Qatar encourages digital transformation in commercial transactions

Qatar is encouraging the use of digital transformation in commercial transactions, speakers at the “Digital Transformation in the light of Covid-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Solutions” webinar have said. In a video conference seminar held recently by the Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA), legal experts said that there are many legislators supporting the use of digital applications and modern technology in civil and commercial trials. The seminar, which was held in cooperation with Qatar University, reviewed many challenges facing digital transformation in the time of the coronavirus outbreak. The event was seen by more than 120 followers. Addressing the webinar, QICCA Board Member Dr Sheikh Thani bin Ali Al Thani said that Qatar has adopted a policy of digital transformation in many vital areas, especially by forming the e-government’s steering committee and implementing its policies. He noted that the digital transformation has become an indispensable necessity for the coming years, affirming that it at the same time poses many legal challenges that need to be solved through innovative legislative solutions to keep pace with the technical revolution in information technology. On his part, Dr Tarek Gomaa Rashid reviewed challenges related to the electronic writing and the position of the Qatari legislators, who approved the authenticity of electronic records and electronic signature in the transactions and Electronic Commerce Law issued in 2010. Dr. Nesrine Mahasna outlined the challenges related to transformation in electronic signature. She recommended that electronic signature should be expanded in the provisions of law and stressed the importance of increasing private sector investment in e-signature delivery services. During the seminar, Dr. Sami Al Rawashda also reviewed the British and Jordanian experience in the digital transformation, from traditional trials to electronic criminal trials and its associated challenge in terms of verifying the adequacy of the guarantees established for the accused and his lawyer during the trial, which does not prejudice the accused’s basic rights and guarantees. Underlining the issue of cybercrimes, Dr. Ahmed Samir Hassanein, citing various studies, said that the volume of cybercrime has reached about $1.4 trillion, and that there are about 300,000 cybercrimes committed annually. He also stressed the importance of enhancing international cooperation in the field of legislation to combat and eliminate cybercrimes.