center to Welcome First Intake of Young Entrepreneurs for 2016

The Digital Incubation Center (DIC) at the Ministry of Transport and Communications is once again opening its doors to a new group of young, tech-savvy entrepreneurs who have innovative technology-related ideas, fledgling ICT start-ups, or who are ready to start an ICT company. The Center offers expertise and professional guidance in technology and business, access to workspace, business planning, education and training, mentors, and legal advice.For its new intake of 2016, the DIC is looking for both aspiring and current entrepreneurs who are capable of harnessing emerging technologies to create innovative products, solutions, and services that will contribute to Qatar’s thriving digital sector. The Center is particularly interested in entrepreneurs who are working with technologies such as smart city solutions; cloud computing; Internet of Things; drones or robotics; big data and analytics; cyber security; mobility and wearable solutions; e-commerce; digital content; and telecommunications services.The Center offers two tracks: the Idea Stage, a 6-month program that helps entrepreneurs nurture their ICT ideas and turn them into business opportunities; and the 2-year Start-up track for early stage start-ups and potential start-ups that need help in accelerating the development of their business.Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Sector, speaking recently said; “The objective of the DIC has been to provide the necessary support for new tech start-ups to emerge from Qatar. Developing the technology sector in the country plays a key role in our transformation towards a smart society. We believe the youth of Qatar has the capacity to achieve great success if given the right support mechanisms, such as these incubation programs.”Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply to the Digital Incubation Center (DIC) at the Ministry of Transport & Communications, on + 974 4499 4654, or by email at incubation@motc.gov.qa. The deadline for applications is the April 30, 2016.