Page 82 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

ver¬ticals. Haris Naseer, Treasurer of P@ effectively cre¬ates a tech ecosystem that GITEX Global 2024 served as an
SHA, highlighted the asso¬ciation’s critical needed for socioeconomic growth of any excep¬tional platform for Pakistan – as it
role in driving economic growth and country, he added. Impor¬tant speakers generated tangible contracts, MoUs and
human resource development; while Dr also included Ali Zaib Khan, Trade & B2B linkages. The event concluded with
Sohail Munir elaborated on the substantive Investment Counselor at the Pakistan closing remarks by Faisal Niaz Tirmizi –
contributions of Pakistan’s IT industry Em-bassy UAE, who emphasized the reaffirming the significance of bilateral
in the digital transformation of UAE. importance of strengthening Pakistan– cooperation in emerg¬ing technologies
Raheel Iqbal informed that 80 Pakistani UAE tech relations. Zeeshan Rehman between the brotherly countries of
companies participat¬ed in the event; Khattak, act¬ing CEO of PSEB, provided Pakistan and UAE through diverse range of
which is strate¬gic in nature as these an in¬sightful overview of Pakistan’s business-to-business (B2B) and govt-to-
companies were from the realms of IT, ITeS, flourishing IT industry with the help of govt (G2G) syner¬gistic partnerships and
diverse hi-tech sub-sectors and allied important milestones. Nadeem Malik, complimentary trade relations.
or supporting industries. This approach secretary gener¬al P@SHA, stressed

CRA Issues Communications Consumer Protection Policy and Regulation to

Enhance Telecom Consumers Experience

The Communications Regulatory outlines the key objectives and are included to address common consumer concerns,
Authority (CRA) of the State of Qatar principles that will govern consumer including unsolicited direct marketing, spam, and the
has issued the Communications protection efforts in Qatar. This safeguarding of personal data. The regulation also lays
Consumer Protection Policy and policy establishes the foundation out clear processes for handling consumer complaints
Regulation, setting a new standard for ensuring that consumers” and disputes, ensuring that consumers have
for consumer rights and Service rights are not only recognized but continuous access to essential emergency services
Provider obligations in Qatar’s actively safeguarded in an era of without disruption. “The Communications Consumer
telecommunications sector. This rapid technological change. The Protection Policy and Regulation we have issued marks
decisive action is fully aligned with Regulation is a detailed set of a crucial step in our ongoing commitment to creating
Qatar’s telecommunications law and rules and procedures that Service a fair and transparent communications environment in
regulatory framework, ensuring that Providers must adhere to. It covers Qatar. Aligned with Qatar’s telecommunications law and
consumers are protected under a critical aspects such as advertising regulatory framework, our goal is to protect consumers
comprehensive and legally grounded standards, marketing practices, by ensuring they receive clear information, fair contracts,
structure that demands higher levels billing transparency, contract and reliable services, while holding Service Providers
of transparency and responsibility fairness, data privacy, and customer to the highest standards,” said Amel Salem Al-Hanawi,
from Service Providers. The Policy notifications. Specific provisions Director of the Consumer Affairs Department at CRA.
“By issuing this instrument, we are reinforcing our
commitment to fostering a competitive and consumer-
friendly communications market, in line with Qatar’s
Vision 2030 and the Digital Agenda 2030,” she added.
The new Policy repeals the Telecommunications
Consumer Protection Policy issued on January 2014.
Also, all previous regulatory instruments issued by
CRA or the Ministry of Communication and Information
Technology (previously known as ictQATAR) and related
to consumers will be repealed after the transition period
set out in the Communications Consumer Protection
Regulation. These instruments include CRA’s Code
of Advertising, Marketing and Branding issued on
September 25, 2014; CRA President Decision No. 11 of
2016 issuing the Spam Regulation; and CRA President
Decision No. 12 of 2016 issuing the Premium Services
Regulation. The issuance of the Communications
Consumer Protection Policy and Regulation reflects
CRA’s proactive approach in safeguarding consumer
rights and maintaining a balanced relationship between
consumers and Service Providers.

82 OCT-DEC 2024