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The Ministry of Business and Trade has concluded the events that were organizedin the occasion of the eighth GCC Consumer Protection Weekwhich began in the first week of March, in conjunction with the rest of the GCC countries, under the slogan ” Consumer Protection: Rights and Duties “.
 
GCC Week Exhibition
In an effort to protect the consumers from commercial frauds, the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Business and Trade has organized an exhibition cum workshop at Landmark mall to distinguish between counterfeit and original goods.
The department displayed various forms of counterfeit and adulterated items during the exhibition, making the consumers aware about such products.The exhibition also included photographs of seizures and irregularities, in addition to presentations that help the consumers identifying the rights and duties of each of the trader and consumer, in addition to the department’s role in protecting them from commercial frauds.
 
Children Corner
A special children corner was also organized on the sidelines of the exhibition to make children aware about their rights as consumers. Leaflets, brochures and souvenirs were distributed on the occasion.
Participants at the programme were enlightened about methods of detecting fake products by presenting awareness material using modern techniques.
 
Special Offers
It should be mentioned that sales and special offers were also announced in different shopping malls in the country in the occasion of the 8th GCC Week, in cooperation with the CPD.
 
The aim of organizing such events is to raise awareness and educate the local and Gulf consumers about their rights and duties and to identify methods of sound procurement methods and use of services and knowledge of laws and regulations that safeguard their rights as consumers.

 
 
 
           with the Mexican Ambassador                                           with the Brazilian Ambassaor
 
HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, Minister of Business And Trade met Monday with Mexican Ambassador accredited to the State of Qatar Luis Alberto.
During the meeting, they discussed facets of bilateral cooperation in the investment, economic and trade fields. The Mexican Ambassador conveyed to HE the Minister a message from the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jose Kuribrena on cooperation inside international trade organizations.
HE the Minister also met with a delegation from the Federative Republic of Brazil led by permanent representative of Brazil to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Roberto Azevedo.
Azevedo handed over a message from Brazilian Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade Fernando Pimentel to HE the Minister pertaining to facets of cooperation in investment and trade fields.

 
 
Under the auspices of HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, and in the presence of a number of Qatar Chamber and Qatar Businessmen Association representatives, and a large number of board members of public shareholding companies, the Ministry of Business and Trade,in association with Barwa Capital UK, launched yesterday, Monday 25/03/2013, an electronic system to manage the general assemblies and boards of directors of public and private companies in the country. The e-platform – the latest of its kind and a first time application for the region – is designed to facilitate voting and decision-making as well as the election of boards of directors live online .
During the launch ceremony, The Department of Companies Control at  the ministry, in addition toBarwa officials, held a demonstration of the new system.
HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, minister of business and trade, thanked Barwa and theCompanies Control Department’s management control wing for developing the systems to improve safety applications and contributing to boosting trade and business environment, affirming that the application of new system should be preceded by sufficient trials to ensure smooth flow and safety procedures.
According to HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, the ministry is currently redrafting all legislative tools and organizational tasks associated with improving the business environment in the state and in accordance with the role of the ministry in realizing the Qatar National Vision 2030 . “The Ministry of Business and Trade will support and adopt all initiatives to achieve this vision of  sustainable Qatar by 2030,” he said.
The new draft law for commercial companies that is undergoing final touches contains a specific article that mandates to harness the advancement in technology to enhance the country’s business environment. It allows the use of hi-tech  systems, which is an important qualitative leap for holding Ordinary General Assembly Meetings. “This e-system is in line with this decision”, HE said.
Speaking on the occasion, Barwa Real Estate Company CEO Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Subaie said that the new technology will ease voting and decision-making process and will also help to facilitate election of boards of directors. The device can be used for voting and will allow the board members and company shareholders to express their opinions online.
Barwa Real Estate CEO said that Barwa would use the new system at its next general assembly scheduled for next month.
Salem bin Salem al-Manaei, assistant director of Companies Control Department, said that, in addition to voting, the electronic system will be also used to provide shareholders the ability to record the number of their shares through a smart card  which will be specific for each shareholder.
“The system also helps to organize the voting process with precision and organize panel discussions and interventions, extracting statistical reports and supporting documents of the General Assembly,” Al Manaei said adding that “the new draft law for commercial companies allows the use of hi-tech systems, which is an important qualitative leap for holding Ordinary General Assembly Meetings. It will enable companies to comply with the legal regulations.”

 
 
 
In light of the decision No. 32 for 2013 issued by the State Cabinet to set up a committee to control the stock and prices of the construction materials including cement, steel, coarse and fine sand, limestone, bitumen and crushed stones, a committee was set up last year for this purpose and had closely coordinated with various government agencies, mainly the Qatar Statistics Authority, 2022 Qatar Committee and the Central Planning Office at the Ministry of Environment.
The committee’s role was to prepare the index which will monitor pricing and availability of basic construction materials on a monthly basis and issue an alert in advance in case of a sudden shortage of any building material, and ask importers to take immediate steps to meet the shortfall.
In a press conference following its third meeting, the committee stated that it will launch a monthly price index of primary construction materials with the Qatar Statistics Authority, stating that the price index will record all the price fluctuations of materials like cement, steel, limestone and bitumen among other materials. The committee will also estimate the amounts required of these materials up until 2022. Another duty of the committee will be making proposition regarding controlling inflation of these materials.
The committee pointed out that the index will be made available on its mobile application for smartphone users in the near future.
HE Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani said that launching a price index is crucial because it was a vital tool to warn of inflation. HE the Minister said that the work of the committee in monitoring prices will require strong work with other state departments. The price index will enable those work on major projects having a strategic supply of those materials.
First Report on Construction Materials Prices

 
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, met on Sunday morning 17/03/2013, with Minister of Economic Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Shahin Mustafayev and his accompanying delegation.
During the meeting they exchanged views and discussed aspects of cooperation between the two friendly countries and the ways of enhancing the bilateral relations, in addition to  trade relations and several issues of common interest.
It should be noted that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries had been amounted to more than  QAR 11 million in 2011, and the value of Qatari exports, mostly inorganic chemical products, were estimated at more than QAR 10 million while Qatari imports from Azerbaijan were valued at nearly  QAR 1.1 million.
The two countries are linked by a number of trade agreements including an  economic, trade cooperation and technical cooperation agreement, an agreement on  the protection and encouragement  of mutual investments, an air transport agreement and an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion.
 

 

 
Minister of Business and Trade HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani met on Tuesday 12/03/2013 with French Minister for Foreign Trade Nicole Bricq  and her accompanying delegation.
A working luncheon was held in honor of the French Minister and the accompanying delegation attended by a number of Qatari and French businessmen. A number of workshops were also held to discuss the trade relations between the two countries, and the bilateral trade between the two countries which has been amounted to more than QR 9.1 billion in 2011.
It is to be noted that the value of Qatari exports to France is estimated at QR 6.4 billion  led by distillation products and mineral fuels, while imports amounted to around QR2.7 billion.
Qatar and France were linked with a number trade agreements such as economic and trade cooperation and technical agreements  and another one to protect and encourage joint investments.
Several issues of mutual interest  and ways of enhancing them, were also discussed during the meeting.

 
 
 
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, and visiting French trade minister Nicole Bricq, presided on Tuesday 12/03/2013 over the formal launch of the e-services of the Ministry of Business and Trade, in the presence of a French business delegation, members of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and several key Qatari businessmen.
Highlighting the features of the new smart applications, the Minister said that the public would now have easy access to information on daily prices of commodities and a better way to register complaints. He added that the ministry prepared also to upgrade it in the next quarter to include in it other services of the ministry: “More innovations will be introduced within the next quarter,” he said.
HE stated that the e-service will prove an effective means of communication between the people and the ministry, and will be a transparent system that seeks to boost competition and offer better services.
HE added that the ministry was concerned about consumers, their rights, complaints and comments, and that the e-service would also help traders improve their operations and services.
For her side, Mrs. Meshael Al Hammadi, director of information systems at the ministry, stated that there is a trained team at the CPD to deal with consumer complaints received through the e-service, download them and process them for action.
Using smartphones, consumers can now access an innovative e-service of the trade ministry in both Arabic and English languages, to compare prices of different items of daily use, including foodstuff, at various shopping complexes and instantly lodge a complaint with the consumer rights’ watchdog if they discover any violation.
Complainants can also click photographs of items with their phones if they are overpriced or past their expiry date, or if any other violation is detected, and forward the images to the Consumer Protection Department (CPD) of the trade ministry to support their complaint and seek punitive action. Complaints can be lodged in Arabic or English by citizens as well as expatriates. 

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Consumer Protection Department, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of February 2013. The violations that have been amounted to 102 violations include:
 

 

As for the complaints received by the Consumer Protection Department, and which have been amounted to 299 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments.

 
HE Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani met on Sunday 10/03/2013 with Bosnia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Zlatko Lagumdzija , who is currently visiting the country.
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations  and ways of enhancing them, besides  a number of issues of mutual interest. It should be mentioned that the government of the State of Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina have previously signed an Agreement on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation, in addition to the Investment Promotion and Protection agreement.

Within the framework of the participation of the State of Qatar in the activities of the Gulf Consumer Protection Week that begins in the first of March of each year, the Ministry of Business and Trade organized this year a number of events and activities under the supervision and regulation of the Consumer Protection Department, in celebration of the eighth GCC Consumer Protection Week, held this year, in conjunction with the rest of the GCC countries, under the slogan ” Consumer Protection: Rights and Duties”.
HE Sheikh/ Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Business and Trade, inaugurated the eighth Gulf Week Exhibition at Landmark mall, as an announcement of the launch of the related events that include an exhibition to distinguish between original and counterfeit goods, a photographs exhibition of seizures and irregularities, children’s corner with a guide “Morshed”, lectures, educational visits to schools, in addition to the distribution of brochures, awareness booklets and souvenirs.
It should be noted that coordination was made by the ministry with malls and shops operating in the country for the announcement of special promotions to mark the occasion, especially that such events and programs aim to inform and educate the consumer about his rights and duties as well as the proper ways and positive habits of buying, such as keeping the purchase invoice and making sure of the warranty validity and the right to benefit from the after-sales services in the best way. These events aim also to educate the consumer about the ways of detecting and distinguishing between original, counterfeit and fake goods, thing that helps to consolidate the culture of consumer awareness among the Qatari and Gulf community.
The exhibition attracted many visitors at Landmark, who expressed their appreciation and admiration of the contents of the exhibition and the souvenirs provided to them, as well as the valuable information gained from visiting the exhibition.
The visitors were keen to ask the CPD representatives about the proper ways of buying, noting that most of the questions were centered on the detection methods of the counterfeit goods and the ways to complain to the department. They emphasized that the department spares no effort in receiving and resolving all the problems faced by the consumers according to the related laws and regulations.
The exhibition and associated activities will be held until March 15. The Consumer Protection Department calls the public to visit the exhibition at Landmark and have a look on the Department’s activities organized for the 8th GCC Consumer Protection Week.

 
The Ministry of Business and Trade launched on Monday 04/03/2013 at St. Regis- Doha hotel, the “Qatar Business & Trade 2012” report, in the presence of a number of officials and managers from different government and private agencies, in addition to entrepreneurs and businessmen interested in the trade and economy sectors.
HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade said that the report provides an overview of the evolution of the Qatari economy over the past three decades and progress it has made towards meeting the strategic objectives of Qatar.
He added that this study report would provide a context to economic stakeholders and decision-makers with information and statistical data that will facilitate the way forward on our path to growth and sustainable development.
A copy of the report in its Arabic and English versions was posted on the ministry’s website, noting that this report will be updated and published by MBT in a yearly basis. 

 

 
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani met on Monday 04/03/2013 with HE Mr. Alexander Stubb Finland’s Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade.
During the meeting they exchanged views and discussed aspects of cooperation between the two countries, especially in economic and trade fields as well a number of issues of common concern.
It should be mentioned that the State of Qatar and the Republic of Finland have earlier signed an agreement to encourage and protect mutual investments, in addition to another agreement on economic, trade and technical cooperation.
The volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached in 2011 about QR 260 million while the value of Qatari exports to Finland totaled QR 44.5 million with  the value of imports for the same period totaling QR 216 million.

 
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani has participated in the ceremony organized by Qatar Telecom company to unveil its new brand (Ooredoo) in Barcelona on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress.
HE lauded the success achieved by Ooredoo company locally and globally, terming Qatar Telecom’s launch of its unified identity as a milestone in the history of the company, saying it will bring more successes.
HE added that the success of Qatari companies would have positive impact on the Qatari economy, which is one the fastest growing economies of the world.
HE Minister of Business and Trade congratulated HE Ooredoo Chairman Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al Thani and his team on their successes and urged them to continue to further enhance the performance of Qatar Telecom.

 
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business Trade, and QU President Prof. Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad patronized, on Wednesday 20/02/2013 at the ministry’s headquarters, over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Business and Trade and Qatar University represented by the College of Business and Economics.
The signed MoU aims to activate a number of aspects of bilateral cooperation, especially in regards to:
1 – Activating the exchange of experiences between the two parties. Based on that MoU, Qatar University will provide the ministry with data on the expertise of the faculty members at the university, thing that contributes to the researches on best practices in the areas of business policies and builds business databases to enable students to conduct related researches.
2 – Organizing workshops and joint conferences that serve the local and regional business community.
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani stressed the significance of the MoU and to start a research partnership between government and academic agencies in order to increase the cognitive and technical depth to deal with the developments and challenges of operational and regulatory work in government agencies.
For her part, Prof. Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad hailed the cooperation between QU and the Ministry of Business and Trade, which helps advance the growth of the country and keep pace with its vision and ambitions. She added that the role of the university is not limited to the development of a promising Qatari generation, but goes beyond that to include cooperation with all state institutions through active participation in providing high-quality research and technical consultation in line with the implementation the Qatar National Vision 2030.

 

 
HE SheikhJassim bin Abdulazizal-Thani, Minister of Business and Trade,paid an inspectiontour of the new port project inMessaieed, yesterday Tuesday 19/02/2013.HE was accompanied by a number of high-ranked officials among them are HE Sheikh Ali Bin Jassim, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatar Navigation Company, and HE Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Nueimi, President of the Steering Committee of thePort Project, in addition to Mr. Ahmad Al-Mass, General Manager of Qatar Ports Management Company.
The minister was briefed onthe progress made at the projectand the steps being taken tocomplete it by 2016.The steering committee of theport project also presented anexplanation on the policy of procurement,supply and contractsin the port. The minister toured the site and got acquainted with latest developments.
Then Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani presided over a meeting of the membersof the team in charge of the operational plan of the port.They discussed the ad-hoc strategy for an efficient operation mechanismbased on global practices aimed at the best and most efficient exploitationof the port’s capacity.
The minister affirmed that the project represents a port of great importanceas it will support the growth of the local economy and competitivedomestic trade and trade with neighboring countries.He urged all parties concerned to provide support to ensure completionof the project in a way that reflect progress already achieved and witnessedin all areas in Qatar.
 

The high-level legal committee set up by the Ministry of Business and Trade submitted the amended draft law to Minister H E Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul- Aziz Al Thani yesterday, Monday 18/02/2013.
 
The legal committee briefed HE the Minister on the steps taken into consideration while drafting the law as well as its consultations with various institutions.
 
The new draft law was a result of a full year’s work that involved cooperating with other state entities, as the existing company law is eight years old and the ministry wanted to come out with a fresh law of international standards.
 
There has been joint work with the Ministry’s technical departments and an international law firm to prepare a preliminary draft. A high-level legal committee was created from different entities of the country including the Ministry of Business and Trade, Cabinet General Secretariat, Qatar Financial Markets Authority, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Qatar Central Bank, the Emiri Diwan and experts from other organizations.
 
As the second draft of the law was finalized, it was open for all interested parties and individuals in the country to submit their comments and suggestions. Members of Qatar University, Qatar Chambers and Qatari Lawyers Society participated at this stage, which was conducted last month. Qatar Chambers held a forum to discuss the law at its headquarters on January 29.
 
During this period, the Ministry received 21 e-mails on its website with related remarks. It also received eight written messages, in addition to QC remarks submitted by businessmen during the said forum.
 
For his part, HE the Minister expressed his delight at the progress made so far for developing a new law for commercial companies to reflect the state’s aspirations for economic development.
 
HE added that the new draft law will help in increasing competitiveness in Qatar, and in improving the business cycle. It will also eliminate some of the red tape required for establishing a new commercial company, HE the Minister said. The law also meets the economic and social changes required by Qatar National Vision 2030, as it had taken into consideration necessary international standards.
 
Sheikh Jassim said the Ministry would proceed with the necessary legalities to issue the new law according to the stipulated legal course in the country. He appreciated the efforts of all who had taken part in reviewing the draft of the law.

 
Out of the ministry’s role to protect the consumer’s rights and fight against all defected and counterfeit goods that do not comply with the standard specifications, and out of the ministry’s keenness to oblige all suppliers to comply with the health and safety conditions through all the products and services offered to the consumer,
The Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Business and Trade organized several inspection campaigns on shops selling blankets, based on received information, and seized a number of shops selling counterfeit blankets that do not conform to the standard specifications, and that hold notation on the cover stating that the country of origin is (Korea), while the true country of origin of the commodity is (China), which is considered a violation of the provisions of Article No. (7) of Law No. (8) for the year 2008, on consumer protection, which stipulates that:
“Provider, once offering any merchandise for circulation, shall be obliged to state on its cover or packing clearly the merchandise’s type, nature, ingredients and all relevant data as per the executive regulation of this Law. If the use of this merchandise results in a danger, the provider should warn about that clearly”.
AndArticle No. (13) of the same law, which states that:
“Provider shall warrant that the merchandise or the service provided to the consumer shall be complied with the declared adopted standards. They shall be also accountable for incompliance with the conditions relating to public health and safety”.
An official source in the CPD affirmed that department has reached the distributor of such blankets who admitted the crime, adding that penalties were issued to all shops where these products were captured.
He also stressed that the Consumer Protection Department will spare no effort in working to detect fake and counterfeit products that do not conform to the standards through its inspection campaigns organized on all commercial activities.

 
Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation
(Skeet – Trap – Double Trap – Air Gun – Air Rifle
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Qatar Equestrian Federation
 

 

 

 

 
 
Football at Al Garraffa Club
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Out of the ministry’s role to protect the consumer’s rights and fight against all defected and counterfeit goods that do not comply with the standard specifications, and out of the ministry’s keenness to oblige all suppliers to comply with the health and safety conditions through all the products and services offered to the consumer,
 
The Consumer Protection Department (CPD) seized about 50,000 substandard electrical products including electric cables, exhaust fans, circuit breakers and electric boards, among many other items, in a major crackdown on a warehouse in the Industrial Area.
 
The substandard and counterfeit products were found at a warehouse in the Industrial Area belonging to a leading company, during a raid conducted by the CPD.
 
CPD director Sheikh Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani said the products were confiscated because they didn’t meet Qatari standards and specifications. Necessary legal action will be taken against such violations of the law, he added.
 
“We will not spare any efforts to stop such substandard products entering the local market, because they pose a serious threat to public health and safety,” said Al Thani.
 
He urged buyers to ensure the quality of electrical products and other goods by looking at the contents of packages and the product specifications.
 
He also urged people to keep the purchase bills with them, to be used as proof if any defects are found in the products at a later stage. 

Out of the keenness of the Ministry of Business and Trade to ensure the application of laws and decisions related to consumer protection, the Consumer Protection Department in the ministry continues its inspections to ensure the commitment of the suppliers to the conditions and specifications that should be respected in the goods and products offered in the market and the commercial complexes.
A number of inspections were made by the CPD inspectors on shops selling computers and accessories, and had resulted in the seizure of a number of counterfeit inks that consists of an imitation of registered trademarks sold as original.
Two trading shops were subject to penalties and were transferred to the security agencies pursuant to Article No. (7) of the Act No. (8) for the year 2008, on consumer protection, which stipulates that :
“Provider, once offering any merchandise for circulation, shall be obliged to state on its cover or packing clearly the merchandise’s type, nature, ingredients and all relevant data as per the executive regulation of this Law.
If the use of this merchandise results in a danger, the provider should warn about that clearly.
The provider shall be prohibited to specify, advertise or offer the merchandise with false or misleading data”.
HE Sheikh/ Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of Consumer Protection Department emphasized that all companies operating in the country must apply the standards and high specifications in all goods and products offered and presented to the consumer.
Mr. Youssef Saad Al Suwaidi, Head of Commercial Fraud Combat Department in the Consumer Protection Department stated that the inspections aims to protect the consumer’s right and that the department is vigilant to ensure that goods and services sold in the market are genuine and in accordance with the standards and the health and safety requirements.

The consumer protection department in the ministry of business and trade continues its inspection campaigns in the markets and different commercial centers to monitor all infringing goods and products that do not conform to the standard specifications and the safety and health conditions.
And during an inspection campaign on a widespread center that possesses many branches in the State, the CP department had monitored large quantities of cleaning products, in 11 branches of the mentioned center, that do not have on their packing the main and basic details that must be stated like the country of origin, production and expiry dates, which constitutes a violation of the Article (7) of the Law No. (8) for the year 2008 on consumer protection, which stipulates that:
“Provider, once offering any merchandise for circulation, shall be obliged to state on its cover or packing clearly the merchandise’s type, nature, ingredients and all relevant data as per the executive regulation of this Law.
If the use of this merchandise results in a danger, the provider should warn about that clearly.
The provider shall be prohibited to specify, advertise or offer the merchandise with false or misleading data”.
This act is considered also as a violation of the Article (13) of the same law, that stipulates that:
“Provider shall warrant that the merchandise or the service provided to the consumer shall be complied with the declared adopted standards. They shall be also accountable for incompliance with the conditions relating to public health and safety”.
And after investigating about the origin of these products, it appeared that there is a factory in the industrial area that produces such detergents. The factory was raided and the consumer protection representatives proved all the monitored violations, and it was realized that the factory is using expired sterilizing hand gels to produce the company’s products, after recycling these expired products with other cleaning products, adding to that the cited plant has no license from the competent agent.
Based on that, the consumer protection department emphasizes that all suppliers must adhere to the standards and conditions in the displayed and offered goods and products, as a way to upgrade the Qatari market to keep pace with the general progress and evolution in the state, and prove itself as a modern country where all quality standards and safety and health conditions are applied. 
  

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Consumer Protection Department, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of January 2013. The violations that have been amounted to 95 violations include:

As for the complaints received by the Consumer Protection Department, and which have been amounted to 350 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments.

 
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani met on Monday morning 28/01/2013 with HE Mr. Bert Searto, Hungarian Minister of State of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers for Economic and Foreign Policy Affairs.
During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues of joint interest with a particular focus on the trade and investment cooperation sectors, as well as the latest developments in the trade and investment relations, and the ways of deepening and expanding the horizons of cooperation between the two countries.
Their Excellences agreed on the need to develop and promote trade exchange between Qatar and Hungary and overcome all the obstacles that prevent both countries from benefiting of the trade and investment opportunities.

 
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, met on Saturday in Saudi Arabia with Moroccan Minister of Economic and Financial Affairs Nizar Baraka, on the sidelines of the joint meeting between foreign ministers and ministers participating in the preparatory meeting for the third Arab Economic and Social Developmental Summit in Riyadh.
During the meeting, they discussed investment opportunities available in both countries, in addition to the possibility of boosting bilateral trade cooperation. They agreed on the importance of increasing bilateral trade volume and facilitating trade and investment opportunities in both countries.
It should be noted that the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Morocco have signed a number of bilateral agreements to increase trade volume. They also signed an agreement to protect and encourage mutual investments.

HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul-Aziz Al Thani said that in the context of the Ministry’s keenness to modernize the existing legislation in order to simplify and facilitate the procedures of establishing commercial companies, the Ministry has completed a new draft company law, adding that the draft law will meet the requirements of the political, economic and social changes in accordance with Qatar National Vision 2030 and will keep pace with modern developments and leaps in businesses.
HE the Minister gave directives to a high-level legal  committee to prepare the draft law in consultation with specialists and technicians in the ministry. The committee was set up with members of law-related institutions including:
1-     Ministry of Business and Trade
2-     Ministry of Economy and Finance
3-     Ministry of Justice
4-     Qatar Central Bank
5-     Qatar Financial Markets Authority
6-     Cabinet General Secretariat
7-     Emiri Diwan
8-     Some experts and specialists form other institutions
HE the Minister said that the new draft law took into consideration the international standards on which countries are classified in terms of ease of starting and doing business, explaining that it will contribute to raising the ranking of Qatar and will attract foreign investment.
HE added that The Ministry of Business and Trade gives special attention to the opinions of the concerned parties before introducing any amendments to the legislative tools that serve the business and trade environment in Qatar. Based on that, HE pointed out that the draft law was posted on the ministry’s web site to enable all concerned parties to contribute their opinions.
The draft law consists of (340) articles in thirteen sections, in addition to an explanatory note.
 
Instructions on how to submit comments on the draft law:
1. Commenting on the draft law is optional, but the ministry encourages everyone to review its rules and submit their views to the ministry for consideration in drafting the optimal draft law.
2. Expressing the point of view in details as much as possible, and providing data, analysis and relevant information.
3. It is preferred to include contact details, such as your name, full address, landline or mobile phone, and e-mail address, in order to facilitate communication when needed, noting that the inclusion of such details is optional.
4. Ministry emphasizes that it is not obliged to adopt the received responses and suggestions.
5. Responses can be sent by e-mail to:consultation@mbt.gov.qa
6. These responses must be submitted to the ministry before Sunday 27/01/2013.
7. After the end of the period, Ministry has the right to publish a summary report.
8. The information provided through these responses will only be used in the optimal formulation of the draft law.
9. Reports and personal data that is collected through the e-mails can be converted to other government agencies related to the law formulation. Names and views may be posted to the public after the end of the period, unless the participant does not want to have their name and views published, taking into consideration that the ministry respects the wishes of the participants who wish to remain anonymous and keep confidentiality in the views they expressed.
10. Those who wish further information on this topic, please visit the website of the Ministry of Business and Trade at:www.mbt.gov.qa
 

To review the English version of the Draft Law, please clickHere.
To review the Arabic version of the Explanatory Note, please clickHere.
Comments and Reviews should be sent to :consultation@mbt.gov.qa before 27/01/2013.

Out of its role in protecting and revitalizing the competition and fighting against any monopolistic practices in the markets through the relevant laws and resolutions, the Ministry of Business and Trade put an end to the monopolistic practices made by some uniforms’ providers in agreement with some private schools.
The Competition Protection & Prevention of Monopoly Practices Committee in the ministry discussed the uniforms issue, and examined what do some private schools do in agreement with uniforms’ selling companies, like requiring parents to purchase school uniforms exclusively from these companies, and decided to notify the mentioned parties to stop restricting the parents’ right to choose the shop or supplier they want to buy from.
The Committee also called the uniform provider companies and schools to raise the committed violations and rectify their situations in line with Law No. 19 of 2006 on the protection of competition and prevention of monopolistic practices.
The Committee also addressed the Supreme Education Council SEC on the steps that must be undertaken in the future to prevent the private schools from forcing parents to buy school uniforms from particular shops.
Among those steps, schools must determine only the shape and color of the uniforms without the necessity to include labels or overlapping colors and similar things that compel the parents to buy from a specific shop. SEC should also direct the schools to provide the school logo to the parents, leaving for them the freedom to buy the school uniform from any place they want, and it should also forbid private schools, starting from the next academic year (2013 – 2014), from selling uniforms within the school campus.

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of December 2012. The violations have been amounted to 101 violations, including:

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of December 2012. The violations have been amounted to 101 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 327 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments.

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of November 2012. The violations have been amounted to 87 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 347 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments.

The Ministry of Business and Trade, and through its inspection campaigns made by the Consumer Protection Department to monitor the activities of the market to ensure its compliance with the laws and regulations,
 
Had issued the decision of the administrative closure of (3) shops for violating the provisions of Law No. (8) of 2008 on consumer protection.
 
The closed shops are:

 

 
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani met on Monday morning 19/11/2012 with HE Mr. Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries of the United Kingdom and his accompanying delegation who are in a current visit to the State.
During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues of joint interest with a particular focus on the business and trade sectors, as well as the ways of developing and enhancing the bilateral relations between the two countries.

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of October 2012. The violations have been amounted to 70 violations, including:.

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 462 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments.

HE Mr. Majid Abdul Rahman Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Assistant Undersecretary for Business Affairs met on Tuesday with Mr. Martin Van Der Berg, Dutch Deputy Undersecretary for Foreign Economic Relations in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture & Innovation, and HE Mr. John Groffen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Doha.
During the meeting, they discussed a range of topics of joint interest, particularly in the field of business and means to enhance bilateral cooperation, and at the end of the meeting their Excellences exchanged souvenir gifts.

Upon the decision by the Prime Minister, Miss Meera Bint Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah was appointed as Undersecretary for Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Business and Trade.
Al Attiyah has assumed several senior positions. She worked for the IT and communications sector during her tenure at the Supreme Council for Communications and Information Technology, and was assigned to the post of Director of Information Technology Department at the Ministry of Business and Trade, as well as Director of Registration and Commercial Licenses Department. She is also a member in several national committees in the business and investment sectors.
Mira Al Attiyah received BSc. Engineering from the Qatar University, Executive Diploma in Business Development from the University of Carnegie Mellon, and postgraduate degree in project management from George Washington University.

The Department of Consumer Protection in the Ministry of Business and Trade implemented the decision of the administrative closure of seven (7) butcheries in different parts of the State. The closure decision was taken due to the fraud in the country of origin of the meat, which enters in the field of describing a product or displaying it in a manner that contains false statements and information.
This action was taken after a number of inspections made by the Commercial Fraud Combat Section in the CPD, in cooperation with the Unit of Meat Control in Doha Municipality, at the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning. Many violations were monitored during the inspection campaigns, and decisions of the closure of seven butcheries that appeared to repeat the act of violation were taken then. These butcheries are :
1 – Al Maraii for Meat – Farik Bin Omran.
2 – Lebanon Butchery- New Mirqab Street.
3 – Qatari Markets Company Butchery – Ras Abu Abboud.
4 – Qatari – Emirati Company for Meat and Food – Old Airport Road.
5 – Turkish Moon Butchery- New Rayyan.
6 – Turkish Butchery – New Rayyan.
7 – Bab Al Hara Butchery – Al Karitiyat.

HE Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani has met at his office on Thursday morning, 15/03/2012, with  Bulgaria’s Minister of  Energy,  Economy and Tourism, Mr.  Traicho Traikov  and his accompanying delegation, currently visiting  the country.
During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues of common interest  to the two countries, especially with regard to enhancing  economic and investment relations,  increase of trade volume  as well as continuation of consultations between  the two sides in order to promote common interests and endorse the distinguished relations between the two countries.

HE Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdulaziz Al Thani conferred on Tuesday 13/03/2012 with the Latvian Economy Minister Mr. Daniels Pavluts and his accompanying delegation.
During the meeting they discussed the issues of mutual concern particularly regarding the ways of enhancing the economic and investment relations between the two countries, and expanding the scope of trade exchange, in addition to continuing joint consultations and coordination in a way that enhances the joint interests and the outstanding bilateral relations.

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of February 2012. The violations have been amounted to 87 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 138 complaints, they have been dealt with and transmitted to the responsible competent departments.

 
 
Within the framework of the activities of the Ministry of Business and Trade made on the occasion of the Seventh Gulf Day for Consumer Protection, the Department of Consumer Protection organized a number of events which aim to increase the consumer awareness through different ways.
In this framework, the CP department set up an exhibition to distinguish between the original and counterfeit goods, as a way to clarify the differences between the original and counterfeit goods that were monitored in the local markets through the inspections made by the Department of Consumer Protection, so that consumers can learn about these differences closely.
The exhibition began on the first of March at Villagio Mall where it stayed for a period of (5) days, before moving to the Landmark Mall where it stayed for a similar period. The selection of these two places was made due to the presence of the large number of consumers, so that the exhibition can reach its desired aim through the large public gathering in these two centers.
In the same context, the Consumer Protection Department organized on Wednesday evening, (03/07/2012), in the Hall of Sheikh / Fahad bin Jassim Al Thani, God bless his soul, at the ministry building, a lecture given by Sheikh Dr. / Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al-Arifi, under the title of “Trader Ethics”. Dr. Al Arifi described during the lecture the morals of the good trader, and the ethics that should be present in every trader such as honesty and legitimate earning.
The lecture was attended by a large number of the ministry’s officials and employees, and a number of Businessmen, in addition to a large public gathering.

 

In the presence of HE / Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, the ministry’s monthly debate session was held on Tuesday, 07/03/2012, in the presence of HE / Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association, HE / Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, the Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), HE / Sheikh Hamad Bin Faisal Bin Thani Al Thani, the Chairman and Managing Director of the Gulf Bank, Mr. / Mohammad Bin Ahmad Bin Tawar Al- Kuwari, QCCI’s vice chairman, and a number of the ministry officials and Qatari businessmen. 
The debate session focused on the construction sector in the State of Qatar and the key role of the private sector in the growth of this sector, as well as the ways the government supports the development of the outputs of that sector.
HE / Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani opened the session by discussing the main points that were implemented among the results of the first debate session on warehouses, and he stressed over the importance of concerted efforts between the state institutions and the Qatari businessmen to promote business and trade sectors in the country. HE has stressed also the need to create strong companies capable of handling the development plan in the country.
He expressed full commitment and obligation to provide full support and assistance to the Qatari private sector including the Qatari businessmen who represent the real nucleus for development in the local economy, the matter which would produce positive outcomes on the technical and material outlets of the development projects.
HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani stressed the importance of working to create local construction companies and support them in all possible ways to be able to compete to the execution of projects outside the state.
For their parts, Their Excellences from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and from the Qatari Businessmen Association talked about a number of barriers that face that growth of the local construction sector, and it was exposed during the session a number of recommendations and reform procedures that both parties can implement, especially in regards to the tenders policies, loan support, and transfer of knowledge to the local market, in addition to the procedures of projects’ implementation.  
HE Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association said, “This session reflected the keenness of HE the Minister of Business and Trade to support the Qatari businessmen and companies and the sincerity among officials in supporting business and trade sectors”.
The chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association spoke about the main obstacles faced by the local construction companies in the competition for development projects in the state, and the cons of relying on foreign execution of those projects.
For his part, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) praised the efforts of the Ministry of Business and Trade, indicating that HE the Minister expressed his full cooperation and support to provide all opportunities for local construction companies and Qatari businessmen.

 

 
Within the framework of the efforts of the Ministry of Business and Trade represented by the Department of Business Development to develop a business environment in line with the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2011-2016, and specifically the implementation of the Program of the Business Legislations’ Development that adjusts the processes related to business and trade regulations,
And in order to maximize the benefit of such reports, the Ministry of Business and Trade represented by the Department of Business Development, and collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (the issuer of the Doing Business 2012 report) held a seminar on 7/3/2012 to discuss the Doing Business in a More Transparent World 2012 report and how to take advantage of these international indicators in addition to the means of improving the order of the State of Qatar on the international level in the coming years.
This seminar had a number of goals including:
1.     Work closely with the International Finance Corporation, which contributes to the development of the business environment in accordance with the international standards.
2.     Assure a communication between the Ministry and the business community and the private sector, and exchange views on the ways to develop and facilitate systems and procedures related to investment.
3.     Participation of the government agencies concerned with investment and business in this seminar, which contributes to closer cooperation between the ministry and those agencies on one hand, and between those authorities and the International Finance Corporation on the other hand, which will have a positive impact on the business environment.
This workshop represents an extension of the efforts of the Ministry of Business and Trade in cooperation with the international institutions to strengthen and develop a good business environment, and the efforts of the ministry to establish communication with the business community in general and the private sector in particular, where the private sector is considered as the nucleus of the economic diversification strategy which was supervised by the ministry as one of the sectorial strategies emanating from the National Development Strategy 2011-2016.
This economic diversification strategy related to the private sector development had designated four areas of concentration, which are:
1.     Strengthening the institutional role of the concerned governmental authorities and the development of the private sector in order to increase the proportion of the private sector participation in the national economy and promote competition.
2.     Developing and increasing the productivity of the various production factors in order to improve the level of competitiveness.
3.     Development of the capacity of invention and innovation in order to create a national economy based on knowledge.
4.     Deepening the economic integration on the regional and international levels in order to increase the local products’ market’s size and promote technology transfer to and from the State of Qatar.
In light of these areas of importance, the Doing Business Report 2012, released by the International Finance Corporation, possesses a high importance due to the following reasons:
•        It identifies the investment environment and thus determines the strong and weak points of the State in this field.
•        It gives suggestions and programs to work on the weaknesses and strengthen the strong points through the legislative and institutional tools and policies.
•        It reviews the experiences of the countries and identifies the best international and regional practices, and thus take advantage of them.
The discussions that took place in this workshop had highlighted the importance of developing a business environment in line with the international standards and in a way that improves the competitiveness of the State of Qatar on the international level. It showed also that the Ministry of Business and Trade plays a pivotal role in cooperation with various government agencies in assuring a competitive business environment that facilitates business establishment in the State of Qatar, encourages the national and foreign investors and supports the various initiatives of the private sector, and thus contributes to the economic diversification and the implementation of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

HE Mr. Sultan Bin Rashid Al- Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade, met on Wednesday morning, 29/02/2012, at his office at the Ministry building with HE Mr. Esko Hamilo, the Undersecretary of State for External Economic Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, and Mr. Ilkka-Pekka Simila the Ambassador of Finland to the State of Qatar (non-resident).
During the meeting, they discussed the aspects of cooperation between the two countries and the means of enhancing them especially in the domains of business and trade.

In line with the Emiri Decree issued by His Highness Sheikh / Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent, to name Tuesday in the second week of February in each year as a National Sports Day where ministries and other governmental organizations hold sport events on the occasion,
 
And based on the directives of His Excellency the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al- Thani, and his keenness to achieve active participation in this national occasion through organizing sports events involving the employees of the Ministry of Business and Trade and their families as a way to revive the values ​​of sport and enrich the awareness of the importance of sport and its role in the lives of individuals and communities,
 
The Committee of the Sports Day in the Ministry of Business and Trade under the charity of His Excellency Mr. / Sultan Bin Rashid Al Khater, Undersecretary, and the membership of the Public Relations & Communication Unit, Financial & Administrative Affairs Department and Human Resources Department, charged of the general supervision of the ministry’s participation in this day, had prepared and organized a number of events and sports activities in collaboration with a number of agencies and sports federations in the State.

In this framework, His Excellency Mr. / Sultan Bin Rashid Al Khater, Ministry Undersecretary had signed with Mr. / Mohamed bin Ali Al-Ghanem, Chairman of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation, this afternoon at the Federation, the contract of the sponsorship of the Ministry of Business and Trade’s shooting competition (Skeet – Trap – Double Trap – Air Gun – Air Rifle), noting that this contest will be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Business and Trade for three consecutive years, able to be renewed, according to the contract, in collaboration with the Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation.

His Excellency the Undersecretary, accompanied by the Chairman of the Federation and a number of departmental directors and employees in the ministry, made a tour inside the club and listened through to a detailed explanation by the Chairman on the used equipment and the most important achievements made by the Qatari champions, as well as the records that had been achieved through their participation in international tournaments.

HE Al- Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade, expressed the Ministry’s determination to benefit from this Decree in a way that supports the development plans of the State in the areas of Youth and Sports, and that highlights the Qatari talents in various sports through the activities associated with this Sports Day.

HE Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade: Advancing the capacity and efficiency of the commercial ports of the country has a direct reflection on the ease of the flow of goods and the increase of the competitiveness of the private sector.
HE Mr. Ahmed Al Mohannadi: The One Stop Custom Shop has reached an advanced stage.
Chief Executive of Qatar Navigation: A common responsibility exists between the relevant agencies of the state and the private sector, and are committed to providing the necessary support to promote the initiative.
Ali Bin Abdullatif Al-Mussnid, Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar: We support the efforts and results of this initiative that comes in favor of the private sector due to its positive impact and direct effect on the business process.Under the initiative of the Ministry of Business and Trade to increase the competitiveness of the business sector through supporting the Trade Supply chain, the ministry has started during the past few months, under the direct supervision of His Excellency Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al- Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, to form work teams from the various relevant agencies, to develop a plan to increase the capacity of the port of Doha and make a quantum leap in the duration of the completion of the customs procedures at the port.
His Excellency Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al- Thani, signed yesterday in his office, a number of specific obligations to achieve the initiative through Qatar Ports Management Company, the General Administration of Customs, Qatar Navigation Company, the Public Transport Department, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar. This cooperation between these different sides has resulted in a number of achievements that included floor repair in the port, removal of some unused buildings as a way to increase the storage area, and the repair of the main port cranes on site.
HE Mr. / Ahmed bin Ali Al Mohannadi, Director of the General Administration of Customs, presented a report on the results of the application of the One Stop Custom Shop system, which was recently launched, noting that this system has reached an advanced stage and has made a huge jump that exceeded 100% in December 2011 compared to November 2011.
The meeting included an invitation of the members of the Commercial Ports’ Strategy Committee, which was formed through an initiative by the Ministry of Business and Trade and the Ministry of Energy and Industry. During the meeting they discussed the latest news on the commercial exploitation of the port of Mesaieed, after the receipt of the first commercial ship in the port. The Committee pointed out the capacity of the port to receive more than one hundred thousand commercial and industrial containers annually as an initial stage. His Excellency the Minister of Business and Trade gave his instructions to the committee and the relevant authorities to finalize the application of an appropriate policy and to develop the final program to activate the flow of the commercial shipping through the port of Mesaieed.
HE Sheikh / Jassim emphasized that the economic boom taking place in the country requires a real action and an effective plan that increases the capacity and the efficiency of the commercial ports of the state and avoids any future bottlenecks that may affect the natural flow of the entry and the availability of goods and trade and industrial materials in the state.

HE Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdulaziz AL-Thani met on Tuesday, 24/01/2012, with Mr. Sam Hamad, Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade in the Canadian Province of  Quebec, who is in a current visit to Qatar.
During the meeting, they discussed relations between the two friendly countries and the ways of developing and enhancing them, in addition to issues of mutual interest.

HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdul Aziz AL-Thani met on Thursday morning, 19/01/2012, with the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Supachai Panitchpakdi.
Panitchpakdi who is in a current visit to Doha, came to get informed on preparations currently under way for UNCTAD’s 13th session slated for Doha from April 21 to 26, as well as to emphasize the great importance attached by the UNCTAD to the success of this conference.
Moreover, Panitchpakdi briefed HE the Minister of Business and Trade on the preparatory discussions currently under way between States in Geneva in order to reach agreement on issues to be discussed at the UNCTAD conference in the areas of finance, technology, investment and sustainable development.
For his part, HE Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdul Aziz AL-Thani referred, during the meeting, to the great efforts made by the State of Qatar, so that the UNCTAD would come out with fruitful results useful to the facilitation of trade between developing and developed countries.
He stated that the State of Qatar is placing all its potentials to facilitate dialogue during the conference in order to come out with clear recommendations and agenda to serve the future of global trade and development.
In July 2011, the State of Qatar signed the hosting agreement with UNCTAD in Geneva, Switzerland. The choice of Qatar by the developing countries group to host the conference came as a result of the high cumulative experience gained by the State of Qatar in organizing international conferences, in addition to Qatar’s powerful national economy.
The UNCTAD Secretary-General expressed his admiration for the preparations being made for the conference, which will be attended by Heads of State, Ministers concerned with trade and specialists in the investment representing more than 190 countries, in addition to representatives of regional and international organizations around the world to discuss the challenges of global trade and how to facilitate the access of goods from developing countries to global markets.
Between 6 and 8 thousand participants are expected to attend the conference which will be held at Qatar National Convention Centre.
The UNCTAD conference is held every four years, in order to discuss issues related to the challenges of development and international trade, provision of  help to the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), poverty  combating and  overcoming of difficulties through the support of human capacity building and development of projects within UNCTAD’s objectives.With the accumulation of experiences and expertise, UNCTAD became influential in all aspects of international trade and sustainable development.

 
Within the framework of the efforts of the Ministry of Business and Trade for the development of a competitive business environment in line with the Qatar’s National Vision 2030, the Ministry of Business and Trade held a workshop in Doha on 12/01/2012 to review the results of the cooperation program implemented by the Ministry in cooperation with the World Bank.
The workshop was opened by HE Mr. Majid Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Mahmoud, Assistant Undersecretary for Business, under the title of “Development of the Business Environment, Encouragement of the Initiative and Development of the Competitiveness in the State of Qatar”.
The workshop aimed to review the importance of this program to the State of Qatar in general, and to the Ministry of Business and Trade in particular, in terms of the development of the legislative and institutional environment for business, which constitutes the most important component for any investment activity, whether it was commercial, industrial, agricultural, or service, thing that will lead to encourage both local and foreign investments.
It was agreed between the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Business Development Department at the beginning of the year 2010, and the World Bank, to implement a joint program under the name of “Development of the Business Environment, Encouragement of the Initiative and Development of the Competitiveness in the State of Qatar”.
This program consists of three main activities that are:
1 – Evaluation of the commercial performance of the State of Qatar and its level of competitiveness.
2 – Development of the means of maximizing the Value Added in the Qatari economy.
3 – Evaluation of the importance of the services’ trade in the Qatari economy.

The joint study between the World Bank and the Ministry of Business and Trade highlighted the importance of implementing a number of programs covering the following fields:
1. Encouraging the Qataris to participate in the economic activity and business practices through facilitating the business practice procedures.
2. Improving the international competitiveness and the capabilities of the various economic sectors, through the development of legislation and institutions, according to the international best practices.
3. Developing specific programs that aim to attract foreign capitals to the State of Qatar, and assisting in the transfer of technology.
4. Emphasizing on the importance of development through the development of the human capacities and the assurance of advanced educational and training programs that aim to identify local qualified talents.
5. Giving greater attention to the Small and Medium Enterprises sector in general, with a focus on the development of activities, level of innovation and invention, as well as the development of high-technology.
6. Developing the export capacity of the State of Qatar through the development of new products and diversifying the exports of the country.

HE Mr. Majid Al-Mahmoud stated that the Ministry of Business and Trade is looking forward to serious efforts from the various government agencies and institutions, as well as the business community to activate the initiatives proposed during the workshop.
It can be said that this workshop represented a valuable opportunity to cooperate with the business community to amend the recommendations and reach applicable and realistic initiatives.

 A meeting chaired by HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Thani was hold on Wednesday morning, 11/01/2012, with the Services and Prices Monitoring Committee that was formed according to the Emiri Decision No. (72) of 2011. During the meeting, they discussed the committee’s work system and its terms of reference in designing an overall and operational strategy to reduce the unjustified increase of prices of goods and services in the country.
 
The meeting touched on a number of programs and plans directly related to fighting against the increase of prices of goods and services, and it was agreed to begin the development of electronic systems to monitor prices of goods and services, price index and early warning of stock for consumer strategic commodities.
 
It was also agreed in principle to a proposal that aimed to establish a Consumer Protection Association in accordance with Article (4) of Law No. (8) of 2008 on consumer protection and to take necessary actions to follow up and complete the foundation of this association with the relevant authorities
 
HE the Minister of Business and Tradehas underscored the importance of ensuring that the desired vision of the role of the services and prices monitoring committee in the fight against the unjustified increase of prices as well as the protection of individual’s consumption capacity, especially those with limited income, is attained. Furthermore, HEstressed on the need to activate the appropriate legal procedures, which cannot be violated in all practices, to avoid price distortions that can lead to non-development increase in the general inflation rate. He also called on members of the committee and the relevant authorities to make concerted efforts in the implementation of monitoring and regulatory procedures to reduce monopolistic practices or arbitrary that may limit price competitiveness in Qatari markets.
 
It must be mentioned that the Services and Prices Monitoring Committee was formed by the Emiri Decision No. (72) of 2011, under the direct supervision of Heir Apparent, and includes a number of relevant authorities:
Ø Minister of Business and Trade – Chairman
Ø Representative of the Ministry of Business and Trade – Vice Chairman
Ø Representative of the Ministry of Interior – Member
Ø Representative of the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning – Member
Ø Representative of the General Secretariat of Council of Ministers – Member
Ø Representative of the Supreme Council of Health – Member
Ø Chairman of the Committee of Maximum Prices and Profit Rates Fixation in the MBT- Member
Ø Chairman of the Competition Protection and Anti- Monopoly Committee in the MBT- Member
Ø Director of the Consumer Protection Department in the Ministry of Business & Trade – Member
 
Role of the Services and Prices Monitoring Committee:
1 – Setting the overall strategy to reduce the increaseof goods and servicesprices in the State through the Ministry of Business and Trade, and working on their implementation in coordination with the concerned authorities in the country.
2 – Adoption of plans, programs and projects related to the increase of goods and services prices, made ​​by the relevant authorities.
3 – Proposing the means and measures to reduce the prices of goods and services.
4 – Proposing the appropriate solutions to prevent any increase in the goods and services prices.
5 – Proposing legislations on the control of prices of goods and services.
6 – Any other functions assigned to the Committee by Heir Apparent.

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of December 2011. The violations have been amounted to 107 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 144 complaints, they have been dealt with and transmitted to the responsible competent departments.

The State of Qatar had participated in the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization held in Switzerland. The Qatari delegation was headed by H.E Mr. / Sultan Bin Rashid Al- Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade, in the presence of H.E Sheikha / Alyaa Bint Ahmed Bin Seif Al- Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United Nations in Geneva, and H.E Mr. / Mohammed Hassan Al- Saadi, Assistant Undersecretary for Trade Affairs, in addition to the members of the Qatari National Committee representing many of the State’s agencies like: Ministry of Business and Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Council of Ministers, Ministry of Environment, Qatar National Bank, General Administration of Customs, Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology. At the opening session, HE Mr. / Sultan Bin Rashid Al-Khater – MBT Undersecretary, addressed the State’s statement in the presence of delegations from 153 countries, in which he stated:
 
WTO Eight Ministerial Conference
15-17 December 2011
Opening Session
State of Qatar
Statement by H.E Mr. Sultan Al-Khater
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade
 
Mr. President,
1.  I would like to begin by congratulating you Mr. President on your election to the Chair of this 8th Ministerial Conference. I must also thank the people & Government of Geneva for agreeing to host this Conference. Our appreciation is also due to the Director General of the WTO Mr. Pascal Lamy , the chairman of the General Council Mr. Yonav Agah as well as to the WTO Secretariat for their hard work and for their adherence to the important principle of Full participation, Inclusiveness, and Transparency.
2. This Conference in Geneva is being held at a very critical juncture. My delegation hope it will come up with a clear road map on how to conclude successfully the Doha Development Agenda. The presence of all of us at this Conference is a clear testimony for the need to renew our commitment to DDA & the functioning of the multilateral trading system.

 

Mr. President, Ladies & gentlemen
3. In the context of the current global economic crisis, the State of Qatar continues to opt for openness, modernization and democratization process. This approach to economic policy is a vital driving force behind Qatar’s impressive performance despite gloomy global conditions. The objective is clear: to move beyond the comparative advantage of its natural resources endowment and diversify the economy.
4. As part of its commitment to promote global development, the State of Qatar will host the 13th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in April 2012. The Conference, which will attract some 6,000 Government officials, civil society representatives, staff members, and representatives of other international agencies, will be a valuable opportunity to contribute to the search by developing countries for a new and dynamic direction in their sustainable development options
5. As developments of this year unfolded in the Middle East in the context of (Arab Spring) one thing has become clear: This transformation will result ultimately in more trade openness and integration, both regionally and internationally. The State of Qatar therefore joins those who insist that the League of Arab States be granted  permanent observer status to the WTO. Equally, we strongly support the efforts made so far by Palestine to obtain an observer status in the WTO.
6. This leads me to the issue of accession of new countries to the WTO and their integration in the global economy. In this respect, Qatar believes that this Conference should result in clear decision to facilitate and accelerate the accession processes of developing countries and least developed countries. In this regard, we strongly support speedy accession of all Arab countries which are in the different stages of their accession process to the WTO.
 
 Mr. President, Ladies & gentlemen
7. The launch of the DDA in Qatar more than ten years ago was a momentous event, which greeted by WTO members as a once in a generation opportunity to use new trade liberalization & systemic reform to lift millions of people out of poverty.
8. Unfortunately , the potential gain to global economy welfare from the conclusion of the round , the magnitude of which has been repeatedly demonstrated through many studies , are in danger of being lost .Let us not forget that the DDA was initiated in Doha in order to focus on development issues . Although the foreseen outcome is intended to benefit all WTO members, the overwhelming consensus was that they are targeted at particular the development concerns of the developing countries and the least developed countries.
9. The state of Qatar commends the tireless effort of WTO members during the last six months to deliver an early harvest for the least developed countries (LDCs) by wrapping up less controversial DDA issues. We very much understand the reasons for the failure of these efforts. However, the adoption of mini- package in favor of the LDCs, at this meeting would have been a positive step forward that would have allowed for conclusion of the round in the near future .
10.  Qatar believes that this is still achievable if we can all make our shared goal. I firmly believe that, to generate trust in the ability of the WTO to deliver, we must seize this opportunity here in Geneva to take at least smaller steps and agree on certain less controversial issues on the basis of paragraph 47 of the Doha mandate. We would wish to see here in Geneva immediate decisions on the issues related to the developing countries and least developed countries in line with development mandate of the Doha Round.
11. In this regard, trade liberalization of environmental goods ought to provide opportunity for developing countries to increase exports of such goods under paragraph 31 (iii) of the DDA. Therefore it is primary concern for Qatar to include natural gas and its by-product to the WTO list of environmental goods in view of elimination or as appropriate reduction of tariff and non-tariffs barriers on these goods.
12. Being one of countries that heavily depend on imports and exports, Qatar attaches special importance to the issue of the trade facilitation in the WTO. Therefore, we strongly support the current negotiations in the WTO under the DDA to enhance the freedom of transit including goods moved via fixed infrastructure like pipelines.
13. Furthermore, Qatar is of the opinion that this Conference should result in an immediate decisions on all outstanding development issues including Duty-free Quota-free for LDCs, Special and Differential Treatment, services waivers and reduction of domestic support for cotton in developed countries.
14. Important as the 21st century issues to the multilateral trading system, we have to be very careful of launching other negotiations, before addressing the above mentioned issues.
15. The State of Qatar welcomes the recent WTO collaboration with the World Bank regarding trade finance for low income countries. In this regard,we welcome the technical changes to the regulatory regime of trade finance announced by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. In our view, this is a useful step that will help promote both South-North trade and South-South trade.
15. We welcome also with enthusiasm the accession of Russian Federation, Montenegro, Vanuatu and Samoa to the WTO and congratulate them as well as the WTO family.
16. To conclude, Qatar urges again the rest of the WTO Membership to overcome the current impasse in the DDA negotiations in order to accelerate the global economic recovery and guard against any protectionist measures.
 
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As a part of the keenness of the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Consumer Protection Department, and its permanent efforts represented by the continuous markets’ supervision and inspection in order to ensure their compliance with the different laws and decisions related to the consumer protection, and to ensure the conformity of the goods and products to the standard specifications, especially those related to health and safety requirements; the CPD had monitored samples of various hair and body oils, and found, after their examination in coordination with the competent authorities, that these products are counterfeit and do not conform to the standard specifications.

In this regard, the Department of Consumer Protection invites the consumers to beware of the use of these products and goods in order to preserve their health and safety.
 
 

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of November 2011. The violations have been amounted to 33 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 93 complaints, they have been dealt with and transmitted to the responsible competent departments.
 
 

HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdulaziz Al Thani has conferred on Wednesday morning, 07/12/2011, with HE Mr. Maxime Verhagen, the Netherlands Deputy Premier and Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, who is currently visiting the country.
During the meeting, They discussed bilateral relations and reviewed a set of other issues of mutual concern.
Moreover, HE Minister of Business and Trade conferred here on Thursday afternoon, 08/12/2011, with  Dr. Philipp Roslerm, German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy and Technology.
They discussed bilateral relations and reviewed a set of other issues of mutual concern especially in the sector of business and trade. The two sides highlighted the importance of the strong relationships joining Qatar and Germany.

HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz AL-Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, conferred in his office on Wednesday morning, 30/11/2011, with HE Mr. Ziya Mammadov, theAzerbaijani Transport Ministerwho is in a current visit to the State.
 
During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, and the ways of bolstering them,in addition to many topics of common interest.

HE Mr. / Sultan Bin Rashid Al-Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade, attended the Business Forum that was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on Thursday, November 24, 2011, at the Ritz – Carlton Hotel – Doha. The forum constituted a wide opportunity for the two parties to expose the business projects of both countries,and discuss the ways of possible cooperation between them, in addition to displaying the areas of common interest.
 
During his speech in the forum’s opening session, HE the undersecretary welcomed the Korean Ambassador, the Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the delegates and the attendants from both countries, and described the experience of the State of Qatar in overcoming the major challenges that faced its economy, and the successful policy regime that protected, expanded and diversified its economic base.

HE affirmed that the Ministry of Business and Trade, in conformity with the fast pace of development overwhelming the country, managed to improve its services in such way that, business community members can find an encouraging Business environment, characterized by flexible and easy procedures. Through such mechanisms, business people can easily obtain licenses and enjoy all other facilities such as, Investment expansion Advice, and other expert commercial support services such as training or legal and commercial advice that may enhance a fast establishment of companies.

Al- Khater pointed out that all these achievements were only possible due to cooperation and coordination between the Qatari Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as, the Qatari Business Community with the Ministry of Business and Trade, clarifying that the outcome of such endeavors is to maintain the flourishing fruitful economic, commercial and investment relations with all friendly countries, especially the Republic of Korea.

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, issued the decree No. 50 of 2011, by which Mr. Sultan Rashid Al-Khater was assigned as Undersecretary in the Ministry of Business and Trade.

Mr. Sultan Rashid Al-Khater held many leadership positions in the sectors of energy and industry, the last one of them was the General Manager and Board Member in Qatar Fuel Additives Company, Ltd.
 
Al-Khater has held many other positions before, including the Maintenance Director for Liquefied Natural Gas facilities, and Director of Strategic Planning in RasGas, and has considerable fifteen years of experience in the gas industry.

Engineer Al-Khater holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering with honors from the University of Qatar in 1996, and is considered a promising young talent.

HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, conferred in his office on Monday morning, 21/11/2011, with Prince Andrew,Duke of York, who is in a current visit to the State.
 
During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom, and the ways of bolstering them,in addition to many topics of common interest.

The Ministry of Business and trade hosted on Monday 21/11/2011 at the Ritz – Carlton hotel, an economic delegation from the Arab Republic of Egypt, in the presence of Mr. / Mohamed Hassan Al-Saadi, Assistant Undersecretary for Trade, Mr. / Majed Abdul Rahman Al-Mahmoud, Assistant Undersecretary for Business, and Dr. / Muharram Sibai Hilal, Vice President of the Federation of Egyptian Investors and head of the delegation, along with representatives from Qatari companies and Egyptian businessmen.

Mr. Mohammad Hassan Al-Saadi expressed in his opening statement that the State of Qatar attaches great importance, in terms of the political leadership, to the proliferation of the Qatari investments in various investment projects in Egypt. He described the Qatari keenness to contribute in the growth and the sustainable development of Egypt, stressing the importance of such projects and their role in changing the level of the citizens’ public life and opening more employment opportunities for young people.

From his side, Dr. Hilal addressed a welcome speech in which he stressed that the visit of the Egyptian delegation to Doha is just the beginning of a successful cooperative relation between the investors in both countries.

At the end of the seminar, the two parties exchanged souvenirs while a luncheon was held in honor of the visiting delegation.

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of October 2011. The violations have been amounted to 77 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 118 complaints, they have been dealt with and transmitted to the responsible competent departments.

Following the Prime Minister’s Decision No. (10) for the year 2011, Mr. / Majed Abdul Rahman Abdullah Al-Mahmoud was assigned as an Assistant Undersecretary for Business in the Ministry of Business and Trade.
Mr. Majed Al- Mahmoud holds an Executive Master in Business Administration from London Business School, and has received a degree in Information Systems Management from George Mason University – United States, in addition to the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certificate from the Project Management Institute PMI.
From 2010 to 2011, Mr. Al- Mahmoudi worked as a Director of Business Development and Sales Planning at GBI company.
In 2008, he joined Meeza Company during its pre-establishment period, where he performed a number tasks in the field of operations governance and labor regulations, and he was upgraded into a Director of Business Solutions Department, in addition to leadingthe company strategic plan’s assessment and support project.
He participated in several national and strategic projects during his work at the Supreme Council for Communications and Information Technology from 2005 to 2008,.
Moreover, he participated in several projects of Information Systems in Hamad Medical Corporation HMC, where he was upgraded from a trainee to Director of Internet and Intranet in the period between 2003 and 2005.
In 2000, he worked six months at the Financial Department in Dana-Farber Medical Institute.
Mr. Majed Al-Mahmoud spent nearly 9 years working in both government and private sectors, where he received several promotions and recommendations during his tenure.

As a part of the Ministry of Business and Trade’s keenness to support the government policies aiming to achieve a sustainable economic development, as reflected by Qatar Vision 2030 and by the National Development Strategy 2011-2016, and under the patronage of HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdul-Aziz AL-Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, the Department of Business Development held on Tuesday, 15/11/2011, a seminar on the Development of the Country’s Exports.
During the symposium, the Business Development Department offered to the business community, government and non-governmental organizations, a detailed explanation on the Exports’ Development Strategy, as a way to identify their various points of view, and draft the National Strategy for Export Development in a practical way that can be easily implemented.
Mr. / Nasser Jarallah Al-Marri, Director of Business Development Department, spoke at the opening of the symposium, on the importance of developing the capacities of the national exports, as a tool to achieve economic diversification.
From his side, Dr. / Issa Juma, economist at the General Secretariat for Planning Development, gave a detailed presentation on the National Development Strategy 2011 – 2016, explaining its relationship with the exports development.
Dr. / Mahmoud Abdul Latif, expert in planning and follow-up at the Department of Business Development in the Ministry of Business and Trade, exposed the general framework of the proposed program for the development of the capacity of the national exports.
In his turn, Mr. / Aladdin Al-Zed, representative of the Export Development Agency, spoke about how to benefit from the activities of the Export Development Agency in achieving the objectives of the Exports Development Program.
At the end of the seminar, questions and inquiries by the business owners, professionals and media reporters were addressed to the lecturers who provided clear explanations and clarifications that serve the theme of the seminar.