Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, December 14 (QNA) - Qatari newspapers published Wednesday highlighted the Ministry of Finance's announcement that the State of Qatar posted a budget surplus of QR 30 billion for the third quarter of 2022. In their editorials, the newspapers said that the State's budget surplus for the third quarter reflects the level of promising prospects previously affirmed by the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in his speech before the Shura Council in its current session. The newspapers also highlighted the decision of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, in its 25th session, choosing Doha as the Arab tourism capital for the year 2023, noting that the decision proves with all sincerity the position that Doha has assumed as a destination for all peoples of the world during its hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with success, especially since Qatar has proven its ability to organize, manage and provide good hospitality. Al-Sharq underlined that the State's budget surplus for the third quarter of 2022 reflects the level of promising prospects that the wise leadership has previously confirmed and HH the Amir referred to in his speech before the Shura Council in its current session, when His Highness said that Qatar's economy has continued to grow during the current year, after the 2020 decline. The newspaper affirmed that the Ministry of Finance's announcement that the State's budget had achieved a surplus of QR 30 billion during the third quarter of 2022 reflects the success of government plans and policies that were put in place during the last period, which witnessed unprecedented developments at the level of the global economy such as theCovid-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war, and their repercussions that affected global growth rates. The paper pointed out that Qatar faced these transformations with policies that succeeded along with the measures taken by the government at the national level in dealing with and mitigating these negative impacts, not only at the government level and the public sector, but also at the level of the private sector for which the State has provided support, encouragement and financial stimulus, noting that the volume of non-oil revenues, which estimated at QR 5.5 billion, reflects the success of these policies. Al-Sharq concluded its editorial by saying that with the completion of the World Cup projects with absolute success, it is expected that the growth of the Qatari economy and the strength and creditworthiness of the State that will qualify it to achieve more successes regionally and globally, and push major strategic projects to broader horizons will continue. Meanwhile, Al-Watan highlighted the budget surplus of QR 30 billion of the State of Qatar for the third quarter of 2022, noting that according to the ministry's data, oil and gas revenues increased to QR 117.6 billion, compared to QR 70.4 billion in the first half of 2021, representing an increase of 67 percent. The paper said that the Ministry of Finance indicated that the total expenditures in the third quarter of 2022 amounted to QR 51.8 billion, of which QR 14.6 billion were for salaries and wages and QR 18 billion for current expenses, while incidental capital expenditures amounted to QR 1.2 billion, and major projects amounted to QR 18 billion. In conclusion, Al-Watan stressed that the figures announced by the Ministry of Finance reflect the solidity of the economic base, meeting the requirements of development, and the continued government interest in achieving comprehensive and sustainable development, in conjunction with the completion of the implementation of a number of projects. It also reflects the stable financial position based on the implementation of financial policies, the most prominent of which is the enhancement of the infrastructure to be the best in the world. In another matter, Al-Raya newspaper affirmed in its editorial that Qatar has been able to achieve remarkable growth in the tourism sector, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to diversify sources of income and reduce dependence on oil and gas resources through pioneering initiatives that contributed to stimulating the tourism sector. Qatar has great potential to develop the tourism sector, making it a preferred destination for visitors from all over the world. Living in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 atmosphere, people can see how Qatar succeeded in hosting large fans from various countries, and providing them with an integrated and diversified entertainment experience that qualifies it to be a favorite tourist destination, the paper said. The great momentum of the tourism sector in Qatar, with its great tourism potential, contributed to the selection of Doha as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism in its 25th session. HE Permanent Representative of Qatar to the Arab League affirmed that naming Doha as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 sincerely reflects and proves its prestige as a destination for people from around the world while hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, proving its potential for good organization, management, and hospitality, the paper pointed out. It noted that billions of people who watched the World Cup worldwide closely saw the tolerance, good treatment, and hospitality of the country's leadership, government, and people with hundreds of thousands of World Cup fans. This contributed, as HE affirmed, to refuting the allegations and lies promoted by some parties with special agendas, that Qatar is unable to organize the World Cup, the paper added. The exceptional World Cup in Qatar is a unique experience for all the guests who are living a wonderful football and tourism experience, in parallel with the enthusiastic atmosphere in the stadiums and fan zones, in the Corniche, markets, and many tourist destinations in the country, where the guests of Qatar were able to enjoy the huge tourist facilities, reflecting Qatar's diversity environment from north to south, and the archaeological sites listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as the Qatari coast, tourist and health facilities, international restaurants, traditional markets, and the beautiful Qatari desert, which will remain a memorable experience for World Cup fans who confirmed that they do not want to leave Qatar, but wished to stay longer to have more fun in the safe and secure country, the paper stressed. Al-Raya concluded its editorial by emphasizing that Qatar's success in organizing the World Cup is a success for all Arabs. Choosing Doha as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 echoes this success, and represents an appreciation for the tremendous efforts made by the State to reach this prestigious position with the testimony of all. For its part, the English-language newspaper The Peninsula confirmed that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is the most inclusive as Doha hosted a diverse set of fans. In its editorial entitled "Bringing People Together," the newspaper said that Doha has been a melting pot of various cultures, languages, and costumes – all coming together to celebrate the beautiful game of football. Qatar has a very diverse resident population with people from several countries co-habiting in a peaceful and respectful way. In addition to this, the world cup brought fans from several countries to Doha to witness one of the biggest sporting spectacles in the world. It is very heartening to see fans from places who otherwise found it difficult to attend World Cup due to cost or visa issues coming to Qatar to enjoy multiple matches, the paper explained. In conclusion, The Peninsula referred in its editorial to HE Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) Hassan Al Thawadi's statements, in which he said, "We've always said that we need more platforms to bring people together from different backgrounds, different walks of life, different beliefs and different ideas to get together and understand that we don't necessarily have to agree on things but we can still progress and co-exist in a positive way. This World Cup has been able to achieve that." (QNA)