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MoECC's concludes 2nd season on Summer Environmental Club
MoECC's concludes 2nd season on Summer Environmental Club

Qatar Tribune

timea day ago

  • General
  • Qatar Tribune

MoECC's concludes 2nd season on Summer Environmental Club

QNA Doha The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) concluded the second season of the Summer Environmental Club 2025, which lasted two weeks with the participation of 20 male and female students. The event included a series of awareness lectures, specialized workshops, and field visits, with the aim of instilling concepts of environmental sustainability and raising awareness of climate change issues among young people. The club is organized as part of the Ministry's efforts to engage youth in environmental initiatives and motivate them to contribute to achieving the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly the environmental development pillar. The first week included lectures, workshops, and field visits that focused on introducing current environmental challenges and the role of individuals in supporting the state's efforts. Participants were also provided with real-life experiences in sustainable practices. The activities continued in the second week with lectures, practical activities, and field visits addressing wildlife protection, environmental innovation, and sustainable development, contributing to deepening environmental awareness and motivating participants to adopt responsible behaviours. On this occasion, Assistant Undersecretary for Climate Change Affairs at the Ministry, Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada emphasized that the club represents a unique initiative to enhance environmental awareness among young people through interactive activities that highlight contemporary challenges. He noted that the program included simplified lectures by specialists, helping students aged 14 to 18 gain a deeper understanding of environmental issues. Engineer Al Sada praised the cooperation of partners, especially UNESCO, which offered quality workshops on the green economy and climate change. He added that the students' engagement reflects the new generation's interest in sustainability, which encourages the Ministry to continue supporting youth initiatives aligned with the National Climate Change Strategy. For his part, Director of the Public Relations and Communications Department at the Ministry, Dr. Farhoud Hadi Al Hajri expressed his satisfaction with the results achieved, emphasizing that the strong engagement with the activities reinforces the drive to expand youth participation in environmental initiatives. Al Hajri called on young people to propose innovative environmental ideas and initiatives to become partners in protecting the Qatari environment and support national efforts in the areas of climate change and green development.

Tax strategy eyes BD130m revenue
Tax strategy eyes BD130m revenue

Daily Tribune

time13-05-2025

  • Business
  • Daily Tribune

Tax strategy eyes BD130m revenue

Shura Council has retrospectively approved a law already in force since January, which imposes a 15 per cent tax on multinational groups operating locally. The measure is expected to raise BD130 million a year and brings the country into step with global rules on corporate profits. The vote, held yesterday, completes the legislative procedure for Decree-Law No. 11 of 2024, issued by the government as part of urgent fiscal measures. The law forms part of an international effort to prevent large firms from shifting profits to jurisdictions with little or no tax. It applies to multinationals with global turnover above €750 million a year. Thirteen foreign-headquartered multinational groups currently operate in Bahrain and fall within the scope of the tax. Model rules Financial committee rapporteur Dr Anwar Al Sada said the tax applies to multinationals based in Bahrain and follows the model rules set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. He said the move ensures large businesses pay where they operate. 'This puts all economic activity under the same tax rules,' said Dr Al Sada. 'It plugs a gap and puts Bahrain on the map in terms of international tax cooperation.' Khalid Al Maskati, who chairs the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, told fellow members the law follows the second of two OECD pillars. 'We're speaking of firms with reach and clout, this stops profits being parked in places with no tax and no scrutiny,' he said. First pillar He added that Bahrain had not signed the first pillar, which targets digital firms selling across borders, but had joined the second, which concerns the minimum rate large groups must pay once they cross a certain threshold. 'The aim is to stop tax revenue from slipping away to countries with no transparency,' said Al Maskati. ''By signing the agreement, we retain what is due to us. And with thirteen multinationals on the books, we estimate BD130 million a year.' Others welcomed the law as a way to bring in income without placing new charges on the public. 'This has a public benefit as well as a financial one,' said Fouad Al Hajji. 'It means the state can pay for schemes the public uses.' Dalal Al Zayed supported the legal footing of the measure and praised the National Bureau for Revenue for drafting its rules. Questions She raised questions about how tax evasion cases would be handled in court. 'Will these cases go to the administrative bench, or will there be a separate court to hear them?' she asked. She also sought clarity on when the right to prosecute such cases runs out. 'The wording says 10 years from the offence, but shouldn't it be ten years from when the act is uncovered?' She also pointed out that parts of the law refer back to 2023, despite it only coming into force in January 2025. Backdated calculations 'Does that mean there will be backdated calculations?' she asked. Responding during the session, Rana Faqihi, chief executive of the National Bureau for Revenue, confirmed that the court in charge of tax evasion cases is the Administrative Court. 'I just wanted to respond to a few of the queries,' she said. 'As for what was raised by member Dalal Al Zayed regarding the court handling these matters, the competent authority under the current system is the Administrative Court.'

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