Amir Orders Incentives Worth Qr75bn for Private Sector to Meet Effects Of
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BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR | Page 16 Ashghal opens fi ve new sections at Commercial Bank opens iconic Mesaimeer Le Boulevard building at Al Sadd Interchange published in QATAR since 1978 MONDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11489 March 16, 2020 Rajab 21, 1441 AH GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Amir orders incentives worth QR75bn for private sector to meet eff ects of Covid-19 z Incoming flights suspended but Qatari nationals can enter HIGHLIGHTS z All incoming flights suspended from Wednesday except for cargo and transit zAll public transport, including metro and Karwa buses stopped zStaff above 55 and those with chronic diseases can work from home zBanks to defer loan repayment instalments zGovt funds to increase investments in stock exchange by QR10bn zQatar Central Bank to provide additional liquidity to banks His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani presiding over the meeting of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management to review Qatar’s preparedness to zFood, medical goods exempted from customs face the challenges posed by the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) yesterday. At the meeting, the Amir directed the off icials to provide the necessary services to citizens and residents, foremost of which is to provide safety and protection for them from the coronavirus. The authorities presented to the Amir the “the national executive plan” duties for 6 months to confront Covid-19. The Amir stressed the importance of the contribution of all departments, including public and private sector institutions, to the eff orts to prevent the epidemic, and their social responsibility in such circumstances, and that all citizens and residents do their duty to reduce its spread by following the preventive measures zSelect sectors exempted from paying recommended by the Ministry of Public Health. The meeting held at the National Command Centre was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh electricity, water charges for 6 months Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, who is also the Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, and members of the committee, including ministers and senior off icials. By Joseph Varghese Thani has decided to adopt a number of and Doha Metro is stopped from 10pm is to postpone the instalments for all Qatari students studying abroad have Exemptions from Staff Reporter decisions and packages. They include today (Sunday) until further notice. borrowers for a period of six months. been advised to adhere to the policies of educational, fi nancial and transport in- All the public, private and university The offi cial also announced that the host countries and to approach Qa- rent and utility bills itiatives that will help all sectors of the students will begin distance learning food and medical goods will be exempt tari embassies in case of urgent needs. ntensifying its fi ght against the society,” announced HE Lolwah Rashid from Sunday. The 12th grade students from customs duties for a period of six Citizens and residents are both urged Msheireb Properties has announced novel coronavirus (Covid-19), Qa- AlKhater, Assistant Foreign Minister of public schools will sit exams on months, provided that this is refl ected to avoid travel during the coming pe- that all retailers and F&B tenants Itar yesterday announced a slew of and Spokesperson for the Ministry of time and at the exams headquarters, in the selling price to the consumer. “A riod. at Msheireb Downtown Doha are measures including stopping all in- Foreign Aff airs, at a press conference which will be announced later,” she number of sectors will be exempt from Assistant Undersecretary for Trade exempted from rent and utility coming fl ights from March 18 for two yesterday. said. electricity and water charges for a peri- Aff airs at the Ministry of Commerce bills until further notice. Similarly, weeks, suspending public transport “As per the decisions, all inbound HE AlKhater noted that the most od of six months. They include, hospi- and Industry Saleh al-Khulaifi and co- Barwa Real Estate Group has said services with immediate eff ect and a fl ights to Qatar will be stopped as of important announcement is the fi- tality and tourism sector; retail sector; chair of the National Epidemic Prepa- it is postponing rent payment for mega fi nancial package of QR75bn to March 18 for two weeks, except transit nancial package with a number of small and medium industries sector; ration Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, who is its commercial units, showrooms, support the private sector. fl ights, cargo fl ights and fl ights carrying provisions to boost the private sector. commercial complexes, in exchange for also Head of the Infectious Diseases warehouses, workshops and off ices, Presiding over the Supreme Com- Qatar nationals from other countries. “Qatar has decided to inject QR75bn providing services and exemptions to Division at Hamad Medical Corpora- for three months starting April. On mittee for Crisis Management meeting We will review the situation at the end into the private sector which no other tenants, as well as logistics areas,” she tion, and Director of Health Protection Saturday, Katara - the Cultural Village that reviewed Qatar’s preparedness to of two weeks and appropriate decisions countries have done so far. The gov- pointed out. and Communicable Disease were also Foundation had made a similar combat the spread of the new corona- will be taken depending on the prevail- ernment will also put in QR10bn into The offi cial added that the logistical present at the press conference. announcement. Page 7 virus (Covid 19), His Highness the Amir ing situation then,” stated AlKhater. the stock market. The Qatar Central areas and small and medium industries HE AlKhater said among the steps Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani or- “Certain groups of people - employ- Bank will provide additional liquid- will be exempted from rent for a period taken by the government to fi ght the dered to initiate a set of decisions and ees over the age of 55, pregnant women, ity to banks operating in the country of six months. spread of the virus include cancellation He said all infected cases are in very measures to help people lead a normal and people suff ering from chronic dis- and the banks will postpone loan in- HE AlKhater urged everyone to avoid of public gatherings - both social and good health. life. eases such as diabetes, heart and kid- stalments and obligations of the pri- travel and co-operate with the direc- sports. With regard to economic decisions, “The Supreme Committee for Crisis ney disease, and stress - will be allowed vate sector for a grace period of six tives given by the health ministry and Dr al-Khal said most of the new 64 al-Khulaifi said that the implementa- Management, chaired by His Highness to work from home,” she said. months,” she explained. other authorities to fi ght the spread of Covid-19 cases were expatriate work- tion of the decisions will start from the the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- “All public transport, both Karwa The Qatar Development Bank (QDB) Covid-19 in the country. ers. date of their issuance. Amir gets message Dining out banned from Iran president The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has announced His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim ‘Qatar can overcome challenges’ that dining in at restaurants and cafes around the country is bin Hamad al-Thani received yesterday prohibited from today. a written message from Iranian In a circular published on Twitter yesterday evening, the ministry President Hassan Rouhani pertaining atar’s proven resilience and abil- not out of fear, but out of a sense of respon- said delivery and takeaways will be allowed. to bilateral ties and the means to ity to overcome challenges will see sibility to protect the most vulnerable and to The decision, which will remain in eff ect until further notice, has enhance them. The message was Qit emerge “even stronger” from the not burden our health services. As a nation, been taken in the context of the preventative and precautionary received by HE the Minister of State global coronavirus crisis, HE Sheikha Hind we have proven to be resilient in the past, measures being undertaken by Qatar to prevent the spread of for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al- bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice Chairperson and and I have no doubt that we will come out of Covid-19 and ensure the safety of all citizens and residents, the Muraikhi during a meeting with Iranian CEO of Qatar Foundation (QF), has said. this even stronger.” MoCI said. ambassador to Qatar Mohamed Ali The worldwide Covid-19 outbreak has led Among the measures taken by QF is “Until further notice, it is prohibited to order food and beverages Subhani. to nations taking sweeping precautionary the activation of tried-and-tested remote at all restaurants and cafes anywhere in the country. The presence measures in an attempt to prevent the virus working processes for many of its staff , en- and seating of customers and their gathering inside and outside spreading. With the safety and well-being of suring its core operations continue while such premises is also prohibited, with the exception of the service First batch of medical its own community and the wider public be- refl ecting that public health and well-being of external requests for delivery and the delivery of takeaway ing its top priority, QF’s steps have included is of paramount importance to the organisa- requests inside the store,” the notification said. aid sent to Iran closing its public facilities and programmes tion. Everyone is required to abide by this decision, the ministry Upon the directives of His at Education City and cancelling forthcom- And Sheikha Hind said steps such as these stressed, adding that all violations will be subject to applicable Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim ing events, with school and university class- can ultimately be more than a precaution- legal proceedings.