Spice Market at the W Doha Hotel & Residences emerges as the Best Restaurant of the year in Doha, making it the hotel’s third win under the same category at the 2016 BBC Good Food Middle East Awards held on November 7^th.On the seventh edition, over 70,000 votes have been casted for 468 restaurants nominated across 31 categories, making it one of the most competitive installment and hardest earned award of this prestigious event. 

The BBC Good Food Middle East Awards 2016 is designed to recognize its readers’ opinions about the best in the region considering factors such as food, location, ambience, price, service and entertainment value. “Our winners are those that offer people something unique as a dining experience and whilst consumers benefit from an ever-expanding choice of dining options in the region, there are certainly some that have built a reputation for leading the way. That is why they have been awarded as best in class,” says Adam Broom, CEO of CPI Media Group, the company behind the awards.

Out of the five nominees on the Best Restaurant of the year in Doha category, two are from W Doha including Market by Jean-Georges and Spice Market. Having previously won in 2013 and 2014, this year’s award was the only one garnered by an outlet in the city and maintains Doha on the map as a culinary destination.

“There is no greater reward for people like us in this industry than to get stamps of approval direct from the customers we serve. Through their votes on platforms such as the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards, we are provided the tools to gauge their level of satisfaction and see opportunities to improve. We are extremely grateful and hold high respect for the integrity and hard work put in by the team behind the event. We congratulate them and fellow nominees and winners. The Spice Market as well as the Market by Jean-Georges teams can only commit to further enhancing offerings for richer culinary and entertainment experiences at their venues,” expresses Safak Guvenc, Area Manager Qatar and Oman, Starwood Hotels & Resort and General Manager of W Doha.

Apart from this culinary recognition, Spice Market has also received the Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Award 2016 and is the only restaurant in Qatar that made it to the top 10 list of Best Fine Dining Restaurants in the Middle East. The Traveler’s Choice Awards are the highest honor given by Trip Advisor. It is based on the reviews and opinions of its global travel community. For reservations or enquiries, please contact +974 4453 5000. For more information, please visit www.whoteldoha.com. 

Qatar Business Incubation Centre (QBIC), founded by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and Social Development Center (SDC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Paris&Co, the economic development and innovation agency of Paris.

The MoU aims to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between Doha and Paris that supports the incubation of startups through the sharing of knowledge and services provided by each incubator.It allows both parties to exchange advice, support and connections, while offering select start-ups the opportunity to establish their business in Doha and Paris. The Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo and QBIC Chairman Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al Khalifa signed officially, in the sidelines of the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) event,a document endorsing the signing of a MoU between QBIC – represented by its CEO Aysha al Mudahka – andParis&Co – represented by its co-CEO Karine Bidart. H.E. Eric Chevallier, French Ambassador to Qatar, attended the signing.

“We are truly happy of this MoU, for it is a new step in the economic and knowledge cooperation between our two countries, in favor of startups and SMEs development, in line with Qatar’s National Vision for 2030. We believe that this cooperation will be fruitful and will foster the commitment of both Doha and Paris in the forward-looking sector of tourism”, highlighted the French Ambassador in Qatar, His Excellency Eric Chevallier. “France has a lot to share in this field, and it has also a lot to learn from Qatar’s dynamism. We were pleased and honored to have the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo and QBIC Chairman Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al Khalifa endorsing this agreement during the Global Entrepreneurship Week”.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Chairman of QBIC and CEO of QDB, Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al Khalifa, commented: “We strongly believe that to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030, we must shoulder our share of the responsibility and dedicate ourselves to developing the private sector through supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). QBIC is making every effort to support this mission by empowering promising entrepreneurs to contribute to the economy.”

He continued: “As a well-established incubator Paris&Co enjoys a wealth of experience in the entrepreneurship field, and we look forward to introducing our incubatees to the new and exciting opportunities presented by this agreement.”

Both parties agreed to support startups in the fields of information technology, sports, creative industries, with a particular focus on tourism businesses, giving them new avenues to expand in international markets. This is expected to be particularly beneficial to startups incubated in QBIC Tourism, which was established by QBIC and Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) to enable entrepreneurs to develop products and services that enhance the Qatar tourism experience.

“France is a premium destination sought-out by tourists all around the world. This agreement will bring countless insights and experiences to startups in QBIC Tourism, furthering our ability to guide entrepreneurs as they introduce creative business ideas to the market that enrich visitor experience across the sector’s various priority areas, from MICE to cultural tourism,”said CEO, QBIC, Aysha Al Mudahka.

Qatari-French trade relations have grown significantly over the past few years. In 2015, bilateral trade reached QR7.5bn in value, compared with QR4.7bn in 2010. Additionally, there are 294 companies currently operated in Qatar, including 66 fully owned French firms and 228 French-Qatari joint companies.

Western Union, a leader in global payments services and Alfardan Exchange, a leader in technology investment, today launched Qatar’s first fully automated, self-service kiosks enabling 24/7 international money transfer during a media event at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha. Consumers can transfer money anytime to more than 200 countries and territories² in the world at their convenience through 80 kiosks strategically planned to be located across the country.

“Western Union’s cross-border platform enables an industry-leading pay-in, pay-out capability and the launch of money transfer kiosks in Qatar is part of our continuous efforts to provide consumers with additional options to send money,” said Hatem Sleiman, Regional Vice President – Middle East and Philippines, Western Union. “We recognize that ease of use and accessibility are key drivers of money transfer decisions, and through our well-established network, coupled with our technology and innovation, we are providing consumers with superior levels of convenience and service. We are delighted to announce this strategic alliance with Alfardan Exchange to launch the service in Qatar,” he added.

“Alfardan Exchange has a series of industry firsts in Qatar and our relationship with Western Union over the past four years has helped solidify our market leadership in terms of brand positioning and product value proposition,” said Fahad Alfardan, President of Alfardan Exchange. “The launch of the new kiosks provides our customers, most of whom are expatriates who have the recurring need to send money back home, with a new avenue for money transfer that is extremely simple, easy to use, always accessible and at a convenient location close to their home or workplace,” he concluded.

Money transfers via Western Union^® services can be made in seven simple steps by using the kiosk after a one-time registration at any of Alfardan Exchange locations. Ten kiosks currently provide Western Union services with an additional 70 going live in the next two weeks. These kiosks will be strategically placed in shopping malls, supermarkets, residential areas, banks, hospitals, government facilities, gas stations, staff accommodations and other locations across various areas of Qatar to provide optimal customer convenience and outreach.

Consumers can transfer money through the kiosk anytime to family and friends around the world by opting for any one of the different delivery services of cash-to-cash, direct to bank or send to mobile. These kiosks offer the same speed, reliability and ease-of-use as any other Western Union^® payment channel with the added advantage of 24/7 accessibility.

How to make a Western Union^® Money Transfer at a Kiosk

In order to start using the Western Union^® service at kiosks, Alfardan Exchange customers need to complete a one-time registration at any Alfardan Exchange location in Qatar by presenting a valid Qatar National ID. The customer service agent at the Alfardan Exchange location will then enter all the necessary information into the system, retain a copy of the Qatar National ID, and print a receipt for the customer to verify his or her personal information. The customer will then receive his/her Western Union^® login ID and PIN by SMS on the registered mobile number, which needs to be used when making a Western Union Money Transfer at a kiosk.

When making a transfer by using the kiosk, select Western Union on the home screen, choose your preferred language and enter your login information (login ID, PIN and last 2 digits of your Alfardan Exchange registration number). Then follow the below steps:

1. Select your desired service
2. Select one beneficiary from your list of receivers
3. Choose the purpose of your transaction
4. Enter and review the transaction details
5. Choose your payment method
6. Deposit the exact amount in multiples of QAR 1 or enter your debit card details
7. Pick up your receipt with the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) generated by the kiosk

Consumers can locate the nearest kiosk by calling Western Union toll free³ number 00800100609

¹Funds may be delayed or services unavailable based on certain transaction conditions, including amount sent, destination country, currency availability, regulatory and foreign exchange issues, required receiver action(s), identification requirements, Agent location hours, differences in time zones, or selection of delayed options. Additional restrictions may apply. See Send Form for details.

²Network Data as of September 30, 2016.

³Subject to applicable telephone service provider’s charges (if any).

Fifty One East, Qatar’s favorite department store, has been crowned as the ‘Enterprise Agility Achiever in the Retail Sector for 2016’ at the third annual Qatar Enterprise Agility Awards: Entrepreneur of the Year and also claimed the esteemed regional win by bringing home the “Retail Innovation” award at the ‘Enterprise Agility Achiever Awards 2016′ held in Dubai, UAE in association with du.

This was the third consecutive year that the renowned department store has received the Qatar-based award and 2016 marks the first time the retailer was also presented with the award regionally. These accomplishments are representative of Fifty One East’s consistency and commitment to driving excellence in innovation and business leadership that encompasses and transcends the retail industry. At the ceremonies at Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel and at the Westin Mina Al Seyahi Hotel in Dubai, Mr. Daniel Lattouf, Retail Director at Darwish Holding was presented with the awards in the presence of some of the top names, pioneers and visionaries in the business communities of the Gulf region.

When speaking of their dual awards win, Mr. Bader Abdullah Al-Darwish, Chairman and Managing Director of Darwish Holding said, “These awards reflect another year of our hard work, dedication and leadership in providing outstanding customer care and after-sale services, premium products and delivery of an exemplary business model. We are proud and honored by these recognitions as they are a tribute to Fifty One East’s more than 65 years of heritage, which has led to a reputation defined by strong customer loyalty and trust across many generations.”

Organized by Entrepreneur MENA, the Enterprise Agility Achievers awards in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates aim to recognize and honor enterprises who have distinguished themselves and demonstrated innovation and outstanding business conduct across different industries including retail, healthcare, construction, hospitality, education, banking, telecommunications and energy amongst other key drivers of GCC economies. The relevant Enterprise Agility Achievers have established themselves as clear industry innovators who have made significant contributions to the Qatari and GCC business arenas, and that have set benchmarks for corporations operating in the Gulf region.

Fifty One East is Qatar’s oldest and most prestigious shopping destination and Darwish Holding’s signature retail brand. As the principal destination for connoisseurs of sophisticated style, Fifty One East offers the world’s most coveted and elegant global and regional brands. By offering a fusion of incomparable luxury, personalized hospitality and impeccable service, Fifty-One East has emerged as a paragon of impeccable taste.

Swiss luxury watchmaker and aviation chronograph specialist, Breitling has officially launched its Navitimer GMT Aurora Blue chronograph in Qatar during a special event at the Breitling Boutique in Doha this Tuesday 15^th November. Launched in collaboration with Breitling’s local retail partner, Blue Salon at special launch event, the aviation-inspired chronograph is a limited edition series of 1,000 pieces, featuring an exclusive blue dial with a discreet sunburst decor.

The Navitimer GMT Aurora Blue features original characteristics for a Breitling watch, in the form of a colorful rubber strap that matches the color of the dial adorned with an aircraft-tire tread motif. A Manufacture Breitling Caliber B04 beating inside the large steel case of the model powers the high-performance chronograph combined with an extremely functional dual timezone system. Contrasting with the blue dial, the red tipped hand displays the wearer’s home time in 24-hour mode, thus serving to distinguish day from night. A transparent sapphire crystal caseback enables users to admire the movement chronometer-certified, by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute). 

The new model which is now available across Breitling Boutiques and stores in Qatar is also available with a leather or crocodile leather strap, or a steel bracelet. Aed Adwan, Breitling Middle East, said: “The legendary Navitimer collection is first and foremost associated with Breitling’s strong and historic ties to aviation. So it made perfect sense, in a region synonymous with some of the world’s leading airlines and renowned as a global aviation hub, for us to collaborate with our partners Blue Salon to mark its arrival with this special event.”

Family businesses in Qatar and around the GCC must  focus on governance, succession and structure to ensure sustainability and bolster against external pressures according to experts speaking at an event hosted by Charles Russell Speechlys and KPMG, at which around 30 prominent members of family offices came together to discuss important issues facing the sector.  

Families own approximately 80 per cent of businesses in the Middle East and more than half of GCC family businesses are currently planning succession from the second to the third generation. For owners, this can be a complex stage in the business cycle.

According to Audit, Tax and Advisory firm KPMG, it is estimated that US$ 1 trillion of assets globally are likely to be transferred to the third generation during the next decade. However, what is less well known is that only approximately 30% of all family businesses successfully transition to the second generation with even fewer making it to the third and fourth generation, some estimates are as low as 12% and 3%, respectively. At the event, KPMG in Qatar’s Country Senior Partner, Ahmed Abu-Sharkh, focused on the importance of developing and maintaining good governance for the family, the owners and management to ensure business performance and sustainability. 

Abu-Sharkh said “Family businesses represent over 70% of the GCC’s private sector. However, despite this large proportion, many owners struggle to put effective governance frameworks in place to ensure that the business remains stable and viable. Having a strong vision and mission and a common set of values across the family is essential for success and ensuring longevity of the brand.”  Charles Russell Speechlys, the international law firm with offices in Qatar and Bahrain, emphasised the need for planning ahead in uncertain times to ensure family businesses preserve their unique business cultures and strong brands.

Rupert Copeman-Hill, Partner, Charles Russell Speechlys said: “Family businesses play a crucial role in the GCC economy - It’s a $100bn market in the GCC, and now more than ever it is crucial for family firms to look to consider their corporate and legal structures to ensure steady and successful transitions. Carefully considering when and how to restructure and having a clear understanding on compliance and tax optimisation can help family businesses compete with corporates, which may have fewer challenges.”

Qatar British Business Forum (QBBF) has hosted a summit for education leaders in English speaking schools in Qatar and audience guests. The session acted as a productive and positive platform for discussing topics of importance from curriculum, international accreditation, parental engagement, the importance of sport and academia, and developing community roots.

The event at The W Hotel & Residences, West Bay, was attended by Mr Ajay Sharma, British Ambassador to Qatar, and hosted by QBBF committee member Hussein Damirji. Participants on the panel included local education leaders; Dr. Steffen Sommers, Principal, Doha College; Sean Sibley, Headteacher, DESS; Lana Al Aghbar, Lower Elementary Principal, America School of Doha; Dr Terry Creissen OBE, Executive Principal, Compass International School; Nick Prowse, Principal, Sherborne, and Paul Bridges, Principal, Royal Guildford Grammar School.

Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Qatar, Mr Ajay Sharma, commented: “I am pleased to see so much support for this Education Qatar British Business Forum event. Education is key to building strong foundations for future generations. This is an area where the UK has expertise and experience, and already enjoys a strong relationship with Qatar. I would like to see that relationship grow for the benefit of both of our countries.” QBBF Chairman and CEO of the Rumaillah Group, Emad Turkman MBE also said: “The summits focal topic is Education, an area Qatar has invested billions of pounds in, an investment in the future of our children and the country we live in. Education is and will always be a critical component of the aspirations for Qatar National Vision 2030 and we hope to address what the English speaking schools are doing in order to support its success.”

An important element discussed during the event was the relationship between parents and the school. Choosing a school is one of the most significant decisions a parent will make and its imperative parents feel empowered by the school’s philosophy. Following this, there needs to be a constant dialogue between teachers and parents to ensure a smooth and successful academic experience. Schools in Qatar are part of creating the next generation of ‘global citizens’ who through the international accreditation and unique schooling environment, will be enabled to provide a productive and positive impact locally and globally in the future.

Sports being a dominant focus in Qatar, the panel were asked by one audience member about the facilities and prospects for young athletes to excel. The key outcome was education leaders recognise the value of providing quality sporting opportunities and the benefits of competing to promote self-esteem, as well as learn and experience teamwork, amongst many others. The region has a number of events across a number of disciplines, but the panel agreed an aspiration for more synergy for local inter-school competitions, and in particular engaging more young Qataris by encouraging community sports.

In discussing how English speaking schools are embracing the Arab culture and community into their curriculums, the overwhelming response from all panelists was the importance of providing a rich education environment that provides children with a grounding of the local culture, language and history. To embrace the local community and to offer parents intending to send their children abroad for schooling, the best education for young students to stay here in Qatar instead. Hussein Damirji, Qatar British Business Forum committee member, noted: “We hope this summit will be the first of many series focusing on areas that are critical for the future of the expat community in Qatar and for Qatar itself. In addition to QBBF’s role in fostering joint economic relations between Britain and Qatar, we are also a platform for wider community engagement, as seen during the discussions at the summit.”

The summit comes after the recent announcement to cope with the growing population in the country, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education has set a plan to open 99 government schools by 2030 and to encourage investors to establish more private schools. The country has now a total of 535 government and private schools that have enrolled over 327,566 students in the three levels of education- primary, preparatory and secondary. The session ended with the panel praising the Private Schools’ Office of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education for their positive relationship and support within the English speaking schools in Qatar.

For more information on QBBF visit http://www.qbbf.com/.

Crowning their successful completion of the professional training program’s academic phase, Qatar Finance and Business Academy’s (QFBA) Kawader participants have all secured internship positions in a range of financial services institutions in Doha, Dubai and London, as part of the prominent program’s experiential learning module.

In its fourth consecutive year, Kawader’s 2016 academic term is witnessing the participation of 21 outstanding students who are honing their skills and talents towards supporting the financial and business sector in Qatar. Partner organizations who have kindly hosted the Kawader interns include KPMG Qatar, Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Stock Exchange, QNB Capital, QFCRA, Qatar Central Bank, The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ, Hilton, HSBC and QFC.

Having acquired the latest knowledge in the field of finance and business, the students will now complete work experience in a variety of organizational functions including Audit, Finance, Product and Market Development, Investment Banking, Policy, HR, Compliance, Strategic Finance, Risk Management and Credit Analysis. The interns, who come from different academic and professional backgrounds, will each have a custom-made training program specially designed for them by the host organization in collaboration with the Kawader Project Manager from QFBA and the student themselves, in order to optimize and maximize the learning opportunity to be gained from the experience.

Commenting on the potential impact that the experiential learning module has on Kawader students, Dr. Abdulaziz Al Horr, CEO of QFBA, said: “The internship experience plays a critical role in consolidating everything the students have learnt in the classroom and enables them to apply their learning to a real-world professional working context. They will be placed in the various departments of top local and global organizations throughout the financial services sector, given real work to complete, and will be evaluated on their performance, work ethic and professional conduct throughout their internships. This will provide them with invaluable work experience, exposure to new, best-in-class work environments, networking opportunities in the sector and, for some candidates, the possibility of an offer of permanent employment upon successful completion of the internship.”

Kawader is a 4-month vocational training program developed by QFBA and the Qatar Financial Center (QFC) Authority and funded by a number of Qatari banks, with the aim of preparing high-caliber recent Qatari graduates and young professionals for a career in financial services.

The distinctive program focuses in its courses on training-intensive operations that include both theoretical and practical aspects, and cover all the necessary technical aspects to deal with the ever-evolving market demands, thus providing Qatari economic ventures with qualified professional talents that are armed with the necessary skills and the latest knowledge of advanced economic practices, in order to immediately engage in the labor market, which is vital to accelerate that rate of economic development in Qatar.

The educational component of the program takes the students through introductory courses in the key elements of the financial services sector, a qualification from the Institute of Leadership and Management, an International Certificate in Financial English, and either a Professional Banking Certificate or a certificate in an Introduction to International Securities and Investments. This intensive training period is followed by a 4 or 5-week internship at a renowned financial institution or within the Finance department of a company, where they can practice their skills in a real-world environment, adding depth and practical experience to their learning.

Continuing the remarkable success of the program in its previous terms, QFBA launched the fourth academic term of its Kawader program in August 2016. The term’s 21 enrollees are set to complete their internships by the 15^th of December 2016, after which they will return to the classroom for the final module. The Kawader participants will complete the program by 22^nd December 2016 and will graduate on 7^th February 2017. Applications for the next batch of Kawader will open in March 2017, with the program expected to run in September-December 2017.

W Doha Hotel & Residences, Qatar’s leading luxury lifestyle hotel, was named Favorite Hotel for Business Travel and Favorite Tech-savvy Hotel at the recently concluded Conde Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards. It is the only property to receive two major accolades at this event considered as GCC’s premier travel industry awards voted by the readers’ magazine.

W Doha has maintained the title of Favorite Hotel for Business Travel in 2013, 2015 and 2016. In 2014, its award-winning restaurant, Market by Jean-Georges, won the Best Hotel Restaurant of the Year. A new category has been introduced this year called Favorite Tech-savvy hotel and W Doha is its first ever recipient.

“At W Doha, we listen to what the clients need and in most cases these days whether for leisure or business, it’s staying connected to the world. We capitalize on existing tools and upcoming trends, then mix it with the W creativity, and we have the formula for revolutionizing our services. Thank you to Conde Nast Traveller Middle East for always recognizing our efforts,” says Safak Guvenc, Area Manager Qatar and Oman, Starwood Hotels & Resort and General Manager of W Doha.

“This victory is not just for W Doha, but for Qatar as well. The votes that we received throughout the GCC prove that the country is an important hub for business and technology and we aim to contribute in making Qatar a top destination by providing competitive and memorable services to all our guests,” Guvenc adds.

Before the ceremonies, Guvenc also participated in the Conde Nast Traveller Luxury Forum’s Social Media and Digital Marketing Debate. Alongside other industry leaders, he discussed the ever-changing hospitality landscape and how the W Doha utilizes social media and digital marketing to stay ahead of the game and provide their business and tech-savvy guests efficient and innovative experiences. He emphasized on the power of technology to enhance overall offerings whilst never losing the personal touch, which is at the heart of the hospitality industry.

W Doha has pioneered the use of SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest) Keyless, the first mobile, keyless entry system that allows guests to use their smartphone as a key; 24/7 messaging through “Stay Connected” via Whatsapp and Blackberry Messenger; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram booking through #bookwdoha; SPG app for Apple Watch; Menugram, menus uploaded on Instagram; and Snap Walk, a fashion show captured exclusively on Snap Chat and Instastory.

For reservations or enquiries, please contact +974 4453 5000. For more information, please visit www.whoteldoha.com.

Qatar Minister of Administrative Development and Labor and Social Affairs H.E. Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi inaugurated the 7th international conference on “Terrorism and Methods of Tackling It” which was yesterday organized and hosted by Qatar University College of Sharia and Islamic Studies (QU-CSIS).

Organized under the patronage of Qatar Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani, the 2-day conference (November 20-21) featured 200 papers presented by researchers and scholars from Qatar, Algeria, Egypt, France, Germany, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and more.

H.E. Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi was joined by QU President Dr Hassan Al Derham, CSIS Dean Dr Yousuf Al-Siddiqi, CSIS Program Coordinator and Head of the conference’s organizing committee Dr Hamed Al-Marwani, CSIS Associate Professor of Islamic Culture and Dawa and Head of the conference’s scientific committee Dr Azzeddine Mamich, as well as officials from QU and Qatar Ministry of Interior (MoI), and CSIS faculty and students. Keynote speaker was Dr Abdul Fattah Moro, Vice President of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People of Tunisia. He presented on “Terrorism: hindrance of thinking and a jump over reality”.

The event’s program featured 4 panel discussions themed “The relationship between terrorism and excessiveness, “The religious culture and its reaction to terrorism”, “Social, political and media dimensions of terrorism”, and “Methods to tackle terrorism”. Discussions focused on a wide range of topics related to religion and terrorism, the impact of western double standards on emerging terrorism, extremeness and terrorism, the impact of ideology on contemporary terrorism, the relationship between media and religious terrorism, and the role of Islamic organizations in addressing terrorism, among many others.

In his remarks, Dr Hassan Al Derham expressed his gratitude to Qatar Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani for supporting this conference and QU based on a directive from H.H. the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He said: “Since its inception, QU is keen to find efficient solutions to overcome challenges and barriers for development, stability, and prosperity. This conference highlights the key role of research in providing a better understanding of terrorism from a political, educational, religious, and economic perspective. The fruitful discussions and recommendations that will emanate from this forum will contribute to enhancing our teaching curricula and will help our students understand the facts related to terrorism, Islamophobia, sectarianism, and ethnicity.”

Dr Yousuf Al-Siddiqi said: “We are pleased to gather scholars and researchers from all over the world to discuss the phenomenon of terrorism. This is a timely conference that comes at a time when the Arab nations are facing many political and socio-economic challenges. As Qatar’s national higher education institution, QU plays a core role in providing a platform to address, discuss and resolve contemporary issues such as terrorism, in line with the National development strategy.”

Dr Al-Siddiqi stressed the importance of advancing the learning curriculum to help students understand the changes that occur in the world. Education should be based on an open dialogue to widen the students’ perspectives on various issues and to provide a fair image of Islam, he said, adding, “We live in a small village where any event or conflict may affect everyone. We, at QU, believe in the importance of addressing such conflicts through dialogue. The danger of terrorism is expanding all over the world. Academic institutions are responsible of bringing researchers and experts together to discuss the issue of terrorism. We hope that this conference will contribute to highlighting the role of individuals in promoting peace and security in the world.” 

USGBORAL ME, the renowned manufacturer of interior finishing products, has begun production of metal ceiling panels from its Dammam factory in Saudi Arabia, the newest and latest plant for metal ceiling in the region for the past 5 years. The move marks a major expansion of the company’s product portfolio, which comprises plasterboard, ceiling lining systems and accessories.

The new products, which are considered an enlargement for the USG Boral ME ceiling tiles portfolio, will be unveiled in the region at The Big 5 show in Dubai, UAE, next month (November 21^st to 24^th). Eng. Fares Saghbini, Managing Director of USGBORAL ME mentioned: “The annual growth of demand for interior finishing products in GCC is 25.6% with a value of USD 8.87 billion from the projects likely to be completed over 2016. Currently, there are more than 10,000 projects under construction or in planning stage in the GCC, while the estimated value of construction projects that will be completed in the next decade is USD 1.4 trillion. Therefore, this expansion is a much needed step to meet those increasing demands.”

“Our new high-quality and cost-efficient aluminum alloy and steel ceiling systems, are targeted at commercial and institutional interiors -residential excluded-, enhancing the aesthetic and functional value of these interiors since they provide virtually unlimited design possibilities for applications ranging from banks to corporate offices, shopping malls, and as well as airports.” “What differentiates us is that the whole production of the Metal Ceiling System, from tile to suspension system is done in-house; giving premium finishing, high quality and a wide variety of choices. Moreover, our products range varies from standard suspended ceiling systems to specialties and custom-made to meet the various requirements of architect’s specifications.”

The systems meet several industry standards including ASTM E119 for fire tests of building construction and materials; ASTM C423-99 for test method for sound absorption and sound absorption coefficients by the reverberation room method; and ASTM E84 for fire hazard classification, among others. Also, contributing to energy savings and thus to Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design certification program for green buildings (LEED), these systems are being manufactured with high recycled content (HRC) and offer a light reflectance performance of LR-1, in compliance with ASTM Standards. “Our systems have high sound absorption and sound attenuation and are environment-friendly and recyclable. Needless to say, they’re easy to install, easy to clean, robust, and have an easy access quality to them for service maintenance” Saghbini points out.

Eng. Saghbini added that Saudi Arabia, with USD 52.5 billion worth of various construction projects currently underway, is the biggest interiors market with a 43% share, estimated at USD 3.57 billion – it is estimated that spending on interior finishing items will grow by 13.7 % by 2017. The second-largest interiors and fit-out market valued at USD 37.2 billion and representing 31% of the market share is the UAE. The home furnishings market in the UAE is forecast to reach USD 1.63 billion in 2015, according to research company Euromonitor International, compared to USD 1.58 billion in 2014.

Qatar is in third place: currently there are USD 22.7 billion worth of projects due to be completed, while the interiors and fit-out sector had an estimated value at over USD 1.3 billion during 2014, and it is expected to grow further, especially because of the projects revolving around the 2022 World Cup. USGBORAL ME is the only manufacturer to provide a full ceiling system in the middle east, offering the region locally made interior systems with international warrantees, backed by a team of professionals available around the clock to provide support to customers, right from the early stages of design up to the hand-over of a project.

*Sources: Transparency market research

Aamal Readymix, a branch of Aamal Company Q.S.C. and one of Qatar’s largest producers of quality ready mixed concrete has been awarded the First International Qatar Sustainability Award 2016 by the Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC). The award recognizes Aamal Readymix’s contribution to green and sustainable design in the development of concrete under the Green Building Material and Green Concrete categories.

The Qatar Sustainability Awards aim to honor the commitment, effort, and contribution of both companies and individuals in the field of sustainable development and environmental protection in Qatar and beyond. The Awards also accept nominations from various categories within the requirements and trends of the green building and sustainability industries. The main categories of Qatar Sustainability Awards include Green Buildings, Green Hospitality, Green Service Providers, Building Products and Technologies, Green Research and Sustainability Initiatives.

The winners were selected following a detailed review of the nominations by an expert panel of judges comprising senior sustainability experts, academics, and other industry practitioners.Mr. Meshal Al-Shamari, Director, QGBC, said that the collective efforts of these organizations, which are active members of Qatar’s sustainability industry, are advancing the Qatar National Vision 2030. “These awards serve to raise sustainability awareness and encourage the wider industry to do their part and work towards building a ‘greener’ future”.

For over two decades, Aamal Readymix has recognized that business needs society as much as society needs business, and that operating in a socially responsible way is key to operating in local communities. Within this context, Aamal Readymix is actively participating in a number of initiatives, and has made important contributions in the field of sustainable development and environmental protection.

Accepting the Award, Mr. Parveez Aslam, General Manager, Aamal Readymix, said: “It was a great honor to participate in the Qatar Sustainability Awards and receiving the first award is a strong endorsement of our commitment to sustainable development. Our nomination was the result of our continuous efforts in maintaining a green environment while using advanced products and technologies. Aamal Readymix is making great strides toward sustainability and green buildings, from initial design concepts that incorporate low-impact building materials, to using more energy efficient equipment, reducing construction site waste and practicing inter-company sustainability. Through these steps, we aim to minimize the impact of our operational procedures on the surrounding environment. I would like to take this opportunity to thank QGBC for their efforts in educating the public through honest communication, which can help them better understand the industry’s role in addressing environmental responsibility for a more sustainable future”.

Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company, unveiled its newest hotel Jumeirah Al Naseem at the annual regional roadshow event held in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.

The Qatar Roadshow events welcomed over 200 specialists from the travel trade industry, including tourism, hotels, tour operators, and travel agents as well as the Group’s prominent clients and media representatives. The Group revealed its latest growth and expansion developments internationally and highlighted its newest facilities including Jumeirah Al Naseem in Dubai which opens on 1 December 2016. This exciting addition marks the completion of Madinat Jumeirah - ‘the Arabian Resort of Dubai’ – and is the final chapter in Jumeirah Group’s transformation of the coastline into a major tourist destination.

Arabic for ‘sea breeze’, the name ‘Al Naseem’ reflects both the unrivalled location of the hotel and the unique inside-out design, which evokes a sense of calm and relaxation. The interior design of the 430 rooms is inspired by sand dunes and Dubai’s pearl diving heritage. Set on a two kilometre stretch of private beach, Jumeirah Al Naseem joins the grand Jumeirah Al Qasr, the peaceful and recently renovated Jumeirah Mina A’Salam and the exquisite summerhouses of Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf. Jad Doumet, Director of Global Sales at Jumeirah Group said: “We organised an event in Qatar given the importance of this market for the Group. Qatar is among the top five markets with tourists visiting Jumeirah Group’s hotels around the world. In addition, the number of overnight stays spent by Qatari tourists at the Group’s hotels around the world has increased by 4% as of October 2016, compared with the same period of the previous year”.

“What distinguishes Jumeirah Group is its hotels and luxury resorts that offer unique experiences across three continents, which is what we have focused on through the event. The United Arab Emirates is one of the main destinations for visitors from Qatar however, our hotels in other cities have marked an increase in Qatari guests as well. The hotels include the Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan, as well as Jumeirah Dhevanafushi and Jumeirah Vittaveli Resorts in the Maldives. Jumeirah Vittaveli recently launched the Royal villa which includes five bedrooms, specially designed to meet guests' needs from Qatar and the Gulf due to the privacy and luxury it offers,” he added.

With regards to expansion plans, Doumet explained: “The Group currently manages 5,500 hotel rooms across 21 hotels and resorts in 10 different destinations. We aim to open 25 new facilities, including 10 new hotels and resorts which are planned to open between 2017 and 2019. In addition, we will be upgrading and expanding facilities to ensure we attract new travellers and continue to provide exceptional experiences to our guests, such as the opening of the Burj Al Arab Terrace, which has already started to attract tourists from across the GCC and from Qatar in particular.”

The event included a variety of entertainment followed by a gala dinner, which was organised in cooperation with Emirates Airlines and Royal Caribbean International.

Qatar Business Incubation Centre (QBIC), founded by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and Social Development Center (SDC) held numerous successful activities, panel discussions, workshops and informative sessions during a fruitful Global Entrepreneurship Week in Qatar (GEW Qatar), which took place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).

GEW is a week long international initiative that promotes entrepreneurship discussions and creates networking opportunities for innovators, employers, and everyone else in between the entrepreneurship spectrum.

QBIC CEO, Aysha Al Mudahka took part in an opening panel discussion entitled ‘You’re Not Too Young to be an Entrepreneur’, encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit among the Qatari youth while urging them to be bold risk takers. QBIC Head of Incubation, Adel Al Boseli, and QBIC Chief Operating Office Mohammed Al Mulla, moderated a number of panel discussions,while QBIC Program Manager, Amin Matni and Head of Incubation for QBIC Tourism Alain R Vilguette, contributed by giving beneficial sessions. QBIC’s diverse team led workshops and sessions on topics including: Investment, Legal procedures and Entrepreneurship.

QBIC’s booth was present throughout the week at DECC, and provided information on GEW happenings, and on QBIC’s services and offerings to the visiting public. Aysha al Mudahka, QBIC CEO said: “We’re very proud of our participation in GEW this year. With the partnerships formed, sessions and workshops held, and our incubated companies proudly exhibiting their work, we’re undoubtedly encouraging to foster a vibrant culture of entrepreneurship in Qatar.”

During the five-day event, a few of QBIC’s entrepreneurs took part in a bazaar at DECC, to showcase their products and services. Three of QBIC’s incubated companies participated in the bazaar, including Rawaj, a startup that provides businesses with advertising and branding services; Tartebkom, a startup that offers modern trips and adventures for women as well as holiday organization services for trips around the world,and Q-Transformer, a startup that produces an adapter that can be used to easily change hooks on the back of a vehicle without having to disassemble the other vehicle’s hook.

In addition, QBIC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Paris&Co, the economic development and innovation agency of Paris, aiming to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between Doha and Paris that supports innovation and entrepreneurship. Finally, QBIC CEO, Aysha Al Mudahka accepted the ‘Start-Up Hub of the Year’ award on behalf of QBIC at the Enterprise Agility Awards 2016 on November 14th in recognition of QBIC’s continued efforts to strengthen and encourage the entrepreneurial and startup spirit in Qatar, which was awarded to QBIC for the second year in a row.

From the 23^rd to the 26^th of November 2016, OMEGA will begin its role as the Official Timekeeper of the Qatar Ladies Open.

Taking place at the Doha Golf Club, this tournament will feature many of the world’s best female golfers who will be competing for glory. It is, in fact, the first time that the Ladies European Tour has staged an event in Qatar. It will also be only the third such event to be held in the Middle East, after the OMEGA Dubai Ladies Masters and the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open in Abu Dhabi, in which OMEGA is also the Official Timekeeper.

For this highly-anticipated tournament, OMEGA is very much looking forward to being on-site and behind the clock. The brand is committed to the growth of golf around the world. Alongside various title sponsorships and a valuable partnership with the PGA, OMEGA’s long-term partnership with the Ladies European Tour (LET) underscores its relationship to ladies’ golf and shows the confidence that the brand has in its future success. For the four days of the Qatar Ladies Open, OMEGA will once again bring its expertise and passion to the sport. It promises to be another memorable golfing moment in the Middle East.

Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Doha, as Qatar’s “smartest” building at the Middle East’s first-ever smart building awards presentation at the Innovation Live! Summit today in Dubai.The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel also picked up the award for the Middle East’s smartest “hotel” building.In addition, Doha’s leading sports and education destination, Aspire Zone Foundation, was named as the region’s smartest educational facility.

The Honeywell Smart Building Score™ Awards program, developed by Honeywell, a Fortune 100 global technology and Internet of Things (IoT) leader, assessed the smartness of buildings across the region based on how green, safe and productive they are. The awards recognize the leading smart buildings in Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and assessed hotels, hospitals, educational and retail facilities as well as the leading high-rise office and residential buildings across the region.

The awards are designed to help drive innovation and the ‘smart cities’ agenda in Qatar and across the Middle East in line with regional development strategies. Shortlisted entries for the Honeywell Smart Building Score™ Awards were independently audited by global advisory firm Ernst & Young, where DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel achieved the highest evaluation amongst all entries from Qatar, with impressive scores across all three smart building categories.

“As Qatar’s smartest building, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Doha is setting the benchmark and is a best practise example for building innovation not only in Qatar but also across the Middle East,”said Norm Gilsdorf, president for Honeywell’s Middle East, Russia and Central Asia regions. “Qatar is well on its way to meeting the smart city ambitions outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030, the result demonstrates that the country encompasses innovation into the very foundations of its cities.”

The 2016 awards are the culmination of the Middle East’s first Honeywell Smart Building Score™ (HSBS) – the first-of-its-kind universal framework designed for the comprehensive assessment of any building – launched in March of this year. The HSBS framework was used to evaluate 620 buildings across seven major Middle East cities: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Doha, and Kuwait City.

As well as buildings in Qatar, the Honeywell Smart Building Score™ Awards also recognized smart building successes across the region, including:

• UAE:BurjKhalifa – Winner, Smartest Building in the UAE and Region’s Smartest High-Rise Residential, Latifa Maternity &Paediatric Hospital – Winner, Region’s Smartest Hospital; City Centre Deira– Winner, Region’s Smartest Retail Facility;
• Kuwait:Al Hamra Business Tower and Luxury Center – Winner, Smartest Building in Kuwait;
• Saudi Arabia: King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) – Winner, Smartest Building in Saudi Arabia.

“It is exciting to see cutting-edge building technologies being adopted across the Middle East, putting the region at the forefront of global Smart City development,” said Pete Costa, vice president, Honeywell Building Solutions, High Growth Regions. “There is a growing demand from building operators across the region for closer integration of building management systems such as energy control, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, access control, security and fire safety, to help meet their smart building objectives.”

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the opening of InterContinental® Doha Residences under a management agreement with Gulf Hotels Company WLL.

Located on Doha’s longest natural private beach, each spacious residence offers tranquil living in distinctive surroundings. With a design that merges Arabian and European sophistication, InterContinental Doha Residences delivers an unprecedented lifestyle choice in the capital. The new property brings a total of 82 luxury residences to Doha, comprising 17 three-bedroom villas - three of which overlook the Arabian Gulf, eight three-bedroom apartments, and 15 two-bedroom apartments. The remaining residences consist of 42 one-bedroom apartments. The property connects to the luxury InterContinental® Doha hotel to give residents a remarkable choice of luxury facilities both on-site and nearby.

In addition to access to the private beach and swimming pools overlooking the Arabian Gulf, residents can enjoy a host of other exclusive benefits such as beach club services and a personalised concierge. Drawing from IHG’s long history of providing best in class experiences, the residences also feature numerous award-winning restaurants and bars, as well as the brand’s world-class Spa InterContinental. Residents can keep active and unwind using the state-of-the-art gym and health club facilities, or go head-to-head on one of the tennis or squash courts. With a children’s playground, business centre and housekeeping services, InterContinental Doha Residences offers a full package of premium amenities and services, showcasing the brand’s position as a leader of personalized, luxury experiences.

Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG commented: “We are thrilled to be working with Gulf Hotels Company WLL to manage this great property and bring unparalleled luxury living to a city that is flourishing both economically and as a travel destination. Qatar is a key city for our strategic footprint in the region. We expect to grow by over 40% (by number of rooms) over the next 3 to 5 years as we open the 25 hotels (9,658 rms) in our pipeline in the Middle East; the InterContinental brand is a significant part of this pipeline. This latest opening is a testament to the strength of the brand which celebrates its 70th anniversary globally this year. ”

H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Fahad Al Thani, Gulf Hotels Company Group WLL said: “We’ve been working with IHG since the development and launch of InterContinental Doha. They have been excellent partners throughout these years and we look forward to coming together for this new exciting development with more success to come. Combining a stunning design and breath-taking coastal location with the very finest facilities and services, we’re confident InterContinental Doha Residences will be the most sought after destination to live a luxury lifestyle in the country.”

Across the Middle East, there are 25 InterContinental properties open and an additional 9 properties due to open within the next three to five years. InterContinental Doha Residences is the second InterContinental® Residences Suites to launch in Doha, after the InterContinental Doha The City Hotel & Residence Suites opened its doors in February 2012. The Middle East and North Africa region is also home to three other InterContinental Residences Suites in Dubai, Beirut, and Cairo*.

For more information, please visit: https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en/doha/dohrs/hoteldetail

*Figures as at 30th September 2016

As part of the national strategy of investing in younger generations to create a widespread positive impact on society and develop sustainable solutions, Nama Center, a member of Qatar Social Work Foundation, launched a life skills “Sekak” project aimed at developing the educational capacity of teachers, so that they can better handle and train students as well as develop their basic cognitive and life skills.

The outcomes of the 5-day program of “Sekak” project, which kicked off on the 20th of November 2016 at Nama Center, include boosting the training skills of trainers (Training the Trainers), their capacity to effectively deliver life skills content, and their ability to deliver short presentations in order to explain and educate students on life skills concepts. Commenting on the initiative, Ms. Mariam bint Abdullatif Al Mannai – Director of the Community Services Department, and the Director in charge of running the Nama’s affairs, said:

“Our adoption of a more involved social investment approach at Nama emanates from our belief in the importance of shifting our Center’s role from an organization that contributes to the development of society to an active one that helps community members through training and awareness, specifically the youth segment, address the challenges that lie ahead, through the implementation of programs that create long-term tangible results. As part of our new strategy, 30 young teachers were selected in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, aged between 25 to 35 years old. This foundational training program develops the growth of the youth potential, and their ability to effectively contribute in the community, thus creating a constructive link between Nama Center and high school students in Qatar.”

The program comes as part of the life skills "Sekak" project, one of Nama’s “Youth Capacity Building program” department projects, which focuses on helping teachers helping high school students acquire a set of personal, psychological and communication skills that will assist them in making informed decisions, communicate effectively, as well as develop coping and self-management skills, thereby leading them to live a healthy and productive life. Once the trainers are graduated on December 6, 2016, they will start implementing the program by training school students on developing their life skills.

The training program is held in line with Nama’s vision to play the role of the engine in the wheel of development and prosperity in the State of Qatar, through a sound investment in human capital, represented by Qatar’s younger generations, where ‘Nama’ will work on the empowerment of youth, boosting their capabilities, and investing in their capacity, by identifying channels and programs that contribute to the activation of their participation in community development and their effective contribution to achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, the 5-star iconic hotel in Doha, hosted a sports event on Sunday 13^th of November as part of their Go Pink! Campaign.

This initiative was held by Sheraton Grand Doha in Partnership with Qatar Cancer Society, and supported by Zumba Fitness Doha Qatar Team lead by Imad Askar, Swasthi Yoga lead by Vishnu Prasad, Doha Sport Company (Les Mills), and sponsored by Mr. Hamad Adel Ali Bin Ali, Tawar Mall, Mr. Nasser Bin Shaheem Bin Tawar, Jassim Jaber Est., Mr. Abdulatif Bin Mohammed Maslamani, Eurotech, Adaptex Security Equipment, Digitek, Jaidah Automotive and Zaatar w Zeit.

The Go Pink! Sports event featured an array of exciting activities including Zumba^TM, yoga and RPM^TM cycling. Sheraton Grand Doha planned the Go Pink! Sports event to promote cancer awareness through healthy and active living. The sports event raised QR 158,600.00 in proceeds, all of which was generously donated to Qatar Cancer Society. This year’s sports event was supervised by a team of certified fitness experts, and Sheraton Grand Doha hosted approximately 250 women who danced, cycled and stretched in support of breast cancer. The event was dedicated to engage women and to reinforce the message that breast cancer is curable and treatable if detected and diagnosed early, and also to highlight the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle for general wellbeing.

“The Go Pink! Sports event is just one in a series of volunteer activities and programs that the Sheraton Grand Doha participates in throughout the year. These initiatives provide us with opportunities to make meaningful differences in the lives of others by creating positive and long-lasting changes in our community,” said Nick Heath, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention hotel Complex General Manager. “We are so thankful for the continued support in the area of breast cancer awareness demonstrated by the Sheraton Grand Doha. Their passion for reaching out into the community and educating women is to be admired. Programs such as the Go Pink! sports event really underscore that through teamwork and education we can increase the profile of cancer prevention and treatments,” Omar Al Twaisi, said of Qatar Cancer Society.

The Middle East region has the least demanding tax system, ranking consistently below the world average according to the latest edition of Paying Taxes 2017, a report by PwC and The World Bank Group. This year the Middle East region has both the lowest average Total Tax Rate and the lowest average time to comply of all the regions.

Qatar and Middle East figures

The report outlines that the Qatar case study company has an average Total Tax Rate of 11.3%; it takes the company an average of 41 hours to comply with its tax affairs and it makes an average of 4 payments.

In the Middle East example the case study company has an average Total Tax Rate of 24.2%; it takes the company an average of 157 hours to comply with its tax affairs and it makes an average of 17.1 payments. On a Global level the Total Tax Rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 40.6 %; time to comply declined by 8 hours to 251 hours; and the number of payments by 0.8 to 25 payments. The report finds that Economies around the world continue to make progress in simplifying and reducing the burden of tax compliance on businesses. Globally, the most common feature of tax reforms in the past year was the introduction or enhancement of electronic systems for filing and paying taxes.

Neil O’brien, Head of Tax at PwC Qatar said: "Qatar continues to provide a very competitive and efficient tax system in support of its objective to broaden its non oil and gas economy. In addition to providing an extremely competitive tax rate for business, Qatar has recently invested into its tax administration with the introduction of online filing for corporate income taxes and withholding taxes. Further investment is expected into Qatar's tax administration to streamline post-filing processes, tax refund claims and the anticipated introduction of a VAT regime."

Dean Kern, PwC Middle East Tax and Legal Services Leader said: “We recognise the pressures on governments across the region to raise tax revenues to fund public spending. Paying Taxes has shown that in many economies, governments and tax authorities can make it easier for companies to pay their taxes and this includes the ability to claim a refund or deal with a corporate income tax audit. More efficient tax systems are good for businesses which in turn helps to promote economic growth and investment.”

Paying Taxes 2017, now in its 11th edition, continues to be a unique report from PwC and the World Bank Group. It is the only piece of research which, by using a medium-sized domestic case study company, measures and assesses the ease of paying taxes across 190 economies. The report models business taxation in each economy. Paying Taxes has historically measured the Total Tax Rate, the time needed to comply with the major taxes, and the number of tax payments. This year, for the first time, the Paying Taxes study includes a new sub-indicator – the post-filing index. In the expanded analysis this year, the report finds that for some economies, post-filing processes for value-added tax (VAT) and corporate income tax (CIT) returns could be amongst the most challenging and lengthy processes for businesses to comply with. In some cases, the length of the processes can create cash flow and administrative delays for companies of more than a year.

Jeanine Daou, Partner and Middle East Leader for Indirect Taxes and Fiscal Policy said: “Stable tax systems and strong tax administrations are important for businesses, helping them to operate in an environment where the tax treatment of transactions is predictable and where governments operate transparently. In addition, the way in which the tax system collects and administers its taxes has an impact on businesses in terms of the time required and the costs associated with that time. As governments across the GCC implement the anticipated VAT regime, Paying Taxes shows the benefit of designing the VAT law,  including the compliance obligations and administrative processes for obtaining tax refunds, in a manner that is clear, efficient and consistent.  An ideal tax system should help governments raise essential revenue, and should do so without discouraging economic activity.”

Middle East findings [1]

The case study company has an average Total Tax Rate of 24.2% in the Middle East region; it takes the company an average of 157 hours to comply with its tax affairs and it makes an average of 17.1 payments. The three original sub-indicators remain unchanged from last year and have been fairly stable since 2004.

• The Middle East region has the least demanding tax system for our case study company and is consistently below the world average, this year having both the lowest average Total Tax Rate and the lowest average time to comply of all the regions.
• At 24.2%, the average Total Tax Rate for the region is well below the world average (40.6%) and the lowest of any region.
•  Qatar and the UAE currently share equal first place globally as the easiest countries to pay taxes under the methodology.
• Labour taxes and mandatory contributions paid by employers account for 60% of the average Total Tax Rate for the region and is the most significant contributor to the Total Tax Rate in most economies. Profit taxes account for 38%, while other taxes account for just 2% of the region’s average Total Tax Rate. Similarly, labour taxes and social contributions paid by employers account for 56% of the time to comply and 61% of the number of payments sub-indicator.
• The average number of payments sub-indicator for the region is 17.1 payments, which is below the world average of 25 payments. This is largely because of the low average number of taxes in the region for the case study company.
• The Middle East region performs comparatively less well on the post-filing index than on the original three sub-indicators. The post-filing index score for the region is 66.26, the third most efficient of all the regions, and more efficient than the world average of 61.24. However, the region underperformed the global average in all four components of post-filing index.
• Only 5 of the 13 economies in the Middle East have VAT systems and in 4 of those a VAT refund is available to the case study company. Where an economy has no VAT system, the VAT components are omitted from the post-filing index score.
• Across the 4 economies in the Middle East region in which a VAT refund is available to the case study company, the average time to comply with a VAT refund is 19.1 hours and to obtain the VAT refund takes 30.3 weeks on average.
• Yemen has shortest time for both VAT components taking 4 hours to comply with a VAT refund and 6.2 weeks to obtain the refund. The longest time to comply with a VAT refund is 45 hours in Lebanon and West Bank and Gaza has the longest time to obtain VAT refund at 54.2 weeks.
• Corporate income tax is levied in 9 of the 13 economies in the Middle East region and in two of these correcting the corporate income tax return is likely to trigger an audit for the case study company. Where an economy has no corporate income tax system, the corporate income tax components are omitted from the post-filing index score.
• It takes the case study company on average 17 hours to correct the error in the corporate income tax return and comply with any audit. This is slightly above the global average of 16.7 hours.
• For those economies in the region where a corporate income tax audit is unlikely to be triggered, the shortest time to correct the corporate income tax return is in Jordan at 3 hours, and the longest time is in Iraq at 18 hours. The longest time to comply with a corporate income tax audit is 71.3 hours in Saudi Arabia.
• West Bank and Gaza, and Saudi Arabia, are the only economies in the region where the corporate income tax return correction will trigger an audit. In Saudi Arabia the audit will last 25 weeks and in West Bank and Gaza it will take 28.7 weeks giving a regional average of 26.9 weeks.

Global findings:

• Globally, the most common feature of tax reforms in the past year was the introduction or enhancement of electronic systems for filing and paying taxes. Twenty-six economies implemented such changes. Jamaica was the top reformer, reducing the number of payments by 26 to 11. 
• The new additional research finds the interactions which a company has with tax authorities after a tax return has been filed can be some of the most challenging. The processes vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another.
• The report finds that 162 economies have a VAT system, with a VAT refund available to the case study company in 93 economies. A fast and efficient process can be critical to ensure that a company does not face cash flow difficulties. For economies with a VAT refund system, on average it takes just over 14 hours to make the VAT refund claim, but it then has to wait over 5 months (almost 22 weeks) to receive the refund.
• The analysis shows it typically takes less time to comply with a VAT refund in high income economies (almost 8 hours) than in low income economies (almost 27 hours). A VAT refund triggers an audit in 70% of economies, of which over half (58%) will go through a comprehensive audit.
• The study also shows that 180 economies in the study levied corporate income tax in 2015. A voluntary correction to a corporate income tax return is likely to lead to a tax audit in 74 of these. On average, it takes the case study company almost 17 hours to correct the error in the CIT return. If the tax authority requires an audit, it will take just over 17 weeks to finalise.
• Examining the difference between low and high income countries, the study finds that in low income economies it can take more than twice as long to comply with procedures to correct CIT errors, and that low income countries are twice as likely to conduct an audit.

Notes

1. Paying Taxes 2017 measures all mandatory taxes and contributions that a medium-size company must pay in a given year as well as measuring the administrative burden of filing and paying taxes and complying with post-filing processes. Taxes and contributions measured include profit or corporate income tax, social contributions and labour taxes paid by the employer, property taxes, property transfer taxes, dividend tax, capital gains tax, financial transactions tax, waste collection taxes, vehicle and road taxes, and other small taxes or fees. For more information about the Paying Taxes study, visit: www.pwc.com/payingtaxes.
2. For the first time, this year’s Paying Taxes study has been extended to look at the processes that take place after a tax return has been filed. The new post-filing index measures two processes that might take place after filing; claiming a value added tax (VAT) or goods services tax (GST) refund, and correcting an error on a corporate income tax (CIT) return including going through an audit when applicable. For more information on Paying Taxes visit www.pwc.com/payingtaxes.
3. Paying Taxes builds on the World Bank Group’s Doing Business reports’ chapter on Paying Taxes. For more information on the Doing Business report series, visit: www.doingbusiness.org