The Shura Council Approves Qatar Petroleum Decree Law, Forms Temporary Special Committee

Shura Council

The Shura Council held today its regular weekly session, chaired by HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanem.

At the beginning of the session, the Council discussed decree law No. 18 of 2021 amending some provisions of decree law No. 10 of 1974 regarding the establishment of Qatar Petroleum. The decree law sees Qatar Petroleum change its name to Qatar Energy.

The decree law defined the purpose of Qatar Energy activities. It stated that the company will operate in the petroleum industry in Qatar and abroad, at all stages of this industry, including exploration for petroleum, natural gas and other hydrocarbons, as well as the production, refining, transportation and storage of them. The company would also engage in trading these materials, distributing, selling and exporting them. The company will also operate in the field of renewable and alternative energies of all kinds, whether inside the state of abroad. The Company could also carry out all acts and actions leading to the achievement of its aforementioned purposes, in accordance with the policies, plans and programs approved by the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment.

After deliberations, the council approved the decree law.

The Council also discussed decree law No. 19 of 2021 amending some provisions of the anti-money laundering and terrorist financing law in law No. 20 of 2019.

After deliberation, the Council decided to refer the aforementioned decree-law to the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee to study it and submit a report on it to the Council.

The Council continued its session, with members discussing the proposal to form the temporary special committee to draft the internal regulations of the Council and the organizational, administrative and financial structure of the General Secretariat of the Shura Council, in accordance with article 97 of the permanent constitution, which stipulates that the Shura Council sets its internal regulations, including the internal system and work inside the Council as well as the work of its committees, the organization of sessions, the rules of discussion, voting, and all other powers stipulated in the Constitution. The regulation shall be issued by law.

The members' discussions focused on the necessity for internal regulations to keep pace with the new phase of the council, and the tasks and powers specified by the permanent constitution.

After discussion, the Shura Council decided to form a temporary special committee, which includes a number of council members.

SOURCE: QNA