The Qatar 2022 World Cup bid committee has named two former World Cup stars, Argentina’s Gabriel Omar Batistuta and Holland’s Ronald de Boer, as new bid ambassadors.
Batistuta is the all-time leading goal-scorer for Argentina and represented his country at three World Cup finals, while de Boer played in two World Cup finals for the Netherlands and won the UEFA Champions League in a sparkling club career.
Both players also played for clubs in Qatar. Commenting on his appointment, Batistuta said: “It is a great pleasure for me to take on this important role as bid ambassador for the Qatar 2022 Bid, which I believe represents an essential expansion of the FIFA ideals to a new part of the world.
"Having played in USA in 1994, in France in 1998, as well as the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan – the first on the Asian continent – I have witnessed the excitement and passion unleashed in those different parts of the world.
"From my playing experience in Qatar I know that it is a country and a region which will host a spectacular and passionate World Cup in 2022. It is this message which I want to bring to the world in this exciting new role: here is an exciting new football market waiting to be uncovered.”
De Boer said: “It is a great honour for me to be appointed as a member of such an exciting and innovative bid. I truly believe it is time for the World Cup to come to the Middle East for the first time ever, so I am thrilled to be asked to become an ambassador for this campaign.
"I believe this is a historic opportunity for the country where I played four years of my professional career and the rest of the world to unite in a peaceful and family-orientated celebration of football, and this is the message I will be bringing in my new role over the coming 12 months.”
He added: “Judging from my experience playing at World Cup finals and other top events – and from my experience living in Qatar for more than five years – I believe Qatar has all the qualities to host a fantastic and unforgettable World Cup.
"The country has the outstanding sporting facilities needed to host the world’s greatest football tournament, the region-wide passion for the game, and it brings to the mix an exceptionally hospitable nature which has made me decide to stay on in Qatar even after my playing career finished.”
Source:goal.com/
Sunday, December 6, 2009
NEWS in BRIEF: Qatar stresses on need for global
Geneva: Qatar has stressed the need for a global agreement on the issue of environment and climate change to be reached outside the framework of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and underscored the importance of developing the efficiency and performance of the WTO and its activities.
This came in a speech given by the Minister of State for International Cooperation and Acting Minister of Business and Trade, H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, before the Seventh Session of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva.
The Minister said that in order to achieve this goal which is the development of efficiency and performance of the organisation efforts must be based on the WTO’s basic principles (full participation, inclusiveness and transparency). Dr Al Attiyah called on the WTO to ensure the participation of all states in the activities of the organisation, pointing out that there are many countries that their membership are still being discussed, including seven Arab countries.
He also stressed the need for the adoption of Arabic language as one of the official languages used in the World Trade Organisation. With regard to the Doha Round, he said that Qatar is renewing and reaffirming the desire and support to end the round of negotiations, named after the Qatari capital.
He said that the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani had earlier called on the international community to embrace natural gas and clean technology as support of economic, social and environmental development.
Emir greets Romanian President
Doha: The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has sent a cable of greetings to the President of Romania on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day. The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a similar cable to the Romanian President.
Unstable weather forecast
DOHA: The Meteorology Department has forecast unstable weather conditions beginning today with chances of scattered rains in some parts of the country. The country would experience the second spell of cold waves since the beginning of this winter from Friday until Monday. This will be followed by more such periods in the weeks to come, the department said.
Al Sadd PEC getting 250 flu cases every day
DOHA: The dedicated H1N1 influenza clinic at Al Sadd Paediatric Emergency (PEC) Centre has been getting some 200 to 250 flu-like cases each day over the last 10 days. “Though the number is high, most are influenza like cases. All the H1N1 suspected cases are given Tamiflu and sent back home,” said Dr Khalid Mohammed Al Ansari, Director of PEC. The facility was opened to address the expected increase in the number of suspected H1N1 cases with the onset of winter.
the peninsula/qna
Source:thepeninsulaqatar.com/
This came in a speech given by the Minister of State for International Cooperation and Acting Minister of Business and Trade, H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, before the Seventh Session of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva.
The Minister said that in order to achieve this goal which is the development of efficiency and performance of the organisation efforts must be based on the WTO’s basic principles (full participation, inclusiveness and transparency). Dr Al Attiyah called on the WTO to ensure the participation of all states in the activities of the organisation, pointing out that there are many countries that their membership are still being discussed, including seven Arab countries.
He also stressed the need for the adoption of Arabic language as one of the official languages used in the World Trade Organisation. With regard to the Doha Round, he said that Qatar is renewing and reaffirming the desire and support to end the round of negotiations, named after the Qatari capital.
He said that the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani had earlier called on the international community to embrace natural gas and clean technology as support of economic, social and environmental development.
Emir greets Romanian President
Doha: The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has sent a cable of greetings to the President of Romania on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day. The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a similar cable to the Romanian President.
Unstable weather forecast
DOHA: The Meteorology Department has forecast unstable weather conditions beginning today with chances of scattered rains in some parts of the country. The country would experience the second spell of cold waves since the beginning of this winter from Friday until Monday. This will be followed by more such periods in the weeks to come, the department said.
Al Sadd PEC getting 250 flu cases every day
DOHA: The dedicated H1N1 influenza clinic at Al Sadd Paediatric Emergency (PEC) Centre has been getting some 200 to 250 flu-like cases each day over the last 10 days. “Though the number is high, most are influenza like cases. All the H1N1 suspected cases are given Tamiflu and sent back home,” said Dr Khalid Mohammed Al Ansari, Director of PEC. The facility was opened to address the expected increase in the number of suspected H1N1 cases with the onset of winter.
the peninsula/qna
Source:thepeninsulaqatar.com/
Qatar Tourism Authority attracts significant interest in Europe
Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is drawing significant interest among buyers and travel professionals in the meetings, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) industry at the Global Meetings and Incentive Exhibition (EIBTM) in Barcelona.
EIBTM is the leading global event for the meetings and incentive industry, with over 3,300 exhibiting companies representing more than 80 countries presenting to 3,800 hosted buyers from 71 countries and more than 6,300 pre-registered trade visitors at this year's event.
Ms. Soha Moussa, Head of Promotions and Organizing Abroad Exhibitions for QTA described its participation in EIBTM as very successful, saying,
"Despite the current financial and economic environment, we have had some very good meetings with serious buyers at EIBTM. The buyers are high quality and are very focused. They know what they want and are asking very specific questions about organizing itineraries as well as venue and convention facility details. They are interested in Qatar as a new venue to consider for their events. Qatar offers a high quality destination with new state-of-the-art facilities, while preserving our unique Qatari culture and traditions."
In addition to pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments, Qatar Tourism Authority has been presenting Qatar to buyers and trade professionals during several group destination presentations.
"We are looking to arrange incentive trips to the Middle East, with something different in terms of activities to do and sights to see," says Ms. Linda Benwell, Managing Director of Millennium Travel, South Africa. "Since Qatar Airways flies direct to Doha from Johannesburg, organizing a stopover in Qatar for a few days, then on to Europe for example, makes it very convenient for planning an incentive trip."
Michael Bramsnas is the CEO and owner of The Competence Company (TCC) in Denmark. "We organize international business events for our clients from Denmark. After meeting with representatives from Qatar Tourism Authority at EIBTM, we are pleased with the wide range of what Qatar has to offer in terms of venues and facilities - from the hotels and convention centers to the museum."
Corporate event planners were also interested in Qatar as a 'new' destination venue for hosting events. Georgia Challis, Assistant Vice President, is in charge of Conferences and Events for Deutsche Bank. "I am here at EIBTM searching for some new venue ideas. Space and amenities are very important to me." Other corporate event planners were specific about hotel prerequisites for their events, and Qatar's broad range of quality hotels which adhere to strict facilities requirements "will meet their needs."
QTA and its co-exhibitors have had a steady flow of visitors to the pavilion. Ms. Diana Rizk, Events Supervisor for the Museum of Islamic Art commented: "We are very pleased with the meetings we have had. The buyers are interested in the Museum as a venue for dinners and other events, and are also interested in tours and the workshops as part of a daily activities itinerary."
Qatar Tourism Authority is showcasing the exceptional character of Qatar with the cooperation of hospitality and leisure companies representing the examples of high-quality standards Qatar has achieved to become an upscale MICE destination, including the Qatar National Convention Center, the Museum of Islamic Art and representatives from several luxury hotels and the top tour operators in Qatar.
Source:ameinfo.com/
Tata Communications, Qatari co in pact for undersea cable
Mumbai Tata Communications has signed an agreement with the Qatar-based Qtel for a new undersea cable network that will connect a number of regional operators in the Gulf region with the country.
“The enhanced capacity provided by this new cabling solution will help ensure rapid growth of broadband services across Qatar,” Qtel chief executive officer Nasser Marafih said here today in a release.
This cable system would connect the Gulf Region with the world’s major business hubs and city centres thus improving connectivity and providing the foundations for next generation communication technology, he added.
Total length of the cable system within the Gulf region would stretch some 4,469 km, reaching from Mumbai to Oman and onto Kuwait and would connect Tata Communications’ global cable and backhaul network.
“This partnership is designed to create mutual benefit, which will multiply steadily as we use the foundation of the TGN Gulf cable system to develop additional network and IT services that address growing market needs,” Tata Communications president and COO Vinod Kumar said.
Through the TGN-Gulf cable system, Qatar would have access to high-speed global routing that would encourage expansion in broadband penetration, Internet usage, enterprise applications and will give faster and more reliable bandwidth.
Building and installing the global submarine cable would take around 22 months, Qtel said in a statement.
In addition to Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and UAE will be connected to TGN Gulf Cable in the initial phase.
Subsequently, in the second phase other Gulf countries will be conjoined.
Earlier also Qtel and Tata Communications had worked together. In June 2009, the two companies had agreed to align their infrastructures to provide various connectivity solutions including Ethernet, MPLS (multi-protocol label switching) to their global customers.
Source:expressindia.com/
“The enhanced capacity provided by this new cabling solution will help ensure rapid growth of broadband services across Qatar,” Qtel chief executive officer Nasser Marafih said here today in a release.
This cable system would connect the Gulf Region with the world’s major business hubs and city centres thus improving connectivity and providing the foundations for next generation communication technology, he added.
Total length of the cable system within the Gulf region would stretch some 4,469 km, reaching from Mumbai to Oman and onto Kuwait and would connect Tata Communications’ global cable and backhaul network.
“This partnership is designed to create mutual benefit, which will multiply steadily as we use the foundation of the TGN Gulf cable system to develop additional network and IT services that address growing market needs,” Tata Communications president and COO Vinod Kumar said.
Through the TGN-Gulf cable system, Qatar would have access to high-speed global routing that would encourage expansion in broadband penetration, Internet usage, enterprise applications and will give faster and more reliable bandwidth.
Building and installing the global submarine cable would take around 22 months, Qtel said in a statement.
In addition to Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and UAE will be connected to TGN Gulf Cable in the initial phase.
Subsequently, in the second phase other Gulf countries will be conjoined.
Earlier also Qtel and Tata Communications had worked together. In June 2009, the two companies had agreed to align their infrastructures to provide various connectivity solutions including Ethernet, MPLS (multi-protocol label switching) to their global customers.
Source:expressindia.com/
Milford's representatives enjoy Qatar LNG tour
A delegation of Milford Haven representatives took part in a two-day trip to the Qatargas liquefied natural gas facility in Qatar last week.
Milford Haven mayor, Councillor Tony Eden and town councillors Mark Hawkins and David Friend, all members of the South Hook Community Liaison group, travelled to Doha on the fact finding tour.
Accompanied by Mohammed Al-Naimi director and general manager of South Hook, the group had a tour around the production and export facilities at Ras Laffan.
Briefings on the LNG value chain and Qatargas 2, one of the largest LNG liquefaction trains in the world were also held.
Milford mayor, Councillor Tony Eden, said: “This was an essential visit, nothing captures the enormity of the project unless you see it first-hand.
“We very pleased to see the importance on the relationship with the community in Pembrokeshire.
The group also had an opportunity to tour the main control room at the Ras Laffan port, which included a meeting with the director of the Ras Laffan Industrial city and South Hook Board director Sheikh Khalid Bin Khalia Al-Thani.
“We have been reassured that no short cuts have been made in relation to the safety of the building of the South Hook terminal and its fleet of LNG carriers,” added the mayor.
Source:milfordmercury.co.uk/
Milford Haven mayor, Councillor Tony Eden and town councillors Mark Hawkins and David Friend, all members of the South Hook Community Liaison group, travelled to Doha on the fact finding tour.
Accompanied by Mohammed Al-Naimi director and general manager of South Hook, the group had a tour around the production and export facilities at Ras Laffan.
Briefings on the LNG value chain and Qatargas 2, one of the largest LNG liquefaction trains in the world were also held.
Milford mayor, Councillor Tony Eden, said: “This was an essential visit, nothing captures the enormity of the project unless you see it first-hand.
“We very pleased to see the importance on the relationship with the community in Pembrokeshire.
The group also had an opportunity to tour the main control room at the Ras Laffan port, which included a meeting with the director of the Ras Laffan Industrial city and South Hook Board director Sheikh Khalid Bin Khalia Al-Thani.
“We have been reassured that no short cuts have been made in relation to the safety of the building of the South Hook terminal and its fleet of LNG carriers,” added the mayor.
Source:milfordmercury.co.uk/
Jenny bags Qatar Classic
JENNY Duncalf is clearly women's squash formplayer of the moment after bagging her third tournament title in a row at the Qatar Classic in Doha on Monday.
England's Jenny thumped Australian second seed Rachael Grinham 11-5, 11-3, 11-3 in 23 minutes to add the Qatar title to the Soho Square Open and Carol Weymuller Open crowns in the last four we e k s.
In two of those title winning runs, Jenny stunned World No 1 Nicol David, including in the semi-finals in Doha, to underline her status as the hottest property on the women's Wispa Tour currently.
“I've won the Qatar Classic, even though I can’t believe it yet. I was thinking earlier that this would be my 13th win in a row, hoping it wouldn't be unlucky 13.
“I wish there was another tournament next week,” said World No 6 Jenny.
British Open champion Nick Matthew made it a double English celebration when he defeated top seed Karim Darwish of Egypt 11-5, 12-10, 11-6 for the men's title.
Source:nst.com.my/
England's Jenny thumped Australian second seed Rachael Grinham 11-5, 11-3, 11-3 in 23 minutes to add the Qatar title to the Soho Square Open and Carol Weymuller Open crowns in the last four we e k s.
In two of those title winning runs, Jenny stunned World No 1 Nicol David, including in the semi-finals in Doha, to underline her status as the hottest property on the women's Wispa Tour currently.
“I've won the Qatar Classic, even though I can’t believe it yet. I was thinking earlier that this would be my 13th win in a row, hoping it wouldn't be unlucky 13.
“I wish there was another tournament next week,” said World No 6 Jenny.
British Open champion Nick Matthew made it a double English celebration when he defeated top seed Karim Darwish of Egypt 11-5, 12-10, 11-6 for the men's title.
Source:nst.com.my/
Germany's Bilfinger may quit Qatar -CEO to paper
FRANKFURT, Dec 1 (Reuters) - German builder Bilfinger Berger is considering pulling out of Qatar due to a disagreement with local construction authority Ashgal on its Doha roadway project, its chief executive told a newspaper.
'The bad experience with the Doha project prompts us to reconsider our commitments in the Gulf region,' Bilfinger Berger Chief Executive Herbert Bodner told the Financial Times Deutschland in an article that appeared on Tuesday.
Yahoo! BuzzA spokesman said Bilfinger, which is not active in Dubai, had already been considering moving its business out of the region prior to credit problems at Dubai World and Nakheel.
The spokesman said Bodner also had already publicly stated it was considering an exit.
Ashgal and Bilfinger are embroiled in a legal dispute over a 6-kilometre road construction project in Qatar's capital which is running a long way behind schedule.
In September, Bilfinger said it would make provisions of 80 million euros ($116 million) due to the project and cut its 2009 outlook for earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to 210-230 million euros from a previous target of 250 million euros.
A second large project in Barwa City which Bilfinger is working on already has payment securities in place, Bodner said.
Source:forbes.com/
'The bad experience with the Doha project prompts us to reconsider our commitments in the Gulf region,' Bilfinger Berger Chief Executive Herbert Bodner told the Financial Times Deutschland in an article that appeared on Tuesday.
Yahoo! BuzzA spokesman said Bilfinger, which is not active in Dubai, had already been considering moving its business out of the region prior to credit problems at Dubai World and Nakheel.
The spokesman said Bodner also had already publicly stated it was considering an exit.
Ashgal and Bilfinger are embroiled in a legal dispute over a 6-kilometre road construction project in Qatar's capital which is running a long way behind schedule.
In September, Bilfinger said it would make provisions of 80 million euros ($116 million) due to the project and cut its 2009 outlook for earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to 210-230 million euros from a previous target of 250 million euros.
A second large project in Barwa City which Bilfinger is working on already has payment securities in place, Bodner said.
Source:forbes.com/
No swine flu cases among Qatari pilgrims
DOHA: While Saudi Arabia has confirmed the death of four Haj pilgrims due to H1N1, the Qatari Haj Mission has said that all pilgrims from Qatar had so far remained safe from the decease.
“ Our clinic in Makkah has not received any H1N1 cases until now nor we have referred any such cases to the Saudi hospitals,” Dr Abdussalam Al Qahtani, head of the medical team accompanying the Qatari Haj mission told Al Sharq daily yesterday.
He said the Qatari medical team had come across only normal cases among the pilgrims such as chest pain, chest infections, normal flu and skin ailments. These patients have been given medication and treatment.
He said all Haj contractors (Muqawils) had been asked to promptly report any suspected H1N1 cases among their respective groups of pilgrims.
“ We treat such cases in our clinic and if they need more specialised treatment we refer them to the Saudi hospitals. The Muqawils themselves can take a patient to the hospital, if the case is serious. However, they have to promptly inform the Haj Mission about such incidents,” said Al Qahtani. He reassured that the Mission will not hide any H1N1 cases, if they occur, from relatives of the pilgrims in Qatar.
Source:thepeninsulaqatar.com/
“ Our clinic in Makkah has not received any H1N1 cases until now nor we have referred any such cases to the Saudi hospitals,” Dr Abdussalam Al Qahtani, head of the medical team accompanying the Qatari Haj mission told Al Sharq daily yesterday.
He said the Qatari medical team had come across only normal cases among the pilgrims such as chest pain, chest infections, normal flu and skin ailments. These patients have been given medication and treatment.
He said all Haj contractors (Muqawils) had been asked to promptly report any suspected H1N1 cases among their respective groups of pilgrims.
“ We treat such cases in our clinic and if they need more specialised treatment we refer them to the Saudi hospitals. The Muqawils themselves can take a patient to the hospital, if the case is serious. However, they have to promptly inform the Haj Mission about such incidents,” said Al Qahtani. He reassured that the Mission will not hide any H1N1 cases, if they occur, from relatives of the pilgrims in Qatar.
Source:thepeninsulaqatar.com/
Qatar Surprise for Investors
4/12/09- Qatar is being hailed as one of the surprise investment hotspots for 2010 by the CEO of an international real estate company Marr International. The prediction comes as Qatar confirmed that is was 100 percent committed to its role in developing Europe's tallest mixed-use skyscraper The Shard in London
Qatar is one of the world’s fastest growing economies the GDP is 72.1 billion while the GDP per head is $74000 (2007 estimate) current estimates indicate that Qatar has one of the highest GDPs per head in the world. The region boasts major financial and business services including oil, construction and the world’s third largest gas reserves.
Nicholas Marr CEO Marr International “Investors from our international portal Homesgofast.com were recently surveyed to find their top ten places to invest abroad. Omissions from the list included Spain and Dubai. However my real surprise was that Qatar did not feature in the top ten. For me it ticks all the right boxes for investment. I believe this region has huge potential, The Qatar Urban Planning and Development Authority aim to make the capital Doha a world class city. There is investment said to be around $1.5 billion being made right now for a second international airport. It can be seen from recent events in London the Qatar government certainly have the resources to reach its goals. Recent property prices falls in Qatar make this a good time to get in early”
The Qatari backers of London's tallest proposed skyscraper re-emphasised their commitment to the scheme with a visit by the Governor of the Qatar , Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al-Thani pledged that his state will back the development of the 94-storey tower at London Bridge to completion in 2012.
Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al-Thani "We are confident that the Shard will become a landmark on the London skyline and a symbol of the close ties between Qatar and the United Kingdom."
Al-Thani was said to have visited the site to make the situation crystal clear, following turmoil in the Gulf triggered by Dubai World's announcement of a debt standstill last week.
Since 2004 overseas property buyers have been able to buy property in designated areas of Qatar. The three main areas are The Pearl, West Bay lagoon and Al Khor but other places are now becoming available.
Qatar is emerging as one of the most dynamic economies in the Middle East.
The economy is rapidly expanding in practically every sector and industry. A combination of government investment and the participation of multi-national companies are creating what seems to be a culture of opportunity
Buy Sell Fnd Property in Qatar with Homesgofast.com
Source:homesgofast.com/
Qatar is one of the world’s fastest growing economies the GDP is 72.1 billion while the GDP per head is $74000 (2007 estimate) current estimates indicate that Qatar has one of the highest GDPs per head in the world. The region boasts major financial and business services including oil, construction and the world’s third largest gas reserves.
Nicholas Marr CEO Marr International “Investors from our international portal Homesgofast.com were recently surveyed to find their top ten places to invest abroad. Omissions from the list included Spain and Dubai. However my real surprise was that Qatar did not feature in the top ten. For me it ticks all the right boxes for investment. I believe this region has huge potential, The Qatar Urban Planning and Development Authority aim to make the capital Doha a world class city. There is investment said to be around $1.5 billion being made right now for a second international airport. It can be seen from recent events in London the Qatar government certainly have the resources to reach its goals. Recent property prices falls in Qatar make this a good time to get in early”
The Qatari backers of London's tallest proposed skyscraper re-emphasised their commitment to the scheme with a visit by the Governor of the Qatar , Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al-Thani pledged that his state will back the development of the 94-storey tower at London Bridge to completion in 2012.
Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al-Thani "We are confident that the Shard will become a landmark on the London skyline and a symbol of the close ties between Qatar and the United Kingdom."
Al-Thani was said to have visited the site to make the situation crystal clear, following turmoil in the Gulf triggered by Dubai World's announcement of a debt standstill last week.
Since 2004 overseas property buyers have been able to buy property in designated areas of Qatar. The three main areas are The Pearl, West Bay lagoon and Al Khor but other places are now becoming available.
Qatar is emerging as one of the most dynamic economies in the Middle East.
The economy is rapidly expanding in practically every sector and industry. A combination of government investment and the participation of multi-national companies are creating what seems to be a culture of opportunity
Buy Sell Fnd Property in Qatar with Homesgofast.com
Source:homesgofast.com/
Net buying pushes Qatari stocks up
DOHA: Qatari stocks closed up yesterday as well almost offsetting the steep fall of Tuesday on the back of strong net buying from foreign and local institutions.
The 20-share benchmark index of Qatar Exchange, the local bourse, bounced back, as a result, to pre-Eid Al Adha levels of over 7,000 points.
The index breached back the psychologically critical level and closed at 7,033.52, pushing the market capitalisation up to QR320.69bn.
Again, it were foreign institutions more than their local counterparts which drove yesterday’s surge. Retail investors (both Qatari and non-Qatari), on the other hand, chose to book profit.
Qatar Cinema, Gulf International, Qatar Telecom (Qtel) and Qatar Insurance were some of the stocks that led the jump.
Among the losers were Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance. Analysts said they hoped the market to remain upbeat due to expectations of further capital injection into the local banking sector by the state this month. In weekly trading, though, the index shed 2.22 percent, or 160 points, with the major brunt having been borne by industrial and banking shares. The decline was mainly due to Tuesday’s beating caused by Dubai’s debt woes.
Source:thepeninsulaqatar.com/
The 20-share benchmark index of Qatar Exchange, the local bourse, bounced back, as a result, to pre-Eid Al Adha levels of over 7,000 points.
The index breached back the psychologically critical level and closed at 7,033.52, pushing the market capitalisation up to QR320.69bn.
Again, it were foreign institutions more than their local counterparts which drove yesterday’s surge. Retail investors (both Qatari and non-Qatari), on the other hand, chose to book profit.
Qatar Cinema, Gulf International, Qatar Telecom (Qtel) and Qatar Insurance were some of the stocks that led the jump.
Among the losers were Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance. Analysts said they hoped the market to remain upbeat due to expectations of further capital injection into the local banking sector by the state this month. In weekly trading, though, the index shed 2.22 percent, or 160 points, with the major brunt having been borne by industrial and banking shares. The decline was mainly due to Tuesday’s beating caused by Dubai’s debt woes.
Source:thepeninsulaqatar.com/
Qatar Airways offers passengers online check-in capabilities
Qatar Airways, the only Middle Eastern five star carrier, knows how frantic the festive season can be, especially when it comes to travelling; which is why they would like to remind the South African travelling public about their online check-in service.
Passengers flying from South Africa to one of the 84 key business and leisure destinations around the world that Qatar Airways flies to, can now check-in from 36 hours before their flight and then simply collect their boarding pass at the ‘fast bag drop’ counter. In many of the cities that Qatar Airways flies from, passengers can print their own boarding passes at home or have them downloaded to their cellular phones; a service the carrier looks forward to being available in South Africa in 2010, making the travelling process even easier.
Not only will this service save time at the airport but passengers can access their booking from the comfort of their home or office making the process even simpler.
Booking in online is a simple three-step process:
1. Head to www.qatarairways.com/za and click on the Check-in tab. Select your departure airport and the form of identification.
2. Confirm where you would like to sit.
3. Collect your boarding pass at the ‘fast bag drop’ counter.
The airline flies from Johannesburg to Doha daily and from Cape Town four times a week before connecting onwards to 84 destinations in Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East and even North America. Beginning 6 December, Qatar Airways will launch flights to Australia with non-stop direct services to Melbourne. Direct non-stop services to Sydney are schedule to begin operating in early 2010. By improving flight frequencies, South African passengers are offered greater choice when planning their holiday and business travel.
The airline was recently voted Airline Of The Year 2009 at the annual Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Awards in London and also won Best Middle Eastern Airline at the Asia Pacific TTG Awards, an honour that the Doha-based carrier has held now for four consecutive years. With these and many other awards in the trophy cabinet, there is little doubt that Qatar Airways provides passengers with the highest quality service in the air and on the ground. On board, the airline offers an array of gourmet menu options, over 700 entertainment choices including top quality movies and audio selections, games and radio stations as well as four live news channels. Travellers are hosted by a multi-award winning crew.
With such fantastic service on offer as well as easy online access to booking in, it’s no wonder that more people are choosing to fly Qatar Airways.
To book your flight or to find out more about the amazing specials on offer from Qatar Airways,
Source:travelwires.com/
Passengers flying from South Africa to one of the 84 key business and leisure destinations around the world that Qatar Airways flies to, can now check-in from 36 hours before their flight and then simply collect their boarding pass at the ‘fast bag drop’ counter. In many of the cities that Qatar Airways flies from, passengers can print their own boarding passes at home or have them downloaded to their cellular phones; a service the carrier looks forward to being available in South Africa in 2010, making the travelling process even easier.
Not only will this service save time at the airport but passengers can access their booking from the comfort of their home or office making the process even simpler.
Booking in online is a simple three-step process:
1. Head to www.qatarairways.com/za and click on the Check-in tab. Select your departure airport and the form of identification.
2. Confirm where you would like to sit.
3. Collect your boarding pass at the ‘fast bag drop’ counter.
The airline flies from Johannesburg to Doha daily and from Cape Town four times a week before connecting onwards to 84 destinations in Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East and even North America. Beginning 6 December, Qatar Airways will launch flights to Australia with non-stop direct services to Melbourne. Direct non-stop services to Sydney are schedule to begin operating in early 2010. By improving flight frequencies, South African passengers are offered greater choice when planning their holiday and business travel.
The airline was recently voted Airline Of The Year 2009 at the annual Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Awards in London and also won Best Middle Eastern Airline at the Asia Pacific TTG Awards, an honour that the Doha-based carrier has held now for four consecutive years. With these and many other awards in the trophy cabinet, there is little doubt that Qatar Airways provides passengers with the highest quality service in the air and on the ground. On board, the airline offers an array of gourmet menu options, over 700 entertainment choices including top quality movies and audio selections, games and radio stations as well as four live news channels. Travellers are hosted by a multi-award winning crew.
With such fantastic service on offer as well as easy online access to booking in, it’s no wonder that more people are choosing to fly Qatar Airways.
To book your flight or to find out more about the amazing specials on offer from Qatar Airways,
Source:travelwires.com/
BAE Sytems holds 'early talks' with Qatar Airways
BAE SystemsBAE SystemsBAE Systems
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is in early talks with Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways to provide a fleet of six Avro Business Jets (ABJ) for Qatar Executive, the airline's VIP corporate charter operation.
Steward Cordner, Vice-President of ABJ, which debuted at this year's Dubai Airshow, confirmed it to Emirates Business.
"We have spoken to people at Qatar Executive, but it is still too early to confirm anything," he said.
Headquartered in the United Kingdom, ABJ uses pre-owned passenger planes that are refurbished to meet VIP standards, with a starting list price of approximately $12 million (Dh44m).
Cordner said: "We approached Qatar Executive with a cost-effective solution for their regional flights. With only one out of 10 charter flights being long-haul, and the rest regional, why should the airline spend $40m to $50m on a new plane for short distances?
"An ABJ aircraft is reliable, has the wow factor to impress VIPs and, more importantly, is only a third of the price of what you would pay to any other manufacturer."
Talking about the timeframe of the partnership, Cordner said such deals take time to cement, and should it come through, ABJ would be able to provide Qatar Executive with a fleet of six in "a couple of years".
When contacted by the newspaper, Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways declined to comment. The Doha-based executive airline was launched earlier this year at the Le Bourget Paris Airshow. The current fleet comprises two new 11-seater Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft, along with an eight-seater Bombardier Challenger 300.
"We have also spoken with representatives at Pakistan International Airlines during the Dubai Airshow and pitched the idea to team up with them for a future executive charter fleet. We see Asia as a potential market in the next few years," said Cordner.
Currently in the Middle East, BAE SystemsBAE SystemsBAE Systems
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has delivered ABJs to the Dubai Air WingDubai Air Wing, the Presidential Flight of Abu Dhabi, the Bahrain Defence Force, as well as Kuwaiti First Trading and Construction.
ABJ's expansion into the region has come at a crucial time with last year's economic downturn crippling the global aviation industry. However, Cordner stated last year's economic downturn has had a positive impact on the company's business.
He said: "Our sales have lifted in the last year. In a bullish environment, if financing was not an issue, we would be having a slightly tougher time because people can afford to spend more.
"However, as financing is tight and people can afford a $12m plane, the feedback at the Dubai Airshow has been great."
He said the company has recorded a 100 per cent growth in the past two years, with nine aircraft having been converted from passenger to VIP. Each refurbishment takes approximately nine months.
Cordner said the company's aircraft is good to operate for 65,000 cycles, with the average age of fleet resting at 20,000 cycles.
"There is no age limit on planes after 40 years. It is all conditional depending on maintenance," he said.
Talking about the company's future plans, Cordner said: "By 2012, we hope to sell seven to 10 aircraft a year, depending on suitable platforms coming out of passenger operations that we can refurbish to VIP specifications."
By Bindu Rai
Source:zawya.com/
Region-wide | Information Technology
News | Profile | Officers
is in early talks with Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways to provide a fleet of six Avro Business Jets (ABJ) for Qatar Executive, the airline's VIP corporate charter operation.
Steward Cordner, Vice-President of ABJ, which debuted at this year's Dubai Airshow, confirmed it to Emirates Business.
"We have spoken to people at Qatar Executive, but it is still too early to confirm anything," he said.
Headquartered in the United Kingdom, ABJ uses pre-owned passenger planes that are refurbished to meet VIP standards, with a starting list price of approximately $12 million (Dh44m).
Cordner said: "We approached Qatar Executive with a cost-effective solution for their regional flights. With only one out of 10 charter flights being long-haul, and the rest regional, why should the airline spend $40m to $50m on a new plane for short distances?
"An ABJ aircraft is reliable, has the wow factor to impress VIPs and, more importantly, is only a third of the price of what you would pay to any other manufacturer."
Talking about the timeframe of the partnership, Cordner said such deals take time to cement, and should it come through, ABJ would be able to provide Qatar Executive with a fleet of six in "a couple of years".
When contacted by the newspaper, Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways declined to comment. The Doha-based executive airline was launched earlier this year at the Le Bourget Paris Airshow. The current fleet comprises two new 11-seater Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft, along with an eight-seater Bombardier Challenger 300.
"We have also spoken with representatives at Pakistan International Airlines during the Dubai Airshow and pitched the idea to team up with them for a future executive charter fleet. We see Asia as a potential market in the next few years," said Cordner.
Currently in the Middle East, BAE SystemsBAE SystemsBAE Systems
Region-wide | Information Technology
News | Profile | Officers
has delivered ABJs to the Dubai Air WingDubai Air Wing, the Presidential Flight of Abu Dhabi, the Bahrain Defence Force, as well as Kuwaiti First Trading and Construction.
ABJ's expansion into the region has come at a crucial time with last year's economic downturn crippling the global aviation industry. However, Cordner stated last year's economic downturn has had a positive impact on the company's business.
He said: "Our sales have lifted in the last year. In a bullish environment, if financing was not an issue, we would be having a slightly tougher time because people can afford to spend more.
"However, as financing is tight and people can afford a $12m plane, the feedback at the Dubai Airshow has been great."
He said the company has recorded a 100 per cent growth in the past two years, with nine aircraft having been converted from passenger to VIP. Each refurbishment takes approximately nine months.
Cordner said the company's aircraft is good to operate for 65,000 cycles, with the average age of fleet resting at 20,000 cycles.
"There is no age limit on planes after 40 years. It is all conditional depending on maintenance," he said.
Talking about the company's future plans, Cordner said: "By 2012, we hope to sell seven to 10 aircraft a year, depending on suitable platforms coming out of passenger operations that we can refurbish to VIP specifications."
By Bindu Rai
Source:zawya.com/
Qatar Airways, Air-India set to boost ties
National carriers Air-India and Qatar Airways are set to boost their ties following a high-level agreement reached between India and Qatar here recently.
“Obviously, there will be an increase in capacity in the sector, which is now serviced by Qatar Airways and Air-India. At least one more Indian destination is on the cards for a direct service from and to Doha. There will be many more,” Indian Ambassador Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa said.
The high-level Indian delegation which visited Doha last week comprised the country’s civil aviation secretary Madhavan Nambiar and Air-India chairman and managing director Arvind Jadhav.
They had met senior Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority and Qatar Airways officials.
Thousands of Indians living in the country and Qataris who visit India often will benefit from the two national carriers strengthening their ties.
She said the two countries had also agreed to co-operate on tourism. “There is a huge potential for boosting bilateral tourism,” Wadhwa said.
Source:gulf-times.com/
“Obviously, there will be an increase in capacity in the sector, which is now serviced by Qatar Airways and Air-India. At least one more Indian destination is on the cards for a direct service from and to Doha. There will be many more,” Indian Ambassador Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa said.
The high-level Indian delegation which visited Doha last week comprised the country’s civil aviation secretary Madhavan Nambiar and Air-India chairman and managing director Arvind Jadhav.
They had met senior Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority and Qatar Airways officials.
Thousands of Indians living in the country and Qataris who visit India often will benefit from the two national carriers strengthening their ties.
She said the two countries had also agreed to co-operate on tourism. “There is a huge potential for boosting bilateral tourism,” Wadhwa said.
Source:gulf-times.com/
atar Airways celebrates new route to India
Qatar Airways is strengthening its air links between the State of Qatar and cities across India with two new routes launched over the past few weeks.
Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said India remained, and will continue to be, a key market for Qatar Airways as part of the airline’s long-term commitment to one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Speaking in the northern Indian city of Jalandhar to celebrate the recent launch of flights to nearby Amritsar, Al Baker said India was the largest single market served by the airline.
Qatar Airways’ maiden flight to the northern Indian state of Punjab landed in the holy city of Amritsar on October 12. Two weeks later, the airline launched scheduled flights to Goa, heralding the arrival of Qatar Airways as the only full-service scheduled global carrier to both destinations.
With Amritsar and Goa both served four-times-a-week from the airline’s Doha hub, Qatar Airways has increased capacity to India to 64 flights a week spread across 10 cities. These include daily non-stop flights between Doha and Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Trivandrum, Cochin and Kozhikode.
"With 10 cities now served across India, Qatar Airways has built up a formidable network in this wonderful country," said Al Baker, addressing media at a packed press conference in Jalandhar.
"Qatar and India share a very special relationship and friendship, and we applaud the local authorities for developing air links to this country over the years and help spread our award-winning Five Star service to more points. This has helped Qatar Airways facilitate trade and business between the two countries and beyond, as well as providing a vital air bridge connecting friends and family between India and rest of the world.
"Our new Amritsar flights will greatly help commerce and industry in the city and the neighbouring business capitals of Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Chandigarh for the export of textiles, sports goods and food, manufactured and produced in Punjab, to the Middle East and beyond."
Qatar Airways celebrateed the Amritsar flights with an outdoor gala dinner held at Bath Castle in Jalandhar.
Home to the Golden Temple – the holy place of worship for Sikhs – Al Baker explained that the Amritsar route would cater for the well travelled Punjabi community worldwide.
He said: "Punjabis have firmly established their home and work in cities across the world, yet have had very limited air access to Punjab for many years with the main option being to fly into Delhi and travel by road or train for the long journey to this part of north India.
"We are delighted to offer this new flight and make it more convenient and accessible for the travelling public."
Source:theasiannews.co.uk/
Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said India remained, and will continue to be, a key market for Qatar Airways as part of the airline’s long-term commitment to one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Speaking in the northern Indian city of Jalandhar to celebrate the recent launch of flights to nearby Amritsar, Al Baker said India was the largest single market served by the airline.
Qatar Airways’ maiden flight to the northern Indian state of Punjab landed in the holy city of Amritsar on October 12. Two weeks later, the airline launched scheduled flights to Goa, heralding the arrival of Qatar Airways as the only full-service scheduled global carrier to both destinations.
With Amritsar and Goa both served four-times-a-week from the airline’s Doha hub, Qatar Airways has increased capacity to India to 64 flights a week spread across 10 cities. These include daily non-stop flights between Doha and Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Trivandrum, Cochin and Kozhikode.
"With 10 cities now served across India, Qatar Airways has built up a formidable network in this wonderful country," said Al Baker, addressing media at a packed press conference in Jalandhar.
"Qatar and India share a very special relationship and friendship, and we applaud the local authorities for developing air links to this country over the years and help spread our award-winning Five Star service to more points. This has helped Qatar Airways facilitate trade and business between the two countries and beyond, as well as providing a vital air bridge connecting friends and family between India and rest of the world.
"Our new Amritsar flights will greatly help commerce and industry in the city and the neighbouring business capitals of Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Chandigarh for the export of textiles, sports goods and food, manufactured and produced in Punjab, to the Middle East and beyond."
Qatar Airways celebrateed the Amritsar flights with an outdoor gala dinner held at Bath Castle in Jalandhar.
Home to the Golden Temple – the holy place of worship for Sikhs – Al Baker explained that the Amritsar route would cater for the well travelled Punjabi community worldwide.
He said: "Punjabis have firmly established their home and work in cities across the world, yet have had very limited air access to Punjab for many years with the main option being to fly into Delhi and travel by road or train for the long journey to this part of north India.
"We are delighted to offer this new flight and make it more convenient and accessible for the travelling public."
Source:theasiannews.co.uk/
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