Current Qatar News

Below are a few extracts from today's Peninsula that reveal a bit of the news in Qatar and the Gulf.

Qatar to help Sudan preserve historical sites
Web posted at: 2/20/2009 2:9:27
Source ::: The Peninsula
DOHA: Qatar is set to launch initiatives to support preservation and maintenance of historical sites in Sudan.

A Qatari delegation led by Sheikh Dr Hassan bin Mohammad Bin Ali Al Thani, Deputy Chair of Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) Board of Trustees, participated in a three-day Qatari- Sudanese Cooperation Workshop for developing the monuments of Nuba in Sudan.

Sheikh Hassan said that the workshop will open new horizons to unify efforts and develop joint work between Qatar and Sudan in the field of archaeology and will achieve joint objectives. The visit aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries. Sudan has the most important and enormous archaeological heritage which is yet to be discovered as it will enrich the human heritage and connect the region’s cultures one to another. more

Qatari stocks plunge further
Web posted at: 2/20/2009 1:24:56
Source ::: THE PENINSULA
DOHA: Qatari stocks plunged further yesterday with the index of the bourse, the Doha Securities Market (DSM) shedding 66 points, or 1.33 per cent, to 4,869. The 20-share benchmark index slid below the psychological barrier of 5,000 points on Wednesday.

The index lost as much as 7.15 per cent, or a huge 375 points, over five straight trading days this week. The market remains closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

As on Wednesday, small Qatari investors were involved in heavy selling yesterday. They offloaded stocks worth QR116.79m, while the buying activity was to the tune of QR100.14m. Fears about the market not doing well over the days to come due to the global trend are eroding investor confidence, analysts said. more

Carrefour encourages reusable bags
Web posted at: 2/20/2009 2:2:35
Source ::: The Peninsula

DOHA: As a part of its continued efforts to reduce the millions of plastic bags that pollute the Qatar’s ecosystem every year, Carrefour, the region largest retailer will encourage to replace plastic bags at its checkout counters with reusable bags. Carrefour Qatar had already launched these bags in June 2007 as an alternative to plastic bags.

Carrefour, operated by Majid Al Futtaim Hypermarket, will make the “Eco bag” available in all its stores: a 31 litre reusable bag costing QR 0.50 and a 48 litre reusable bag worth QR 2.50. Both bags are recyclable and if damaged at any point, will be replaced at any Carrefour outlet free of charge for life. Carrefour will not make any profit from the sale of these bags.

The move is in line with Carrefour determination to eliminate the use of all plastic bags at its outlet. Carrefour’s use of reusable bags aims to reduce the pollution caused by plastic bags to the ecosystem. more...

Oman to build $1.8bn port at Duqm
Web posted at: 2/20/2009 23:57:8
Source ::: REUTERS
MUSCAT: Oman will build a OR692m ($1.8bn) port at Duqm as part of its economic development plan despite a global downturn and a projected drop in oil revenue, Minister of National Economy Ahmed Mekki said yesterday.

The government expects “reasonable growth” for 2009 despite the financial crunch in part because it aims to pursue all the major state-led development projects it has launched, using surplus oil revenue or state reserves, if needed, he said.

“The 2009 outlook is relatively good ... we expect a reasonable growth since we are going ahead with all major plans,” Mekki said.

Oman plans to diversify its economy away from oil income dependency, which makes up about 75 percent of national revenue, and is pursuing a number of large-scale infrastructure projects. more ...