In line with the bank’s continuing expansion of its domestic branch network, Doha Bank inaugurated its new branch in Mall of Qatar today, one of the most prestigious malls which is projected to attract more than 20 million visitors a year.

The branch is strategically positioned to service retail customers and will be a hub for catering to the banking needs of all retail outlets and businesses operating in Mall of Qatar, across shopping leisure hospitality or entertainment. The state of the art branch is designed to offer priority banking services and exclusive wealth management, insurance and capital protection solutions which are best matched to the preferences of the Qatari customers and the needs of the Expat residents.

The inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Fahad Bin Mohammad Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Doha Bank, H.E. Sheikh Abdul Rehman Bin Mohammad Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Managing Director of Doha Bank, Jassim Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Attiyah, Vice Chairman – Mall of Qatar and Dr. R. Seetharaman, Chief Executive Officer of Doha Bank, who gathered for the symbolic cutting of the ribbon ritual, witnessed by members of the media, key Doha Bank customers and VIP guests.

“We are pleased to be celebrating the opening of this key branch in one of the top shopping and entertainment destinations in Doha. Mall of Qatar was a natural choice for Doha Bank and through the opening of this branch, we look forward to providing our customers with a conveniently accessible outlet they can depend on for their banking services on a daily basis,” said H.E. Sheikh Fahad Bin Mohammad Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Doha Bank. The new branch, will serve as a convenient, easily accessible service outlet for customers visiting Mall of Qatar and neighboring areas, offering a full range of banking products and services, including customer service officers, ATM, Cash Deposit Machines and much more.

“The opening of our Mall of Qatar branch represents a further step in Doha Bank’s strategy to expand its footprint in the country and align its overarching growth strategy with Qatar National Vision 2030, as envisioned by H. E. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Doha Bank remains committed to contributing to the Vision’s goal of secure and efficient financial system by continuously strengthening its service offering through a wider network of branches across the country, to increase accessibility to financial services,” said H.E. Sheikh Abdul Rehman Bin Mohammad Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Managing Director of Doha Bank.

Dr. R. Seetharaman, Chief Executive Officer of Doha Bank, said, “Doha Bank is committed to assisting our customers as best as we can, and we are delighted to open the doors to our new branch in Mall of Qatar, which is one of the busiest shopping venues in the city. The move brings us closer to our customers in and around the Al Rayyan area, and continues Doha Bank’s strategy to grow its nationwide presence and ensure that our portfolio of innovative banking products and services are within easy reach of customers everywhere.”

Operating hours at the Mall of Qatar branch are from 9am to 2.30pm and 3.30pm to 9pm Saturday to Thursday and Friday from 4pm to 9pm – ideal for customers, who will be able to visit the branch after work or during the weekends to carry out transactions while out shopping with family and friends. 

A Qatar Airways captain helped International Youth Day take off at Doha’s KidzMondo – located in the Mall of Qatar – with the aid of two would-be pilots. International Youth Day 2017 is dedicated to celebrating young people’s contributions to conflict prevention and transformation as well as inclusion, social justice, and sustainable peace. The annual event was initiated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999, when announced that 12 August should be International Youth Day.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways is very pleased to support International Youth Day through our partnership with KidzMondo Doha. As an airline, we know how important it is to help inspire and motivate the younger generation to be full and active members of society, to play their part to make the world a better place, and to fulfill their dreams and ambitions. “Children and young people love flying with Qatar Airways, and many would like to have a career in the airline industry. Through our partnership with KidzMondo Doha we aim to inspire children to be part of the airline’s amazing success story, promote a sense of patriotism and national pride, and connect with them in a fun and engaging way.”

General Manager of KidzMondo Doha, Dr. Eman Baker Abu El Hawa, said: “KidzMondo Doha is pleased to welcome Qatar Airways at our indoor theme park to celebrate International Youth Day. Our one-of-a-kind miniature edutainment city jointly celebrates this special day with our internationally renowned national airline. “Through our partnership with Qatar Airways, we have been able to provide a well-rounded understanding of how a world-class airline works and the opportunities it can offer Kidizens, by providing them the opportunity to enact their preferred roles, with the help of a specially-adapted aircraft. Our highly interactive, small-scale city is self-sufficient and dynamic. It allows us to witness firsthand how we inspire the passion for fun-learning, which we at KidzMondo Doha are very proud of.”

Qatari Captain Al Yafei Abdulaziz, from the airline’s Airbus A320 fleet, was joined by eight year-old Maryam Mahasneh and eight year-old Bader Albanna. Both were dressed in the same uniforms proudly worn by the airline’s pilots and cabin crew to mark the start of local celebrations for the United Nations-inspired International Youth Day, being held around the world. Qatar Airways is the Official Airline partner of KidzMondo Qatar. An inspiring partnership between the airline and KidzMondo Doha took off earlier this year when the national carrier joined forces to offer children a dynamic and fun introduction to their preferred roles as pilots, cabin crew or passengers. The aim is to enable them to understand the exciting jobs and careers available to them within the world-class airline, at Qatar’s one-of-a-kind edutainment city.

The KidzMondo Doha indoor ‘edutainment’ theme park offers children aged between two and fourteen realistic role-playing activities which uncover a child’s innate creativity, through fun-learning within the boundaries of the kid-sized city. The entertainment park, complete with its own economy and currency, has been designed to holistically educate children by developing their cognitive, emotional, psychomotor and social abilities through exciting activities of the theme park’s different establishments. The aim is to prepare children in an entertaining way to become well-versed citizens and prepare them for the professional world of adults.

Qatar Airways has received a number of accolades this year, including Airline of the Year by the prestigious 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards, which was held at the Paris Air Show. This is the fourth time that Qatar Airways has been given this global recognition as the world’s best airline. At the same ceremony, Qatar’s national carrier was also named Best Airline in the Middle East, World’s Best Business Class and World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge. All passengers can also enjoy the airline’s award-winning interactive in-flight entertainment system, Oryx One, which offers up to an amazing 4,000 entertainment options.

Celebrating 20 years of flying, Qatar Airways is one of the fastest-growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world, with 200 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents. Qatar Airways is also launching 26 exciting new destinations around the world between now and the end of 2018, including Chiang Mai, Thailand; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; San Francisco, U.S. and Canberra, Australia, to name a few.

Introducing Qatar’s first-of-its-kind luxury chocolate boutique and dining space to the country’s confectionery lovers, Galler Chocolatier Qatar recently hosted media partners and VIP guests for a special chocolate tasting event at its shop, which opened its doors to visitors at the Mall of Qatar in January 2017.

During the gathering, guests were introduced to the decades-long history of world-renowned confectioner Jean Galler, after which they toured Galler Chocolatier Qatar’s unique boutique and dining space, where they got to explore the shop’s exceptional setup and experience its wide range of chocolate bars that cover an entire spectrum of distinctive flavors.

Welcoming the guests, Ghada Naim, the Business Development Manager of Galler said: “Today, it’s our pleasure to take you on a journey of exploration through a new generation of boutiques based on passion and discovery. And as you’re about to find out, our chocolate boutique and dining space is a luxurious haven for enjoyment and fun to all chocolate lovers in Qatar, and one that perfectly blends mouth-watering gourmet food with a whole new realm of chocolate bliss. From Fresh salads, Salted crepes and our Signature Breakfast, to natural juices, Refreshments and Hot chocolates, you are guaranteed to enjoy a beautiful setup and a lovely ambiance, while fresh aromas fill the space as our chefs prepare your order.”

She added: “During our tour, our attentive and knowledgeable chocolate connoisseurs will be delighted to tell you the story of how our chocolates are made, help you decide which ones to take home, and be there as your guides and assistants as you journey through our world of hidden treasures.” At the age of 16, Jean Galler already knew that chocolate was his life. After studying pastry and chocolate in Basel, then working as an apprentice at Gaston Lenôtre in Paris, he received the title of "Best bakery-pastry chef apprentice of Belgium" in 1974.

Galler trained with the greatest chocolate masters in Switzerland and France, before bringing his own indulgent touch and a vibrant, colorful style to the world of Belgian chocolate. In June of 1976, the young craftsman founded his own chocolate manufactory in Vaux-sous-Chèvremont in the Liège area. With sweetness and indulgence deeply ingrained in his DNA, Galler went on to introduce to the world, a palate-gratifying range of chocolate bars and flavors that quickly gained iconic status among chocolate aficionados.

Described by chocoholics around the world as ‘divine’, ‘stunning’, and ‘breath-taking’, Galler combines fresh pure Belgium cocoa, all-natural syrup-free ingredients, and a focus on flawless technical execution combined with elegant packaging, to bring confectionery lovers in Qatar a rainbow of pure delights that look great and taste even better.

Home-based businesses in the country are getting a further boost with the ‘Made in Qatar Food Market,’ which provides a platform to promote and showcase locally-produced food items, it is learnt. The exhibition highlights the products of 10 Qatari-owned enterprises at stalls at the Mall of Qatar (MoQ).

Speaking to Gulf Times, a number of employees who witnessed how these businesses started their operations said exhibitions such as the food market have significantly helped in establishing rapport with potential and new customers. “If earlier our products could only be seen on Instagram and other social media channels, now they have become more appealing to customers as they are on display at our stall,” said an employee of Gâteaux de Cannelle in Qatar. The outlet sells a variety of home-made sweets and milk drinks such as cinnamon rolls and breads, and cakes, among others.

After taking part in a number of exhibitions, they started getting more orders both from regular and new customers, the employee noted. An employee of another stall, Let’s Popcorn, shared the same view saying that people in Qatar are keen in patronising home-made Qatari products. Citing the advantages of participating in such exhibitions and events like the food market, she said displaying their products at locations such as MoQ reinforces their promotion on social media. From a small enterprise, Let’s Popcorn now has three branches in Qatar: at the Hamad International Airport, The Pearl Qatar, and Souq Waqif in Doha.

The employee said they import some of the raw ingredients from Kuwait and produce a wide range of flavoured popcorns in Qatar, including caramel, cheese, strawberry ice nutela, and oreo, among others. Some of the outlets at the summer food market include ND Choco Color, Goody Maker, Aldar Café, Lazaza, and Ninety-Four. A stall, which sells an array of authentic Arabic food and products, has been attracting many customers, mostly visitors from Oman and Kuwait. “The presentation is very much appealing to me and the food looks so authentic and delicious, it is much different from the rest,” said a customer from Oman, adding that he is looking forward to see similar events and more stalls in the future.

ND Choco Color offers sweets made of marshmallows topped with chocolates and other ingredients. It also serves chips with cheese. Organisers also set up a murals of the famous ‘Tamim al Majd’ image at the exhibition to give customers a chance to express their solidarity with Qatar and its wise leadership by writing messages of love, loyalty, and patriotism. The exhibition, which also forms part of the mall’s summer festival activities, was organised to show its support to Qatar and His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani amid the ongoing economic blockade. The event which started in early July will conclude on September 10.

The food market aims to help support young Qatari entrepreneurs to expand their home-based businesses apart from using social media, according to organisers.

source: Gulf Times

Children across the country will return to school with a passion for health, thanks to a partnership between Sahtak Awalan – Your Health First and the Ministry for Education and Higher Education.

As part of the Ministry of Education’s Back to School program, Your Health First is distributing thousands of school bags, lunchboxes, water bottles, pencil cases and food information cards to young students at the Mall of Qatar over the Eid Al Adha period.

The gifts are branded with the Sahtak Awalan – Your Health First campaign, an initiative of Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar. The campaign aims to change unhealthy habits into healthy behaviors, and educate a generation about the importance of diet and exercise. The food cards explain the nutritional benefits of a wide variety of different foods, helping parents and young people to plan healthy meals and understand the benefits of the foods they are eating.

Nesreen Al-Rifai, Chief Communications Officer at WCM-Q, said: “The partnership between the Back to School campaign and Sahtak Awalan is so important for our children and young people. If we can educate our children about health at a young age, they will take those lessons with them into later life. In that way, we can help create a healthy generation in the future who are able to meet the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. “I would like to thank everyone for their support with this, particularly the Ministry of Education but also our strategic partners; Qatar Foundation, the Ministry of Public Health, Occidental Petroleum Qatar and ExxonMobil who offer such valuable help. “Obesity and related disorders are diseases from which we must do all we can to protect our children, but by working together we are making a real difference to the health of our most precious asset – our young people.”

Along with the nutrition cards, the water bottles will help ensure that the students returning to school stay well-hydrated throughout the day, and a magnetic food guide for the refrigerator will serve as a reminder at home about the importance of diet in staying fit and healthy. WCM-Q and its Sahtak Awalan – Your Health First campaign, has already done much to educate children about health, having installed greenhouses at public schools so the pupils could learn to grow and then eat their own fresh, organic fruit and vegetables. Once again, that project could not have been realized without collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and the backing of Sahtak Awalan’s strategic partners.

Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), Qatar’s leading Islamic Bank, has announced that all its malls branches will open their doors starting from the evening of the second day of Eid, Saturday 2^nd September, to serve customers. The branches include Dar Al Salam Mall, The Gate Mall, Al Gharafa (Q-Mall), City Centre, Mall of Qatar and Doha Festival City. 

On Saturday 2^nd of September the branches will open for the evening shift only from 3:30pm to 9:00pm.  They will be open between Sunday 3^rd of September to Tuesday 5^th of September as per their regular working hours from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm and from 3:30 pm to 9:00 pm. During the Eid holiday, these mall branches will offer only cash withdrawal and deposit services. From Wednesday 6^th of September, all 30 QIB branches will resume work as per their regular opening hours offering full banking services. QIB’s electronic platforms will remain available at all times (24/7) through QIB Mobile Application, Internet banking, Call Center, ITMs and over 170 ATMs and cash deposit machines spread across the country.

To celebrate Eid Al Adha, QIB recently launched its Hadiyati Gift Card. The new card brings to life the renowned generosity of Qatari traditions and offers QIB customers a flexible, safe and convenient solution to gift their loved ones. The gift cards are available at all QIB branches. QIB’s management ensures an efficient banking experience for customers throughout the mall branches and the 24/7 electronic channels and extends the warmest greetings and wishes to all the people in Qatar on the blessed occasion of Eid Al Adha.

Shopping malls and souqs across Qatar were yesterday bustling with people who thronged in large numbers till late night to make their purchases in preparation for Eid Al Adha celebrations today.

The atmosphere across the country is expected to be festive today as a plethora of events and activities kick off in various locations highlighting the five-day celebrations organized by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) to wrap up the longest edition of Qatar Summer Festival (QSF). QSF participating malls are set to bring fun and entertainment to the entire family with free shows which start today and run until Tuesday. As early as 2pm, Mall of Qatar will start staging its series of shows with a 20-minute performance of the Theatrical Circus group followed by Baraem Show, “Eid Happiness”.

Other participating malls will also launch their own Eid shows today including Tom & Jerry at Doha Festival City, Peter Pan at Lagoona Mall and Last Great Merlin Show at The Mall, in addition to a variety of roaming shows which can also be seen by visitors at Al Khor Mall, Gulf Mall and Landmark. QSF’s centerpiece, the Summer Entertainment City adds excitement to its more than 80 games and rides with the staging of Arabic play Khosheysha (Hide & Seek) which plays daily at 630pm throughout Eid, as well as roaming shows.

Katara anticipates thousands of visitors beginning today with new shows and activities at Katara Esplanade, starting at 6.30pm with the first of the three shadow theatre performances featuring Arabian tales and concluding with the fireworks display at 9.30pm. Large tents have been erected at Souq Waqif and Souq Al Wakrah where children’s games, competitions and other fun activities will be held from today until Tuesday. Traditional performances and artistic events will also be among the offerings at the souqs adding glitter to the five-day celebrations.

For the outdoorsy, a number of activities can be enjoyed at several other locations including the Aspire Park where they can engage in paddle boating and playing radio controlled cars, the Aqua Park which have prepared children’s games and Mickey and Minnie dance show, and on Sealine Beach road where Qatar Air Sports Committee’s aerial paragliding tours can be experienced for a fee. Thousands of members of different expatriate communities are expected to gather at six venues for the ‘Eid Al Adha Celebrations for Communities’ today and tomorrow. Separate celebrations will be held at Asian Town, Labour City, Barwa Baraha, Al Wakra Sports Club, Al Ahli Sports Club and Barwa Workers Recreation Complex in Al Khor from 5pm to 10pm in which Nepalese, Indian, Sri Lankan, Pakistani and Bangladeshi artistes will perform.

source: The Peninsula

The diversity of live entertainment and activities organised across Qatar added piquancy to the festive mood of the entire nation’s observance of Eid Al Adha celebrations yesterday.

Over a dozen locations which hosted events and activities as part of Eid Celebrations organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) saw huge number of footfalls yesterday as people made their way to the venues to spend the first day of Eid Al Adha holidays. A little past noontime, the Mall of Qatar’s Oasis Stage started attracting crowds to its series of shows which started earlier as expected with Theatrical Circus Group who delighted the audience with a mish-mash of impressive performances.

The 12-member troupe presented varied acts which ranged from freestyle football and Cyr wheel performance to acrobatics and magic tricks which delighted hundreds in the audience. The 30-minute show played three times yesterday and will be shown again today at Al Khor Mall and restaged at Mall of Qatar tomorrow.' Mall-goers also enjoyed the roaming shows while young children were thrilled meeting their favourite Baraem characters in person. People are taking advantage of the Eid holidays which coincide with the final five days of the fourth Qatar Summer Festival (QSF) , which is the longest edition yet, by visiting QSF participating malls to watch entertainment and avail of a range of discounts offered by retail outlets.

The same huge influx of people was witnessed in the other QSF participating malls including Doha Festival City which presented Tom & Jerry and Lagoona Mall which staged Peter Pan and Al Khor Mall which featured Acrobatic Ballet Group and Gulf Mall and The Mall with diverse roaming shows such as Clown’s Musical Fiesta, Ardha, Roaming Colourful Parade, Chinese Dragon Dance, Geisha, African Drummers, Wonderland Parade, Giant Ball Walkers, The Cowboys, Trio Band, The Rainbow Parade, Drumix Parade and The Pirates.

Hundreds also trooped to Katara to witness its all-new shadow theatre show featuring Arabian tales, the history of the Roman Empire, Alice in Wonderland and all-time favourite Aladdin, concluding with a breathtaking pyrotechnic display at Katara’s beachfront. “The most important aim of this year’s festivities is to bring happiness into the hearts of children and the rest of the family. The shadow theatre, while entertaining also helps a child acquire knowledge, fosters creativity and teaches values to children,” said Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, while highlighting Katara’s efforts to bring memorable shows and experiences to its visitors every year.

The Summer Entertainment City, which serves as QSF’s main attraction, also drew crowds in big numbers, mostly families, who did not only enjoy the more than 80 games and over 40 retail and food outlets on offer but also the Arabic play Khosheysha (Hide & Seek) in addition to roaming shows. Souq Waqif, one of the most visited souqs in Qatar, and Souq Al Wakrah, an emerging tourist destination, also saw children and families availing of games, competitions and other fun activities as well as watching traditional performances and artistic events.

A big number of visitors flocked to the massive tent erected on the West Square of Souq Waqif to avail of new rides and games, while others headed to Souq Waqif Art Centre to either take part in art workshops or see a unique taxidermy collection at Qatar Marine Environment exhibition. Those who love outdoors went to Aspire Park, Aqua Park and Sealine road where a number of fun activities have been launched as part of Eid Celebrations, while thousands of people were seen whiling away their time strolling along the seven-kilometre stretch of Doha Corniche in the evening.

source: The Peninsula

Taking a leaf from the recent speech of the Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani urging Qataris to be more enterprising and engaging in activities that will take the country forward, a group of Qatari women has come up with innovative homemade products for the local market.

The women entrepreneurs were showcasing their homemade food items at the recent Made in Qatar Food Market organised as part of Mall of Qatar's summer festival to ensure that more and more people get to taste their delicacies from their own recipes and homemade products. The participants, in fact, said that HH the Emir's speech served as a source of inspiration and motivation for them to be more productive.

Most of the women, who have just ventured into businesses, have been selling their items on social media. They saw the exhibition at the Mall of Qatar as an opportunity to introduce their products to a larger clientele. One of the participants was Dana al Tamimi whose business name is ND Choco Color, producing miniball pancakes with chocolate or cheese, Arabian coffee, among other items. "This is the first time I am displaying my items in public. I do it only online. After the speech of HH the Emir recently calling on women to do something for the country, I decided to come up with a productive idea which led to this business about a month ago. I do everything here by myself," she said.

Another Qatari Sheikha Issa al Kuwari, owner of Ninety-Four business unit, makes sumptuous pasta delicacy using homemade sauce and za'atar as well as Italian flavours."I got motivated to embark on this project because I got support from different quarters and all customers who tasted my food liked it. They asked me to open a restaurant so that more people can have a taste of the delicacy," she said. For Moza Abdulla al Abdul Jaber who runs Goody Maker venture, they help children make the design they want on cakes and then take the final product home. Though she primarily does her business on Instagram, she gets to work with children during different occasions.

Another entrepreneur Johara, who is tending her sister's business, Lazaza, sells pistachio cakes, cheese cakes, pasta and mojito, among others. "My sister does her business on Instagram. This exhibition gave us, the Qatari women, a chance to show and sell our products as well as promote our culture. We are very grateful to Qataris and expatriates for supporting us," she said. The case of Shams al Qassabi is different. She has been in the market for the past 18 years and she is the owner of Shay Al Shoomos caf` at Al Bidda Hotel in Souq Waqif. 

Her presence at the exhibition was to inspire up-and-coming young entrepreneurs. "I felt honoured to be selected to participate in the exhibition. It's a good thing because I am old in this business. The other exhibitors here are new so I am here to support them. It's a good idea to support my country and the young generation," she said. Qassabi said she was moved by HH the Emir's speech to support the locals and the local products. Qassabi started her business of making spices, pickles and cheese almost 18 years ago. Since then, she has moved from one product to over 400 kinds of spices.

As the unjust and inhumane blockade fails to affect the local market, there are so many other Qatari women who feel encouraged and inspired to contribute in their own way and take the country forward.

source: Qatar Tribune

Various shops at Mall of Qatar (MoQ) have reported increase in their sales volume following the economic blockade imposed on Qatar by some of its neighbouring countries on June 5.

According to the shopkeepers, it was a pleasant surprise for them because summer is normally the leanest period in terms of business as most of the residents prefer to go on vacation during this time of the year. "However, this year it was different. Many people preferred to stay back in Qatar just to show their solidarity with the country in the wake of the unjust blockade. So, the demand for commodities and products also increased rather than decreased," said a businessman at the Mall of Qatar.

Speaking to Qatar Tribune recently, Ahmed Faraz, assistant manager of Geekay Games, said:"If at all the blockade has affected us, it is for the better rather than worse. Sales are much higher on the weekends when a large number of citizens and expatriates visit the mall. Customers keep us busy all day. There are also special events organised by the mall operators to attract customers on weekends." Faraz added that there is considerable demand for video games and other toys as most schools are closed for summer and Eid holidays. Geekay Games is a leading retailer of video games and their accessories, action figures and licensed merchandise in Qatar. It also has outlets across prominent locations in the Middle East.

Some shop owners pointed out that though there has been a drop in the number of visitors from the Gulf region to the mall, it did not impact their business as it was more than compensated by domestic customers. According to them, their overall sales registered an increase of around 12 to 15 percent on an average since the blockade. A manager of Elevation Burger, on condition of anonymity, said:"The sales at our food outlet have been impressive since the beginning, including the last two months of June and July. Our sales almost became twice on weekends. We thank Qatar's wise leadership for ensuring adequate supply of everything despite the blockade."

"The specialty of our outlet is that we use fresh ingredients and thanks to Qatar's wise leadership, we did not face any shortage of these since the announcement of the blockade. We are also pretty much satisfied with the efforts of our sales team," he added.
A staff at Al Jazeera Perfumes also expressed satisfaction over the summer sales."We hope to exceed our sales target by about 10 percent compared to last month, thanks to the Eid Al Adha festivities," said Sana, one of the staff members. "We are trying to promote Qatari fragrances which are very much in demand owing to the blockade. In fact, most of the Qatari customers insist on local brands, nowadays," she added. 

source: Qatar Tribune

Qatar’s retail sector has substantially benefited from the recently concluded Qatar Summer Festival (QSF) 2017 and the Eidal-Fitr and Eidal-Adha holidays, attracting a large number of shoppers during the off-peak period amid the economic blockade, it is learnt.

Nearly all kinds of businesses, from candy and chocolate stalls to high-end boutiques, registered good footfall for more than two months, a number of employees working for these stores told Gulf Times. An optometrist in one of the optical shops at Doha Festival City said the promotions and special discounts during the festival enticed many customers to buy new items such as glasses and frames.

“We got a lot of orders even prior to Eid al-Fitr, but QSF and the Eid breaks further boosted our sales,” she noted, adding that many residents opted to stay and shop in Doha than in other countries this year. Asked if they were affected by the economic blockade imposed on Qatar by the Saudi-led bloc, she pointed out that they recorded a slight slowdown in the demand only during the first 10 days of the siege. The days that followed, she stressed, saw operations normalise in all their branches across the country despite the absence of customers from traditional sources such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain.

This was echoed by an employee at a leading cosmetics boutique in the same mall, saying that residents (mostly female) shopped more often from the onset of the summer season until the first week of September. “Ladies normally allot a considerable budget for cosmetics and people here are knowledgeable about the products they use,” she noted, citing that Korean and European brands are among the most popular in Qatar. The company also operates a number of branches in other malls. The employee noted that their sales surged both before and during the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays.

She expressed confidence that this trend would continue in the coming weeks until the winter season, a peak period for many businesses in the country. Residents are also anticipating the second edition of the month-long Shop Qatar, an initiative of Qatar Tourism Authority and its partners aimed at energising the retail sector and providing a unique shopping experience during the winter season in the country. The event also helps in supporting local entrepreneurs (home-based) to promote their unique products, as well as to showcase their creativity, via pop-up stores located in different participating malls across Qatar.

Meanwhile, Mall of Qatar (MoQ) general manager Rony Mourani disclosed in a statement that they attracted more than half a million visitors during the Eid al-Adha celebrations alone, which featured an array of entertainment shows, fun-filled activities and QSF’s mega raffle draw. Other malls also witnessed an increasing number of Omani and Kuwaiti visitors, particularly during the Eid breaks, as well as people of other nationalities granted the free-visa facility. This further boosted both the retail, hospitality and food & beverage sectors in the country.

A restaurant employee at Souq Waqif told Gulf Times that they were planning to offer more varieties of dishes soon in preparation for the winter season, when more foreign tourists are expected to visit Doha. “We start to receive a lot of customers, including families, when the temperature goes down,” he pointed out. “Winter is already a windfall for us with or without this blockade.”

 source: Gulf Times

Classic cars worth around QR4m is on display at Mall of Qatar as part of the Classic Car show. The cars include a Jaguar XK120 Roadster 1954 and an Oldsmobile Convertible 1959.

The bespoke Classic Car Show is located in the mall’s luxury court and in AlRayyan Hotel Doha. The motor show is organized in partnership with Mawater, Qatar Motor Show, Letbelah and AlRayyan Hotel Doha was kicked off yesterday and will last until October 21. Visitors can expect to see some of the world’s finest and luxurious classic cars that equate to a total of around QR 4m. The wonderful line up of classic cars at the show includes a Jaguar XK120 Roadster 1954 and a Oldsmobile Convertible 1959. The beautiful cars will be displayed at multiple locations throughout Mall of Qatar from the luxury court to AlRayyan Hotel Doha and visitors can take photos next to their favourite model. 

“We are thrilled to be hosting Mall of Qatar’s first Classic Car Show. We strive to offer unique and memorable events to our visitors of all ages throughout the year. No day is ever the same at Mall of Qatar and our Classic Car Show has an impressive line-up of 12 models that we know are going to impress our visitors. We thank our partners Mawater, Qatar Motor Show, Letbelah and AlRayyan Hotel Doha, for making this event possible, and we invite everyone to join us during our opening ceremony and throughout the month. It is going to be a very exciting one at Mall of Qatar!” said Stuart Elder, newly appointed Mall of Qatar Chief Executive Officer.

On this occasion, Salem Al Mohannadi, Director of Mawater said, “The purpose of organizing this type of exhibition is to educate the audience about the history of the classic cars which were imported to Qatar from the mid-1950s until the present day. The aim of this is to showcase the evolution that these cars have undergone, and how these characteristics were admired by enthusiasts in every era. This gives us an opportunity to showcase the heritage of Qatari car owners and focus on educating the Qatari public about the history of classic cars, while presenting exclusive information about the manufacturing of these cars and the date of entry into the region. We are also looking to encourage the youth to conduct additional research about and acquire a taste for classic cars. The exhibition includes a number of rare automobiles, which have been carefully selected and are owned by Qatari classic car enthusiasts.”

To elevate your experience at Mall of Qatar, AlRayyan Hotel Doha the first Curio Collection by Hilton in the Middle East, boasts 201 rooms and suites, three outdoor swimming pools, kids play area, wellness center, an array of dining options and flexible meetings and event spaces. This five-star property offers authentic Arabic hospitality, spacious accommodation and direct access to the mall’s luxury court.

source: The Peninsula

Vodafone has officially launched the highly awaited smartphones, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, in the country. An exclusive midnight event which saw hundreds of people showing up at the company’s store located at Villaggio Mall, has marked the moment everyone was eagerly waiting for. Those who pre-ordered online and wanted to be some of the firsts to pick up their favourite handset, joined the Vodafone team for the chance to be part of the memorable event.

In addition, to give wider access to other customers who wished to purchase iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus on the spot, Vodafone this year extended the opening hours of three of its other flagship stores in Mall of Qatar, Landmark and City Center.

Timed with the launch, Vodafone launched great data offers for both Postpaid and Prepaid customers who purchased iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus. At the event, Vodafone announced that all new and existing Vodafone Postpaid customers will enjoy 8GB a month of local data for 3 months with their new iPhone. Vodafone Prepaid customers will receive 8GB of local data for 90 days. Furthermore, Vodafone offers 2-year warranty with all iPhone purchases.

Diego Camberos, Commercial Director at Vodafone Qatar, said: “We are very proud to have launched the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus in Qatar and we were extremely happy to see a great number of people joining us in celebrating this event. We have timed the launch with a fantastic data offer to both our new and existing Postpaid and Prepaid customers in order to guarantee a most enjoyable experience on our world class network.”

The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announces the temporary closure of a road connection underneath Dukhan Highway, which allows traffic to travel north and south between Al Khor and Salwa Road on Tuesday 14, November 2017.

The Closure will continue to 18 days and it is required to remove part of the steel bridge near an interchange on the Orbital Highway, 4km to the west of Mall of Qatar, at the intersection of the Orbital Highway and Dukhan Highway. During the brief closure, road users travelling north to Al Khor or south to Al Shamal Road can use the Dukhan North Service Road to connect to different sections of the New Orbital Highway. Road users are advised to follow temporary signage and follow signed speed limits for their safety. 

Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) P.Q.S.C. in Qatar, has recently placed a new state-of-the-art ATM Machine in the Mall of Qatar, in Novo Cinemas, bringing the Bank’s modern ATM network to some 53 full service machines that are strategically located in designated venues across the country.

The new machines, are equipped with the latest features and cutting-edge technology, and are placed in different popular venues including Novo Cinemas in The Pearl-Qatar, Doha Festival City’s first floor (in the Fast Fashion area),   Sidra Convenience Store in Woqod Bin Dirham’s Petrol station, Woqod Muntazah, Woqod New Musherib, Woqod Al Wakra south and in Al Meera Umm Salal, in addition to upgrading our ATM Machine at the Qatar Airways Operations Centre in Hamad International Airport. The step comes as part of al khaliji’s expansion plan and its strategic objective to continuously develop its service network in order to cater to the needs and aspirations of the Bank’s clients, by putting its top-of-the-line products and services at the fingertips of customers wherever and whenever they need them.

al khaliji’s ATM Machines are conveniently located in commercial complexes and lively venues as well as in underserved areas, to provide banking clients with easy and instant access to its wide range of innovative products and modern banking services, whether they are conducting business, seeking entertainment or managing their personal finances. Since its founding, al khaliji has continued to develop its offerings and innovative products and services, to ensure that its Premium and Private Banking customers are always having the best customer experience in the local and regional market.

Establishing itself as one of the leading banks in Qatar in record time, al khaliji offers customers one of the most advanced ATM networks in the country today. Among various high-end elements, the Bank’s cutting-edge ATM Machines utilize nanotechnology screen displays that maintain the highest standards of hygiene and protection, and come packed with power and paper-saving eco-friendly features.

Qatar Tourism Authority, Sports Tourism Partners for the Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2018, have announced that Sir Mo Farah and a line-up of international elite athletes participating in the Marathon will be heading to Mall of Qatar for a meet-and-greet session with their fans starting at 7pm this Wednesday, 10 January.

Local sports fans, athletes and communities are invited to get posters autographed and take selfies with 10 sports heroes from Australia, Germany, Italy, United  Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Turkey. The special event, hosted by Qatari Comedian, Hamad Al-Amari will take place on the Oasis Stage. Fans are encouraged to arrive early in order to be sure of a chance to get an autograph and join in official pictures and filming.

The inspiring British multiple World, Olympic and European champion, Sir Mo Farah, will be joined by nine of the world’s best male and female runners taking part in the Elite Half-Marathon. Other world-famous runners participating in the ‘meet & greet’ include Gemma Steel of Britain, Melina Wolf and Arne Gabius of Germany; Ayad Lamdassem of Spain; Monica Silva of Portugal; BekirKarayel of Turkey; Allison Kieffer of the USA; Sara Dossena of Italy and Michael Shelley of Australia.

The Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2018 is expected to have 2,400 participants from 83 nationalities take part.The highly-anticipated event will begin at 6:30am on Friday, 12 January outside the Museum of Islamic Art, with the run taking place against the backdrop of Doha’s iconic skyline.It includes a full marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K events for adults and youth as well as 3K and 1K events for children.

The event can be followed on facebook, Instagram and Twitter on;

Facebook: Ooredoo Qatar,VisitQatar&MallofQatar

Instagram: Ooredoo Qatar, VisitQatar&MallofQatar

Twitter: Ooredoo Qatar, VisitQatar&MallofQatar

#OoredooMarathon2018    #OoredooDohaMarathon2018      #VisitQatar  

On Wednesday 10 January, 19 Doha College students donned their finest PE kits at an exclusive meet and greet with the 2012 and 2016 double gold Olympic champion and legendary distance runner Sir Mohamed Farah, who is in town for the hugely anticipated Ooredoo Doha Marathon.

Alongside local fans, athletes and sporting communities, the blue-decked DC students enjoyed their moment with “Mo” and other sporting heroes from Australia, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and the USA, at the Mall of Qatar, organised by Qatar Tourism Authority.

Sir Mo Farah, Britain's most successful distance runner, participant in the Ooredoo Doha half marathon of Friday 12 January, was also joined by special guests Toff Wahab – Head of the Political Section at the British Embassy in Qatar, and Stuart Elder – CEO of Mall of Qatar. Mr Paul Young, Vice Principal at Doha College, also in attendance at the event, said about Mo Farah’s visit to Qatar: “For the students to meet such an accomplished athlete, who attained unprecedented success through dedication and perseverance, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It can only inspire them to emulate the work ethic and determination that helped him achieve so much in his career so far.”

Doha College, one of the oldest British International Schools in Qatar, has a remarkable history in athletics. Attesting to that is the well-established DC 5 & 10KM Race, the 7^th edition of which took place only recently with outstanding participation and results from both DC members and the local community. Many of its staff and students are also part of running and triathlon clubs in Qatar and participate in competitions throughout the year. Doha College features athletics, triathlon and cross country as permanent Extra-Curricular Activities, and every year they reward their most accomplished sports people in a high-profile Sports Awards Ceremony. Their close association with Evolution Sports Qatar ensures that new sporting talents are identified and developed each year, and in 2017 Doha College has introduced a new qualification to enrich student experience – the BTEC Diploma in Sports Coaching.

“I love running and train regularly. Meeting Mo was a fantastic chance, just thinking of his success will make my training easier,” said Connor, one of the Doha College students. His most recent notable race was the Doha College 5K run, and he is looking forward to running in one of the junior races at the Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2018. Several athletes from Doha College will represent the school at the marathon event this weekend, running a variety of distances.

The first of the festival’s four weekly raffle draws was held at Mall of Qatar and 15 winners walked away with two BMW cars and QAR 500,000 in cash prizes. Around 25,000 vouchers were entered into the draw throughout the first 5 days of Shop Qatar (7 – 11 January 2018). 

Visitors and residents still have a chance to win by shopping or dining at any of the festival’s 13 Mall partners. For every QAR 200 spent at any of the participating retailers or restaurants, shoppers can enter one of the festival’s three remaining raffle draws, with two cars and 13 cash prizes ranging from QAR 10,000 to QAR 100,000 to be won each week. The upcoming draws will be held at 8:30pm on Thursday 18 & 25 January at Tawar Mall and Dar Al Salam Mall respectively. The final draw will take place at the closing ceremony in Doha Festival City on Thursday, 8 February and will feature a special performance by Lebanese singer, Ramy Ayach.

Saturday marked the end of Shop Qatar 2018’s ‘Arabian Week’. The Festival’s second week  which runs from 14 to 20 January, is themed ‘Bollywood Week’ and is set to bringa special line-up of  entertainment and activities that celebrate the Indian subcontinent’s vibrant culture and arts. A dazzling display of Saris and Lehenga dresses is expected at the Bollywood Fashion Show being held at 7pm on Wednesday 17 January, at the Mondrian Hotel. Over 100 different looks will be on show. Those interested to attend can register online via www.talentresources.org/fashion-show-registration.  The event is for free and seats will be provided on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Malls participating in Shop Qatar will also host a variety of Bollywood-themed pop-up shops inviting mall-goers to create and personalise their own embroidered khussa slippers, bangles and much more.

Please find images of the weekend events in the following link: https://goo.gl/784xSv and the winner coupons of the week one raffle draw below.

To find out more, visit www.shopqatar.qa and follow the dedicated Shop Qatar social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  

Following on three weeks of Shop Qatar festivities, the Festival continues with its exciting retail offers, and brings novel shopping experiences and special entertainment to mall-goers in its last week.

Up until Wednesday, 7 February, residents and visitors still have a chance to shop at bargain prices at any of the 13 participating malls with retailers offering discounts of up to 50% and special promotions. In addition to the unique shopping experiences offered by the 30 pop-up shops at Mall of Qatar, mall-goers heading to Doha Festival City (DHFC) this weekend can enjoy an exclusive trunk show by Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar (VCUQ).

And, to wrap up the month’s celebrations, Shop Qatar 2018’s grand finale will take place at DFHC on the evening of Thursday, 8 February bringing a special line-up of entertainment, including a public performance by Lebanese pop star Ramy Ayach.

Mashal Shahbik, Director of Tourism Events & Festivals at QTA said, “In its second edition, Shop Qatar continues to provide new platforms for local talent to showcase their creativity and broaden their market reach. As evidenced by the resounding successes we witnessed at the three fashion shows and workshop held earlier this festival, there is a growing appreciation and appetite for bespoke design in Qatar, which makes us particularly proud to partner with VCUQ to support locally-based designers.” She added, “As the month’s festivities draw to an end, we are looking forward to the grand finale celebrations at DHFC on Thursday evening and would like to invite everyone who has been part of this brand new tradition to come out and join us.”

Exclusive Trunk Show by VCUQ

VCU-Q students, alumni and faculty will be setting up their trunk show on Friday, 2 February and Saturday, 3 February. The nine exhibitors will be at the Mall’s Centre Court between 1:00pm and 8:00pm on both days, showcasing their latest ready-to-wear creations, abayas & accessories. The boutique-like space will offer an immersive experience where visitors can learn about the design process from sketch to final product; receive fashion consultations as well as buy the creations on display.

Sandra Wilkins, Chair of the Fashion Department, VCUQ commented, "Shop Qatar has made the promotion of Qatar's own homegrown design talent a priority, which is an extremely admirable mission.  VCU arts Qatar Fashion Department is excited to again participate in this highly successful venture, and look forward to future collaborations." Sam Hosn, General Manager of DHFC commented, “We look forward to welcoming VCUQ’s talented designers for their first exclusive trunk show in 2018, as well as hosting the closing ceremony and final raffle draw for Shop Qatar.”

DHFC first collaborated with QTA for the Qatar Summer Festival 2017; over 220 of the Mall’s stores are participating in Shop Qatar 2018.“We have seen an increase in mall visitors since the beginning of Shop Qatar 2018, and are proud to be a part of it this year. It is always an honour to work with QTA and support its efforts to showcase Qatar’s tourism assets domestically and in international markets.We look forward to continue working with QTA for the development of the retail and entertainment sectors in Qatar,” added Hosn.

Grand Finale

The Shop Qatar 2018 closing ceremony is due to take place on Thursday, 8 February at Doha Festival City’s Center Court and will feature a free performance by the multi-talented Lebanese artist, Ramy Ayach at 7:30pm.

The award-winning singer, composer, actor, and philanthropist commented, “It is a great pleasure and privilege to perform at the Shop Qatar closing ceremony. I miss Qatar’s lovely people enormously and can’t wait to be among my fans there again. I hope they will enjoy the performance which will be a mix of some of my old songs and of course, some new singles.” He added, “I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy new year and hope that 2018 carries peace and love to all.See you soon!”

Ayach’s performance will be followed by the Festival’s final draw at 9:00pm.Visitors and residents still have a chance to win cars and cash prizes worth up to 1 million QAR by shopping or dining at any of the festival’s 13 mall partners. For every QAR 200 spent at any of the participating retailers or restaurants, shoppers can enter one of the festival’s final raffle draw, with two cars and 13 cash prizes ranging from QAR 10,000 to QAR 100,000 to be won.

To find out more, visit www.shopqatar.qa and follow the dedicated Shop Qatar social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.