Qatar: Introduces New Qatarisation Law for Private Sector

In a move aimed at creating more job opportunities for Qatari nationals, a new law has been issued on the localisation of jobs in the private sector.

The law is expected to take effect six months after its publication in the Official Gazette.

The new legislation seeks to significantly boost the participation of the national workforce in private sector institutions and companies, providing new employment and career opportunities for Qataris.

It focuses on improving the labour market’s appeal to the national workforce, increasing companies’ ability to attract and integrate citizens, and ensuring job stability for Qatari nationals.

The Labour Ministry has clarified that the entities subject to Qatarisation under the law include employers who are individuals managing private establishments registered in the commercial register, commercial companies operating in the State, whether State-owned, State-participated or privately owned, as well as private non-profit institutions, sports organisations, associations, and similar entities.

Key provisions of the law include providing financial incentives to beneficiaries, offering various benefits, facilities, and privileges to entities covered by the Qatarisation scheme, and employing, training, and qualifying Qataris seeking employment in accordance with the Ministry’s policies, plans, and programs.

The new Qatarisation Law aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly the human development pillar, by promoting and encouraging employment and training opportunities for Qatari citizens.

Privately owned companies will need to comply with the Qatarisation policies once in effect and meet the requirements to comply with localisation requirements.

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Qatar: CRA Issues Mobile Telecommunication Decision

Al-Arab, 2 September 2024: The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has issued a decision to mobile telecom service providers, Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar to transition to high-speed Time Division Duplex (TDD) network technology in the 2.6 GHz frequency band by 31 March 2025.

This move aims to enhance the performance of public mobile networks in Qatar, optimise the use of this vital spectrum, ensure consistent usage in the Arabian Gulf region, and improve the telecom consumer experience through the latest 4G and 5G network technology.

Mobile service providers are required to cease all operations using the current Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) technology and ensure their networks are ready for this transition to provide a distinctive high-speed data service experience in Qatar.

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Qatar: Generative AI Chatbots to Enhance Digital Consumer Experience

Qatar Tribune, 26 August 2024: Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council, in collaboration with the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), has launched an exciting new initiative to address unmet challenges in Digital Multi-Channels through Generative AI Chatbots.

Startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and corporations are invited to submit their innovative proposals for solutions that can deliver a seamless consumer experience across multiple digital platforms.

The submission deadline is 10 September 1, 2024.

The QRDI Council has expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating that it is thrilled to launch the innovation project that harnesses the power of Generative AI to enhance consumer interactions, making them more efficient, intuitive, and satisfying.

The Council mentioned that the initiative contributes to building a dynamic innovation ecosystem, creates new opportunities in the tech sector, connects innovators with opportunity owners, and fosters a culture of innovation.

The collaboration with CRA is a strategic move to integrate cutting-edge solutions into Qatar’s digital infrastructure, ultimately enhancing the overall customer experience.

The director of the Consumer Affairs Department at CRA has emphasised the authority’s commitment to leveraging Generative AI to significantly improve consumers’ experiences.

This aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, which prioritise improving residents’ quality of life and delivering services that meet global standards.

The director has added that the initiative aims to provide seamless, real-time interactions and personalised services to consumers, fostering a digitally advanced society, ensuring efficient and effective communication, and maintaining Qatar’s leadership in the global digital landscape.

CRA has successfully transformed its consumer protection processes into a comprehensive digital system, integrating all stakeholders and public channels through a central CRM system.

Through this opportunity, CRA seeks innovative Generative AI chatbots that are both informative and transactional.

The proposed chatbots should intuitively detect consumer complaints and inquiries, providing high accuracy in handling and analysing information in real-time.

Solutions are required to authenticate users through the National Authentication Services (NAS) before releasing updates or processing transactions, in addition to aligning with CRA’s Applicable Regulatory Frameworks.

The Qatar Open Innovation programme is the primary platform that facilitates collaboration between startups, innovators, and potential government and corporate buyers.

It enables co-creation of cutting-edge technological solutions to address the nation’s most pressing challenges across five key priority areas: energy, health, resource sustainability, society, and digital technology.

As outlined in the QRDI Strategy 2030, the programme identifies opportunities and challenges where research and innovation can make impactful contributions to developing innovative solutions.

With more than 50 Open Innovation Calls has launched in partnership with over 20 local partners across key sectors, the QOI programme has garnered interest and participation from innovators from Qatar and around the world.

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Qatar: MoECC Launches Programme to Assess Administrative Effectiveness of Protected Areas

Qatar Tribune, 15 August 2024: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has launched a program to evaluate the management effectiveness of protected areas in Sanea, Umm Al Amad, Laareeq, and Riffa.

The aim is to ensure compliance with the Convention on Biological Diversity standards and develop integrated management plans.

The programme is developing a phased action strategy for protected areas that will extend over four years (2025-2028).

It also includes training the national team responsible for planning and managing these areas and involving them in-field evaluation.

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Qatar: CRA Launches Public Consultations on Postal Services Licences

Qatar Tribune, 13 August 2024: The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has invited all stakeholders interested in the postal sector to participate in public consultations on the draft licences for providing postal services.

The consultations aim to create a transparent and fair legal and regulatory environment.

CRA has issued three draft licences for public consultation, which include the Postal Service Licence for Qatar Postal Services Company, Courier Licence for Domestic Services, and Courier Licence for International Services.

CRA stated that these consultations represent an opportunity to open the postal market in Qatar and increase competition.

They also aim to support growth, enhance the business environment and innovation, and improve the quality of postal services provided, thereby boosting e-commerce and the digital economy.

These efforts align with international developments, technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, and Universal Postal Union (UPU) recommendations, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, and the Digital Agenda 2030.

The public consultations aim to understand the needs of all concerned and interested parties and consider them in an organised and transparent manner, allowing CRA to better regulate the postal sector and improve the quality of services provided.

In July 2024, CRA had hosted a successful workshop focused on enhancing the postal services complaint handling process, thus enhancing transparency and quality of service.

Additionally, in line with the efforts to open the postal sector for competition, CRA will hold another workshop in September 2024 to discuss the feedback and comments received from concerned and interested parties regarding the postal services licences.

CRA will be issuing further regulations regarding the postal sector for public consultation later, including postal licence applications, licence fees, the definition of reserved services and universal services, consumer protection and complaints, resolving disputes, and quality of service.

Interested parties and stakeholders in the postal services sector can submit their feedback and comments via email by 29 August 2024.

The new Law Regulating Postal Services empowers CRA to regulate the sector, set licensing conditions, protect consumer rights, and ensure fair competition.

It also aims to improve service quality, expand consumer choices, and create opportunities for both local and international postal Service Providers.

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Qatar: MoPH Intensifies Monitoring of Markets to Ensure Food Safety

The Peninsula, 4 August 2024: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has ramped up its monitoring efforts in local markets to ensure the safety of imported and locally produced food products.

During the first half of 2024, the ministry inspected 60,520 shipments of imported food, verifying their compliance with relevant technical standards.

A total of 1,168,695,000 kg of imported food met these standards, while 985,676 kg of non-compliant food were destroyed, and 211 shipments were re-exported.

The Food Safety Department has issued 155 export and re-export certificates, 104 certificates for food product destruction, and 48 certificates for re-inspection of food items.

It processed 625 requests for food item destruction and 102 requests for re-analysis of food products.

The ministry handled 3,119 requests for final product clearance and conducted 147 reviews on the registration of local food establishments.

In the first half of the year, 1,279 food producers were registered, 1,734 certificates were issued to food handlers, and 766 food handler permits were granted.

To ensure compliance with laws, standards, and technical requirements, MoPH inspected 3,221 local food establishments.

A total of 7,022 samples from imported foods at the country’s ports and 10,064 samples from local establishments were analysed for safety and quality.

The “Watheq” electronic food safety system approved 21,457 food items, ensuring they met the necessary standards.

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Qatar: Central Bank Issues DTL Guideline

Qatar Tribune, 26 July 2024: In line with Qatar’s Third Financial Sector Strategy, FinTech Strategy, and Qatar Central Bank’s commitment to regulating and developing the financial sector, the bank has issued the “Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Guideline”.

This guideline aims to establish a regulatory framework for financial institutions to develop smart solutions using DLT.

DLT provides a transparent and secure platform for recording transactions, enabling instant settlement and reducing the need for intermediaries.

Its benefits include increased efficiency, lower costs, enhanced transparency, and improved security, ultimately streamlining processes and fostering greater trust in the financial sector.

Qatar Central Bank has affirmed its ongoing efforts to create a favourable environment for the financial technology sector in the country.

This guideline supports the financial sector’s development, aligning with Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy, the final stage towards achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.

The vision aims to build a digital economy while stimulating widespread technology adoption and encouraging technological innovations, including in the financial sector.

The guideline is available on Qatar Central Bank’s official website.

Earlier, Qatar Central Bank had launched a national campaign, “Stay Aware,” in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, National Cybersecurity Agency, and Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authority.

The campaign aims to enhance awareness of cybersecurity risks and build a cyber-resilient society.

The campaign seeks to spread awareness among the public about the importance of data privacy and the dangers of financial fraud, highlighting cyber threats arising from rapid technological and digital development.

It identifies the main channels of cyber fraud, such as phone calls, social media, emails, SMS messages, and URL links, and provides the public with best practices and practical strategies to avoid falling victim to such threats.

Qatar Central Bank and its partners in this campaign emphasise the vital role of ongoing awareness efforts in building a safer electronic society capable of responding to cyber threats.

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