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Qatar Airways Named World’s Best Airline for 2019

Being the best in a certain field within the region is admirable, but being called the best in the world defines excellence, and sets the benchmark for the rest of the players in the field to follow or surpass to become recognized for the same feat as well. Achievements recognized in the world makes smaller countries like Qatar become more known for good reasons.

For a number of years, Qatar’s official flag carrier, Qatar Airways, has been at the forefront of aviation services in the Middle East, edging competition from neighbouring countries such as the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, whose airlines are no pushovers, in their own right.

Skytrax Awards World’s Best Airline to Qatar Airways for 2019

But as far as aviation and airline service standards are concerned, Qatar Airways has been named the best airline in the world once again, for 2019 – putting a stop to Singapore Airlines’ four-year winning streak, as recognized at the World Airline Awards held in Paris last Tuesday (June 18).

Singapore Airlines claimed second place in Skytrax’s latest World Airline Rankings, based on a survey of more than 20 million passengers from around the globe.

This year marks Qatar’s fifth top placement in the prestigious rankings, following its feat in 2017, 2015, 2012, and 2011.

Moreover, the Gulf airline also bagged category awards for world’s best business class, world’s best business class seat, and best airline in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, ANA All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways and Emirates claimed third, fourth and fifth spots in the world airline rankings, while Qantas Airways, which came in eighth, was the only Australasian airline to enter the top 10 rankings for global competitiveness.

Qatar Airways first started its operations in 1993, and then was reliance in 1997, when 50% of the ownership was passed on to a private company.

Since then, the airline has been known to offer the best in-flight services in the region, such as strong connectivity, also offering passengers the choice of flying to over 120 destinations worldwide. Qatar airways caters to the every need of passengers while on board. With unlimited entertainment options, a wide selection of scrumptious meals, comfortable seating, ample legroom, flying with the Gulf airline’s flag carrier is an experience not to be missed out when visiting Qatar.

ALSO READ: Qatar’s Tourism Council to Boost Activities During Eid, Summer

Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Commitment in Support of Women Empowerment

It’s been a long time coming, but initiatives to boost women’s rights and benefits in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are only signs of better things to come.

Despite the slow progress it has made in terms of reforms promoting women’s rights, most of which have only been lobbied during the last decade, this progress is still an indication that the Kingdom is slowly but surely moving in the direction where women will have more voices, and more freedom to pursue their dreams.

Saudi Arabia Commits to Women Empowerment Initiatives

In a recent meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, Saudi Arabia has re-emphasized its commitment to the empowerment of women, as shared in a report by the Arab News.

According to the Kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN, Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, 2018 had been “the year of transformation” for the country.

Citing the achievement of UN Women in realizing most of the first-year goals of its 2018-2021 strategic plan, Al-Mouallimi shared that 2018 saw the adoption of a number of decisions that contributed to the support and empowerment of Saudi women and their access to many new fields.

“The Kingdom values UN Women’s contributions to supporting women’s political rights, empowering them economically and supporting the development of government bodies, corporations, international organizations and policies to provide women with better opportunities and help them benefit from financial services and productive resources,” Al-Mouallimi added.

He also shared that for this year, the Kingdom was cited for its experience in two of UN Women’s performance results, ‘women’s leading role in governance systems and their ability to equally benefit from them.’

Al-Mouallimi pointed out that the Kingdom’s leadership has already released many orders to eradicate discriminatory practices against women, citing the decision upheld on April 17, 2017 requiring government bodies not to ask women for consent (from male guardians) when providing them with services.

Furthermore, a royal decree appointed Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan as the Kingdom’s ambassador to the US, making her the first woman to ever be appointed as an ambassador, Al-Mouallimi explained.

Accordingly, the Kingdom’s decision to allow women to drive was also received with much appreciation, not only in the country but also in the rest of the world.

Another initiative worth noting was the ‘Wusool’ programme, which offered transportation services to working women, and established a centre to help them find daycare to boost their participation in the workforce and support their professional and private stability.

Commenting on the UN strategy and plan of action on hate discourse, Al-Mouallimi explained that tolerance, understanding and open discussion are key factors in resolving those challenges, as he referred to a Muslim World League conference held last May at the UN’s New York offices, which saw senior religious leaders from various faiths, prominent intellectuals, politicians, civil and government officials from around the world, gathering with the single aim of overcoming the discourse of hatred.

ALSO READ: Here’s What to Expect on Your Visit to Saudi Arabia

Visas for Dependent Sons Over 18 Years Can Now be Renewed in UAE

Coming of age in most parts of the world is an important transition that families look forward to. But for quite some time for expat families in the UAE, this meant having to pay a deposit of AED 5,000 for the visa application of their dependents reaching 18 years old.

However, all that will be a thing of the past, as the government will no longer require parents or guardians to file for their dependents’ visa application on humanitarian appeal. Instead, eligible applicants will be allowed to renew their residency visa for up to two consecutive years, minus the previous requirement of a deposit, which is no small thing for any person with a family living in the city.

UAE Grants Visa Renewals for Dependent Sons Above 18 Years

In an update from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, residents of the UAE can now renew the residency visas of their 18-year-old dependent sons, whether they are secondary school or university graduates, for up to two consecutive years, as shared in a report by Gulf News.

The residence permit, in effect, will be valid for a year and can be renewed for an additional year.

This benefit will be available from the date of completion of secondary education of dependent sons, or those who have just graduated university, or those reaching the age of 18 years.

Meanwhile, the authority noted that daughters will remain on their parents’ visa without any age limit until they get married.

Application for the said benefit can be done through all the residency and naturalization offices or other government-approved outlets for a fee of AED 100 for residency permits or their renewal for a year.

Eligible residents can submit supporting documents by attaching the certificate of general secondary education or graduation certificate or the information from the university where the son studied, whether inside or outside the UAE, duly certified by his alma mater.

Also of note, there will be no more tourist visa fees to be charged for dependents below 18 years of age who are accompanied by their parents to the UAE.

Tourists can take advantage of the new scheme between July 15 and September 15 of each year.

According to the authority, these facilities include those below 18 provided that they are accompanied by a parent, regardless of the length of the validity of the parent’s visa.

Eligible applicants may apply through the authority’s electronic channels or via its smart application ICA UAE e-channels.

ALSO READ: UAE Announces Charges for New Long-term & Multiple-entry Visas

Meet the First Female Saudi Commercial Pilot

At the turn of the last decade, much has changed in the way Saudis have viewed women. And while there are still religious and traditional gender identifications, it can be said that the Kingdom is becoming more open to modern ideas and approaches, especially when it comes to gender roles and social awareness.

And while it can be said that slow progress is better than no progress at all, the women themselves are also doing their part to challenge this long-standing system, and assert themselves in places where they have great talents and use for.

Saudi Recognizes First Female Commercial Pilot

Such is the case of Yasmeen Al-Maimani, the Kingdom’s first-ever female commercial pilot, as she shared her delight and achievement through her post via Instagram.

As per reports, Al-Maimani had already undergone over 300 hours of test flights in the USA, after she had successfully completed a programme in Jordan.

In 2013, Al-Maimani exchanged her American license for a Saudi one, but after this she reportedly had a hard time finding an airline that was willing to recruit a female pilot.

In an interview, she shared, “I knocked many doors for a job, but the refusal is still going on under the pretext that women’s jobs as female captain do not exist.”

Years later, Saudi women were allowed to participate in the aviation sector including departments in customer service, air traffic control, and transport.

And just last year, Saudi women were allowed to work as administrative officers. And finally this year, Al-Maimani has become the first female commercial pilot in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Despite criticisms that reforms and social values in the Kingdom are slow-moving, almost unchanging, people like Al-Maimani dig deep in their individual strengths and capacities to bring a change not only for themselves, but also for the women, who, for the longest time, were unrepresented – if not entirely invisible in society.

With a dream, people are slowly realizing that nothing is impossible to achieve. Though it may take long years of hard work and sacrifice to become a reality, a small ripple can inevitably cause bigger ones, and eventually waves to challenge the tides of what “has been” into what will be.

For the rest of the women in the Saudi Arabia, and even in the rest of the Middle East, Yasmeen Al-Maimani’s achievement is a story of following one’s dreams and challenging norms to create opportunities for other (Saudi) women to follow.

ALSO READ: 25 Facts First-Time Travellers Should Know About Saudi Arabia

Gov’t Sets New Fees to Apply for Omani Citizenship

Working in a foreign country may cause one to think of getting naturalised in order to maintain their way of living, which they’ve built in their host country. Working in a country such as Oman has plenty of benefits not only for citizens, but also for foreign nationals. However, with the recent changes in the region’s economic performance, foreign employment is being reduced in favour of nationals, who are also seeking to join the workforce.

Of course, the process varies from one country to another – and unfortunately, certain eligibility requirements are imposed to limit those who want to apply for citizenship, as in the case of Oman.

Gov’t Sets Application Fee for Omani Citizenship at RO 600

However, for those who are deemed eligible to apply for citizenship in Oman, the government has issued a decision (No 92/2019) on the executive regulations of the Omani Citizenship Law, which elaborates on the fees required for regaining, renouncing, and applying for citizenship, as shared in a report by the Muscat Daily.

As per the new decision issued by His Excellency Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al Busaidi, Minister of Interior, an RO 200 fee has to be paid to apply for regaining or renouncing Omani citizenship and RO 600 to apply for the citizenship.

Furthermore, an RO 300 has to be paid to apply for citizenship for an expatriate wife of an Omani, widowed or divorced.

When applying for citizenship, as in the case of a minor son of an Omani woman, the applicant must pay RO 300, based on a decision issued on June 2.

The update, though, is not for all, since obtaining citizenship in Oman is limited to children of nationals who emigrated before 1970.

These people, who are the only known foreign applicants of Omani citizenship, who seek for this benefit on a relatively consistent basis, may return to Oman and apply for citizenship through the Ministry of the Interior, but they are by no means guaranteed success. It is for this reason that the government´s citizenship policy has been viewed as extremely controversial.

In most cases, the government will grant only half a returning family citizenship. In others, it will not even grant some members of these families residence or work permits.

Meanwhile, for those who have no Omani heritage, their only chance at citizenship will be through marriage to an Omani national, and even then their application will probably be denied.

It is more common, however, for generous employers to reward loyal workers by providing them with work and residence permits of indefinite duration. Even still, there is a good chance this support will end when those workers retire.

Therefore, the outside chance of acquiring citizenship in Oman may be more trouble than the actual benefit this may offer, especially for those who do not have a direct relation to the country, and are only trying their chances at migration.

Nevertheless, Oman is still one of those countries, which, when given a good chance, people would enjoy living in, as the sultanate boasts of rich cultural heritage and history, as seen in the many beautiful places travellers get to enjoy even on short visits.

Govt Introduces Service Tagging ‘Omanised’ Professions

With Oman’s nationalisation programme already in effect, more opportunities are being presented to citizens, and the opposite for expats in the country, as well as for those planning to find a job in the sultanate. Though this may seem like a disadvantage for some (mainly expats), this decision has taken into account the country’s overall affairs, as well as future performance.

However, as the general direction of the country’s labour force is steadily headed towards its targeted end-point, there are still areas in which the government can assist not only citizens, but also businesses as well as investors in adapting to this transition.

Programme Launched to Inform Public on ‘Omanised’ Professions

In line with this, the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) has launched a service through which citizens can enquire about Omanised professions in the sultanate, as shared in a report by Muscat Daily.

The service is part of the initial stage to introduce the new system of issuance of work licences.

Moreover, this service will enable employers and investors to know about the activities and professions that ban recruitment of expatriates. It will also help citizens check if a business is legal.

According to Asila bint Mohammed al Kalbany, director general of Information Technology at MoM, “This service will provide employers with the opportunity to learn about the details of ban on activities and professions imposed by the ministry. It will also help employers or investors avoid any losses that they could incur from setting up a prohibited activity or a business.”

Through this initiative, the government hopes to further encourage citizens to take part in the workforce, and ensure that they are well designated to do so. For the expats and investors, knowing which professions are only intended for Omanised professionals will enable them to decide which sector they can bring their talents to, or if there are better opportunities elsewhere that suit their career profile.

The Manpower Ministry has also taken part in the Government Performance Accelerators programme currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Civil Service.

As the sultanate is looking to make a shift from the traditional oil-based industry, for which all of the Middle Eastern countries have benefited from for a long time, labour and manpower allocation, as well as tax introductions will prove to be integral to sustaining Oman’s economic and social ventures in the long term.

ALSO READ: Oman Among 50 States Eligible for Visa on Arrival in Pakistan

Bahrain to Implement New Wages Scheme Starting September

Bahrain to Implement Much-Delayed New Wages Scheme Starting September

Elsewhere in the world, labour and worker benefit systems are constantly being improved in order to meet international standards, because when they do, this usually means better working conditions and environment for workers regardless of their nationality, country of origin, and so on.

In the Middle East though, these systems are often consulted and based on the standards set by the Gulf Cooperation Council, under which countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain are affiliated to. The Council decides standards that affect economic activities in the region such as imposing taxes in response to the oil crisis that have affected the region in recent years.

New Wage Scheme Soon to be Rolled Out in Bahrain

In relation to this, Bahrain will implement its much-delayed new wage system from September, meaning employers will have to transfer employees’ salaries directly into their bank accounts, as ashared in a report by Gulf News.

The Wage Protection System (WPS), whch has been launched last year has yet to be put into effect in order to give retail banks and providers more time to prepare for the management of the scheme.

According to Ausamah Al Absi, chief executive of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), they are now in the administrative phase and are expecting the WPS to be rolled out by the end of summer.

Al Absi further explained that the first phase of the scheme will cover all big companies, followed by small companies and then domestic workers in the country.

The entire process could take over a year, until all domestic workers are also covered under the new scheme.

The WPS will mean that employees will no longer be paid in cash but will receive their wages directly into their bank accounts through digital technology and advanced banking facilities.

With this transition soon to be implemented in the kingdom, the opportunity for migrant workers to be exploited by unethical employers will be managed more systematically, putting a solution to the vulnerabilities of the long-standing sponsorship or kafala system in most countries in the Middle East.

However, for the new system of wage protection or improved wage record-keeping to make marked impact across all sectors in the working society, there needs to be strong digital and banking technologies, to ensure that opportunities for exploitation of the system from the end of employers as well as third-parties (banking sector), will be pre-empted and duly addressed as the system is standardised across the Kingdom.

ALSO READ: [Guide] What You Need to Know About Working in Bahrain

Oman to Impose New Excise Tax to Boost Gov’t Income

Oman Plans to Impose New Excise Tax to Boost Gov’t Income

Part of the allure in working in the Middle East is its unique taxation system (or the lack of it, at least back then). Because there’s no income tax to be deducted from one’s earnings, migrant workers have a considerably bigger take-home pay as compared to what they would earn from their home countries or elsewhere.

However, as the oil industry has taken a hit in recent years, many countries in the Middle East are now looking for adjunct sources of revenues by boosting non-petrol industries such as tourism and agriculture, and through the placement of indirect taxes such as value-added tax (VAT).

Oman Looks to Impose New Indirect Tax to Raise Revenues

In this regard, Oman is set to impose a new tax on sugary drinks and tobacco products starting June 15, as the nation seeks to boost state revenues strained by years of low oil prices, as shared in a report by the Khaleej Times.

According to the update, a 100% excise tax will be introduced for tobacco products, energy drinks and meat, while a 50% tax will be applied on carbonated drinks.

According to Sulaiman bin Salim Al Aadi, director general of survey and tax agreements, the excise tax is a form of ‘consumption tax’ and is considered to be indirect taxes. Thus, the final charge is on the consumers, but it is collected in advance at a stage of the supply chain, notably through the business sectors.

Of note, Oman has been slow in implementing fiscal reforms aimed at limiting the widening of its budget deficit, while it has increasingly relied on external funding – through bonds and loans – to refill its state funds.

The sultanate earlier expressed its intention to introduce a 5 percent value-added tax back in 2018, but has been deferred ultimately, and is now expected to start by next year.

S&P Global Ratings noted in April that any further delays in implementation, along with a scenario of lower oil prices, pose downside risks to the assumption of narrower fiscal deficits relative to 2015-2017.

At the beginning of the year, the national government revealed that it expected its budget deficit to be 2.8 billion rials (USD 7.27 billion) this year, or 9% of the sultanate’s gross domestic product.

While the new law is expected to boost the government’s revenues, it will also promote a price spike in the country, which is ultimately shouldered by the consumers. However, we need to take a look at it in the positive, because the “indirect tax” the people will pay for what they consume, will ultimately keep the overall economy afloat, which benefits the residents themselves in the long run.

ALSO READ: Oman Among 50 States Eligible for Visa on Arrival in Pakistan

Oman Among 50 States Eligible for Visa on Arrival in Pakistan

Other than national benefits offered by the government to residents and citizens, there are also perks granted to citizens based on the homeland’s bilateral connections.

Other than its diplomatic relevance, citizens can also take advantage of immigration and travel opportunities offered by friendly nations, which would also contribute to economic and business growth in the long run. This just supports the fact that strong diplomatic ties can help boost a country’s economy, as well as its sub-sectors.

Omani Passport Eligible for e-Visa on Arrival in Pakistan

In relation to this, the Pakistan Embassy in Muscat has started giving Omani citizens visa on arrival as part of its e-visa initiative, as shared in a report by Muscat Daily.

Regarding this development, the Pakistan Embassy in Muscat has also revealed visa charges for their visa on arrival scheme.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan had announced the details of the e-visa initiative to 175 nations in a meeting with the Pakistani community presided by Ambassador Ali Javed at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex last January 30, 2019.

As per Qureshi, the Pakistani government, wisely led by PM Imran Khan has included Oman among 50 friendly nations eligible for the Visa on Arrival scheme, alluding to the depth of relations between the two nations.

Of note, the qualitative change in visa process, which has been put into effect since May of this year, can be viewed by accessing the official website of Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior. On this regard, travellers shall be expected to print, or save on their handheld devices, the ‘Electronic Travel Authorization’ (ETA), prior to departure. For any queries or concerns, applicants may reach out to the Ministry of Affairs by email.

The simplified fee structure is as follows:

Visit/Tourist:

Single Entry: OMR 10

Multiple Entry (one year): N/A

Multiple Entry (2 to 5 years): N/A

Family:

Single Entry: OMR 10

Multiple Entry (one year): OMR 15

Multiple Entry (2 to 5 years): OMR 20

Work/Business:

Single Entry: OMR 39

Multiple Entry (one year): OMR 58

Multiple Entry (2 to 5 years): OMR 77

Transit:

Single Entry: OMR 5

Multiple Entry (one year): N/A

Multiple Entry (2 to 5 years): N/A

Being the closest Gulf country to Pakistan, Oman shares warm and cooperative ties with the former. Aside from economic relations, the two also share militarily ties, with joint exercises and defence procurement on their agenda.

ALSO READ: Oman to Introduce Expat Visa Ban for Senior Management Roles

Qatar’s Tourism Council to Boost Activities During Eid, Summer

As a number of GCC member states have already announced the dates for the Eid holidays, movement is expected among nationals and residents within the Gulf Region for their holiday vacations.

ALSO READ: Things to Note When Traveling Solo in Qatar

Out of the few countries in the GCC, there’s one that continues to aspire and raise its tourism efforts, and to make a mark among travellers coming from all parts of the world. For the uninitiated, Qatar is a small country in the Arabian Gulf, which has a rich cultural roots as well as modern-day services, luxuries and amenities.

Tourism Council Offers Discounts During Eid, Summer Period

In order to strengthen its bid, the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) in collaboration with over 30 partners has announced to hold an array of tourist attractions, offering discounts on flight tickets and hotels, shopping promotions, attractive entertainment programmes for Eid Al Fitr and during the summer for families and individuals under Summer in Qatar 2019 (SiQ) to boost tourism, as shared in a report by MENAFN.

Acccording to Mashal Shahbik from the QNTC, “SiQ forms part of QNTC’s strategy to enrich and diversify the country’s tourism offering, particularly in the area of family and urban entertainment.”

Shahbik added that this year marks greater collaboration among QNTC’s partners in the public and private sectors, who have taken the initiative to create more tourism offerings. SiQ is part of QNTC’s focus on developing sustainable, year-round tourism, boosting a traditionally slower season in Qatar, she explained.

In line with this, a wide selection of unbeatable discounts on travel and hospitality, combined with dazzling shopping deals, promotions and packages offer a complete summer experience in the country. Of note, Qatar Airways’ deals include 25 percent discount on flights to Doha from May 30 to August 15, as well as a 25 percent discount on Al Maha Airport’s Meet and Assist / Lounge Services.

Under the hospitality sector, 12 hotels from Katara Hospitality, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, Al Najada Hotel and Souq al Wakra Hotel from Al Rayyan Project Management, and nine hotels from Marriott International hotels are participating in this year’s program offering 25 percent discount on best available rates on accommodation from June 4 to August 16.

Participating establishments including Fraser Suites West Bay, The Curve Hotel, Wyndham Grand, Regency Doha, La Cigale Hotel, Oryx Rotana, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Torch, Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel and Amari Doha are also participating in the summer programme by offering up to 25 percent off in services and amenities. Meanwhile, Katara Hospitality is offering an exclusive 40 percent discount for the residents of Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.

For its part, Qatar Museums offer Culture Pass discounts on SiQ activities, retail, and access to cultural and community classes. Members can avail of special discounts at select locations including Trimoo Parks, QSports, KidzMondo Doha, Megapolis, Minipolis, Go Fun, Circusland, Power Loads, Bounce, Kidzania, live shows, concerts, and others.

Meanwhile, up to 70% shopping discount along with other promotions are offered across nine participating Malls: Doha Festival City, Mall of Qatar, Lagoona Mall, Landmark Mall, Gulf Mall, Tawar Mall, AlKhor Mall, Hyatt Plaza, and Al Mirqab Mall. For a minimum purchase worth QAR 200, guests can qualify for one of the three raffle draws with a total worth over QAR 2 million in cash & car prizes, with a MacLaren as the grand prize.

For your entertainment pleasure, Katara Cultural Village will have cultural performances, family shows, and fireworks during the 4 days of Eid Al Fitr & Eid Al Adha. Meanwhile, Souq Waqif and Souq Al Wakrah Eid Festival will feature cultural performances, musical acts and family shows for guets of all ages.

These are just a few of the many promotions and discounts to be offered to guests and residents of Qatar starting the Eid period continuing into the rest of the summer. Be sure to check with your favourite shopping places for amazing deals and prices on your retail and dining choices.

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