Qatar's cabinet nod to law on volunteering in GCC
Following the meeting, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi stated the following:
The Cabinet reviewed the topics on its agenda. It approved - in principle - a draft law issuing a unified system (law) for volunteering work in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and a draft of its executive regulations. The two drafts' preparation comes within the framework of the Ministry of Social Development and Family's strategy, which aims to enhance social responsibility, spread the culture of volunteering in society, organize volunteering work, ensure its practice with freedom and choice, preserve the rights of volunteers and volunteering organizations, and define the duties of each of them.
The Cabinet also approved the draft Cabinet Decision to add a member to the Steering Committee of the Qatar Internet Exchange Point project, established by Decision No. (24) of 2018. Prepared by the Communications Regulatory Authority, this draft aims to connect financial institutions subject to the supervision of the Qatar Central Bank to the Internet Exchange Point, in a way that ensures business continuity in the financial sector and supports its vital requirements.
The Cabinet approved a draft agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) regarding the establishment and financing of a regional office for UNITAR in the State of Qatar; a draft core contribution agreement between the Qatar Fund for Development of the State of Qatar and the United Nations World Food Program for multilateral funding for the years 2025-2026; a draft letter of intent between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation in the field of mediation and facilitation; a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of Islamic jurisprudence and Islamic affairs between the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of the State of Qatar and the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; and a draft air services agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of the Republic of Nauru.
The Cabinet concluded the weekly meeting by reviewing a report on the outcomes of the participation of Qatar's delegation, headed by HE the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, in the 16th International Economic Forum "Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum' (Republic of Tatarstan - May 2025), regarding which it took the appropriate decision.
© Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
3 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Kuwait to attract $32bn investment and create 50,000 jobs under New Kuwait 2035 mega projects
Kuwait is rolling out one of its most ambitious development drives to date, with plans to attract up to KD10bn ($32.6bn) in private and foreign investment, generate annual revenues of KD1bn ($3.26bn) by 2030, and create more than 50,000 new jobs. The programme is anchored in the New Kuwait 2035 Vision and combines sweeping reforms, strategic partnerships, and mega projects in energy, transport, infrastructure, smart cities, and industrial zones. The government says the strategy will also reduce pressure on the state budget by around 30 per cent while strengthening long-term economic sustainability. Kuwait megaprojects Integrated government action — linking economic diplomacy with global partners and supported by new regulatory frameworks — is driving this transformation, which aims to boost transparency, accelerate project delivery, and diversify national income sources. A Ministerial Committee for Monitoring Agreements with China has held 22 meetings to fast-track projects and remove obstacles. Progress has already been made on the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port project, with the execution contract signed in March. Environmental cooperation includes afforestation programmes, ecosystem rehabilitation, and land reclamation. Kuwait has also elevated its historic ties with Japan to a comprehensive strategic partnership, expanding cooperation across trade, investment, renewable energy, and petrochemicals. Major power and infrastructure projects Among the largest projects under way are the second and third phases of the Al Zour North Power Plant, designed to meet rising demand for power and water. The project encourages private sector participation to cut costs, accelerate completion, and optimise resource use — reflecting the government's broader push to integrate private capital into infrastructure development. Kuwait's 2025–26 development plan, approved in March, includes 124 projects: 69 under ministries, 21 with affiliated entities, and 34 with independent institutions, making it one of the country's most ambitious pipelines. Reforms to boost investment The government has rolled out wide-ranging reforms, including: A new real estate brokerage system A smart licensing project Amendments to the Companies Law A taxation framework for multinational groups Launch of the Real Estate Developer System Kuwait has also advanced the third phase of its Capital Market Development Program, a key step toward upgrading to advanced emerging market status and boosting investor confidence. Global institutions lift outlook The World Bank projects Kuwait's economy will rebound to 2.2 per cent in 2025, driven by infrastructure projects, OPEC+ production adjustments, and non-oil sector growth. Growth is forecast to stabilise at 2.7 per cent between 2026–27. S&P Global Ratings expects continued growth supported by reforms, while EFG Hermes highlighted improved decision-making and raised its forecast for banking sector expansion starting from 2026. Leadership commitment Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah said positive economic indicators and rising foreign investment confirm the government's determination to deliver on its development goals. He stressed that the progress reflects the vision of the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, adding that the reforms and mega projects will reinforce Kuwait's position as a regional investment hub.
The National
6 hours ago
- The National
Israel pledges to conquer Gaza with or without Hamas truce deal
Israel has said it will conquer Gaza regardless of any ceasefire agreement with Hamas, as it increased its new offensive in the strip. At least 11 Palestinians were killed in Israeli bombings in Gaza city, local media said. The Israeli army told doctors to prepare for a "full evacuation" as it aims to seize the city and force its residents south. The Israeli war plan "requires you to prepare a plan to transfer the medical equipment from north to south, so that you will be able to provide treatment for all the patients in the southern strip", an Israeli army officer told medical officials in Gaza. Arab countries have repeatedly warned against Palestinians being displaced. Saudi Arabia was leading Arab diplomatic efforts on Thursday as it condemned "dangerous Israeli plans" to expand the war and build new settlements on Palestinian land. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in the kingdom's Neom region. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held phone calls a day earlier with foreign ministers from Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE. Qatar and Egypt have proposed a 60-day truce and the release of some Israeli hostages. Hamas said it could accept the terms, while Israel has not formally responded but given every indication it plans to proceed with the war. Israel says it has taken first steps of military operation in Gaza city Asked by Sky News Australia whether Israel would retake Gaza even if Hamas accepted a deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it would. "We're going to do that anyway. There was never a question that we're not going to leave Hamas there," he said. Late on Thursday he said Israel was ready for "immediate negotiations" to end the war in Gaza. It was not known if his comments amount to a shift in Israel's position or are just rhetoric about ramping up pressure on Hamas. Mr Netanyahu said he had met troops to "approve the plans" for the capture of Gaza city. "At the same time, I have instructed to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and the end of the war on terms acceptable to Israel," he said. "These two things – defeating Hamas and releasing all our hostages – go hand in hand." Authorities in Gaza said the war's death toll reached 62,192 on Thursday, with two more people pronounced dead from malnutrition. Palestinian news agency Wafa said 11 people were killed in two separate air strikes in the Al Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza city. Israel has resisted pleas from the Arab world and beyond to call off a campaign that has left many Gazans starving in desperate conditions. A report by British, Israeli and Palestinian news outlets claimed that 83 per cent of Palestinians killed during the Gaza war were civilians, quoting Israel's own intelligence database. The Israeli army denied the claims by Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine, the Hebrew-language outlet Local Call, and The Guardian. 'That proportion of civilians among those killed would be unusually high, particularly as it has been going on for such a long time,' said Therese Pettersson from the Uppsala Conflict Data Programme, which tracks civilian casualties worldwide. 'Pressure cooker' tactics Two former Israeli officials told The National that Mr Netanyahu's new war plan appeared designed to push Gazans out for good. Israel wants to "create a pressure cooker there and wait for it to explode, and for people to cross the border to Sinai and do the ethnic cleansing of Gaza', said former hostage negotiator Gershon Baskin. Eran Etzion, a former head of Israel's National Security Council, said Mr Netanyahu "is not interested in a deal … because he is fully committed to an overarching strategy of annihilation of the two-state solution, first in Gaza then the West Bank". A planning committee signed off on Wednesday on the construction of 3,400 homes in a wedge of land east of Jerusalem known as E1. One far-right Israeli minister has said the new settlements would "bury" Palestinian statehood. A group of 21 mainly European countries said on Thursday that the move "brings no benefits to the Israeli people". "Instead, it risks undermining security and fuels further violence and instability, taking us further away from peace," said the countries, including Britain and France. The UK separately announced it had summoned Israel's ambassador Tzipi Hotovely over the plan.
The National
8 hours ago
- The National
Lebanon needs IMF for fiscal 'discipline' rather than $3bn loan, Carlos Ghosn says
Fugitive car tycoon Carlos Ghosn has said Lebanon needs the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure fiscal discipline rather than to lend money, which can be easily sourced from Lebanese diaspora to fund rebuilding efforts. The IMF's $3 billion programme by itself will not save Lebanon but it would help restore investors' confidence in the economy, Mr Ghosn said in an exclusive interview with CNN Business Arabic. 'We are going to the IMF to organise us [the Lebanese], not because of the $3 billion,' he said in Beirut. 'The $3 billion you can easily collect from the Lebanese living abroad … Why? because it is good business, not because of sentiment. Everything is so cheap in Lebanon,' he said referring to land, companies and asset prices. If investors were confident in the government's rebuilding efforts, they would buy assets now and sell them later for a bigger profit, he added. Lebanon has been grappling with deep financial crises, as successive governments' unrestrained borrowing sent the economy into a tailspin in 2019. Lebanon's economy, which plunged into the worst crisis in its history after the Covid-19 pandemic, suffered another blow after Israel bombed the country heavily during its fight against Hezbollah. The bombing campaign has severely damaged critical infrastructure and devastated residential neighbourhoods in several areas of the country. In April 2022, Lebanon reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF on a comprehensive economic reform programme supported by a 46-month extended fund facility, proposing access to about $3 billion. However, Lebanese authorities have been accused of dragging their feet on the required reforms. Lebanon's new government is committed to implementing vital reforms to lift the country out of its economic crisis, but such changes could take time, Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Bisat told The National in April. Mr Ghosn was speaking about Lebanon's economy during an interview in Beirut, where he has lived in exile for the last six years since his dramatic escape from Japan. The former Nissan chief executive, who is wanted by France and Japan over financial misconduct claims, last year said he remains 'blocked in Lebanon' due to an Interpol red notice issued after he fled Tokyo in a musical equipment case. Mr Ghosn has Lebanese, French and Brazilian nationality, and Lebanon does not extradite its citizens. 'Theft' not reform The former auto executive urged the private sector in Lebanon to help run government-owned projects, but stopped short of calling for the privatisation of state assets. 'I'm not talking about privatisation, because today prices are so cheap … If you privatised [projects] in Lebanon today it would be theft, you'd be robbing the government and the Lebanese people,' he said. Private companies should manage these projects, while the state continues to own them without interfering with their work, Mr Ghosn said. This will boost the quality of these entities and increase their value and profitability. 'This alone will help the country stand back up,' he said. Despite a $93 billion deposit hole in Lebanese banks since 2019, Mr Ghosn is cautiously optimistic about the banking system. 'Deposits will come back, but it will take a long time,' he said. Lebanese banks imposed arbitrary restrictions on their clients in 2019 after the state failed to honour its bond commitments and the economy went into a tailspin. Customers have been waiting to access their life savings, which have been stuck in banks for the past six years. Chinese EVs to dominate In the wide-ranging interview, the motors tycoon turned his trademark candour on China's automotive dominance, Nissan's decline, AI disruption and cryptocurrencies versus banks. Mr Ghosn traced China's rise back to 2006–2007, when Beijing turned the auto-making industry into a strategic national priority. 'It was clear that the Chinese will be a very important factor in the industry,' he said. 'Legacy players mocked Chinese cars back then. Today, BYD's market cap dwarfs Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi.' The rapid rise to supremacy of China's electric vehicles is enabling Beijing to wage a successful economic contest with the US, analysts have said. China's BYD is locked in a supercharged competition in the electric vehicle market with Tesla Motors. China has transformed from 10 to 20 years ago and is now competing with US, German and Japanese car makers, Mr Ghosn said. 'The Chinese will become a major part in the car manufacturing industry from now and into the next 10 years, especially in EVs,' he said. Toyota, Mercedes and BMW are among the rivals who will endure and will face Chinese competition, he added. 'Companies who fear [competition] and hide in their own markets and ask the state to protect them and put tariffs, will disappear,' he said. 'It might take a year, two or three, but they will vanish.' The former Nissan executive highlighted the Japanese company's early EV lead with the Leaf model, which debuted in 2009, and Renault's Zoe model, which entered the market in 2012. 'Five per cent is strategy, 95 per cent is execution. Nissan lost because of poor management after I left,' Mr Ghosn said. Nissan's stock now trades at less than $2, compared to $15 during his tenure, even during global recessions, he said. He slammed current executives for 'empty promises and TV appearances', saying trust and vision are the only levers to restore market value.
