DOHA: Minister of Transport and Communications, H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, speaking at ‘Qatar IT Business 2016 Awards’ ceremony, said that the launch of ‘Qatar ICT Directory’ will help enhance private sector’s footprint in the market by ensuring their competitiveness, regionally and globally.

He also noted that the Directory, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, is helping public and private sectors and the business community to find best information and communication (ICT) service providers and products.

The document has developed a database of ICT companies in Qatar that will help government and businesses select suitable ICT companies. It also helps better understand Qatar’s ICT landscape.

The Directory has a fast search feature where users can search for companies, services and products. Users can also smoothly review a list of all ICT companies, let alone the advanced search to find specific results. By understanding the ICT sector’s actual volume and needs, the Directory could effectively help dialogue the factors that hamper small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups.

The gala awards ceremony for the ‘Qatar IT Business 2016 Awards’ was held on Tuesday night at the St Regis Doha. The prestigious awards celebrate Qatari companies’ contribution to the IT sector and are an initiative of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Al Sulaiti also said: “Initiatives such as the Qatar IT Business Awards help to build understanding, generate interest and perhaps more importantly, recognise those who are at the forefront of information and communications technology in Qatar.”

The winners were announced in the presence of the Minister of Transport and Communications and the Minister of Economy and Commerce, HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani.

The award included seven categories, which include Service Provider of the Year, Cloud Service Provider of the Year, Tech Startup of the Year, Best Mobile Application of the Year, Best IT Adoption in the SME Sector and Smart Solution of the Year.

The winners were Malomatia for Service Provider (Software), Mannai Infotech for Service Provider (Hardware), Meeza for Cloud Service, Meddy for Tech Startup, Oordeoo for best Mobile Application of the Year, Riyada Trading for best IT Adoption in the SME sector and QMIC for Smart Solutions.

The Awards is an initiative by the Ministry of Transport and Communications and provides a platform to showcase IT business-related achievements in the country. The Awards invited companies to submit projects that have demonstrated great innovation, best practice and inspirational ways developing new ideas to drive a connected society.

Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, added: “Initiatives like these allow us to create awareness of the importance of IT Businesses in the rapid growth and economic development of Qatar. We congratulate the winners and wish to support them with an IT business friendly environment to achieve great success for the IT Business sector of Qatar.”

Sponsors of the Qatar IT Business 2016 Awards included leading Qatari organisations, with QDB as Platinum Sponsor, Vodafone as Gold Sponsor, and Microsoft and Qatar Rail as Silver Sponsors.The Peninsula