ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER 23 February 2013 13 Rabial II 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5619 Price: QR2 ON SATURDAY Syria opposition to form govt in ‘liberated areas’ DAMASCUS: The opposition National Coalition said yesterday it will form a government to run “liberated areas” of Syria, as monitors said more than 12 peo- ple were killed when buildings collapsed in a missile strike on the city of Aleppo. “We agreed to form a government to run the affairs of liberated areas,” Coalition spokesman Walid Al Bunni said after a meeting in Cairo, adding the opposition will meet on March 2 to decide on the composi- tion of the government and choose its head. Coalition members said the meet- ing would be held in Istanbul, while Bunni said it was hoped the government would be based in rebel-held territory of northern Syria. The opposition umbrella group had been discussing a proposal by chairman Ahmed Moaz Al Khatib to hold direct talks with President Bashar Al Assad’s regime. See also page 8 Ali Larayedh named new Tunisian prime minister TUNIS: Ali Larayedh, the Islamist poli- tician and interior minister, tapped yes- terday to become Tunisia’s next prime minister and who was tortured under ousted dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, is seen as a moderate and a man of dialogue. He will attempt to form a government at a time of political crisis in Tunisia, with divisions between liberals and Islamists deepened by the assassination earlier this month of leftist opposition leader Chokri RENT-A-CAR: Belaid. See also page 8 Pistorius gets bail in girlfriend murder case PRETORIA: South African Paralympic icon Oscar Pistorius was freed on bail yesterday, pending a high-profile trial for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. A BUMPY RIDE Pretoria magistrate Desmond Nair ruled the “Blade Runner” was not a flight risk and did not pose a danger to society after an emotionally charged four-day bail hearing THE ISSUE that transfixed South Africa and the world. “I come to the conclusion that the accused has made a case to be released on bail,” Nair Car rental companies have The smaller car rental firms mainly cater- assistant general manager at Al Muftah, one said to cries of “yes!” from Pistorius’s sup- ing to individuals complain of unfair compe- of the oldest car rental companies in Qatar. porters in court. sprouted in Qatar, but those in tition. They have been hit hard by dubious For want of parking space, most companies See also page 9 the trade of renting out wheels operators who bait customers with surpris- use common parking areas. This makes it hard ingly low rates. Such operators, at times with for motorists to find parking space. Social Opposition attacks Mursi for nimble movement in a country Abraham Augusthy a fleet of even less than five cars, are poaching networking sites often echo the concerns of with scarce public transport say much of their business. such drivers. However, bigger names in the for calling elections that the business faces many “Before buying a car, I went to hire a vehicle business have got around this problem with Design: CAIRO: Egypt’s opposition attacked for three months, but found the rentals to be large designated parking zones. President Mohammed Mursi yesterday speed-humps, and profits are very high. The monthly rent for a sedan like “The market has become very competitive. for calling elections during a national cri- sputtering. Nissan Sunny was QR1,900. And for Toyota More companies from India and the GCC sis, but face a test of unity in challenging and Honda cars, it was more than QR2,400 countries are planning to enter the Qatari Islamists who have won every poll since ar rental operators say they have per month. A colleague advised me to go market,” he said. the 2011 revolution. been rattled by new rules and stiff for a ‘private’ vehicle which he got from an As there are unregistered operators, no one No sooner had Mursi called the parlia- competition from “unauthorised” acquaintance at QR1,250 per month,” Fahad, knows the precise number of car rental com- mentary polls on Thursday than liberals Cplayers in the market. Customers an Indian sales executive, told The Peninsula. panies in the country. Ballpark estimates put and leftists accused him of deepening divi- say it is hard to rent vehicles at affordable Some officials of car rental companies The the number above 2,000. sions between Islamists and their oppo- prices, especially for shorter periods. Most Peninsula spoke to said they were aware “I have no clue about the exact number of nents. Some threatened to boycott voting big players, they say, prefer to deal with com- of such operators. “Such operators are not car rental companies in Doha. As my memory which starts on April 27th and finishes in panies which usually hire vehicles for longer required to spend on overhead costs, insur- goes, six to seven years ago there were over late June. PAGEperiods. Many operators 6 like to serve regular ance charges, office rents, salaries of employ- 600 companies operating in Qatar,” said a sen- Islamists, including the Muslim customers from the oil and gas sector and ees and other expenses, so they can rent out ior employee of a car rental company. Brotherhood which backs Mursi, dominated other leading businesses. vehicles at such low prices,” said Ziad Usman, See also page 2 the old lower house, which was dissolved last year by court order. See also page 8 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 FEBRUARY 23, 2013 ON SATURDAY 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Home Unlicensed operators hit business Pics: Qassim Rahmatullah BY MOHAMMED SHOEB get some priority but there need more maintenance, leading are constraints that need to be to higher operating costs. It can large footprint and addressed,” he added. be beneficial only if the vehicle is multifarious operators Delays in online updates of on a long lease.” including dubious ones traffic violations is another issue Though customers complain A make it hard to assess car rental companies have to face. of the high cost of hiring and the exact size of the car rental If the violation is reported after inadequate supply of vehicles, business in the country. the dues with the customer have small and marginal companies That there are companies been settled, the operator is liable have a different story. with more than seven branches to pay the fine. “There was a time when we were in different parts of the country, “There have been instances earning about QR500-QR600 on each with a fleet of over 2000 when we have learnt about traffic each car every month. Today, the vehicles, however, can help one violations after the customer has car rental business is no longer a gauge its size with some help. left the country or when have lucrative one due to competition. With the announcement of gone for renewal of the road At times, we rent out a car and mega infrastructure projects permit,” he said. make a profit of just QR100,” said related to the hosting of the Giving an example, the senior an operator, wishing not to be 2022 FIFA World Cup, these car executive of the American named. He owns over 70 vehicles. rental companies have expansion company, said: “In Dubai, there He rued tariffs have not kept plans for tapping opportunities is a mechanism by which the car pace with the prices of cars, rents by the end of 2013 or from the rental companies instantly come of commercial and residential first quarter of 2014. However, to know of a traffic violation. units, staff salaries and the such prospects are not without Perhaps it works with the help of general cost of living. challenges. satellite technology. If the same “I am in the business for 15 Asked why operators prefer mechanism is adopted here, it years. But everything has changed corporate customers, a senior can be of great help for car rental driven cars and limousine services for short periods denied vehicles? so dramatically. The prices of official of an American car companies.” for such customers. “So long as we get the proper cars have nearly doubled, but the rental company, speaking on At times, spare parts are “We also have a licence for papers —a residence permit, rentals have not increased at the condition of anonymity, said: hard to come by. If a vehicle limousine services. Currently driver’s licence and credit card same pace. For instance, when the “Serving individual customers needs immediate repairs, rental we provide high-end cars with with sufficient balance to block price of a Honda Civic car was for shorter periods not only companies are forced to source drivers. But soon we will enter There was a time QR1000, the duration is not an QR40, 000, we used to rent it out requires big staff it is also a big them from neighbouring countries into this business in a more issue,” added Usman. at QR1,800 per month, but now headache. We have a list of niche at higher costs. professional way with more when we were According to him, rental firms when the price of the same car is clientele to whom we provide For want of parking space, sophisticated brands,” said earning about have taken up the issue of traffic QR70, 000, we are renting it out cars and other vehicles on lease most companies use common Usman. QR500-QR600 on violation with the authorities.