HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday announced guidelines aimed at boosting Qatar’s tourism industry with the wider participation of the private sector.
At a meeting with businesspersons, the Prime Minister issued directives to conduct a comprehensive review of Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 with the participation of the private sector, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reoprted.
In this regard, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) had held a meeting with representatives of the private sector and recommended steps for the promotion of tourism in Qatar. The meeting also discussed a draft regulation for the tourism law, which is expected to incorporate the private sector’s observations. Besides, QTA is scheduled to discuss with entrepreneurs proposals, which include the provision of land to set up resorts, marine resources and theme parks.
HE Sheikh Abdullah agreed to grant four- and five-star hotels the right to issue tourist visas and also directed the authorities concerned to respond to hotels’ requests for work visas in order to fulfil their staff requirements.
He also asked for setting clear criteria for the classification of hotels in conformity with international standards and giving hotels sufficient time to be repositioned.
The Prime Minister noted that passengers travelling on foreign airlines would be granted tourist and transit visas based on the “principle of reciprocity with Qatar Airways”.
Sheikh Abdullah held yesterday’s expanded meeting with representatives of the private sector and businesspersons in the presence of ministers as well as representatives of the government sector in the Committee for Promoting Business and Investment Environment.
He reviewed the steps taken by the authorities based on the committee’s recommendations and underlined the government’s keenness to find the necessary solutions to enhance the business and investment environment in the country, keeping in mind the interests of the State as well as the private sector, QNA said.
The Prime Minister announced that The Pearl-Qatar and Lusail projects would be exempted from the procedures of issuing licences.
“Their managements will be provided with the authority to grant special licences in the fields of construction, completion of construction, electricity and civil defence for real estate developers.”
In this context, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) - along with the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), Civil Defence and other relevant agencies - have been directed to finalise an agreement with the managements of the two projects.
Under this, the managements will assume full responsibility before the State in case of a breach - by the developing companies - of the standards and conditions stipulated in the agreement and the approved urban plan.
The Prime Minister also directed the MME to define specific periods to decide on building permit applications, including preliminary and final licences and building completion certificates.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdullah said the Ministry of Energy and Industry was working on the implementation of a single-window scheme for the issuance of licences for all private industrial projects. It will also announce the required standards and measures for the issuance of industrial licences so as to facilitate the procedures within a specified and clear time-frame.
A committee to develop an appropriate land pricing mechanism in industrial and logistics areas will be formed, the Prime Minister said, while also directing the Ministry of Transport and Communications to study a project aimed at establishing free zones according to the latest international standards.
“This will have a vital role in promoting economic diversification and attracting local and foreign investments.”
In this regard, he noted that a number of plots are being developed for the construction of schools and hospitals by the private sector.
HIGHLIGHTS
*Review of National Tourism Strategy 2030 ordered
*Draft tourism regulation discussed with private sector
*Four- and five-star hotels to issue tourist visas
*Foreign airlines to be granted tourist/transit visas on reciprocal basis
*Pearl-Qatar, Lusail projects to be exempted from licensing procedures
*Ministry of Energy and Industry implementing single-window scheme
© Gulf Times 2017
