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NEWS & UPDATES

QatarEnergy announced Monday the awarding of a major Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (EPCI) Contract for the offshore scope of its North Field Expansion Project to McDermott Middle East Inc.

The scope for the awarded contract includes 13 normally unmanned wellhead platforms topsides (eight for NFE and five for NFS), in addition to various connecting pipelines and the shore approaches for the NFE pipelines, beach valve stations and buildings.

The expansion project will increase the State of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity from 77 million tons per annum (MTPA) to 126 MTPA, through the North Field East (NFE) and North Field South (NFS) expansion projects, with first LNG expected in 2025.

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The Ministry of Interior in Qatar has announced the extension of the grace period for those who are violating the provisions of Law No. (21) 2015 regulating the entry and exit of expatriates and their residence, to correct their legal status inside the country. This will allow expats more time to renew their visas, or get a new work visa.

The grace period has been extended to March 31, 2022. Previously it was to end on December 31, 2021.

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The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) in Qatar has issued a circular regarding refraining from trading goods bearing logos and symbols that are non-compliant with Islamic values, customs, and traditions, after it recently noticed that some shops and major shopping malls have been displaying, selling and promoting products bearing logos, colours, and designs that violate rules.

The circular comes within the framework of the Ministry’s efforts to control markets and ensure that suppliers, traders, and shopkeepers in Qatar abide by their obligations in the field of protecting consumer rights, preserving Islamic values and respecting the customs, traditions, and cultural heritage of the country.

The Ministry stressed that it is working in coordination with the concerned authorities to take the necessary measures to prevent the trade of products that violate basic consumer rights. The Ministry also assured that it will not tolerate any negligence in terms of meeting obligations stipulated by Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection, and its implementing regulations, and that it will intensify its inspection campaigns to crack down on violations.

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The Cabinet in Qatar has approved a draft resolution allowing non-Qatari share ownership of some local Qatari banks.

In addition a new authority concerned with regulating and developing the real estate sector will be established.

Under the draft resolution, a non-Qatari investor may own up to 100 percent of the capital of the following banks:

1. Qatar National Bank (QNB)
2. Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB)
3. Masraf Al Rayan
4. Commercial Bank

The Cabinet also listened to a presentation by HE the Minister of Municipality on the strategy for the development of the real estate sector. His Excellency addressed the assessment of the main challenges in the real estate sector and ways to face these challenges by preparing a strategy that consists of programs and initiatives, including improving the governance of the sector, enhancing the availability of real estate data, and stimulating real estate investment.

Also, His Excellency referred to the committee's recommendations, including the establishment of a new authority for the development of the real estate sector, the development of a digital platform that collects and disseminates real estate data and statistics on the Qatari real estate market, and the formulation of policies in coordination with the Qatar Central Bank to support real estate financing for individuals.

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Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) and Alfardan Automotive, a subsidiary of one of the leading local and regional conglomerates, Alfardan Group, announced the signing of a strategic collaboration agreement to establish a regional logistical hub for different vehicles, means of transport, and spare parts among many others at the Qatar Free Zones.

Alfardan Automotive’s regional centre will be located in the mobility industries cluster in Umm Al Houl Free Zone, located near Hamad Port – a greenfield mega port – enhancing trade through the port and increasing the volume of goods passing through it. The centre will cover an area of more than 67,000sqm and will utilise the latest logistics systems and processes to import vehicles, heavy equipment, motorcycles, and spare parts to meet markets demand, as well as develop human capital.

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The new data center building hosts Microsoft Cloud data center offering cloud services to customers in Qatar, the region, and the world. The new data center building will further contribute to the acceleration of Qatar’s digital transformation agenda and support a smarter, more technologically advanced economy. The building is considered the biggest data center in Qatar.

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The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in Qatar has provided a mobile public service office in front of the Mall of Qatar (West Gate No. 2) to provide the Ministry's services of documenting and authenticating documents as well as real estate registration services to the public. The service will run in consideration to the circumstances and needs of citizens who need to complete transactions in a timely manner.

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The Qatar Supreme Judiciary Council (SJC) has announced that the number of online services provided by SJC for individuals and litigants via the smart courts portal has reached 42 online services, which are accessed via the account of National Authentication System (Tawtheeq).

Among the main services are registration services including civil lawsuits and family, post-judgement request services including an appeal report on criminal lawsuit and other services.

Other online services are query services that include searching for a case number, inquiring about judgements and inquiring about lawyers, judge assistants, hearing schedules and other services.

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The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) in Qatar, in cooperation with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), started organising training workshops on the essential measures to protect consumers and combat commercial fraud during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

MoCI is keen to raise the efficiency of judicial control officers, develop their capabilities, and provide them with new methods and means to distinguish between original and counterfeit goods of all forms and types.

As a consequence, the companies operating in Qatar may expect in 2022 further guidelines and regulations implemented to protect consumers.

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