1996 - 2021 SILVER JUBILEE YEAR Construction Federer ends contracts at British hopes at forefront of Wimbledon; mega projects Barty advances in Qatar to last 16 Business | 13 Sport | 19 SUNDAY 4 JULY 2021 24 DHUL-QA'DA - 1442 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 8673 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Over 80 farms line up for Fresh Local Dates Festival SIDI MOHAMED event last year in Souq Waqif.” during the festival at very THE PENINSULA Regarding prices, he said attractive prices, including that the costs would be Khalas, Al Shishi, Al Khanizi, The ‘6th Fresh Local Dates acceptable and suitable for all Barhi, Iraqi, Silji, Sufri, Nabt Festival 2021’ will start next week visitors. He noted that the fes- Saif, Al Sawafi, and Khurdi. and last for two weeks in Souq tival would be open in the The local Rutab (Fresh Local Waqif. About 80 farms are lined evenings from 4pm to 10pm Dates) is characterised by dis- up to participate in the festival. due to the summer weather. tinct production and mar- The festival aims to The festival is part of a keting capabilities that con- develop the agricultural sector major programme of the MME tribute to its freshness and through palm tree farms and to provide platforms to market high quality, making it pref- supporting local farmers to local produce during their erable to consumers com- produce varieties of quality harvesting season. pared to other varieties. ‘Sixth Fresh Local Dates Festival 2021’ will start next week and last for two dates. The Organizing Com- In a bid to support the local weeks in Souq Waqif. Speaking to The mittee of the festival has set farmers, Souq Waqif is keen to Peninsula, Ahmed A Yafei, requirements for the dates participate in such a festival. It Head of The Department of offered for sale, including that attracts many visitors, The festival aims to develop the agricultural sector through palm tree farms. Agricultural Guidance and the fresh dates showcased in including citizens, expatriates, Services, Department of Agri- the festival should be in the and tourists, due to its strategic Festival would be open in the evenings from 4pm to 10pm. cultural Affairs of the Ministry ripening stage and free from location in central Doha. of Municipality and Envi- any odour. In addition, the Last year, the MME held ronment, said: “This edition dates should have a natural the festival in cooperation Varieties including Khalas, Al Shishi, Al Khanizi, Barhi, Iraqi, Silji, Sufri, Nabt will be distinguished and will taste and smell. with Al Meera Consumer Saif, Al Sawafi, and Khurdi will be offered at the festival. witness a large production, Different types of fresh Goods Company at Al Meera’s considering there was no local dates will be offered Hayat Plaza branch. Doha Metro to Demand revival cheers retail businesses suspend services SACHIN KUMAR Last month was a game- months. We are planning to slated to reopen by the end of years to enter malls and restau- on Fridays and THE PENINSULA changer for Qatar’s retail sector launch ‘Back to School’ cam- August. rants and eased some other in reviving the customers’ paign next month,” he said. Currently, electronic items, restrictions from June 18. From Eid Al Adha Qatar’s retail market is booming demand. ‘Back to School’ campaign furniture, apparels are top on that day, we have seen families with business again as “Last month was crucial in is a major event for Qatar’s the shopping list of customers. coming in larger number to the holidays customers begin to line-up at revival of demand in the retail sector. Every season when With in electronic goods, malls. billing counters. With easing of market. We have seen signif- schools reopen after vacation retailers are seeing high "When children below 12 THE PENINSULA — DOHA COVID-19 restrictions, icant pick up in the business. or break, retailers get ready demand for laptops, TVs, years were not allowed, customers are back with their Customers are back in the with ‘Back to School’ campaigns tablets, headphones while home parents were hesitant to go out Qatar Rail has announced a shopping list, setting the cash market and this time they are which include new stationery décor items are also among top for shopping. Once this temporary closure of the Doha registers ringing at malls, focusing on value-buying,” a items, uniforms, bags and other selling list. restriction was removed, Metro services during Fridays hypermarkets and showrooms. senior official of major retailer related items. Reopening of Retailers say June 18 was a parents started heading to and Eid Al Adha holidays. Buoyed by the uptick in cus- told The Peninsula. schools this time is special as turning point for retailers in malls and showrooms with Doha Metro services will tomer demand, retailers are “Going by the current trend, many students will be going to terms of customers demand. their shopping list,” a manager be suspended on Fridays planning to launch new I am hopeful that demand will classrooms after a long time. “Concerned authorities in Qatar of an electronic showroom told between July 9 and August 13 shopping campaign and offers. pick up further in coming Most of the schools in Qatar are had allowed children below 12 The Peninsula. `P2 and during the Eid holidays between July 21 and 24. According to Qatar Rail, the closure comes due to an 232 work sites closed in essential system upgrade across the network. The June for violating upgrade will increase the network capacity, allowing more trains to operate and pro- summer schedule rules viding more frequent services to customers in the future. QNA — DOHA 232 work sites for a period of Qatar Rail also stated that three days, noting that the most it has chosen dates that histor- The Ministry of Administrative of the violating companies ically record the fewest pas- Development, Labor and Social work in the contracting sector sengers to minimise customer Affairs, represented in Labor in different sites. inconvenience. Inspection Department, has The decision obliges com- The metro service has been carried out intensive inspection panies and institutions that operating at 30 percent campaigns during June, with have workplaces under direct capacity since the gradual the aim of ensuring that sunlight to set a schedule spec- lifting of COVID-19 restrictions companies comply with Minis- ifying the daily working hours and only started Friday oper- terial Resolution No. (17) for the in accordance with the provi- ations on May 28. Doha Metro year 2021, regarding the sions of the decision, a visible also recently announced that necessary precautions to place that is easy for all metroexpress will now protect workers from heat workers to see and for the Min- connect passengers to Fox stress in open work sites during istry inspectors to observe Hills South in Lusail. The new the summer period. during their inspection visits to expansion of the metroexpress Under this rules, workers the workplace, in addition to services is available to and cannot work outside between providing air-conditioned from Legtaifiya Station. 10.00 and 15.30 from June 1 to spaces for the workers’ The metrolink service September 15. comfort, providing chilled recently resumed service on Qatar set to take on El Salvador today The Ministry said that the drinking water and light four selected routes. The four field visits carried out by its clothing, and giving them rest routes include Al Wakra Qatar players during a training session yesterday as they gear up for friendly game against El Salvador inspectors on the work sites periods at different times in (M132), Oqba Ibn Nafie (M123), to be played in Pula, Croatia, today. It is Qatar’s second friendly in Croatia in build up for this month’s during the period from June 1 order to protect them from the Umm Ghuwailina (M139), and Concafaf Gold Cup. Al Annabi defeated a local Croatian side 3-1 in a friendly last week. to 30, resulted in the closure of risk of heat stress. Al Doha Al Jadeda (M114). Initiative encouraging students to enrol in STEM education launched QNA — DOHA science and technology disci- and female students in 10 schools universities and educational and initiative, welcomed the general framework of the plines, through the development (five boys and five girls), under the professional institutions. partners, indicating its centrality national educational curriculum The Ministry of Education and of a professional academic supervision of the academic and It was announced during an in educating students about the of the State of Qatar provided the Higher Education, represented by guidance system that involves vocational guidance section. extended meeting recently held importance of scientific and basis for the development of mul- the Academic Guidance Section preparing various programs The initiative is carried out by the Ministry with the initia- technological disciplines for tiple tracks for students in the of the Department of Educational aimed at motivating and under the supervision of Assistant tive’s partners. Moza Al meeting the needs of the labour secondary education stage, which Guidance in the Education Affairs preparing students to join the Undersecretary for Education, Mudahka, Director of the Edu- market, thus achieving the goals meet the needs of all students, Sector, launched an initiative to targeted disciplines. Affairs Fawzia Al Khater, in coop- cational Guidance Department and objectives of Qatar National with different levels of abilities, encourage middle school students The pilot phase of the initiative eration and coordination with a in the Educational Affairs Sector, Vision (QNV) 2030. and the diversity of their ten- (8th and 9th grades) to enrol in is implemented on 6,000 male group of partners, including who is responsible for the Al Mudahka stressed that the dencies and interests.