In another matter, Al-Raya newspaper reported that national identity is a cornerstone for building and developing societies and states as it distinguishes each country's culture, civilization, politics, customs, traditions, and values, which requires extensive efforts to preserve and enhance.
The newspaper affirmed that Qatar plays a vital role in promoting the Qatari identity, which forms an integral part of its cultural and civilizational heritage. The national identity encompasses a set of features and characteristics that distinguish Qatari society, making it a cohesive, strong entity capable of overcoming challenges and achieving accomplishments. Qatar encourages community members to strengthen the national identity, which the Qatari society derives from Islamic culture, and Arab customs and traditions.
The paper pointed out that the principles underpinning Qatar National Vision 2030 include, most notably, the enhancement of national identity, and the pride in identity, heritage, and civilization, contributing to raising generations who love their homeland and adhere to its core values.
National identity embodies loyalty, solidarity, and national unity, along with core values; hence, Qatar works to enlighten the youth about the importance of national identity, fostering belonging to the homeland and building the character of a good citizen in society, the paper explained.
Al-Raya concluded by stating that, from its interest in integrating cultural heritage among generations and strengthening their national identity, while equipping them with the necessary skills for innovation and creativity, Qatar established the "Tomorrow's Police" program. This program, in its fifth edition, aims to deepen national identity and authentic Arab and Islamic values, foster a spirit of loyalty and belonging among the youth, and build self-confidence.
On another topic, Al-Watan newspaper stated that Qatar places significant emphasis on human development, thanks to wise leadership that constantly underscores the importance of the human element as the primary driver of development. This focus has led to the establishment of schools, universities, colleges, and research and training centers that have contributed to developing human skills, attracting many international schools and universities.
The newspaper noted that the state has encouraged the establishment of private educational institutions of various types and provided continuous support in legal and supervisory aspects. As a result, Qatar ranked first in the Arab world and ninth globally in 2017 in the quality of basic education index, which includes primary (six years), preparatory (three years), and secondary (three years) education, featuring a unique educational system.
The paper highlighted the updated scholarship system, the increased number of students sent within the state and abroad, the academic equivalence system, the establishment of an administration for public and private higher education institutions and licensing them, and the opening of the cultural attache in the United States. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education launched Monday the "Student Support" program that aims to facilitate scholarship procedures, inform students, and solve any problems they encounter during the application process for government scholarships. So far, 2200 scholarship applications have been submitted across various internal and external scholarship tracks and specializations.
Al-Watan mentioned that studying abroad diversifies the experiences of students and hones their skills, contributing to achieving the main goals of developing human skills to contribute to the renaissance of their beloved homeland.
In a separate context, the English-language newspaper The Peninsula noted the robust growth witnessed by Qatar's industrial sector thanks to the timely introduced strategies on diversification of the economy, noting that Qatar is moving forward with steady steps in supporting and empowering small and medium enterprises and localizing small and medium industries.
The newspaper said in its editorial titled "Growing industrial sector" that the number of registered and licensed firms in the country reached 1,449 in the current year while the total investments in the companies reached 233.136 billion QAR, and the value of production amounted to 2.563 trillion QAR.
The Ministry of Municipality's recent decision to significantly reduce rental rates for lands in the industrial zone designated for commercial and industrial activities will boost business activities and support the national economy, the paper highlighted.
In a similar move to boost businesses in the country, fees for services provided by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry were reduced by up to 90 percent. The ministerial decision aims to support economic growth in the country, encourage national and foreign enterprises, and create an attractive business environment for investment, the paper added.
In conclusion, The Peninsula said that the decision of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry contributes to implementing the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030), which seeks to achieve sustainable economic growth, economic diversification, and the development and enhancement of the business environment, in pursuit of achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030. (QNA)