BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Olympic points on the line at Data drives Ooredoo’s gymnastics nearly QR30bn revenue in 2018 World Cup published in QATAR since 1978 WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11128 March 20, 2019 Rajab 13, 1440 AH GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals In brief Amir, Ethiopia PM focus on cementing ties QATAR | Offi cial Amir holds phone conversation with New Zealand PM His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a phone conversation yesterday with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, during which the Amir expressed his condolences and those of the Qatari people to the prime minister and the people of New Zealand on the victims of the terrorist attack, which took place in two mosques in Christchurch, wishing the injured a speed recovery. The Amir also expressed Qatar’s readiness to help New Zealand in its eff orts to counter terrorism and extremism, praising Ardern’s eff orts in dealing with this incident. The premier thanked the Amir for the phone call and for the solidarity with New Zealand. REGION | Diplomacy US lauds Kuwait role in solving GCC crisis The US State Department praised His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meets Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. The meeting was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani. al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah’s role in seeking a resolution to the Gulf QNA of offi cial talks between His Highness Prime Minister and Minister of Interior also hosted yesterday a luncheon ban- came within the framework of promot- crisis. In a statement, the State Doha the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa quet in honour of Dr Ali and the delega- ing and strengthening bilateral rela- Department said Secretary of State Thani and Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr al-Thani and a number of ministers. tion accompanying him. tions and co-operation between the Mike Pompeo will highlight during Abiy Ahmed Ali at the Amiri Diwan in From the Ethiopian side, the meeting The banquet was attended by HE two countries. his visit to Kuwait yesterday the ilateral relations between Qa- Doha yesterday. was attended by a number of ministers Sheikh Abdullah and a number of min- In statements to QNA, al-Dosari said importance of a united GCC in tar and Ethiopia and the ways of The two sides also exchanged views and members of the delegation accom- isters. the talks covered key issues of mutual ensuring the success of the Middle Benhancing and developing them on regional and international develop- panying the prime minister. Meanwhile, Qatar’s ambassador concern, mainly with regard to co-op- East Strategic Alliance. Pompeo’s in various fi elds, especially economy, ments, the offi cial Qatar News Agency Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali was accorded an to Ethiopia Hamad bin Mohamed al- eration and co-ordination to achieve visit to Kuwait is part of a tour which investment, tourism and infrastruc- (QNA) reported. offi cial reception upon his arrival at the Dosari stressed that the offi cial visit of stability and ensure peace and security also includes a number of countries ture, were discussed during a session The meeting was attended by HE the Amiri Diwan. His Highness the Amir the Ethiopian prime minister to Doha in the Horn of Africa. Page 24 in the region. Page 4 BUSINESS | Finance Gold-backed I-dinar e-token launched Qatar to launch ‘Energy The world’s first Islamic Electronic Areas where non-Qataris Exchange Platform for digital e-token backed by gold (I-dinar) Bank’ with $10bn capital was launched in Doha yesterday. The I-dinar platform is a blockchain based e-token, in which its initial O The QFC-based Islamic projects related to oil and gas, petro- can own property named value of 1-dinar e-token is backed bank is expected to be chemicals and renewable energy. It will by the value of 1 gram of gold. The off er competitive and innovative prod- O Ownership allowed in 10 areas; 16 areas earmarked for use for 99 years digital I-dinar e-token serves not operational by fourth ucts, corporate and project fi nancing, as only as a form of “digitalised” gold quarter of this year well as asset management services. By Ayman Adly These areas off er 100% guaranteed investment portfolio, but also with “The bank will further Qatar’s fi rm Staff Reporter return on investment and will repre- the advent and advances in current fi nancial stance and will make us a sent a new investment model not only blockchain technology enables By Santhosh V Perumal signifi cant key player on the global en- in Qatar, but also in the region and the the I-dinar e-token to be used as a Business Reporter ergy scene, a catalyst of growth in the on-Qataris can have freehold world, as these areas combine capital value transference and settlement regional energy sector, and enabler of ownership of property in 10 development and promote cultural co- denominator for exchange, trading, energy innovation,” said Khaled bin Nareas while 16 areas have been existence between developers, owners and payment settlements. Business atar will launch ‘Energy Bank’ Ahmed al-Suwaidi, chairman of the identifi ed where they can use real es- and investors, given their architectural Page 1 with a targeted capital of $10bn founding committee of Energy Bank. tate for 99 years, it was announced symbolism that combines diff erent Qto fund hydrocarbon-centric Mohamed al-Marri, head of Energy yesterday. world cultures, QNA, citing a state- QATAR | Culture projects across the world, a move that Bank’s media committee, declined to HE the Minister of Justice and Act- ment from the minister, said. will make Doha a leading player across specify how or when it intends to raise ing Minister of State for Cabinet Af- The statement pointed out that cit- QM programmes to verticals in the global oil and gas indus- its capital to the $10bn target. fairs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi izens and residents will benefi t from mark NMoQ opening try. He said the bank is exploring options pointed out that this decision comes the advantages off ered by the owner- Qatar Museums (QM) yesterday The Qatar Financial Center (QFC)- on holding international roadshows in within the executive procedures of ship in these areas because the new announced details of #QatarCreates, based bank, which already has got order to attract international investors. Law No 16 of 2018 on the regulation of procedures are characterised by full an extensive programme of commitments to the tune of $2bn from The establishment of the bank comes non-Qatari ownership and utilisation fl exibility and facilitate transactions workshops and panel talks international investors (of the $2.5bn at a time when Qatar is expanding its of real estate. HE Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi according to the rules laid down by organised to celebrate the paid-up), will progressively scale up its annual liquefi ed natural gas production Under the provisions of this law, the law. These are fl exible and trans- inauguration of the National capital base to become the world’s larg- by 40% to 110mn tonnes by 2024. non-Qataris may own and use real the Minister said the freehold own- parent controls that take into account Museum of Qatar (NMoQ). The est Islamic lending institution. It is ex- The bank is being established by estate in many areas according to the ership areas are: West Bay (Area 66), the latest successful experiences in QatarCreates: Talks series of panel pected to be operational by the fourth a team of experts specialised in the conditions, regulations and proce- The Pearl-Qatar (66), Al Khor Resort the fi eld of ownership and use of real discussions will take place from quarter of this year. banking and energy industries bringing dures, which shall be determined by a (74), Rawdat Al Jahaniyah (invest- estate. March 25 to 29, giving the public in The lender, which is planning to have to the table their wide expertise, local decision of the Cabinet based on the ment area), Al Qassar (administrative The areas where non-Qataris can Doha access to a roster of leading representative offi ces in the Middle East and international relations, technical proposal of the Committee for the area 60), Al Dafna (administrative area use real estate for 99 years are: Msheir- cultural figures from Qatar, its region and North Africa region and other parts capabilities, and knowledge in the en- Regulation of Ownership and Use of 61), Onaiza (administrative area 63), eb (Area 13), Fereej Abdelaziz (14), and around the world. Page 3 of the world, will specialise in funding ergy sector. To Page 5 Non-Qatari Property. Al Wasail (69), Al Khraij (69) and Jabal Doha Al Jadeed (15), New Al Ghanim In an interview with Qatar TV, HE Theyleeb (69). (16), Al Refaa and Old Al Hitmi (17), Aslata (18), Fereej Bin Mahmoud (22), Fereej Bin Mahmoud (23), Rawdat Al Khail (24), Mansoura and Fereej Bin Permanent residency Dirham (25), Najma (26), Umm Ghu- wailina (27), Al Khulaifat (28), Al Sadd PM opens AgriteQ exhibition benefi ts for investors (38), Al Mirqab Al Jadeed and Fereej Al Nasr (39) and the Doha International QNA Exhibition and Convention Centre exhibition this year. The opening cer- Expatriates applying for permanent applicants should have an actual Airport area (48).