The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah.
DOHA: In his inaugural address to the nation as Emir, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, yesterday made it clear that his focus was on the progress of the nation and hinted at an extensive overhaul of various ministries.
He said the restructuring of the ministries, a project that began last year, was necessary to avoid duplication and overlapping of work and improve efficiency.
The Emir later announced a major Cabinet reshuffle and named the former minister of state for interior affairs, H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, as Prime Minister with additional charge of Interior Ministry.
At least five new ministries including for youth affairs and sports, administrative development, defence, and information technology and communications have been created.
H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah has been named Foreign Minister, while a dozen new faces, including a woman — H E Dr Hessa Sultan Al Jaber, Minister for IT and Communications — have been inducted into the Cabinet.
Other new faces include H E Ali Sherif Al Emadi (finance and economy), H E Jassim Seif Ahmed Al Sulaiti (transport) and H E Saleh bin Ghanem Al Ali (youth and sports).
The new Cabinet has 20 members that includes the Prime Minister as well as the Deputy Prime Minister, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud.
Calling on fellow Qataris to be productive, dedicated to the nation and focus on performance, the Emir said wealth without these traits could be counterproductive as it could make an individual lethargic and unproductive.
“Everyone knows that people’s living standards cannot improve without economic growth, but whereas human resource development is concerned it is not linked to per capita income. It is rather to do with one’s productivity, performance and dedication to the nation,” said the Emir.
Investment in sectors like education, health, sports and culture will continue because they are key to the development of an individual.
“But we will keep a close track on the outcome of such investments and if the desired results are not achieved then how would it be possible that we continue with such investments. They could backfire,” said the Emir.
If there is bad planning in an organisation or there is mismanagement and lack of performance, efforts should not be made to paint a nice picture. Wrongdoing should not be brushed under the carpet.
“Those holding positions of responsibility in such organisations would, thus, have no right to continue,” the Emir warned.
