In April this year, Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority (“CRA“) published its National Blueprint paper, which provides a number of recommendations for implementing blockchain technology across multiple private and public sectors. The CRA has now posted an open invitation for comments on the Blueprint here: Public Consultation on National Blockchain Blueprint (cra. gov.qa).
A selection of recommendations:
- Establish pilot projects in collaboration with authorities across a number of sectors. We have seen this in the UAE, with pilots being explored by the Dubai Land Department, the RTA and Smart Dubai. Arrangements such as these are necessary when introducing fundamental architectural changes in public services. The CRA will undoubtedly be encouraged by the success of existing pilots across the Middle East and we expect a solid cross-sector uptake.
- That funding programs for businesses and start-ups are defined and an environment that encourages blockchain initiatives is nurtured. These programs appear to include the involvement of a number of government members, including the Qatar Development Bank and the Qatar Foundation. It remains to be seen what level of funding might be available or how it might be achieved.
- Open a regional data center to help achieve the CRA’s goal of providing public cloud services and a test network for blockchain projects. Interestingly, after the launch in Dubai in 2019, Microsoft then opened its Azure center. It is currently unclear whether further state-supported projects will be opened.
- To accelerate blockchain training and education by introducing not only vocational training schemes with the assistance of the Ministry of Communications and IT, but also introducing blockchain courses in high schools and basic education.
- To introduce distributed ledger technology in public services such as identification, voting and transparent taxation. These services can deploy similar mechanisms to those explored in the UAE National Program for Artificial Intelligence’s Blockchain Guide in relation to ID and healthcare.
- As with the Dubai Land Department’s pilot, transferring real estate contracts to the blockchain. Blueprint also suggests that these transactions can be carried out in cryptocurrency. Although this is far from the norm globally, it is a precedent in the region. Even larger developers like DAMAC offer real estate for sale in Bitcoin and Ether.
The invitation to comment has been sent to anyone interested in the project. It expires on September 15, 2022.
“The National Blockchain Blueprint highlights how blockchain technology can help build an innovative and growing IT sector that helps increase domestic and foreign investment, supporting the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Qatar National Development Strategy”
