News | Ministry of Transport

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

MOTC Signs MoUs to Provide Free Electric Vehicle Chargers

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications today signed two MoUs with Nasser Bin Khaled & Sons Holding Co. and Q-Auto for providing free electric vehicle chargers. The signing event was attended by HE the Minister Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti.President of the Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) HE Eng. Essa Bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, Chairman of Nasser Bin Khaled & Sons Holding Co. HE Sheikh Nawaf Bin Nasser Bin Khaled Al-Thani and Founding Chairperson of Q-Auto HE Sheikha Hanadi Nasser Bin Khaled Al Thani were also in attendance.The two MoUs were signed by Director of Technical Affairs Department, MOTC, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Khalid Al-Thani, Managing Director – Automotive at Nasser Bin Khaled & Sons Holding Co. Sheikh Faleh Bin Nawaf Al-Thani and Director of Operations at Q-Auto L.L.C. Ahmed Shariefi.As per the MoUs, the two companies are committed to providing electric vehicle chargers for free and perform periodic maintenance for the charging units. The charging units comply with the specifications of electric chargers that have been issued by Qatar and will be installed at locations to be specified by MOTC.“The two MoUs come within the framework of putting into effect the Electric Vehicle Strategy MOTC developed in collaboration with the bodies concerned and as the country continues reinforcing the participation of the private sector in government developmental projects and encouraging its partaking in mobility and transportation projects in such a way that helps enrich private sector companies’ investment ideology, thus bolstering the localization of expertise and the technology in use,” said MOTC’s Sheikh Mohamed Al-Thani.HE Sheikh Faleh said that NBK is glad to support Qatar’s strategy for sustainable development through promoting electric vehicles and providing their chargers and this cooperation with MOTC falls within their national responsibilities for contributing to preserving the natural resources, protecting the environment and supporting QNV2030, something which will positively impact the future of the nation and generations.Mr. Shariefi said such a strategic partnership serves Q-Auto’s future vision on electric vehicles industry and coincides with their rollout of the first electric four-wheel vehicle in Qatar and the country’s efforts in this area.The electric vehicle strategy backs the country’s agenda for a greener future and contributes to striking an economic-environmental balance in a way that ensures transportation sector’s infrastructure projects sustainability, supporting economic growth and making the most out of the natural resources by increasing the revenues of oil and gas sectors and developing the means of transportation though deploying clean and alternative energy in accordance with latest universal eco-friendly systems to reduce carbon emissions and, therefore, create a clean, healthy and safe environment for generations to come.That strategy is a part of the overall MOTC strategy for providing an integrated, world-class, multimodal transportation system that offers safe, reliable and eco-friendly services in line with the pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030 for social, economic and environmental development.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.The electrified buses are planned to be used during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, making it a second-to-none championship where electric mass transit buses are deployed; a move that clearly demonstrates Qatar’s commitment to deploying universal clean energy solutions on transportation and supporting the determination to host an exceptional, ecofriendly, carbon-neutral event.

Monday, October 26, 2020

Qatar Participates in ITU-UNESCO Regional Digital Inclusion Week for Arab States

Doha – QatarThe State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, is participating in the events of the 4th edition of the ITU-UNESCO Regional Digital Inclusion Week for the Arab States running from Oct. 25 to Oct. 31 under the theme: “Serving the underserved in times of crisis: No one left behind”.Adopting a multi-stakeholder approach, the Week brings together Governments, other UN and intergovernmental bodies, civil society, academia, healthcare professionals, the private sector and citizens in advancing digital inclusion efforts. The Regional Digital Inclusion Week is thus an opportunity to raise awareness, strengthen collaboration amongst stakeholders and advance efforts to combat all forms of exclusion.Marking the Week by MOTC and its relevant programs and initiatives demonstrates Ministry’s eagerness to enhance cooperation ties with global organizations by making sure to take part in their events and activities in the light of MOTC programs and initiatives accomplishments in terms of digital inclusion for all segments of society. MOTC leaves no stone unturned to make sure access to ICTs is available for everyone in such a way that contributes to sustainable societal development in Qatar.On this occasion, HE the Minister Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti said, “MOTC is committed to achieving digital inclusion for all, ensuring easy access to information and digital content so as to build an integrated digital society and enhancing people’s readiness digitally to be able to contribute to building up a knowledge-based economy in line with QNV2030.”“Qatar has made significant progress on this front thanks to a set of legislations and steps and unique programs and initiatives that have been bearing fruits for over a decade. We always targeted a full digital inclusion for all segments of society, easy access to ICTs and making sure people benefit from them. These efforts have a few days ago been crowned with the State of Qatar ranking first worldwide on the Digital Accessibility Rights Evaluation Index 2020 (DARE Index 2020) released by the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict),” he explained.Created as the digital response to the QNV2030 to achieve the aspired-after digital future and shape a smart Qatar, the TASMU Smart Qatar Program under the patronage of MOTC is one of the future-oriented programs in relation to digital inclusion agenda.To ensure the people of Qatar are ready, willing, and able to use digital services and adopt the upcoming digital transformation, TASMU is developing a refreshed national Digital Inclusion strategy, which aims to enhance digital Access, Skills, Motivation and Trust across the population, especially those at risk of digital exclusion.HE Mrs. Reem Mohamed Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Society Development, MOTC, said: “Qatar’s sharing other Arab States in marking the Digital Inclusion Week contributes to highlighting several success stories written over the past years as well as future visions and plans and MOTC’s continued efforts to further increase digital inclusion levels among all segments of society across the country reaching ultimately to a knowledge-based society in smart Qatar. This is based on a great track record for several years now.”She noted that TASMU comes in the heart of efforts that focus on bolstering digital inclusion and ensuring the adoption of smart services in the foreseeable future. “We conducted extensive benchmarking exercises and focus group interviews to ensure our Digital Inclusion strategy and the programs it will create will be implemented in line with best global practices.”The benchmarking exercise was conducted to analyze the most impactful digital inclusion strategies and programs and extract best practices that can be applied in the context of Qatar. The study also led to the identification of potential partners that can help in delivering projects to increase digital inclusion locally.The focus group interviews centered on identifying the digital needs and motivations of all population segments in Qatar and determining their existing digital proficiency.Four key areas to drive digital adoption in Qatar have emerged as a result - access to the Internet, smart devices and e-payment facilities; basic digital skills and knowhow to search for, download, and use digital services; motivation needed to understand the benefits of digital services and encourage usage; and trust in using online services.This research has led to the identification of several national digital inclusion programs to be rolled out in the upcoming five years. TASMU firmly believes that digital inclusion is a whole-of-society effort and will aim to partner with relevant organizations in Qatar to collectively ensure digital inclusion across the nation.For example, TASMU will work with social service organizations to ensure their beneficiaries are upskilled and ready to embrace up-and-coming digital services. This will be supported by e-learning modules that teach people basic digital skills and increase their usage of useful digital services available for them.TASMU is also planning on organizing annual nationwide events promoting digital inclusion in Qatar and celebrating organizations and individuals who help improve digital adoption.In addition, TASMU is working on developing and enacting policies that ensure all digital services in Qatar are intuitive and easily accessible by different population segments. TASMU will monitor the progress of these programs and prepare periodic reports to ensure digital needs are being met throughout Qatar's digital transformation journey.These efforts will build upon current successful programs launched by MOTC and which helped increase digital inclusion significantly; the “Better Connections” Program for the digital inclusion of expatriate workers, the “Wasla” intergenerational ICT learning program for the elderly and the “Cyber Safety” Program that highlights and affirms a culture of cyber safety and security to empower people to have a safer cyberspace and being responsible online. The program works in collaboration with various partners and cyber safety experts to deliver cyber safety educational programs and workshops such as “Akhalqi Qatar”, which aims to increase ethical responsibility in the digital world. The program also includes the SafeSpace online platform (safespace.qa), cyber safety awareness campaigns (online and offline), cyber safety ambassador program, a cyber safety digital library, among other projects.MOTC’s “Better Connections” has been a unique digital inclusion program that helped bridge the digital divide for the expatriate workers segment in Qatar by encouraging them to take advantage of access to technology and opportunities for skills development. The program is one of the largest private-public partnerships. To date, it has equipped 1,921 ICT facilities in the expatriate workers’ domestic residences and provided ICT access to over 1.5 million workers.Through an extensive volunteer training program, 27,000 digital champions were trained, who, in turn, trained their colleagues in how to use the computers and access services as well as facilitate communication with families and friends in their home countries.TASMU aims to transform Qatar into a knowledge-based economy and society capable of achieving sustainable development. Driving sustainable economic diversification, TASMU produces tangible outputs that will improve the quality of life for citizens, residents, and visitors of Qatar.To prepare the country for this digital transformation and to drive the adoption of these smart solutions, TASMU will continue to enhance its digital inclusion efforts.

Sunday, October 25, 2020

MOTC Holds “Navigation Risks that Threaten Maritime Security” Workshop

Doha –The Ministry of Transport and Communications concluded a workshop on the “Navigation Risks that Threaten Maritime Security” that was attended by several maritime specialists from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of the Interior and Qatar Petroleum.Specialized trainers from the United States Fifth Fleet delivered the workshop in such an unprecedented kind of collaboration with a civilian ministry, thus enhancing the efforts of maritime transport affairs at MOTC that aim at upscaling the expertise of maritime specialists across all relevant government entities.The expert trainers delivered full explanation on navigation risks that floating objects can cause and which threaten the maritime navigation. The workshop was held from Oct. 20 to Oct. 22 at MOTC offices.At the end of the workshop, Ministry's Assistant Undersecretary of Maritime Transport Affairs Dr. Saleh bin Fetais Al Marri handed over workshop attendance certificates to the participants and thanked the US Fifth Fleet trainers for the cooperation that would significantly contribute to sharpening maritime specialists’ skills and expertise in the area of navigation risks.

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Qatar Attends 33rd Session of Arab Transport Ministers’ Council & 25th Assembly of AASTMT

Doha – QatarThe State of Qatar, represented by a delegation chaired by HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, attended the 33rd Session of Arab Transport Minister’ Council and the 25th General Assembly’s Ministerial Session of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT). The two events were held this morning via videoconferencing and attended by several Arab ministers and officials.The 33rd Session of Arab Transport Minister’ Council opened with HE the Mauritanian Minister of Equipment and Transport Mohamedou Ahmedou M’haimid handing over the session chairpersonship to the Republic of Yemen.Their excellencies the ministers discussed ways of cooperation among Arab States in transportation – one of the most vital service industries with close and direct connection to all other industries.They also discussed boosting land transportation between Arab countries within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Convention on the Regulation of Transit Traffic among the Arab League States and proposed solutions for challenges faced by land transportation sector in Arab countries.Furthermore, the session also discussed several matters relating to maritime and air transportation in Arab countries such as a draft convention on regulating maritime transportation of passengers and cargo and the economic role of shipbuilding and ship repair industry.Other key topics discussed the convention on mutual exemptions on taxation and customs duties on Arab air transport’s activities and equipment and expanding the membership of the ICAO Council and ICAO Air Navigation Commission.At the AASTMT General Assembly meeting, their excellencies the ministers discussed the recommendations of the Executive Council of AASTMT at its 39th and 40th sessions, in addition to several Academy organizational matters.

Monday, October 19, 2020

MOTC Wraps Up “Procedural Framework on Working in Qatari Waters” Training

Doha-MOTC has wrapped up the “Procedural Framework on Working in Qatari Waters” training program. Held in Ministry offices, the training was attended by specialists from the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security and some other Qatari entities.The training featured a full explanation of the rules and procedures that must be followed as per Law 8/2016 on Maritime Vessels and Law 8/2017 on the Practice of Maritime Business in Qatari Waters. The penalties laid down on the two laws were also explained. The training also featured a field exercise on how to detect and fine the violations and infractions that can be committed by maritime vessels and ships in Qatari waters.The training program comes as MOTC continues to scale up the skillsets of those working in the maritime industry at various entities across the country. At the end of the training, Ministry's Assistant Undersecretary of Maritime Transport Affairs Dr. Saleh bin Fetais Al Marri handed over training completion certificates to program attendees and wished them professional success.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Qatar Ranks 1st Worldwide on Digital Accessibility Rights Evaluation Index 2020

Doha – QatarQatar has ranked first worldwide on the Digital Accessibility Rights Evaluation Index 2020 (DARE Index 2020) released by the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict).DARE Index is a benchmarking tool for disability advocates, governments, civil society, international organizations and policymakers to trace country progress in making Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) accessible for all, in compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).This is the second edition of the DARE Index. It comprehensively documented the advances made by 137 countries that aim to provide global metrics for activists and those interested in the empowerment of the disabled.DARE Index 2020 data shows Qatar’s commitment toward the people with disabilities and including them digitally. It also demonstrates Qatar’s belief in the importance of investing in ICTs to unleash the potential of the disabled and help them enjoy independence and self-reliance.Qatar came number-one on the global ranking, the regional ranking, the Peer Economic Development Group Ranking and the Implementation Ranking.Qatar was one of the very first countries to have ratified the CRPD in 2008. It later on issued several legislations and took several measures and steps as part of its efforts to enhance and protect the rights of the disabled, getting them included in the society and engaging them effectively in the developmental process across the country – something that reflects Qatar’s respect to its international commitments. This also embodies the QNV2030 that aims for equity and justice among all segments of the society.The Ministry of Transport and Communications and its Qatar Assistive Technology Center (MADA) have been prioritizing the empowerment of people with disabilities and the elderly and providing them with easy access to ICTs.MOTC launched the Digital Inclusion Strategy to ensure no one is left behind and everyone can access to ICTs and benefit from its countless advantages. MOTC also launched Qatar’s e-Accessibility Policy to ensure people with disabilities across Qatar have equal access to the technologies that can enrich their lives. MADA could be viewed as the world’s center of excellence when it comes to accessing ICTs in Arabic.The DARE Index survey is divided into three dimensions or legs: audit assessment tool, or the Country Commitments (Structure), audit tool or Country Capacity to Implement (Process) and audit tool or Country Actual Implementation (Outcomes).Noteworthy, Australia, Italy and S. Africa were in the top 5 positions this year.