Page 01 Jan 01.Indd

ISO 9001:2008

C E R T I F I E D N E W S P A P E R

Gold down on higher shares

Business | 17

Thursday 1 January 2015 • 10 Rabial I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6297

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

[email protected] | [email protected]

Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

The Peninsula

wishes all our readers

Doing business to become easier

Draft law to enable single-window clearance system gets cabinet nod

DOHA: A single-window clear-

ance system in the ofﬁng is likely to make doing business in Qatar easier.

be a highlight of the simpliﬁed rules. draft law incorporat-

view to increasing the listing on the Qatari bourse and attracting more foreign investment.

requirement for a listed entity,

will be incorporated into the law that is on the anvil.

Aing the necessary amendments

to make company formation and

monitoring rules much easier was

approved by the State Cabinet yesterday, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reports. The draft has

been forwarded to the Advisory

Council, which will study and give

its recommendations.

The draft extensively deals with terms of establishment of public shareholding companies,

the launch of initial public offer-

ings (IPOs), formation of company’s board of directors and

remuneration of board members.

Above all, rules governing annual general meetings (AGMs) of listed companies,

called in Qatar as general assem-

bly, their powers and the capital
“The draft has been prepared to cope with latest developments

in the realm of business and

investment and to simplify com-

pany formation procedures,” QNA

said quoting the Cabinet.

The draft takes into consid-

eration international standards,

according to which countries are

ranked in terms of ‘Ease of Doing

Business’, the news agency added.

THE PENINSULA

To improve its ranking on the

global ‘Ease of Doing Business’ Index, Qatar is simplifying the law that regulates formation and supervision of commercial

companies.

A single-window system where

all clearances — including civic

and environmental ones — needed

to establish a business could be

The focus of the draft, according to QNA, is mainly on easing rules regulating the setting up of

obtained in

a

short time, will

publicly-traded entities with

a

Palestinians turn to ICC

Don’t tamper with khubz weight: Ministry

DOHA: The government has warned bakeries against breaching weight-related speciﬁcations set for the traditional Arabic bread ‘khubz’ or face action.

of millions of riyals a year to bakeries that make

these breads. The ﬂour for ‘khubz’ is made available

by the government to the bakeries at much cheaper

rates. The other kinds of bread and bakery products

are sold by the bakeries at uncontrolled prices.

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce said

it has adopted a tough stance against the bakeries

after a massive crackdown on sales outlets, including

sweet shops and grocery stores, revealed violations

of weight-related speciﬁcations of the traditional

RAMALLAH:

President

yesterday

Mahmoud

Abbas

signed a Palestinian request to join the International Criminal

‘Khubz’ is a dietary staple and a popular append-

age to many Arab and Asian meals and being priced

at QR1 per packet, it is a favourite food of the common man.

Court, seeking

a

new avenue

for action against Israel after a failed UN resolution to end the occupation.

The Palestinians hope ICC

membership will pave the way for

war crimes prosecutions against

Israeli ofﬁcials for their actions in

the occupied territories.
The price of the traditional ‘khubz’ that are sold

packed in polythene wraps for QR1 a pack, has been

controlled by the government for decades.

It is because the state provides subsidy to the tune

Arabic bread.

THE PENINSULA

Continued on page 7

But Israeli Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly hit

back, saying the Palestinians have

“more to fear” than Israel from

the Hague-based tribunal.

He cited the Palestinian leader-

ship’s links to Hamas, the militant

group Israel describes as a terror-

ist organisation, which is part of a unity government with Abbas’s

Car showroom shut down for violation

DOHA: In less than three weeks, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce has shut down the showroom of yet another major foreign car dealer here for taking customers for a ride.

the dealer’s outlets revealed that they were repairing

and repainting damaged cars and passing them off as

new to customers. The Ministry said its inspectors have found many such cars in the company’s show-

rooms after customer complaints. As punitive action,

the ministry said, it has shut down the agency’s main

Dubai celebrated the New Year with a midnight light and sound

extravaganza at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower yesterday.

The 828-metre tower was lit up with coloured panels as the clock

counted down to 2015.

The main showroom of Domasco Honda, local

dealers of Japanese Honda cars, was ordered shut for

a month for violating the consumer protection law.

In a statement, the Ministry said surprise raids on

Fatah movement.

AFP

See also page 10

showroom for a month.

THE PENINSULA

Continued on page 6

THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

HOME

02

New Year greetings sent to leaders

Cabinet okays new ﬁscal year plan

DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent New Year congratulation cables to the leaders of friendly countries, wishing them the best of health and happiness and their people further progress and prosperity.

DOHA: Qatar will likely have

a new ﬁscal year that will follow the Gregorian calendar (January to December) from 2016.

to QNA, the Cabinet examined report of the National

Committee for Trafﬁc Safety and

its suggestions.

The Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh

Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa

Al Thani chaired the Cabinet

meeting at Emiri Diwan. ﬁnal account, borrowing, loaning and investment.

to Qatari employees of Qatar

Business Incubation Centre.

a

H

E

The draft law that abolishes

Law No. 14 of 1987 on imposing

fees to obtain certiﬁcates issued

by the Ministry of Education, is

to be referred to the Advisory

Council.

It also examined

a

letter by

the minister of economy and

commerce on the outcome of the 30th session of the Organization

of Islamic Cooperation’s Standing

Committee for Economic and

Commercial Cooperation, which

was held last month in Istanbul. Finally, the cabinet reviewed a

letter by the minister of labour

and social affairs on the outcome

of the 31st session of the GCC council for ministers of development and social affairs and the GCC council for ministers

of labour, which took place last

month in Kuwait.

The recommendations of the

Advisory Council on this report

were also taken into account by

the Cabinet.

Also, the Cabinet approved a

draft law that seeks to replace an

existing law (Number 14 of 1987) that regulates the fee structures of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

The draft law basically doubles

the fee to QR10 for various cer-

tiﬁcates issued by the Supreme

Education Council, and ﬁxes

the fees for the Council’s other

services.
The Cabinet yesterday cleared

a draft law for approval by the

higher-ups for implementation to

change the ﬁnancial year from the

present April to March to follow the Gregorian calendar.

The draft has already been approved by the Advisory Council which also gave its

recommendations.

At its weekly session yester-

day, the Council of Ministers also raised the issue of trafﬁc jams on Doha roads.
According to the provisions of

the draft law that seeks to change

the ﬁscal year, its provisions

would apply to all the government

ﬁnancial units. The Ministry of

Finance would be responsible for the management of public funds

and the execution of the state’s

monetary policy.

The bill also featured provisions

related to the preparation and

implementation of the state’s gen-

eral budget, government accounts,

overseeing the implementation of

the ﬁscal system and the state’s
The Deputy Emir H H Sheikh

Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani

sent similar cables to the lead-

ers, deputies and crown princes

of friendly countries. The Prime

Minister and Interior Minister

H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser

bin Khalifa Al Thani also sent congratulation cables to the

leaders of friendly countries and heads of governments.

The cabinet also ratiﬁed the

minister of education and higher

education’s draft decision on determining fees of some services provided by the Supreme Education Council (SEC).

According to the draft decision, a

fee of QR10 is to be paid to obtain

certiﬁcates issued by the SEC.

The meeting approved the application of Law No. 24 of

2002, on retirement and pensions,

In this context, according

THE PENINSULA

Premier receives message from Iran

DOHA: The Prime Minister

and Interior Minister

H

E

Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani received a written message from Iran’s First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri on means to enhancing relations in various ﬁelds. Iranian Ambassador Mohammed Jawad Asayish delivered it.

Woqod to open 13 new petrol stations this year

DOHA: Qatar Fuel (Woqod) is

gearing up to open 13 new petrol stations across the country this year, including one at Hamad International Airport.

technical inspection services (Fahes) for vehicles, Bitumen, LPG, Marine Services, retail

stores (Sidra) and projects out-

side Qatar. time and efforts for our clients.”

Additionally, there are four new

technical inspection centres to be

constructed in Al Shihaniyah, Al

Shemal City, Al Khour and Al Wakra. These centres are cur-

rently in the design and approval

phases, and are projected to be

fully operational during the

period 2015-2016.
This was announced yesterday

by Ibrahim Jaham Al Kuwari,

CEO, Woqod.

About the projects in design and tendering stages, he said seven new petrol stations will be developed at Smeismah, Al Thameid, Al Thamamah (Al

Hadarmah), New Mesaimeer, the

Educational City (Bani Hajar),

the Educational City (North) and

Umm Qarn. These projects are

expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

WOQOD is also coordinating

with the Educational City and

Lusail City on the establishment

of two new petrol stations in

each location, in addition to new stations in the Economic Zones, where discussions and coordination are currently underway.

“We are also coordinating with

the Ministry of Municipalities and

Urban Planning for the comple-

tion of procedural requirements

in the designation of 25 new loca-

tions that are suitable for the con-

struction of petrol stations, with the aim of providing the best and

UAE ties reviewed

“Work is in progress on 13

new petrol stations in Al Wakra,

Al Wajba, Al Jmayliyyah, Al Aqla (Lusail), Al Thakhirah, Al Qotayfah, Al Mesahabiyah, Al Shemal City, New Rayyan,

Sodanthel, Fulayhah, Bin Derham,

HIA in addition to Woqod fuel station in Saudi Arabia,” Al

Kuwari told a press conference

at the company’s headquarters.

He said some of the projects

were almost complete, while oth-

ers are in the construction phase;

however they are expected to be inaugurated this year. The press conference was held

to providing update on Woqod’s

current and future projects and

plan for 2015-2019.

The company has wide areas

of operations, including market-

ing, transporting and storing of

petroleum products and jet fuels,

H

E

On retails stores, the CEO said that efforts are underway

for the construction of four new

Sidra convenient stores at Hamad

Hospital, Ascott Tower, Barwa Commercial Center and Barwa City Complex. These projects

are currently in the design and

approval phases and are expected

to be completed during this year.

As part of a long-tern strategy,

Woqod has announced an expansion plan to establish a network

of 100 fuel stations, given the pro-

vision of suitable locations, and

its network of FAHES inspection centres for vehicles through the

construction of new inspection

lines at existing stations that are

roomy enough to accommodate

such lines.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday met UAE Ambassador Salih bin Mohamed Al Ameri and discussed relations.

Ibrahim Jaham Al Kuwari, CEO, Woqod, addressing a press conference at the Woqod headquarters in West Bay yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT

Charity builds 433 mosques abroad

most convenient and comprehen-

sive coverage for the majority of

the areas within the country, with

special emphasis on Doha City,

Al Madari Road, the East-North

Road, and other highways,” Al

Kuwari said.

He also said that expansion

works at ten existing fuel stations

namely Ain Khaled, Mouayther,

Al Tha’ayen, Al Hilal, Bu Faseilah,

Al Seiliyah, West Bay, Wadi Al

Banat, Mesaimeer East, and Al

Gharafa are progressing. Some of

these works have been completed,

while the remaining are expected

to be completed during the year 2015.

Commenting on technical inspection centres, he added:

“Most recently, we have inaugu-

rated Fahes centre in Wadi Al Banat area and completed the

DOHA: The Sheikh Eid Charity

built 433 mosques in several countries all over the world in 2014, at a cost of QR31m donated by Qataris. Ali bin Khaled Al Hajri, Head, Project and Foreign Aid Department, Eid Charity, said they built 80 mosques in Sudan and Nigeria besides Mauritania, Pakistan, Yemen, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Palestine,

works at

a

Mesaimeer Fahes

inspection center, which is to

be inaugurated very soon. These

centres are among the most

advanced centres in the deployed

technologies and one-window

service, which conveniently saves

THE PENINSULA

Somalia, Niger and Togo.

QNA

THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

HOME

04

PM receives Omani minister

Premier to open Banana Island resort today

First-of-its-kind resort will be operated by Anantara

by Anantara. The resort is on Qatari crescent-shape

pool and poolside cabana.

surﬁng techniques than at sea.

Guests can energise them-

selves with laps or a leisurely

dip in the 100-metre-long lagoon pool or enjoy the fun

at the children’s pool complete with water slides.

Guests looking for recreation

options on dry land are also

spoilt for choice, from tennis,

beach volleyball and a ﬁtness centre to an entertainment

centre with a nine-hole putting

golf course, eight-pin bowling

alley and a VIP cinema theatre.

Eight dining options offer

H

E

a

The eight two-bedroom Over

Water Villas and trio of three-

bedroom Anantara Over Water

Villas offer 360 square metres

of luxurious space and a 62sqm personal pool ideal for families and friends.

The resort has a marina with

30 berths and a fully equipped

dive centre with a practice pool

ideal for beginners.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani will today inaugurate the ‘Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara’,

island in the Arabian Gulf,

about a 20-minute journey by

luxury ferry from Al Shyoukh

Terminal in the city’s downtown

area or a 10-minute helicop-

ter ride directly from Hamad

International Airport.

The crescent shape of the

island provides a natural har-

bour framed by an 800-metre-

long private beach where guests

can relax and swim in the calm,

safe waters of the turquoise sea.

The 141 luxury guest rooms,

suites and villas are designed

in Arabian style with signature

Anantara touches, including 54

Premier Sea View Rooms, 16

Deluxe Sea View Rooms, eight

Sea View Suites, 18 Anantara

Suites and 34 spacious Sea View

Pool Villas featuring a personal

The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin

Khalifa Al Thani yesterday met Oman’s Minister of Civil Services Sheikh Khalid

bin Omar bin Said Al Marhoon and his delegation. Talks dealt with means of enhancing relations.

on island.

a

Qatari crescent-shape

The resort will be the ﬁrst of its kind to be operated by

Anantara, the company special-

ised in resorts and hotels man-

agement, and developed by Al

Rayyan Hospitality which has

developed hospitality projects,

including Souq Waqif, London’s

Orya Hotel, Salwa Resort, and the hotel and spa at Masila.

The ceremony will be attended by Mohammed Al Qahtani, President, Al

Rayyan Hospitality, and Sami

Ayari, General Manager, Banana Island Resort Doha
Water sports range from

the relaxing pace of kayaking,

pedalos and stand up paddle

boarding, thrills of wakeboard-

ing, banana boat, triple tube and

donut rides, water skiing and jet

skiing to luxury yacht cruises

and ﬁshing trips.

Condolences sent to Malaysia, Indonesia

DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday sent cables of condolence to King Almu’tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Al Haj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah of Malaysia and President of Indonesia Joko Widodo for the victims of the Malaysian plane that crashed in Java Sea.

a

choice of Middle Eastern,

Italian and international cui-

sines at spectacular locations around the island from the

marina, poolside, by the shore-

line and on over water decks with tranquil views and soft

sea breezes. THE PENINSULA

The Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani sent similar

cables to King Almu’tasimu and President Widodo.

The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin

Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani also sent cables of condolence to President

In the resort’s two-lane surf pool, the waves can be control-