A host of important decisions were taken in the cabinet meeting held yesterday which was presided by HE Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani. In the press meet that followed the cabinet meeting, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud elaborated on the nuances of the law. The decisions taken are as follows: Necessary procedures were taken to issue a draft law amending some provisions of the advocacy law which stipulates that lawyers should either have a law degree or a shariya degree or relevant work experience in the judiciary for a minimum period of two years. In addition to the same, another draft law to regulate the practice of maritime works in Qatari waters was also propounded. The Qatar Railways Company was also exempted from the provisions law No. 4 of 1985 regarding the organization of buildings. A draft decision by HE the Minister of Public Health amending some provisions of decision No. 9 of 1987 on health terms, specifications and facilities that shall be provided at private clinics was also approved. The amendment aims to encourage investment in the private health sector via the provision of opportunities for opening private health centre at commercial complexes in the state. The meeting also approved a proposal by the Civil Aviation Authority for holding discussions in the field of air transport between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Mongolia. Other decisions taken during the meeting included amending provisions regarding fees of Qatari ports, initiating restructuring of the Qatar Committee for Alliance of Civilizations (QCAC), amendment of provisions regarding fees of services provided by the ministry of interior, to name a few. Certain commodities used by persons with special needs were also exempted from customs duties, in another landmark decision. In the international arena, a draft agreement on cooperation in the fighting of crime between governments of the State of Qatar and the Republic of Bulgaria was approved. An agreement on cooperation in air transport between governments of the State of Qatar and the Republic of Zimbabwe was also drafted. A decision was also reached on organizing the employment of Albanian labourers in the State of Qatar between the Government of the State of Qatar and Albania’s Council of Ministers. A draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Interior of the State of Qatar and the Ministry of National Security of the United States of America was also approved. In addition, the cabinet also took necessary procedures for the endorsement of a draft Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of energy between the Ministry of Energy and Industry of the State of Qatar and the Ministry of National Development in Hungary. The Cabinet also reviewed two letters by HE the Minister of Energy and Industry who is also Chairman of the Permanent Committee of Water Resources on the following laws (regulations), endorsed by the GCC Supreme Council at its 23rd session to apply them, as a guide, for two years: - Surface and underground water resources. - Treated sewage water and their re-use. - Desalinated water resources. The Cabinet took the appropriate decision thereon. Source : Qatar Chronicle

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