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ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER 19 January 2013 7 Rabial I 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5584 Price: QR2 ON SATURDAY Sniper kills Al Jazeera reporter in Syria BEIRUT: A sniper killed an Al Jazeera reporter in southern Syria yesterday, the pan-Arab television network said, in the second such shooting of a journalist in two days in the conflict-swept country. The killings take the death toll of report- ers who have died in Syria’s 22-month con- flict to at least 20, according to a count by AFP and Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders. “Mohammed Hourani was shot dead by a regime sniper in Basra Al Harir in the province of Daraa, while he was cover- ing the clashes there,” Al Jazeera said in a statement. The Qatar-based satellite news channel described the 33-year-old Syrian journal- ist as “courageous and accurate” in his reporting. Before joining Al Jazeera, Hourani was an activist in the uprising against President Bashar Al Assad, the broadcaster said. Outspoken in its support for the revolt against the Assad regime, Al Jazeera vowed to pursue its editorial line despite the lat- est killing. 12 hostages killed in Algeria SMALL VENTURES rescue operation: Official ALGIERS: Twelve hostages and 18 kid- nappers have been killed since Algeria’s army launched an assault against the Islamist gunmen who seized hundreds of people at a gas complex, a security official said yesterday. “As well as the 18 terrorists who were killed, 12 Algerian and foreign workers AIMING HIGH died,” said the source, cited by Algeria’s APS news agency, without giving any more details of the foreign casualties and calling it a “provisional toll.” THE ISSUE Late yesterday, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said a Frenchman had been To diversify the national economy times lack of transparency and indefinite The Ministry of Social Affairs, which sup- killed in the army assault. delays in processing loans and the absence of ports small enterprises, agrees with some of The hostage-takers said they were still Abraham Augusthy away from oil and eventually turn it a clear definition of SMEs. Private businesses these complaints, but claims to help small holding seven foreigners at the gas plant, into a knowledge-based one, Qatar also complain about the problem of collateral enterprises through all possible channels. part of which they blew up in order to push to get their projects financed by banks, as lend- According to a prominent Qatari CEO, Design: back Algerian forces, Mauritania’s ANI has taken a number of steps to ers do not consider the land allotted to them Nasser Al Khaledy, the proxy businesses run news agency reported. promote small and medium-sized by the government as collateral for mortgage by expatriates in the name of Qatari citizens They said the hostages remaining in enterprises (SMEs). purposes. should be streamlined if small businesses are captivity include three Belgians, two “Things are not very clear. The processes to be promoted in the country. Americans, a Japanese citizen and a Briton. involved are still bureaucratic and time-con- He said mega projects succeed tremendously But Belgium said none of its citizens were suming, said Mahmoud Younes, owner of an in Qatar because the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad among the hostages. ome organisations, like the Social SME. Under Al Dhameen, the QDB does not bin Khalifa Al Thani, follows up on them, while See also page 8 Development Centre affiliated to directly finance SMEs, but instead offers the small businesses are looked after by various the Qatar Foundation for Education, business owner facilities to get funding by issu- ministries and other state agencies. UAE stun Iraq in extra-time SScience and Community Development, ing guarantees for 85 percent of the value of a Observers said the government’s plans to to lift Gulf Cup have also come forward with a helping hand to project, not exceeding QR15m. curb monopolistic trade practices through leg- encourage entrepreneurs. The scheme does not cover projects related to islation is also a key step forward in helping MANAMA: United Arab Emirates Many schemes have been launched by public agriculture, fishing and livestock, non-oil min- SMEs. defeated former Asian champions Iraq 2-1 and private organisations to facilitate growth ing and quarrying, wholesale and retail trade, However, one problem that young Qatari in extra-time to claim their second Gulf and development of SMEs, but insiders say they finance, insurance and real estate. entrepreneurs talk of is lack of low-rent com- Cup title in a thrilling final yesterday. still face some difficulties. Most banks and other lending institutions mercial space where they can market their Substitute Ismail Al Hammadi scored the The challenges faced by SMEs suggest that cite the absence of a clear definition of SMEs products or services. winner in the 107th minute as thousands a lot of obstacles remain in transforming the as the main cause of delay in project financing. The Peninsula interviewed a number of of UAE fans, flown in by chartered flights energy-rich country into a diversified, knowl- The Social Development Centre has several young Qatari exhibitors at the Made in Qatar specially for the title showdown, roared in edge-based economy. Entrepreneurs are being projects to support SMEs, but the support is Exhibition, which concluded yesterday, and celebration. encouraged by the government, but some of not sufficient to expand their business say own- most of them said government real estate com- Al Hammadi, who replaced Ali Mabkhout them complain about finance-related problems ers of small enterprises. panies should build some premises where they in the 62nd minute, latched on to a pass and about the prolonged and time-consuming Many SMEs face difficulties in finding a place could be given space on subsidised rents so that from Amer Abdulrahman and neatly slid licensing process. to set up their business. As a result they are they can promote their products and their busi- the ball past the right of Iraqi goalkeeper The state-owned Qatar Development Bank unable to get their business registered, since nesses can prosper. Noor Sabri. (QDB) has launched a special scheme and a permanent business address is required for “Shop rents are very high, so we run our Omar Abdulrahman had conjured the a huge fund under Al Dhameen to develop registration of a small enterprise. businesses from home. If the government can lead for the UAE in the 28th minute while PAGElocal industries by 6supporting the SMEs. Al Lack of training in managing and developing help us by allotting or building low-rent shops, Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud Khalaf Dhameen (which means guarantee in Arabic) a business is another hurdle faced by owners of that would be a welcome step,” a young Qatari equalised nine minutes from time. is a scheme that provides financial assistance small enterprises. Some have received training entrepreneur said. See also page 20 to the SMEs. or support in starting their business, but not THE PENINSULA AGENCIES But some entrepreneurs say there are at enough to expand it. See also page 2 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 JANUARY 19, 2013 ON SATURDAY 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Home Entrepreneurs display their wares at the Made in Qatar Exhibition in Doha Exhibition Center. Pics: Shaival Dalal & Kammutty VP SMEs key to knowledge-based economy QDB scheme can be more effective if complaints sorted out BY MOHAMMAD factory with an estimated cost as medium enterprises.” guarantees to the partner Funding, red tape hinder SHOEB of QR10m”, said Mahmoud According to QDB, any bank for the loan, the business Younes, Chairman of Qatari project in Qatar – by SMEs owners are liable to repay the everal government Engineering Business Co or joint ventures (including full loan amount. expansion ambitions and private entities (QEC). those with foreign investors) Start-ups — private sector have taken a host of He said his company sub- — whose annual turnover does companies that are less than BY FAZEENA SALEEM participating in. Exhibitions are good, Sinitiatives to diver- mitted a detailed feasibility not exceed QR30m can apply three years old and 51 percent but they don’t make a long-term sify Qatar’s economy. The study, including all documents for financing by banks under Qatari-owned — are eligible DOHA: Small enterprises in Qatar impact in our business. There are so contribution of the non-oil required for the project’s Al Dhameen. A project can for guarantees of up to 85 face many challenges in expand- many people exhibiting their products sector to the Gross Domestic financing, to the bank, with receive more than one facility percent of the loan amount, ing their business, the biggest ones here, most of them selling from home. Product (GDP) has witnessed which QEC has more than under the scheme, since a let- which is limited to QR15m. being lack of funds and bureaucratic If we all can have one permanent remarkable progress over the 10 years of business ties, but ter of guarantee is issued for Al Dhameen loans can be and legal hurdles in registering. place, then customers will become past few years, but the chal- the latter declined to give any each facility. The total guar- either in the form of project For some, investment itself is a familiar (with us) and we will have lenges faced by Small and loan for the project. antees sought for a project financing for manufacturing, problem, while others find it difficult good business,” said Al Turki. Medium-sized Enterprises Younes added: “Despite all should not exceed QR15m.