News | Ministry of Transport

Friday, September 24, 2021

Qatar in International Top Rankings in Digital Transformation

Doha – Qatar Qatar has come in Group A of two indices, namely Public Service Delivery Index (PSDI) and GovTech Enablers Index (GTEI), according to the World Bank report titled “GovTech Maturity Index: The State of Public Sector Digital Transformation”. It has also ranked in Group B in terms of “high significant focus on GovTech” with respect to two indices, namely Core Government Systems Index (CGSI) and Citizen Engagement Index (CEI), as outlined in the same report issued by the World Bank. The report comprises a comprehensive overview of the development achieved in economies of 198 world countries with respect to their digital service delivery, and they are classified into four categories based on GovTech maturity. The report provides a global glimpse on GovTech, in addition to different examples of practices and guidelines to use technology in the public sector services. It is also based on 48 key indicators and divided into four indices, which are: Core Government Systems Index (CGSI): It measures the government approach towards digital transformation by checking e-services, enterprise architecture, information and financial management systems. Public Service Delivery Index (PSDI): It unveils file transfer and tax return submission services, e-payment means, among others. Citizen Engagement Index (CEI): It measures citizen participation and the presence of means to find out about their opinions, in addition to easing their use of government portals. GovTech Enablers Index (GEI): It is measured through unveiling the institutions and laws of a government, as well as its digital skills and launch of innovative programs to promote government technologies. The World Bank evaluates the performance of countries worldwide in terms of digital transformation and GovTech maturity based on four groups (A, B, C and D). Whereas Group A represents the countries with an extremely high significant level in GovTech maturity and adoption of public sector digital transformation, Group B represents the countries that have achieved a high level in GovTech maturity and adoption of public sector digital transformation. Among the key impacts in the GovTech Maturity Index is the wide spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19); the matter which resulted in the isolation of so many people in their homes and affected the regular work practices of governments all around the world. This crisis has also unveiled the urgent need for adopting the latest technologies to promote good administration that is based on simplicity and efficiency to meet citizens’ needs.

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Electric Vehicle Strategy Prepared by MOTC Set in Motion

Doha – Qatar The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) have officially begun the execution of the electric vehicle strategy prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Communications in association with bodies concurred. Several executive bodies alongside Mowasalat (Karwa) and other national companies with contributions to the strategy are all set to put the strategy in motion according to the timetables. The coming days will see the signing of EV charging units contracts. Director of Technical Affairs Department, MOTC, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Khalid Al-Thani, said that Ashghal and KAHRAMAA will sign EV charging units contracts as agreed upon within the framework of executing the EV strategy. Part of the execution plan is KAHRAMAA’s providing and installing over 600 charging devices at bus warehouses and stations, Metro stations and other select locations to support the electric buses used for public transit and during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, he added. Electric buses will be used for key services during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to become the first championship that uses electric mass transit buses, making it the first ecofriendly, carbon-neutral event, he noted. Setting the strategy in motion, he said, affirms MOTC’s efforts to providing an integrated, world-class, multimodal transit system with reliable, trustworthy and environmentally conscious services in line with the pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030. By 2022, 25% of the public transit bus fleet in Qatar will have become electric. Public buses, government school buses and Doha Metro feeder buses will gradually shift to electrification, thus hitting the rollout percentage that is required to reduce harmful carbon emissions from buses by 2030, in addition to honoring the concerted efforts that aim to maintain environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, MOTC in collaboration with Ashghal finalized the establishment of 4 Park and Ride parking spaces in Al Qassar, Wakra Lusail and Education City. The first two locations have been opened and the other two are opening soon. A big progress has been made also with regards to establishing 4 bus warehouses in Wakra, the New Industrial Area, Al Rayyan and Lusail, to be opened during 2022.

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

MOTC Holds “Importance of Digitization – Shifting Business Models” Forum

Doha – Qatar The Ministry of Transport and Communications today held its sixth virtual forum in support for SEMs, titled “Importance of Digitization – Shifting Business Models” in collaboration with Qatar Development Bank. Organized online due to the virus situation, the forum comes within a series of fora MOTC holds under the umbrella of its Digital Transformation of SMES program, aiming to support SEMs by introducing them to latest technologies. MOTC also aims to provide new development opportunities and innovative entrepreneurship sources. “The availability of digital infrastructure in Qatar, deploying the Internet on a large scale and consumers’ relying on technology such as social media and smartphones are all factors that help SMEs enter the digital world and benefit by enhancing their potential,” said MOTC’s Assistant Undersecretary, Digital Society Development, HE Ms. Reem Mohammed Al-Mansoori. The past two years, she noted, saw massive changes in global economy and each industry has undergone some sort of change compared to the previous years, something which caused a significant shift that altered the course of both large, small and emerging companies. The forum’s three sessions discussed the importance of digitization and shifting business models, starting the digital journey and the impact digitization is making on the national and global levels. A QDB presentation addressed the two facets of digitization. The first facet focuses on the success factors SMEs must account for and the business models they need to adopt to address various challenges. Emphasis has been placed on the importance of digital transformation as a proactive strategic choice in an enterprise’s journey to excellence, in contrast to a reactive style of responding to disruption and change. QDB’S role in developing a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem has be highlighted. The forum also featured a live success story of an SME, EButler, and how it successfully benefited from the digital tools for developing and expanding its business during the pandemic and working with partners on Qatari market to achieve real digital transformation.

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Minister receives Message from Sudanese Minister of Transport

Doha – QatarHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti received a written message from Minister of Transport of the Republic of the Sudan HE Mirghani Musa Hamad, on boosting cooperation between the two sisterly countries in the fields of transport, air transport, civil aviation and ports.The message was handed over by Sudan’s ambassador to the State of Qatar, HE Abd Al Rahim Al Siddig during his meeting with al-Sulati at the Ministry of Transport and Communications headquarters today.

Sunday, September 5, 2021

MOTC, ITF discuss boosting bilateral cooperation

Doha-Dr. Saleh bin Fetais Al Marri, Assistant Undersecretary of Maritime Transport Affairs at the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) met with a delegation from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).The meeting, which was held at the Ministry's headquarters, discussed aspects of boosting cooperation between the Ministry and the Federation as well as all necessary means to support seafarers. During the meeting, the ITF’s representatives expressed their desire to hold training workshops for the bodies concerned across the country with the aim of enhancing their expertise and knowledge with the Federation and the International Maritime Labor Convention.

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Minister Meets with Brazilian Minister of Communications

Doha – Qatar HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti met, at the ministry’s office today, with HE the Brazilian Minister of Communications, Mr. Fabio Faria, who is currently visiting Qatar. During the meeting, the two officials discussed aspects of cooperation between the two friendly countries in the field of communication and information technology and means of further enhancing them. The two officials also discussed a number of matters of common interest between the two friendly countries. The meeting was attended by Brazil’s Ambassador to Qatar HE Mr. Luiz Alberto.