KUWAIT, Dec 28 (KUNA) -- Qatar witnessed many events in 2023 that touched on many fields. Following are major events throughout the year: April 12: Qatari-Bahraini Follow-up Committee announced the restoration of diplomatic relations.
July 5: Qatar Airways Group announced that it has achieved net profits amounting to USD 1.21 billion during the fiscal year 2022-23 June 10: Qatar Energy Company signed an agreement to supply 120 million barrels of condensate for 10 years to the Emirates National Oil Group (ENOC).
July 17: Qatar Energy will host the 21st International LNG Conference and Exhibition in 2026.
July 23: Qatar announced the appointment of Dr. Sultan Al-Mansouri as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to UAE.
July 26: Qatar Central Bank announced an increase in the bank's interest rates for deposits and lending by an amount 25 basis points.
July 28: The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the visit of Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad bin Abdulrahman to Ukraine comes as Doha's efforts to calm the situation.
July 28: Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman announced that Qatar would provide USD 100 million to help alleviate the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
July 31: Hamad International Airport received Airports Council International accreditation for improved access for passengers with special needs.
Aug 1: The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the resumption of air bridge activity designated for aid to Sudan.
Aug 6: Qatar Central Bank announced an increase in international reserves and liquidity in foreign currency last July by 14.3 percent to reach about USD 66.365 billion.
Aug 13: Qatar launched a charitable campaign aimed at ensuring the continuity of providing treatment and medical care to cancer patients in northern Syria.
Aug 20: The Qatari Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy announced recycling FIFA World Cup 2022 waste made of polyester to manufacture new products.
Aug 21: Qatar and Hungary announced a strategic partnership.
Aug 26: The Supreme Permanent Committee organizing the Qatar Economic Forum announced holding the fourth edition of the forum in Doha from May 14-16, 2024.
Aug 30: Qatar Fund for Development announced an agreement to supply the Lebanese army with fuel for six months valued at USD 30 million.
Sept 9: Qatar announced sending rescue teams and urgent medical aid to Morocco to support relief from earthquake.
Sept 10: Qatar Airways signed code-share agreement with Xiamen Airlines of China, allowing the first Chinese airline to operate direct flights between the two countries.
Sept 11: Qatar announced sending urgent aid to areas affected by floods in Libya.
Sept 12: The 10th annual conference of the Association of Secretaries-General of Arab Parliaments kicked off in Doha.
Sept 14: Qatar Energy Company announced changing Qatar Gas Company to Qatar Energy (LNG) for a new future vision in the liquefied natural gas industry in Qatar.
Sept 17: Qatari Minister of Transportation Jassem Al-Sulaiti announced the rate of operation of electric buses in Qatar during the third quarter of this year reached approximately 70 percent.
Sept 18: A Qatari plane carrying five Americans detainees in Iran arrived in Doha.
Sept 20: Qatar Central Bank decided to maintain the bank's current interest rates related to the deposit interest rate, the lending interest rate, and the repurchase rate.
Sept 25: The 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World kicked off in Doha.
Sept 30: The Qatar Public Works Authority announced that the main building of Doha Horticultural Expo 2023 broke Guinness Book of World Records for having the largest green roof in the world.
Oct 4: The Local Organizing Committee of the Asian Cup Qatar 2023 unveiled the tournament slogan 'Come on Asia.' Oct 8: Qatar Central Bank announced an increase in its international reserves and foreign currency liquidity last Sept to reach USD 66 billion, or 12.08 percent, compared to USD 59 billion last year.
Oct 8: President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan Al-Thani crowned Dutchman Max Verstappen with the title of the Qatar Airways Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Oct 11: Qatar signed two agreements to supply up to 305 million tons annually of liquefied natural gas to France for 27 years.
Oct 12: Qatari Minister of Labor was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Labor Organization for the 99th session extending until Oct 2024.
Oct 12: Qatar Red Crescent announced the allocation of USD one million worth of urgent aid to Gaza.
Oct 16: The Qatari Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced hosting the World Summit on AI for the Middle East and North Africa region in 2024.
Oct 16: Qatar announced sending 37 tons of food and medical aid to Gaza.
Oct 18: Qatar signed two long-term sale and purchase agreements to supply up to 305 million tons annually of liquefied natural gas to the Netherlands.
Nov 6: The General Foundation for Katara Cultural Village announced the opening of nominations for the tenth session of the Katara Prize for Arabic Fiction 2024 until January 31.
Nov 10: Qatari Ali Al-Obaidli was crowned champion of the Men's Singles World Snooker Championship.
Nov 14: Qatar announced the sending of 54 tons of aid, including a field hospital, shelter supplies, medical and food materials, to Gaza via two planes.
Nov 24: The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the entry into force of the humanitarian truce in Gaza at seven in the morning local time in the Gaza Strip.
Nov 25: The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that 39 Palestinian civilians imprisoned by the Israeli occupation will be released in exchange for the release of 13 Israelis and seven foreigners.
Nov 27: The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that an agreement had been reached to extend the humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip for two more days.
Nov 27: Qatar announced sending 156 tons of aid, including food, medical and shelter supplies, to Gaza via five planes belonging to the Qatari Armed Forces.
Nov 27: Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that 33 Palestinian civilians would be released in exchange for the release of 11 Israeli prisoners from Gaza.
Nov 28: Qatar announced sending 31 tons of aid, including food supplies, to Gaza.
Nov 28: Qatari Ministry of Finance announced that Qatar's budget for the third quarter of this year achieved a surplus of USD 32 billion.
Nov 28: Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that 30 Palestinian civilians would be released in exchange for the release of 10 Israeli detainees from Gaza.
Nov 29: The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that 30 Palestinians would be released in exchange for the release of 10 prisoners in Gaza, in addition to two Russian citizens and four Thai nationals.
Dec 3: Qatar announced providing treatment for 1,500 wounded people and sponsor 3,000 orphans in the Gaza Strip, under the direction of the Amir.
Dec4: Qatar announced providing to UNRWA USD 18 million for 2023-24.
Dec 7: Qatar announced sending 24 tons of aid to Gaza Strip, including food and medical supplies and six ambulances.
Dec 12: Qatar announced the sending of 58 tons of aid to the Gaza Strip, including food supplies, medical equipment and shelter supplies.
Dec 16: Qatar declared three days of mourning for the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. (end) kt.ahm