ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER Gold down on higher shares Business | 17 Thursday 1 January 2015 • 10 Rabial I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6297 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 The Peninsula Doing business to become easier wishes all our readers Draft law to enable single-window clearance system gets cabinet nod DOHA: A single-window clear- be a highlight of the simplified view to increasing the listing on requirement for a listed entity, ance system in the offing is rules. A draft law incorporat- the Qatari bourse and attracting will be incorporated into the law likely to make doing business in ing the necessary amendments more foreign investment. that is on the anvil. Qatar easier. to make company formation and The draft extensively deals “The draft has been prepared To improve its ranking on the monitoring rules much easier was with terms of establishment of to cope with latest developments global ‘Ease of Doing Business’ approved by the State Cabinet public shareholding companies, in the realm of business and Index, Qatar is simplifying the yesterday, Qatar News Agency the launch of initial public offer- investment and to simplify com- law that regulates formation (QNA) reports. The draft has ings (IPOs), formation of com- pany formation procedures,” QNA and supervision of commercial been forwarded to the Advisory pany’s board of directors and said quoting the Cabinet. companies. Council, which will study and give remuneration of board members. The draft takes into consid- A single-window system where its recommendations. Above all, rules govern- eration international standards, all clearances — including civic The focus of the draft, accord- ing annual general meetings according to which countries are and environmental ones — needed ing to QNA, is mainly on easing (AGMs) of listed companies, ranked in terms of ‘Ease of Doing to establish a business could be rules regulating the setting up of called in Qatar as general assem- Business’, the news agency added. obtained in a short time, will publicly-traded entities with a bly, their powers and the capital THE PENINSULA Palestinians Don’t tamper with khubz weight: Ministry turn to ICC DOHA: The government has warned bakeries of millions of riyals a year to bakeries that make against breaching weight-related specifications these breads. The flour for ‘khubz’ is made available RAMALLAH: President set for the traditional Arabic bread ‘khubz’ or face by the government to the bakeries at much cheaper Mahmoud Abbas yesterday action. rates. The other kinds of bread and bakery products signed a Palestinian request to ‘Khubz’ is a dietary staple and a popular append- are sold by the bakeries at uncontrolled prices. join the International Criminal age to many Arab and Asian meals and being priced The Ministry of Economy and Commerce said Court, seeking a new avenue at QR1 per packet, it is a favourite food of the com- it has adopted a tough stance against the bakeries for action against Israel after a mon man. after a massive crackdown on sales outlets, including failed UN resolution to end the The price of the traditional ‘khubz’ that are sold sweet shops and grocery stores, revealed violations occupation. packed in polythene wraps for QR1 a pack, has been of weight-related specifications of the traditional The Palestinians hope ICC controlled by the government for decades. Arabic bread. THE PENINSULA membership will pave the way for It is because the state provides subsidy to the tune Continued on page 7 war crimes prosecutions against Israeli officials for their actions in the occupied territories. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly hit back, saying the Palestinians have Car showroom shut down for violation “more to fear” than Israel from the Hague-based tribunal. DOHA: In less than three weeks, the Ministry the dealer’s outlets revealed that they were repairing He cited the Palestinian leader- of Economy and Commerce has shut down the and repainting damaged cars and passing them off as ship’s links to Hamas, the militant showroom of yet another major foreign car dealer new to customers. The Ministry said its inspectors Dubai celebrated the New Year with a midnight light and sound group Israel describes as a terror- here for taking customers for a ride. have found many such cars in the company’s show- extravaganza at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower yesterday. ist organisation, which is part of The main showroom of Domasco Honda, local rooms after customer complaints. As punitive action, The 828-metre tower was lit up with coloured panels as the clock a unity government with Abbas’s dealers of Japanese Honda cars, was ordered shut for the ministry said, it has shut down the agency’s main counted down to 2015. Fatah movement. AFP a month for violating the consumer protection law. showroom for a month. THE PENINSULA See also page 10 In a statement, the Ministry said surprise raids on Continued on page 6 THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME New Year greetings Cabinet okays new fiscal year plan sent to leaders DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh DOHA: Qatar will likely have to QNA, the Cabinet exam- The Prime Minister and final account, borrowing, loaning to Qatari employees of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani a new fiscal year that will fol- ined a report of the National Interior Minister H E Sheikh and investment. Business Incubation Centre. sent New Year congratulation low the Gregorian calendar Committee for Traffic Safety and Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa The draft law that abolishes It also examined a letter by cables to the leaders of friendly (January to December) from its suggestions. Al Thani chaired the Cabinet Law No. 14 of 1987 on imposing the minister of economy and countries, wishing them the 2016. The recommendations of the meeting at Emiri Diwan. fees to obtain certificates issued commerce on the outcome of the best of health and happiness and The Cabinet yesterday cleared Advisory Council on this report According to the provisions of by the Ministry of Education, is 30th session of the Organization their people further progress a draft law for approval by the were also taken into account by the draft law that seeks to change to be referred to the Advisory of Islamic Cooperation’s Standing and prosperity. higher-ups for implementation to the Cabinet. the fiscal year, its provisions Council. Committee for Economic and The Deputy Emir H H Sheikh change the financial year from the Also, the Cabinet approved a would apply to all the government The cabinet also ratified the Commercial Cooperation, which Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani present April to March to follow draft law that seeks to replace an financial units. The Ministry of minister of education and higher was held last month in Istanbul. sent similar cables to the lead- the Gregorian calendar. existing law (Number 14 of 1987) Finance would be responsible for education’s draft decision on Finally, the cabinet reviewed a ers, deputies and crown princes The draft has already been that regulates the fee structures the management of public funds determining fees of some serv- letter by the minister of labour of friendly countries. The Prime approved by the Advisory of the Ministry of Education and and the execution of the state’s ices provided by the Supreme and social affairs on the outcome Minister and Interior Minister Council which also gave its Higher Education. monetary policy. Education Council (SEC). of the 31st session of the GCC H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser recommendations. The draft law basically doubles The bill also featured provisions According to the draft decision, a council for ministers of devel- bin Khalifa Al Thani also sent At its weekly session yester- the fee to QR10 for various cer- related to the preparation and fee of QR10 is to be paid to obtain opment and social affairs and congratulation cables to the day, the Council of Ministers also tificates issued by the Supreme implementation of the state’s gen- certificates issued by the SEC. the GCC council for ministers leaders of friendly countries and raised the issue of traffic jams on Education Council, and fixes eral budget, government accounts, The meeting approved the of labour, which took place last heads of governments. Doha roads. the fees for the Council’s other overseeing the implementation of application of Law No. 24 of month in Kuwait. In this context, according services. the fiscal system and the state’s 2002, on retirement and pensions, THE PENINSULA Premier receives message from Iran DOHA: The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Woqod to open 13 new petrol stations this year Khalifa Al Thani received a writ- ten message from Iran’s First DOHA: Qatar Fuel (Woqod) is technical inspection services time and efforts for our clients.” Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri gearing up to open 13 new petrol (Fahes) for vehicles, Bitumen, Additionally, there are four new on means to enhancing rela- stations across the country this LPG, Marine Services, retail technical inspection centres to be tions in various fields. Iranian year, including one at Hamad stores (Sidra) and projects out- constructed in Al Shihaniyah, Al Ambassador Mohammed Jawad International Airport. side Qatar. Shemal City, Al Khour and Al Asayish delivered it. This was announced yesterday About the projects in design Wakra. These centres are cur- by Ibrahim Jaham Al Kuwari, and tendering stages, he said rently in the design and approval UAE ties reviewed CEO, Woqod. seven new petrol stations will phases, and are projected to be “Work is in progress on 13 be developed at Smeismah, Al fully operational during the DOHA: The Prime Minister new petrol stations in Al Wakra, Thameid, Al Thamamah (Al period 2015-2016.