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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Qatar: Opens New Post Outlet to Enhance Services for Investors

Qatar Tribune, 18 July 2024: Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) has announced the opening of the newest outlet of Qatar Postal Services Company (Qatar Post) at the Investor Relations Centre in the Business Innovation Park at Ras Bufontas Free Zone.

The new postal outlet opening follows a recently signed MoU between QFZ and Qatar Post.

This emphasises establishing strategic partnerships to jointly attract more foreign direct investments.

The outlet aims to offer companies operating in the free zones a wide range of tailored postal solutions, providing easy access to comprehensive services that cater to their needs.

This will support operational efficiency and drive business growth.

The new Qatar Post outlet will offer various postal services to free zone companies, including mail collection, mailboxes, international shipping, Connected services, and specialised solutions enhancing operational efficiency and global connectivity.

This joint cooperation between QFZ and Qatar Post is part of Qatar’s free zones’ efforts to provide an advanced business environment for investors.

It offers an integrated platform for companies to obtain necessary permits and certificates.

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QICDRC Special Edition Newsletter: SIFOCC 5th Full Meeting

Qatar: New Regulations for Buying Shares Issued

Mubasher, 14 July 2024: The Qatar Financial Markets Authority has issued new regulations for the company’s purchase of its shares for the purpose of selling.

These new regulations come within the framework of the Authority’s efforts to develop the Qatari capital market and improve investor confidence, while the Authority affirms its commitment to protecting investors’ rights and ensuring a fair and transparent investment environment.

The provisions of the new regulations specified by the Authority include notifying the Authority and the Market of the Board of Directors’ decision to purchase a percentage of the company’s shares immediately upon its issuance.

The application shall be submitted to the Authority on the approved form within two days from the date of issuance of the Board of Directors’ decision approving the purchase process.

The application is for either purchasing a percentage not exceeding 10% of the fully paid issued shares or purchasing a percentage exceeding the ownership ceiling specified in the company’s articles of association.

The required documents from the Authority must be attached to complete the procedure.

The regulations also include, among other things, that the Authority shall issue its decision on the application within fifteen days from the date of submitting the application that fulfils the conditions and requirements.

The lapse of this period without issuance of a decision by the Authority shall be considered an implicit rejection of the application.

The company shall notify the market of the authority’s approval immediately upon its issuance, provided that the market announces the approval according to its procedures.

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Qatar: Shura Council Approves Several Draft Laws

Qatar Tribune, 2 July 2024: After reviewing the reports of the competent committees and discussing the provisions of various draft laws, the Shura Council has approved several significant legislative measures.

These included a draft law amending certain provisions of Qatar Law No. 11/2004, a draft law regulating district cooling services, a draft law on the protection of public electrical and water facilities, and a draft law establishing a unified industrial regulation law system for the GCC countries.

The Shura Council has also approved its final account for the fiscal year 2023 and the Council’s draft budget for the fiscal year 2025, following a review of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee’s report.

The Council has reviewed numerous reports on the participation of its members in regional and international parliamentary meetings and events.

It also approved three requests to extend the work of its permanent committees to study the topics referred to them by the Council.

The Speaker has highlighted that the Council examined and discussed 24 draft laws and amendments to existing laws.

The Shura Speaker has also outlined the Council’s accomplishments, noting the approval of 15 draft laws after thorough discussion, including the draft state budget for the fiscal year 2024, and significant laws related to real estate registration, judicial enforcement and job localisation in the private sector.

The Council has discussed nine draft laws amending existing provisions and submitted 13 general discussion requests and a proposal addressing various issues such as rainwater accumulation, tourism economy development, investment support and domestic worker departure procedures.

The Speaker has emphasised the Council’s interaction with educational institutions and collaboration with the Sports and Youth Ministry in implementing the ‘Simulation of Shura Council Sessions’ programme, aimed at improving youth involvement in the decision-making process.

He has also highlighted the Council’s active participation in Gulf, Arab and international parliamentary activities, reiterating its support for just causes, particularly the Palestinian cause, condemning the aggression on Gaza and urging other parliaments to support peace efforts.

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