Daily Archives: September 3, 2012
Energy and Industry Minister Honours Safety Contest Winners
Doha, September 03 (QNA) – HE the Minister of Energy and Industry, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors and Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum (QP) Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada honored seven companies that participated in the second contest of safety excellence and innovation for oil and gas operations in the State of Qatar. Following the awards distribution ceremony, HE the minister toured the exhibition associated with ceremony, which was held on Sunday with the participation of several companies operating in the oil and gas sector where he was briefed about the Safety Programs.
Addressing the opening ceremony, HE the Minister praised the winning presentations of the participating companies, noting that the most important feature of these programs is the follow-up and the high level managements’ direct overseeing of the innovation and safety operations, which contributes to achieving advanced and successful programs in the field of safety.
He stressed the importance of managing abundant hydrocarbon resources in the state with great responsibility, so as to preserve them for future generations, emphasizing the important role of the vision of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, which made Qatar vibrant and prosperous, and realizing economic justice and social development for all.
Dr. Al Sada noted that the awards would stimulate and encourage creativity and continuous improvement of safety and innovation in the industry. (QNA)
Qatar Charity Opens Centre for Mali’s Displaced Children
Doha, September 03 (QNA) – As part of implementing its initiative in the field of education, Qatar Charity (QC) has opened a centre to accommodate children who have left school and fled with their families in south of Mali. The Executive Director of International Operations at Qatar Charity (QC) Mohammed Mubarak Al-Adsani said that the initiative aims to help alleviate the suffering of parents and children there and for the success of the 2011-2012 school year through helping those children to pursue their studies with the rest of the students in the stable areas in Mali.
He added that Qatar Charity opened in June a centre to accommodate displaced children and assist them to catch their missed lessons and continue studying for a period of 4 months inside the centre.
The opening ceremony of the centre was attended by the Malian Minister of Education Mahmoud Coulibaly and Aaron Kanti, the Mayor of Sangarebogo where the Center is located.
Qatar Charity has allocated, at the beginning of the crisis in Mali, an amount of QRS 600,000 as a first stage for the relief of Malian refugees in Niger, Mauritania and Burkina Faso. (QNA)
Diplomatic Institute, Georgetown University in Qatar Sign MoU
Doha, September 03 (QNA) – Director of the Diplomatic Institute at the Foreign Ministry Dr. Hassan Ibrahim Khamees Al Muhanadi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Q), which was represented by its Dean Gerd Nonneman. The agreement seeks to improve abilities of the institute’s trainees and develop national cadres by implemeting training courses, as well as to enhance cooperation on scientific research and the exchange of professional experiences.
Al Muhanadi said today that the agreement is pursuant to the directives of HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani and HE the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah to develop national cadres. The Director of the Diplomatic Institute expressed his thrill at announcing the agreement, adding that it was a step on the way.
Dean Nonneman said the MoU was relating to cooperation in the fields of training and the exchange of information, highlighting its importance as it is the beginning of a bigger cooperation between the two institutions. (QNA)
Tobacco Control Unit Holds Meeting with Volunteers
Doha, September 03 (QNA) – The Tobacco Control Unit at the Non-Communicable Diseases Section of the Public Health Department at the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) held a special meeting with the unit’s volunteers to provide adequate visibility for the modified items of the Law No 20 of 2002 on the control of tobacco. The meeting focused on how to apply the law and deal with the expected reactions of the audience because of increasing the fines and doubling the penalties of smoking which is considered a serious pest to the community.
Topics related to the amended law were also discussed during the meeting with the volunteers who work very hard.
The meeting came within the framework of the awareness campaign related to the amended items in the Law No 20 of 2002 on the control of tobacco organized by the Tobacco Control Unit of the Public Health Department to educate the public and different sectors of the society on the amended items which applied by health inspectors.
The meeting was attended by HE the Director of Public Health Department at the SCH Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani and Head of the Non-Communicable Diseases department Dr. Kholoud Al Mutawa in addition to the working group of the tobacco control unit. (QNA)
Banking Experts to Attend Innovation Summit in Dubai to Discover the Future of Banking Technology
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES–(Marketwire/AsiaNet Pakistan – September 3, 2012) – Expotrade, the global conference and event organizer, announces, Cutting-edge technology will be the focus of the Middle East Banking Innovation Summit on 1-2 October 2012, where over 200 banking and finance professionals will convene in Dubai in an effort to transform the future of banking in the Middle East.
CEO’s, CIO’s, VP’s and senior experts from over 100 banks have already confirmed their attendance at the conference which is shaping up to be one the year’s most influential industry events. Sheikh Dr. Hussein Hamed Hassan of the Dar Al Sharia and Islamic Bank will be a key speaker on banking innovation and software giant SAP is the event’s Platinum Sponsor. Delegates will get an invaluable insight into customer centric banking technology from the impressive line-up of speakers, including Ashraf Shoukry of Ajman Bank, Hafid Oubrik of the Arab Monetary Fund and Srood Sherif of the National Bank of Abu Dhabi.
Mobile technology, social networking and cloud computing are now being incorporated into banking products to provide customers with a more convenient service, while actively reducing the cost to banks. Computer-savvy customers are now expecting immediate responses to their requests, although only 17 per cent of Middle Eastern banks currently have tablet services and 25 per cent have mobile apps compared to over 60 per cent of banks in Asia, according to research by Celent. Over the next 2-3 years the MENA Islamic banking industry is expected to at least double in size to US$990bn, making it one of the world’s fastest growing markets.
Those attending the Summit, organised in strategic partnership with Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone, will discover the next frontier in smart banking at the ‘Innovation Lounge’, where leading solution providers including Intertech, IBM and Capgemini will be showcasing the most advanced banking technology on the market. Mohammad Ismail from digital security heavyweight Gemalto says that they are one of the event sponsors who will provide banks with the opportunity to offer their customers cutting-edge technology. “We have new and exciting card designs, next generation dual interface contactless cards and mobile payments. In addition we will exhibit out different services such as payment and public transport passes.”
Middle Eastern banks want solutions to boost innovation and support financial growth in order to create a competitive edge on an international scale. Creating synergy between IT and operations to ensure sustainability will be a key driver in the future success of the financial services sector. Delegates and officials at the Summit will be looking to define these strategies and learn valuable lessons from some of the most experienced leaders in Islamic banking, and network with event sponsors including Trend Micro, InfoWatch, VoiceTrust and Aimia. Other participants include Misys, Datacard Group, Vision Solutions and Double-Take, SAB, Soft Flow, Gemalto, Ramco, BankersLab, Infotech Systems, IYCON, ACT, Ceitcon, KeyBS, Key Information Technology, OLYMPIC Banking System, Virtech, Granteq, ePillars & Talisma.
For more info contact:
Charlene Corrin
Expotrade Global
Tel: +613-95450360
Australia pr@expotrade.net.au
Maradona named Honorary Ambassador of Sports in Dubai
Dubai: Diego Maradona, the football legend has now become the “Honorary Ambassador of Sports in Dubai”.
On this occasion, an official contract was signed today, Sunday, September 2nd 2012, between Dubai Sports Council and the famous Argentinian star. This contract reflects the good relationship between Dubai city and the legendary Maradona, as well as the desire of both parties to unify their mutual efforts, in a determined framework, to develop and promote sports in Dubai as a lifestyle choice.
The contract was signed between both parties at a press conference at the world famous Armani Hotel in Dubai, which is situated next to the iconic Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. The press conference was attended by a number of athletic figures in the country and many local and international media representatives keen on following the news of Maradona.
The contract was signed by Dr. Ahmad Al-Sharif, the Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, and Diego Maradona who will immediately start his work as an Honorary Ambassador of Sports in Dubai, whereby he will leverage his experiences to develop the game of football in Dubai, participate in national and international conferences in the Emirate and also highlight ideas to continue improvement of the sports landscape in Dubai, as per the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council. These plans will be carried out by the Dubai Sports Council, the official government entity responsible for the management and development of the sports sector in Dubai.
At the beginning of the press conference, the attendants congratulated His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai for the individual gold medal won at the World Endurance Championships and for leading the UAE team to a third win at the World Endurance Championships, an achievement that confirms the strong position of His Highness and his UAE team riders on the international level and the keenness of His Highness to support the improvement of sports in all manners.
Dr. Ahmad Al-Sharif confirmed that the Dubai Sports Council was keen on leveraging the name and affinity for Maradona in Dubai and internationally, for him to play a positive role in driving greater participation in sports here in Dubai and also to continue bringing more world-class sporting events to Dubai.
He said, “There is no doubt that Maradona is a successful example of what sports can do to a talented individual if he shows dedication, keeps developing his talent and represents his country with honuor. With such an international position and great talent, he can do more than anyone else can do: he can reach the new generation of talented athletes and motivate them to shine and achieve greater success”.
He added, “Maradona’s accomplishments have inspired the world. We trust that, through his work as a sports Ambassador, will contribute to inspiring the new generation of talented players to pursue the path of training, and persevere to reach the highest social and athletic levels possible.” The Argentinian star, Diego Maradona, expressed his happiness towards taking on this task which enables him to stay in Dubai which is the city he has come to love. He said that his wish is to support the great efforts already exerted and to be a part of the greater efforts that will be exerted in the coming period, to develop sports in Dubai, in line with the instructions of the leadership in the UAE to continue driving the culture of sports in the local communities to be able to create future champions that will excel on the international level.
Maradona asserted that he would be starting work in his new capacity as Honorary Ambassador of Sports in Dubai immediately, and that he would exert every bit of effort to succeed in this new mission. He also said he would dedicate his time and leverage all his experiences and international relations in the world of sports to succeed in this task, which he deems an opportunity to express his love for the people of UAE, who are passionate sports fans and to support Their Highnesses on making Dubai a strong sporting destination.
He said: “Dubai Sports Council and I have discussed a few ideas regarding what should be done in the coming period in the field of sports to discover new talents in the coming generation of local athletes. This was the greatest incentive for me to accept this mission”. He added, “Hosting successful global sporting events in has put Dubai on the global sports map, and I trust that this will help to encourage more home-grown stars to come out challenge the rest of the world.”
