IN FOCUS: Champions in the Energy Industry
MAY 2019
THE SUPERIOR CHOICE
QATAR’S TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR BECOMES ONE OF THE KEYS IN BOOSTING THE ECONOMY
QSE: Back to business VR enhances workers’ safety Wise decision
Ideas that shape your world start here. Carnegie Mellon University attracts a certain type of student: motivated, inventive and driven to make a difference. Students come to Carnegie Mellon to learn, create and innovate with the very best. They leave with the passion, connections, credentials and lifelong friends who will help them change the world. www.qatar.cmu.edu
Biological Sciences • Business Administration • Computational Biology • Computer Science • Information Systems
inside this issue May 2019 / Vol. 45
26 TOURISM GETS BIG BOOST
36 QSE: BACK TO BUSINESS
38 VR ENHANCES WORKERS’ SAFETY
42 YOUR DATA SECURITY IS IN YOUR HANDS
With oil and gas-rich nations including Qatar looking at economic diversification programmes in view of the depressing fuel prices over the last few years, the travel and tourism sector has become one of the key sectors to shore up their economies.
Robots are making their way into diverse fields of work but human workers often still feel unsafe working alongside them, regardless of the true levels of risk.
With the adverse impact of trade and travel restrictions on Qatar fading away, it has been back to business for the Qatari bourse, Qatar Today finds out.
There’s no denying the fact that Qatar is a safe country, where we can leave our car and house unlocked without any fear of something happening.
1 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
inside this issue May 2019 / Vol. 45
07 AMIR OPENS “DESERT ROSE” NATIONAL MUSEUM
12 CHAMPIONS IN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY
08 WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
14 WISE DECISION
and regulars
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07
NEWS BITES
12
OIL & GAS REVIEW
17
BANK NOTES
18
REALTY CHECK
44
MARKET WATCH
49
AUTO NEWS
52
DOHA DIARY
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from the desk The contribution of the travel and tourism sector to the gross domestic product of any country is significant and Qatar has been supporting this sector as part of its economic diversification programme and to reduce its dependence on revenues from hydrocarbons. The World Travel and Tourism Council predicts in its report that the total contribution of travel and tourism to Qatar’s GDP will grow from QR64.5 billion in 2018 to QR67.3 billion (9.4 % of GDP) in 2019 and further to QR141.2 billion by 2029 (11.4 % of GDP). Qatar Today tells its readers how Qatar is positioning itself to benefit maximum from this industry in the next decade when it will be ranked first among 185 countries in the world in terms of long-term growth, notwithstanding the irrational trade and travel ban imposed by a handful of Arab countries. Now that the trade and travel boycott ban by some of the Arab states has been consigned to history without impacting the country’s economy, it is back to business for Qatar Stock Exchange as the latest Initial Public Offering (IPO) by QAMCO has been a tremendous success. This has showed the world how resilient the economy has been and new trade routes have been opened to keep the country ahead of its rivals. Even the decision to quit OPEC has further strengthened Qatar’s position as the world largest supplier of LNG amid stiff competition from countries like the US and Australia. Qatar has joined hands with global giants in tapping new gas reserves across the world for many years to come. Qatar Today also has a report on the entertainment side with Al Mana Group launching Flik Cinemas at Lagoona Mall and drawing people back to the cinema halls and the fun of watching movies. Happy Reading
Newsbites > local
AMIR OPENS
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“DESERT ROSE” NATIONAL MUSEUM
is Highness, The Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the opening ceremony of the QR123.76 million National Museum of Qatar in its new building at Doha’s waterfront Corniche. “Qatar has become much stronger since June 2017. The citizens have defended the dignity and the truth, with the consequences of strengthening the country,” the report, while quoting the Amir, said. Among the dignitaries who were present on
the occasion were Personal Representative of HH the Amir HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the Speaker of the Shura Council HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud. The ceremony was attended by Vice President of the Republic
of Turkey Fuat Oktay, Prime Minister of the French Republic Edouard Philippe, Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense HE Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Minister of Heritage and Culture of the Sultanate of Oman Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, and Minister of State for International Culture at the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany Michelle Muntefering.
QATAR’S SUPPORT FOR GAZA STRIP PRAISED AMIR SUPPORTS RUSSIA’S MIDDLE EAST POLICY
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amas Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh met with His Highness, The Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, about the latest efforts to reach a ceasefire between the Palestinian factions and Israel, according to a statement. Haniyeh praised Qatar’s strong role in supporting the Gaza Strip through reconstruction and humanitarian projects. The statement quoted the Amir as confirming his country’s standing with the Palestinian people, stressing that Doha would take “all the necessary decisions in order to ensure that the current efforts succeed.” The ceasefire is based on easing the Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip in return for stopping protests organised by the Palestinians near the Gaza-Israel fence which have been ongoing for a year.
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is Highness, The Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, voiced his support for Moscow’s foreign policy in the Middle East, according to Russia’s Duma (the lower House of the Russian Parliament) Speaker, Vyacheslav Volodin. Volodin, who met with the Amir during his two-day visit to Doha on April 6-7, said: “The Amir has expressed support for the steps taken by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Middle East. The Amir highly praised the level of relations between Russia and Qatar.” “The Amir highly appreciated the development of interparliamentary relations between our countries and focused his attention on the efforts taken by MPs and the State Duma’s foreign affairs committee so as to build relations at an inter-parliamentary level and to promote new forms of cooperation,” the speaker added. 7 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
affairs > local
WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
HER EXCELLENCY SHEIKHA HIND BINT HAMAD AL THANI'S PRESENCE GRACED THE PURPOSEFUL DAY DEDICATED TO AUTISM AWARENESS
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enad Academy, in collaboration with Qatar Foundation’s Community Development, hosted a World Autism Awareness Day event at Al Shaqab in Education City. The familyorientated event caught the presence of Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, as well as the members of QF’s senior leadership.
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The event started off with an Autism Awareness Walk that was participated by QF entities and community centres. A series of sport and recreational activities followed the purposeful walkathon. Other activities of the event also included horse-riding, storytelling sessions, an obstacle course, football games and craft centres. With its third year of hosting the event, the Director of Renad Academy, Sherri Miller, commented on the success of the initiative
as well as its continuous progress in size and popularity each year. She also stated: “The community partners who provide the activities are truly invested in ensuring people with autism are given the same respect and access as everyone in Qatar. Because of the attention this event draws, we have seen awareness and acceptance of autism develop at a quick pace. We are proud to support Qatar in developing and embracing a more diverse community.”
QATAR’S DISTINCTION IN CYBERSECURITY INDEX
CMC ELECTION WINNERS ANNOUNCED
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atar’s initiatives to maintain cybersecurity have resulted in the country’s enhanced world ranking where it advanced eight positions on the global landscape, moving up to 17th place in 2018 from 25th in 2017, according to media reports. Cybersecurity refers to the body of technologies, processes and practices designed to protect networks, devices, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorised access. Cybersecurity is also highly important for government, military, corporate, financial and medical organisations that collect and process unprecedented amounts of data including sensitive information for which unauthorised access or exposure could lead to harmful consequences. The GCI 2018, which assesses the level of cybersecurity in as many as 175 countries across the world, was released by the United Nation’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Based on the ITU’s Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA), the third version - GCI 2018 - still oversees the level of commitment in five areas: legal, technical and organisational measures besides capacity building and co-operation. “Qatar ranks third with a strong legal framework and a robust organisational structure with a National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) that has a key focus on securing critical information infrastructure and a National Cybersecurity Committee responsible for implementing and driving that Strategy. Their e-Crime law integrates a large arsenal of procedural measures,” the GCI noted. According to the GCI 2018, the Top 10 most committed countries globally are the UK, which ranked first, followed by the US, France , Lithuania, Estonia, Singapore, Spain, Malaysia, Norway, Canada and Australia, respectively.
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aj Gen Majid Ibrahim Al Khulaifi, director of the Elections Department under the Ministry of Interior and head of the Central Municipal Council (CMC) Electoral Committee, announced the winners of the CMC 2019 election on April 16. Maj Gen Al Khulaifi said that the total number of the voters qualified to cast their vote in the CMC 2019 election reached 27,722 and the total number of the candidates were 85 including five women. In all, as many as 13,334 voters exercised their franchise representing 50.1 % of the total electors, he added. Of the 29 constituencies, elections were held in 25 segments while the winners in the remaining four were elected unanimously.
ASHGHAL BEGINS WORK ON CABLE-STAYED BRIDGE
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he Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has started construction of the first Cable-Stayed Bridge in Qatar and the conversion of Haloul Roundabout into a two-level interchange on the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project. The 1,200-metre-long new bridge extends prior to Haloul Roundabout through Faleh bin Nasser intersection in Salwa Road to provide free traffic flow between Hamad International Airport
and the areas of Bu Hamour, Mesaimeer and Al Waab. The new bridge will consist of four lanes in each direction to accommodate more than 16,000 vehicles per hour. Due to the length of the bridge, construction work will require the use of 854 precast concrete pieces, each weighing about 200 tons of reinforced concrete, and 20 pylons and 16 piers to reach the highest point of the 30 m-high bridge. 9 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
affairs > international
SHURA COUNCIL SPEAKER VISITS SAUDI ARABIA
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he speaker of Qatar’s Shura Council, HE Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, visited Jeddah in Saudi Arabia for the first time since the start of the Gulf crisis in 2017. According to a QNA report, he attended the 12th regular meeting of the heads of the legislative councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and he will also represent Qatar in the one-day meeting. The meeting also chose a common GCC theme for 2019 which is, “The Role of Legislative Councils in Achieving the Goals of Sustainable Development”, in which the implementation will be
carried out by the Omani Shura Council. The communique also mentioned that the representatives have been informed about the measures that need to be taken in order to strengthen relations with foreign parliaments and parliamentary associations. The Speaker, who led a delegation of Qatari officials, was received at Jeddah International Airport by the Secretary General of the Saudi Shura Council, Mohammed Al Mutairi, and his Kuwaiti and Omani counterparts, Allam Al Kandari and Ali Al Mahrouqi. The meeting discussed a number of topics “pertaining to consolidate the GCC parliamentary march.”
QATAR OFFERS AID TO ARAB WORLD INSTITUTE
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atar provided financial support worth €250,000 to the Arab World Institute for the Arab world and football exhibition which kicked off on April 16 in Paris and will run till July 21. Qatar’s ambassador to the French Republic, HE Ali bin Jassem Al Thani, handed over Qatar’s cheque to the president of the institute, Jack Lang. The president thanked Qatar for its support and for keeping up with the institute’s events, which creates a space for interaction between the Arab and French cultures. The ambassador participated in the opening of the exhibition, which was attended by France's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, a number of Arab ambassadors accredited
to France, and French and Arab VIPs from sports and football.
AFGHAN TALKS POSTPONED
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two-day peace conference in Qatar that intended to bring Taliban negotiators and Afghan government officials together was postponed indefinitely on April 16, two days before it was scheduled to begin, after the Taliban objected to the large number of Afghan officials included in the country’s delegation.
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According to reports, the two-day conference was seen as an effort to bring the Taliban closer to meeting with the Afghan government and to pave the way for direct negotiations. The Afghan officials were expected to arrive as part of a delegation of nearly 200 people representing a cross-section of society.
business > oil&gas CHAMPIONS IN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY
Another round of awardees are recognized in the Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah International Energy Awards, the foremost honour to recognize individuals for their lifetime achievement in the global energy industry.
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ach year the award ceremony is attended by the industry’s visionaries and stakeholders both from Qatar and beyond. This year, HE Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Malki, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Italy, was selected as the 2019 winner of the Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Award for Lifetime Achievement for the Advancement of the Qatar Energy Industry. HE Al Malki was one of seven distinguished individuals recognized for exemplary careers in the energy industry, which included HE Dr Mohammed Hamad Al Rumhy, Minister of Oil & Gas of the Sultanate of Oman, won the Advancement of Producer-Consumer Dialogue award, and Dr Zhengrong Shi,
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Founder of Suntech Power, who won the Advancement of Renewable Energy award. Fu Chengyu, former Chairman of the Sinopec Group, received the annual Honorary Award for Advancement of International Energy Policy and Diplomacy. Previous winners of this prestigious award have included Lee R. Raymond, former Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil; Sir Mark MoodyStuart, Chairman, Foundation for the Global Compact and Vice Chairman, UN Global Compact, and former Chairman of Shell, and the late Christophe de Margerie, former Chairman and CEO of Total. For the deliberation process, the nominees are evaluated in four areas:
Impact, Innovation, Long-term Vision and Leadership. The nominees are also voted on by an International Selection Committee, a group of renowned figures who are invited to reward candidates for an outstanding record of accomplishment in their sector and for making an exceptional impact on the industry through distinct personal achievements and engagement. The other winners in this 7th edition of the Awards were Kenneth B. Medlock III, Senior Director at the Center for Energy Studies at the Baker Institute, who received the accolade for Advancement of Education for Future Energy Leaders, and Diane Munro, Editor-in-Chief at Argus Media, recognized for Advancement of International Energy
Journalism. A new category introduced by the Foundation this year – for the Advancement of Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) – was awarded to its Secretary General, HE Dr Yury Sentyurin. Among the distinguished 2019 Selection Committee members this year were Maria van der Hoeven, former Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary General of OPEC, and Lee R. Raymond, former Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil Corporation. This year’s celebration of the Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah International Energy Awards also enjoyed the support of its media partners: Al Jazeera Al Mubasher, Upstream, Gulf Times, Lusail News, Qatar Today, Qatar Al Youm, Energy Intelligence, T Qatar Magazine, Gastech Insights, Petrol News, IndraStra, Marhaba Qatar, Tank Storage Magazine and The Business Year.
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Business > oil&gas
WISE DECISION Qatar’s decision to quit OPEC and further expand its global footprint with its multibillion-dollar programme by teaming up with global energy majors such as America’s ExxonMobil and Italy’s Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi (Eni) to explore new LNG projects appears to be paying off if the recent successes it has notched up are any indication.
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he state-owned Qatar Petroleum along with ExxonMobil has discovered huge volumes of gas deposits in Cyprus. The other countries which have evinced Qatar’s interest in exploring LNG business include Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, the US and Mozambique besides investing in the construction of an LNG terminal in Germany. In Cyprus, the Glaucus-1 well in Block 10 encountered approximately 133 metres of gas-bearing reservoir, and the well was drilled to a depth of approximately 4,200 metres in a water depth of 2,063 metres. Preliminary data showed that the discovery could represent an in-place resource of approximately 5 to 8 trillion cubic feet. Block 10 covers an area of 2,572 sq km and is operated by ExxonMobil with a 60 percent working interest, alongside Qatar Petroleum with a 40% working interest. The recently appointed Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO
14 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
of Qatar Petroleum, HE Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, said that the discovery has been the second in Qatar Petroleum’s international exploration portfolio.
Golden Pass Project
Another notable development is that ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum have made a final investment decision to take up construction of the Golden Pass LNG export project located in Sabine Pass, Texas, in the US and the facility is expected to start up in 2024. Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil Corporation Darren Woods said that Golden Pass will provide an increased, reliable, longterm supply of liquefied natural gas to global gas markets, stimulate local growth and create thousands of jobs. “The extensive experience of the two companies (ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum) provides the expertise, resources and financial strength needed to construct and operate an integrated liquefaction and export facility in the United States,” he said.
“BY THIS AGREEMENT WITH ENI, WE AIM TO EXPAND OUR EXPLORATION PORTFOLIO TO ENSURE DIVERSIFICATION OF GEOGRAPHIES AS WELL AS GEOLOGIES AND BASINS.” HE SAAD SHERIDA AL KAABI Minister for Energy Affairs, State of Qatar
The more than QR36.4 billion ($10+ billion) liquefaction project will have the capacity to produce around 16 million tons of LNG per year and is expected to create about 9,000 jobs over the five-year construction period and over 200 permanent jobs during operations. Preliminary estimates by an independent study indicate that the project could generate up to QR112.84 billion ($31 billion) in US economic gains and around QR16.75 billion ($4.6 billion) in the form of tax revenues over the life of the project. Working interests in the Golden Pass LNG export project are 70% Qatar Petroleum while ExxonMobil and another US oil company ConocoPhillips have shares of 17.6% and 12.4%, respectively.
Pact with ENI
Qatar Petroleum has inked a pact with Eni to acquire a 25.5% participating interest in Block A5A, located in the Angoche basin offshore of Mozambique subject to approvals by the government of Mozambique. The partners holding a participating interest in the block will each be affiliates of Eni with a 34% participating interest, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH) with a 15% participating interest, Sasol with a 25.5% participating interest, and Qatar Petroleum with a 25.5% participating interest. HE Saad Sherida Al Kaabi said that the agreement would strengthen their presence in Mozambique by exploring this frontier offshore basin. “By this agreement with Eni, we aim to expand our exploration portfolio to ensure diversification of geographies as well as geologies and basins. Having a large and diversified exploration portfolio is a key long-term objective for Qatar Petroleum and essential for success.” Block A5A lies in the Angoche basin and is located adjacent to block A5B for which an affiliate of Qatar Petroleum entered into an agreement in December 2018 with an ExxonMobil affiliate to acquire a 10% participating interest. Block A5A covers a total area of around 5,133 sq km in water depths ranging from about 300 to 1,800 m. In Mexico, Qatar Petroleum and Eni will produce about 90,000 barrels of oil a day from the Amoca, Mizton and Tecoalli fields, which have two billion barrels of oil, in the Gulf of Mexico by December 2021.
Qatar Petroleum will have a share of 35% in these fields which are expected to be in production in the middle of 2019. The companies are already working together on a separate offshore block in Mexico and Eni got approval for the developments and is waiting for the final nod from the Mexican authorities.
Domestic production
HE Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, said that the state-owned Qatar Petroleum (QP) was planning on adding a fourth liquefaction train by tapping the gas reserves in the southern part of the North Field, which it shares with Iran, and looking for new foreign partners to increase its LNG production from the existing 77 MT per annum to 110 MT per annum by 2024. With the addition of the fourth train, the project will add about 32MT of LNG annually, which is 43% above the current capacity, 4,000 tons per day of ethane, 260,000 barrels per day of condensate, and 11,000 tons per day of LPG and approximately 20 tons per day of pure helium, the Minister said. According to a report in Pipeline Oil & Gas magazine, the Middle East region is expected to step up its gas production from the present level of 600 Bllion Cubic Metres (bcm) to more than 800 bcm in 2030. This is specifically arising from Iran (211 bcm in 2017 to 363 bcm in 2030, Qatar (154 bcm in 2017 to 209 bcm in 2030) and Saudi Arabia (98 bcm in 2017 to 140 bcm in 2030). The region holds almost 30% of the discovered gas reserves, which is the largest ratio worldwide and above North America (20%) and Russia (19%).
“THE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE OF THE TWO COMPANIES (EXXONMOBIL AND QATAR PETROLEUM) PROVIDES THE EXPERTISE, RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL STRENGTH NEEDED TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE AN INTEGRATED LIQUEFACTION AND EXPORT FACILITY IN THE UNITED STATES.” DARREN WOODS Chairman and CEO ExxonMobil Corporation
“There is great potential in the region. However, thus far they have not been able to use the potential to its maximum. For example, Iran has one of the largest gas reserves but due to sanctions and political issues, the development and investments have been hampered. Iraq and Yemen would show a similar situation. Also, other countries such as Saudi Arabia and UAE have focused more on oil than gas, because oil is more profitable. With that, the actual potential has not been reached,” the report said. In Qatar, the main increase is expected as the government has lifted the moratorium on the North Field in 2017 allowing higher production of LNG. 15 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
Business > oil&gas
QATAR BEGINS LNG SHIPBUILDING PROGRAMME Qatar has initiated a massive LNG shipbuilding programme that could exceed 100 newbuild LNG carriers over the next decade.
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atar Petroleum (QP) on April 22 issued an “Invitation to Tender” to shipbuilders for the reservation of LNG ship construction capacity. The initial plan calls for the construction of 60 LNG carriers with the potential to exceed more than 100 ships over the next decade. Qatargas will execute the shipbuilding programme on behalf of QP. According to media reports, the newbuild programme will support the shipping needs of Qatar’s North Field Expansion (NFE) Project and increase Qatar’s LNG production capacity from 77 MTPA to 110 MTPA in 2024. The tender covers shipping requirements for the LNG purchased and shipped from the Golden Pass LNG export project in the United
QPSPP TO SUPPLY LIGHT NAPHTHA TO SCG CHEMICALS Qatar Petroleum for the Sale of Petroleum Products (QPSPP) has signed a contract to supply 3 million tons (MT) of light naptha over 10 years to Thailand’s SCG Chemicals.
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eports said that QPSPP has the option to offer the light naphtha in several grades from Ras Laffan under the contract, and the first cargo has yet to be arranged. QPSPP has been expanding in the Far East, inking long-term deals on top of its usual quarterly naphtha tenders. The contract with SCG Chemicals is the fourth QPSPP has had with an Asian buyer since late 2018. QPSPP has three 5-year contracts with Japan’s Marubeni Corp. In two of the contracts, QPSPP will supply a total of 1.2 million MT per year of naphtha between October 2018 and September 2023. For the third contract, QPSPP will supply 200,000 MT per year of light naphtha from January 2019.
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States, which is currently under construction and is planned to start by 2024. In his comments, HE Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, who is also President and CEO of QP, said: “QP embarks on another major LNG shipbuilding campaign expected to initially deliver 60 LNG carriers in support of the planned production expansion, with a potential to exceed 100 new LNG carriers over the next decade.” “This important initiative reinforces QP’s commitment to its global reputation as a safe and reliable LNG producer at all times and under all circumstances,” he added.
OIL PRICES SURGE ON US DECISION
Oil prices shot up to new highs for the year after the US announced that it would let waivers on Iran sanctions fully expire. In early trading on April 22, WTI topped $66 per barrel and Brent moved above $74.
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rump has announced that the eight countries including India and China, which were exempted from sanctions for buying oil from Iran, will be subjected to US sanctions if they continued to purchase oil from Iran after May 2. The US government claimed that it has secured assurances from Saudi Arabia and the UAE that they would cover the gap left over by lost Iranian crude. However, Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Oil said that Riyadh would assess the impact to ensure the oil market does not go out of balance.
business > bank notes
PERFORMANCE OF QATARI BANKS DURING Q1 2019 Name of the bank
Net profit
Total assets
Commercial Bank of Qatar
QR431 million
QR143.8 billion
Qatar Islamic Bank
QR685.2 million
QR155.3 billion
Qatar National Bank
QR3.6 billion
QR882 billion
Doha Bank
QR307 million
QR96.3 billion
Qatar Intl Islamic Bank
QR266 million
QR54.3 billion
Masraf Al Rayan
QR544 million
QR100.31 billion
Al Khalij Commercial Bank
QR176 million
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IBQ, BARWA BANK COMPLETE LEGAL MERGER
QATAR BANKS MAINTAIN GROWTH TRAJECTORY
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Q
arwa Bank has announced the official completion of its legal merger with International Bank of Qatar (IBQ) and the combined entity will operate under the name of “Barwa Bank.” The merger, which brings two of Qatar’s leading and most dynamic financial players under one roof, will establish a powerhouse Shariah-compliant financial institution in both local and regional markets, backed by robust liquidity and solvency levels. The combined entity’s total assets are valued at more than QR80 billion and the operational integration is to be completed by the end of 2019. The new entity’s shareholders and customers’ equity base will enable both operational scale and the modernisation of its products and services development in keeping pace with customers’ and shareholders’ growing expectations. The merger will reshape the financial sector in Qatar by capitalising on both banks’ complementary strengths and offerings in servicing wholesale, private and retail clients, as well as on their diversified capital markets activities.
atar’s banking sector has grown in all its major parameters in March, registering year-on-year growth in its deposits, credit and assets, according to QNB’s latest country report. Qatari bank deposits grew by 3% and credit by 3.1% yearon-year (y-o-y) in March, while asset growth stood at 4.1% that month, QNB said in its “Qatar Monthly Monitor”. Private sector, public sector and non-resident deposits increased by 1.7%, 9.2% and 3.4% month-on-month, respectively, in March, the report showed. Qatar Central Bank’s (QCB) foreign exchange reserves rose to QR180.55 billion ($49.6 billion) in February from QR179.82 billion ($49.4 billion) in January 2019. This equates to nearly nine months of import cover. Broad money supply (M2) declined by 4.3% year-on-year in February, while interbank rates remained stable as of April 26.
OVER 96% OF QATAR’S PRIVATE BUSINESSES ARE SMES
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f the 25,000 private sector businesses currently registered in the country, more than 96% are classified as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to Qatar Development Bank (QDB) CEO Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa. The increased focus on SMEs by the government highlights the important role they play in the economy, he told Oxford Business Group. In light of this, expanding the segment and providing greater opportunities for smaller firms to take part in state-backed projects will significantly increase the number of jobs and boost economic growth, he said. According to Ministry of Finance forecasts, local firms could provide up to 90% of supplies for state projects in the coming years, with the authorities looking to improve the capacity and diversification of services offered by SMEs. 17 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
business > Real Estate
DOHA TOPS IN REAL ESTATE DEALS IN 2018
NEW HOTEL TO COME UP IN DOHA
Doha municipality topped the country in terms of real estate deals worth QR10.7 billion, far ahead of other municipalities in the country last year.
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oha was followed by Al Rayyan and Al Daayen municipalities in second and third place, respectively. Al Wakrah municipality, where infrastructure was developed on a large scale, was fourth in terms of real estate deals. According to the data of the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics, the value of properties sold in Al Rayyan municipality was QR6.37 billion in 2018 compared with QR2.76 billion in Al Daayen municipality. Total value of real estate deals in Al Wakrah municipality was QR1.84 billion in 2018. It’s no surprise that Doha tops the list of all municipalities as prime projects such as The PearlQatar, Msheireb Downtown Doha and West Bay, which house posh residential and commercial properties in the country, are located in the municipality. According to DTZ Qatar, a real estate consultancy firm, overall residential sales activity increased by 11% between 2017 and 2018, as purchasers took advantage of a fall in values. “In the investment market, apartments in The Pearl-Qatar are currently selling for prices of between QR12,500 and QR15,000 per sq m with the highest prices typically being achieved in Viva Bahriya,” the firm noted in its recent report.
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e Mirage Real Estate, a member of Sharaka Holdings, and Marriott International signed an agreement to debut the Four Points by Sheraton brand in Doha. Previously known as the Amari Hotel, the hotel will be converted to the Four Points by Sheraton Doha in Q3 2019 and will boast the brand’s approachable design and excellent service at an honest value. The hotel is a franchise property which will be managed by Le Mirage Property Management, the property management company of Le Mirage Real Estate. Sharaka Holdings CEO Amer Fares said that, with Doha’s inward -bound tourism market set to grow rapidly in the coming years, they were constantly looking for ways to enhance the travel experiences of visitors to the country. “The hotel’s strategic location in Doha, adjacent to the metro station and minutes away from key landmarks in the country together with the strong brand appeal of Four Points by Sheraton, will ensure it remains a destination of choice for all business visitors to Doha,” he said. President and Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International, Alex Kyriakidis said that the Four Points will feature 120 well-appointed guestrooms and suites, featuring the Four Points signature bed. The hotel offers the brand’s defining touches including complimentary bottled water in all rooms and fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
QATAR THROWS OPEN NEW AREAS FOR FOREIGN BUYERS As part of its campaign to draw more investment to the real estate sector, Qatar has decided to identify several new areas where foreigners can own real estate, according to a QNA report.
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Q
atar has enacted legislation last year permitting greater foreign ownership of its real estate sector. Only a small number of areas are currently open to foreign buying. The government will identify 10 locations eligible for full foreign ownership and 16 that could be held for a period of 99 years, the report said without elaborating further. Rental prices in Qatar’s real estate sector have fallen about
20% in the past three years, partly because of oversupply tied to a rush of construction ahead of the FIFA 2022 World Cup. The real estate sector has also suffered a setback following the diplomatic, trade and travel boycott imposed by some Arab states in June 2017. Non-Qataris will also be permitted to own villas within residential complexes and shops within commercial complexes, the report added.
Locations: Lagoona Mall : +974 44432757 Mirqab Mall: +974 44168459 Doha Mall: Opening Soon
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affairs > arab snippets
ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT Palestinian protesters take cover from Israeli tear gas during clashes after the protest near the border between Israel and Gaza Strip, east Gaza. Palestinian protesters strive for the right of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East to return to their homes which they fled in the war surrounding the 1948 creation of Israel. Photo source: EPA-EFE/MOHAMMED SABER Photographer: Mohammed Saber
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affairs > viewpoint
QATAR’S R&D GAINS TRACTION A series of initiatives designed to promote entrepreneurship and incubate start-ups in Qatar is strengthening the country’s research, development and innovation (RDI) ecosystem.
O
n January 15, the second annual Arab Innovation Academy (AIA) concluded its 10-day intensive workshop designed to equip young entrepreneurs from Qatar and across the region with the skill sets to develop and launch new tech ventures. An initiative of the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), part of the Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation division, and the European Innovation Academy, the AIA saw more than 160 entrepreneurs from 30 countries receive guidance from local and international experts to help them launch their start-ups. The AIA focused on skills such as team formation, idea creation, and pitching to venture capitalists and angel investors. The programme closed with the participating
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teams presenting the start-ups they have developed to market specialists and investors. The first place in this year’s event was awarded to Salamat-e, a mobile app connected to GPS that acts as a health passport, providing users with information about key diseases in various travel destinations. In second place was Fly Stories, an online platform that provides children with interactive reading exercises, as well as an outlet for authors to publish their work.
Private investment targeted
In addition to opening doors to new technology entrepreneurs, officials hope that initiatives such as the AIA will also raise broader awareness of the potential impact of RDI on Qatar’s drive towards economic diversification.
QSTP Executive Director Yosouf Abdulrahman Saleh told OBG that to realise the economic benefits of innovation, incentivising investment in start-ups and small businesses is key to creating a successful RDI ecosystem. “For this we now seek greater participation from the local and international private sector, which in turn would set off a cascading effect through the larger business community in the country,” he said. One vehicle to drive greater private sector involvement and raise the profile of RDI is the newly founded Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council. Established last year, the QRDI Council has been tasked with developing the national strategy to align RDI activities with the country’s economic and social priorities. Its remit also includes establishing guidelines and regulations for RDI, along with building on existing foundations to create further research and investment opportunities. These priorities, according to QRDI Secretary General Omar Al Ansari, revolve around the main challenges facing the country: national and cybersecurity, environmental sustainability, water and food security, economic and social development, and healthcare. The national strategy will outline policies and initiatives that utilise existing infrastructure to push Qatar’s innovation agenda and reach critical mass in research and development capabilities. “Moving forward, the goal is to cultivate a healthy innovation ecosystem and a healthy research ecosystem that together drive economic growth and societal impact,” Al Ansari told OBG.
Focus on STEM
In terms of academic collaboration, late January saw the launch of a new centre to support the development of creative applications of science and engineering. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Hub, a joint project of the Qatar National Research Fund and Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), is part of efforts to develop STEM education for Qatari students at the K-12 level and beyond. In line with the objectives set by the QRDI Council, the STEM Hub will aim to provide researchers with skill sets needed to address national challenges in areas such as water, energy
and cybersecurity, according to a statement issued by TAMUQ. By sharpening the focus of national RDI efforts from the early stages of the educational system all the way to higher education, and by fostering a stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, Qatar is looking to build on the innovation foundations that are already present in the Qatari society. “Qatar, as a country, has done a significant job in this sense over the past few years,” Saleh said. “Now we need to focus on boosting efficiencies to optimise the utilisation of resources that we already have,” he added.
THE NATIONAL STRATEGY WILL OUTLINE POLICIES AND INITIATIVES THAT UTILISE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE TO PUSH QATAR’S INNOVATION AGENDA AND REACH CRITICAL MASS IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITIES.
Entrepreneurship incubation
While developing the skill sets needed by entrepreneurs to build and pitch their start-up concepts, the government is also fast-tracking the next step in the RDI path. In January, Qatar’s Digital Incubation Centre (DIC), which is part of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, announced that 25 local start-ups would be incubated this year at its hub. Partly funded by the QSTP and the Qatar Development Bank, the DIC invested QR4.7 million ($1.3 million) in start-up projects last year, with nine companies completing the incubation process. The 25 new innovations being supported by DIC will take the number of start-ups being incubated by the centre to 58, with 36 having graduated since the centre was established in 2013.
This Qatar economic update was produced by Oxford Business Group. 23 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
affairs > world view
DEVASTATING NOTRE-DAME FIRE According to CNN report, investigators said that they had not ruled out any theories about what caused the inferno that engulfed the Gothic masterpiece. They said that it could be linked to ongoing renovations to the 150-year-old spire, which collapsed as the flames raged around it. The fire devastated large parts of the 850-year-old building before it was finally extinguished after a nine-hour battle, the report added. Photo source: EPA-EFE/Ian Langsdon Photographer: Ian Langsdon
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COVER STORY
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TOURISM GETS BIG BOOST BY VL SRINIVASAN
WITH OIL AND GAS-RICH NATIONS INCLUDING QATAR LOOKING AT ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAMMES IN VIEW OF THE DEPRESSING FUEL PRICES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR HAS BECOME ONE OF THE KEY SECTORS TO SHORE UP THEIR ECONOMIES. QATAR TODAY LOOKS AT HOW QATAR IS ENCOURAGING THE INDUSTRY BY TAKING UP VARIOUS MEASURES TO INCREASE ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP).
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COVER STORY TOURISM GET BIG BOOST
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he travel and tourism sector’s direct contribution to Qatar’s GDP was QR22.5 billion, 3.3% of the total GDP in 2018, and expected to rise by 4% to QR23.4 billion in 2019. The direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP is expected to grow by 7.8% per annum to QR49.4 billion (4% of the GDP) by 2029. In its report entitled “TRAVEL & TOURISM ECONOMIC IMPACT 2019,” the London-based World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) says that the total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP was QR64.5 billion in 2018, and expected to rise by 4.4% per annum to QR67.3 billion (9.4% of GDP) in 2019. It is forecast to rise by 7.7% per annum to QR141.2 billion by 2029 (11.4% of GDP). In fact, Qatar is poised to attain the number one position among 185 countries in the world in terms of long-term growth of the sector by 2028.
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The report further says that the total contribution of the travel and tourism sector to employment was 194,500 jobs in 2018 (9.5% of total employment). This is forecast to rise by 3% in 2019 to 200,000 jobs (9.7% of total employment) and is expected to be 301,000 (13.6% of total employment) by 2029. Visitor exports are one of the key components of the direct contribution of travel and tourism and in 2018, Qatar generated QR47.2 billion in visitor exports. In 2019, this is expected to grow by 4.4%, and the country is expected to attract 2,162,000 international tourist arrivals. By 2029, international tourist arrivals are forecast to total 6,598,000, generating expenditure of QR18.7 billion, an increase of 8.2% per annum. As far as investments are concerned, travel and tourism is said to have attracted QR7.3 billion in capital investment in 2018. This is expected to rise by 7.9% in 2019, and by 7.8% per annum over the next ten years to QR16.6 billion in 2029.
Travel and tourism’s share of total national investment will rise from 2.9% in 2019 to 4.3% in 2029, the report adds. WTTC Research Director Rochelle Turner says Qatar has enjoyed strong growth in travel and tourism over recent years, driven in particular by the strategy adopted by the government of targeting transiting travellers for a stopover in Doha (and with free or significant deals on stopovers with Qatar Airways), significant improvements in visa policy and strong investment in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup in 2022. As a result, the sector’s contribution to GDP increased on average by 14% per annum between 2012 and 2017. International visitor spending, which accounts for 84% of travel and tourism spending in Qatar, increased by 16.5% per annum during the same time period. However, in 2018, the travel and tourism GDP declined by 5.1% on the back of political tensions as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar. “The future for the sector in Qatar looks bright. Travel and tourism GDP is set to rise by 7.8% per annum over the next decade. This means that the sector’s total contribution to Qatar’s GDP will increase from 9.4% in 2018 to 11.4% in 2029,” Turner says. Some of the factors contributing to this remarkable growth include continued relaxation in visa policy, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and strong growth in the business segment. Indeed, our forecasts point to 10.4% average annual growth in business spending between 2019 and 2029. All these positive developments in the sector mean that travel and tourism will add over 100,000 additional jobs to the economy over the next ten years. As a result, its contribution to the country’s employment will increase from 9.5% in 2018 to 13.6% in 2029, Turner adds. MAJOR DRIVER “Tourism is one of the major drivers of the country’s economic diversification strategy, in line with the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030. The key growth drivers of the tourism and hospitality sector in Qatar are upcoming business and sports events, new hotel construction and expansion, new leisure attractions and government and regulatory initiatives to promote tourism in the country,” says Sanjay Bhatia, Managing Director of Dubai-based Alpen Capital (ME) Ltd, which offers a comprehensive range of financial advisory services to institutional and corporate clients across the GCC and South Asia. Qatar is also taking steady steps towards positioning the country as an attractive destination for business events in the region by capitalising on its easy access, growing event management services, and expanded exhibition capacity and transport network. “Qatar’s legislative framework regulating foreign investments in the country offers foreign investors the opportunity to own up to 100% of investment projects in various sectors and the Free Zones Law allows 100%
ownership across many activities and sectors. This is expected to attract businesses and promote tourism and hospitality in the country,” he points out. FILLIP TO TOURISM In tune with its avowed objective of becoming a major hub for tourism in the region, Qatar has launched the “Next Chapter” of its National Tourism Strategy 2030, which has charted a clear path of action from product and service development to define and outline the Qatar tourism experience. The strategy aims to attract 5.6 million visitors by 2023, 67% of whom fall under the leisure category and this is in line with the aim of increasing the number of annual hotel guests to four million. Another goal is for non-GCC visitors to make up 69% of the total tourists by 2023. As part of the government’s plans, His Highness,
“IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE COOPERATION AND CONCERTED EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED SUCCESS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRY AT ALL LEVELS TO ENSURE THE AUTHENTICITY AND EXCELLENCE OF THE TOURISTS’ EXPERIENCE WHICH REFLECTS THE CULTURE OF THE PEOPLE OF QATAR AND REPRESENTS THEIR MODERN VISION OF THE FUTURE.” HE SHEIKH ABDULLAH BIN NASSER BIN KHALIFA AL THANI Prime Minister and Interior Minister State of Qatar
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COVER STORY TOURISM GET BIG BOOST
Airways (QA) and QTA (now NTC) launched a new transit visa scheme that allowed QA passengers with a minimum transit time of five hours at Hamad International Airport (HIA) to stay in the country for up to 96 hours. Furthermore, in August 2017, NTC introduced visafree entry for citizens of 80 countries in the region and is also considering further enhancements to the visa policy including a waiver for holders of a visa/permit for GCC and Schengen countries, as well as the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Bhatia says.
“QATAR REMAINS AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND POSITIONS ITSELF AS A GLOBAL LEISURE DESTINATION KNOWN FOR LUXURY AND IMPECCABLE SERVICE. WE ARE POISED TO FACE A PROMISING FUTURE, AND WE SEE IT STARTING TO UNFOLD IN MANY PROJECTS AND FACILITIES UNDERWAY.” OMAR HUSSAIN ALFARDAN Alfardan Group President and CEO Qatar
the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, ordered the establishment in November 2018 of the National Tourism Council (NTC) which is headed by HE the Prime Minister and HE the Minister of Finance as vice-chairman. The new law cancelled Qatar Tourism Authority and the government committee to co-ordinate conferences and events. All functions of these entities will be allocated to the new council. In order to accomplish its goals, the NTC will be given oversight over three new entities charged with developing new large-scale tourism products and offerings, promoting Qatar as a destination internationally, and consolidating the work of existing business events stakeholders. The NTC will be guided in its mission by the QNTSS, which has set out a plan for the tourism sector’s future development. To lure the maximum number of visitors to the country, Qatar has formulated tourism-friendly laws and policies. In November 2016, the country’s national carrier Qatar 30 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
ROLE OF PRIVATE SECTOR While chairing the first meeting of NTC, Prime Minister and Interior Minister HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani stressed the need to continue implementing the initiatives emanating from the National Tourism Sector Strategy 2017-2023 to ensure the unhindered growth of the sector. He also said: “It is important to have cooperation and concerted efforts to achieve the desired success in partnership with the private sector for the development of the industry at all levels and to ensure the authenticity and excellence of the tourists’ experience which reflects the culture of the people of Qatar and represents their modern vision of the future.” What has really propelled Qatar’s tourism industry in the last decade has been its hosting of a series of mega business and sporting events, exhibitions and business meetings including the annual Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, Euromoney, Multaqah, International Boxing Association World Championship (2015), Handball World Championships (2015), Union Cycliste Internationale Road Cycling World Championships (2016), the inaugural QTA-sponsored Doha Triathlon (2017), and the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships (2018). However, by being chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar became the first country in the entire Middle East to conduct the tournament. Once the event is held successfully, Qatar can even apply to host the Olympics in the near future. Hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup is part of a planned strategy of the Qatari government to support its travel and tourism industry. Hosting a sports tournament of such magnitude will prove to be a big step towards the ultimate objective of becoming the “Sports Capital of the Middle East,” Alpen Capital said in its GCC Hospitality Industry report, which was released in July 2018. The 2022 FIFA World Cup is expected to attract more than 1.5 million tourists to the country while other events such as the World Corporate Games (which will be held for the first time in the Middle East in which 8,000 people are likely to participate) and World Championships in Athletics in the next few months along with the World Aquatics Championships in 2023 too will draw hundreds of thousands of people from around the world.
TREMENDOUS GROWTH Alfardan Group President and CEO Omar Hussain Alfardan said that Qatar has been enjoying tremendous growth in the hospitality sector in the past few years as many new hotels and tourism facilities were being built across the country. “Tourism is one of the major drivers of the country’s economic diversification strategy, in line with the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and we are positive Qatar is on the right track to achieve these goals, having successfully won the hosting of one of the most highly anticipated global events, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is already bringing in new investments. The government is keen to ensure that the growth path for the country is paved for all the key sectors with as much as $200 billion worth of infrastructure investments earmarked to meet economic goals.” “Qatar remains an ideal location for foreign investment and positions itself as a global leisure destination known for luxury and impeccable services. We are poised to face the promising future, and we see it starting to unfold in many projects and facilities underway,” he said, according to Alpen Capital’s report. CRUISE TOURISM With Qatar in the heart of the Arabian Gulf, cruise tourism is slowly becoming popular and has emerged as vital for the tourism industry in Qatar as it has impacted the numbers of visitors’ arrivals and tourism spending in the past few years. Qatar has witnessed a boom in the number of visitors on board cruise ships during the 2017-18 season between October 2017 and April 2018 with 22 luxury and mega ships bringing in more than 65,000 tourists at a growth rate of 39% over the previous season. The season witnessed five maiden voyages to Doha made by MSC Splendida, Mein Schiff 5, Crystal Symphony, Europa 2 and Crystal Serenity. The NTC expects 43 cruise ships to reach the Doha port carrying about 140,000 visitors, an increase of roughly 115% over the previous season during 2019-2020, which will also see the launch of 10 new cruise ships that will visit Doha for the first time, including the Queen Mary 2. According to a Qatar News Agency (QNA) report, the NTC expects around 200,000 tourists to visit the country during the 2019-2020 season and 300,000 by 2021-2022. Qatar has been able to make progress in tourism, becoming the most accessible destination in the Middle East and the eighth in the world. It has also entered the three best maritime tourism areas in the world, with a regular review of visa policy by its stakeholders, as it worked to exempt citizens of 88 countries from entering the country and paying any fees. This proved to be a tremendous decision as Qatar’s ranking shot up from 177 in 2014 to 8 in the world in 2018, a difference of 71.3 points between the two ranks. The first half of 2018 witnessed a remarkable growth in the number of visitors to Qatar compared to the first half of 2017. For
“WE HAVE EXAMINED WHAT QATAR OFFERS AS A DESTINATION TO BRING INTO SHARP FOCUS THE ESSENCE OF THE QATAR EXPERIENCE, AND HOW IT CAN BE TAILORED TO EACH OF OUR VISITOR SEGMENTS.” RASHED ALQURESE Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer Qatar National Tourism Council
example, the number of visitors from India increased by 18% and China by 43%, while Russia recorded the largest growth rate of 366%. Official data showed that 86% of passengers disembarked and enjoyed Qatar’s various offerings, with 53% preferring city tours, and 18% choosing desert safaris. The blockade has had an impact on Qatar’s tourism sector, with the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) reporting that tourism numbers were down by 44.6% yearon-year (y-o-y) in June 2017, the month that the blockade was imposed. 31 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
COVER STORY TOURISM GET BIG BOOST
In view of these developments, the government has initiated a series of measures aimed at blunting the impact and the industry is confident that the country will overcome the current period of uncertainty. “Geopolitical issues leading to oversupply concerns are the main challenge faced by the tourism sector. Furthermore, the drop in oil prices and currency depreciation of key source markets have also impacted the tourism sector,” Sanjay Bhatia says.
“THE FUTURE FOR THE SECTOR IN QATAR LOOKS BRIGHT. TRAVEL & TOURISM GDP IS SET TO RISE BY 7.8% PER ANNUM OVER THE NEXT DECADE. THIS MEANS THAT THE SECTOR’S TOTAL CONTRIBUTION TO QATAR’S GDP WILL INCREASE FROM 9.4% IN 2018 TO 11.4% IN 2029.” ROCHELLE TURNER Research Director World Travel and Tourism Council
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES One cannot say that there are no hurdles that affect the tourism sector in the country. Qatar has high-class hotels and convention centres where the government has conducted scores of prestigious business and political meetings for many years but one of the major stumbling blocks has been the trade and travel boycott imposed on Qatar by neighbouring Saudi Arabia and its allies in June 2017. Reports say that, following the unjust blockade, the total arrival of tourists fell from 2.19 million in the first three quarters of 2016 to 1.81 million in the corresponding period of 2017. Arrivals of GCC nationals dropped by 35% compared with the corresponding period in 2016, and arrivals of other Arab nationals were down by 18%. However, the number of arrivals from Europe and the Americas grew by 8% and 4%, respectively, in the first nine months of 2017. 32 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
GLOBAL CAMPAIGN The Tourism Committee of Qatar Chamber has reportedly pointed out in a study that a shortage of entertainment venues and weak promotion of Qatar as a tourist destination overseas were some of the reasons that hindered the sector’s growth. However, Qatar has launched its first global destination campaign aimed at positioning the country as an attractive destination under the tagline “Qatar. Qurated For You,” focusing on tailored visitor experiences for 225 million travelers from 15 countries. They include 37 million tourists from Asian countries like Singapore and Malaysia. The campaign will be in eight languages: English, Arabic, Italian, French, Mandarin, Turkish, German and Russian. Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer at QNTC Rashed Al Qurese says the campaign was more than an advertising campaign. “We have examined what Qatar offers as a destination to bring into sharp focus the essence of the Qatar experience, and how it can be tailored to each of our visitor segments,” he says. QNTC is also partnering with some of the world’s most popular travel platforms such as Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet and travel search engine, Wego, to attract more tourists to choose Doha as a stopover destination for two to three days before reaching their final destination. Many Singaporeans and Malaysians are flying with Qatar Airways and stopping in Doha when heading further west, Rashed says, adding that their partnership with Wego aims to encourage the transit passengers to venture out of the airport and add Doha as a stopover destination on their itinerary. According to media reports, the new tourism campaign and structural changes of NTC are expected to play an essential role in accomplishing the tourism strategy envisaged in 2017. The changes in the visa policies also played a critical role in achieving the tourism objectives laid out in 2017. The consolidated efforts have helped to position Qatar as the most open tourist-friendly country in the Middle East and the 8th most tourism friendly country in the world as per UNWTO’s visit/tourist visa ranking. HOSPITALITY SECTOR Qatar’s hospitality sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.1% between 2017 and 2022 to $1.4 billion and 70% of the hotels are in the four and five-star categories. Travel and tourism investment is expected to be around QR14.5
billion, increasing by 7.8% between 2018 and 2028. In fact, as many as seven hotels and five malls are due to open in Qatar this year; the hotels include Al Messila Resort, Dusit Doha, Mandarin Hotel, Zulal Wellness Resort, M Gallery Boutique Hotel, Panaroma Residences and Suites and Plaza Rayhaan, while the malls include the much-awaited Place Vendome, Boulevard Mall, Doha Mall, La Plage Mall and Marina Mall. Sanjay Bhatia says the 2022 FIFA World Cup is expected to attract more than 1.5 million tourists to the country and, according to FIFA guidelines, Qatar is required to maintain a supply of 60,000 hotel rooms. The country has planned investments worth QR8.37 billion ($2.3 billion) for the World Cup and an additional QR25.11 billion ($6.9 billion) for transport and associated projects. The country has planned to offer a wide range of accommodation options such as cruise ship hotel rooms, Bedouin-style tents for camping under the stars and a short-term letting system similar to Airbnb. Prominent hotel openings in Qatar include Tivoli Al Najada Doha hotel (151 hotel rooms and suites), Oaks Al Najada Doha (100 keys) and Souq Al Wakra Hotel (101 keys), he says. Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Al Faisal holdings in Qatar. ARTIC is engaged in real estate development, acquisition and leasing with a primary focus on the hospitality sector and hospitality-related services both in Qatar and overseas. ARTIC has over 24 hotels and projects in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America regions. It also owns hospitality-related services which provide costeffective support services in a shared service model, such as laundry and distribution and procurement services. ARTIC has six hotels in Qatar which include City Center Rotana Hotel, Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Doha, Aiana Hotel, Hyatt Centric Hotel and Shangri-La Hotel, Doha. ARTIC’s construction pipeline includes Element, a 41-storey residential tower under development which includes 283 rooms, Grand Murwab City Center Doha which includes 256 rooms and suites, in addition to 97 fully furnished one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Al Sraiya Holding Group is among the major players in the industry and has acquired a strong position in the hospitality sector through its properties – Millennium Hotel, Staybridge Hotel, Copthorne Hotel and Kingsgate Hotel – in the country. It also owns reputed hotels around the world including in the US and Europe. Another notable organisation is Katara Hospitality, which is the leading global hotel developer based in Qatar and has pioneered developing high-quality hotels in several countries. According to data from the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics, more than 1.8 million people from countries in Asia and Europe visited Qatar in 2018. Of them, 41% (753,161) were from other Asia regions while 29% (528,333) were from Europe in 2018, data. Some 11% (200,000) of tourists were from the GCC nations while
“QATAR’S LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK REGULATING FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THE COUNTRY OFFERS FOREIGN INVESTORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN UP TO 100% OF INVESTMENT PROJECTS IN VARIOUS SECTORS AND THE FREE ZONES LAW ALLOWS 100% OWNERSHIP ACROSS MANY ACTIVITIES AND SECTORS. THIS IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES AND PROMOTE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY IN THE COUNTRY.” SANJAY BHATIA Managing Director Alpen Capital (ME) Ltd
9% (161,162) were from America’s. The share of visitors from “other Arab countries” was 7% and those from “other African countries” constituted 3% of the total visitors in 2018. 33 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
affairs > bottom line
FIVE HACKS
TO MAKE YOUR CV STRONGER IMAGINE YOURSELF IN AN INTERVIEW FOR YOUR DREAM JOB, AND THE EMPLOYER ASKS YOU TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF. EASY, RIGHT?
W
ait, you have not heard the catch yet. You only have seven seconds to do so. You are put on the spot, nervous and sweating. What do you say? What do you focus on? Should you start with your work experience? DING DING DING, time is up! What if employers would actually put you through that? What a nightmare, right? Well…They already do so to a certain extent. Studies have concluded that employers spend an average of seven seconds reading through a CV before making a decision on whether or not the candidate is qualified for the job. First impressions definitely do count when you are trying to impress employers and get hired. And you probably only have a few seconds to make a good one, so make them count. That is why you should write and structure your CV in a certain way to make it stand out. It may seem like a difficult task to do but when you think about it it’s not that hard as a large number of CVs out there are
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considered predominantly bland, standard and boring. You need to market yourself. It’s a game. If you want to make a good first impression to employers, you will have to put your best foot forward. As they say, “The first step is half the journey.” And that’s where your CV comes in. So, experts at Bayt.com have written this article to give you some tips on how to strengthen your CV and ultimately make a good first impression on employers.
Here are some hacks on how to have a killer CV: Keep your CV clear and concise
So, you have finally gotten the chance to brag about yourself without feeling arrogant or pretentious. It can certainly be tempting to shove as much information as you can in your CV, with lots of business terms, in order to seem more sophisticated. But this method can seriously backfire and just make your CV more complex to read. Keep it short and simple – it’s not an extended essay. Do not get the wrong idea. You should
definitely aim to come across as polished and professional. But do not overdo it, because that’s when your CV loses your personal essence and character and becomes just like all the other old plain CVs out there. Your spirit should shine through your CV. Keep your CV organised and easy to read so as not to discourage employers from properly going through it. Remember, you have seven seconds so you should aim to have a sense of flow in your CV and avoid repetitions. There is just no need for redundancy. Also, you should keep in mind that including a bunch of irrelevant information in your CV will just make you look like you do not get what the job responsibilities are. Avoid it. You don’t want to seem uninformed, do you?
Focus on yourself
It is never too late to start focusing on enhancing your abilities and developing yourself. You can always learn something new. Your CV will thank you. If you already have strong qualifications and a solid skill set, then you probably already have them listed on your CV. Don’t you? But
why leave them as is? Why not make them shine even brighter? If you don’t really have that much experience and believe that your skill set might be lacking, then now is the time to change that and step up your game. You will need to focus on building and enhancing the skills and qualifications that are relevant for the job that you are seeking. Let us say, for example, that you are looking for a job in the accounting industry; you should try to get as involved as possible with anything significant in the industry. This can include volunteering to do your family’s and friends’ bookkeeping, joining an accounting society, or even going to accounting events where you can learn valuable insights on industry developments – something that you might be asked about during the recruitment process. Remember, employers will want to know when, where and how you have used your skills to create value. So, you should try to put your skills to practice whenever possible. This is also why you should never lie on your CV. Keep it real. Don’t expect to have “Capacity Building” as a primary skill on your CV and not be asked about it. You can also develop your skills by using Bayt.com’s learning tools such as online courses and training courses.
Tailor your CV
You might have already picked up on the memo of this article but tailoring your CV to each job you apply for is considered the golden rule of CV writing. Employers already have skill sets and qualifications that they are looking for, so you should include the ones you have that mirror the job description. Begin your CV with a solid personal summary (also known as a career objective), positioned in the top centre, that can brand you as right for the job as well as grab the attention of the recruiter. At the end of the day, it does occupy the most important part of your CV. Your CV should reflect that you are fit for the job. This means you should only include information that is related to the job and can be appreciated by the employer. Do not put that you are an expert in animal behaviour when applying for a corporate job. They do not need to know that, and probably do not want to know.
Keep your CV fresh
When was the last time you updated your CV? A month or two ago? You can’t remember? It’s extremely important to keep updating your CV, at least once every few months, as employers always prefer and sometimes prioritise freshly updated CVs over old rusty ones. You never know when a job opportunity might appear, and it is always best to apply within the first 48 hours of a job posting. You do not want to delay applying because of an outdated CV, do you? If you already have an updated CV on Bayt. com but want to make it fresh to employers, you can easily do that by pressing the “Refresh Last Update” on your profile.
Focus on achievements
Okay, everyone gets it, you had like a million responsibilities at your former job. But the question is were you good at your job and did you deliver? Don’t just include a long list of your job tasks you performed. Tasks are self-explanatory, for the most part, and any other person could have done them. You should illustrate how you added value to the company. And use numbers, employers love their numbers. For example, “I was able to develop and incorporate a project management strategy that aided in cutting costs by 30 percent, as well as making the whole procedure considerably simpler and shorter.” Lastly, if you have gone through your CV multiple times and feel like it still needs some work and you are a bit stuck, then you can always consider seeking professional help. Thankfully, Bayt.com offers various CV writing services that jobseekers like you can take advantage of such as Professional CV Writing Service and CV Templates.
ABOUT BAYT.COM Bayt.com is the #1 job site in the Middle East with more than 40,000 employers and over 30,000,000 registered job seekers from across the Middle East, North Africa and the globe, representing all industries, nationalities and career levels. Post a job or find jobs on www.bayt.com today, and access the leading resource for job seekers and employers in the region.
35 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
economy > tag this
QSE: BACK TO BUSINESS WITH THE ADVERSE IMPACT OF TRADE AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON QATAR FADING AWAY, IT HAS BEEN BACK TO BUSINESS FOR THE QATARI BOURSE, QATAR TODAY FINDS OUT.
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hat came as a shot in the arm for the Qatar Stock Exchange has been the listing of Qatar Petroleum’s subsidiary - Qatar Aluminium Manufacturing Company (QAMCO) - on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) in the last quarter of the year that passed by. The company offered 273,425,880 million shares valued close to QR2.714 billion
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($745.6 million), representing around 40% of the total proceeds raised in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during the year and it was the bourse’s largest IPO by proceeds in the last four years. These shares constituted 49% of the issued share capital of QAMCO and the IPO was oversubscribed 2.5 times the amount of shares offered to individual investors. Elated over the response, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum HE Saad bin
Sherida Al Kaabi said: “The successful subscription of the IPO reflected the strength of Qatar’s economy, and the confidence in the State’s economic policies pursued under the Qatar National Vision 2030 which support the development of Qatar's stock market.” However, Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange Tadawul was most active in terms of number of IPOs and the performance of Kuwait's stock exchange was very good in the area of investment returns after it was included in the FTSE Russell Emerging
Market Index from September 2018. Except for QAMCO, the remaining 45 out of the 46 companies listed on Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) have disclosed their annual financial results for the year ended on December 31, 2018, during which the net profit was QR41.23 billion compared with QR38.47 billion for the previous financial year with an increase rate of 7.17%. Some of the factors that have helped Qatar’s bourse to remain on a steady course included the prospects of ending the US-China trade war, rising oil prices, solid macroeconomic fundamentals of the country as well as its low trade deficit. The government’s decision to relax foreign direct investment rules is also said to be among the reasons for the QSE being rated as the best-performing stock exchange in the world which offered about 20% in returns to the investors.
Positive performance
Stating that the positive performance reflected the strong fundamentals of Qatar’s economy and the investment attractiveness of the QSE and its listed entities, the bourse’s chief executive Rashid bin Ali Al Mansoori said: “QSE has proven its ability to overcome the challenges of the economic blockade, which brought the best out of Qatar’s capital market, and performance has exceeded expectations with positive results on all levels.” In fact, the investors’ confidence, particularly those from abroad, on Qatar can be gauged by the fact that during the first half of 2018, Qatar attracted foreign direct investment to the tune of QR5.3 billion ($1.45 billion). The bourse’s chief executive also said that Qatar has a strong and diversified investment climate supported by a package of financial and regulatory laws that put it at the forefront of these markets. “The Qatari market is qualified to achieve significant growth rates in this sector, especially after the entry of international investors,” he added. According to the latest EY MENA IPO Eye report, FTSE Russell announced the entry of QAMCO to the FTSE Index within the first week of trading owing to the positive response generated by the IPO, which was oversubscribed by 2.5 times. The Qatar exchange has performed well in 2018 with prospects of inflows from investors tracking emerging-market indexes after the relaxation of foreign ownership curbs. EY’s MENA Transactions Leader Phil Gandier said: “The successful subscription of QAMCO reflects the strength of Qatar’s economy, and the government’s mandate towards supporting capital markets and privatisation as it pursues diversification of the economy.”
MENA region’s IPOs
Overall, MENA witnessed 26 IPOs valued around QR10.74 billion ($2.95 billion) which included eight IPOs from Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia totaling around QR1.39 billion ($381.6 million) in 2018. However, compared with 2017, IPO activity saw a decrease year-on-year with volume declining by 23.5% and the value declining by 24.6%. Among the eight IPO listings in the four North African countries, Egypt recorded the highest number of deals with four IPOs in the year worth a little over QR1 billion ($276.5 million), followed by Morocco with two IPOs worth QR320.32 million ($88 million) while Algeria and Tunisia recorded one IPO each worth QR34.58 million ($9.5 million) and QR27.66 million ($7.6 million), respectively.EY’s MENA IPO Leader Gregory Hughes said: “While the capital markets in the region are moving at a cautious pace, we saw a healthy diversification in sectors when compared to the dominance of REITs seen in the previous quarter of the year. Despite current macroeconomic conditions, the MENA region witnessed 26 IPOs in the year, which is extremely encouraging.”
Remarkable quarter
Meanwhile, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said in a report that the fourth quarter (Q4) was “remarkable” for the GCC equity markets in 2018, with five IPO transactions generating total proceeds of $1.03 billion, 42% of the annual GCC IPO proceeds, The equity markets remained active in 2018, although showed declining statistics in terms of primary IPOs compared to 2017. Q4 was a noticeable quarter for 2018, but still some way behind the eight IPOs in the last quarter of 2017, which generated $2.46 billion. The report further said that the GCC IPO outlook for 2019 hinges on the oil price as well as the geopolitical climate. “There is a cautious investor sentiment which is expected to linger in the early months of 2019,” it said. “The decision to include GCC nations in JP Morgan’s Emerging Market Bond Index (EMBI Index) from January 2019 and the ascending tendency of oil prices were likely to have contributed to the overall GCC performance and boosted the issuance of GCC debts in 2018,” according to the PwC report. Stressing that macro-economic and geopolitical uncertainties were expected to remain in the immediate future, PwC Middle East Capital Markets Leader Steve Drake said: “As the market adjusts to the new norm, capital markets opportunities are still present for companies that are well prepared.”
“QSE HAS PROVEN ITS ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES OF THE ECONOMIC BLOCKADE, WHICH BROUGHT THE BEST OUT OF QATAR’S CAPITAL MARKET, AND PERFORMANCE HAS EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS WITH POSITIVE RESULTS ON ALL LEVELS.” RASHID BIN ALI AL MANSOORI Chief Executive Qatar Stock Exchange
“AS THE MARKET ADJUSTS TO THE NEW NORM, CAPITAL MARKETS OPPORTUNITIES ARE STILL PRESENT FOR COMPANIES THAT ARE WELL PREPARED.” STEVE DRAKE Capital Markets Leader PwC Middle East
37 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
affairs > technology
VR ENHANCES
WORKERS’ SAFETY ROBOTS ARE MAKING THEIR WAY INTO DIVERSE FIELDS OF WORK BUT HUMAN WORKERS OFTEN STILL FEEL UNSAFE WORKING ALONGSIDE THEM, REGARDLESS OF THE TRUE LEVELS OF RISK. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT HEC PARIS SANGSEOK YOU AND HIS COLLEAGUES HAVE USED VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) TO EXPLORE HOW HUMANS CAN BE MADE TO FEEL SAFER WHILE WORKING WITH ROBOTS.
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e are not yet letting Robocop police the streets but robots are increasingly used in industries where they can replace humans for dangerous or repetitive tasks. In fields of work such as construction and manufacturing, robots free up workers from tasks such as spraying paint, protecting them from noxious fumes, and allowing them to be better utilised in more highly skilled work such as design roles. Yet, often this means humans must now work closely alongside robots, putting themselves at risk. In December 2018, 24 workers were hospitalised at an Amazon warehouse after a robot accidentally
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pierced a can of bear repellent at the Robbinsville facility in New Jersey. In 2015, a worker was killed by a robot while working in a metal factory in India after a welding stick on a pre-programmed robot pierced the 24-year-old worker’s abdomen. In the same year, a 21-year-old technician was killed by a robot at a Volkswagen plant in Germany when he was struck in the chest by the equipment. Thankfully, deaths like these are exceedingly rare. It is, in fact, eight times more dangerous to work in a bar in the US than in the manufacturing sector, according to US government data.
Being safe is not feeling safe
While safety standards continue to improve as robot technology advances, there is now a major gap between the perceived levels
of risk workers face and the true levels of risk posed by robots, with fear often disproportionately high when compared to the real level of risk involved. To date, the existing literature on robot safety has tended to focus on technical issues while largely ignoring the issue of perceived safety. This may be down to the fact that designing prototype robots and scenarios to experiment with is expensive and time-consuming. This means that concerns that aren’t considered to be crucial may be neglected. These concerns are important, however, because heavy-duty machinery is one of the leading causes of accidents on construction sites and the fear of being injured by this equipment is a real concern for workers.
Living in fear is not only unpleasant and unhealthy but may lead workers to take unnecessary risks or leave their industry.
Benefits of a virtual world
To help solve this problem, we used VR to experiment with ways to encourage workers to feel safer while working around robots. It has recently been shown to be effective for helping children with autism confront phobias by exposing them to their fears in an immersive virtual environment. This allows them to go on to successfully confront their fears in real life. Could the same technology help workers feel safe around robots in a similar way? An immersive virtual environment brings several benefits over normal prototype experiments that lend themselves to robotics, including lower production costs, being more realistic, and having better experimental control. The cost of a virtual reality experiment is limited largely to the time taken to code up an environment. These costs are negligible when compared to building a prototype machine and testing it under laboratory conditions.
Working with robots
In order to help assess perceived safety and its impact on collaboration between humans and robots, we designed the Robot Safety Acceptance Model (RASM), which has three key assumptions: • First, we predicted that a barrier between
humans and robots would make humans feel safer. • Second, we predicted that this facilitates identification and trust in the robot. • Third, we predicted that the safer humans feel working alongside robots, the more likely they will be to want to work with robots in future. To test our model, we created an immersive virtual environment in which 30 students at an American university could experience collaborating with a robot to build a wall. The human and the robot would work together, each placing a block on the virtual wall every seven seconds. This was done either in the open or with the human separated from the robot by a barrier. To design an immersive virtual environment, we used a Unity 3D2 game engine, providing many interactive components. As expected, we found that the students felt safer when there was a physical barrier between themselves and the robot. Our results suggest that this effect was mediated by team identification and trust in the robot. Team identification is the degree to which an individual feels a connection or strong bond. Besides, trust can be defined as the degree to which an individual believes the robot is capable, credible and reliable. We
“LIVING IN FEAR IS NOT ONLY UNPLEASANT AND UNHEALTHY BUT MAY LEAD WORKERS TO TAKE UNNECESSARY RISKS OR LEAVE THEIR INDUSTRY. TO HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, WE USED VIRTUAL REALITY TO EXPERIMENT WITH WAYS TO ENCOURAGE WORKERS TO FEEL SAFER WHILE WORKING AROUND ROBOTS.” SANGSEOK YOU Assistant Professor HEC Paris
39 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
affairs > technology
also found that if the students perceived the work area to be safe then they would be more willing to work with the robot in the future. When fear and worry are reduced it becomes easier for a human to form a common identity with and build trust in a robot.
Methodology and applications
We developed a conceptual model to help understand what circumstances make humans feel safe while working in close proximity to robots. We tested our model using virtual reality to create an immersive virtual environment. Our research has implications for industries such as construction that are seeking to employ robots to work alongside humans. Our findings suggest that businesses would benefit from installing safety fences between robots and humans and ensuring the movement flow of robots and humans do not overlap. Virtual reality could be a cost-effective way of testing ways to ensure this without going to the expense of building a real-world model for each test case. 40 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
(This article is based on “Enhancing perceived safety in human–robot collaborative construction using immersive virtual environments” by Sangseok You (HEC Paris Business School), JeongHwan Kim, SangHyun Lee, VineetKamat and Lionel P. Robert Jr. (University of Michigan), 2018, in Automation in Construction, vol 90. Pgs. 161-170). (About HEC Paris: Founded in 1881 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, HEC Paris is one of the world’s leading providers of Executive Education. HEC Paris joined Qatar Foundation in 2010 and brought world-class Executive Education programmes and research activity to Qatar and the GCC region. HEC Paris offers in Qatar a complete and unique range of educational programmes designed for the leaders of tomorrow. In Doha, HEC Paris runs an Executive MBA, a Specialised Master’s Degree in Strategic Business Unit Management, Executive Short Programmes for managers and executives, and Customdesigned programmes for companies. http://www.qatar.exed.hec.edu/)
THE ULTIMATE HUAWEI PHENOMENON It’s no surprise that HUAWEI is changing the game in the global high-end smartphone market. The brand is definitely growing in the smartphone industry around the world, ranking third largest and growing faster compared to other competitors while aiming to be an iconic technology brand.
“AT HUAWEI, WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON BEING ATTENTIVE TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE END USERS. WITH FEATURES SUCH AS THE SUPERSPECTRUM SENSOR AND SUPERZOOM LENS, WE ARE SET TO CHANGE PEOPLE’S EXPECTATIONS OF SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY,” SAID MR IAN LI, GENERAL MANAGER OF HUAWEI CONSUMER BUSINESS GROUP, MIDDLE EAST MULTI COUNTRIES.
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ith its latest offering, HUAWEI has once again pushed the boundaries in smartphone photography technology with its latest launch of the HUAWEI P30 Series. The new techobsession has profound camera features and has been labelled as the brand’s most advanced smartphone to date. The new and high-tech HUAWEI P30 Pro incorporates a Leica Quad Camera System that includes a 40MP primary camera with the HUAWEI SuperSpectrum Sensor, a 20MP ultra-wide angle camera, an 8MP telephoto camera fitted with SuperZoom Lens and HUAWEI ToF Camera. At its official Qatar launch held in partnership with Doha’s Fire Station, HUAWEI did a live demonstration of the SuperZoom feature that goes from 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom and 50x digital zoom in a collaborated photo gallery which was during a one-day photo walk challenge by Mr Khalifa Al Obaidly, Director of the Fire Station Artist in Residence, using the new HUAWEI P30 Pro. HUAWEI and Fire Station also announced a longer-term partnership and a series of upcoming arts projects that aims to engage the wider arts community. Mr Al Obaidly commented: “I believe every person is an artist by heart and is able to express himself through art. I had the privilege of testing the HUAWEI P30 PRO, I challenged myself in one day, and I got this amazing image quality.”
In a Q and A with Qatar Today, HUAWEI revealed its thoughts on redefining photography using smartphones instead of the usual digital camera. Its simple secret comes in its latest release which is the Leica Quad Camera. It is a revolutionary camera setup that enables users to enjoy a professional photography experience that is housed in Huawei’s thin and light smartphones with its aesthetic design and full-view display experience. HUAWEI also shared with Qatar Today its future endeavours for Doha. “Thanks to the trust of our customers, Huawei has a very strong presence in the Middle East region and in Qatar. Qatar is definitely one of the fast-growing markets in the region, HUAWEI Consumer Business Group has a stellar business growth in Qatar.” Furthermore, HUAWEI promises to work on channel expansion by providing wider product availability to meet the HUAWEI needs of its consumers in Doha. HUAWEI is also investing great efforts to introduce products that feed the Qatari consumer’s appetite for pioneering technology and innovation and creating value and premium user experiences.
Mr Ian Li, General Manager of Huawei Consumer Business Group, Middle East Multi Countries, added: “At Huawei, we pride ourselves on being attentive to the requirements of the end users. With features such as the SuperSpectrum Sensor and SuperZoom Lens, we are set to change people’s expectations of smartphone photography.” 41 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
affairs > technology
YOUR DATA SECURITY IS IN YOUR HANDS There’s no denying the fact that Qatar is a safe country, where we can leave our car and house unlocked without any fear of something happening.
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e often see this inside the IT environments of our clients, with sensitive data being kept on unsecured systems. And while we have learned to secure the perimeters of the companies, the internal networks still remain very weak, very similar to an egg which is hard on the outside and soft inside. You should remember that each year cyber threats are evolving but we can easily find some trends. Nowadays, data and information leaks have taken front seat and impacted our businesses and our lives. From a business perspective, unauthorised access to a company's confidential information is directly affecting its reputation and position in the market. Unfortunately, most data leaks are triggered by internal actions of employees and contractors. Phishing attacks and scams have also been increasing at a rapid pace. Each of us receive a large amount of emails from social
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media, banks, insurance companies, schools, business partners, family, etc. Sometimes we are just clicking on links inside the message without reading what is behind it. The moment we click on the mail, we are exposed and our data at someone else’s disposal to misuse. Today cyber criminals are using very sophisticated methods. Their emails look exactly the same as the 100 emails you have received from your bank but it wouldn’t be the SAME message. It will be well-prepared content with links to special software which opens the doors of your computer, your account, your business, your life. Stolen private data can be used in many ways but the most important fact is that someone is interfering in our private life. Information about our family, our health or our bank account are giving someone access to the critical information with the possibility to control us. Understanding the biggest cyber
security threats and vulnerabilities is the first step in minimising such risks, which can significantly help align companies in implementing some countermeasures. To help our fellow Qatari community and leading corporate houses against such prevailing cyber threats, Remah has devised a very structured testing methodology. Remah provides the most accurate information about all your assets and vulnerabilities in your ever-changing IT environment. The infographic chart shows the external penetration testing methodology followed by Remah security engineers. The first stage of the test gives you a clear picture of the network, the types of systems, and the services running on the different systems. Information about the targets are gathered from publicly available sources, such as WHOIS databases, search engines, news groups and mailing lists archives, etc. The nest steps of identification and
Information Gathering
Identification of Potential Targets
In-death analysis of Targets
Identify Weaknesses
High
Y Exploitable?
Quantify Risk
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target analysis cover various techniques of passive and active analysis, which in turn can identify correct the type and versions of the services, identification of known weaknesses and indicators for potential vulnerabilities.
Recognising vulnerabilities just a step up
Identifying potential vulnerabilities can only briefly estimate the risk level because there are many additional factors which affect the exploitability of the particular vulnerability. To reliably identify all risks, every such vulnerability should be verified by performing exploitation actions. Public exploitation techniques and exploits in combination with in-house custom development for unknown vulnerabilities are used by Remah security engineers to prove the vulnerability impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability of the exposed services. This step also eliminates most of the false positives generated by automatic scanners and security tools. Once one of the systems in a network has been compromised, there are several new possibilities to attack other systems. Since the compromised system is also installed on some “internal” network segment, different (or no) firewall rules will be applicable. This means that probably more systems and services will be visible to the attacker, making it possible to pivot into the internal network. Based on the vulnerability assessment and exploitation phases, these vulnerabilities are assigned an associated risk level. This information combined with clear recommendations with mitigation strategies helps to efficiently eliminate threats to identified services.
Expertise makes a difference
Most of the currently observed attacks are towards web applications exposed on
Medium
Findings / Recommendations
Low
the Internet. That is why it is crucial to ensure that public-facing web portals are adequately secured against both common and bleeding-edge attacks. Remah security engineers have extensive and proven experience in web applications’ security assessments. Based on the proven OWASP pentesting methodology and Penetration Testing Execution Standard, Remah’s web applications security testing methodology provides reliable results with actionable recommendations to eliminate identified vulnerabilities. Each assignment starts with an information gathering phase, which covers both passive and active methods to better understand and identify not only web application but also supporting middleware and infrastructure services. Identifying hidden resources or analysing error pages can give significant information about the target application, which can result in successfully launching advanced attacks. The early stage of that phase includes the understanding of the business logic of the application. After the business logic has been determined, various tests will be conducted to determine the “relationship” between the different scripts that make up the application, and identify possible ways to manipulate the logic of the application and bypass security protections. Additionally, users’ data and application themselves are technical vulnerabilities, which are mostly the result of an unsecure input and output validation. Actions in this phase cover automatic input fuzzing (like web forms, file uploads, api calls) which can indicate errors in interpreters as well as output encoding. Critical and high-risk-level automatically identified vulnerabilities are used as a base for further analysis. Problems with interpreters often lead to unauthorised data access and modification but can also be used to remote code execution and full system takeover. A lot
REMAH PROVIDES THE MOST ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT ALL YOUR ASSETS AND VULNERABILITIES IN YOUR EVER-CHANGING IT ENVIRONMENT. CEZARY MURAWSKI General Manager Remah IT and Advanced Electronics
of Remah security engineers’ attention is directed against vulnerabilities that can affect users’ data security. Example parts of the application that permit malicious output manipulation (like script injection) are identified to indicate the existence of cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities. XSS allows attackers to execute scripts in the victim’s browser which can hijack user sessions, deface web sites or redirect the user to malicious sites. Apart from user input or business logic vulnerabilities, other commonly known attacks are automatically tested, such as security misconfiguration, frameworks and libraries vulnerabilities. These tests are performed using automated tools followed by manual verification and exploitation of critical and high-risk vulnerabilities. These tests are ideal to obtain a realistic view of the type of vulnerabilities that can be exploited by an external attacker. 43 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
business > marketwatch
REDEFINING FILM ENTERTAINMENT FROM MOVIES, SNACKS AND AMBIANCE TO EQUIPMENT AND SERVICE AT THEIR BEST, EVERYTHING INSIDE THE FLIK CINEMAS IS UNDENIABLY A BLOCKBUSTER, QATAR TODAY FINDS OUT.
T Doha.
he latest entrant to the market, this new cinema exhibitor is raising the standards in creating and delivering an unprecedented cinematic experience to the people of
With more than five years in the making, Flik Cinemas has established itself in the cinematic entertainment industry of Doha under the Qatari-owned Al Mana Group of Companies. Coming from a parent company with an extensive background in wider fields, the recent introduction of Flik Cinemas clearly states Al Mana's plans to venture into the world of entertainment. Flik is the first cinema in Qatar to use the world-leading combined cinema technologies of Christie Digital Projection and Vive Sound, the award-winning cinema solution that “exceeds all expectations and represents acoustic and projection engineering at its finest.” By harnessing these technologies, Flik Cinemas will
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redefine the experience of “going to the movies.” In an exclusive interview with Qatar Today, Flik Cinemas General Manager John Howard expressed his enthusiasm in fully maximising the potential of the company. When asked about its short-term and long-term aspirations for Flik Cinemas, he proudly shared the company’s intention to open a couple of movie houses in the next few years. Furthermore, John also conveyed the company’s long-standing goal and said: “Flik Cinemas’ aim is to represent Doha from the cinema exhibitor perspective by focusing on our local Qatar customers who are our lifeblood.”
Making waves
In 2016, Flik Cinemas made its debut with its first cinema opening at the Lagoona Mall. Like any usual cinema houses, Flik offers a wide array of visual content — English, local and Bollywood movies — as well as palatable dining experiences. To
date, Flik Cinemas is present in Lagoona Mall and Mirqab Mall. Despite its relatively fresh experience of not more than three years in market, Flik Cinemas is already making a name in the tight competition in the country. Bearing in mind that Flik is purely a Qatar-based and Qatari-owned company, the exhibitor confidently manifests its high ambitions in providing the best entertainment outlet for its Doha customers. With all its developments strategically positioned within the country, the company continues to progress in catering to its customers by offering the best products and services. In fact, Flik Cinemas has been able to distinguish itself in the market by eradicating the fine line between convenience and luxury at its cinema in Lagoona Mall with the “comfort meets luxury” concept. Flik Cinemas and Mirqab Mall recently joined forces with Shooting Stars to bring Shazam! to over 150 Doha DC Comic fans in
an exclusive premiere screening on 2 April 2019. Among the fans were over 50 of Qatar’s most prominent media figures and digital influencers, all eager to be the first to watch one of DC’s highest-rated superhero films. John Howard described the event as “era defining,” noting that “Shazam! is a highly entertaining spin on the superhero genre but DC Comic’s production is more than just a comedy. With the right blend of jeopardy and joy, Shazam! could redefine the genre.” Commenting on the premiere screening, Derryl D’Souza, Country Manager of Shooting Stars, added: “The premiere was a success. It was the best I’ve seen in Doha. The group contributions were there to see. I am sure it will be the first of many.” Rony Mourani, General Manager of Al Mana Malls, also expressed his delight in witnessing the outcome of the event. He said: “We are delighted to host this film as our first premiere since this action-packed family film fits perfectly into the persona of Flik Cinemas at Mirqab Mall.”
State-of-the-art equipment
Flik Cinemas located at Lagoona Mall evidently caters to the high-class demographic with its state-of-the-art equipment and services like the platinum screen, overly comfortable and luxurious chairs and the convenience of ordering food through an iPad without having to leave your seat. With this, the company has successfully done something that few movie houses have ever managed to do before. Flik Cinemas’ combination of convenience, luxury and entertainment has led to a highly effective unique selling proposition in the market. Moreover, Flik Cinemas also caters to customers that are more centered on value. Its cinema at Mirqab Mall is by far its biggest and busiest movie house as it also generously gives value offers that can cater to a wider demographic. It is also maintaining a steady pace in becoming the most popular cinema in Doha, quickly expanding its market share in the country. Although its price have become reasonable and more budget friendly for entertainment seekers, Flik Cinemas remains committed to bringing the best cinema experience to its customers.
Unique approach
Evolution is also important for Flik Cinemas as it rides the wave of new films and more fun ways to enjoy a film. With over three years of serving the market, Flik Cinemas consistently aims to provide a positive experience through its slightly unique approach. Given the fact that the field of cinema houses already poses fierce competition, the company is still quite keen to maximise opportunities for its
customers while giving more reasons for its competitors to watch out and pay close attention to what they can deliver. In fact, the company’s well-defined goal to focus solely on Doha for now clearly gives it a chance for a breakthrough. Flik Cinemas makes the most of its freedom as a Qatar-based company, without having to compromise its decision-making practices in the face of external influences. Because of this, the cinema exhibitor can make use of unlimited options to obtain a more optimal result.
Al Mana Malls. Where the cinema goes, the state-of-the-art equipment follows. The company will have more than 1,400 seats spread over at least ten theatres, including a giant screen, a 4D screen and a VIP section. Flik Cinemas at Doha Mall could also be the first-ever movie house that will have an all-4K resolution cinema in Doha.
Future endeavours
Flik Cinemas is on a roll as it delivers a unique cinematic entertainment experience to the people of Qatar. In terms of spreading out on a wider scale, Flik Cinemas will soon be present in Doha Mall at Abu Hamour which will be operated by 45 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
business > marketwatch
ON SPORTS MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION
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rom weekend warriors and athletes to office workers and participants in recreational sports, anyone suffering from musculoskeletal bone, joint, muscle pain and other problems can all benefit from seeing a sports medicine doctor and seeking treatments from physiotherapists. Indeed, the correct diagnosis is paramount in deciding the best course of treatment. At Al Emadi Physiotherapy Center, the source of the complaint in order to figure out ways to solve the problem over the long term instead of settling for shortterm relief. Since each injury and patient is unique and requires its own dedicated approach, the centre provides its patients with a multi-disciplinary approach to tend to their healthcare. The centre has also developed a unique rehabilitation and health programme for patients after weight loss surgery. Its sophisticated facilities offer state-of-the-art treatment modalities and highly qualified doctors and physiotherapists. Some of its unique treatments are:
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As opposed to how physiotherapy was viewed before, the people in Qatar are now more open to its benefits with the country’s increased awareness in sports and rehabilitation.
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Huber 360 platform for neuromuscular rehabilitation and assessment
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Electro and ultrasound therapy
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Class 4 laser therapy
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Shockwave therapy
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Traction (spinal decompression)
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Dry needling
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Therapeutic exercises and strengthening on compressed air resistance machines
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Manual therapy
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Specialised massage facility
In addition to its state-of-the-art and awardwinning health care, swift accessibility to appointments and access to treatments allow patients to begin their treatment plan quickly for a speedy recovery. Al Emadi continuously develops its programmes and aftercare services. The centre also recently launched its bariatric surgery and obesity aftercare programmes that are dedicated to providing unique and required services, offering people the help and support they need to obtain and maintain the lifestyle they long for.
Aside from its programmes, sports massage is also offered at the centre. Led by a sports medicine specialist along with a highly experienced massage therapy team, the centre provides various types of massage therapy services including sports massage, special massage therapy for bariatric patients’ post-surgery, slimming treatment and more. A customised massage therapy solution is also offered according to a patient’s needs and advice from its in-house sports medicine specialist. Thankfully, Al Emadi Physiotherapy Center has a very generous policy that includes all services in comprehensive physiotherapy that is covered by insurance. Al Emadi physiotherapy departments (AEPC and IP) have contracts with all major insurance providers.
THE FOURTH EDITION OF THE MERCEDES TROPHY GOLF TOURNAMENT IN QATAR
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pearheaded by Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, the Authorized General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, the tournament was held on the 6th of April at Education City Golf Club. This time around, the fourth edition of the Mercedes Trophy Golf Tournament gathered 88 players in three main categories: Men A (0-12 handicap), Men B (13-28 handicap) and Women. It was also attended by golf enthusiasts in Qatar and Mercedes-Benz car owners. Present at the occasion, Mr Ihab El Feky, Chief Operations Officer – Auto at Nasser Bin Khaled Group, commented on the annual event and thanked the partners and sponsors. He said: “This fourth edition of the trophy complements our successful record of three editions to promote sports and social engagement with our valued customers and golf
Since 2016, the annual Mercedes Trophy Golf Tournament continues its legacy in promoting sports and hosting social events as a platform to deepen the relationship with Mercedes-Benz owners and to celebrate together in a relaxing and interactive atmosphere.
enthusiasts in Qatar. We thank our partners and sponsors Ziebart, Total and Education City Golf club, all the players for their participation, and also congratulate the winners of the fourth edition of the cup which is now a key event on Qatar’s social and sports calendar”. The tournament witnessed fair play and healthy competition in the three categories that resulted in proud champions of the sport. In the Men’s Category A, Simon Roger Davies bagged first place, followed by Paul Kelly and Shehryar Arshad in for the second and third place, respectively. In the Men’s Category B, Sanjay Jain won first place, Tassaduq Bandey took second place and Jake Couper took third. Lastly, the Women’s category champion was Nada Mir while Beth San Jose was the first runner-up and Tasnin Kaz was second.
21 HIGH ST: WHERE RETAIL MEETS CULTURE AND ARTS Qatar took a step closer in a key regional retail destination with the opening of 21 High st.
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nder the leadership of Ali Bin Ali Holding, 21 High st is a luxurious point where retail complements culture and art. Located in the heart of Katara, the store was designed to be a multidimensional project that completely reflects the country’s commitment to tourism and commercial progress. Spread over almost 40,000 sqm, the store presents an intriguing mix of classical European style and local traditional heritage that is also in line with Katara’s theme. It is home to luxury, fashion, watches and jewellery brands from all around the world which will surely be heaven for fashion lovers. The Street also houses international restaurant and café chains and also features a spa and salon, gourmet retail outlets, a food hall, amazing terraces and offices that make the store special and versatile. 47 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
business > marketwatch
NEW BRANCHES FOR VILLAGE MARKETS AND WOODEN BAKERY
THE ULTIMATE GAMING EXPERIENCE BenQ’s ZOWIE upgrades the esports experience at Virtuocity for the gamers of Doha
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OWIE, a sports entity under the world-leading human technology and solutions provider BenQ, has collaborated with Virtuocity to establish a gaming zone in Doha Festival City. From gears to newest installations, the industry continues to progress through the brilliant inventions and reinventions of the gaming experience. As part of this tandem, BenQ ZOWIE has installed 240 units of XL2546 240Hz esports monitors with Dynamic Accuracy (DyAcTM) to provide gamers with the latest technology that makes their gaming experiences better than ever. The ZOWIE XL2546 monitor is the ultimate choice for professional and esports gamers. The monitor comes equipped with ZOWIE’s exclusive technology — “Dynamic Accuracy” — which is designed to maintain remarkable clarity during in-game movements for a much smoother gaming experience. With a 240Hz refresh rate, XL2546 ensures fluidic gameplay through flawless viewing even during the most high-motion scenarios.
The food and beverage sector in Qatar is getting ready for the new Village Markets and Wooden Bakery branches in the country as the company also keeps pace with the master roadmap of Qatar’s National Vision 2030.
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nited Village Food’s relentless efforts in providing quality services in the food and beverage sector resulted in a success as the company introduces the first branch of the Village Markets in Qatar. Along with this, the company also opened a branch of Wooden Bakery on Salwa Road facing Nasser bin Khaled and Sons Holding. This first branch of the Village Markets is styled with a modern interior decor making the customers’ experience more comfortable and offering a unique way of shopping at a supermarket that provides them with everything they need. On the other hand, the new Wooden Bakery branch will be the second largest and main branch after its first branch at the Landmark Mall.
GAC QATAR CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF GROWTH GAC Qatar celebrates 40 years since its establishment and the inaguration of its branch at Ras Laffan which marks the latest stage in the company’s expansion plans.
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n celebration of another successful year, GAC Qatar confirmed its position as one of the leading companies offering full shipping and logistics services as well as support for offshore projects from the port, which is operated and managed by Qatar Petroleum.
GAC Qatar General Manager Daniel Nordberg stated that the decision to set up a fully fledged office there was in direct response to growing activity and demand for services at the port. In previous years, GAC had a history of operations at Ras Laffan in an OPA (Owners’ Protecting Agency) capacity with a team based there to provide shipping agency and support services. The decision to operate in the area was also based on the 70% growth in the number of port calls handled by GAC Qatar in 2018, compared to the previous year. 48 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
affairs > auto news A SPECIAL RAMADAN
OFFER ON MITSUBISHI SUVS
In celebration of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Qatar Automobiles Company, the authorized distributor of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Qatar, launched a special offer on its Mitsubishi SUVs, including Eclipse Cross, Outlander and ASX.
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he Ramadan offer has perks that allow customers to buy any of the vehicles starting from QAR 59,500. They can also enjoy benefits including one-year free registration, oneyear free comprehensive insurance, oneyear/20,000 km free service, a five-year extended warranty for unlimited mileage plus a Carrefour voucher worth up to QAR 2,000. No down payment is needed for the purchase of the vehicles and the offer also includes an option of in-house financing with a special rate based on the NBK Financial Services. HE Sheikh Faleh Bin Nawaf Al Thani, Automotive Operations Director, at Nasser Bin Khaled Group said: “On the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Qatar Automobiles Company is pleased to launch this offer on these vehicles, giving
customers more options to own their favourite new car and enjoy a wide range of benefits. This also clearly reflects our commitment towards the local community and demonstrates our way of giving back to them”. One of the models included in the offer is the Eclipse Cross which embodies a beautiful, dynamic form that undeniably creates a sense of excitement. Its dynamic, sculpted form projects the explosive power of an athlete from its sporty face to high-tech rear lamps. Its 1.5L petrol turbo engine provides a pleasing response of high revolutions and strong acceleration. On the other hand, Outlander offers space for seven passengers with its standard third-row seating. The SUV is also capable of changing its seating configuration
based on the passengers' preference and comfort. The Outlander is also equipped with a 166 horsepower, 2.4L MIVEC engine that achieves 30 highway MPG3, while the GT offers even more performance with its powerful 224 horsepower, 3.0L MIVEC engine. Lastly, Mitsubishi’s ASX compact SUV is perfect for a long weekend with its massive storage, super-smart technology, zippy performance and effortless style. Available in 2WD and AWD, ASX is built for adventure and exploration. The ASX is equipped with clever features and technology, making it ideal for both everyday use and those once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
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affairs > auto news
AUDI A7 SPORTBACK BAGS 2019 WORLD LUXURY CAR AWARD It’s a back-to-back win for Audi as its Audi A7 Sportback bagged the “2019 World Luxury Car” award this year. Followed by last year’s win of the Audi A8, the A7 Sportback is the second Audi to take home the award.
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he new Audi A7 Sportback, designed like a coupé, as spacious as a sedan, and with the variability of an Avant, was recognized at the New York International Auto Show. Deliberated by the World Car jury, the latest Audi auto was recognized as the best new luxury car on the world market. Two of the greatest names from the jury in the Middle East region were Suhaib Shashaa (ArabGT. com), a valued jury member for the United
Arab Emirates, and Mohammad Zaro (Alam Al Sayarat) for Jordan. Speaking about the winning streak of Audi’s flagships, Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG Technical Development, said: “It is a great honour for Audi to win the ‘World Luxury Car’ award twice in a row. We are very proud of this award because it shows Audi’s ability to develop leading premium cars in various segments.”
AUTO CLASS CARS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH XTÔRK
With great pride, jury member Mohammad Zaro justified his opinion on the win of the Audi A7 Sportback by emphasizing the unique design characteristics and the class-leading interior design and advanced user experience that is incredibly balanced with power, efficiency and performance.
MAXUS T60 shows perfect fit for XTÔRK’s daily tasks.
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uto Class Cars and XTÔRK signed a partnership deal that involves the former providing the Maxus T60 4x4 pickup to support the latter’s operations. The mutual collaboration between the two parties allows XTÔRK to perform their tasks efficiently and with a comfortable driving experience. The Maxus T60 is a 4x4 pickup that is globally recognized for its high performance and 5-star safety ranking. The model also possesses high capabilities on winding roads, washboard roads as well as mountain climbing, making it perfect for getting any job done. Mr Hisham Al Sahn, General Manager of Auto Class Cars, expressed his utmost willingness to support sports and adventure in Qatar. Articulating the company's purpose, he said: “This is part of our social responsibility and national mandate, and we are proud to be associated with such initiatives that are dedicated to youth in Qatar.”
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Mr Hassan Nabil Al Hassan, XTÔRK Director, commented about the partnership and expressed his gratitude for the other party’s support. He also said: “We are happy to partner with Auto Class Cars to have the Maxus T60 in our fleet to support our extreme sports equipment
transport. XTÔRK is the Qatari platform for adventure and sports and this pickup is well known for its capabilities and 5-star safety standards and will meet our requirements in overcoming the harsh conditions in the desert.”
GMC SIERRA NOW IN THE MIDDLE EAST The all-new 2019 Sierra range consists of six models embodying quality design, extreme capability and advanced connectivity.
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MC’s completely redesigned 2019 Sierra light-duty pickup truck is now available in the Middle East region. Starting with the Denali, the model offers segment-first technologies along with exclusive chassis enhancements such as Adaptive Ride Control and premium signature design and interior elements. The AT4, on the other hand, stands out with its unique look and dark exterior finishes and delivers authentic off-road capability. The new Elevation model sets itself apart with its distinct monochromatic door
handles, bumpers and grille surround amplified by black exterior accents, including the grille insert, tow hooks, side window trim and gloss-black aluminium wheels. Sharing similarities with the new Elevation model, the SLE features cruise control, a rear-vision camera, and an enhanced 8-inch diagonal GMC Infotainment System with Android Auto-ready and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The SLT builds on this to add standard features such as a remote vehicle starter system and Infotainment System among others. The entry-level Sierra base
MERCEDES-AMG GT 4-DOOR COUPÉ: THE ULTIMATE DRIVER’S CHOICE
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private viewing of the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé was spearheaded by Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles and held at the Mercedes-Benz showroom on Salwa Road. The special event was attended by HE Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani, Chairman of Nasser Bin Khaled Group, HE Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf Al Thani, Operations Director – Auto, Mr Ihab El Feky, Chief Operations Officer – Auto at Nasser Bin Khaled Group, VIPs and other guests. As the star of the show, the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door struts as the first four-door sports car from Affalterbach that draws directly on the success of the legendary SLS and AMG GT models. The model also
model comes with a standard 4.3L V6 engine, Active Fuel Management and signature C-shaped LED headlamps in both the front and rear of the vehicle. Speaking about the new models in the lineup, Daniella D’Souza, Head of Brand, GMC Middle East, said: “Not only will customers be able to enjoy the significant benefits provided by the completely re-designed 2019 Sierra, but, for the first time, they will also have six different versions to choose from.”
Luxury, space and sporty experience in the first-ever four-door sports car.
offers a clear combination of unique design, high comfort and excellent sports car engineering for a top sporting performance which makes it the ultimate choice for Mercedes-AMG patrons who are looking for a vehicle that can be equipped for dayto-day use. Present at the private viewing, HE Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf Al Thani, Operations Director – Auto at Nasser Bin Khaled Group, enthusiastically welcomed the guests to the event and proudly promoted the new flagship. He said: “The new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé embodies the innovation and creativity of the brand. It is the ultimate four-door sports car and the ideal ambassador for Performance Luxury that is taking this category into new dimensions.” 51 > QATAR TODAY > MAY 2019
culture > doha diary
INDELIBLE LEGACY Qatar’s prosperity extends beyond natural gas and petroleum. As an independent emirate located on a small desert peninsula on the west coast of the Persian Gulf, Qatar's wealth is also exhibited in its local culture and tradition.
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he vast number of museums and exhibitions across the country showcases its great variety of art in different kinds of media. Although Qatar is greatly influenced by modernity, the country never ceases to present its local history and tradition by engaging in multiple initiatives across the country.
nation’s identity, history and heritage. Held at the Qatar National Library, the exhibition witnessed the participation of several representatives from notable Qatari families such as the Al Darwishes, Al Rabbans, Alfardans, Jumah Al Muraikhi's, Abdullah Al Ghanim AlMaadeed's and Meshal Ali AlQayed's.
One of the most recent initiatives is the “Qatar Through Private Collections” exhibition that profoundly displays visual images and artifacts highlighting the contributions and the efforts made by the people of Qatar in preserving the
The Information Services Librarian of Qatar National Library, Maryam AlMutawa said: “Family collections provide a unique insight into Qatar’s history and we are grateful for the generosity of the families who have lent their valuable collections
to the library for this occasion. This exhibition surely satisfied the curiosity of the attendees, particularly the youth and historians, about the new aspects of the nation’s history.” Symbolically, the exhibition was also a part of the Qatar National Day celebration which coincides with the UN Arabic Language Day, in which both events have greatly touched on the subject of Qatari community. With this, the previously unseen collections of historical photos, artifacts and documents manifest a nostalgic feeling about Qatar’s daily life in the past that has left an unfading legacy in the modern country. The items in the exhibition also reflects the economic and social activities from Qatar's past that have been greatly contributed to its present and laid the foundation for its future. Visual images, tools and materials from the past were also displayed throughout the event and sparked conversation among the guests. Aside from historical objects, the occasion also touched on the Qataris’ way of life through
a photographic display showing how they relentlessly pursued their passions and hobbies. Indeed, the “Qatar Through Private Collections” was a day full of recollections that were generously shared by the notable families of Qatar. Through this initiative, the past and future generations stand on solid common ground of pride and passion for the country and how far it has progressed. Despite the passage of time, the people of Qatar still bear the indelible marks of tradition, culture and social heritage, both tangible and intangible, as they participate in the unfolding future of this modern nation.
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culture > doha diary
MOU ON SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DISCOVERIES ABOUT GENOMICS Qatar Genome Programme (QGP), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF) and part of Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation, recently signed a strategic research and development agreement with Genomics England that aims to enable scientific discoveries and provide medical insights in genomics and precision medicine.
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he Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines a number of research activities between QGP and Genomics England that involves the establishment of common frameworks to standardise genomic strategies for healthcare implementation; evaluation of new technologies for whole genome sequencing; cross-analysis of both national datasets; and exchange of expertise related to educational programmes. Dr Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President for Research, Development and Innovation at Qatar Foundation, and Professor Mark Caulfield, interim CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Genomics England, signed the agreement which will serve as a foundation for Qatar and the UK to develop collaboration in focussing on research in genomics that directly affects the globe.
SIDRA MEDICINE ACHIEVES ANOTHER MILESTONE Another milestone has been set for Sidra Medicine with the success of a series of hip preservation surgeries using the modified Dunn procedure on young patients.
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urgery was performed on a young girl with a significant limp and in considerable pain. The patient, named Eman, suffered from a condition that was a result of a slippage of the growth plate at the top of her thigh bone called “Slipped capital femoral epiphysis.” The condition affects both components of the hip joint (ball and socket) and when the ball of the hip joint slips on the growth plate, it eventually leads to deformity of the ball and damage to the socket of the hip joint which results in premature arthritis in the joint in early adulthood. Eman’s case was the second performed by Sidra Medicine in recent months. The methodology highlights the multi-disciplinary nature of Sidra Medicine’s approach to orthopedic surgery as patient care teams include specially trained nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, child-life specialists and orthopedic technologists. The surgery team also leveraged Sidra Medicine’s in-house 3D surface imaging and 3D printing systems to create a state-of-the art clinical assessment and planning for such cases.
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culture > doha diary
ART INSTALLATIONS AT MIA Art installations took over the serene Museum of Islamic Art Park as Qatar Museums (QM) introduced Liam Gillick's interactive sculptural work “Folded Extracted Personified”.
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pen to the public, Gillick’s work is one of the latest installations that falls under QM’s Public Art Programme which aims to bring large-scale artworks into dialogue with people in the civic landscape of Doha. “Folded Extracted Personified” comprises a series of 10 irregularly shaped panel sculptures—each a flat surface folded into a zigzag— which bear images abstracted from works in the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar. It is rooted in the museum collections that range from 12th century Iraqi illustrations to Turkish
armour circa 1475-1525 to Iranian portraiture of the early 19th century and pearl jewellery. The sculpture is a 2.40m high with images on each side and circular holes that can allow the visitors to peer through. The sculptures are strategically planted throughout the vicinity of the MIA playground and invite playful interaction between members of the public. The artwork was also commissioned on the occasion of the opening of the Jean Nouvel-designed National Museum of Qatar.
“MY CAREER - MY FUTURE” PROGRAMME HELD “My Career – My Future,” a programme spearheaded by Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), showcased its success in April by honouring the graduates of the programme.
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he five-day event, held between April 7 and April 11, dedicated one full day to exploring various professions, and featured site visits to leading companies and organisations, including Qatar Airways, Qatar Foundation, Sidra Medicine, Northwestern University in Qatar and College of the North Atlantic – Qatar. The visits allowed the students to gain firsthand insights into the work environment of these organisations. These insights offered the students the chance to match their skills to jobs and to understand the work expectations. The “My Career – My Future Programme” uses an edutainment-
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based approach by engaging the students in interactive activities, training workshops and field visits to help them discover their skills and unique talents, in the hopes of empowering them to make the best career choices that fit them. The programme was also filled with a variety of stimulating professional activities designed to raise awareness of the importance of academic and career guidance among participants in order to equip them with the practical skills to succeed. Students who participated also got the chance to hone various skills that are useful in their daily lives and profession, just like decision-making, problem-solving and creative thinking.
OPENING THE DOORS TO THE WORLD OF FANTASY AT ASPIRE WONDERLAND FESTIVAL
The world of fantasy and folk tales visited Qatar as the Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) kicked off a mind-blowing Aspire Wonderland Festival.
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he extremely spacious and green grass of the Aspire Park was surrounded by animated fantasy characters depicted using lighting techniques. More than 5,000 visitors including families and individuals went outdoors at night to witness the installations. Lights in different movements and colours depicted a seemingly imaginary gateway to the world of fantasy as the Aspire Lake also featured a spectacular dancing water fountain. In her comments, Ms Tahani Khalifa Al Suwaidi, a member of the organising committee of the festival, said: “We seek innovative and creative angles when organising community events at Aspire to ensure a memorable experience. Our interest in the smallest details begins when choosing artistic shows that suit all age groups. A few weeks ago, we celebrated the Aspire International Kite Festival and now we have added a new and distinctive event to the country’s agenda of entertainment and tourism activities.” The festival was made possible by Aspire Zone Foundation and its partnership with Vodafone Qatar and Katara to deliver an enchanted night for all the people of Qatar.
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city life > doha diary
ACS DOHA ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL QATAR TODAY CATCHES UP WITH ACS DOHA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ABOUT SELECTING AND APPLYING FOR THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD.
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hoosing the perfect school after nursery is extremely vital for a child’s future. It is evident that Qatar offers a quality education system that is supported by the government, public sector bodies and private sector educational organisations. The country also has an abudance of schools to choose from in the next phase of a child’s life. What seems to be a tough choice is funnelled down by a robust admissions process guide that was developed by ACS Doha International School, in hopes of helping a family make the right decision. According to Sowmiya Kasthuri, Dean of Admissions at ACS Doha International School, the first step starts with enquiry. “For me, this is the most important stage of any parent’s journey in finding the right school for their child. At this point, they need to do their research to find out what options are out there and to think carefully about what kind of school they are looking for. Are they looking for an international school or particular curriculum like British/American?” Following the first step is a discovery phase that entails parents carefully highlighting their child’s learning style in order to find prospective schools. “ACS, for example, encourages independent learning, whereas some other schools have a more formal approach to teaching. For some children sporting facilities will be a consideration, too. Parents must find out as much as they can about a school’s programme – both inside and outside the classroom.” After aligning the capability of a prospective school in providing their child’s educational needs, the next step is admission. This step is simply accomplished by filing an online application supported by the necessary documents. After the submission,
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deliberation will be done by the school’s admissions and the parents typically are invited for a visit and assessment. Surely after the dreadful wait, ACS Doha releases the results of the application which is either accepted, a conditional offer is made or the admissions team finally decides that the school is not a good match. In lieu of making the process light and easier, ACS Doha International School hosts an open day for early year students. According to ACS Doha’s Early Childhood Principal Rachel McLeod, the open day is designed to reflect the school’s mission and ethos. She explains: “Our school encourages a sense of community and belonging in our students and that is what we want people to experience when they come and visit us.” At the open day, there are also opportunities for parents to have further discussions with teachers about their child’s individual learning needs and ask any other questions. Sowmiya adds: “We see the open day as part of the exploration phase and encourage parents to take the opportunity to find out as much as they can about the school and also have an open conversation with their child about their impression as well.” Both representatives from the school agree that the admissions process does not simply end at a point where a child is accepted into the school. The transition for children from nursery school to a student in a “big school” is an important part of the journey as well, as its success is vital in a child’s educational progress, happiness and well-being. At ACS the transition is carefully and sensitively managed. Rachel says: “Once a child is accepted to ACS we invite the parent and child to visit the school to observe lessons. They then attend a second visit where they meet teachers and
other students.” Having worked in school admissions for many years and developed ACS’s admissions process, Sowmiya’s advice for parents embarking on this journey is to base decisions on the child’s needs since each child certainly learns differently and what is the best school for one may not be the best school for another. ACS Doha has to over 900 students, aged three to 18, representing 70 nationalities, and 150 expert faculty and staff. Its environment provides a warm, inclusive and welcoming community that gives children unprecedented flexibility to tailor their studies from a wide range of options and access to world-leading universities. It possesses a global outlook that informs its world-renowned curriculum, building on the very best of global and American education standards.
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