www.thepeninsulaqatar.comw BUSINESSBUS | 14 SPORT | 22 ChChina’sina economy Al Dayani stars sshowinghow signs of for Qatar as World stability: Li Cup Series begins FRIDAY 25 MARCH 2016 • 16 Jumada II 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6746 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar www.thepeninsulaqatar.comw BUSINESSBUS | 14 SPORT | 22 ChChina’sina economy Al Dayani stars sshowinghow signs of for Qatar as World stability: Li Cup Series begins FRIDAY 25 MARCH 2016 • 16 Jumada II 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6746 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Emir sends written PM lays stone message to Tunisian President for QR11bn QNA DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday sent a power plant written message to Tunisian Pres- ident Beji Caid Essebsi on relations between the two countries and means of boosting and develop- south of the country, was attended ing them. by Deputy Prime Minister and Min- Qatari Ambassador to Tunisia When completed, ister of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Abdullah bin Nasser Al Humaidi the Umm Al Haul Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mah- presented the message to the Pres- moud, Minister of Energy and Industry ident during a meeting. project will produce H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, 2,520MW of former energy and industry minister and ex-president of Qatar Admin- 40% cut in GCC electricity and 136 istrative Control and Transparency million gallons of Authority H E Abdullah bin Hamad roaming charges Al Attiyah, government officials and water a day. dignitaries. from April 1 When completed, the plant will Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani lays the foundation produce 2,520MW of electricity and RIYADH: The GCC General Secre- stone for the plant, along with other officials. 136 million gallons of water a day — tariat yesterday announced the first By Mohammed Iqbal a 22 percent increase in the current phase of new regulation to reduce The Peninsula electricity output and a 25 percent by 40 percent all cellphone roam- increase in water production — mak- by Kahramaa, Qatar Petroleum and on the availability of infrastructure, QEWC Managing Director and Gen- ing service charges from April 1. ing the project one of the biggest of Japanese firms Mitsubishi and TEPCO. particularly water and gas pipelines eral Manager Fahad bin Hamad Al “The reduction includes voice its kind in the region, Dr Al Sada said National companies will have access and the salinity of the water near it, Mohannadi, also Chairman of Umm Al service charges for incoming and at the ceremony. to at least 30 percent of the project Dr Al Sada said. Houl Power Company, said the plant outgoing calls, SMS, and data,” DOHA: Prime Minister and Interior The project is expected to be com- works. It is also a water management reflects the government’s keenness GCC Assistant Secretary-General Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin pleted in two phases. The first will Dr Al Sada said the project is part project to desalinate water to meet to involve the private sector in major for Economic Affairs Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yester- be completed by the second quar- of Qatar’s strategic goals of creating future demand. projects. Juma Al Shibli said in a statement day laid the foundation stone for the ter of 2017, with the production 40 infrastructure to support economic Dr Al Sada said the project is part He said Qatar has always invested yesterday. QR11bn Umm Al Haul Power Plant of million gallons of water a day. The development. It aims to develop the of Qatar National Vision 2030 which in the electricity sector domestically “Receiving text messages Qatar Electricity and Water Company plant will reach full capacity in the electricity and water utility sectors continues to overcome challenges, or internationally, adding that Nebras remain free while roaming as it is (QEWC), which will give a major boost third quarter of 2018, Qatar News and increase foreign and local invest- as evident by four percent growth in Power was established with 60 per- currently,” Al Shibli added. to water and electricity production. Agency reports. ments in both. GDP despite the decline in oil prices cent ownership by QWEC, while Qatar Cellphone users in the GCC The ceremony at Umm Al Haul, The project will be implemented The project site was chosen based and its impact on many economies. Petroleum has a 20 percent share. states could save up to $1.13bn, boosting social welfare by $404m, he said. “A GCC technical team will monitor prices regularly and sub- mit recommendations to the GCC UN official hails Qatar’s steps to protect workers’ rights Ministerial Committee for Post, Tel- ecommunications and Information Technology. by Sanaullah Ataullah Dr Al Obaid Ahmad Al Obaid, Direc- Dignity for All’. “ There is a very heavy there is possibility for the expatriate qualified cadres to implement justice “A mechanism has been set up The Peninsula tor, UN Human Rights Training and commitment from Qatar to human communities here to have direct rela- and equality to protect people’s dignity to gather data on a regular basis to Documentation Centre for South-West rights in general. We have worked tionship with the ministry and interact and freedom in Qatar, said Brigadier update decisionmakers on changes Asia and Arab region, said it is a unique directly with the ministry, especially among themselves through cultural Mohammed Abdullah Al Muhana Al taking place in the roaming serv- thing that expatriate communities in the Department of Human Rights. activities held for them. “I think this Marri, Director-General of the college. ices market and ensure efficient DOHA: A senior UN human rights offi- Qatar can approach the Ministry of “We have seen there is commit- is an amazing opportunity for us. It is Peace is not possible without control,’’ Al Shibli said. cial has appreciated the steps being Interior directly to raise complaints. ment, openness and transparency. We very good news that there is commit- human rights. Qatar’s Constitution and The decision to trim roam- taken by Qatar to protect the rights He was speaking at an event organ- were able to visit everywhere. This indi- ment to improve human rights. I hope the wise leadership respect human ing charges follows directives of of foreign workers and its efforts to ised by the ministry yesterday at Police cates that there is very strong political the strong political will and openness rights of everyone (citizens and expa- the Supreme Council of the Min- provide them with easier access to College associated with Arab Human will to ensure human rights are inte- would be utilised for further improve- triates) in the country, he added. isterial Committee of Posts and authorities to raise complaints and Rights Day marked on March 16. The grated,” said Al Obaid. ment of human rights,” he added. Telecommunications to push GCC concerns. event was held under the theme ‘Human He said it is also important that Police College aims to prepare → Continued on page 2 joint action. Hydroponics Qatar maintain winning streak Qatari mission rejects former expo opens French minister’s comments By Mohammed Osman The Peninsula & Reuters The Peninsula DOHA: Qatar’s embassy in France has expressed astonishment over recent DOHA: An exhibition to introduce calls by former French minister Bruno Le Maire for a reassessment of France’s hydroponics was opened yesterday diplomatic relations with Qatar. at the winter vegetable market (Al “Qatar’s political positions remain clear with no ambiguities. The state- Mazroua yard) in Umm Salal. ment is surprising because a prominent public figure such as Mr Bruno Le Hydroponics is a method of Maire should be aware of the friendly relationship between France and Qatar growing plants using mineral nutri- which is based on mutual respect and common interest. He should also rec- ent solutions in water without soil. ognise that both countries are following the same paths to address common The three-day event is organised challenges,” the embassy said in a statement yesterday. by the Agricultural Affairs Depart- It said ties between France and Qatar are strong and go beyond attempts ment at the Ministry of Municipality by some to harm these relations, which are based on common interests and and Environment, with the partic- close cooperation in all fields. “The obsession that some public figures have ipation of eight farms. with attacking Qatar for personal and political motives is also both surpris- It aims to give a chance to visi- ing and regrettable,” the statement added. tors to know about local hydroponic products and their quality, said Yusuf Khalid Al Khulaifi, Director of the UAE to attend Opec meet in Doha department. Its agricultural techniques are DUBAI: The UAE will take part in a meeting between Opec and non-Opec used in non-organic or organic envi- oil producers in Doha in Doha on April 17, the Emirates’ energy minister said ronment and not in traditional soil Qatar’s Ahmed Yaser Mohammedi (left) fights for the ball against Hong Kong’s Alexander Oluwatayo yesterday. “We received an invitation to participate in the meeting and we and help control irrigation and the Akande during their 2018 World Cup football Asian Zone qualifying match played at the Jassim Bin confirmed our participation,” Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei wrote on use of fertilisers, said Al Khulaifi. Hamad Stadium yesterday. Group C leaders Qatar defeated Hong Kong two goals to nil to maintain his Twitter account. The meeting will discuss a pact to freeze output to sup- their winning streak. → See also page 23 port prices. Iran and Libya are the only Opec members that haven’t pledged → Continued on page 2 to attend talks.