Minister of Business and Trade Meets with Moroccan Economy Minister in Riyadh

 
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.

New Draft Company Law

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.

Business and Trade Ministry Prevents Uniforms’ Monopoly In Private Schools

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.

The Department of Consumer Protection Monitors 101 Violations during December 2012

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.

The Department of Consumer Protection Monitors 87 Violations during November 2012

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.

Ministry of Business and Trade Closes (3) Shops

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 Minister of Business and Trade Meets with UK Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries

 

 
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.

The Department of Consumer Protection Monitors 70 Violations during October 2012

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 Minister of Business and Trade Meets Croatian Minister of Economy

 

 
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani met on Tuesday 13/11/2012 with HE Mr. Radimir Čačić, First Vice-President of the Government of Croatia and Minister of Economy.
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.

The Consumer Protection Department Announces 14 Recalls for Defective Commodities during 2012

 
The Ministry of Business and Trade oversaw during the last period of the year 2012, and specifically between January and October 2012, the implementation of 14 recalls for different products in the market, in coordination with the suppliers and traders in the various commercial sectors. The recalls that included 11 recalls for more than 17,500 cars from different agencies in the state have stated of course the reason of the defect and its influence on the consumer.
Based on that, the Consumer Protection Department has followed the necessary recalls procedures by informing the consumers of the defects and mentioning the service centers that they should visit to repair such defects for free, through publishing the recalls announcement in the local newspapers.
These actions were taken by the department as a way to protect the consumers’ rights and control the quality of the goods and services offered in the market in order to preserve the safety and health of the consumers, and as an implementation of the provisions of Article No. (13) of Law No. (8) for the year 2008 on consumer protection, which stipulates that the supplier shall guarantee that the item or service provided to the consumer matches with the approved standards, and should ask about the non-compliance of these items or services with the conditions related to public health and safety. These recalls come also in the frame of the implementation of the provisions of Article No. (14) of the same Act, which stipulates that ” the supplier is obliged to notify Consumer Protection Department and consumers of any case related to finding manufacturing defect or any other defect that may cause damage or endanger consumers. It shall also be committed to recall all faulty commodities and to announce so immediately.”
The following table shows the recalls that were announced during the mentioned period (January – October 2012):

HE Minister of Business and Trade Meets British Trade and Investment Minister

 
HE Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani has conferred on Thursday 08/11/2012 with the British Trade and Investment Minister Lord Steven Green and his accompanying delegation during his recent visit to Qatar.
The meeting was attended by HE President of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Al Thani.
During the meeting, Their Excellences discussed the bilateral relations between Britain and the State of Qatar and the means of bolstering them in all fields with a special emphasis on the business and trade areas.
A set of other issues of mutual concern was also taken up.

HE Minister of Business and Trade Meets Moroccan King’s Advisor

 

HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani met on Sunday 21/10/2012 with Advisor to King Mohammed VI of Morocco Mr. Yasser Al-Zanaki.

During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues of joint interest, with a particular focus on the business and trade sectors.

HE Minister of Business and Trade meets with Turkish Minister of Economy and a number of Turkish officials on the sidelines of the COMCEC meetings

 

 
On the sidelines of the visit of His Excellency Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade to Turkey during which he headed the Qatari delegation participating in the meetings of the twenty-eighth session of the Standing Committee of the Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC) held in Istanbul in the presence of the OIC member states and which was opened by the Turkish Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on behalf of the Turkish President,
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani met with his accompanying delegation a number of Turkish officials concerned to in the domains of trade and business and chambers of commerce, including HE Mr. / Mohammed Zafer Caglayan, Minister of Economy in Turkey, with whom HE discussed the latest developments in the trade and economic relations and the ways to deepen and broaden the horizons of cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkey. Their Excellences coordinated as well their positions regarding the commercial topics listed in the agenda of the Comities and the Islamic and International Cooperation Organizations.
It should be noted that the State of Qatar and Turkey had established a joint committee on Trade and Economy in 1985, which held its last session in Doha in 2011. The two countries signed an agreement in 1999 to protect and encourage the trade and investment volume between Qatar and Turkey, and in 2011, the volume of the trade exchange between the two countries had been amounted to approximately three billion and seven hundred million Qatari riyals, with a surplus of 47% in favor of the State of Qatar.

HE the Minister of Business & Trade Heads Qatar’s Delegation Participating in the 28th Session of OIC Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation

The State of Qatar is Taking Part in the twenty-eighth meeting of the Standing Committee of the Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC) currently under way  in Istanbul.
Qatar’s delegation is headed by HE  the  Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani.
The meeting discussed a number of issues including the implementation of the ten-year programme of action of the  Organization of Islamic Cooperation(OIC) and the plan of action plan for strengthening economic and trade cooperation among OIC member states and also reviewed the most important global economic developments, intra-trade among OIC member countries and  priority sectors such as agriculture, tourism, transport and financial cooperation.
The COMCEC meeting also saw  discussion of other topics related to poverty alleviation and the  strengthening of the private sector’s role in economic and trade cooperation, in addition to an exchange of  views on enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in OIC member states.
The Qatari company for the development of small and medium scale industries presented Qatar’s experience in this area.
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani meanwhile pointed out that Qatar attaches great importance to the strengthening of economic and trade cooperation between OIC member states, noting that it contributed to the ten-year plan of action through  participation in the implementation of the programmes and plans set by the organization.
HE explained that  Qatar has ratified in this regard  the framework agreement of the Trade Preference System (TPS) of  the Protocol on Preferential Tariff Scheme (PRETAS) and OIC Rules of Origin, and  also increased its subscription in the capital of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
HE the Minister of Business and Trade urged member states to take necessary measures towards the implementation and activation of  the Trade Preferential System which would pave the way for achieving the goal of increasing trade between OIC countries, and to take the necessary measures to improve the investment climate and to activate the relevant agreements.
HE noted that Qatar has been keen on the implementation of the economic openness policy that rely on the open market economy system which is known for free trade and movement of capital, goods and services and promotion of investments, stressing the readiness of Qatar to develop long-term economic and trade relations  in multiple directions incorporating all key components  for attracting foreign investments.
On the sidelines of the meeting, HE the Minister of Business and Trade met with a number of trade and economy  ministers participating in the meeting to  discuss the deepening and expansion of prospects of  cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Islamic countries.

Minister of Business and Trade Meets Egyptian Foreign Trade Minister

 

 
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani met here today with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Trade and Industry HE Mr. Hatim Abdel Hamid Mahmoud Saleh. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the twenty-eighth session of the Standing Committee of the Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC), currently under way in Istanbul, Turkey.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed areas of trade and investment cooperation between the two countries and agreed on the need to focus on the development and promotion of trade and to remove  all the obstacles hampering such cooperation while benefiting from trade and investment opportunities in both countries.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Trade and Industry thanks to the State of Qatar for its support of Egypt in all fields, especially in the areas of investment in infrastructure .He reviewed the latest developments on the economic indicators in Egypt referring to the great progress in  Egypt’s economic growth.
He briefed the Minister of Business and Trade on the  progress of the Qatari-Egyptian joint investment projects. Qatar and Egypt have signed a number of bilateral and multilateral agreements, including an agreement aimed to facilitate and develop trade exchange and its executive programme for the establishment of a greater Arab  free trade zone. Earlier the two countries  also signed an agreement to protect and promote investments between the two countries and an agreement for the exchange of trade and economic and technical cooperation and encouragement of investments.
The volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached nearly QAR 2 billion, recording a growth of almost 10 percent compared to 2010.

The Department of Consumer Protection Monitors 79 Violations during September 2012

 

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 September 2012. The violations have been amounted to 79 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 260 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments.
Moreover, the Consumer Protection Department had issued the decision of the closure of 3 Shops for Cosmetics, Make Up and Salons’ Products Selling, for one month, due to offering and selling expired products, which constitutes violation of the Article (6) of the Law No. (8) on Consumer Protection.
 

Ministry of Business and Trade Participates in ‘Qatar Week: Ferjaan in Tokyo’

The Ministry of Business and Trade has participated in the “Qatar Week: Ferjaan in Tokyo” event organized by the Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) in Tokyo to celebrate the 40 years of friendly relations between Qatar and Japan. The Ministry’s participation was through a pavilion in the exhibition held on the sidelines of the event, which formally opened on Thursday and will be held until October 1. The pavilion provided a lot of economic factors and answered visitors’ questions on the nature of economic relations and activities as well as joint cooperation between Qatar and Japan in these areas. The pavilion also presented a documentary film that was produced specifically for this exhibition and translated into a number of languages in order to reach the largest possible segment.   
Meanwhile, the Ministry’s Investment Promotion Department organized on 28 September in Tokyo a specialized seminar entitled “Investment in Qatar”. The seminar focused on two main areas: information technology and research and development, and infrastructure projects.
In his opening remarks, Director of Investment Promotion Department Dr. Khalid Al Derbesti underlined Qatar’s keenness on increasing cooperation between the two friendly countries in business and trade areas, underscoring the depth of the relations and convergence of the common interests.
Dr. Al Derbesti gave a comprehensive overview of the investment environment in Qatar and of factors that have contributed to make it a fertile environment for investments.
The Japanese ambassador to Qatar also gave a speech through which he highlighted many topics of common interest between the two countries.
It is worth mentioning that more than two hundred people representing major Japanese companies participated in the event and expressed interest in investing in the State of Qatar, reaffirming at the same time the good reputation enjoyed by the State in many areas and on more than one level.

The Ministry of Business and Trade Closes (3) Shops for Cosmetics, Make Up and Salons’ Products Selling, for One Month

 
The Ministry of Business and Trade, and through the inspection campaigns made by the Consumer Protection Department to monitor all activities in the markets to ensure their compliance with the relevant laws and regulations, had issued the decision of the closure of 3 Shops for Cosmetics, Make Up and Salons’ Products Selling, for one month, due to offering and selling expired products, which constitutes violation of the Article (6) of the Law No. (8) on Consumer Protection that stipulates that “offering, presenting, promoting or advertising any damaged or rotten merchandises shall be prohibited. The merchandise is considered as damaged or rotten if it is not complied with decided standards or not valid for use or expired”.
The closed shops are :
1 – Nazih Trading, New Mirqab – Al Nasr
2 – Nazih Trading, Salwa Road Branch
3 – Nazih Trading, Barwa Village Branch – Al Wakra

The Public Transport Department Concludes Lloyd Seminar

The Public Transport Department at the Ministry of Business and Trade has concluded this afternoon, Thursday 09/13/2012, the Lloyd seminar that was organized at the Grand Regency Hotel- Doha, related to the National Port Security Committee which was formed by the decision No. 29 of 2012 by the Minister of Business and Trade. The committee includes representatives from MBT, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Ports Management Co.
The seminar was opened yesterday by HE Mr. / Majid Bin Abdul Rahman Al Mahmoud – Assistant Undersecretary for Business Affairs at the Ministry of Business and Trade, who welcomed the members of the Committee, as well as the participants of the Lloyd’s team. HE explained at the beginning of his speech the goals of this committee and the purpose of its formation, stressing at the same time on the follow-up and full support for the work of the committee by HE Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani – Minister of Business and Trade, and his eagerness to overcome any obstacle that may face the Committee’s work in the future through legal measures.
HE Al Mahmoud added in his speech that during the coming period the committee will examine the international experiences and regional reports on ports to be used in creating a secure climate that organizes the work of the State’s ports that will be based primarily on international and approved standards, especially the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code – ISPS Code.
At the end of the opening, HE wished all success to the seminar that lasted for two days.

Consumer Protection Department punishes Car Agency, Raises a Criminal Case Against Another One, and Impose Penalty on a Petrol Station

The Ministry of Business and Trade and out of its role in protecting the consumers’ rights and interests, and pursuant to the articles of the law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection, had punished a well-known car agency accredited in the State of Qatar, for not reporting the defects existing in its cars, which is considered a violation of the provisions of Article No. (14) of Law No. (8) of 2008, which stipulates that “the supplier shall, upon discovering a defect in the product or the service that may hurt the consumer upon using the product or benefiting from the service, notify the competent authority in the ministry, as well as the consumer of the potential harm and the ways to prevent this harm, and to withdraw the defective product from the market immediately, with the keenness to announce it” .
The Consumer Protection Department had also raised a criminal case against another agency for not providing good services after sales, failing to provide appropriate spare parts as well as not guaranteeing the service, as stated in the provisions of Article (11), which stipulates that “the supplier must determine in a clear way the description of the service he provides, as well as its advantages, characteristics and price. He must also guarantee the service for a period of time commensurate with the nature of the service, and refund its price to the consumer, or offer the service again in a proper way. ”
On the other hand the Department of Consumer Protection imposed a penalty on a Petrol Station for charging the consumer a higher price than the price mentioned on the commodity. The department imposed accordingly a penalty as stipulated in Article (10) of the Law, taking into account the provisions of Law No. (19) for the year 2006 onCompetition Protection and the Prevention of Monopolistic Practices, that states that it is not permissible for “Suppliers to conceal or abstain from selling any commodity with intent to control the market price, or require the consumer to buy a specific quantity thereof, or buy another commodity therewith, or charge a higher price than that advertised.”
HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the Consumer Protection Department, explained that the ministry will be resolute in the face of anyone who neglects the obligations stipulated by the Law No. (8) of 2008 on the Consumer Protection, for the benefit of the consumers.

The Department of Consumer Protection Monitors 57 Violations during August 2012

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 August 2012. The violations have been amounted to 57 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 168 complaints, they have been dealt with and transmitted to the responsible competent departments.
Moreover, the Consumer Protection Departmenthad issued the decision of the administrative closure of (8) fish and seafood restaurants for offering (Imported White Fish Fillet) and selling it as being (Hammour Fish Fillet), which constitutes a contravention of the provisions of Article No. (7) of Law No. (8) of 2008 on consumer protection.

The Department of Consumer Protection Monitors 82 Violations during July 2012

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 July 2012. The violations have been amounted to 82 violations, including:

Ministry of Business and Trade Closes Shop for Detergents Sale

 

The Ministry of Business and Trade, and through its inspection campaigns made by the Consumer Protection Department to monitor the activities of all markets to ensure their compliance with the laws and regulations,
Had issued the decision of the administrative closure of Al Ijadah Trading Company and its Stores due to committing fraud represented by putting packages on the detergents holding false statements and descriptions, as well as changing the detergents’ names and countries of origin,
which is considered as fraud represented by describing a good in a manner that contains false and deceptive statements which constitutes a contravention of the provisions of Article No. (7) of Law No. (8) of 2008 on consumer protection.
 

Ministry of Business and Trade Closes (8) Fish and Sea Food Restaurants

 

 
The Ministry of Business and Trade, and through its inspection campaigns made by the Consumer Protection Department to monitor the activities of all markets to ensure their compliance with the laws and regulations,
 
Had issued the decision of the administrative closure of (8) fish and seafood restaurants for offering (Imported White Fish Fillet) and selling it as being (Hammour Fish Fillet), which is considered as fraud represented by describing a good in a manner that contains false and deceptive statements which constitutes a contravention of the provisions of Article No. (7) of Law No. (8) of 2008 on consumer protection.
 
The closed restaurants are:
1-     Favorite Fish Restaurant (New Mirqab)
2-     Quick Fishes Restaurant (Airport Area)
3-     Estacosa Restaurant (Bin Mahmoud)
4-     Little Sailor Restaurant for Sea Food (North Muaizer)
5-     Golden Fish Restaurant (Al Sadd)
6-     Al Adid Restaurant for Fish and Grill (North Muaizer)
7-     Arab Bukhari Restaurant (Al Khor)
8-     Al Karwan Restaurant (Al Markhiya)

The Department of Consumer Protection Monitors 84 Violations during May 2012

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 May 2012. The violations have been amounted to 84 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 116 complaints, they have been dealt with and transmitted to the responsible competent departments.

HE the Minister of Business and Trade Headed the Qatari Delegation Participating in the 45th meeting of the GCC Commercial Cooperation Committee

HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, headed on Wednesday, 16/05/2012, the Qatari delegation participating in the works of the Ministerial45th meeting of the GCC Commercial Cooperation Committee, held atthe General Secretariatof the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulfin Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
HE expressed at the end of the meeting his happiness and satisfaction with the agreements reached by the ministers of trade of the GCC countries stating that the taken decisions are in the interest of GCC joint action, especially those related to the competition law and the fight against commercial fraud.
The ministers discussed several issues including those related to the WTO, agricultural investment abroad, and practice models of economic activities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The delegation accompanying the Minister of Business and Trade included His Excellency Mr. / Sultan Bin Rashid Al Khater – Undersecretary of the Ministry and a number of officials and heads of departments in the ministry.

Ministry of Business and Trade Announces New Regulations on Shishas in Cafes

The Ministry of Business and Trade has announced a new set of regulations on the smoking of shisha in cafes.
It is now mandatory for cafes which offer shishas to avoid the spread of the smoke emanating from them to the entire premises. Secondly licenses granted previously should not be sold or transferred to a third party.
The Ministry may issue new licenses to applicants who wish to set up shisha cafes in selected areas, especially of interest to tourists. By and large the new regulations seek to restrict the use of shisha smoking in view of its harmful effects on health and environment.
People who desire to have their own cafes where shisha is offered should refer to the Department of Registration and Commercial Licenses at the Ministry of Business and Trade to submit the needed documents before obtaining the license.

Business and Trade Undersecretary meets Swedish, Belgian officials

Business and Trade Undersecretary, HE Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater met here today with visiting Swedish Secretary of State and Deputy Trade Minister, Gunnar Ohm.
Talks during the meeting dealt with a number of issues of mutual concern including business and trade, bilateral cooperation and means of creating new mechanisms to promote joint trade relations and activities between the two countries.
The Undersecretary of Business and Trade also met with Mr. Philippe Suinen, Chief Executive Officer of Belgium’s Wallonia Export & Investment Agency.
The meeting discussed means of promoting business and trade bilateral ties. The two sides also reviewed a number of joint ventures.
HE Luc de Volder, the Belgian Ambassador to Qatar attended the meeting.

HE Minister of Business and Trade meets with Malaysia’s Minister of International Trade and Industry and Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration

HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani – Minister of Business and Trade, met at his office in the Ministry building, on Monday 30/04/2012, with:
– Datuk / Seri Mustapa Mohamed- Minister of International Trade and Industry of the Republic of Malaysia.
– His Excellency Mr. / Mousa Faki Mohamed- Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration of the Republic of Chad.
During the meeting they discussed several topics of mutual interest, especially in the areas of business and trade, and cooperation between the State of Qatar and each of the Republics of Chad and Malaysia.

HE the Minister meets with Japanese Vice Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry to Discuss Trade Cooperation And Prospects of Investments

HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, met at his office on Monday 30/04/2012, the visiting Japanese Vice Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Mitsuyoshi Yanagisawa.
During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, prospects of cooperation and access to investment opportunities as well as other issues of common concern.

Third Monthly Discussion Panel at the Ministry of Business and Trade

 
In the presence of HE Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, the Third Monthly Discussion Panel for the Ministry of Business and Trade and Businessmen, was held this morning, Wednesday 25/04/2012 in the meeting hall at the Ministry Building.
The discussion panel was attended by HE Sheikh / Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar, HE Sheikh / Hamad Bin Faisal Bin Thani AL-Thani, Chairman and Managing Director of Gulf Bank, Sheikh / Nawaf bin Nasser bin Khaled Al Thani, Chairman and CEO of “Nasser Bin Khaled Holding,” in addition to a number of the ministry’s officials and Qatari Businessmen .
The session focused on the specifications and standards issue, and their performance in the state, in addition to the most prominent obstacles that hinder the development plans in this aspect.
His Excellency Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani opened the third discussion panel with the most prominent outputs that have been implemented among the recommendations of the second meeting’s discussions on the contracting companies, in addition to all what has been achieved so far, stressing on the need for concerted efforts between the government institutions and Qatari businessmen to boost business and trade and implement development plans in the state.
HE also stressed on the need for laboratories with high potential to examine the goods and apply the necessary tests to ensure their compliance with the international standards and specifications. HE stated that we need to monitor the deficiencies in the performance of some of the parties not belonging to the Ministry of Business and Trade and explain to them the importance of such actions and control, inviting them to meetings in order to discuss the possible solutions to address these deficiencies in performance and the ways to do so.
Their Excellences from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Businessmen Association discussed a number of obstacles they face in relation to the specifications and standards and the procedures being followed. They put then a set of recommendations and reforms to be applied such as possible establishment of private and governmental labs.
HE Sheikh / Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar, stated that the efforts of the Ministry of Business and Trade are very clear in this regard, pointing out that His Excellency the Minister expressed his full cooperation to provide all opportunities to support the Qatari businessmen and raise the most prominent proposals that serve the public benefit to the relevant authorities.
The Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar added that these periodic meetings are clear evidence on the interest of the ministry, represented the Minister, with all aspects that may remove many of the constraints faced by traders in terms of standards and specifications.
In this aspect, Sheikh / Nawaf bin Nasser bin Khaled Al Thani, stressed that the goal of such discussion panels is the general benefit of the State, and expressed his hope to provide all means of support and cooperation between the trader, considered a consumer in the first place, and the Ministry of Business and Trade, especially with regards to the issue of standards and specifications. He added that several things and changes must be done in this regard, starting from administrative work, working hours and technical issues.

Minister of Business and Trade Confers with Foreign Officials

 
HE Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade held a number of meetings, this morning, with foreign officials currently participating in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNCTAD (13).
HE conferred with each of His Excellency Mr. Robert Sichinga Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry at the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Mohamed, Minister of Economic Development, Republic of Maldives, and HE Ms. Tarja Kaarina Halonen, former President of the Republic of Finland.
His Excellency the Minister of Business and Trade welcomed at the beginning of the meetings the guests and wished them good stay in the State of Qatar and all success in the “UNCTAD” conference, which will conclude its work this weekend.
During the meetings they discussed issues related to business and trade and ways of development, in addition to a number of issues of common interest.

HE Sultan Bin Rashed Al-Khater Meets High-Ranking Officials

 
His Excellency Mr. Sultan Bin Rashed Al-Khater, undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade and chairman of the Qatari delegation, met with His Excellency Jose Carlos, director general of trade and investment at the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Trade; His Excellency Walid Al-Mousawi, undersecretary of the Iraqi Ministry of Trade; and His Excellency Martin Vavra, ambassador of the Czech Republic in Kuwait.
 
They discussed a number of economic issues of common concern, including ways to encourage investments in developing countries, and the challenges facing sustainable development. The meetings took place on the sidelines of UNCTAD XIII, which Qatar hosts at the Qatar National Convention Center from 21 to 26 April.

HE Mr. Sultan Bin Rashid Al Khater meets with Hungarian Deputy State Secretary

 
His Excellency Mr. Sultan Bin Rashid Al Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade and Chairman of the Delegation of the State of Qatar, met with HE Mr. Janusz Hovara Deputy State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary.

During the meeting, they discussed economic, trade and investment topics of common interest between the two countries, in addition to issues of UNCTAD, which will conclude its work by the end of this week.

HE Minister of Business and Trade Meets WTO Director General

 
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, conferred on the margins of the ongoing UNCTAD XIII in Doha with Director General of World Trade Organization (WTO) Mr. Pascal Lamy.
During the meeting that took place in Qatar National Convention Centre, they discussed a number of issues related to global economy and the challenges facing investment opportunities in the developing countries.

HE Mr. Sultan Bin Rashid Al-Khater Meets with Korean Vice Minister

 
His Excellency Mr. Sultan Bin Rashid Al-Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade, met at Qatar National Convention Center, on the sidelines of the UNCTAD Conference, with Mr. Lee Yong, Vice Minister of Trade in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the Republic of Korea.
During the meeting they discussed a number of common issues related to sustainable development and ways to encourage and develop investment in developing countries.

HE Business Minister Meets Ministers Participating in UNCTAD

 
HE Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani held a series of meetings with ministers and key personalities taking part in UNCTAD XIII, including Kuwaiti Minister for Trade and Industry Anas Khaled Al-Saleh and Minister of Trade, Sudan, Othman Omar al-Sharif.
HE the Minister of Business and Trade also met Minister for Trade and Industry, Sri Lanka, Rashad Badi Al-Din. He concluded his meetings by discussing international issues with Deputy Minister for Economy and Trade, Germany, Anne Ruth Herkes.

Minister of Business and Trade: UNCTAD Promotes Global Development Efforts

HE the Minister of Business and Trade, Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdel Aziz Al Thani said on Sunday that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development is furnishing an ample opportunity to continue contribution to global efforts towards sustained development.
Addressing the 13thUNCTAD meeting in Doha, he stressed that Qatar’s commitment to the cause of development is doubtless, as it is cooperating bilaterally with the international community to promote development on the national level. He also noted that Qatar has completed the infrastructure needed to educate and train required cadres for sustained development. He, meanwhile, referred to Qatar’s cooperation on the global level to promote issues of development.
HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdel Aziz Al Thani cited Qatar’s hosting of the second summit of the South which included the group of 77 of developing countries and China, as well as the international conference on following up of the financing of development.
He also referred to Qatar’s National Vision of 2030 serving as a framework for development of strategies and national plans implementation.
He said the national vision is encountering five challenges, namely preservation of traditions, meeting the requirements of the present and future generations, guaranteeing the management of development and preventing overheating, optimal use of expatriate manpower  and maintaining economic  and social development, environment management through diversifying the economic base on scientific foundations.
Qatar’s National Vision of 2030 is designed to realize development on four pillars, namely the development of human, social, economic and  development resources, he explained.
HE said Qatar’s presidency of the UNCTAD coincides  with the 50th anniversary of the setting up of the conference and is looking forward to  celebrating the anniversary. As part of Qatar’s contribution,  it will participate in the celebrations marking the realization of the development goals of the Millennium in 2015,the minister added.

HE Minister of Business and Trade Meets High-Level Dignitaries on the Sidelines of UNCTAD (13)

 HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al- Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, held on Saturday morning, 21/04/2012, on the sidelines of UNCTAD XIII in Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), a number of meetings with high-level dignitaries.
HE met with each of His Excellency Mr. Abdul Nasser al-Hakim, Minister of Economy and Development in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, HE Mr. Moses Tangola, Minister of Trade in the Republic of Kenya, HE Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, UNCTAD Secretary-General, HE Ms. Hannah Zzouz, Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Ghana, and Mr. Peter Barbak, Chairman of Nestlé.
HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani welcomed Their Excellences the guests and wished them a pleasant stay in Qatar, and success through their participation in the meetings of the UNCTAD XIII. During the meetings, they discussed matters of international trade and ways to encourage development and economic integration in developing countries, in addition to topics of common interest.

Within an important stage to support the infrastructure of the Ministry: Minister of Business and Trade Launches Oracle Business Solutions System

 

 
His Excellency Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, inaugurated the Oracle Business Solutions system, Oracle EBS, after the successful completion of its testing period. Within a simple ceremony organized to the Ministry employees, HE the Minister thanked the teams that worked on the preparation, testing and application of the system.
With the launch of the Oracle system, the Ministry of Business and Trade passes from the system of paperwork to the electronic work system, which contributes to shortening the efforts and increasing the efficiency of its employees.
His Excellency the Minister honored the work teams that contributed to the success and application of the system, from the Financial and Administrative Affairs Department, Human Resources Department and Information Technology Department. HE congratulated them on the completion of the application of the system within the specified time frame and urged them to intensify the efforts in achieving the future development plans of the Ministry of Business and Trade.

Qatari Delegation Participates in the Activities of the Fourth Session of the Trade and Investment Conference at “Sun City”, Republic of South Africa

 

 
The State of Qatar participated through a delegation headed by His Excellency Mr. / Sultan Bin Rashid Al Khater – Undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade in the activities of the Fourth Session of the Trade and Investment Conference held in “Sun City” at the Republic of South Africa.
This participation comes in response to the official invitation sent ​​by the Trade Minister of South Africa to the State of Qatar within the framework of the close ties between the two countries, as a way to discuss the opportunities of investment and business establishment in the African continent, and South Africa in particular.
On the sidelines of the conference, HE the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade met His Excellency the President of the Republic of South Africa, accompanied by HE Qatar’s Ambassador to Pretoria Dr / Bashir Issa Al- Shirawi and members of the Qatari delegation participating in the conference.
His Excellency and the accompanying delegation, met also in the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador of Qatar, a number of ministers and senior officials, where they discussed during those meetings the ways of developing the aspects of cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields of trade and investment.

The Department of Consumer Protection Monitors 75 Violations during March 2012

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 March 2012. The violations have been amounted to 75 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 166 complaints, they have been dealt with and transmitted to the responsible competent departments.

Ministry of Business and Trade Participates in 2012 Qatar Career Fair

 
 
 
The Ministry of Business and Trade participated in Qatar Career Fair 2012, inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AL-Thani, the Heir Apparent, on Sunday April 1st at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) under the theme “Employ the Present for the Future.”
HE Mr. Sultan Bin Rashid Al Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade, affirmed that the participation of the ministry this year comes with support and follow-up by His Excellency Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, who assured that the actively participation in the fair is a top priority that leads to achieve the overall vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir, which is mainly based on human development and investment in knowledge.
HE added that the Ministry of Business and Trade adopts a policy for the workforce based on the pre-planning to build distinct human high-efficiency capacities, in a way that implements the National Development Plan 2012 – 2016 associated with Qatar Vision 2030.
HE the Undersecretary stated at the conclusion of his speech that the ministry is committed to supporting and strengthening the policy of assuring job opportunities and skills development for national Qataris to achieve the purposes and objectives of human development as per the national vision.
As a part of the ministry’s keenness to assure the excellence in the professional performance, an integrated program designed to develop the new staff performance was also prepared for the Career Fair.

According to Ms. / Maha Mohammed Al Nisf, Director of Human Resources Department, the preparations for the 2012 Career Fair began since the completion of the last year’s Fair, where the efforts were focused on identifying the needs of the ministry for human resources and the functional classification of jobs, thing that helps identifying the competencies required to support the action plans and the current and future projects adopted by the ministry, based in their turn on the sustainable development plan of the State of Qatar, which carry the aspirations of His Highness the Emir and HH the Heir Apparent.
In light of this, the Ministry of Business and Trade offered during this year’s Fair a professional package of training programs and different job positions for young Qatari applicants.
From the organizational view, Mr. / Abdullah Al Khuwaiter, Director of Public Relations and Communication Unit, said that the Organizing Committee of the Ministry’s Participation in the 2012 Career Fair, has put all efforts to achieve successful participation in the fair, especially in terms of the location of the ministry’s pavilion and the selection of the appropriate design that highlights bright future.
The Ministry’s pavilion is located in the section of the Government Parties, The Pearl Category, Stand No. g-p1, and is characterized by the different categories of offered job opportunities, as well as the self-service machines which help the applicant to fill the applications in a simple way, where the system then sends an electronic mail message to the applicant which includes the application number and the desired job position, as well as the means of communication after application submission.

HE Mr. Majid Al Mahmoud Meets Dutch Delegation

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.

HE Meera Al Attiyah Appointed as Assistant Undersecretary

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 Consumer Protection Department Closes Seven Butcheries

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.

Minister of Business and Trade Meets Bulgarian Minister of Energy, Economy and Tourism

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 Meets Latvian Economy Minister

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.

Consumer Protection Department Monitors (87) Violations during February

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.

Seventh Gulf Day for Consumer Protection

 
 
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.

HE Minister of Business and Trade’s Second Debate Session with Qatari Businessmen

 

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.

Joint Workshop between the Ministry of Business and Trade and the International Finance Corporation

 

 
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 the Undersecretary meets Finnish Delegation

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.

Shooting Competition by the Ministry of Business and Trade (Skeet – Trap – Double Trap – Air Gun – Air Rifle) in the 2012 National Sports Day

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.

The Ministry of Business and Trade Holds Its First Panel Discussion and Launches Its Initiative to Provide Cost-Competitive Storage Areas For SMEs

 
·        Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz: the panel discussion is a joint duty and responsibility between the public and private sectors to develop solutions and policies related to business and trade stimulation.
·        Sheikh Jassim called the Ministry and Stores Company to finalize a detailed plan for the provision of cost-competitive stores.

The Ministry of Business and Trade held on Thursday 26/01/2012, its first panel discussion for 2012.Such meetings aim to put issues related to trade subject to discussion and exchange of opinions. This comes in support of the decision-making mechanism in the Ministry and ensures a constructive communication with the relevant authorities.
Such panel discussions are held in the presence and direct supervision of His Excellency the Minister of Business and Trade, and in the presence of officials from the ministry, as well as representatives from Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) and theQatari Businessmen Association. The ministry invites as well any of the relevant authorities in the public and private sectors to participate in enriching the debate.
At the beginning of the panel, HE Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani underlined the need for continued constructive contacts and cooperation  between the public and private sectors to address the challenges of the trade sector as a joint responsibility between the two sides.
The panel discussion held in the presence of HE the Minister of Business and Trade,  Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, HE Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) Sheikh / Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, HE Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association Sheikh / Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, andHE Sheikh / Fahad bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Chairman of Stores Company, in addition to representatives from Qatar Company for Medium and Small Projects Development,discussed a host of issues related to  the trade sector including means to support  warehouses and stores for small and medium enterprises in the domestic market.
During the meeting, they discussed the readiness of the storage industry related to small and medium enterprises, and identified the main barriers facing the sector and the degree of competitiveness of the trade infrastructure in the state, in relation to the entry, storage and transportation of goods, and the processes associated with it.
Addressing the panel discussion 2012 between the Ministry of Business and Trade and the Private Sector, HE the Minister of Business and Trade called for providing storage areas with competitive cost for the Small and Medium-sized companies, stating that such contacts would result in positive policies that  contribute  to developing the growth of trade sector in the State.

HE Minister of Business and Trade Meets with Canadian Minister

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.

Completion of the first stage of increasing the efficiency and developing the customs procedures at Doha Port, and Beginning of the experimental operations of the commercial shipping at Mesaieed Port

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 Meets with UNCTAD Secretary General

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.

Joint Workshop between the Ministry of Business & Trade and the World Bank

 
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.

HE Minister of Business & Trade Meets with the Services and Prices Monitoring Committee

 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.

The Department of Consumer Protection Monitors 107 Violations during December 2011

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.

Qatar Participates in the WTO’s Eight Ministerial Conference in Geneva

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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The Consumer Protection Department Monitors Counterfeit Hair Oils

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.
 
 

The Department of Consumer Protection Monitors 33 Violations during November 2011

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 Minister of Business and Trade conferred with Netherlands Deputy Premier and German Vice Chancellor

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 Minister of Business and Trade meets with Azerbaijani Transport Minister

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.

Business & Trade’s Undersecretary Attends Qatar – Korea Businessmen Forum in Doha

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.

By Amiri Decree, Al- Khater Undersecretary in the Ministry of Business and Trade

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.

Consumer Protection Department Monitors 77 Violations During October 2011

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.

HE Minister of Business and Trade met with the Duke of York

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.

Egyptian Delegation Visits Doha

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.

Al- Mahmoud, Assistant Undersecretary for Business in the Ministry of Business and Trade, In Brief

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.

Business Development Department Organizes a Seminar on the Development of the Country’s Exports

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.

The Business Development Department Receives Australian and Spanish Trade Delegations

Within the framework of the ministry’s effort to develop the trade and economic relations with the various world countries, a trade delegation from the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce, including representatives of some companies and Australian Universities, in addition to the Australian Trade Representative in Doha, paid a visit to the Ministry of Business and Trade, on Wednesday morning, 26/10/2011, where they were received by Mr. / Nasser Jarallah Al Marri, Director of Business Development Department, along with a number of the Department’s staff.
During the visit, they reviewed the aspects of cooperation between the two sides, and the ways of increasing the Australian investments in the State of Qatar, in light of a presentation of the Qatari Business Environment made by the Business Development Department. The Department prepared as well a program to visit the Australian delegation, in coordination with a number of governmental agents and companies from the private sector, in order to activate the aspects of cooperation in a way that assures the benefits of both parties.
On the same day, the Business Development Department welcomed the Spanish Businessmen Delegation, which included representatives of 20 Spanish companies dealing with different business areas, in addition to the Spanish Commercial Attaché in Doha. The Business Development Department presented an explanation on the determinants of the business environment in the State, and the benefits provided to the foreign investor in Qatar, which include many of the financial, customs and tax benefits. Moreover, the Department answered all the questions and queries addressed by the attendants, and it was agreed on the importance of maintaining good communication between the two sides, as a way to promote the opportunities to establish joint future business projects.

HE Minister of Business and Trade met with Moroccan Ministers of Commerce and Tourism

 
HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, conferred in his office, on Monday 24/10/2011, with the Minister of Commerce in the Kingdom of Morocco, His Excellency Mr. / Abdul Latif Mazuz,, and the accompanying delegation.
 
During the meeting, they discussed the aspects of cooperation between the two countries,in addition to many topics of common interest.

On the other hand, HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, met in his office, yesterday afternoon with His Excellency Mr. / Yasser Al Zankane, Moroccan Minister of Tourism and Handicraft.

During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries and the ways of bolstering and enhancing these relations.

HE Minister of Business and Trade met with Swedish Minister of Commerce

HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, conferred in his office this morning, Tuesday 25/10/2011, with Dr. / EvaBjörling,Swedish Minister of Commerce who is in a current visit to the State.
 
During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries, and the ways of bolstering them,in addition to many topics of common interest.

Consumer Protection Department Advertising Campaign

 
Within the framework of the keenness of the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Consumer Protection Department, to keep in touch with the consumers, as a way to spread awareness and education among them, knowing the importance of spreading consciousness among both the merchants and the consumers, leading them to know their rights and duties, the CPD came up with the idea of ​​organizing an advertising campaign targeting the traders and the consumers, and aiming to:

1 – Define and increase the awareness of the consumers and suppliers of their rights and duties
2 – Promote the culture of the balanced purchase among consumers
3 – Highlight the fundamental obligations of the merchant, which come in their turn, under the consumer rights
4 – Highlight the main roles and specializations of the Consumer Protection Department
 
This advertising campaignhad been carefullydesigned to contain 24 messages and advices that will be presented to the public in several places, including street ads – buses and taxis ads – newspaper ads – billboards in commercial malls and complexes, and will be also accessible through the radio and television programs.
 
The CPD will launch the character of (Morshed – Advisor) who will be providing, in a friendly style, tips and advices for consumers of all categories (adults and children), in addition to launching ( Morshed Magazine), a quarterly magazine published by the Department of Consumer Protection, noting that the first issue will be issued today, Monday, 24/10/2011, and distributed through one of the local newspapers.
 
This Advertising Campaign will be divided into several stages :
 
1- Teaser Campaign
 
2- Consumer Rights Campaign: it aims to teach the consumers their rights, especially with regard to health and safety, and the tips to get good products that comply with the standards and specifications, as well as their right to obtain the invoice and warranty, without forgetting the right of replacement and retrieval.
 
3 – Merchant Duties Campaign: it aims to teach the merchant his duties towards the consumer, such as giving the consumer a full – data bill, providing the necessary guarantees, warn the consumer of the danger that may be caused by the use of the commodity, tell him about the defects that the good may contain, announce the price of the product or the service, in addition to many other duties.
 
4 – Consumer Duties Campaign: it aims to teach the consumer his duties in the balanced purchase, and lead him to stop wasting and following the misleading advertising and the temptations of installments, in addition to the necessity of reading and understanding the contracts, and the description of every item or service, without forgetting to keep the invoice and the warranty to protect their rights.
 
5 – Campaign of the Month of Ramadan: it aims to teach the consumers the methods of a balanced purchase system, and the ways of avoiding the waste and buying only what is needed.
 

The Irish Delegation Expresses Its Appreciation for the Qatari Accomplishments

A high ranked Irish Trade Delegation, including Heads of 40 major companies, paid a visit to the Ministry of Business and Trade, where they were welcomed by a number of senior officials and departments’ managers. The delegation was impressed by the level of accomplishments made by the State of Qatar, which include programs and major projects within the programs of sustainable development in Qatar.
During the visit, they reviewed the Trade Policies of the State of Qatar, where Ms. / Noor Ahmed Al Ansari, researcher in the Department of International Cooperation and Trade Agreements, made a presentation on the programs and plans of the Trade Expansion in Qatar, based on the 2030 Qatar Vision. In her turn, Ms. / Nadia Haroon, provided a visual explanation on the opportunities and areas of investment in the State of Qatar, in addition to Mr. / Rima Sankoor who made a presentation on the Small and Medium Enterprises.
The delegation expressed its satisfaction with the detailed and accurate information they got regarding the Trade and Investment Performance in Qatar, in addition to the available opportunities aiming to enhance the Trade and Investment Relations between the State of Qatar and Ireland.
At the end of the visit, a reception was prepared by the high ranked officials at the Ministry of Business and Trade in honor of the visiting delegation, during which they reviewed the Irish – Qatari Trade Relations, and the ways of bolstering the volume of bilateral trade and investments between the two countries, especially that Qatar has become the focus of attention of the investors worldwide.
The guests left the Ministry building expressing their appreciation for the ministry’s efforts to provide the detailed and accurate information, in addition to the atmosphere of discussions surrounded by friendliness and respect, in a way that encourages the accomplishment of the visit’s aims in the best way.

Qatar International Transport and Logistic Service Exhibition ”Trans-4”

The Department of Public Transport Affairs in the Ministry of Business and Trade has taken part in the three-day Qatar International Transport and Logistic Service Exhibition ”Trans-4”, opened today by HE / Sheikh Abdul Rahman Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning, at the Doha Exhibition Centre.
After the inauguration, HE Sheikh Abdul Rahman Bin Khalifa Al Thani toured the pavilions of the exhibition and was briefed on the prominent projects carried out by the displaying companies. HE visited the Department of Public Transport Affairs where he listened to an explanation given by Mr. / Nasser Kaddar , Director of the Department, regarding the Department’s sections and specializations.
More than 50 world, Gulf and Qatari companies working in transport, railways and cargo sector are taking part in the five thousand square meter event, along with numerous governmental parties in Qatar,in addition to a broad participation by the local companies implementing a number of major projectsin the State in this sector.
The Trans-4 Exhibition acquires key importanceas it displays several projects and opens many investment opportunities, and allows to examine the future strategic plans in the State of Qatar in the fields ofland, sea and air transport networks.
The exhibition is the first and sole of its kind in Qatar which displays the state of the art technologies , information technology, systems , products and services associated with the sea, land and air transport and logistic cargo or freight services. 

Fifteenth Meeting of the Committee of GCC Ministers of Transport and Communications – October 5, 2011 in Abu Dhabi – UAE

 
The Committee of the Transport and Communications Ministers in the Gulf Cooperation Council held its fifteenth meeting on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
 
The meeting was attended by representatives of all the Member States, and was chaired by HE Sheikh / Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan / Minister of Public Works and Chairman of the National Transport Authority in the United Arab Emirates, and head of the UAE delegation. The State of Qatar was represented by HE Ambassador / Abdullah Bin Mohamed Al-Othman, Ambassador of the State of Qatar in the United Arab Emirates.
 
The meeting was also attended by:
1 – Mr. / Nasser Massaad Said Kdar – Acting Director of the Department of Public Transport
2 – Mr. / Hamad Salem Al Khalifa – Specialist in the Transportation domain
3 – Mr. / Mohammed Faleh Al-Hajri – Chairman of the International Conventions and Relations – Civil Aviation Authority

His Excellency the GCC General Secretary Mr./ Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani was also among the attendants.

After a thorough discussion of the agenda in light of the minutes of meeting of the teams and technical committees, and the notes put by the General Secretariat on the issues to be discussed in the meeting, and the minutes of the Sixteenth Meeting (Preparatory) of the Committee of Deputy Ministers of Transport and Communications of the GCC States, held in Abu Dhabi on 3 and 4 October 2011, it was agreed on several important issues, among them :

First : Railway Project between the GCC countries
 

Second : A study on the Economic Benefits of linking the GCC railway to the Republic of Yemen

Third : Establishment of a Transportation Data Base in the GCC States
 
Fourth: The minutes of the 20th meeting of the Committee of GCC Port Authorities and Maritime Administrations’ Officials (June 26 – 27, 2011)
 
Fifth: Minutes of the seventh meeting of the Technical Committee for Land Transport and Road Engineering in the GCC States (September 25, 2011)
 

“Know Your Right As a Consumer” Program

 
In a first step for the Consumer Protection Department, and in cooperation with Qatar Radio, an awareness program targeting the Consumer Sector and aiming to define the different branches of the Consumer Rights, will be launched as a part of the CPD’s keenness to keep in touch with the consumer through the different media avenues, in order to spread culture and consumption awareness which constitute a necessity that every consumer must recognize amid the open markets and the varying prices affected by the law of Supply and Demand.
In this sense, the Consumer Protection Department launched a Radio Program directed to explain all the laws related to the Consumer Protection that protect him from exploitation, and maintain his rights every time he goes shopping. The program will deal also with the different aspects of the Consumption Process, like how to identify fake or counterfeit goods? What is the legal status of such cases? How to promote the culture of saving and consumption rationalization in a non-consumption oriented society? All of these issues, in addition to many others, will be dealt with in the presence of a number of experts and specialists from the Department or even from outside the State. Moreover, the program will shed lights on the different events and activities organized by the Consumer Protection Department.
The program will be “Weekly Broadcast” every Thursday at 3:30 pm and will provide a competition to the public based on the subject of each episode. A financial prize will be offered to the winner of “ Know Your Right As a Consumer” program that will be presented by Ms. / Buthaina Abdul Jalil, in cooperation with the section of Consumer Awareness in the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Business and Trade.
 
Note :
The guest of the first episode will be HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Director of the Consumer Protection Department.

Third Corporate Social Responsibility Conference

 

 
Under the patronage of HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, the Third Corporate Social Responsibility Conference, which comes this year under the slogan “Be Part of the Event” and organized by the Department of International Cooperation & Trade Agreements in the Ministry, was launched this morning, Monday 03/10/2011, at Al-Majles Hall in the Doha Sheraton Hotel, where it will continue its work for two consecutive days.
HE Sheikh / Khalifa Bin Jassim Al-Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry addressed a speech during the opening session in which he thanked the Ministry of Business and Trade for organizing this important conference, saying that the concept of Social Responsibility has always been combined with the Chambers of Commerce, as it is based mainly on the principle of the participation of the Private Sector in the development process, as a part of its duties and commitments toward the community.
He added that the Chamber of Commerce is keen to significantly maximize the benefits of the development as they constitute one of the chief goals of the Chamber’s strategy. HE the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce pointed out at the end of his speech, the important progress made by Qatar as a result of its permanent commitment and respect to the social responsibility, in addition to its compliance with the Ten Principles of the Global Compact, including human rights, equality in employment, development and environment protection. 
From his side, HE Sheikh / Nawaf Bin Nasser Al-Thani, member of the Qatari Businessmen Association, stated in a similar speech that this CSR conference had known a wide support and promotion during the last period, explaining that the concept of Social Responsibility not only has benefits on the social development, but it helps the companies as well to enhance their role and competitiveness. 
He said at the end of his speech that the Qatari Businessmen Association aims to raise awareness of the role of the private sector and unify the efforts of the Qatari Businessmen in a way that serves the goals of the economic and social development.
Mr. Ahmed Ahn, Director of International Cooperation & Trade Agreements Department, addressed in his turn the speech on behalf of the Ministry of Business and Trade, saying that arranging this conference for the third consecutive year reaffirms the Ministry’s commitment to put the principles of the business ethics as a priority, noting that the ministry is currently working forward to adopt Qatari Standards for Corporate Social Responsibility.
He added that the objective of holding these conferences, starting from 2009, is relating the development to the social and environmental goals and purifying the business environment of all the impurities that may disrupt the economic growth of the society, pointing out that these purposes have gained the acceptance of all companies that became, all around the world, responsible to respect the social and environmental performance during their work.
The Director of the International Cooperation & Trade Agreements clarified that the State of Qatar has included a development strategy within the 2030 Qatar Vision that aims, with regards to the Social Responsibility, to manage the environment in a way that ensures harmony and consistency between the goals of the social and economic development, in addition to the environmental protection, taking into consideration that the achievement of these objectives requires the commitment of the business society to the standards that ensure the harmonization between its performance and activities, and this vision, and that is what is called “ Standards of Social Responsibility”.
Adding to that, he noted that the Ministry of Business and Trade, through a large group including a number of Ministries and Governmental Agencies, had taken steps towards the proposal of the Social Responsibility Standards for the Qatari companies, and that these proposed standards are in the process of adoption, and they will be used to distinguish between the companies with excellent social and environmental performance and those that fail to respect the social goals, affirming that the Ministry is considering granting prestigious awards to the companies showing good performance in relation to these standards and criteria.
At the end of his speech, Mr. Ahn asserted that the organization of this conference comes as a genuine partnership between the Ministry of Business and Trade and the Business Community, which constitutes a practical implementation of the State’s vision and philosophy, declaring that the Ministry had received requests from National and Foreign companies operating in the State, to sponsor and participate in these conference, in order to exchange their experiences with other companies. The Ministry of Business and Trade values the roles of these companies and invites all the different companies in the State to adopt and put these principles of the Social Responsibility as their priority.
After that, the welcome speeches continued and included speeches by the United Nations Global Compact Agency, and Chairman of the International Coalition for Information and Communication and Development Technology at the United Nations, in addition to speeches addressed by the Sponsors in which they praised the role of the Ministry of Business and Trade in holding this conference and establishing the principle of Corporate Social Responsibility.
During the conference, twelve work papers discussing the roles of the Governments and the Private Sector in the Corporate Social Responsibility will be presented, and local and international experiences in Social Responsibility will be discussed, in addition to the future of the environment in the State of Qatar. The conference will also include a workshop for registration in the Global Compact Agency.
The conference was attended by a number of Senior Officials from the Ministry of Business and Trade and other ministries, in addition to several board chairmen, CEOs, Managers and experts in the Social Responsibility domain.

HE Minister of Business and Trade Meets Pakistani Ambassador

 
HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, conferred yesterday, Wednesday 28/09/2011 with HE / Mohamed Sarfraz Ahmed Khanzada, Pakistani Ambassador to Qatar.
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.
 

Corporate Social Responsibility Conference to be Launched on October 3 …

 
A joint press release between the Ministry of Business and Trade and the CRS Conference Sponsors will be held today, Thursday 29/09/2011 at the Ministry’s building.
The CSR Conference will take place on Monday and Tuesday, October 3 and 4, 2011, in the presence of a number of economic figures and businessmen, with the participation of the United Nations Global Compact Agency ( UNGC ) and the International Finance Corp, a subsidiary of the World Bank.
The sponsoring companies which were announced earlier include RasGas, ExxonMobil, United Development Company ( UDC ), Dolphin Energy, Al-Khaliji Bank, in addition to Total, Qatar Cool, Al- Fardan Group, and Qatar Media Services ( Q. Media ), the Conference’s Advertising Sponsor.
The Organizers had asserted that a large number of Businessmen, Managers and University Professors have confirmed their participation in this important large conference.
 

HE Minister of Business and Trade Meets with the Ambassadors of Korea and the Federal Republic of Germany

 
HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, met, seperately, at his office this morning, Monday 26 September 2011, with both HE Mr. / Chang See-Jeong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, and HE Ms. / Anne Ruth Herkes, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the State.
During the meetings, they discussed the current cooperative relationships between the State of Qatar and their friendly countries, and the different ways of enhancing these relations, especially in the domains of Business and Trade.
 

HE The Minister Meets with the Ambassadors of Malaysia and UAE, and the British Minister of Trade and Investment

 
HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, met, individually, at his office on Thursday morning, 22/09/2011, with both HE Mr. / Ahmed Jazari Bin Mohammed Jawhar, ambassador of Malaysia to the State, and HE Mr. / Jumaa Rashid Saif Al-Zahiti, ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the State.
 
During the two meetings, they made an overall overview regarding the existing cooperative relationships between the State of Qatar and both of Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the ways of bolstering these relations, especially in the fields of Business and Trade.

Moreover, HE Sheikh / Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, also met on Thursday with Lord / Stephen Green, British Minister of Trade and Investment, who 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 enhancing and developing them.

Seminar on “ The Partnership Between the Administrative Development Institute and the Government Agencies ”

 
A seminar on “ The Partnership Between the Administrative Development Institute and the Government Agencies ” started today morning, Sunday 25/9/2011, at the Ministry of Business and Trade by a number of officials from the Institute of Administrative Development.

The seminar organized by the Department of Human Resources in cooperation with the Public Relations and Communication Unit was attended by the managers of Units and Departments in the Ministry, in addition to the Heads of Departments and the Training Coordinators in the ministry.

This seminar provided consultation and exchange of views between the Institute and various Government Ministries on how to activate the Human Resources through various training programs provided by the Institute. It also aims to define the training activity and its impact on the institutional performance and helps spreading the awareness between the participants on the training programs.

The seminar dealt with four main fields, including :

– The importance of training
– The importance of training in the Human Resources Law
– Sections of the Training’s general plan
– Coordination and cooperation for building the Training’s general plan
– A shared vision on the development of the training course
 
The seminar included presentations and discussions by all the participants who focused on the training programs provided by the Institute and the possibility of proposing new programs in light with the needs of the ministry.

Consumer Protection Department Detects Counterfeit Spare Parts

 
The Department of Consumer Protection in the Ministry of Business and Trade, through its continuous inspective campaigns that cover all the commercial outlets in the market, aiming to ensure the traders compliance with the laws and decisions related to the Consumer Protection, detected counterfeit Spare Parts holding well-known Brands.
It was detected that some companies selling Automobiles Spare Parts had introduced some Counterfeit Spare Parts used for Trucks, branded “ Eirling ” and “ Sachs ”, selling them as original ones, which constitutes a violationof the Article No. (7) of the Law No. (8) for the year 2008 on Consumer Protection, which stipulates : The supplier is committed during introducing any commodity to clearly indicate on its cover or packaging, the type, nature and the components of the item, and all the data related to it, as determined by the executive regulations of this law, and to state whether any danger may be caused by the use of the commodity. It is strictly prohibited to include any fake or misleading information.
The inspectors of the Consumer Protection Department detected the cited commodity, took the available quantities in the center, issued a sanction and started a criminal case in the issue.  
The Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, stresses all suppliers, traders and business owners practicing commercial activities in the State, that it will apply the strict sanctions and violations set by the laws and decisions related to the Consumer Protection to protect the competition and prevent any form of commercial fraud and monopolistic actions.
It also invites the consumers to effectively cooperate with it and report their complaints through one of the following contact points :
1 – Hotline: 44945500
2 – Free line: 8005000
3 – E-mail of the department of CPD: cpd@mbt.gov.qa
4 – SMS on the number: 92665
Send the word Consumer + text of the complaint
5 – FaxNumber: 44173469
 

The Department of Consumer Protection Monitors 66 Violations during August 2011

 
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 cited department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of August 2011. The violations have been amounted to 66 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 54 complaints, they have been dealt with and transmitted to the responsible competent departments.

Consumer Protection Department Detects Commercial Centers Changing Goods’ Validity Dates

 
The Department of Consumer Protection in the Ministry of Business and Trade, through its continuous inspective campaigns that cover all the commercial outlets in the market, aiming to ensure the traders compliance with the laws and decisions related to the Consumer Protection, detected a “ BLACK ” Hair Oil with an expired validity date, to be sold to the consumer in one of the retail centers in the State.
The detected product constitutes a misleading action against the consumer, by replacing the initial validity date by a new poster holding a fake date, action that constitutes a violation of the Article No. (7) of the Law No. (8) for the year 2008 on Consumer Protection, which stipulates : The supplier is committed during introducing any commodity to clearly indicate on its cover or packaging, the type, nature and the components of the item, and all the data related to it, as determined by the executive regulations of this law, and to state whether any danger may be caused by the use of the commodity. It is strictly prohibited to include any fake or misleading information.
The inspectors of the Consumer Protection Department detected the cited commodity, took the available quantities in the center, issued a sanction and started a criminal case in the issue. 
The Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, stresses all suppliers, traders and business owners practicing commercial activities in the State, that it will apply the strict sanctions and violations set by the laws and decisions related to the Consumer Protection to protect the competition and prevent any form of commercial fraud and monopolistic actions.   
  

Minister of Business and Trade : Punitive Actions Against Price Raise

The Ministry of Business and Trade informs all companies, suppliers and business owners practicing commercial activities in the State of Qatar, that, in line with the Emiri Decision No. (50) for the year 2011 on the increase of basic salaries, social allowances and pensions for employees and retirees of Qatari civilians and military personnel in the state ;
The Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, describesits keenness to preserve the public interest, stating that it will cooperate with the concerned authorities in the State to prevent any kind of unjustified price rises. The Ministry warns that it will move toward the criminal proceedings and take the deterrent measures as stated in the laws, regulations and Ministerial decisionsrelevant to the Consumer Protection and the fight against commercial fraud, in order to protect the competition and prevent any monopolistic practices.
His Excellency Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade,instructed those in charge in the Ministry to protect the income of individuals and the general public,stressing the importance ofensuring that service consumption grows in a balanced manner with the growth of savings and investment capacity of the members of the Qatari society, and the necessity of enhancing awareness and responsibility among traders and business owners and the consumers as well.
In addition to the Department of Consumer Protection’s vital role in price control and the prevention of unfair business practices, the Ministry of Business and Trade stresses the importance of the consumer’s cooperation with the Ministry by complaining or reporting any unjustified rises in prices, through one of the following ways :
To communicate with the Department of Consumer Protection you can use the following contact ways:
1 – Free line: 8005000
2- Hotline: 44945500 / 44945550
3- Ministry Number : 44945555
4- SMS on the number: 92665
Send the word Consumer + text of the complaint
5 – E-mail of the department of CPD:cpd@mbt.gov.qa
6- Ministry Website :www.mbt.gov.qa
 

 

The Department of Consumer Protection Monitors 90 Violations during July

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 cited department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of July 2011. The violations have been amounted to 90 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 114 complaints, they have been dealt with and transmitted to the responsible competent departments.

Ministry of Business and Trade’s Initiative To Supply Markets With More Stocks of Sheep During The Holy Month of Ramadan

Within the framework of putting the development strategies of the Ministry of the Business and Trade into practice, and which aim to ensure the flow of the basic food commodities in quantities and prices that suit the size of the domestic market and support the economic and financial situation of the consumer, the Ministry of Business and Trade, in coordination with the relevant official bodies and Qatar Company for Meat & Livestock Trading (Mawashi) launched an initiative to supply markets with more stocks of sheep during the holy month of Ramadan.
This initiative comes amid the current global economic conditions that affect the Livestock Market, and out of the role of the Ministry of the Business and Trade to monitor the global changes that prevent the flow of goods, taking into consideration the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) report on the Food Prices Forecast for June 2011 which stated that a rise of 38% was monitored on the Livestock Prices Index during the period between May 2010 and May 2011.
The report summarized the reasons of this rise as follows :
1 – High grain prices, which limited the profitability of the sector
2 – Adverse weather conditions in late 2010
3 – Drop of the rate of rebuilding herds
4 – Animal Diseases
5 – High input costs
6 – strong recovery of demand
Based on the strong demand of this item during the month of Ramadan in the Middle East, the detailed initiative of the Ministry of Business and Trade was applied a week before the holy month of Ramadan (dated 23/07/2011), and twenty thousand head of Arabic sheep were put to be sold to consumers at 800 QR , and Syrian and Jordanian meat locally slaughtered were provided to butcheries operating in the country to be sold at 42 QR per kilo for the Syrian sheep, and 46 riyals per kilo for the Jordanian one.
In order to ensure the smooth access of this vital commodity to the consumer and to avoid it from being stored or re-sold, a coordination with the relevant authorities for immediate slaughter was made in slaughterhouses in Doha, Al Khor and Al Shamal.
Over twelve days (from 23 / 7 to 3 / 8) 11,037 head of sheep were sold and 1,587 head were slaughtered and provided to the butcheries with a total of 12,624 at a rate of 1,052 sheep per day. Based on the rate of the current consumption and the strong demand for the stocks of sheep, it was decided to add 10,000 head of Arab sheep, a 50% increase to bring the total to 30,000 heads.
HE Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani said this initiative seeks to maintain the purchasing power of households, pointing out that the rise in global prices of food commodities and their fluctuations were the major cause behind the decline in consumption and in family savings, a matter which hinders the continued strength of economic growth in other consumer sectors.
Director of Consumer Protection at the Ministry Sheikh Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani pointed out that there was an abundance of meat inside and outside of the initiative, adding that efforts of coordination will be continued to ensure permanent success of the initiative and to highlight the role of the ministry in preserving consumer rights stipulated by law No. (8) of 2008 on consumer protection, as well as to supply enough meat to meet the high demand on meat during the holy month of Ramadan as well as reduce the additional costs during this month.

The Ministry of Business and Trade’s Decision to Reduce Prices During Ramadan Goes Into Effect Tomorrow

The Ministry of Business and Trade announced that a total of 267 commodities, including food and non-food items will be available at reduced prices in the local market during the Holy month of Ramadan. The reduced prices are intended to go into effect starting from tomorrow Friday 15/07/2011, and will continue until the end of the fasting month.
Major food items included in the list are edible oil, floor, fish and poultry products, milk, frozen vegetables, pastries and juices. Non-food items include foil paper, tissue paper and several hygiene products.
The Ministry has also entered into an agreement with Qatar Meat and Livestock Company- Mawashi- to import 20,000 Jordanian sheep ahead of Ramadan,
The Department of Consumer Protection at the Ministry of Business and Trade assured that intensive inspections will be launched regularly before and during Ramadan to ensure that all traders abide by the price list. Consumers in their turn, have been urged to report any violations of the rule to the Department.
To review the full price list, kindly check the following link :
http://www.mbt.gov.qa/Arabic/Consumer/Documents/قائمة%20اسعار%20شهر%20رمضان%201432%20هـ.pdf