DOHA: Communication and music play the role of a bridge between countries and cultures, says an expert.

The Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning H E Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Khalifa Al Thani opening the Sixth Qatar International Real Estate and Investment Exhibition (Q-REX 2011) at the Qatar International Exhibition Centre last evening. The four-day exhibition provides an opportunity to visitors and participating companies to exchange expertise and to learn more about different projects. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Qatar, one of the world’s richest nations, stunned international oil companies in 2008 by asking them for more than $1bn to help pay for a new medical centre, according to a leaked US diplomatic cable.

Foreign workers being recruited to Qatar would be able to complete all the formalities for obtaining a residence permit on arrival at the airport, according to a senior official of the Ministry of Interior.