Day: November 9, 2023

Categories
Market

Qatar’s Producer Price Index Rises 5.42% in September

Doha, – Qatar’s Producer Price Index (PPI) for September 2023 recorded 119.66 points, an increase of 5.42% when compared to the PPI of previous month (August 2023). On Y-o-Y basis, the PPI of September 2023 showed a decrease of 27.04% when compared to the PPI of September 2022.

The PPI include four main industry sectors: Mining (weight: 82.46%), Manufacturing (weight: 15.85%), Electricity (weight: 1.15%), and Water (weight: 0.52%).

According to data issued Thursday by the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA), the PPI of September 2023 for the Mining and Quarrying showed an increase of 5.55% when compared with PPI of August 2023, primarily due to the price increase on “Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas” by 5.55%, while no change noticed in “Other Mining and Quarrying”.

When compared with its counterpart in previous year (September 2022), PPI of Mining of September 2023 showed a decrease of 29.79%, due to the price decrease on “Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas” by 29.82%, with a relatively stability at 0.02% for “Other Mining and Quarrying”.

In Manufacturing, an increase of 5.40% has been recorded in September 2023, when compared with the previous months Manufacturing index (August 2023). The prices increase is seen in: “Chemicals and Chemical Products” by 7.20%, “Refined Petroleum Products” by 5.80%, followed by “Food Products” by 4.55%, “Basic Metals” by 4.12%, and “Beverages” by 0.14%. The decreasing prices are noticed in “Rubber and Plastics Products” by 2.98%, and “Cement & Other Non-Metallic Mineral Products” by 0.53%. No change noticed in “Printing and Reproduction of Recorded Media” in September 2023.

Comparing with the index of counterpart in the previous year (September 2022), Manufacturing PPI of September 2023 showed a decrease of 10.23%. The major groups which explain this price decrease are: “Basic Metals” by 16.38%, followed by “Chemicals and Chemical Products” by 14.64%, and “Refined Petroleum Products” by 1.48%. However, the increasing prices are noticed in “Food Products” by 7.47%, “Beverages” by 3.41%, “Rubber and Plastics Products” by 2.59%, and “Cement & Other Non-Metallic Mineral Products” by 2.10%. No change noticed in “Printing and Reproduction of Recorded Media”.

The PPI the Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning Supply group showed an increase of 0.16% compared to August 2023. When compared the PPI of September 2023, to the PPI of September 2022, it showed an increase of 1.17%.

With regard to Water supply, the PPI of this group showed a decrease of 1.27% compared to August 2023. When compared the PPI of September 2023, to the PPI of September 2022, it showed an increase of 15.79%.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Categories
Athletic

HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad opens first Gulf Healthcare and Sport Congress

Manama, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, General Sports Authority (GSA) Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) President, has affirmed that Bahrain will continue hosting mega events that shed light on the wide-ranging achievements attained by the kingdom during the prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and thanks to the constant support of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

These landmark achievements cover various fields, particularly the health and sports sectors, in light of the major role played by His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, HH Shaikh Khalid said.

HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad made the statements while opening the first Gulf Healthcare and Sport Congress (GHSC),

Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Health (SCH) President, Dr. Jaleela bint Al Sayed Jawad, Health Minister, Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Education Minister and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Bahrain (UoB), Dr. Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar, GSA Chief Executive Officer, Fares Al Kooheji, BOC Secretary-General, Dr. Fuad Al Ansari, UoB President, and a number of officials were present.

The two-day event is organised by UoB, in collaboration with EducationPlus, with the participation of medical and sports staff, as well as students from various higher education institutions in Bahrain.

His Highness said that the medical and sports sectors are making steadfast strides towards more progress in light of the scientific and academic events held recently, which contributes to achieving the forecast goals, given the fact that such conferences are consistent with the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 aiming to make Bahrain hub for mega events.

HH Shaikh Khalid lauded the themes covered by the first GHSC, including comprehensive health coverage and use of artificial intelligence in the health and sports sectors, wishing the participants every success.

The education minister addressed the opening session of the first GHSC, expressing sincere thanks and gratitude to HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad for patronising and attending the GHSC. He highlighted HH Shaikh Khalid’s dedicated efforts to support the comprehensive development process, led by HM the King and supported by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

He paid tribute to HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad and HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad for their pioneering role in supporting the youth and sports movement in the kingdom, inspiring Bahraini youth to do their utmost to attain achievements at various national, continental and international sporting gatherings.

Dr. Juma asserted that holding the first GHSC in Bahrain reflects the great interest of the government, led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in developing the health and sports specialties, citing the establishment of the College of Health and Sport Sciences at the UoB.

UoB President, in his statement, said that the first GHSC embodies the visions of HM the King on hosting mega conferences to shed light on the achievements of the kingdom during HM’s prosperous era, praising the constant support of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for such scientific conferences.

He indicated that the topics of the first GHSC reflect efforts to continue developing sports in Bahrain, highlighting the numerous achievements of the sports sector in Bahrain thanks to the follow-up and support of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad and HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Categories
Government

HRH Crown Prince receives phone call from Polish Prime Minister

Riyadh, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received a phone call from Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki.

According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), they reviewed relations between the two countries and discussed ways to enhance prospects for bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Regional and international developments were also reviewed and a number of issues of common interest were discussed.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Categories
Government

Foreign Minister meets British counterpart in Riyadh

Riyadh, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met here today James Cleverly, UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, who is currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia.

The two ministers discussed the solid friendship relations and partnership between the two kingdoms, as well as ways to bolster joint cooperation across various fields, in a way that serves common interests, within the framework of their Strategic Dialogue, whose first meeting was held in London last month.

They also discussed the ongoing escalation in the Gaza Strip, in addition to the regional and international efforts being exerted to reach a ceasefire, protect civilians, release detainees and hostages, as well as deliver humanitarian and relief aid to the Palestinians in Gaza.

Opportunities to advance the peace process in the Middle East to achieve just and lasting peace in the region, in addition to regional issues of common interest, were also reviewed.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Categories
Government

Foreign Minister participates in preparatory meeting of Extraordinary Session of Arab Summit

Riyadh, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today participated in the Arab Foreign Ministers’ Preparatory Meeting for the Extraordinary Session of the Arab Summit, to be held in Riyadh on Saturday, under the chairmanship of Saudi Arabia.

The Extraordinary Session of the Arab Summit will be held based on the request of the State of Palestine and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to discuss the developments of the situation in the Gaza Strip.

The ministerial meeting was chaired by His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, the President of the current session of the Arab Summit, with the participation of Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of the Arab League.

The Arab foreign ministers discussed the agenda of the Extraordinary Session of the Arab Summit, in addition to the draft resolution on the situation in the Gaza Strip, which will be submitted to the summit for approval.

The Kingdom of Bahrain’s delegation included mainly Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal, Bahrain’s Ambassador to Egypt, and its Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Shaikh Ali bin Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Khalifa, Bahraini Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and its Representative to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and Ambassador Ahmed Al Turaifi, Chief of Arab and African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Categories
Government

Bahrain participates in International Humanitarian Conference for Civilian Population in Gaza

Paris, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Political Affairs Undersecretary at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, has reiterated the stance of the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, in support of adopting an immediate humanitarian truce that leads to the cessation of hostilities, the protection of Palestinian and Israeli civilians, and facilitating the delivery of medical aid, food, water, fuel and electricity to the residents of the Gaza Strip, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.

The undersecretary made the statements while representing the Kingdom of Bahrain at the International Humanitarian Conference for the Civilian Population in Gaza, held at the Presidential Élysée Palace in Paris.

In his speech, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa expressed his appreciation to President Emmanuel Macron of France for organising this conference within the framework of his initiatives calling for peace and the mobilisation of international humanitarian efforts, whether financial or in kind, to provide relief aid to the Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip to alleviate their suffering caused by the catastrophic humanitarian conditions they are going through.

The Political Affairs Undersecretary highlighted the efforts of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation and the Bahrain National Committee for Supporting the Palestinians in Gaza to implement HM the King’s sound directives, in light of the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the follow-up of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of HM the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs.

He indicated that the kingdom had already delivered 80 tons of medical, food, and relief materials in two shipments through the Rafah Crossing, unveiling Bahrain’s plans to build a field hospital, a residential complex and other development projects within the framework of the Gaza reconstruction process.

Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa affirmed that the Kingdom will carry on its diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, in coordination with the international community, to reach an immediate and permanent ceasefire and ensure the delivery of the necessary humanitarian and relief aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip.

This would create a safe atmosphere to revive the just and comprehensive peace process, in a way that fulfills the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state in accordance with the two-state solution and the resolutions of international legitimacy, as a strategic option to achieve security, prosperity and peaceful coexistence among the peoples of all the Middle East region, he said.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Categories
Government

Saudi Defence Minister holds talks with Greek counterpart

Riyadh, Saudi Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman received here today Greek Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, with whom he discussed bilateral relations and explored opportunities for enhancing and developing military and defence cooperation.

According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the two sides also addressed key regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the latest developments in Gaza. Prince Khalid emphasized the necessity of halting military operations, protecting civilians, allowing humanitarian aid to enter, and resuming the peace process.

Source: Bahrain News Agency