3rd Best News Website in the Middle East Special Lease Offer MEDINAMEDIINA CENTRALECENTRALE BUSINESS | 11 SPORT | 17 4409 5155 Lufthansa CEO talks Four-star Bounedjah future of Air Berlin takes Al Sadd into with Abu Dhabi Emir Cup semis Saturday 6 May 2017 | 10 Sha'baan 1438 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Volume 22 | Number 7153 | 2 Riyals Emir and President of Poland witness signing of deals Warsaw QNA Emir H H Sheikh Tamim mir H H Sheikh Tamim bin bin Hamad Al Thani and Hamad Al Thani and Pres- President of Poland, ident of Poland, Andrzej Andrzej Duda, attend the Duda yesterday attended the signing of a number of signing of agreements on Eagreements between the govern- the exemption of visas for ments of two countries. holders of diplomatic and They attended the signing of an agreement on the exemption of visas private passports, cultural for holders of diplomatic and private cooperation, cooperation passports, agreement on cultural in the field of medical cooperation, agreement on cooper- ation in the field of medical sciences sciences and health care and health care and an agreement and an agreement on on economic cooperation. economic cooperation. Their Excellences members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir also attended the signing cer- emony. On the Polish side, it was time, this visit which is a significant attended by a number of ministers new step on the way to develop the and senior officials. distinguished relations that benefit Earlier, Qatar and Poland held a the two countries. session of official talks at the Presi- → Continued on page 2 dential Palace in Warsaw, chaired by → See also pages 11 & 12 the Emir and President of Poland. Andrzej Duda welcomed the Emir and praised the diplomatic relations, → Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin friendship and cooperation between Hamad Al Thani with President of the two countries that has continued Poland, Andrzej Duda, in Warsaw, for 28 years lauding, at the same yesterday. Syria safe zones QA free-stay offer to boost tourism Muslim-friendly deal enters tourism: Qatar ranked into force Sachin Kumar Qatar’s tourism sector,” Yousef Abdulla local economy. The Peninsula Al Sai, Managing Director of Cleopatra “The latest offer by Qatar Airways sixth in OIC countries MOSCOW: A Russian plan to Travels told The Peninsula. “The coun- will encourage tourists to travel via establish "de-escalation zones" he announcement by Qatar Air- try now has so many tourist destinations Qatar. Those staying in Qatar on a free Irfan Bukhari in Syria is to go into effect at ways last week to offer free because of the initiatives taken by the stopover would like to spend more than The Peninsula midnight on Friday, but it will Tone-night stay in country’s luxury government,” he added. a day in Qatar. During their stay in be at least another month until hotels will boost the tourism sector of Last week Qatar Airways created Qatar, tourists will spend money while GLOBAL Muslim Travel Index 2017 shows the safe areas are established, Qatar. Industry experts believe that the waves in travel industry by announc- exploring city which is good for differ- Qatar is one of top 10 Muslim-friendly tour- according to Russian officials free stay offer is strong enough to lure ing that the passengers who transit ent stakeholders in tourism sectors,” ist destinations among 48 OIC member Also, prospects for the transit passenger to extend their stay in through Doha would be entitled to a said Farukh Sardar, General Manager countries included in the survey. success of the deal — agreed Doha. free one-night stay at a four- or five- at Mannai Trading Company where he The report released by Mastercard-Cres- on by Russia, Turkey and Iran Around 68,000 transit passengers star hotel. Those who want to stay is now managing a business to business centRating has ranked as many as 130 — are undermined by the fail- moved during last year from Hamad longer can pay $50 for a second night. travel platform. Sardar has over two destinations including 48 OIC destinations ure of Syrian rebel groups International Airport, according to Min- Passengers can choose from hotels such decades of experience in Qatar’s travel and 82 non-OIC destinations. who oppose President Bashar istry of Development Planning and as The Four Seasons, Marriott Marquis, sector. Qatar secured 70.5 scores in the criteria Assad to sign on to it. Statistics data. Radisson Blu and Oryx Rotana. Experts believe that along with set to choose Muslim friendly tourist desti- Russian military officials “This is a very good step by Qatar This offer is available for all Qatar bringing tourist in the country, the offer nations having various considerations like said the plan, which was Airways and it will further strengthen Airways passengers, both Premium and will also be helpful in attracting foreign visa requirements; Muslim traveler needs agreed to in Syria talks in Qatar’s tourism industry because it will Economy. capital in the country. awareness; family-friendly destination; din- Kazakhstan, envisions estab- attract new tourists into the country. Inflow of new tourists will also have “Not only tourism, this step is also ing options & Halal assurance; access to lishing four safe zones that Tourists going back to their countries a multiplier effect on the local econ- helpful in bring new investment into prayer places and many more. could would bring relief for talk to their friends about their stay in omy because tourist staying in Qatar the country. Many tourists after seeing Qatar stands at number 6 among 48 OIC hundreds of thousands of Qatar. This word of mouth publicity will would like to explore Qatar and will use Qatar would also like to invest in the countries for its Muslim friendly tourism Syrian civilians and encour- create awareness about Qatar in dif- local taxi, eat in a restaurant, buy a sou- country by setting up new businesses,” facilities. → Continued on page 2 age refugees to return. ferent countries, which will benefit venir and local specialties. This will help added Al Sai. UK PM's party secures big gains in local polls Bikers' gathering Fish in Qatar waters disease-free LONDON: British Prime Min- ister Theresa May's Sidi Mohamed environment supervised by the ministry to Conservatives secured big wins The Peninsula monitor changes in the marine environ- yesterday in local elections, a ment in Qatar," the statement added. month ahead of a Brexit-dom- rushing aside rumours about safety The statement rejected rumours about inated snap general election. of fish in Qatar waters, the Ministry contamination of fish with toxic materials Final results showed the Bof Municipality and Environment yes- terming them "false." When asked about more centre-right party gaining terday asserted that fish in Qatar waters is details on the issue, an official seeking not to ground across the country, free from any disease or contamination and be attributed told The Peninsula that he could with the main opposition was completely safe. not reveal more than what was already issued Labour party taking a ham- The results of the field inspection con- by the Ministry because it was prepared by mering and Brexit ducted by the authorities concerned at the authorities concerned. He also added that it was cheerleaders UKIP all but Ministry have shown that there the fish is an important issue and "I can inform you with wiped out as the Conserva- "completely safe" and free from any diseases full confidence that the Qatari Regional Water tives gobbled up their vote. or contamination. The authorities also is safe and there exists no diseases or contam- With the results in from stressed that they did not record or find any ination in it and rumors are totally false." all 88 local authorities being cases of death of fish. A video and pictures being circulated in contested, the Conservatives The ministry and through its depart- social media show a quantity of dead fish End of season gathering held by Batabit (Qatar Motorcycle Center) won 1,900 seats, up 558; ments has followed since the beginning on beaches of one member state of GCC. Labour won 1,151, down 320; at Katara beach yesterday. Several members of the motorcycle what was circulated and spread about the Some specialists had expressed concerns and the pro-EU Liberal Dem- community were honoured for their contributions in the past year. collective mortality of fish in some broth- that it might extend to other countries of the ocrats won 441, down 37. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula erly countries. "There exists a periodic region but after Ministry's statement there → See also page 7 monitoring programme for the marine are no chances of doubt about Qatar waters. 02 HOME SATURDAY 6 MAY 2017 Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda giving a joint press conference in Warsaw yesterday. RIGHT: The Emir at the official reception ceremony. Growth in Qatar-Poland relations satisfying: Emir → Continued from page 4 economic, cultural, health, The Polish President stressed his education, military and keenness to develop the aspects of coop- tourism spheres. eration with the State of Qatar in various Talks during the session fields, especially economic, cultural, also dealt with a number of health and military, in addition to the regional developments and aspiration of Poland to contribute through issues, especially the Pales- the Polish companies in the field of World tinian and Syrian issues, on Cup projects 2022. which the two countries' For his part, the Emir expressed his visions are consistent with appreciation to the Polish President and regard to ensuring the res- people for their warm and generous greet- toration stability and ings accorded to His Highness and the security in the region.