Airplanes land and take off at Đà Nẵng International Airport. The airport will host more flights from Doha, Qatar from December. — VNS Photo Công Thành Viet Nam News DOHA, QATAR — Qatar Airways will launch direct flights to Đà Nẵng starting December 19 as the third Vietnamese destination on the award-winning airline’s rapidly expanding global network. The airline said in a statement on September 6 that it will offer four-times weekly flights with a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, featuring 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our newest gateway to Việt Nam, the beautiful city of Đà Nẵng. This new direct route demonstrates our commitment to expanding our presence in the Far East, a highly-important market for Qatar Airways." Qatar Airways began direct services to HCM City in … [Read more...] about Qatar Airways to launch direct flights to Đà Nẵng this December
Qatar
Qatar agrees abolition of exit visa system
DOHA - Qatar has approved legislation to scrap controversial exit visas which require all foreign workers to obtain their employers' permission to leave the country, according to official statements published Tuesday. There are some 2 million foreign workers in Qatar, many employed directly or indirectly on vast infrastructure projects for the football World Cup, which will take place in the emirate in 2022. Under Law No. 13, only a maximum 5 percent of each company's workforce -- thought to be those in the most senior positions -- will still need permission to leave Qatar. The law change "regulating the entry, exit and residency of expatriates" was issued as an Emiri decree by the country's ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, reported the Qatar News Agency. No further details were given by the government and it was not immediately clear when the new law will come into force. "The adoption of this law is another step in our continued drive to provide decent work for all migrant … [Read more...] about Qatar agrees abolition of exit visa system
Qatar lifts controversial exit visa system for workers
DUBAI (Reuters) - Qatar amended its residency laws on Tuesday to allow foreign workers to leave the country without exit permits from their employers, a provision which labour rights groups have long said should be abolished. Doha is keen to show it is tackling allegations of worker exploitation as it prepares to host the 2022 soccer World Cup, which it has presented as a showcase of its progress and development. Most migrant workers would be able to leave the country without having to obtain permits from their employers under the law, said the International Labour Organization in a statement via its Doha office. The ILO hailed the move as a "significant step" for gas-rich Qatar, which committed last year to introducing sweeping labour reforms, including changes to the exit visa system. "The ILO welcomes the enactment of Law No. 13, which will have a direct and positive impact on the lives of migrant workers in Qatar," said Houtan Homayounpour, the head of the ILO office in Doha, which … [Read more...] about Qatar lifts controversial exit visa system for workers
Saudi Arabia dropped another hint that it’s moving forward with plans to turn rival Qatar into an island
A senior Saudi official seemed to confirm the Kingdom is moving forward with ambitious plans to turn Qatar into an island. A senior adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tweeted that he was “impatiently waiting for details” on plans to dig a canal along its 38-mile (61 kilometer) border with Qatar. Saudi Arabia has not yet officially commented on the project, though Saudi guards took control of the border crossing in April. And in June, reports local media reported that five international companies been invited to bid for the project, slated for completion by the end of the year. Saudi Arabia and other gulf nations are involved in a bitter diplomatic battle with Qatar. A senior Saudi official seemed to confirm that Saudi Arabia is moving forward with ambitious plans to turn rival nation Qatar into an island. “I am impatiently waiting for details on the implementation of the Salwa island project, a great, historic project that will change the geography … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia dropped another hint that it’s moving forward with plans to turn rival Qatar into an island
Qatar plans to invest billions of dollars in Germany
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Qatar plans to invest billions of dollars more in Germany and will broaden its focus to the country's medium-sized companies, business newspaper Handelsblatt said in a report due to be published on Monday. Citing diplomatic and company sources, the paper said that the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and private sector players would be looking at Germany's "Mittelstand" manufacturing companies. "We see Germany as a key player in the world economy and are looking at the German market with great optimism," Handelsblatt quoted Qatar's Minister of Finance Ali Sharif al-Emadi as saying. "Our delegation will be announcing big new investments," he said in an interview in the Handelsblatt report ahead of a Qatar Germany Business and Investment Forum in Berlin on Sept. 7. Qatar, the world's biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), has shareholdings in companies including Volkswagen <VOWG.DE>, Deutsche Bank <DBKGn.DE>, Siemens <SIEGn.DE>, Hochtief … [Read more...] about Qatar plans to invest billions of dollars in Germany