GIS Highlighted in National Exhibition | Contents Page | Al-Khabar Home Page | CGIS Home Page | Among the many commercial and governmental products and services on display at the State of Qatar's 6th annual 'Made in Qatar' exhibit were several GIS presentations, reflecting the significant role that this technology plays in the development of the country. Agencies demonstrating their use of GIS included the Ministry of Education, Central Statistical Organization, Real Estate Registration Department, Ministry of Electricity and Water, the Geographic Names project, and Ministry of the Environment. "While we have participated in the past," commented Abdulla Saleh Al-Kuwari, Assistant Head of the Centre for GIS, "I am greatly impressed with the number of government agencies that are highlighting their use of GIS at this year's exhibition. This allows the general public a glimpse of the many ways we are using GIS here in Qatar." Wie Geht's ? German Delegations Enthusiastic about CGIS | Contents Page | Al-Khabar Home Page | CGIS Home Page | A delegation from the City of Würzburg, Germany, on an international fact finding tour of GIS sites last year, was so impressed with its visit to The Centre for GIS that the Centre is now featured prominently in the city's GIS presentations. Dr. Bernd M Schmitt, Würzburg's GIS Project Manager, discusses the comprehensive nature of "Katar's" GIS, elaborating on the responsibilities of CGIS in relationship to the government ministries. Also highlighted is the Electronic Place Finder, the popular street name locator used by many commercial companies in Qatar and AMaPs, the GIS-based automated map production system developed by country's drainage division. On Schmitt's enthusiastic recommendation, German Ambassador to Qatar, Mr. Klaus Schroeder asked to visit CGIS to learn firsthand about the potential of GIS. Comments Schroeder after his tour of the facilities, "I had no idea that a technology of this nature could have such a profound effect on the general running of government and the ultimate decision-making process. I hope to foster cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Germany to further explore its seemingly limitless potential." British Ambassador Visits CGIS | Contents Page | Al-Khabar Home Page | CGIS Home Page | Recently, British Ambassador to Qatar, Patrick Wogan toured the Centre for GIS. He expressed particular interest in GISnet, the GIS public access server and fiber optic link that connects CGIS with the many governmental agencies and departments making use of GIS technology.