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Issue No 64 WINTER 2015/16 QAR 20
Happy National Day
Season’s Greetings
Marhaba wishes you the best of this double celebration of Qatar National Day and the festive season!
Al Jabor Group Building, C Ring Road, Doha Qatar Tel. 4442 7152 / 4442 7153 Fax +974 4442 7136
We have left the long, scorching summer months behind, and things are now getting livelier around town. Looking for something to do? Take a look at our events calendars both in the book as well as on our website at marhaba.qa. The latter is updated daily so visit regularly to find new and interesting events taking place.
Cover Image Qatar National Day, on 18 December, is a commemoration of the country's unification in 1878. Our events calendar at marhaba.qa will have details of all the festivities happening around town and the evening's celebrations on Doha's Corniche.
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Perhaps you could take a tour around one of the many museums and galleries around town. In fact you might find a trip to the new Msheireb Museums insightful with its unique focus on oral history rather than artefacts – have a look at the feature The Interactive Msheireb Museums in the Special Features section. For a day trip browse through the Sightseeing section – and don’t forget to pick up the Marhaba Pocket Map so you’ll have a handy guide to help you explore. In the Guide, you’ll find related and interesting features in every section – from Gifts They'll Love that helps you gear up for the festive season in the Hospitality section, to A Look Back At 2015 in Special Features, which gives you a round-up of the past year in Qatar. We hope as always that you find the Guide informative and useful. As I sign off, let me wish you an exciting National Day and a wonderful and joyous winter. Season’s Greetings for the holidays! We will see you again in the spring.
marhaba.qa diningqatar.com
MARHABA PUBLICATIONS Marhaba Information Guide
Hilary Bainbridge Managing Editor
Marhaba Dining Guide Marhaba Shopping Guide Marhaba Pocket Map of Doha Marhaba Kaleidoscope Marhaba Calendars Qatar Image eBooks
WELCOME MESSAGE M64.indd 1
AVAILABLE AT • Abu Karbal Bookshop • Bakemart • Carrefour (Dar Al Salam, City Center-Doha, Lagoona, Landmark, Villaggio) • Family Food Centre (Airport Street, Al Mirqab Al Jadeed Street, Al Rayyan Al Jadeed Street) • I Spy Bookstore (City Center-Doha) • Jarir Bookstore (Airport Street, Al Rayyan Al Jadeed Street) • JG Sandwich Cellar • Lulu Hypermarket (Al Gharrafa, Al Khor, D Ring Road) • Lulu Centre • Lulu Express • Mega Mart (The Centre) • Mega Mart Xpress (Al Messila Petrol Station) • Naaz Stores • Virgin Megastore (Landmark, Villaggio) • WH Smith (Hyatt Plaza, Hamad International Airport, Nuaija) • WOQOD Petrol Stations
11/4/15 2:05 PM
State of
Map prepared by Al Ruwais Madinat Al Shamal
Qatar
Al Mafjar
in cooperation with
CGIS
Khidaj Fort
Al Ghariya
Al Jemail Fort
QATAR
BAHRAIN
Al Rekayat Fort
Fuwairit
Al Thaghab Fort Ras Eshairiq
Al Zubara Fort Al Zubara Umrair Fort
Jabal Al Jassasiya
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Ras Girtas
Lehwaila RL Support Services Area
Lisha
Ain Al Numan
Madinat Al Kaaban Leghwairiya
Ras Laffan Industrial City
77
Rawdat Al Faras
Simsima Umm Birka
141
1
Al Suwaihliya
Al Thakhira
amal
Al Sh
Berak Al Soudan
Road
Al Qaaiya Lijmailiya
Ras Abrouq
Al Khor
Al Khor Airfield
14 Umm Qarn
Al Daayen Municipality
Al Nafayid
Simaisma
Umm Al Amad Al Dosari Game Reserve
Bir Zekreet
Dukhan
Umm Slal Ali
Al Otouriya
1A
Barzan Tower
Al Nasraniya
Al Sabbana Dukhan
1
Umm Slal Mohammed
Dukhan R oad
3
Losail Circuit
New Relief Road
Al Shaihaniya Al Salamiya
Sheikh Faisal Farm & Museum
Ain Al Zaghain
33
Al Ruwaidat
Umm Bab
IKEA
Lusail City The Pearl Qatar
Education City
Doha
Al Wajba
New Relief Road
Banana Island
Al Rayyan
Hamad International Airport
Al Sailiya Rawdat Rashed
Al Shabhana
Barwa Barwa Industrial City Village Area
5
Qeezan Al Kharaej
Earth Satellite 'Singing Sand Dunes’ Station
Baidaa Al Qaa
a arr Kh Al
Qawz Al Kharaej Taas Al Darb
Al Kharrara
55
Naqa Abu Birka
Naqa Umm Salama
Sand Dunes Naqa Tuwair Al Hameer Zubarat Al Eraiq
Naqa Zuwayyid
Qeezan Al Eraiq
SAUDI ARABIA
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Sawda Natheel
MARHABA
dR
Shalla
Zubarat Al Masszhabiya Bu Samra
Hamad Port
Naqa Abu Dulou Naqa Felaiha
Riyad Al Marrkh
7
Mesaieed
r
Umm Hawta Hajar Al Eraiq
Al Wakra
Naqa Al Minshatah
a Roa d
Al Karaana
Taas Al Karaana
Al Wukair
aiee
a lw Sa
39
Aqua Park
ad Ro
oad
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Mes
Qaryat Al Muhanna
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Golf Club
Khor Al Adaid
Sealine Beach Resort
5 Nonstop Superhighway 39 Upgraded Highway 7 Dual Carriageway Highway Single Carriageway Highway Qatar Heritage Site Population Centre Vegetation
Discovering Qatar Map of Qatar
83
Leisure Activities
91
Day to Day Qatar
94
Living in Qatar
99
Housing
Qatar at a Glance • • • • •
Geography • History • Climate Language and Religion • The Ruling Family The Qatari Flag • Government • Economy International Relations • Demography Transport and Communications
17 Events December – March 25 Do’s and Don’ts Around Qatar 27 Getting • Al Wajba – The Last Link in the Chain • Arabic Road and Place Names • Qatar’s Landmark Roundabouts • Karwa Taxis • Karwa Limousines
32 33 43 44 45 49 52
Main Urban Centres Doha City and other maps Arabic Phrases Qatar Online Foreign Embassies
Things to see and do in Qatar, from Art and Photography to Organised Tours
Government Online Useful Documents/Processing The Qatar Labour Law Register at Your Embassy Residence/Work Permits Renew a Residence Permit Exit Permits • Identity Cards Health Related Services
• To Rent • Estate/Letting Agents • To Buy • Lawyers and Legal • Relocation Services/Removal Firms • Other Housing Considerations
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Pets
Hamad International Airport
58 Qatar Duty Free and Airport Map 63 Sightseeing
• • • • • • • •
Utilities and Services
• Visas • eCash Cards • Entry Visas • eGate Cards • Car Rental, Taxis and Limousines • Airlines • Travel Agencies
Parking • Arrivals/Departures Lounges • Connectivity Medical Emergencies Travelling with Animals • Duty Free Food and Beverage • The Airport Hotel Medical Emergencies
• Common Courtesies • Accidents and Medical Emergencies • Newspapers • Telephone • Public Wireless Internet • Television and Radio • Places of Worship
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Traveller Information
• • • • • •
Clubs, Societies and Activities, from Arts and Crafts to Parks and Play Zones
• • • • • • •
Water and Electricity Gas Telephone and Internet Postal Services and Mail Courier Services Birth, Marriage and Death Liquor Permit
Discovering Qatar
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• Pets • Exporting a Pet • Microchipping • Private Veterinary Clinics and Services
Features – QAFCO Flower & Vegetable Show All That Glitters Camping in the Desert
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Qatar at a Glance Geography • Qatar is a peninsula of 11,521 sq km located halfway down the west coast of the Arabian Gulf. • The territory encompasses several islands including Halul, Sheraouh, Al Beshairiya, Al Safliya (which is a marine protected area) and Al Aaliya.
• The coastline covers 563 km with shallow coastal waters in most areas and many coves and inlets.
Qatar at a Glance
• The terrain is flat and rocky, covered with sand flats and sand dunes. There are some exceptional low-rising limestone outcrops in the north and the west. • The country is centrally placed among the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which groups it with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.
History
• One of the world’s earliest maps, The Map of Ptolemy in the 2nd century CE, shows the word 'Catara' at the head of the bay.
• Qatar played an important role in the Islamic civilisation when its inhabitants participated in the formation and provision of the first naval fleet.
• In the middle of the 1st century CE, Pliny the Elder referred to the nomads of the area as the 'Catharrei' – an apparent reference to their constant search for water.
• During the 16th century, the Qataris aligned with the Turks to drive out the Portuguese. Subsequently, along with the entire Arabian Peninsula, they fell under the nominal rule of the Ottoman Empire for four successive centuries – with the real power and control remaining in the hands of the sheikhs and princes of local Arab tribes.
Climate
Language and Religion
• The country has a moderate desert climate with mild winters and hot summers. Winter nights can be cool, but temperatures rarely drop below 7°C.
• The official language of the country is Arabic, but English is widely spoken and understood.
• Archaeological discoveries, inscriptions and artefacts prove that Qatar was populated as early as 10,000 – 8,000 BCE.
• Humidity levels can be very high on the coast during the summer months. • Rainfall is scarce (average 70 mm per year), falling on isolated days mainly between October and March.
• All official documents (such as visa and resident permit applications) must be completed in Arabic. • Islam is the official religion of the country, and Shari’a (Islamic Law) is the principal source of legislation.
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QATAR AT A GLANCE M64.indd 1
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The Ruling Family • The Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, assumed power on 25 June 2013.
Qatar at a Glance
His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Emir of the State of Qatar
• The ruling Al Thani family was among a tribal group who had settled at the 'Gibrin' oasis in southern Najd, before their arrival in Qatar during the early 18th century. Initially, they settled in Zubara in northern Qatar, moving to Doha in the mid-19th century. The family is a branch of the ancient Arab tribe, the Bani Tameem, whose descent can be traced back to Mudar bin Nizar. • The name Al Thani is derived from that of the family’s ancestor Thani bin Mohamad bin Thani, who was the first sheikh to rule modern Qatar.
His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Father Emir
The Qatari Flag
• The national flag is maroon with a broad vertical white stripe at the pole, the two colours being separated with a nine-point serrated line which indicates Qatar as the ninth member of the 'reconciled Emirates' of the Gulf, after the 1916 Qatar-British Treaty. His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
• White signifies the internationally recognised symbol of peace. Maroon symbolises the blood shed during the several wars that Qatar has undergone, particularly in the second half of the 19th century.
Government • The Emir is the ruler of Qatar. Rule is hereditary, with power transferred from father to son. If no son is available, power is transferred to the person whom the Emir chooses within the Al Thani family. • The Emir is the head of the constitutional authorities, holding both legislative and executive powers. The Emir appoints the prime minister and ministers. • The Council of Ministers (Cabinet), the supreme executive authority in the country, assists in implementing the general policies of the State. • A 35-member Advisory Council debates economic, political and administrative matters referred to it by the Cabinet. • The constitutional development of Qatar has kept pace with the rapid development and economic growth of the country. 12
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QATAR AT A GLANCE M64.indd 2
• The first provisional constitution was issued in 1970, and amended in 1972 upon independence. In April 2003, an overwhelming 96.6% of Qatari voters said 'yes' to a draft permanent constitution which became effective on 8 June 2005, transforming Qatar into a democracy. • In 1999, free elections were held to form a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC) for the first time in Qatar’s history. Women were allowed to vote and run as candidates. CMC elections (held every four years) last took place in May 2015. The constitution was amended in 2003 to allow for the direct election of 30 members of the Advisory Council. The Fifth Central Municipal Council Election was held in May 2015. The number of listed voters reached 21,735. Voting was conducted in 26 constituencies after three candidates won by acclamation. The percentages of voter turnout in constituencies was 69.8%.
MARHABA
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What's on at Museum of Islamic Art (MIA)
Events December – March
Until 9 Jan 2016
The Hunt: Princely Pursuits in Islamic Lands (pictured) The act of hunting, rich with symbolism and pageantry, was an essential element in the lifestyle of rulers throughout the Islamic world. There are many images of the hunt found in Islamic art, in illustrated manuscripts, inlaid metalwork or colourful ceramics. There are also other representations, with the ‘good king’ playing polo, fighting his enemies, and leading great feasts. These artworks were frequently commissioned and exhibited for royal display.
Until Qajar Women – Images of Women in 19th Century Iran 11 June 2016 The exhibition demonstrates the centrality of women in the artistic expression of 19th-century Iran and how it continues to inspire contemporary artists. Showcasing women at the court and in private, alongside images of female musicians and aristocratic women, with rarely-told narratives of the Qajar artistic tradition. In addition to the traditional art objects and photographs, a number of reproductions of contemporary artworks are also on display.
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Every Saturday
MIA Park Bazaar A vibrant mix of around 150 stalls featuring homemade and handmade products such as jewellery, arts, crafts and clothing as well as books and souvenirs, from 12 pm – 8 pm.
5 Dec
Introduction to Islamic Art An allday workshop giving participants a theoretical and practical introduction to Islamic Art. Participants will learn the fundamentals of Islamic Art: geometry, calligraphy, and Islimi (floral design), as well as gilding.
16 Dec
Islamic Art Collectors Club Provides a venue for collectors and everyone who is excited by Islamic art to explore ideas and learn more about Islamic artworks, their display and care.
The Museum has a number of workshops to keep the young ones entertained!
23 Dec
Majlis Book Club Read and discuss a wide variety of books – the topics link Islamic Art history, museums and collections, and regional artistic themes. A new text is chosen for each meeting.
Free admission. MIA runs many art workshops related to the exhibitions, as well as calligraphy groups and museum tours. 4422 4444, mia.org.qa C4
17 – 19
Run the World Festival This year celebrating its fifth anniversary! An initiative of The Youth Company, RTWF is designed to encourage the youth of Qatar to lead an active, athletic and a healthy lifestyle, and coincides with National Day festivities. At Aspire Zone Foundation. facebook.com/rtwfestival
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Do's and Don'ts
Do not take pictures of people, as well as police or armed forces without permission. Arab women and many older people strongly object to being photographed.
Please don't...
use greetings and formalities as they are particularly important when dealing with Arabs. It is considered impolite to start any conversation or request without at least saying 'Good Morning'. Make an effort to learn about the ways, traditions, customs and religion of your host country.
look or stare at people closely no matter how fascinating their dress! This general courtesy is particularly imporatant in a society where modesty in dress and behaviour is mandatory.
dress modestly in Qatar, which is a Muslim country with conservative dress codes. Loose trousers are acceptable for women, but avoid shorts and short skirts, strappy low-cut tops, see‑through and transparent clothes. hail Alijarah, Al Million, Cars Taxi and Karwa turquoise taxis, which are safe, clean and metered. The majority of the drivers speak English. When ordering a taxi by phone do so well in advance as delays can occur. bargain with shopkeepers which is the norm here in the souqs. Always counter the original offer with a lower price than you expect to pay and work slowly upwards to what you wish to spend. watch out for separate counters and sections for women in banks and utility companies. enjoy Qatar at night as it is one of the safest places in the world. During the hot summer and Ramadan you will see people around town well into the early hours of the morning. drink plenty of water in addition to other beverages. At temperatures reaching over 40°C you need at least two litres a day. Deep yellow urine is a sign of dehydration. use a high-factor sunblock on all exposed skin year round. Don't forget the tops of your feet if wearing sandals! Children and fair-skinned people also need a hat or cap. remember the air-conditioning, which can chill you at restaurants, cinemas and malls. Take along a light jacket, sweater or shawl as a precaution.
ask an Arab lady for information or directions if you are a man. Respect the fact some Arab ladies are private people in public places. They are more than willing to help other women, so if you are in a mixed group, let the women do the talking! be offended if your handshake is refused by a Muslim. Handshakes are most often refused to members of the opposite sex. It is not meant personally, but simply a religious prohibition applicable to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. take a photograph without permission of people (including the police or armed forces) or sensitive sites. Arab women and many older people strongly object to being photographed. be annoyed if your guest/contact is late – just remember time is more elastic in Qatar. use your left hand for eating when in the company of Muslims. The right hand is considered more appropriate as the left hand is reserved for personal hygiene. sit with the soles of your shoes or feet facing towards your Qatari hosts; it is considered insulting. Equally, don’t sit with your back to other guests. drink too much alcohol so that your behaviour is affected in public. Alcohol in Qatar is a strictly regulated concession and there is zero tolerance for drink-driving, drunkenness or rowdy behaviour. go barefoot in the sea where stonefish lie camouflaged along the shoreline. Although rare, the poisonous defence mechanism causes excruciating pain and needs a hospital visit. Also be on the lookout for jellyfish, particularly in the summer months. m ©
DO'S & DON'TS M64.indd 1
Do's and Don'ts
Please do...
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Main Urban Centres
Main Urban Centres
Qatar's main centres of urban development are a combination of the rapidly expanding Al Dafna area (pictured) in Doha, long established sites and new industrial cities associated with the oil and gas industry. Some, including Al Khor, Al Wakra and Al Shamal, will be the site of new or redeveloped stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™. Find more places to visit in Sightseeing (in this section). The growing network of modern roads makes most places easy to reach. Qatar's only land border (with Saudi Arabia) is at Bu Samra in the southwest. Our country map showing major towns and highways is on page 6
Doha City The capital city is situated on a calm bay halfway along the east coast of the Qatar peninsula. Its two municipalities of Doha and Al Rayyan house the majority of the population. The seven-kilometre Corniche links the cultural centres of Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art with the glittering towers of the Al Dafna business and residential district. Doha is the administrative, commercial and cultural centre of Qatar, providing modern amenities while at the same time preserving its past. Map of Doha on page 36
Al Khor and Al Wakra – Former Pearl and Fishing Centres Al Khor provides a pleasant weekend break from Doha, and is easily reached on Route 1A leaving the city at Doha Golf Club or Route 1 Al Shamal Road. There are play areas and sun shelters along the Al Corniche, as well as photo opportunities at the old fishing harbour and the nearby mangroves, which are full of bird life. There is a small museum in the old police station, showing early life in this small town, as well as some archaeological discoveries from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Large public gardens to the north of Al Khor (signposted from Al Shamal Road) also attract weekend picnickers. Al Farkiya Beach is another development just outside Al Khor: see the Sightseeing section for more information. Al Khor Community is home to a large expatriate population working in Ras Laffan Industrial City. Map of Al Khor on page 34 Al Wakra is notable for its bustling fishing harbour and is just 10 minutes' drive south of the capital on Route 7. It has become a popular commuter suburb and several private schools have relocated there. Numerous mosques, old minarets, forts and wind towers offer some of the finest examples 32
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of traditional architecture – see Abu Manaratain Mosque and House of Sheikh Ghanim bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in the Sightseeing section. The new heritage village, Souq Waqif Al Wakra, is now partially open, with a few shops and some restaurants along the beach. Just inland from the beach is a fenced and beautifully landscaped park, with a children's play area. Map of Al Wakra on page 40
Qatar Petroleum's Industrial Cities Dukhan Industrial City is the oldest development founded after the discovery of oil in the surrounding fields during the 1930s. The centre of onshore operations is undergoing a QAR1.6 billion plan to cover all aspects of urban development. Mesaieed Industrial City is in the southeast of the country. It is the centre of the petrochemical industry with a major seaport and a commercial port. It is undergoing a USD400 million renovation plan by Qatar Petroleum (QP). The town centre has a striking QP building and, beside it, a group of shops and restaurants, used by visitors to Sealine Beach Resort, Khor Al Adaid and other beaches and dunes before and after their adventures. Map on page 41 and Map of Southeast coast on page 42 Ras Laffan Industrial City covers 294 sq km and lies on the coast 80 km north of Doha. A part of QP's Industrial Cities Directorate, this purpose-built industrial city has the largest gas exportation seaport and gas liquefaction plants in the Gulf region and is one of the biggest industrial cities in the world. Access is by invitation only. Find out more about these cities and Qatar's energy industries in the Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals section. Map of Northeast coast (Doha to Ras Laffan) on page 33 m
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Arabic Phrases Arabs place great importance on greetings, often greeting each other with a number of ritual phrases and fixed responses enquiring about each other’s health, wellbeing and family. As a courtesy, it is important for visitors to learn the basics of how to say hello and goodbye when in their company.
Courtesies/Responses assalam alaykum wa’alaykum salam sabah al khair sabah al noor massa al khair massa al noor marhaba / ya hala marhabatain ma’a salaamah Allah yesalmik kaif haalak? zain, al hamdu lillah wa ant? al hamdu lillah shukran afwan min fadlak tafaddal na’am or aiwa / la ana muta' assef mabrook ramadan kareem eid mubarak
Days of the Week Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
yum yum yum yum yum yum yum
al al al al al al al
ahad ithnain thalatha arba’a khamees jum’a sabt
Time What time is it? a-sa’a kam? One, two, three a-sa’a wahda, o’clock thintain, etc. Late mut’akhar Early mubakkar Tomorrow bukra The day after ba’ad bukra Yesterday ams What time is the appointment? as-sa'a kam al mawidd? When do you open/close? mata taftahoon/tosakkiroon?
Look! Where is? On your right On your left Straight on Stop! Go! Come! Let's go! Tell me When? Bring me/give This That There isn’t any No problem There is no time Impossible Finished God willing (as in 'All being well') For sure Certainly
Insh'Allah Wallah / akeed Wallaahi
10 a'ashara 11 ihda ashar 12 ithna ashar 20 ashareen 50 khamseen 100 mi’a 200 mi'atain 1,000 elf 2,000 elfain 10,000 a'asharat elaf
Essential Foods
Shopping/Eating Out
Bread Water Tea/Coffee Milk Fish Meat Chicken Cheese Fruit Vegetables
Where is the market? wain al souq? I want to buy... areed ashtiri... Do you have ...? andak…? Have/Don’t have fi/mafi How much is it? kam qeemtah? Cheap/Expensive rakhees/ghali Newspaper/Book jareeda/kitaab Map of Doha khareeta al doha Bank bank Money Exchange surrafa Restaurant mataam What kind of food? ay ta'am ladaikum? Toilets al hammam
khubbuz maa, moya chai/gahwa haleeb samak laham dejaj jubna fawakih khudrawat
Travel I want a taxi areed taxi How much is the taxi? kam al ijar? I want to rent a car areed asta'jer sayyara Where is the airline office? wain maktab at tayaran? Take us to the airport khuthna ilal matar
Emergencies Please help me Police station I’m feeling ill I need a doctor I need a hospital Ambulance Pharmacy There's a fire ©
ARABIC PHRASES M64.indd 1
Numbers 0 0 sifr 1 1 wahad 2 2 ithnain 3 3 thalatha 4 4 arba’a 5 5 khamsa 6 6 sitta 7 7 saba’a 8 8 thamanya 9 9 tissa’a
shuff! wain? ala yameenak ala shamalak alatool qif! imshi! ta’al! yalla! qulli mata? or emta? jeeb hatha hathaak mafi mafi mushkila mafi waqt mush mumkin khallas
Arabic Phrases
Peace be upon you And upon you be peace Good morning May your morning be bright Good afternoon/evening May your afternoon/evening be bright Welcome A double welcome to you Go in peace May Allah save you How are you? Well, by Allah’s grace And you? By God’s grace Thanks Not at all / Welcome Please Please (as in 'please sit down') Yes / No I'm sorry Congratulations Ramadan blessings Eid blessings
MARHABA
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Foreign Embassies in Qatar Afghanistan B3 4493 2319
Greece B3 4412 8150 mfa.gr/doha
Albania A4 4002 7413 ambasadat.gov.al/qatar
China (People's Republic of) B3 4493 4203 qa.china-embassy.org
Hungary B3 4493 2531 mission.doh@mfa.gov.hu
Algeria B3 4483 8729 embalgeria.com.qa
Costa Rica C3 4498 0094 costaricaﾂｭembassy窶倉atar.net
India D4 4425 5777 indianembassyqatar.gov.in
Argentina B3 4016 2666 eqatr@mrecic.gov.ar
Croatia B3 4483 5188 croemb.doha@mvep.hr
Indonesia D3 4465 7945 kemlu.go.id/doha
Austria C3 4421 5541 doha-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Cuba B3 4411 0713 cubadiplomatica.cu/qatar
Iran B3 4483 5300 doha.mfa.ir
Azerbaijan A3 4493 2450 azembassy.qa
Cyprus B3 4493 4390 kyprosdoha@cyprusembassy.org.qa
Iraq C3 4421 6146 mofamission.gov.iq/qat
Bahrain B3 4483 9360 mofa.gov.bh/doha
Djibouti B3 4493 4657/8461 ambdji.sec@gmail.com
Italy B3 4483 1802/1828 ambdoha.esteri.it
Bangladesh E3 4467 1927 bdembassydoha.com
Dominican Republic A3 4411 3868 domrepemb-qatar.com
Japan B3 4484 0888 qa.emb-japan.go.jp
Belarus B3 4469 0989 qatar@mfa.gov.by
Ecuador B3 4016 1800 eecucatar@mmrree.gob.ec
Jordan B3 4483 2202 jordan@qatar.net.qa
Belgium B3 4493 1499 diplomatie.belgium.be/qatar
Egypt B3 4483 2115 fb.com/egyptianembassyindoha
Kazakhstan B3 4412 8015 kazembqatar.com
Benin (Republic of) B3 4493 0128 ambabenin-doha@hotmail.com
El Salvador A3 4411 0195 esvq@rree.gob.sv
Kenya B3 4493 1870 kenyaembassydoha.com
Bosnia and Herzegovina B3 4411 3828 bhembassyqatar.org
Eritrea E4 Tel 4466 7934 Fax 4466 4139
Korea (Republic of) B3 4483 2238/9 qat.mofa.go.kr
Brazil B3 4483 8227/8812 doha.itamaraty.gov.br
Ethiopia B3 4020 7000 ethiopiaembassyindoh.wix.com
Kuwait B3 4483 2111
Brunei B2 4483 1962/1956 mofat.gov.bn
France B3 4402 1777 ambafrance-qa.org
Lebanon B3 4493 3330 lebanonembassy.org.qa
Bulgaria B3 4412 0023 mfa.bg/embassies/qatar/
Gambia E4 4465 7780 gam.emb@hotmail.com
Liberia B3 4412 5672 libemg.doha@yahoo.com
Georgia B3 4473 9499 qatar.mfa.gov.ge
Libya B3 Tel 4493 2556 Fax 4483 9407
Germany C3 4408 2300 doha.diplo.de
Macedonia B3 4493 1374 missions.gov.mk/doha
Canada C3 4419 9000 dohag@international.gc.ca Central African Republic B4 4481 7695 ambrcadoha@gmail.com
kuwaitembassy@qatar.net.qa
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Foreign Embassies in Qatar
doha@afghanistan-mfa.net
Chad B4 4483 0968 ambtchadqatar@yahoo.com
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Archaeological Sites, Forts and Ruins If you want an insight into Qatar’s history, culture and heritage, then visit one of the archaeological sites or old forts. Some of these heritage sites have been partially restored, while others exist as ruins or excavation sites. The location of forts can be found on the Marhaba map of Qatar. Visit the Qatar Museums website, qm.org.qa
Al Jumail Village
freshwater well in the fort itself and the scattered remains of a village close to the fort support this assumption. In addition, the fort was a secure place for the nearby population in case of potential conflicts between tribes.
On the northwest coast of Qatar lies the small traditional but ruined village of Al Jumail. It was inhabited by the Al Kubaisi family. It is a favourite weekend destination for local families, since it represents their heritage, history, the roots and origin of their ancestors.
Al Ghuwair Castle
Al Thaqab Fort
The ruins of this 19th century rectangular fort lie 85 km northwest of Doha.
Al Thaqab fort lies about 10 km from Al Zubara, on the eastern side of the road. With finds such as fragments of pottery and Indian glass bangles, the fort could possibly date back to the 19th century. However the houses that surround it may indicate an earlier date.
Al Huwaila Fort Prior to the development of Al Zubara (also written as Al Zubarah) and Doha, Al Huwaila was Qatar’s principal town and is 29 km north of Al Khor. The fort was built during the early Islamic period and was occupied by Al Musallam members of the Bani Khalid family in the 18th century.
Al Khor Tower and Museum The tower can be seen overlooking the corniche at Al Khor. It was built in 1900. Nearby is the museum – learn about the myth of Ghilan and Mae, the region’s first female pirate, and see the displays of marine life.
Al Koot Fort B5
Al Koot means both fort and jail. The building is on Jassim bin Mohammed Street, adjacent to Souq Waqif car park. It was built in 1880 as a police station, became a jail in 1906, and is now a museum. It was renovated in the 1970s and many of the original features were lost.
Al Rakayat Fort A one-hour drive northwest of Doha you'll discover an area of forts, traditional architecture and old villages. Al Rakayat is one of several desert forts dating back to the 19th century. Located on the road between Al Zubara and Madinat Al Shamal, it is one of the few forts that were renovated in the 1980s. The restoration was done carefully so that the fort resembles the original structure. The remains of the original fort can still be seen in the courtyard. Al Rakayat means 'well' in Arabic, therefore it is believed that the fort was built to protect the essential sources of water. The existence of a
Thaqab means the 'water in the bottom of the valley after rain'. Al Thaqab fort is one of the forts that were renovated in the 1980s but unfortunately, not authentically and carefully enough. In proximity to the fort, towards the west, there is a deep well that has been in use since 1911. The water is pumped out rather than hauled up in buckets, the latter representing an old and traditional custom still in practice today. Al Thaqab is a typical desert fort built of rough limestone blocks or flat slabs of beach-rocks (faroush), with three round corner towers and one rectangular tower. The inside of the fort, typically, was used by villagers to store food and water in case they were besieged.
Al Wajbah Fort One of Qatar’s oldest forts; it was the site of a famous battle in 1893 when Sheikh Qassim bin Mohammed Al Thani defeated the Ottomans.
Al Zubara and Fort Al Zubara Archaeological Site is Qatar’s largest heritage site. It was recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered to be one of the best-preserved examples of an 18–19th century merchant town in the Gulf region. A historic coastal town that is now abandoned, Al Zubara is situated approximately 100 km northwest of Doha. Founded in the mid-18th century, the town developed into a centre for pearling and international trade, and rose to become the country’s largest and most important settlement. ©
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Sightseeing
The village comprises a set of important traditional buildings, including a small mosque with its minaret still intact. This village dates back to the second half of the 19th century and was inhabited until the beginning of the 20th century.
The Al Rakayat fort follows the typical plan of a desert fort: it has three rectangular towers and a round one. Around the three sides of the large central courtyard are aligned narrow rooms without windows, but with doors that open to the courtyard. The only entrance to the fort is located in the southern front wall.
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Pets
Living in Qatar
Health certificates are required for the import and export of animals, and there are strict controls on the movements of endangered species. The Municipality's Department for Animal Resources operates a large veterinary clinic on Airport Street D4 as well as two smaller branches in Al Rayyan and Al Shamal. For the Department of Animal Resources call 4456 0444 and for the Main Veterinary Clinic call 4456 0435, or send mail to PO Box 23211. There are free vaccination and trap/neuter/return services for cats and dogs. All animals should be microchipped – the department also offers this service as do all the veterinary clinics in Qatar. Cremation: Available for domestic pets at the Animal Resources Centre and arranged through your veterinary clinic. Cost QAR1,000, at Hamad General Hospital.
Importing a Pet Pets may be imported as cargo or excess baggage. If you ship your pet as cargo, it will go to Hamad International Airport’s special facility for pets where it will be cared for until it clears customs. However you choose to import your pet, you will need a permit from the Department of Animal Resources. You can get this up to two weeks before the date of travel and it is valid for one month. To get an import permit, your pet will need a rabies vaccination certificate and a health certificate issued by a government vet in the country of origin. You cannot obtain an import permit from outside the country, so it is recommended that you use one of Qatar’s pet relocation specialists to handle the importation. Short-nosed cats and dogs (eg Persians and Pugs) are embargoed on many airlines, including Qatar Airways. Your pet's travel kennel must comply with the IATA regulations, iata.org. Some dog breeds are banned in Qatar – check with a pet relocator specialist.
Exporting a Pet All pets must be vaccinated against rabies and must be microchipped. You will then need to arrange rabies serology tests to obtain the necessary certification. You are strongly advised to check all health requirements and regulations with relevant government authorities and the relevant country well ahead of time. Contact your local vet, animal support organisation and pet relocator specialist in Qatar and refer to the relevant countries' government website. 108
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Airlines require a health certificate, obtainable from the Animal Resources department. You will need to take your pet for an examination and show current vaccination records. The export document is valid for only seven days. Present it at the QNT Office in the Cargo Section at Hamad International Airport at least five days before you wish your pet to travel and book a flight there. You will need to pay the full fare plus handling charges at this stage. Your pet needs a travel kennel that complies with the airline’s regulations. As regulations and requirements relating to the import and export of pets are subject to change, it is recommended that you contact a pet relocator specialist to help you. m
Private Veterinary Clinics and Services ✔ Indicates microchipping services are available Dr Faris Al Timimi Clinic (Katara) 4408 1492, drfarisaltimimiclinic.com ✔ Laws for Paws (Lucille Berger) 5521 5843, see Facebook page for details Pampered Pets Kennels & Cattery 5588 4132, ppkdoha.net Park View Pet Center 4417 1560, parkviewpetcenter.net ✔ Qatar Veterinary Centre 4016 1366, 4498 9620, qatarvet.com ✔ Qatar Pet Relocators 5528 6335, qatarpetrelocators.com ✔ Qatar Pet Travel 5542 4030, qatarpettravel.com ✔ The Veterinary Surgery 4436 7187, dohavets.com ✔
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Infrastructure Infrastructure in Qatar n overview of local infrastructure, with details of A ongoing megaprojects and new developments, and contact information for contractors.
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Feature – Worker Relations
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Map of Infrastructure Projects
Housing and recreational facilities for workers in Qatar are constantly improving, thanks to reforms by the government and investment by construction companies.
Locations of the main projects in Qatar
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Infrastructure in Qatar Under QNV 2030, all new projects should provide a high standard of living for future generations, with investments in education and research, healthcare, transport and industry. This will enable Qatar to sustain its own development by 2030. Qatar has laid out plans for a bold new future with the construction of an integrated transport system, a major overhaul of roads and highways, drainage and sewage, and the renovation of downtown Doha.
Economic Strategy
Qatar National Vision As arguably the world’s fastest‑growing economy, Qatar recognises the importance of diversification and sustainability. It also acknowledges the inherent challenges of a rapidly‑increasing population, further industrialisation, and the resultant need for an ever-expanding infrastructure. To confront and manage those challenges in an effective manner, an ambitious and far‑sighted policy document, Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030, was first published in 2008. Based on the guiding principles of the Permanent Constitution, it defined the nation’s medium‑to‑long-term objectives and created a framework for sustainable national strategies. The first wave of specific actions and targets in the next chapter of Qatar’s transformation were defined in the Qatar National Development Strategy (NDS) 2011–2016. The aim is to transform Qatar into an advanced, vibrant, caring and prosperous nation by the year 2030. Crucial considerations include balancing the needs of this generation with those of the future; managing growth to prevent uncontrolled expansion; and moulding the nature and size of an appropriate expatriate workforce. QNV 2030 rests on four pillars – Human, Social, Economic and Environmental Development – each with clearly defined individual long‑term outcomes yet important inter‑relationships. Qatar’s human capital is recognised as its greatest asset. QNV 2030 stresses the important roles of education, health and sport in expanding the opportunities and capabilities of all the people of Qatar, enabling them to develop and sustain a prosperous knowledge‑driven society.
According to the International Monetary Fund, Qatar is making good progress towards its aim of achieving 100% budget financing through revenues from the non-hydrocarbon sectors by 2020. It predicts robust economic performance in the period 2013–2016, with average GDP growth of about 5.3%, well above regional and global levels. By 2016, non‑hydrocarbon revenue is expected to represent around 56% of total income. Infrastructural spending is being further boosted in advance of Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA World CupTM, an event expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors at the time and to dramatically increase tourism both before and after the event. The Ministry of Labour indicates that the demand for workers has been rising ever since Qatar’s bid victory in 2010. Qatar’s economy has been significantly boosted by growth in the oil, gas and petrochemicals industries. However the government is taking steps to diversify economic development elsewhere. Education, sports, medical and cultural tourism are being developed and Qatar is emerging as a major player in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) market.
Conferences and Exhibitions As an increasingly influential player in the region’s MICE market, Qatar opened a major facility in 2011. The Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), a member of Qatar Foundation, is an iconic venue in terms of both design and green technology. The Centre, which meets the standards for Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council’s ©
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Infrastructure in Qatar
Tunnel Boring Machines
Qatar’s Economic Development plans aim to create and sustain a competitive and diversified economy capable of meeting the needs of, and securing a high standard of living for, its population now and in the future.
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Hospitality, Hotels & Dining Tourism in Qatar
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Places to Stay
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Feature – Sleigh Bells Ring
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What’s On at Hotels
All you need to know about celebrating the festive season in Qatar!
InterContinental Doha La Cigale Hotel Sharq Village & Spa Four Seasons Hotel Doha Wyndham Grand Regency Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha
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Details of places to eat and drink in Qatar, from fine dining establishments to fast food outlets
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Sleigh Bells Ring The festive season is celebrated with a bang in the hotels, with many offering Christmas Eve and Day brunches and New Year's Eve celebrations. But getting out and about is not just for these special events – make every day and night out special! The contact details for the hotels can be found in Places to Stay in this section and more details can be found on the What's On pages. Also make sure you keep up to date with the latest news at marhaba.qa
Sleigh Bells Ring
Merry Christmas! What can be more fun than seeing the Christmas tree being lit up for the first time, with carol singers crooning in the background and a warm mince pie to munch on? Every year the ceremony exceeds the previous year's, with bigger trees and more lights, Father Christmas somehow appearing in every hotel lobby with his troop of elves! The event usually takes place in the early evening, and children can take their letters to give to Santa while Mum and Dad enjoy a relaxing hot chocolate. Aside from the tree lighting ceremonies, you can expect to find a wide range of seasonal gifts and goodies on offer, from traditional Stollen to yule logs and chocolate caddies, all beautifully wrapped. Also at the start of the month, some of the local groups and organisations will be holding bazaars and seasonal get‑togethers – these will be posted on our Events Calendar at marhaba.qa, so no need to worry about missing out.
enjoy everything from Middle Eastern specialities to Italian, Greek, steaks and buffets, with live entertainment thrown in and activities to keep the younger ones entertained. Various price options are available but be warned, restaurants will be booked up fast. With the good weather you will also be able to sit outside – take plenty of pictures to make your friends back home jealous. For those wishing to throw their own party on the big day, lighten the load by letting other people do the work for you. Turkeys and the trimmings are available to order from most of the major hotels, as well as other specialities such as gingerbread houses, Yule logs and festive flower arrangements. Still too much hard work? Then procure the services of an outside catering team – events can be held at your own home or you can hire a private entertainment space at a hotel. Either way, you have the fun and someone else can clear up!
If you're planning to stay here over the Christmas period, take advantage of the many sumptuous dining options available. The range of choices on Christmas Eve and the day itself is simply staggering. Needless to say there will be plenty of opportunities to get your fill of traditional dishes like turkey and all the trimmings, but why not expand your gastronomic horizons with a a multi‑course set menu at one of the five‑star hotels. Otherwise you will be able to ©
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Dining in Qatar Reflecting its multicultural society, Qatar has a huge range of cuisines to choose from. Venues range from tiny cafeterias with just a couple of tables, to gourmet restaurants in the finest locations. Many international franchises have branches countrywide for those addicted to certain brands. Check out the Marhaba Dining Guide, now available in the stores and also as an eBook at marhaba.qa/eguides. Keep up to date with news and reviews from the gourmet world on our dining website, DiningQatar.com
Dining at home
Dining in Qatar
A large number of restaurants offer a takeaway service; this will often include home delivery, usually with a nominal delivery fee included. Many restaurants and hotels also provide a full outside catering service for special occasions, including chefs, wait staff and table settings. And they will clear up afterward, so there's no need to worry about the washing up!
Helpful hints Grabbing a bite around town There are many local and international fast food and coffee outlets, often with a drive-through service. Almost every street and souq has a juice stall selling fresh juices and sandwiches. Try Middle Eastern snacks, both savoury and sweet, with a cup of karak, the local hot sweet and milky tea.
When down at Doha’s Corniche, take the opportunity of dining at IDAM at the Museum of Islamic Art, Alain Ducasse’s first restaurant in the Middle East, with décor designed by Philippe Starck. The recently opened Meliá Doha hotel has added to the number of fine dining options available, with Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor (Indian) (pictured above), Nidaaya (an international buffet restaurant), Le Pool Lounge, Aceite (Spanish), Noir (cocktail bar), and Riqqa, a modern casual coffee shop offering a selection of delightful international specialities like gourmet sandwiches, salads, mezzeh and snacks.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has made it illegal for businesses to include a service charge, but for extra special service feel free to tip. Many restaurants have a family section for those dining with children, and there are some with closed-off rooms should you require extra privacy or need to entertain a group of people. Restaurants are generally no smoking zones, though some licensed restaurants may have both a smoking and a non-smoking section. Friday and Saturday brunch is a Doha institution, popular with both locals and expatriates, and is widely available both in hotels and at outlets around town. The legal minimum age for drinking alcohol in Qatar is 21. Your ID may be requested if dining at a licensed restaurant, as well as at bars and clubs, so remember to take your passport or Qatar Residence Card. Some clubs and bars will ask you to pay a joining fee, and issue a membership card to use on return visits. m
An adventure in food Launched in July 2015, DiningQatar.com is a foodie’s guide to restaurants in Qatar. Inspired by Marhaba Dining Guide, the website provides comprehensive information on restaurants, including opening hours, a map, dress code and whether they accept credit cards. Moreover, the strong social networking aspect of the website involving active participation of food bloggers and customers makes it a credible source of information. DiningQatar.com allows users/visitors to search for restaurants by region, cuisine type, budget, and customer ratings. The blog section lists the latest foodie news. And – the highlight – are the video profiles of restaurants featuring the facilities, restaurant manager and chef. Bookmark the website and follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest on dining in Qatar. Facebook.com/DiningQatar
@DiningQatar
@DiningQatar
The following pages list some of the places to eat and drink in Qatar. ©
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CUISINE
BREAKFAST
Horizon Manor Hotel 4445 5444 Sarangi Indian ✔ InterContinental Doha 4484 4444 Belgian Café Belgian, pub food ✘ Coral All Day Dining International ✔ Fish Market Seafood ✘ Mykonos Mediterranean ✘ Paloma Tex‑Mex ✘ InterContinental Doha The City 4015 8888 Hwang Pan Asian ✘ Prime Meat lovers ✘ Strata Mediterranean, Japanese-inspired ✘ The Square Asian, European, Middle Eastern ✔ K108 Hotel 4433 3000 Yum Yum French ✔ Kempinski Residences & Suites 4405 3325 Aroma European ✔ La Cigale Hotel, Doha 4428 8888 Di Capri Italian ✘ Le Central Mediterranean ✘ Le Cigalon International, Lebanese specialities ✔ Yen Sushi Bar Japanese ✘ Marsa Malaz Kempinski 4035 5555 Al Sufra Middle Eastern ✘ Antica Pesa Italian ✘ El Faro Spanish tapas ✘ Sawa European, Mediterranean ✔ Toro Toro Pan Latin ✘
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Shopping
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Where to Shop Listings Telephone numbers and location details for some of the most popular retail outlets
Shopping in Qatar • • • •
New in Town • Malls • Souqs and Small Shops • Mall Listings Hypermarkets and Supermarkets • Department Stores The Wholesale Food Markets • The Pearl‑Qatar • Barwa Village Food, Glorious Food • Souqs
Map of Souq Area Finding your way around the souqs has never been easier
High End Shopping Telephone numbers and location details for some of Qatar’s most luxurious retail outlets
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Map of The Pearl‑Qatar
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Feature – Gifts They’ll Love
Shopping
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Your guide to retail outlets and more at The Pearl‑Qatar
A round-up of what to buy for the important people in life – whether they have everything or not!
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Where to Shop
Where to Shop
Furnishing Al Mana Maples (Al Asiri Interch) D3 4448 9090 4413 1188 Articles (Royal Plaza) D3 5561 4573 Artifacts of Arabia (Umm Slal Mohd) 4482 2190 BHS Home (City Center-Doha) C3 4483 8509 City Lifestyle (City Center-Doha) C3 Habitat (Airport Street) D4 4448 9982 Homecentre (Nr Jaidah Flyover) D3 4435 5300 4467 8777 ID Design (The Mall) E4 800 4532 Ikea (Doha Festival City) A1 Maya Paris (The Pearl-Qatar) A4 4495 3876 KA International Various locations 4468 2618 Simex Trading (DaVinci, Kids House) E2 4441 4447
Gifts and Souvenirs Audio Visual/Computers/Electronics Almana & Partners (Philips) D3 Almuftah Group C3 Domasco (Astron) F4 Darwish Trading (Kenwood, Hoover) Emax Various locations Lifetrons (Royal Plaza) D3 Mannai Trading Co (Salwa Road) D3 Starlink Various locations Veho (Royal Plaza) D3
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Al Mushiri (Al Khaleej Street) D3 Artifacts of Arabia (Umm Slal Mohd)
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Bookshops, Stationery and Art Supplies Abu Karbal Bookshop D3 Colour Note Company D3 Events (Royal Plaza) D3 Gulf Greetings Various locations I Spy Bookshop (City Center-Doha) C3 Jarir Bookstore Various locations Naaz Store (Matar Qadeem) A6
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Chocolates and Sweets Chopin (City Center-Doha) C3 4483 Edible Arrangements Various locations 4491 4432 FAUCHON (Salwa Road) B5 Patchi Various locations 4469 Patisserie Suisse Various locations 4432
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Jewellery and Watches Al Jaber Watches (The Mall) E4 Al Muftah Jewellery (Al Sadd Street) D3 Awal Jewellery (Gold Souq) D3 Damas Various locations Domasco Various locations Marhaba Jewellery (Gold Souq) D3 Pearl Gallery Various locations Tribal Gems (Gold Souq) D3
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Kitchenware Aida (Royal Plaza) D3 Articles (Royal Plaza) D3 Daiso (Hyatt Plaza) D1 Lakeland Various locations Table Arts (Lagoona) A3 Tavola (City Center-Doha) C3
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Special Features A Look Back at 2015
Interactive Msheireb 218 The Museums
A round-up of events and news from the last year, and an insight into the continual investment Qatar is making in healthcare, education and infrastructure.
208 A World-Class Venue
Four heritage buildings form part of Msheireb Museums telling stories of human perseverance and domestic family life in Doha before and after the discovery of oil.
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The newest events venue in town, The Doha Exhibition and Conference Center, opened its doors in November, offering state-of-the-art facilities in the heart of the business district.
210 Sadu Weaving in Qatar
Qatar continues to make in-roads into solar energy, with developments in technology and more institutions adopting this energy source.
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The Bedouins are renowned for their sadu weaving – learn more about this vital piece of Arab heritage.
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Living Off The Grid
Correctional Care
Freestyle Aquatics: Empowering People
Special Features
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Freestyle Aquatics is an aquatics programme that includes swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving for the physically disabled population.
Qatar believes in the rehabilitation of prisoners, and offers custodial care to both adults and children who find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Š
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18 December 1878 marks the day Sheikh Jassim acceded to power, and the inception of the modern State of Qatar. He stridently opposed Ottoman attempts to increase their influence over the peninsula, as they appointed administrative personnel in Al Zubara, Ad Doha, Al Wakra and Khor Al Adaid, established a customs office, and reinforced their garrison in Doha’s Al Bidaa. Inevitably, military confrontation followed. A crucial battle broke out between the Ottomans and Qatari tribes, led by Sheikh Jassim. He and his troops fought bravely, inflicted defeat on the Ottomans, and emerged victorious. Al Wajba battle, 15 km west of Doha, was a turning point in Qatar's history. During the 20th and 21st centuries, Qatar made significant strides and left its mark on the world stage. The Qatar Vision 2030 development strategy is comprehensive, bold and far-reaching. Yet while embracing the best of the 21st century, the nation is determined to respect its past.
Qatar at home and abroad
In 2011, Qatar established the first regional centre for Civil-Military Coordination under the HOPEFOR Initiative to enhance the use of assets for natural disaster response. Qatar’s support for displaced Syrian refugees has amounted to more than USD1.2 billion since 2011. In October 2015, it sent 50 tonnes of emergency supplies to Croatia including tents, medical and food supplies for its Transitional Winter Shelter Centre. A planeload of relief materials, medical supplies, and foodstuffs was also despatched to Yemen. Sheikh Eid bin Mohamed Charitable Association selected Jordan, Mali and Comoros to distribute rations packets for 1,295 families without breadwinners. The charity has spent QAR222 million to support Syrian refugees in Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon. A portion of the money was also spent on people displaced inside Syria. More than 7 million Syrians benefitted from the aid. A 2,000-strong team has been working on relief projects in affected areas including 600 medical staff at first aid points, field hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
A Look Back at 2015
With visionary policies for national development, Qatar emerged on the international stage as a competent, determined mediator and intermediary, promoting world peace.
Qatar also supports the Libyan dialogue team, aiming for a comprehensive political agreement and formation of a consensus government returning political and social unity to Libya.
Culture The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions have selected Qatar National Library as the region’s Arabic Speaking Preservation and Conservation Centre. It will represent 25 countries in which Arabic is one of the official languages, protecting and preserving the region’s heritage and culture and making them accessible to future generations. GCC Ministers of Culture have meanwhile supported Qatar’s candidature for Secretary General of UNESCO in 2017.
Tourism
'A Conversatio n with The Emir, HH Sheikh Tami in Febr uary at m bin Hamad Al Geor getown Un Thani', iversity during his first trip to the US
The long-term strategy of Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is to increase tourism’s contribution to the national economy to 5.1% (9.7% of the non-hydro-carbon economy) by 2030. According to QTA, Qatar received almost 2.25 million visitors in the first nine months of 2015, up 8% on the same period in 2014. Tourist arrivals from other GCC countries rose 22% whilst arrivals from France and China rose by 9% and 16% respectively. QTA expects arrivals to cross 3 million by the end of 2015.
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Sports
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Sports in Qatar
Qatar’s Best BLOG!
n overview of the local sports scene, including Qatar’s Sports Federations A marhaba.qa and Olympic Committee
Events Calendar Details of upcoming sporting competitions
236 Features – Cycling, Tennis, Golf and MotoGP
The Race is On
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Match Point
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On the Green
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Lean Angles at Losail
Sports Activities A full listing of clubs, societies and activities for adults and children, from Badminton to Watersports
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Sports in Qatar Sport is an important part of everyday life in Qatar and most sporting venues are open to the public to encourage a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise. Qatar has hosted some prestigious international sporting events: the 15th Asian Games (2006), the AFC Asian Cup (2010), the 12th Pan Arab Games (2011), the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) (December 2014), and the Men’s Handball World Championship (January 2015). Coming up are the UCI Road World Championships (2016), the FIG Artistic World Gymnastics Championships (2018), the 2019 IAAF World Championships, and the 2022 FIFA World CupTM.
Sports in Qatar
Annual international events include • Commercial Bank Qatar Masters (golf) • Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar (MotoGP) • Qatar Classic Squash Tournament • Qatar ExxonMobil Open (tennis) • Qatar Ladies Open (tennis) • Qatar Table Tennis Open • Sail the Gulf Regatta • Samsung Diamond League Athletics • Tour of Qatar (mens and women's cycling)
The world-class sporting facilities in Qatar attract top international athletes and high‑profile celebrities. Visitors can enjoy events as diverse as hydroplane power boats, drag racing and equestrian competitions.
Sports Venues
Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) was established in 1979 to oversee sports events and subsequently became members of the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Council of Asia, and the Arab Sports Games Federation. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani has been elected President of the QOC until the end of 2016, replacing the Emir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The new Secretary General is Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, replacing Sheikh Sheikh Saoud bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani. QOC runs the 'Sport for Life' campaign to engage residents in keeping fit and healthy, and the Schools Olympic Programme, an annual event for schoolchildren. olympic.qa, schoolsolympic.com
Sports Federations and Associations • Athletics • Basketball • Billiards and Snooker • Bowling • Boxing • Chess • Cycling • Equestrian • Fencing • Football • Golf • Gymnastics • Handball • Karate • Motor and Motorcycle
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• Paralympics • Rugby • Sailing and Marine Sport • Shooting and Archery • Sports for All • Sports for Women • Squash • Swimming • Table Tennis • Taekwondo and Judo • Tennis • Volleyball • Weightlifting • Wrestling
Get involved A vast range of sporting activities is on offer in Qatar – see Sports Activities for full details of classes and clubs. The Sports Calendar has an overview of events taking place in the coming months – and don't forget to keep up to date with news and events at marhaba.qa m
Checked & Updated October 2015
Aspire Zone C5 Venues offering sports, sports medicine, research and education. Includes Aspire Dome, Khalifa Stadium, Hamad Aquatic Centre, Aspire Park and the Ladies' Sports Hall. Aspire Active fitness programmes run throughout the year. 4413 6219, aspire.qa The Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence provides applied sports science support to coaches and student‑athletes, and hosts international sports teams using the extensive training facilities. 4413 6570, aspire.qa Aspetar is the first specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital in the Gulf region, offering treatment for sports‑related injuries by leading sports medicine practitioners and researchers. 4413 2000, aspetar.com Other sports venues include: • Doha Golf Club • Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex • Losail International Racing Circuit • Lusail Olympic Shooting Range • Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club • West End Park Stadium
Qatar Olympic Committee
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Sports Activities
Sports Activities
Marhaba updates this section every issue, but as information may change after going to press, check with the organisation concerned for up to date details. If your organisation is listed on these pages and you need to amend your entry, or if you would like to be included in future issues, let us know: email marhaba@qatar.net.qa. Locations can be found on the map of Doha at the front of the guide. Also see: • Leisure Activities in the Discovering Qatar section for dance classes, fishing, and motor sports clubs • Hospitality in Qatar for a complete list of hotels and their fitness facilities • Health and Wellness in the Health and Beauty section for wellness, Pilates and yoga 3 An activity for children or one that children can participate in – check first for any age restrictions
Badminton Qatar Badminton Academy Part of the Qatar Badminton Association. For children and juniors. qatarbadmintonacademy@gmail.com 3 Qatar Badminton Club D2 Behind Doha College. Daily 5 pm – 10:30 pm. 4468 3293
Basketball Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha D3 Court available for members and guests use. 4428 1621, radissonblu.com
Bowling Gondolania Bowling Center D2 Gondolania at Villaggio Mall. 12‑lane bowling alley. Open Saturday to Wednesday 9 am – 11 pm, Thursday 9 am – midnight, Friday 1 pm – midnight. 4403 9800, gondolania.com 3
Evolution Sports Qatar Multiple locations Extensive coaching programmes for girls and boys. 4407 6772, evosportsqatar.com 3
Qatar Bowling Center C3 32-lane bowling alley. Open Sunday and Tuesday 9 am – 5 pm (ladies only) and 5 pm – midnight, Monday/Wednesday/ Saturday 9 am – midnight, Thursday 9 am – 2 am, Friday 6 pm – 1 am. 4432 9178, qatarbowlingcenter.net 3
SFQ Sports Academy Multiple locations Classes for kids aged 2 and over. See the online calendar for up to date schedule. 4486 6293, sfqsportsacademy.com 3
Strike Bowling Alley C3 Winter Wonderland at City Center-Doha. 8-lane bowling alley. Open Saturday to Wednesday 10 am – 10 pm, Thursday 10 am – midnight, Friday 1 pm – 11 pm. 4483 9162 3
Billiards, Pool & Snooker Dana Club C3 Standard championship billiard table (9 ball pool). Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 4496 0600, danaclub.com.qa 3 240
Hot Shot D4 Airport Street. Open daily 9:30 am – 3:30 am. 4466 6105, hotshotqatar.com
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Cricket Qatar Cricket Association F2 Industrial Area. Oversees the organisation of the cricket league in Qatar, with 40 teams taking part. qatarcricketassociation.org
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Education Useful Numbers
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Education in Qatar
Nurseries and Preschools • Primary and Secondary Schools • Specialised Schools • • Special Needs Education • Universities and Colleges of Higher Education • Academic Organisations and Learning Centres
• Primary and Secondary Education • School Facts • The Public Sector: The Supreme Education Council; Independent Schools; eEducation and eLiteracy; Education for All; Increasing the Choice of Schools; The Outstanding Schools Initiative • The Private Sector: Nurseries and Kindergartens; Preschools Attached to Schools; Primary and Secondary Schools • Special Needs Education • Specialised Curriculum Schools • Tertiary Education • The State Sector: Qatar University • The Private Sector: Qatar Foundation; University Campuses in Qatar Foundation • University Campuses in Doha
308
Map of Education City
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Education Courses/Lectures
312
Arabic/Islamic Culture Courses
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Feature – Education and Training Sector Strategy 2011–16
Education
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• Language Courses • Community Classes and Extra‑mural Courses • Lectures/Discussions/Workshops
Qatar is working towards producing wellrounded and engaged citizens who are prepared to support the nation’s industry, science and medicine sectors.
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Education in Qatar Qatar places education at the heart of its national development strategy as it seeks to move from a hydrocarbon-based to a knowledge-based economy. Its vision is for all citizens to have equal access to education and training consistent with their abilities and interests – and which will prepare them for participation in the workforce where possible. So great is its belief in the global importance of education, Qatar also funds a number of educational initiatives overseas. Qatar’s continuously growing population reached 2,288,927 persons by 31 August 2015. Over 243,000 students were enrolled for the 2014–15 academic year.
Education in Qatar
In addition to the country’s 178 public sector schools, there are some 154 private schools (including Community Schools), following the Qatari, British, American, Indian, French, Egyptian, Lebanese, Canadian, German, Finnish, Filipino, Syrian and Japanese curriculums. The Sri Lankan school offers a mix of the British and (recently introduced) Sri Lankan curriculums, and a Chinese school is scheduled to open within a year. The number of nurseries and kindergartens exceed 120 and 53 respectively.
Nurseries In January 2014, details of Qatar’s long-awaited new nursery law were released after the legislation received final approval from HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Law No 1 of 2014 – which passed through the Cabinet in October – has been in the works for years. • The law defines nursery schools as a place designated for the care of children below four years of age. These include the nurseries run by public or private schools. According to Law No 1 of 2014, employees at nurseries are strictly limited to women. Nurseries should be managed by a qualified female director, who will be responsible for all work at the place. She will be aided by a female general supervisor, a female assistant supervisor, a dietician, a nurse, and a female physician, who can be a visiting specialist in paediatrics or general medicine. • In addition, there should be an adequate number of guards, cleaners, drivers, and other necessary staff. Visiting doctors, as well as other employees who do not come into direct contact with the children, may be men. • All nursery staff should be physically fit, free of any communicable disease, enjoy a good reputation with no criminal history and possess adequate qualifications and expertise.
ensure the appropriate conditions to develop their skills in all fields.
• Nurseries should also keep regular and updated records. According to the law, a prior licence has to be obtained from the department concerned at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to establish, manage or modify an existing nursery.
• With the implementation of this recent law, nurseries have become more regulated and safer for children. So when you decide to enrol your child in a nursery ensure the school meets all the criteria outlined.
• The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs will classify nurseries based on the qualifications of its staff and the fees. Nurseries are expected to provide comprehensive care to children and
For more detailed information on education in Qatar visit the Supreme Education Council website at sec.gov.qa. For a list of nurseries see Useful Numbers and the adverts in this section. ©
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Education Courses/Lectures Language courses Berlitz Language Center Offers tuition in more than 10 languages. 4455 0506/7, berlitz-qatar.com E4
Education Courses/Lectures
British Council A wide range of English language courses as well as access to a library and computers. It is also an IELTS centre. 4425 1888, britishcouncil.qa D2 Institut Français du Qatar A range of French courses for adults and children, certifications in French language and Canadian Immigration Tests. 4493 0862, institutfrancais-qatar.com B3 Score Plus Offers classes in English, Business English, French, Spanish, German and more, for groups and individuals. 4436 8580, infoqatar@score-plus.com, score-plus.com D3 Study Plus Academic tutoring centre. 4442 4294 D3 Stenden University Academic Bridge Programme teaching English at various levels. 4488 8116, roffice@stenden.edu.qa, stenden.com C3
Community classes and extra-mural courses College of the North Atlantic Qatar (CNA-Q) Courses in business, accounting, leadership, human resources and more. Competent English is required. cna-qatar.com/continuingeducation B2 Enertech Qatar Safety training centre. 4401 0888, enertechqatar.com E3 Geometric Personalised English and Maths Learning Programmes. 4427 9295, 3333 2468, geometric-centre.com D2 Qatar Financial & Business Academy (QFBA) Offers various courses in finance and investment. 4496 8333, qfba.edu.qa B3
Lectures/discussions/workshops Belgravia Centre for Education British Curriculum, AS and A Level 1 and 2 year courses in varied disciplines. 5550 0693, belgraviadoha.com E2 Brookings Doha Center Holds regular policy discussions about topics of interest in the region. 4422 7800, brookings.edu/dohacenter B3
College of the North Atlantic Qatar launched the Fall 2015 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) schedule, accredited by the Supreme Council of Health’s Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP). cna-qatar.com/corporatetraining B2 Institut Français du Qatar Regular discussions and conferences about cultural issues and topics of interest in the region, in French and English. 4493 0862, institutfrancais-qatar.com B3 Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art Holds lectures, workshops, artist encounters and an annual Global Art Forum. 4402 8855, mathaf.org.qa C1 Museum of Islamic Art Education Centre offers talks, art workshops, programmes and training courses for families and adults. 4422 4444, mia.org.qa C4 Qatar Foundation Research Division Distinguished Lecture Series. qf-research-division.org/distinguished C1 Qatar Science and Technology Park QSTP TECHtalks is a series of networking seminars about technology-based industry. qstp.org.qa/home/techtalks-registration C1 Qatar Skills Academy Offers vocational training. 4416 1622, qatarskillsacademy.com E3 Texas A&M University at Qatar Distinguished Lecture Series. qatar.tamu.edu C1 The Center for International and Regional Studies, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar. Holds a Distinguished Lecture Series and other scholarly events. cirs.georgetown.edu C2 University College London Qatar Lecture Series on the archaeology and cultural heritage of Qatar, the Gulf and wider region. Held through the year, though more frequently between September and May. 4457 8680, a.saadi-cherif@ucl.ac.uk C2 Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar Holds workshops and lectures including an annual fashion show each spring. qatar.vcu.edu C1 m
Checked & Updated October 2015
Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar (VCUQ) Holds community classes four times a year. English and Arabic. 4402 0555, qatar.vcu.edu C1
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar Distinguished Lecture Series. 4454 8400, qatar.cmu.edu C1
For a list of contact numbers of educational institutions see Useful Numbers in this section. Arabic language courses can be found in Arabic/Islamic Culture Courses in this section. Debating societies can be found in Leisure Activities in the Discovering Qatar section.
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Health & Beauty Map of Hamad bin Khalifa Medical City
321
Useful Numbers
323
Healthcare in Qatar
336
Health Insurance Scheme
339
Health and Wellness
340 344
Spas & Beauty Centres
Locations of hospitals, outpatient departments and emergency services.
• HMC Hospitals • Ministry of Public Health • Primary Health Care Centres • Private Medical Centres/Doctors • Dental and Optical Centres • 24‑hour Pharmacies • Support Groups/Helplines
• Healthcare News • Primary Healthcare; The Primary Health Care Corporation • Supreme Council of Health • Hamad Medical Corporation; Hamad General Hospital; Fahad Bin Jassim Kidney Center; Women’s Hospital; Rumailah Hospital; Al Maha Children’s Unit; Enaya Specialized Care Center; National Center for Cancer Care and Research; Al Khor Hospital; Heart Hospital; Al Wakra Hospital; The Cuban Hospital; Ambulance Service; Walk In/Pediatric Emergency Centers; Hamad International Training Centre; Academic Health System; Medical Education; Blood Donation; Organ Donation • Private Healthcare and New Developments; Sidra Medical and Research Center
Learn more about the recent changes to the Health Insurance Scheme, now called Seha.
• Holistic Wellness • Pilates • Yoga
Health & Beauty
316
• Spas • Beauty Centres • Complementary Clinics
347 Feature – Eating Healthy, Eating Organic
Understand the benefits of buying and eating organic food.
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Healthcare in Qatar Many changes and improvements have been introduced since the country opened its first hospital over 50 years ago. Billions of dollars are being spent on improving and expanding Qatar's healthcare system to cope with the rise in population. According to the World Health Organization, Qatar is spending more money per capita on healthcare than any other country in the Gulf. The healthcare system is available to all – nationals, expatriates and visitors. The public healthcare service provides free or extremely subsidised healthcare; the exception to this may be treatment for highly specialised services. Expatriates or visitors may have to pay towards some medical costs – check with your employer to see what health insurance you are eligible for, or contact one of the insurance companies to take extra personal cover. Qatar is currently working towards introducing new regulations – see further on in this section about the health insurance system for more details.
Healthcare News
Organ Donation Law Issued
Healthcare in Qatar
Doctors told to write in English Doctors at all public and private healthcare facilities must now use English to prepare patient referrals and medical reports, as per a recent directive from the Supreme Council of Health. Patient recovery centre opens at Hamad bin Khalifa Medical City Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has opened Bayt Al Dhiyafah, a new patient recovery centre to assist with the convalescence of patients who have received treatment and no longer require acute medical care. The 40-bed centre allows HMC to free up acute patient beds around its hospitals for those who require inpatient medical care; a patient’s stay in Bayt Al Dhiyafah will typically not last longer than three days. Massage service in beauty salons banned The Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning has ordered beauty salons to stop providing massage services to customers, as this has now been deemed a semi-medical specialisation. The Ministry has outlined conditions spas must adhere to if providing massage services, and outlets will be subject to inspection. Ashghal completes new building for Family Consultation Center The Family Consulting Center provides free counselling and consultation services for families dealing with psychological, social, domestic, educational, Sharia-related and legal issues. To book an appointment with a counsellor or consultant, call 4432 7777. QScience.com publishes glossary of EnglishArabic biological terms ‘English-Arabic Biological Terms: A Glossary for Academic Success’ has been published, designed to facilitate the learning and application of scientific terms by Arabic-speaking students. The book can be found in major national bookstores or ordered through Amazon.com; there is additionally an app version available for iOS and Android.
In August Law No 15 of 2015 was issued, regulating the transplant of human organs. According to the law, the removal of organs for scientific and medical purposes shall be only from a dead body. The law bans the transplant of any part of the sexual organs in a way that may lead to a mix up of lineages. It is forbidden to transplant any organ, cells or tissues from a living person to another living person unless it is essential to save the life of the recipient – such a transplant should be the only way to save the life of the recipient and should not put the life of the donor at risk. Anyone is free to donate an organ through a written affidavit signed by two witnesses. However, the donor can at any time revoke his or her decision unconditionally. Organ donation cannot be accepted from children or minors even with the approval of their parents or guardians, or from those who are not mentally sound. The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) shall award organ, tissue or cell donors with the ‘Altruism Medal’ in appreciation of their act. A deceased donor will also be honoured with medals, presented to the legal heirs. For more information about organ donation visit the HMC website, hamad.qa ©
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Banking & Commerce Banking and Finance
359
Economy
360
Commerce Useful Numbers
361
Investment and Trade
367
Feature – Supporting Trade
• • • • •
Currency • Useful Numbers: Banks and Exchange Houses The Banking Network in Qatar • The Banking Sector; Changes to Regulations Qatar Central Bank • Qatar Credit Bureau Loans, Bank Charges and Interest Rates • Accounts • Offshore Banking Financial Services and Insurance • Islamic Banking
• Economic Growth and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) • Trade surplus • The Budget • Inflation and cost of living • Population and the labour force
• • • • • •
Incentives • Investment Regulations • Choosing a Business Structure Company Structures • Commercial Registration Import and Export • Taxation • Intellectual Property Business Etiquette • Regulatory Bodies and Government‑owned Entities Qatar Financial Centre • Qatar Exchange Real Estate • Developers and Real Estate Agents Selling Property
The Qatar British Business Forum was established for business people to meet on a regular basis to exchange views about existing and potential business opportunities in Qatar.
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QCB informed lenders in October 2013 of the new rule for government bodies and state‑owned businesses requiring loans: these companies now need approval from the Ministry of Finance before borrowing money. The aim is to rein in public debt and means that a large part of bank loans will be guaranteed by the government. The rule excludes Qatar Petroleum and its subsidiaries.
From 1 May 2014, all incoming and outgoing transfers to and from local banks and financial institutions will use IBAN. These changes aim to enhance the effectiveness of and safety measures for electronic payment systems in the transfer of funds locally and internationally.
Qatar Central Bank Under Law No 13 of 2012 Qatar Central Bank and the Regulation of Financial Services, QCB shall be deemed an autonomous corporate body, with a capital of QAR50 billion (USD14.28 billion) and under the direct control of The Emir. It will be headed by a governor appointed by The Emir, and primary goals will include financial stability, supporting developmental activities and strengthening the national economy. The law is not just for banks – insurance companies, exchange houses, Qatar Exchange and QFC‑registered entities are all included. QCB will be tasked with setting up the Financial Stability and Risk Monitoring committee to study existing and future risks related to all banking, financial, insurance and stock market activities. The panel will work closely with the Ministry of Finance to frame general policies. The law provides strict penalties for anyone accepting deposits from the public without a valid licence from the banking regulator – violators can face a jail term of up to five years and/or a fine of up to QAR5 million. For those refusing to accept the legal tender of Qatar, there is a jail term of three years and/or a fine of up to QAR5 million. Issuing forged currency means 10 years in jail and/or a fine of QAR10 million. Manipulating accounts incurs a prison term of up to three years and/or a fine of up to QAR200,000.
The rules applied to both conventional and Islamic banks. The latter will see the limit on the amount they can invest in real estate lowered from 30% to 10% of their capital and reserves.
Qatar Credit Bureau Bad loans have been reduced since the Qatar Credit Bureau started operations in 2011. The Bureau is not involved in the granting of credit facilities to individuals nor imposing any restrictions on banks. Access to customers' creditworthiness is available only to institutions operating under QCB. Qatar Credit Bureau provides analytical data and supports banks’ use of advanced techniques in risk management, as well as support sustainable growth of credit in Qatar. It provides banks with information on customers' total exposure in the market and the loans they hold, enabling banks to choose prospective customers.
Loans, Bank Charges and Interest Rates Loans: Under QCB rules, a doubtful loan is one in which no monthly instalments have been paid for 180 days; a bad loan is one that has not been serviced for a year. Banks in Qatar have been asked to set up committees to closely monitor loan disbursement and forward reports on customer creditworthiness to QCB. Banks have a duty to track and follow defaulting customers and seek resolution – if this fails, they will take legal action. Non‑payment of loans could lead to a travel ban for Qatar and possibly the GCC. In 2011 QCB issued a circular imposing ceilings on the amounts a bank can lend as a personal loan both to citizens and expatriates. Banks cannot lend more than QAR400,000 as a personal loan to an expatriate, with a maximum repayment period of 48 months, against a maximum 50% of total monthly salary, and at a maximum 6.5% interest rate. Qatari citizens can have a maximum loan of QAR2 million over a maximum 72 months. For car loans, banks can lend only 80% of the car's value to a borrower. ©
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Banking and Finance
The international bank account number (IBAN) was adopted in January 2014 as a standard for identifying and numbering all bank accounts in Qatar. The new system will apply to all accounts in banks operating in the country, and can be found on bank statements. The existing account number is not replaced, only that additional characters will appear in front of the account number to form a 29‑character IBAN.
New regulations introduced by QCB in June 2013 curbed local banks’ investment options. Under the new instructions, which lenders had six months to comply with, equities and bonds can account for up to 25% of a bank’s capital and reserves; debt issued by the government and national banks are exempt from the limit. The cap was previously 30%. The regulations also limit the amount banks can place with individual companies and unlisted securities, establishing a maximum of 5% of capital and reserves for foreign investments and 10% domestically. The cap for total foreign equities is set at 15%.
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Motoring
Cars Tested This Issue
379
Traffic Violations: Points System
394
Feature – Accident Etiquette
Main Car Showrooms Useful Numbers Motoring Essentials • • • •
Obtaining a Qatari Driving Licence • The Driving Test • Licences/Permits Licence Renewals, Vehicle Registrations and Fines • Metrash – SMS Service Driving on Qatar’s Roads • Traffic Accidents • Traffic Violations Weather Conditions • Petrol Stations and other services
Motoring
371 372 374 375
Don’t stop to take pictures of accidents and mishaps – you could well face a fine, under a new law passed recently.
395 Feature – Traffic Talk Read what the Traffic Department has to say about Qatar’s traffic issues.
396
Feature – Qatar Motor Show
397 398
Main Dealer Service Centres
The most important event for motorheads in the region!
Map of Industrial Areas, Small Industries Zone The locations of major service centres and the Small Industries Zone
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A Closer Look at…
Seven special cars featured in this issue 380
382
384
386
388
390
Mitsubishi Pajero 3.8
Porsche Panamera 4S
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Renault Duster
Audi Q7 45 TFSI Quattro®
Chevrolet Cruze LT2
392
Honda Pilot EXL
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Useful Numbers For driving licence applications, driving lessons, car hire, vehicle purchase or lease, and breakdown cover, all the relevant contact numbers are listed below. The rest of the Motoring section has much of the motoring information, including test drives of selected models, that you are most likely to need.
Useful Numbers
Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road, and seat belts are mandatory for both the driver and front-seat passenger. Although measures have been implemented by the traffic department to help reduce the accident rate in Qatar, driving here can still be a hazardous affair and you need to have your wits about you at all times. Speeding, tailgating and sudden lane changing, especially near traffic lights, are common. Be aware – radar! Be careful to keep your speed within the limits; there are cameras on all roads keeping watch on traffic speeds. Be especially careful at traffic lights as this is where most violations occur. The penalties, in financial terms, are draconian: QAR6,000 for going through a red light and seven (black) points! Beware – pedestrians! Watch out for cyclists or people stepping onto the road unexpectedly, especially at night. Conversely, be very cautious if you need to cross the road on foot as you may misjudge the speed of an oncoming vehicle. Cars here tend to move very fast (when they are not backed up in a traffic jam!).
Madinat Khalifa Traffic Department C4 HQ building on Khalifa Street C4
4489 0666
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday 7 am – 7 pm Saturday 8 am – noon; Friday closed
Audi (Q-Auto)
Madinat Khalifa C4 234 4499 Offices open 24 hours a day E Ring Road/Matar QadeemA6 4463 7888 234 4850
Maamoura B6 4469 5555 Traffic Investigation offices are also at Mesaieed, Madinat Al Shamal and Dukhan FAHES 4460 4029
Driving Schools Al Khebra (also offers VIP service)
4451 6353
Gulf Driving School, Al Thumama A6
4465 2666
Karwa Driving School 4458 8644
Car Rental and Leasing 4442 5200
Al Muftah Rent-A-Car (Airport Branch) 4463 4433 Al Sulaiman Rent-A-Car
4491 1711
Domasco (Volvo)
4424 6800/6860
Jaidah Automotive (Chevrolet) 4463 8788 Oasis Used Cars 4431 2828 Qatar Automobiles Co (Mitsubishi)
4469 9665
Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Co (Nissan) 4428 3333 Volkswagen Guaranteed Used Cars 4445 2357
Bank Auto Finance Departments See Banking and Finance in Banking and Commerce for a comprehensive list of banks.
Vehicle Breakdown Services Arabian Allied Association
4413 0970
Arabian Automobile Association 4481 0500 Other breakdown services are available from smaller companies situated around town, however, do check that they are insured to provide this service.
Auto Insurance Companies
800 Audi
800 2834
Al Khaleej Insurance 4404 1111
Avis Rent-A-Car (Head Office)
4466 7744
AXA Insurance Qatar 4496 7383
EuroDollar Rent-A-Car
4432 1313
Doha Insurance Company 4429 2777
National Car Rental (Head Office)
4436 6881
Libano-Suisse Insurance Company
Oasis Rent-A-Car
4413 0011
Qatar Insurance Company (QIC) 4496 2222
Prestige Cars
4453 9106
Qatar Islamic Insurance Company 4465 8888
Sydney Rent-A-Car
4444 9050
Audi (Q-Auto)
374
800 2834
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4466 4406
Checked & Updated October 2015
United Driving School 4468 1003
Al Futtaim Vehicle Rentals AVR
800 Audi
Domasco (Honda) 4424 6800
Traffic Investigation Departments
Al Rayyan C5
Pre-owned Cars Al Boraq Automobiles Co (Porsche Approved Pre-owned Cars) 4459 9699
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Oil, Gas & Petrochemical Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals
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Qatar’s Oil Industry
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Qatar’s Gas Industry
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Qatar’s Petrochemical Industry
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Feature – Small Name, Landmark Project
415
Oil, Gas & Petrochemical
405
www.qp.com.qa
The Global Perspective
www.woqod.com.qa
The newly-inaugurated Jetty Boil-off Gas Recovery (JBOG) Project in Ras Laffan represents a significant milestone in Qatar’s efforts to reduce carbon Qatar’s Best emissions from its liquefied natural gas industry. marhaba.qa
Company Activities • • • • • • • • •
Qatar Petroleum • QP Industrial Cities Qatargas • RasGas • Qatar Fertiliser Company Qatar Petrochemical Co • Qatar Plastic Products Co Qatar Fuel Additives Co • Qatar Vinyl Co Qatar Chemical Co Ltd • Ras Laffan Operating Co ConocoPhilips • Exxonmobil Qatar Inc Maersk Oil Qatar AS • Oryx GTL Occidental Petroleum of Qatar Ltd • Sasol Shell Qatar • Total • WOQOD
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Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals
www.qp.com.qa
An over view by Marhaba Oil and Gas correspondent Gina Coleman, using published information compiled from media sources (October 2015)
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Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals
The Global Perspective The IEA’s October Oil Market Report Highlights indicates crude oil benchmarks rallied on expectations of lower US output and rising tension in the Middle East. Global demand growth was expected to slow from a five-year high of 1.8 million barrels per day (mbpd) in 2015 to 1.2 mbpd in 2016. OPEC’s October 2015 monthly monitoring report said world oil demand growth in 2015 is predicted to rise by 1.50 mbpd after an upward revision of around 40 thousand barrels per day (tbpd), mostly due to better-than-expected data in Q3. Global oil demand is now forecast at 92.86 mbpd. In 2016, demand is expected to rise by 1.25 mbpd, following a downward revision of 40 tbpd, ‘mainly reflecting the high base-line effect’. However, Iranian oil and gas production looks set to increase; and Egypt has discovered a huge natural gas field off its Mediterranean coast which may extend into Cypriot waters. Indonesia hoped its anticipated return to OPEC in December would take it closer to global oil producers, easing its reliance on a small group of traders. OPEC’s approval of Indonesia’s request to reactivate full membership would make the country OPEC’s only net crude oil importer. Despite gloomy reports for the petrochemicals industry, France’s Total and Saudi Aramco remain interested in expanding production at their joint refining project in Saudi Arabia. It would reportedly involve production of linear alpha olefins, poly alpha olefins and elastomers. Russia’s Lukoil is also reported to be in negotiations for the development of more than one petrochemicals plant in Iraq. In October, Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co, Tecnicas Reunidas SA and Hyundai Heavy Industries Co signed contracts to build Kuwait’s USD16 billion, 615,000 barrels per day (bpd)
Al Zour oil refinery, which will more than double the country’s processing capacity when completed in 2019. Heavy oil from new fields in Kuwait will be used to produce low-sulphur diesel, 340,000 bpd of high www.woqod.com.qa value light products and 225,000 bpd of fuel oil to feed power-generation plants in the country. In September, BP officials met with Iranian oil executives as it seeks a return once sanctions are lifted. Lukoil’s CEO says it also aims to sign an Exploration and Production deal following changes to Iran’s tax laws. Lukoil stopped work in Iran as a minority partner in the Anaran project in 2010 due to sanctions. Italy’s Eni says it is also interested in returning to Iran, provided it can recover previous investments made there. Subject to final court approval, BP has agreed to pay USD20 billion to settle US claims stemming from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. It says it gives ‘certainty with respect to its financial obligations.’ The development of the UK’s largest new North Qatar’s Best BLOG! Sea field in a decade has been approved by the marhaba.qa UK Oil & Gas Authority. The Maersk Oil-operated Culzean field is expected to produce enough gas to meet 5% of total UK demand by peak production in 2020–21. The gas condensate field has an estimated 250–300 million barrels of oil equivalent. Production is expected to start in 2019 and continue for 13+ years, with plateau production of 60,000–90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Global supply of LNG is set to increase significantly from 245 million tons per annum (mtpa) in 2014 to 297 mtpa in 2017. Three major projects have recently been completed; over 100 mtpa of LNG projects are currently under construction; and 600 mtpa of projects are under consideration. However, the future of LNG projects ‘under study’ is questionable. According to Reuters: ‘China’s energy giants – after years spent scrambling to secure supplies for the world’s third-biggest gas market – are being forced to sell a glut of the fuel to buyers in other countries as soaring demand grinds to a halt.’ ‘Downsizing’ by some of the international oil and gas majors appears to have benefitted India’s state-run energy explorer, ONGP, which believes its exploration costs will drop a fifth as fees for rigs and vessels moderate after businesses including BP and Royal Dutch Shell curbed outlays. It could mean a saving of INR49 billion (USD749 million) on ONGP’s planned exploration spending in year ending March 2016. m
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JBOG – Small Name, Landmark Project
JBOG – Small Name, Landmark Project
Put very simply, gas is taken off the LNG ships during loading, sent via pipelines to a Central Compression Area (CCA), compressed and sent back to the LNG producers. Since boil-off gas is discharged from the ships at very cold temperatures (between –80 and –100˚C) the pipelines have to be made from stainless steel to withstand the low temperature gas. The JBOG Recovery Project, which is part of the Common Facilities Projects at Ras Laffan Industrial city, will recover the equivalent of some 0.6 million tonnes per year of LNG, which is enough natural gas to produce about 750MW of power – sufficient for more than 300,000 homes. Qatar’s landmark project to recover natural gas from LNG ship-loading in Ras Laffan, inaugurated in April 2015, doesn’t exactly have the catchiest name or acronym, but it is descriptive: JBOG stands for Jetty Boil-Off Gas recovery project. And it promises major benefits for the country. The USD1 billion environmental development has been implemented to put a near-complete end to flaring from the six liquefied natural gas (LNG) loading berths at Ras Laffan Port. Qatargas says the project 'underlines the nation’s demonstrated commitment to balance industrial development with care for the environment', adding 'This huge investment will reduce the carbon footprint of loading the 77 million tonnes per annum of LNG production facilities to the lowest practical levels'. Positive results from the project are expected to include a 90% reduction in flaring at the loading berths, which is equivalent to annual green house gas (GHG) savings of approximately 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 – it would take an estimated 4 million acres of rain forest trees to do that clean-up! And despite its recent inception, you can be forgiven if you recall the name from 10 or more years ago, because the initial, subsequently hugely modified, planning activities for JBOG were initiated in 2004.
It should also lead to savings of approximately one trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas over a period of 30 years for Qatar. The JBOG facility began operations in October 2014 and was officially inaugurated in April 2015. However the initial planning activities were initiated in 2007 by RasGas, which completed the pre-front end engineering and design (pre-FEED) works in 2007. The project was then awarded to Qatargas later that year. The main shareholders are Qatar Petroleum (QP), ExxonMobil, Total, ConocoPhillips and Shell. Qatargas is the operator of the facility on behalf of QP and RasGas Company (RasGas). Ownership of the JBOG Project is proportional to the estimated JBOG produced by each venture and the share of the CapEx is proportional to the ownership shares. The boil-off gas recovered will be sent back to the ventures in the same proportion as it is produced. For example, if one venture produces more JBOG than it is expected to produce, then that venture will receive more JBOG than its ownership share.
For those not in the industry, and unfamiliar with the significance of JBOG, here is a quick explanation: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is stored and transported in tanks as a cryogenic liquid. Due to a variety of processes at the terminal, LNG continuously evaporates at temperatures above its boiling point, generating what is called boil-off-gas (BOG). BOG must be either removed from the process (which was previously done at Ras Laffan by flaring) or recovered back into the system to prevent the over pressurisation of plant equipment and ship storage. 412
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Major industries operating in RLIC RLIC provides state-of-the-art infrastructure, facilities and services to major ventures of the oil
and gas industry and supporting projects, which are all set to achieve the planned production capacity of 25 billion cubic feet of gas per day. These include: • Qatargas and RasGas, the largest producers of LNG in the world. • Pearl GTL and Oryx GTL, major worldwide producers of GTL. • Al Khaleej Gas – lean natural gas for the Qatar market. • Dolphin Energy Limited – lean www.woqod.com.qa natural gas for export by pipeline. • Laffan Refinery – refined petroleum products. • Ras Laffan Olefins Company – ethylene for petrochemical products. • Ras Laffan Helium • Qatar Power, Ras Girtas Power and Ras Laffan Power – power for Qatar and export to the GCC market. • Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard – shipbuilding, repair and maintenance services.
Company Activities
operating in the Cities, which altogether play a pivotal role in enhancing diversification, industrialisation, and the extraction of the highest economic value from the State’s oil and gas resources. Guided by the Qatar National Vision 2030, and in compliance with corporate, state, and international governance, QP Industrial Cities is committed to: • Contributing to the sustainable social and economic development of Qatar. • Achieving the highest level of health, safety, security, environmental protection and socioeconomic sustainability. • Protecting the interests of the State, Qatar Petroleum and business partners. • Operating highly reliable facilities and providing responsive services to business partners. • Developing, optimising and sustaining worldclass infrastructure and facilities. • Developing local talent and acting as a leader in corporate citizenship. • Directing the development, regulations and operations of Mesaieed and Ras Laffan Ports. • Acting as the Municipal Authority in the responsible areas as granted by the laws of the State of Qatar. Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC) RLIC is situated 80 km from Doha along the northeast coast of Qatar, and is considered one of the fastest growing industrial cities in the world. The city is the main base for the exploitation and development of Qatar’s vast resources from the North Field, the world’s largest non-associated gas reservoir. Since its establishment in 1996, RLIC has evolved into a world-class industrial city, facilitating the needs of the most technologically sophisticated natural gas-based industries.
Mesaieed Industrial City (MIC) Located 40 km south of Doha, MIC is the hub for petrochemicals, chemical fertilisers, oil refining and metallurgical industries in Qatar. MIC also hosts numerous small and BLOG! mediumQatar’s Best sized industries as well as a well-planned, selfmarhaba.qa contained, sustainable, modern township with fully-serviced infrastructure providing a high quality of life for its residents. Major industries operating in MIC A wide range of products is produced in MIC. These include natural gas, petrochemicals, plastic resins, refined petroleum products, aluminium and steel, which are supplied to the local, regional and international markets. The major industries operating in MIC include the following: • QP’s Mesaieed Operations complex manages the onshore processing, distribution and export of products derived from non-associated gas.
A group of 15 young male and female Qatari national employees working in the Finance Group of RasGas Company Limited (RasGas) have successfully completed the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Accounting Skills Certificate (ASC). The Qatari employees were registered with the ICAEW and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and gained extensive accounting knowledge and professional skills during the six month structured training programme which was jointly developed by ICAEW and PwC. ©
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