Qatar: New Incentives and Parental Support in Qatar’s Civil Service Law

Al-Sharq, October 2024: The Qatari Cabinet has approved amendments to Qatar Law No. 15/2016 on Civil Human Resources, aimed at enhancing the work environment, performance evaluation, and work-life balance for government employees.

The draft law will be referred to the Shura Council for further deliberation.

The amendments focus on introducing additional performance-based incentives, linking remuneration and promotions to merit and eligibility criteria, improving recruitment and retention mechanisms, implementing a competency-based performance system, and supporting working parents by promoting family stability.

These measures are designed to boost individual and institutional performance, govern rewards equitably, and achieve a balance between professional and family life for civil servants, aligning with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and the proposals from various government agencies.

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Qatar: Electronic Payment Compliance Enforcement by Commerce Ministry

Al-Sharq, 29 September 2024: The Commerce and Industry Ministry is carrying out an organised campaign in markets across the country to monitor and control violating stores that do not provide electronic payment methods as a service to customers.

The concerned ministry has detected numerous violations and will close stores that have not met the conditions within the previously granted deadline.

It is also notifying other violating stores for the first time and giving them a specific deadline to rectify their situation.

After that, stricter measures will be taken, including closure, violations, and financial fines for violators.

The new requirements are verified through field tours conducted by ministry inspectors to monitor various markets across the country.

During inspection tours, compliance with relevant instructions is monitored.

Additionally, there is a dedicated hotline for receiving public complaints, through which the relevant authorities receive various complaints, including stores’ non-compliance with providing electronic payment services, which is a violation punishable by law.

It is worth noting that the Commerce and Industry Ministry has issued a decision, in addition to instructions from the Qatar Central Bank, requiring commercial establishments operating in the country at all levels to provide one of the electronic payment services.

This aims to facilitate daily banking transactions for the public and beneficiaries and enable consumers to benefit from this service, which is their right to pay for purchases or service fees using credit cards, cash, or ATM cards, without imposing any additional fees or commissions on the prices of goods or services.

Equal treatment must be ensured between those who pay in cash and those who pay through electronic payment cards, without any additional charges, regardless of the method chosen by the consumer.

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Qatar: Qatari Trademark Database now on WIPO System

Al Sharq, 22 September 2024: The Qatari Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched Qatar’s trademark database on the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)’s Global Brand Database.

Those interested in Qatari trademarks can now search the database through the Global Brand Database (wipo.int) website before applying for trademark registration and learn about trademarks in markets of interest to both the government and private sectors. The changes come after Qatar’s accession to the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Trademarks, which aims to achieve international legal protection for trademarks.

The move is part of a series of initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, represented by the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Department, to enhance the frameworks for protecting intellectual property rights in Qatar and achieve the highest standards of transparency in government procedures.

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Qatar: CRA Issues Consumer Protection Policy & Regulation for Postal Sector

GCC Business News, 16 September 2024: Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has introduced the draft Consumer Protection Policy and Regulation for postal sector.

The document, aimed at strengthening consumer rights and services, is now available for public consultation.

The CRA invites stakeholders and the public for their feedback until 24 September 2024.

The draft Consumer Protection Policy and Regulation for Qatar’s postal sector provides a comprehensive framework.

The document sets high standards for postal Service Providers while safeguarding consumer rights.

Furthermore, the regulation elaborates on the expected standards that all postal licensees must comply to, remaining both reliable and transparent.

Standardised complaints resolution process is another important thing highlighted in the draft.

When applied, the regulation will help the consumers to escalate unresolved complaints from Service Providers to CRA.

This process will reinforce consumers’ trust in postal services as their grievances will be resolved efficiently and fairly.

With this initiative, the regulation provides a strong solution than Service Providers’ internal complaint-handling procedures.

The new policy and regulation is set to revolutionise Qatar’s postal sector, ensuring that consumers get improved service, greater transparency and an efficient and reliable way to have their accusations resolved.

On the other hand, postal sector Service Providers will operate with clear guidelines and standardised procedures.

For CRA, the launch of the new policy and regulation will provide a robust framework to uphold compliance, consumer rights as well as the regulatory structure.

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Qatar: CRA Unveils Network Neutrality Guidelines

The Peninsula, 8 September 2024: The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has published new Guidelines for Network Neutrality to encourage a fair and competitive digital environment.

The new guidelines aim to protect digital media companies, ensure consumers have equal access to internet content without discrimination, attract investment to the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector and support the development of the digital economy in Qatar.

Network neutrality is the principle that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must treat all internet traffic equally, without discrimination or preferential treatment based on content, application, or user.

This ensures that all users have equal access to online services, protecting user rights and fostering innovation by providing a level playing field for all content providers.

The guidelines mandate that ISPs comply to this principle, that is crucial for promoting healthy competition, which encourages investment in Qatar’s digital economy.

Before being finalised, the guidelines were issued for public consultation to gather input from stakeholders across the industry.

This feedback helped refine the guidelines, addressing concerns while maintaining flexibility in pricing and innovation.

According to the Network Neutrality Guidelines, ISPs must clearly communicate their traffic management practices and service impacts.

CRA will monitor Internet ISPs compliance and engage stakeholders to keep the guidelines aligned with technological advancements.

As part of its broader strategy to enhance Qatar’s telecommunications, information technology, and postal sectors, CRA is focusing on improving connectivity and embracing digital transformation to drive economic growth and improve quality of life.

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

The guidelines signal to foreign investors that Qatar’s digital sector is open and competitive, contributing to Qatar’s economic growth.

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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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