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WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10064 April 20, 2016 Rajab 13, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals PM meets Boeing vice-chairman Trams to roll out In brief at Education City REGION | Talks Emir to attend HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Riyadh summit al-Thani holding talks with Boeing vice-chairman and Boeing Commercial Airplanes HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin president and chief executive off icer Raymond L Conner in Doha yesterday. They Hamad al-Thani will head to Saudi reviewed issues of common concern. Page 2 Arabia today to take part, along by end of year with the other leaders of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), in a All four car parks in Education City ing the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The summit that will be held with US will be connected to tram stations Oxygen underground car park can President Barack Obama tomorrow for people to solely depend on take 1,500 cars. in Riyadh. Dozens die in Syria strikes as public transportation on the Lauding the efforts of QF, Min- campus istry of Municipality and Environ- opposition chiefs leave talks ment (MME) Capacity Building and EMIRATES | Tourism By Joey Aguilar Research and Development head Abu Dhabi to build Staff Reporter Ali A Alraouf said Education City $1bn theme park AFP strike on a fi sh market in the nearby was setting an example and a new Geneva town of Kafranbel killed seven civil- benchmark in all-Qatari planning An Abu Dhabi firm will build a $1bn ians, said the Syrian Observatory for rams will start running in Qa- and urbanism. theme park with US entertainment Human Rights, a Britain-based moni- tar Foundation’s Education “Number one, it is a manifes- company Warner Bros in the uspected regime air strikes killed toring group. TCity by the end of this year or Ahmed al-Khanji: says Education City tation of knowledge-based urban emirate, Miral Asset Management at least 44 civilians at markets in The main opposition High Negotia- early next year, a senior official has wants to become a car-free campus. development and how the country said yesterday. Business Page 3 Snorthwestern Syria yesterday, as tions Committee condemned the strike said. is moving towards a new paradigm opposition chiefs said they were leav- on Maaret al-Numan as a “massacre” “We have already received the first such as GPS-enabled bikes or buses. where relying on oil and gas is not ing peace talks in Geneva because of and clear violation of the truce. “It is batch of rolling stocks for the Qa- “Riders cannot be lost by us- really going to sustain our life here,” such attacks. a dangerous escalation of an already tar Foundation (QF) Tram System,” ing these bikes and we hope to have he pointed out. In some of the deadliest violence fragile situation, showing contempt for Capital Projects engineer Ahmed al- more in the future. Charging sta- “Number two, QF and Education since a ceasefi re took eff ect in February, the whole international community at Khanji told the Smart Parking Con- tions are also located at various lo- City in itself are becoming a show- a bombing raid hit a market in the city a time when there is supposed to be a ference yesterday. cations in the campus,” the QF offi- case for how we can enhance our of Maaret al-Numan, killing at least cessation of hostilities,” said spokes- The Red line will connect all four cial observed. relation with our spaces, streets, 37 civilians, a monitor said. Another man Salem al-Meslet. Page 15 car parks (three in the south and He said the initiative would help buildings, parks and gardens,” the one in the north campus), which are reduce carbon emissions in the en- official noted. strategically located in the perim- vironment, a way of “taking care of QF had announced in August last eter of Education City and serve as people’s health”. year that Siemens, the German- transportation hubs for the campus. Each of the car parks will be con- company tasked with the tram Washington seeks Gulf special force People can use the tram system to nected to tram stations for people project, is set to provide a total of go even to the north campus, serving to fully depend on public transpor- 19 trams. With a capacity of 234 AFP Defence Secretary Ashton Carter, the housing of the staff, Sidra and tation as they get into and move passengers per tram, including 60 Riyadh who arrived in the Saudi capital yes- Qatar National Convention Centre around Education City. seated, the system is set to trans- terday, will meet his Gulf counterparts (QNCC), according to al-Khanji. Al Shaqab and QNCC car parks port an average of about 3,000 peo- today. As Education City aims to be- can accommodate around 3,000 cars ple in each direction every hour, he US is seeking greater special The following day he is expected to come a car-free campus, he noted each. The Academy car park, which with 17 trains operating, some at forces and naval co-operation join President Barack Obama at a sum- that the objective was to encour- provides a tunnel connected to the four-minute intervals during peak Twith the Gulf states, a senior mit with leaders of the six Gulf Co-op- age people to use the trams as well schools, can also house 3,000 cars. times, it was announced earlier. American offi cial said. eration Council states. Page 13 as other public transportation It will serve as the VIP car park dur- Page 12 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, April 20, 2016 QATAR Qatar residents top in luxury spending in Gulf

By Santhosh V. Perumal with annual earnings of $75,000 periences and goods,” he said. luxury spending on holidays and destination, 43% voted for Du- Qatar, nearly a quarter (24%) of Business Reporter and above. The average spending on spa treatments in 2016 and 47% bai, followed by 16% for Doha, respondents plan to prioritise In Qatar, the average spend- luxuries by residents of Qatar is in acquisitioned items (physi- 15% for Abu Dhabi, 14% for Ku- personal wellness in the next 12 ing on luxuries is $4,000 per highest of fi ve countries – the cal products) again the regional wait, 4% for Beirut (Lebanon), months with fi ne dining the cat- otwithstanding the month, which is about 12% of UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait average of 52% and 48% respec- 3% for Manama (Bahrain), 2% egory to lose out. downturn in the energy the monthly earnings, Amex and Qatar, he said, adding for tively. each for Amman (Jordan) and “Personal wellness looks like Nfront, Qatar’s residents Middle East chief executive Qatar residents, Dubai contin- Spending on experiences in- Muscat (Oman) and 1% for Riy- it will be a big gainer in 2016,” average monthly spend on lux- Mazin Khoury told reporters af- ued to be the number one desti- clude those towards holidays, adh (Saudi Arabia). Khoury said, adding 42% of Qa- uries stood at $4,000 in 2015; ter unveiling its survey, in which nation for luxury spending. personal wellness, fi ne din- The survey also found that tar respondents contributed less which is twice that of the Gulf three-fourth of the respondents The survey found that in Qa- ing, memberships, hobbies and majority in Qatar did not cut to their savings and pensions. average, according to American were citizens. tar, 41% of households spend sports; while acquisitioned back general spending in 2015 The story is also broadly simi- Express (Amex). “The economic headwinds $1,001-$5,000 on luxury items; goods include purchases towards as only 24% of the respondents lar across all fi ve countries sur- Moreover, 76% of residents in across the region are aff ecting 31% spend more than $5,000; high-end electronics, furniture, disclosed so; which however is veyed. Looking at Qatar, 26% Qatar are to either retain or in- many and we have seen a sig- 19% spend $501-$1,000; 8% cars, luxury foods and beverage slightly higher than the regional spent less on dining out 2015 crease general spending against nifi cant switch in how people are spend $250-$500; and 1% spend at home, fashion/designer wear average of 20%. while 72% spent more on food the 80% regional average, said using their disposable income. less than $250. and jewellery/watches. As with everyday spending, and drinks for consumption at Amex Middle East’s survey, Despite that, we’re still seeing It found that 53% of Qatar On the overall region’s per- there is also a change in the way home – a clear shift in spending which was carried on individuals buoyant spending on luxury ex- respondents plan ‘experiental’ ception towards luxury spending people spend on luxuries. In habits. Khoury

Authorities urged to fi x roads around Al Attiyah Market

hopkeepers at Al Attiyah of roads there, especially after Market in the Industrial every spell of rain, say shop- SArea and people living in keepers. its vicinity have urged the au- One of the aff ected roads is thorities concerned to urgent- Street 23. Waterlogging and ly repair roads in the neigh- muddy conditions were found bourhood. at a number of spots along the The appeal comes in the road after the rain, according wake of last week’s rain, which to residents. left a number of streets in the “Poor drainage has always HE the Assistant Foreign Minister for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad area waterlogged and muddy. been a cause for concern al-Muraikhi addressing the opening session of the forum yesterday. This, along with potholes on among those running com- PICTURES: Jayaram. A view of the audience at the forum the roads, has made both pe- mercial establishments as well destrian and vehicular move- as residents of the area as there ment diffi cult in the area and is both water and waste accu- people are fi nding it diffi cult to mulation on the streets after it access shops there, say trad- rains. Waterlogging has lasted ers. for more than a month on a The market is a major com- number of occasions following mercial and retail hub and is a spell of rain,” said a resident frequented by a large number of the area. Expats ‘main partners’ of people. Residents of several Owing to the poor condition housing units in the Indus- of roads, a number of com- trial Area rely on shops in and mercial establishments and around the Al Attiyah Market labour housing facilities have to meet their daily needs. been relocated to other places, Besides supermarkets, the including Umm Salal, from the area also houses banks, money Industrial Area over the past in Qatar’s development exchange houses and other es- 2-3 years, according to sourc- tablishments, which are visit- es, who add that the neigh- atar appreciates the ef- ed by hundreds of people every bourhood continues to be a forts of expatriate work- day, it is learnt. busy and important commer- Qforce and considers them The area’s automobile ac- cial hub due to the presence of as main partners of its devel- cessories shops are frequented a large number of workshops opment and progress, HE the by people from diff erent parts and other facilities. Assistant Foreign Minister for of Doha and beyond. Besides, “The roads need urgent at- Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad the neighbouring streets host tention. While a lot of infra- al-Muraikhi said yesterday. several automobile work- structure work is being carried “The protection and en- shops. out in and around the Indus- hancement of such workforce is However, the visitors fi nd it trial Area, this neighbourhood a strategic choice of the coun- diffi cult to drive or walk in the requires immediate attention,” try, as these workers are con- area due to the poor condition said a resident. sidered of pivotal importance in the exceptional economic boom,” he told the opening ses- sion of the First UN Asia Re- gional Forum on Business and Human Rights. The two-day event is or- ganised by the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights with the sup- port of the Offi ce of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. HE al-Muraikhi stressed the importance of the forum due to prominent place of Asia in the global business arena. Panellists at a session at the forum. Qatar hosting the forum is part of the open policy of the The forum is discussing the can play an active role in this. child labour, major sports events in by FIFA to advise on workers’ country to host the major fo- impact of commercial activi- The forum is considered an and the involved labour issues, conditions, said that no country rums concerned with human ties on human rights and how opportunity to expedite the and the rights of women in or body hosting global sports rights, as the country pays an to avoid and treat any involved implementation of the Guid- workplace, among other related events could “hide” from the increasing attention to the issue negative infl uences on human ing Principles on Business and issues. challenge of human rights, of business and the protection of rights due to such activities. Human Rights in the region and The main target of the forum If sporting bodies did not act human rights. It also aims at enhancing the raise awareness of the partici- is to stress the government and on rights, they ran the risk of ir- The event is being attended implementation of the guid- pating companies and organisa- companies shared responsibil- reparably harming their image, by about 300 representatives of ing principles on business and tion on their importance. ity to protect human rights in he added. various commercial enterprises, human rights, adopted by the The key issues addressed by the business environment and The conference also heard government and non-govern- United Nations, in the Asia re- the forum include the rights of spread such culture. from Sharan Burrow, general ment entities and civil society gion and how government and migrant workers, human traf- Addressing the conference, secretary of the International organisations. business and fi nancial sectors fi cking and forced labour and Professor John Ruggie, drafted Trade Union Confederation.

NHRC chief meets Philippines official Ashghal receives 3-Star GSAS certifi cation

A portion of a road near Al Attiyah Market that was found QNA GORD’s Founding Chairman Dr waterlogged during a visit to the area on Monday. Doha Yousef Mohamed al-Horr, in ad- dition to a number of Ashghal’s and GORD’s directors and offi - Emir holds phone talk with Putin he Public Works Au- cials. thority (Ashghal), in co- On the occasion, Engineer HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a telephone Toperation with the Gulf Nasser bin Ali al-Mawlawi said: conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday. Organisation for Research and “We are proud of this achieve- Discussions dealt with bilateral ties and regional and international Development Group (GORD), ment and it takes real commit- issues. announced that Ashghal projects ment to the Global Sustainabili- had been awarded the 3-Star ty Assessment System standards Emir meets Boeing vice-chairman Global Sustainability Assess- to achieve the 3-Star certifi cate ment System (GSAS) certifi ca- in design and construction. This HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met with Boeing tion in design and construction. would lead us to build public, vice-chairman and Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and The announcement was made educational and health sector chief executive off icer Raymond L Conner, who is on a visit to Qatar, yesterday at an event attended buildings that would be leading at Al Bahr Palace yesterday morning. Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Ali bin Samikh al-Marri met the by Ashghal President Engineer examples of sustainable build- HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah Commissioner of Human Rights of the Philippines Roberto Cadiz in Doha yesterday. They Nasser bin Ali al-Mawlawi, Di- ings locally and globally in ac- bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also met with Conner. During the discussed ways of promoting co-operation in humanitarian issues. rector of Buildings Aff airs Lah- cordance with the global criteria meeting, they reviewed a number of issues of common concern. dan Sager al- Mohanadi and for evaluating sustainability”.

Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, April 20, 2016 QATAR

Al-Kuwari highlights importance of culture in promoting peace

QNA ucation, especially for girls Tunis and women being the most segments deprived of this right, and stressed the need E the Adviser at the to overcome the diffi culties Emiri Diwan and so that women can be eff ec- HQatar’s candidate tive in building society. to the post of the director- He underlined the impor- general of the United Na- tant role of culture in coun- tions Educational, Scientifi c tering terrorism in its main and Cultural Organisation strongholds, pointing out that (Unesco) Dr Hamad bin the Arab heritage is exposed to Abdulaziz al-Kuwari high- looting and destruction. lighted the important role The Qatari candidate re- of culture and the Unesco in newed his call, made at the promoting world peace. Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari speaking at the Forum d’Avignon in the Speaking on Monday symposium in Tunis. French city of Bordeaux re- night during the interna- cently, to customise a global tional symposium on pro- of diff erent cultures and values before thinking about day for peace culture in or- moting peace and dialogue civilisations. the economic and political der to face terrorism through values in the Tunisian city He underlined that dia- agreements between gov- the power of culture. of Sousse, HE al-Kuwari logue and culture are the ernments, because peace is Al-Kuwari hailed the said that the Unesco was foundation stones to es- based on the intellectual and democratic experience in created in order to respond tablish peace, noting that moral solidarity of mankind. Tunisia which makes the to the fi rm belief of intellec- the world today is facing a Al-Kuwari highlight- country a model for a mod- tuals that humanity’s moral, cultural war rather than a ed the issue of education ern civil state that protects intellectual solidarity, and military one, and that real and its relation to culture, human rights and works to knowledge are the bases to peace should be built in- stressing that education is a achieve development and establish a lasting peace and side human minds through right for all. He called for in- prosperity to the Tunisian to develop human societies planting common human ternational attention to ed- people.

GCC ministers back al-Kuwari’s nomination

GCC ministers of higher Education Dr Mohamed education and scientific Abdul Wahed Ali al- research have aff irmed Hammadi presided over their support to Qatar’s Qatar’s delegation to the bid for the position of meeting. director-general of the The meeting discussed United Nations Educational, a paper presented by Scientific and Cultural Qatar on joint investment Organisation (Unesco) and in education, and equal supported the nomination treatment and enrolment of HE the Adviser at the of the people of the GCC Emiri Diwan Dr Hamad bin countries in the universities Abdulaziz al-Kuwari to this and public higher post. education institutions, as The ministers held their well as issues pertaining 18th meeting at the GCC to the Supreme Council’s General-Secretariat in decision on the adoption Riyadh yesterday. of the guidelines for the HE the Minister of equivalence of higher Education and Higher education certificates.

Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, April 20, 2016 QATAR Ooredoo tv ‘bathstore’ opens Doha outlet launches Rishtey Asia

oredoo has announced a non-fiction show that talks the launch of the Rish- about ancient India. Otey Asia channel on its With an understanding of Ooredoo tv service. audience segmentation across Ooredoo tv, which was geographies, Rishtey Asia’s launched earlier this year and primetime offerings