governance Archives

5 min

Opinion

Qatar’s upcoming five-year plan ‘a reflection of less certain times’

Here, Michael Stephens, the head of the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies (RUSI) Qatar, explains how drastically the new NDS will differ from the country’s current 2011-2016 plan.

3 min

Life

Qatar mulls new policy requiring gov’t to interact with public online

Once the policy takes effect, government agencies would be required to set up websites, list active contact information and engage with residents via social media channels.

2 min

Business

IMF urges Qatar to operate more efficiently

In a bid to prevent construction bottlenecks and rising costs - and ensure that projects are delivered on time - the IMF has suggested Qatar set up a public investment management process for all its forthcoming construction projects.

2 min

Life

Qatar considering new ‘open data’ policy to promote transparency

Under the new policy, all government ministries would be required to release data relevant to the public, including a business register, crime stats, information about the national budget and pollution levels.

2 min

Politics

Emir announces major shake-up of ministries and councils

Sheikh Tamim will no longer chair the Supreme Council of Health or the Supreme Education Council, posts he has held since before he assumed power from his father last summer.

2 min

Culture

Journalist: Gulf culture, not governments, stifling free speech

Social norms in this region mean that public shaming by advocates is unlikely to bring about labor reforms, a Bahraini columnist has said.

4 min

Business

Illegal traps add to Qatar’s dwindling fish supply woes

Newly published research shows that more than a dozen weirs are operating off of the nation's coasts, catching tons of young fish before they can breed and help restock the waters.

1 min

Editor: The Ministry of Labor ‘has failed to perform’

The Editor-in-Chief of a local sports magazine in Qatar has called on the government to acknowledge its shortcomings in enforcing labor rights, and lay out a plan to solve the problem.

4 min

Business

Qatar must act urgently to resolve labor rights abuses, delegation says

Overcrowding and “unbelievably bad” conditions such as flooded bathrooms, dilapidated kitchens and workers sharing beds and/or sleeping on the floor are among some of observations labor activists made during visits to accommodation sites in Qatar this week.

governance