-14.00 -57.00 PTS as tourism hot Newsline spot, says WTA ... · Dubai (UAE), Anatolia (Turkey),...
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First with the news and what’s behind it MONDAY JANUARY 9, 2012 SAFAR 15, 1433 VOL.6 NO. 1953 QR 2 ■ Newsline ■ Nationline ■ Businessline ■ Lifeline ■ Sportsline www.qatar-tribune.com AILYN AGONIA DOHA STAGING the grand finale to the World Travel Awards (WTA) this year in Qatar presents an opportunity for travel industry’s biggest deci- sion-makers as well as inter- national media to create busi- ness and partnership oppor- tunities, said WTA founder- President Graham Cooke. WTA Grand Final to be hosted in Katara on Wednesday will feature 146 categories with more than 1,000 nominees. “We chose Qatar because it’s such an exciting and hap- pening place in the world to be right now, which can only look forward to an even better scenario in the days to come given the developments that are taking place. We can bring the spotlight it deserves,” Cooke told Qatar Tribune in an interview. He said the selection of hosts was fundamental to the success of their awards pro- gramme. Some of the major international industry desti- nations where WTA finals were held included New York, Las Vegas, The Bahamas, London, Jamaica, Kuala Lumpur, St Lucia and Turks & Caicos. “We look for destinations that are driving the industry to new heights through inno- vation and experimentation. Qatar is rapidly establishing itself as a world-class tourism destination for leisure, busi- ness, culture and sport. The country is investing $25 bil- lion in tourism infrastructure in the build-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, so there are a lot of opportunities within the luxury hospitality market, and a lot of fresh ideas being put into practice through the many new projects,” Cooke added. The 2011 Grand Tour fea- tured regional events in Dubai (UAE), Anatolia (Turkey), Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt), Bangkok (Thailand), and Montero Bay (Jamaica). The winners from these have been nominated for the Grand Final in Doha. The highlights of Qatar- based brands included Doha winning “Middle East’s Leading Business Travel Destination” and W Hotel Doha picking up “Middle East’s Leading Hotel & Residences”. The WTA top boss under- lined the strong representa- tion of Middle East brands this year which reflected the significant improvement in the tourism offerings of this part of the world. He said, “The likes of the UAE and Qatar are in the midst of a development mira- cle, and future generations will look back on this period as the golden era of evolu- tion.” WTA was launched in 1993 to acknowledge and reward the very best travel organisa- tions in the world. Since its inception, it has been raising the bar of traveller’s stan- dards and stimulates compe- tition in the world tourism industry. The eligibility CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al Arabi (left) at the meeting of Arab foreign ministers, in Cairo, on Sunday. Qatar emerging as tourism hot spot, says WTA founder Arab League Syria mission has failed to stop bloodshed: PM AP BEIRUT THE Arab League repeated its demand on Sunday for the Syrian government to immediately stop all violence and allow more moni- tors in, as activists reported at least 10 more civilians killed by regime forces including two teenagers. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani said the ministers did not agree to call for UN experts to join the observers’ mission in Syria but they would ask UN experts to train the monitors before going in. “Even if they had called for the UN experts to go in, Syria’s regime may well have blocked them,” he added. The prime minister told reporters after the meeting that the League is aware that the mis- sion has not fulfilled its goal of stopping the bloodshed. “Is what happened, ideal? We want to do more,” he said. “We know that the Syrian people have made a decision, but what we want is to lessen the losses, human loss- es,” he said. Five foreign ministers from the 22-member Arab League, who met in Cairo, also said the 165 Arab League monitors already on the ground in Syria need greater inde- pendence from the regime. The ministerial committee called on “the Syrian government and various armed groups to immedi- ately halt all forms of violence and to return to protesting peacefully for the success of the Arab League observers’ mission in Syria.” Fierce clashes in the south between government troops and military defectors killed 11 soldiers dead, activists said. The Arab League also called on other armed parties to halt all bloodshed, an apparent reference to the defectors. The monitors are supposed to be ensuring Syrian compliance with a plan to end the government’s crackdown on dissent. The Arab League plan calls on Syria to remove heavy weaponry, such as tanks, from all cities, free all polit- ical prisoners and allow in human rights organizations and foreign journalists. Syria agreed to the plan on Dec. 19. But opposition activists say around 450 people have been killed by President Bashar Assad’s regime since observers began work in Syria nearly two weeks ago. The opposition charges that the regime is misleading the 165 observers and that the mission had done nothing to resolve the crisis. Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al Araby said observers will continue their monthlong mission in Syria, despite claims by activists that the mission is giving cover to Assad’s crackdown on protesters and delaying further action from being taken. According to the UN, more than 5,000 people have been killed since March when mostly peaceful anti-government protests began. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 11 soldiers died in intense fighting in the town of Basr al-Harir in southern Daraa province. More than 20 troops were wounded. In Homs, seven civilians were killed by troops raiding houses and pro-government snipers on rooftops. A 15-year-old boy was among seven civilians killed, the Observatory said. The Arab League said it needs more monitors in Syria, but did not name an exact number. Initially, the League had requested to send 500 monitors, but so far Syria has allowed in just 165. SEE ALSO PAGE 3 ASIF IQBAL DOHA QATAR will now be a part of the internationally acclaimed Young Entrepreneur of the Year award with the launch of the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 award in Qatar. Globally, the event is held in 140 cities across 50 countries and has been running for 25 years. In Qatar, Ernst & Young is collaborating with Enterprise Qatar for this award. Speaking at the launch of the award on Sunday, the Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Qatar Noora al Mannai said, “This is the first year of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Qatar. The small and medium enterprises (SME) is playing an increas- ingly important role in Qatar’s economy and Enterprise Qatar wants to support and fuel this.” She said, “Qatar is one of the significant powerhouses of the global economy, with our entrepreneurs acting as crucial pillars of this growth. Launching the Ernst & Young EOY 2011 Qatar award is an important way to support this advancement.” The Enterprise Qatar CEO further said that the Entrepreneur of the Year is an established award that both acknowledges our country’s talents as well as rewards it, while at the same time pro- vides an international dimen- sion and benchmark for suc- cess, giving local entrepre- neurs the means to showcase their achievements and prove themselves globally. Giving further details about the award, al Mannai said, “To be eligible for con- sideration, nominees must be owners and managers who are primarily responsible for the recent performance of CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 Money supply in Qatar grew by 12.7% in November MONEY supply (M2) in Qatar grew by 12.7 percent year-on-year at the end of November, after a 18.9 percent rise in the previous month, the QCB data showed on Sunday. Bank lending to the private sector jumped by 22.3 percent on an annual basis in November, the fastest pace in 30 months, after an 18.0 percent rise in the previous month. Money supply saw growth rates of around 60 percent in 2008 when inflation climbed to record, double-digit highs. (AP) US will respond if Iran blocks Strait of Hormuz: Panetta THE United States will respond if Iran tries to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta warned on Sunday, saying such a move would cross a “red line.” “We made very clear that the United States will not tol- erate the blocking of the Straits of Hormuz,” Panetta told CBS televi- sion. “That’s another red line for us and that we will respond to them.” (PG 8) Non-resident Indians to get voting rights FULFILLING the long-standing demand of its diaspora, India on Sunday said it would allow Non- resident Indians to vote and partici- pate in the poll process. “Pursuant to the law that was enacted to enable Non-resident Indians to vote in our national elections, the gov- ernment has issued notifications for registration of overseas electors under the Representation of People Act, 1950,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said. (PG 11) News line Qatar Exchange falls 57 points to 8,829 QATAR Exchange shed 57 points to close the day at 8,829 points, weighed down by Qatar National Bank which fell 1.6 percent. The Gulf state’s largest lender is due to report 2011 earnings on Monday. NBK Capital recommends buying stocks which have dipped recently, adding the trend on the index remains up. “We expect a climb close to 9,140-9,300 points,” NBK Capital said in a note. (PG 21) Qatar joins E&Y’s Young Entrepreneur award PM AT ARAB LEAGUE MEET ON SYRIA Around 450 people have been killed by President Bashar Assad’s regime since observers began work in Syria nearly two weeks ago. Exclusive QT Development miracle “We chose Qatar because it’s such an exciting and happening place in the world to be right now, which can only look forward to an even better scenario in the days to come given the develop- ments that are taking place.” WTA FOUNDER-PRESIDENT GRAHAM COOKE M MI I S ST TY Y HIGH: 25 0 C | LOW: 17 0 C 12,401 -14.00 PTS DOW JONES 8,829 -57.00 PTS QE CURRENCY SENSEX WEATHER 15,867 +10.00 PTS Indian Rupee 14.47 Philippine Peso 12.10 CEO of Enterprise Qatar Noora Al Mannai (left) with Managing Partner of Ernst & Young Qatar Firas Qoussous, in Doha, on Sunday. PAGE 13 | NATION PAGE 28 | SPORTS QP, QF IN STAFF DEVELOPMENT PACT PAGE 29 | CHILL OUT FASHION WORLD LOOKS FOR NEXT INGENUE ON RAMP ASPIRE QATAR OFF TO A WINNING START End violence & allow more monitors, demands Arab League
Transcript of -14.00 -57.00 PTS as tourism hot Newsline spot, says WTA ... · Dubai (UAE), Anatolia (Turkey),...
First with the news and what’s behind itMONDAY JANUARY 9, 2012 SAFAR 15, 1433 VOL. 6 NO. 1953 QR 2n Newsline n Nationline n Businessline n Lifeline n Sportsline
www.qatar-tribune.com
AILYN AGONIA DOHA
STAGING the grand finale tothe World Travel Awards(WTA) this year in Qatarpresents an opportunity fortravel industry’s biggest deci-sion-makers as well as inter-national media to create busi-ness and partnership oppor-tunities, said WTA founder-President Graham Cooke.
WTA Grand Final to behosted in Katara onWednesday will feature 146categories with more than1,000 nominees.
“We chose Qatar becauseit’s such an exciting and hap-pening place in the world tobe right now, which can onlylook forward to an even betterscenario in the days to comegiven the developments thatare taking place. We can bringthe spotlight it deserves,”Cooke told Qatar Tribune inan interview.
He said the selection ofhosts was fundamental to thesuccess of their awards pro-gramme. Some of the majorinternational industry desti-nations where WTA finalswere held included New York,Las Vegas, The Bahamas,London, Jamaica, KualaLumpur, St Lucia and Turks& Caicos.
“We look for destinationsthat are driving the industryto new heights through inno-vation and experimentation.Qatar is rapidly establishingitself as a world-class tourismdestination for leisure, busi-ness, culture and sport. Thecountry is investing $25 bil-lion in tourism infrastructurein the build-up to the 2022FIFA World Cup, so there area lot of opportunities withinthe luxury hospitality market,and a lot of fresh ideas beingput into practice through themany new projects,” Cookeadded.
The 2011 Grand Tour fea-tured regional events inDubai (UAE), Anatolia(Turkey), Sharm el Sheikh(Egypt), Bangkok (Thailand),and Montero Bay (Jamaica).The winners from these havebeen nominated for theGrand Final in Doha.
The highlights of Qatar-based brands included Dohawinning “Middle East’sLeading Business TravelDestination” and W HotelDoha picking up “MiddleEast’s Leading Hotel &
Residences”.The WTA top boss under-
lined the strong representa-tion of Middle East brandsthis year which reflected thesignificant improvement inthe tourism offerings of thispart of the world.
He said, “The likes of theUAE and Qatar are in themidst of a development mira-cle, and future generationswill look back on this periodas the golden era of evolu-tion.”
WTA was launched in 1993to acknowledge and rewardthe very best travel organisa-tions in the world. Since itsinception, it has been raisingthe bar of traveller’s stan-dards and stimulates compe-tition in the world tourismindustry. The eligibility
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 8
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani with Arab LeagueSecretary-General Nabil al Arabi (left) at the meeting of Arab foreign ministers, in Cairo, on Sunday.
Qatar emergingas tourism hotspot, says WTA founder
Arab League Syria mission hasfailed to stop bloodshed: PM
APBEIRUT
THE Arab League repeated itsdemand on Sunday for the Syriangovernment to immediately stopall violence and allow more moni-tors in, as activists reported at least10 more civilians killed by regimeforces including two teenagers.
Prime Minister and Minister ofForeign Affairs HE Sheikh Hamadbin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani saidthe ministers did not agree to callfor UN experts to join theobservers’ mission in Syria butthey would ask UN experts to trainthe monitors before going in.“Even if they had called for the UNexperts to go in, Syria’s regimemay well have blocked them,” headded.
The prime minister toldreporters after the meeting thatthe League is aware that the mis-sion has not fulfilled its goal ofstopping the bloodshed.
“Is what happened, ideal? Wewant to do more,” he said. “Weknow that the Syrian people havemade a decision, but what we wantis to lessen the losses, human loss-es,” he said.
Five foreign ministers from the22-member Arab League, who metin Cairo, also said the 165 ArabLeague monitors already on theground in Syria need greater inde-
pendence from the regime.The ministerial committee called
on “the Syrian government andvarious armed groups to immedi-ately halt all forms of violence andto return to protesting peacefullyfor the success of the Arab Leagueobservers’ mission in Syria.”
Fierce clashes in the southbetween government troops andmilitary defectors killed 11 soldiersdead, activists said. The ArabLeague also called on other armed
parties to halt all bloodshed, anapparent reference to the defectors.
The monitors are supposed to beensuring Syrian compliance with aplan to end the government’scrackdown on dissent. The ArabLeague plan calls on Syria toremove heavy weaponry, such astanks, from all cities, free all polit-ical prisoners and allow in humanrights organizations and foreignjournalists. Syria agreed to theplan on Dec. 19.
But opposition activists sayaround 450 people have beenkilled by President Bashar Assad’s
regime since observers began workin Syria nearly two weeks ago. Theopposition charges that the regimeis misleading the 165 observersand that the mission had donenothing to resolve the crisis.
Arab League Secretary-GeneralNabil al Araby said observers willcontinue their monthlong missionin Syria, despite claims by activiststhat the mission is giving cover toAssad’s crackdown on protestersand delaying further action frombeing taken.
According to the UN, more than5,000 people have been killedsince March when mostly peacefulanti-government protests began.
The British-based SyrianObservatory for Human Rights said11 soldiers died in intense fightingin the town of Basr al-Harir insouthern Daraa province. Morethan 20 troops were wounded.
In Homs, seven civilians werekilled by troops raiding houses andpro-government snipers onrooftops. A 15-year-old boy wasamong seven civilians killed, theObservatory said.
The Arab League said it needsmore monitors in Syria, but didnot name an exact number.Initially, the League had requestedto send 500 monitors, but so farSyria has allowed in just 165.
SEE ALSO PAGE 3 4
ASIF IQBAL DOHA
QATAR will now be a part ofthe internationally acclaimedYoung Entrepreneur of theYear award with the launchof the E&Y Entrepreneur ofthe Year 2011 award in Qatar.
Globally, the event is held in140 cities across 50 countriesand has been running for 25
years. In Qatar, Ernst & Youngis collaborating with EnterpriseQatar for this award.
Speaking at the launch ofthe award on Sunday, theChief Executive Officer ofEnterprise Qatar Noora alMannai said, “This is the firstyear of Ernst & YoungEntrepreneur of the YearAward in Qatar. The smalland medium enterprises
(SME) is playing an increas-ingly important role inQatar’s economy andEnterprise Qatar wants tosupport and fuel this.”
She said, “Qatar is one ofthe significant powerhousesof the global economy, withour entrepreneurs acting ascrucial pillars of this growth.Launching the Ernst & YoungEOY 2011 Qatar award is an
important way to supportthis advancement.”
The Enterprise Qatar CEOfurther said that theEntrepreneur of the Year is anestablished award that bothacknowledges our country’stalents as well as rewards it,while at the same time pro-vides an international dimen-sion and benchmark for suc-cess, giving local entrepre-
neurs the means to showcasetheir achievements and provethemselves globally.
Giving further detailsabout the award, al Mannaisaid, “To be eligible for con-sideration, nominees must beowners and managers whoare primarily responsible forthe recent performance of
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 8
Money supply in Qatar grewby 12.7% in NovemberMONEY supply (M2) in Qatar grewby 12.7 percent year-on-year atthe end of November, after a 18.9percent rise in the previous month,the QCB data showed on Sunday.Bank lending to the private sectorjumped by 22.3 percent on anannual basis in November, thefastest pace in 30 months, after an18.0 percent rise in the previousmonth. Money supply saw growthrates of around 60 percent in2008 when inflation climbed torecord, double-digit highs. (AP)
US will respond if Iran blocksStrait of Hormuz: PanettaTHE United States will respond ifIran tries to close the strategicStrait of Hormuz at the entrance tothe Gulf, US Defence SecretaryLeon Panetta warned on Sunday,saying such a move would cross a“red line.” “We made very clearthat the United States will not tol-erate the blocking of the Straits ofHormuz,” Panetta told CBS televi-sion. “That’s another red line forus and that we will respond tothem.” (PG 8)
Non-resident Indians to get voting rights FULFILLING the long-standingdemand of its diaspora, India onSunday said it would allow Non-resident Indians to vote and partici-pate in the poll process. “Pursuantto the law that was enacted toenable Non-resident Indians to votein our national elections, the gov-ernment has issued notifications forregistration of overseas electorsunder the Representation of PeopleAct, 1950,” Prime MinisterManmohan Singh said. (PG 11)
Newsline
Qatar Exchange falls 57points to 8,829QATAR Exchange shed 57 pointsto close the day at 8,829 points,weighed down by Qatar NationalBank which fell 1.6 percent. TheGulf state’s largest lender is due toreport 2011 earnings on Monday.NBK Capital recommends buyingstocks which have dipped recently,adding the trend on the indexremains up. “We expect a climbclose to 9,140-9,300 points,”NBK Capital said in a note. (PG 21)
Qatar joins E&Y’s Young Entrepreneur award
PM AT ARAB LEAGUE MEET ON SYRIA
Around 450 peoplehave been killed byPresident BasharAssad’s regime sinceobservers began workin Syria nearly twoweeks ago.
Exc lus iveQT
Development miracle
“We chose Qatarbecause it’s suchan exciting andhappening place inthe world to beright now, whichcan only look forward to an evenbetter scenario inthe days to comegiven the develop-ments that are taking place.”
WTA FOUNDER-PRESIDENT GRAHAM COOKE
MMIISSTTYYHIGH: 25
0C | LOW: 17
0C
12,401-14.00
PTS
DOW JONES 8,829-57.00
PTS
QE
CURRENCY SENSEX
WEATHER
15,867+10.00
PTSIndian Rupee 14.47Philippine Peso 12.10
CEO of Enterprise Qatar Noora Al Mannai (left) with ManagingPartner of Ernst & Young Qatar Firas Qoussous, in Doha, on Sunday.
PAGE 13 | NATION PAGE 28 | SPORTS
QP, QF IN STAFF DEVELOPMENTPACT
PAGE 29 | CHILL OUT
FASHIONWORLDLOOKS FOR NEXTINGENUE ON RAMP
ASPIRE QATAROFF TO A WINNINGSTART
End violence & allow more monitors, demands Arab League
