QATAR | Page 16 SPORT | Page 8 Kohli backingking his ‘X-factor’or’ spinners against Fun unlimited for adults and children England published in QATAR since 1978 SATURDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10858 June 23, 2018 Shawwal 9, 1439 AH GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Italian PM meets FM Qatar committed In brief QATAR | Diplomacy to strategic ties UNHRC urged to suspend Saudi, UAE memberships HE the Chairman of National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri has demanded the United Nations with US: minister Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to suspend the memberships of Saudi Qatar has overcome the came from the US in 2017. have heavily invested in the US econo- Arabia and the UAE for the gross blockade by enhancing its Meanwhile, more than 650 Ameri- my, with more than $5bn in the fi elds of and systematic violations against can companies are established in Qa- technology, hospitality, real estate and the Qatari people, in accordance economic competitiveness tar, including 117 companies 100% household retail, which contributed to with Chapter 8 of the UN General Qatar Airways alone owned by US citizens, and another bolstering the US economy. Assembly Resolution 251/60 of 15 provided a $92bn boost to 30 US companies operate under the “Qatar spent $200mn on medical March 2006. In a press conference Qatar Financial Centre. Out of nearly and healthcare for its citizens in 2017, held at UN headquarters in Geneva, US economy 15,000 American citizens who live in while more 1,200 Qatari students are he called on the Qatari government Qatar’s real GDP growth Qatar, 5,000 highly skilled individuals studying at universities in the US,” he to resort to the Security Council is expected to increase to are currently working in the private said. to determine the responsibility of sector. Touching on the measures that Qatar the siege countries on the illegal 2.8% in 2018 “Qatar has been increasing its in- undertook to counter the illegal block- measures taken by them against vestments in the US for many years, ade imposed on the country since June Qatar, which amount to the crime atar is keen on bolstering bilat- creating thousands of jobs across 5, 2017 with the aim of undermining of aggression, economic war and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte met in Rome yesterday with HE the Deputy eral ties with the US across all America. These include partnerships Qatar’s position as an economically in- collective punishment against the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Qfi elds, particularly on the eco- with numerous American companies, dependent and sovereign state, Sheikh Qatari people. al-Thani during his visit to Italy. HE Sheikh Mohamed conveyed greetings of His nomic and investment levels, HE the such as ExxonMobil, Boeing, Cono- Ahmed bin Jassim said the country has Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the Italian prime minister, Minister of Economy and Commerce coPhillips and Raytheon. emerged stronger and more independ- REGION | Confl ict wishing the Italian people more progress and prosperity. For his part, the Italian Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Moham- “Qatar Airways alone provided ent than ever before. prime minister convey his greetings to the Amir, wishing him health and happiness ed al-Thani has said. a $92bn boost to the US economy “The illegal blockade has presented Civilians fl ee combat and the Qatari people further progress, development and prosperity. Discussions He was speaking on Thursday at a through the purchase of 332 American an opportunity for Qatar to make its zones around Hodeidah during the meeting dealt with bilateral relations and means of boosting them, as reception organised by the US-Qatar aircraft, a deal that supports more than economy more accessible to the world Clashes between Yemeni well as issues of common interest. Business Council on the sidelines of 527,000 jobs.” and bolster its trade relations, particu- government forces and Houthi the SelectUSA Investment Summit in The Minister of Economy and Com- larly with the US. rebels around the Red Sea port Washington. The ceremony was at- merce pointed out that $146bn worth “Qatar has successfully estab- city of Hodeidah eased yesterday tended by a number of senior offi cials of exports and orders to Qatar have lished direct commercial routes with as more civilians fled the combat and businessmen from both countries generated 1mn American jobs that de- a number of strategic hubs around zones for fear of a fierce showdown, Qatar stresses region’s need and representatives of civil society in pend on doing business with Qatar. the world, diverting trade to its major a UN humanitarian agency said. the US. Qatar Investment Authority has also trading partners. “More people are fleeing areas of “International trade and invest- pledged to invest $45bn for the period “Qatar is utilising its available conflict and seeking shelter in safer for new security partnership ment form a key part of Qatar’s future from 2015 to 2020. Of that, $10bn will world-class facilities and hi-tech lo- locations, including in the capital growth and diversifi cation, and the US be channelled into the infrastructure gistics to mobilise its regional agree- Sanaa,” 150km to the northeast QNA had been calling for dialogue. “Qatar is one of Qatar’s most valued and larg- sector, Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim said, ments with Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Tur- and also under rebel control, the Brussels has repeatedly invited its neighbours to est global partners,” Sheikh Ahmed bin noting that these investments repre- key, Pakistan, India, Azerbaijan and Off ice for the Coordination of the table and asked them to clarify their Jassim said, according to a statement sent 23% of Qatar’s GDP. Central Asia. Humanitarian Aff airs (OCHA) said in position and the reasons for the block- issued yesterday by the Ministry of In the oil and gas sector, Qatar Pe- “Through these agreements, Qatar a statement. Page 3 E the Deputy Prime Minister ade and have not received a response,” Economy and Commerce. troleum has also invested $10bn in an aims to expand its trade activities by and Minister of Foreign Af- he added. He said $24bn worth of goods were LNG plant in Texas, which will con- establishing a marine fl eet that con- EUROPE | Vote Hfairs Sheikh Mohamed bin The minister expressed his regret traded in the last fi ve years, noting tribute to generating 45,000 jobs. nects Qatar with its major trading Abdulrahman al-Thani has said that because there is more escalation on that 84% of the trade balance is in Highlighting investments by the pri- partners in the world, targeting a mar- Erdogan in fi nal appeals diff erences must be resolved through their part, where they still ignore calls favour of the US, the equivalent of vate sector, the Minister of Economy ket of 400mn population in its fi rst at Istanbul rallies dialogue, not the blockade, calling for a from the international community to $20bn while 16.3% of Qatar’s imports and Commerce said private companies stage,” he said. To Page 2 Recep Tayyip Erdogan returned regional security partnership between engage in dialogue and continue to to his roots in the working-class all countries in the Middle East. pursue their unconstructive actions Istanbul district of Kasimpasa In a speech before the Foreign Af- not only against Qatar but also against yesterday, capping a day of seven fairs Committee of the European Par- other countries in the region. “Our re- campaign rallies with a nod to his liament on late Thursday, he stressed gion cannot bear more crises, and we humble beginnings as he battles that Qatar adopts a method of change have enough problems on the table and for Turkey’s presidency. “I am from and constructive criticism for develop- that there are many negative eff ects on Kasimpasa. I was born here, raised ment, noting that for the past year it stability in this region.” Page 2 here,” he told tens of thousands of supporters in the district. Turkey holds simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections tomorrow for the first time in its history. Neymar on target as Brazil Erdogan is seeking to extend his more than 15-year rule in the face of unprecedented challenges from a beat dogged Costa Rica boisterous opposition. Page 9 Agencies tle to qualify for the knockout phase Moscow may have been aided by Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Iceland yesterday that leaves WORLD CUP Group D intriguingly poised. razil needed two injury-time goals That sets up a showdown between Ni- Yesterday’s results to defeat a dogged Costa Rica yes- geria and Argentina in Saint Petersburg. Brazil 2 Costa Rica 0 Bterday as Philippe Coutinho and If Argentina win they still have a chance Neymar scored late to put the fi ve-time of qualifying second behind Croatia and Nigeria 2 Ireland 0 World Cup winners back on track for the reaching the knockout stage. Switzerland 2 Serbia 1 last 16. A 90th-minute goal by Xherdan The Brazilians looked to be heading for Shaqiri secured Switzerland a 2-1 vic- Today’s matches a second frustrating draw in a row before tory over Serbia in a blistering-paced Belgium vs Tunisia 3pm Barcelona forward Coutinho poked the World Cup Group E match in Kalinin- Mexico vs South Korea 6pm ball through Costa Rica goalkeeper Key- grad, putting them in a strong position Germany vs Sweden 9pm lor Navas’ legs in the 91st minute. to go through to the knockout round. HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani interacting with dignitaries at a Meanwhile, Argentina’s uphill bat- Sport Pages 1-5 reception organised by the US-Qatar Business Council in Washington on Thursday.