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The Expo 2023 Doha is set to recruit 2,200 volunteers as the final preparations to host the mega event are under way. According to the details on Expo 2023 Doha official website, these volunteers will serve the expo regularly throughout the event while discharging multiple duties.The volunteer programme is for citizens and residents of Qatar and they can be part of the event through the link on the official website where the applications will be open soon.Applicants need to be at least 18 years old by September 1, 2023 and they can volunteer 7-8 days per month for 6 months while completing 45 shifts with one shift lasting 6-8 hours, depending on the role.Overseas applicants will be considered if they are self-funded, eligible to stay in Qatar for six months and can obtain the appropriate visa. Visa, travel and accommodation aren’t provided by Expo 2023.Volunteering roles are unpaid. However, they will receive a unique volunteer uniform, access to volunteer-only events, a certificate of appreciation for the contribution and other exclusive benefits. Public transport (metro) within Doha, meals and refreshments are provided during the shifts. Anyone can apply to volunteer, even if it’s for the first time.Volunteers need to be able to communicate effectively in English to provide information and assistance to everyone. Expo 2023 volunteers will receive training, an exclusive uniform, a participation certificate and other rewards. Volunteers will perform various tasks to ensure the best experience for visitors, participants, and media. They will be placed with the diverse functions which run the event including visitor services, events and cultural experience, media and ceremonies in roles which the orgnaisers consider suitable for volunteers.Volunteers don’t need professional skills and may not be given a role which matches their jobs. "Your biggest assets are a can-do attitude, being a good listener and ability to help people patiently and courteously." Volunteers can select and manage their own shifts and the expo, according to the website, will need them most in the evenings and at weekends.Volunteers will be deployed at various segments of duty including accreditation, ceremonies, ticketing, events, cultural experience, health and safety, language services, media and broadcasting, and participants’ operations, protocol services, visitors experience and workforce.

Traffic services are the most sought after among the Metrash 2 transactions while visa and residency services are on the top of the list, Officer of Electronic Services and Internet Department of the General Directorate of Information Systems at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) Lt. Abdul Rahman Abdullah Jamal said while talking to Qatar TV on Sunday. He said Metrash 2 is currently providing more than 330 services to citizens, residents, visitors and companies.Regarding MoI’s efforts to keep abreast of technological developments and to create smart solutions, the official said the ministry is constantly studying the most important modern technologies to be integrated into the application for the improvement of the services.“The continuous improvement and update of the existing services with Metrash 2 are in cooperation with various MoI departments. This is with the aim of reducing time and effort for the public,” he said, adding that MoI aims to provide integrated and smooth electronic services to the public while minimising time consumption and ease of the functions and services.He explained that one of the most prominent features of the Metrash 2 application is sending reminder text messages to users in case the documents are about to expire. “This is in addition to delivering documents to all parts of the country in cooperation with Qatar Post while minimising the need to go to the various service centres. The electronic wallet with the Metrash2 makes various documents easily accessible to the users,” he said, adding that the application supports iOS, Android and tablet devices in order to reach the largest possible segment of users.

Following its impressive accomplishments in 2022, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is implementing a slew of infrastructure projects. Eng. Ali Ahmed al-Mawlawi, project engineer at Ashghal, told Qatar TV that these projects will serve a total of 36,000 housing plots upon completion.The infrastructure projects are currently underway at various parts of Qatar including Ezghawa, Al Kharaitiyat, Al Ebb, West Muaither, Al Mashaf South and Al Wukair South.Al-Mawlawi pointed out that last year the pace of project completion in the country increased with the approach of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. While preparing for the World Cup, more than 170km of sewage and 400km of rainwater drainage networks were developed.He added that 240km of paths for pedestrians and sports bikes and 75,000sq m of green areas were developed during 2022.In May, Ashghal announced its plan to implement 22 new building projects worth QR4.1bn and the authority has plans to tender more projects in the third quarter of this year.Six projects worth an estimated QR1.1bn include the construction and development of several buildings in co-ordination with various authorities while 10 projects are under implementation with an estimated value of more than QR3bn, most notably the development of Hamad General Hospital, the establishment of Madinat Khalifa Health Centre and Qatar Academy Sidra, and the rehabilitation of the veterinary laboratory building of the Ministry of Municipality. There are six other projects including the two projects of the courts complex and the Court of Appeal and Cassation.

The 8th Local Dates Festival started Thursday at Souq Waqif, featuring agrobiodiversity and showcasing the best varieties of dates produced in Qatar. The first day of the festival saw crowds thronging Al Ahmed Square to buy farm fresh dates at fair prices. Khaled Saif al-Suwaidi, general supervisor of the festival, told Gulf Times that the festival is expected to witness the sale of 15 tonnes of dates a day. “The festival is a place to get fresh dates for every one. Good sale is expected and we are set to deliver the needs of the buyers. More dates will be brought from farms if the demand exceeds the stock,” he said. A total of 103 farms are part of the festival that sells local varieties including Al Khalas, Al Khenaizi, Al Shishi, Al Barhi, Al Saqai, Al Razizi, Nabt Saif and Al Lulu. Date syrup is also available. Date juice and ice cream have turned out to be the favourite of visitors with many opting to try them at counters inside the tent. Al-Suwaidi said seven companies are part of the festival while selling their products. The festival this year has also selling points for locally grown farm fresh figs that draw many visitors. From charming date decors to seatings, the Souq Waqif Celebrations Committee at the Private Engineering Office has made all arrangements inside the festival tent. Al-Suwaidi noted that the festival comes within the framework of the great interest that Qatar attaches to supporting and encouraging local production of all national products including dates. He added the festival is being held in conjunction with the season of date production in the country. To run until August 5, the festival receives the public daily from 3pm until 9pm, except for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, when it is open until 10pm. Al-Suwaidi explained that the Celebrations Committee at the Private Engineering Office has launched a competition for the best local dates for the first time. He added that rewards will be distributed to the first three winners as a gesture of support from the committee towards the farmers while supporting and encouraging the production of the best local dates. ENDS...

The Smart Parking project is making remarkable strides with 85% of the installation of the smart parking sensors complete across Qatar.Eng. Tariq Jumaa al-Tamimi, director of the Technical Office at the Ministry of Municipality, while talking to Qatar TV, said that the sensors are functional with approximately 3021 parking spaces in various regions.According to al-Tamimi, under the project, which is the first comprehensive digital parking service in Qatar, work is carried out through a joint team from ministries and government entities.The team sets technical requirements for parking development while determining the fees. Al-Tamimi pointed out that the focus has been on a set of goals that serve the public. These are improving the quality of life while switching to digitising the existing services and easing traffic congestion due to queuing for parking. Also, the goals include encouraging the public to use public transportation.The service provides users with a seamless parking experience by offering information on available parking spaces and allowing them to find out and reach parking spots using their mobile phones. The launch of the Smart Parking service is part of the five smart sectors included in Smart Qatar Programme (TASMU). The Smart Parking Service contains parking spaces in adjacent parking lots on vital roads and areas, such as Corniche and West Bay in addition to parking spots in Souq Waqif, Al Bidaa Park, Corniche, Gate Mall, Lusail, Msheireb and others.The Smart Parking project provides direct data, supported by best recommendations and real-time forecasts about available parking spaces. This enables reducing the mobility time for drivers on the roads and contributes to the achievement of a key performance indicator for the transportation sector, which is reducing traffic congestion and delays on the roads. The project also helps diminish environmental pollution by minimising the duration of the car journey and the unnecessary operation of the vehicle's engine.

While shedding light on the diversity of agricultural products in the region and providing a venue for showcasing local produce, the Expo 2023 Doha will feature a Farmers Market.“The market is a space where farmers and growers can showcase their produce to the public and where attendees can chat with and support local businesses,” the expo's official website says. Also, international pavilions will benefit from free space to sell their agricultural produce of local fruits and vegetables.Innovations and techniques of modern agriculture are the focus of the expo that combines tradition and modern technology for a balanced use of resources. The modern agriculture segment at the expo will mainly focus on enhancing farmers' role. The expo will also create a convergence of people and ideas to accelerate innovation, research and scientific advancements in the field of modern agriculture.The event will promote innovation, research and scientific advancements in modern agriculture to produce safe, sustainable and affordable food for the increasing population of the world and reduce climate impact.They have the experience and the everyday perspective that can inform, promote and implement the solutions to fight desertification. They are the real growers of change.Described as the first A1 International Horticultural Exhibition to be held in Qatar, the Middle East, and North Africa, Expo 2023 Doha will have international visitors and organisers along with experts from national and international industries, government entities and officials. Non-governmental organisations and commercial affiliates will also be part of the exhibition.At Al Bidda Park, the Expo 2023 Doha venue, pavilions are to be set up across 1.7mn sqm, with dedicated zones for modern agriculture, technology and innovation, environmental awareness and sustainability.Organisers have said the construction works for Expo Doha 2023 are complete and the venue would be ready to receive visitors starting September, one month ahead of the opening.

The Ministry of Municipality has completed all arrangements for the 8th edition of the Local Dates Festival at Souq Waqif, a Qatar TV report has said.The festival will be held at Souq Waqif’s Al Ahmed Square from July 27 to August 5.According to the statement from the ministry, the festival will receive the public daily from 3pm until 9pm, except for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, when it is open until 10pm.Ahmed Salem al-Yafei, head of the Extension and Agricultural Services Department and supervisor of the festival, said more than 100 local farms will showcase their products at the festival.Organised by the Ministry of Municipality and Souq Waqif management, the festival comes within the framework of the great interest that Qatar attaches to supporting and encouraging local production of all national products including dates, in conjunction with the season of date production in the country. This is with the aim of supporting efforts to achieve food security while encouraging the interest and keenness to develop the agricultural sector. Also, the dates festival seeks to encourage farmers to improve production.The annual festival usually features all Qatari varieties of dates including Al Khalas, Al Khenaizi, Al Shishi, Al Barhi, Al Saqai, Al Razizi, Nabt Saif and Al Lulu. Also, date syrup will be available.The event is expected to have the participation of specialised companies and farms from across the country while offering produce at competitive prices, which are lower than those found at retail outlets.

The Biodiversity Museum at Expo 2023 Doha will showcase the region's rich flora, fauna, and diverse marine life while the exclusive Environment Centre will provide a dedicated space for the demonstration of technologies related to environmental science and renewable energy.Also, the centre, according to Expo 2023 Doha official website, will share climate change statistics and information.These all will be in place while putting sustainability on the spotlight. “Sustainability aims to maintain biodiversity and ecological balance, whilst acknowledging the need for civilisation to sustain its modern way of life,” the website says.The venue will also provide exclusive access to all conferences throughout the six months of the Expo. The state-of-the-art facilities allow hosting of national weeks with VIP delegations and officials, making the venue ideal for networking, exchanging innovative ideas, and forging new partnerships. Also, there will be an Exhibition Centre where unforgettable events will be held with an expansive 7,500 sqm of prime exhibition space, which is ideal for short- and long-term exhibitions. The Family Amphitheatre will host various entertainment shows and activities suitable for kids and families while making it the ultimate destination for an enjoyable day out.Described as the first A1 International Horticultural Exhibition to be held in Qatar, the Middle East, and North Africa, Expo 2023 Doha will have international visitors and organisers along with experts from national and international industries, government entities and officials. Non-governmental organisations and commercial affiliates will also be part of the exhibition.At Al Bidda Park, the Expo 2023 Doha venue , pavilions are to be set up across 1.7mn sqm, with dedicated zones for modern agriculture, technology and innovation, environmental awareness and sustainability.Organisers have said the construction works for Expo Doha 2023 are complete and the venue would be ready to receive visitors starting next September, one month ahead of the opening.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has decided to allow temporary camping during the weekends. According to a Qatar TV report, camping will be allowed on the last three days of every week. The move is to help the public in urban areas get a respite from the summer heat by heading to the beaches.The usual camping season has ended on April 29 in the northern and central regions of the country while it came to an end in the areas of Sealine and Al Udayd on May 20.The ministry has urged camp goers to preserve the environment and protect natural resources by using alternative and environment-friendly energy, planting plants and trees, maintaining camping sites and adhering to the camping regulations. According to the Qatar TV report, the new decision identifies a set of controls and requirements that must be adhered to by the camp goers. The ministry has urged the campers to maintain the cleanliness of the camping site while preserving the environment. Also, they should leave a distance between the beach and the caravan and break the camp when the allowed period comes to an end. The report pointed out that camping beyond the permitted time is a violation.The concerned authorities at MoECC will follow up on compliance with the laws for the protection of the terrestrial and marine environment by patrolling the area. Also, inspectors will be deployed to monitor the compliance with regulations. Inspection tours will focus on the sites that are more frequented during the weekends.

With summer in its peak, commuting goes smooth in an affordable way for many, thanks to the air-conditioned bus shelters, built as part of the Public Bus Infrastructure programme.“Waiting for the bus could have been difficult during summer without these air conditioned bus shelters,” said Mohamed Shameer, who uses the MetroLink service to reach Al Wakra Metro station, from where he takes Doha Metro to reach his office at West Bay. The Al Wakra resident pointed out that many office goers are switching to public transport as the system is remarkably efficient and cost-effective.As per figures released by the Ministry of Transport, the Public Bus Infrastructure programme features the development of more than 2,300 bus stops in and outside of Doha, designed in accordance with the highest world standards and technology.“The air conditioned shelters are among the attractions of the public transport,” said Abdul Majeed, who takes bus to reach his office on a daily basis. He is one of the residents who switched into public transport. “The well set up infrastructure has made travel to work and back, easy. Some of my friends have stopped using cars to reach their offices,” he said.The bus shelters have come as a relief for many low income individuals in remote areas. “The number of bus services has been improved. There is better connectivity between Doha and other places and waiting for buses is no more difficult during summer,” said a Nepali resident, who works at Doha Industrial Area.Implemented in cooperation with the Public Works Authority, the Public Bus Infrastructure programme aims at providing an integrated, sustainable public transit network that covers all urban areas across the country and forms a coherent transportation unit that includes public buses, Doha Metro, and tram networks.The programme consists of eight bus stations at Al Sudan, Msheireb, Al Gharrafa, Lusail, Al Wakra, Education City, Industrial Area, and West Bay Central and four bus depots in Lusail, the New Industrial Area, Al Wakra, and Al Rayyan. All these facilities are supported with over 650 charging stations for e-bus operations.Also, as part of the programme, there are four Park and Ride parking locations in Al Qassar, Al Wakra, Lusail, and Education City, in service of public transit users. The programme lays the foundation for a full transformation to an electricity-powered transit system that is clean and eco-friendly, using latest technologies with a view to providing the best services in a fashion that supports sustainable development.

Expo 2023 Doha will put spotlight on the green desert while contemplating measures to make possible a better environment, the Bureau International Des Exposition (BIE) Secretary General Dimitri Kerkentzes told Gulf Times Wednesday.After visiting the exhibition site, Kerkentzes said the expo assumes significance as it’s held in an arid land and lends the entire world the opportunities to share the experiences and expertise of greening the desert, sustainable cultivation and beating climate change.The greening of deserts is a sustainable project for irrigation and forestation of dry areas or regions near water sources like lakes, rivers, seas or oceans. This is while taking benefits of clean technologies like irrigation with natural water sources and renewable energy supplies.The green desert ideal has cultural, educational, economic, social and scientific aspects, combining traditional agricultural practices with modern and alternative techniques like hydroponics, permaculture and vermiculture, all in a sustainable manner.BIE is the intergovernmental organisation in charge of overseeing and regulating all international exhibitions that last more than three weeks and are of non-commercial nature. Headquartered in Paris, BIE is a key international stakeholder of organising Expo 2023 Doha.“Expo 2023 Doha will feature deep aspects on measures to adapt and overcome the adversity of current challenges while leaving a strong expansive intellectual legacy,” Kerkentzes said.The Secretary General of BIE visited the Expo 2023 Doha site at Al Bidda Park along with Qatari officials and assessed the progress of the works. He noted that Doha is an important place to have this expo as it can host discussions, deliberations and seminars on measures and new techniques to adapt to climate change and the changes needed to be adopted in daily life to beat the climate change.“Climate change seems to be a clear reality all across the world. We need to bring the world to tackle the challenges and we have to learn how to beat climate change,” he said.Kerkentzes lauded the organisers by saying all are working with cent percent commitment to ensure the success of the expo.Described as the first A1 International Horticultural Exhibition to be held in Qatar, the Middle East, and North Africa, Expo 2023 Doha will have international visitors and organisers along with the experts from national and international industries, government entities and officials. Non-governmental organisations and commercial affiliates will also be a part of the exhibition.At Expo 2023 Doha venue Al Bidda Park, pavilions are to be set up across 1.7mn sqm, with dedicated zones for modern agriculture, technology and innovation, environmental awareness and sustainability.

Always for holidays, Indian expatriate Ahmad Anwar chose between flying home or staying in Qatar exploring the local tourist destinations. This Eid al-Adha holiday turned out to be special for Anwar and his family as he, along with his friend Sameer V K, opted to embark on a road trip from Doha to Amman.A new trend where several residents opt to go for international road trips from Doha has been in the making for some years now and the Eid al-Adha holidays witnessed the trend gaining ground after a break. Several Doha residents drove to Jordan, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the past couple of weeks.Anwar started the trip in a group of 11 individuals including five kids on June 25 in two SUVs. The group returned to Doha on July 2 after covering Saudi heritage sites in Tabuk and visiting the popular Jordan tourist sites including the ancient city of Petra, the port city of Aqaba, Dead Sea, Cave of the Seven Sleepers and the capital city Amman.“We made all preparations while planning almost everything. The trip was amazing and quite affordable. We opted to go by road since it lends an opportunity to stop and explore every site,” Anwar told Gulf Times.Travel experts say the trend is now getting many takers after Saudi Arabia eased entry procedures for Qatar residents. “Visa proceedings have become easy and fast. E visa and on-arrival visa are available for Qatar residents from many countries that can be reached by road. Such facilities attract residents to go for a new experience change while celebrating holidays,” said Mosafer Travel and Tourism general manager Firos Nattu.Sadiq Chennadan, another Doha resident, along with his friends, drove to Oman where he visited the picturesque Wadi Darbat and heritage sites of Mutrah Fort along with beaches, Souqs, museums and villages across Salalah and Muscat.“All you need is good friends and vehicles that are fit for a long drive. We enjoyed the trip while exploring every site. We had regular breaks and stays across Oman and Saudi Arabia,” Sadiq said, adding that the trip is affordable compared to air travel.Nishaant Tharammel went to Bahrain's capital city Manama where he stayed a day and night after exploring the Saudi city of Dammam. “We had a good time both in Saudi and Bahrain. We feel great that we opted to drive to two countries,” he said, adding that the roads, outside the cities, demand care and attention.Many residents also drove to Saudi cities of Jeddah, Riyadh and Abha where they met relatives and friends while UAE cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah received many visitors from Qatar during the Eid al-Adha holidays.

Fervour and festivities marked Eid al-Adha celebrations across Qatar Wednesday, starting early morning when the faithful converged at mosques and prayer grounds chanting Eid Takbeer.The prayer started at 5.01am and the mosques along with prayer grounds received huge numbers of faithful. Awqaf in coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and the Ministry of Interior (MoI) had made all arrangements for the prayers.Apart from the Grand Mosque, Qatar Foundation's Education City Stadium and Msheireb Downtown Doha topped the list of favourites for Eid prayers.Many Doha residents opted to take their families and friends to the Grand Mosque where they had impressive views of the Doha skyline after the prayer. “For a long time, the mosque remains to be my Eid prayer destination. The eye-catching graceful arches and other characteristics of Islamic architectural tradition make the mosque an ideal place to hold special prayers,” said Mohamed Ashraf, who reached the mosque along with his friend from Bahrain Wednesday morning.With its distinguished cultural and architectural features, Msheireb’s historic Eid Prayer Ground also drew hundreds of faithful. Msheireb Properties restored the space to preserve Qatar’s heritage and a piece of history dating back to the founding of Doha. In order to transport the believers to Msheireb Downtown Doha and Education City Stadium, Doha Metro started its services at 4.30 am.Eid prayer grounds recorded a huge flow of believers with many opting to go there while planning meetings with friends. “In fact, the prayer grounds are all about the celebrations. I like to come here for a host of reasons. There is a life in this open space while people from different communities across the world hold their prayers. This place lends an opportunity to meet the friends and wish them,” said Mohamed Shafi, who attended the prayer at Al Wakra Eid prayer ground along with his friends.The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) distributed Eid gifts to kids who accompanied their parents to mosques and prayer grounds.

Qataris Thursday voted to elect members of the 7th Central Municipal Council (CMC). Twenty-nine new members were announced by Maj Gen Majid Ibrahim al-Khulaifi, chairman of the Supervisory Committee for the Central Municipal Council Elections at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) after the votes were counted in the evening.A statement from the MoI explained that 40.7% or a total of 34,527 voters, both male and female citizens, registered their names for voting. The voting process was held at 27 electoral constituencies with the winners of the 27th and 28th constituencies already elected uncontested. A total of 102 candidates, including four females, were in the fray.**media[46513]**With all preparations and technical arrangements in place, polling centres welcomed voters from 8am to 5pm in 27 constituencies. “In accordance with the laws, decrees, and ministerial decisions governing the electoral process, the supervisory committee, executive committees, and electoral committees have completed their preparatory, organisational, and procedural tasks for the seventh term of the CMC,” Maj Gen al-Khulaifi said.The winners pledged to serve their constituencies and the country while working to improve the quality of various services. Talking to Qatar TV, Waleed al-Emadi, who won from Constituency 8, said he will work to develop the infrastructure while focusing on maintaining the mosques and streets and developing the quality of education in his constituency.Hamad al-Kubaisi, elected from Constituency 18, told Qatar TV that he has plans to improve the quality of commercial activities and streets in his constituency. He said he will work to address various civic woes in his constituency.The winnersElectoral district 1 - Jassim Najm Ali Ahmed al-KhulaifiElectoral district 2 - Jassim Ali Jaber Boussioul al-SorourElectoral district 3 - Mohammed Rashid Khamis al-Samkhan al-KubaisiElectoral district 4 - Bader Sultan Saad Sultan al RumaihiElectoral district 5 - Mohammed Salem Mohammed al-Qamra al-MarriElectoral district 6 - Abdullah Ghanem Hassan Sultan a-GhanemElectoral district 7 - Fahd Abdullah Abdul Rahman al-MullaElectoral district 8 - Waleed Mohammed Abdul Rahim Mohammed al-EmadiElectoral district 9 - Hassan Ali Othman Mahmoud al-IshaqElectoral district 10 - Abdul Rahman Abdullah Muhammad Ali al-KhulaifiElectoral district 11 - Mohammed Mana Ayed al-Abd KhawarElectoral district 12 - Mohammed Ali Mohammed al-Homr al-AthbaElectoral district 13 - Abdullah Mohammed Mubarak al-NabitElectoral district 14 - Mohammed Hammoud Shafi al-ShafiElectoral district 15 - Mubarak Freesh Mubarak Saleh al-SalemElectoral district 16 - Mohammed Saleh Rashid al-Khayareen al-HajriElectoral district 17 - Abdullah Khaled Qasim al Yahri al-YafeiElectoral district 18 - Hamad Khaled Khalifa al-KubaisiElectoral district 19 - Fahd Hamad Mohammed Husayn al-BaridiElectoral district 20 - Saeed Ali Hamad al-Ghafrani al-MarriElectoral district 21 - Nayef Ali Mohammed Maiqa al-AhbabiElectoral district 22 - Fahad Salem Dhaidan al-Quoz al-MarriElectoral district 23 - Mohammed Zafer Mohammed al-Mufaqai al-HajriElectoral district 24 - Ali Kharbash Hamid Kharbash al-MansouriElectoral district 25 - Abdullah Muqalled Ali Ibrahim al-MuraikhiElectoral district 26 - Hassan Lahdan Ali Abu Jamhour al-MohannadiElectoral district 27 - Rashid Saree Ghazwan al-Saree al-Kaabi (by acclamation)Electoral district 28 - Nasser Khalifa Nasser Tawar al-Kuwari (by acclamation)Electoral district 29 - Mohammed Abdullah Ali Mohammed al-Sada

The ConteQ Expo24 will be held from 2024 September 16 to 18 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) while offering investment opportunities and highlighting latest trends in development and construction sectors, it was announced Monday.Jointly organised by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) and the Ministry of Labour, ConteQ Expo24 is described as an ideal venue for companies, construction, manufacturing, and retail industry leaders in Qatar to meet with thought leaders, suppliers and prominent industry leaders at the international level.The event will also showcase the latest research, innovations and technologies that enhance productivity, quality of implementation, cost reduction, waste reduction and energy efficiency. The details were announced during a press conference Monday.A statement from president Dr engineer Saad bin Ahmad al-Muhannadi said Ashghal is dedicated to embracing groundbreaking technologies that revolutionise the execution of construction projects. “Our emphasis lies in minimising dependence on unskilled labour while introducing innovative solutions that amplify efficiency and elevate quality. ConteQExpo24 provides a promising opportunity to explore cutting-edge advancements in technology, allowing us to uncover fresh approaches for enhancing our operations and project implementation,” he said.Projects Affairs director engineer Yousef al-Emadi told the press conference that Ashghal, while hosting the exhibition, will establish a foundation for initiating the journey of digital and technical transformation, particularly in the vital construction and services sector.“We are currently witnessing an impressive surge of progress and digitalisation across all industries. To keep up with this rapid advancement, it is crucial to swiftly act and provide a platform for innovators, enthusiasts, and technical experts to convene with decision-makers and creators,” he said.Ministry of Labour's assistant undersecretary Mohamed Hassan al-Obaidly said ConteQ Expo24 represents a pivotal stride towards realising the objectives and policies pursued by Qatar.“It not only facilitates the actual digital transformation within crucial sectors such as construction and services but also attracts specialised and skilled workers while curbing the reliance on unskilled labour. This endeavour bears significant positive implications as it enhances productivity and facilitates the execution of major projects in the country's construction and services sectors, adhering to the requisite standards."Moreover, it enables us to remain abreast of advanced digital solutions, emerging requirements, and evolving trends. This, in turn, fosters initiatives and ongoing endeavors in the realm of digital transformation within the construction and services fields,” al-Obaidly said.Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Public Relations Department head Jassim Mohammed al-Naama, said ConteQ Expo24 embodies the ministry’s commitment to advancing technology in the construction and services industry.“The exhibition will showcase advanced technologies and innovative solutions in the services sector, and provide a platform for companies, industry experts and innovators to meet with their counterparts and explore opportunities for cooperation and growth. We are excited to showcase new technologies that will automate many processes and thus simplify them and enhance efficiency in these areas," he said.The exhibition organising committee manager engineer Salem al-Shawi said the organisers are delighted to bring the world’s thought leaders and respected industry peers together with Qatar’s construction, manufacturing, and retail industry figures to digitise and advance the construction, manufacturing, and retail industries.“Digital transformation and its evolution are imperative to business and economic advancement. It enables collaboration, information flow, increased efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and safety. Showcasing the latest cutting-edge digital solutions, ConteQ Expo24 will be an exceptional event for companies striving for growth and advancement,” he noted.The press conference also marked signing of sponsorship contracts with UCC Holding (UrbaCon Trading & Contracting) the Official Sponsor, and Nafco Qatar,the Platinum Sponsor and AMANA company- Gold Sponsor.

An S-Band radar system was launched Wednesday at Hamad International Airport (HIA), which will be used in air traffic control systems to monitor and manage arriving and departing air traffic.HE the Minister of Transport Jassim Saif Ahmed al-Sulaiti launched the radar system in the presence of Italian ambassador Paolo Toschi, Leonardo Electronics senior V-P Davide Fazio and officials from the Ministry of Transport and Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA).Established in conjunction with Italian firm Leonardo, the S-Band radar system is equipped with advanced features and provides unparalleled accuracy, and will serve as the backbone of airspace surveillance, enabling swift and precise tracking of aircraft in real time.By providing essential information to air traffic controllers, pilots and aviation authorities, the radar system will significantly enhance situational awareness and streamline the management of air traffic.The S-Band radar covers a range of 200 miles and a height of 45,000ft. It is connected to the Long-Rang L-Band radar for smooth air traffic and safe and secure aviation. It updates flight locations every five seconds, helping detect aircraft locations with high accuracy.Such instant updates also help air controllers prioritise landing and takeoff operations in a fashion that enables the landing and takeoff of three aircraft at the same time, using three tarmacs at HIA and Doha International Airport (DIA), thus increasing the capacity to 100 aircraft per hour. This system is taking effect for the first time in the Middle East, the MoT explained in a statement.“The launch of this radar and the previous milestones during such a short period of time demonstrate the progress achieved in Qatari air navigation while supporting the build-up of a civil aviation system that is leading and sustainable relying on the best policies and practices and highest global standards in the field,” HE the Minister said.The aim, he noted, is to enhance the country’s position on the global aviation map to the best levels in terms of efficiency, quality and advancement, thus achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.He added that the deployment of advanced air navigation systems and technologies has contributed to achieving the strategic goals for keeping pace with the need to increase air traffic capacity as the number of air movements at HIA and DIA, from the start of operations during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 through the end of the championship, reached 26,425 - the equivalent of a landing and a takeoff per minute.The objective of the new radar system is to provide complete redundancy for the primary and secondary radar data, through state-of-the-art technology, in compliance with the latest national and international standards. It allows controllers to track the position, altitude, speed and heading of aircraft in real time. This information enables controllers to provide separation between aircraft, issue instructions and ensure the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.Mohamed Faleh al-Hajri, in charge of managing the QCAA, said the launch of the S-Band radar supports the progress of the current stage, complements the development plans in place, and marks a new step towards a more efficient future for civil aviation.Installing new devices and advanced technologies directly contributes to increasing the capacity and opening additional air routes, and this helps in the smooth flow of air traffic for arriving and departing aircraft, al-Hajri noted."In support of our national talent, Qatari engineers and technicians have been trained in the technologies of the S-Band radar system at the manufacturing company in Italy in the first phase. They will have hands-on training at the site of the radar here under the supervision of specialised engineers from Leonardo,” the QCAA official added.Earlier this week, the Long-Range L-Band radar was launched in the north of Qatar, marking a qualitative addition to air navigation measures.Supplied and installed by Thales, the L-band radar complies with state-of-the-art technology and latest national and international standards. It will be covering the Doha Flight Information Region (FIR) with a range of 250 nautical miles (about 400km), and can detect aircraft from a height of 3,000-65,000ft.

The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCCA) Monday launched a state-of-the-art Long-Range Band Radar at Al Shamal that will ensure smooth and secure air navigation with high levels of accuracy within the newly established Doha Flight Information Region (DFIR).HE the Minister of Transport Jassim Saif al-Sulaiti launched the radar in the presence of dignitaries and top officials from the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and QCCA.Supplied and installed by French multinational company Thales, L-Band Long Range Radar complies with the latest national and international airtraffic control standards. It consists of the basic radar to cover the Doha Flight Information Region, with a range of 250 nautical miles (about 400 km) that can detect aircraft that flies between the altitudes of 3000 feet and 65000 feet in the region. The radar and systems are linked with the Qatar Air Traffic Control Center. The long-range radar also covers Kuwaiti, Emirati, and Bahraini airspace, as well as parts of Saudi and Iranian airspace.It’s worth noting that six Qatari engineers from the Air Navigation Department were sent to get trained in its operations at the manufacturing company in France.The adoption of this radar comes as part of the measures taken by QCAA to achieve the main strategic objectives of the Doha Flight Information Region (FIR) such as to enhancing air traffic control in Qatari airspace enabling early detection of air traffic within the region while developing work mechanisms, adopting modern technologies, and keeping pace with international standards, to enhance the status and presence of Qatar on the global aviation map.“During the previous years, QCAA took many measures to improve the status of the civil aviation industry in the State of Qatar, and paid great attention to all areas of this vital sector, and to air navigation concerned with managing the airspace in the State of Qatar and maintaining its security and safety. This was reflected in the great support provided by the Authority to this field, in terms of adopting the latest technologies and providing the best systems used in the field of air navigation, in cooperation with several companies around the world, specialized in the development of air navigation, with the aim of keeping pace of global technological changes and developments and ensuring further development and progress. This is in addition to providing expertise and specialized cadres, intensifying training processes and developing existing competencies to improve the level of performance and quality of work,” a statement from QCCA noted.

Around 2,500 low-income individuals will benefit from the 19th Asian Medical Camp tomorrow at Ain Khalid Umm Al Seneem Health Centre.Jointly organised by the Centre for Indian Community (CIC) and the Indian Doctors Club Qatar (IDC), the camp will have 120 doctors along with paramedical staff examining patients from various communities.Addressing a press conference Wednesday, the organisers said all arrangements were completed for the camp which will start at 7am. The inaugural ceremony is at 9am. The camp will also host open to the public health awareness sessions in the afternoon by experts from various branches of medicine, including Dr Mahesh Menon, Dr Rashmi Gurav, Dr Devi Krishna and Dr Manichandran.“Expert doctors in various fields such as cardiology, ENT, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, and ophthalmology will conduct these examinations. Additionally, the camp will offer services such as scanning, ECG, audiometry, ophthalmology, oral checkups, cholesterol and sugar tests, as well as clinical tests like blood pressure monitoring. Free medication will be provided as prescribed by the doctors,” said Dr Biju Gafoor, IDC Qatar president.General secretary Dr Makthoom Mohamed said that patients who need further care will be referred to the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) facilities.“Since its inception in 2002, the Asian Medical Camp has provided relief to thousands of patients, establishing itself as a vital healthcare initiative. It holds the distinction of being the largest and most comprehensive camp in the Middle East in terms of participant numbers and range of medical services offered. Following a pause caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the medical camp is preparing to recommence its services while ensuring the continuity of its uninterrupted legacy of providing medical care,” noted a press statement from CIC.“In addition to the doctors, the camp will be supported by hundreds of paramedical staff, volunteers, and technical personnel, all dedicated to serving the attendees. Collaborating with the camp are various organisations and institutions, including the Indian Pharmacists Association Qatar, Qatar Diabetes Association and several other entities,” the statement added.The press conference was attended by Ishaq Ahmed Saeed, co-ordinator, Media Communications, HMC; Dr Mohamed Suhail, representative, PHCC; K C Abdul Latheef, vice chairman, Asian Medical Camp and vice president, CIC Qatar; and Rasheed Ahmed, Mohamed Ali and PP Rahim, also CIC Qatar officials.