With the aim of offering youngsters an insiders' experience into the media industry, KidzMondo Doha, Qatar’s one-of-a-kind miniature edutainment city, has partnered with Dar Al Sharq Group to add a ‘newspaper establishment’ to its rich array of educative and entertaining activities.

The unique establishment, which will be built to mimic its real-world counterpart, will teach kids the inner workings of a news organization and provide them with valuable insights, gleaned from a wealth of practical experience, into the media world. The child will be able to learn the skills of Sequence  of events regarding printing process, work flow of a the newspaper editor, learn technical aspects of the profession, acquire technical terms related to newspaper editing, interview people and become an editor through role playing.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Nabil R. Barakat, General Manager of KidzMondo Doha said: “KidzMondo Doha’s distinctive partnership with Dar Al Sharq is designed to take our young visitors on an immersive journey through the media landscape in Qatar. Through our upcoming ‘newspaper’ establishment, which will be modeled after the actual setup of one of the leading publications in the country, Al Sharq newspaper, kids will interactively learn the sequence of events that go into printing a newspaper, understand the technical aspects and terminology of the profession, and interview people as well as become editors through role playing. We are really excited to bring this sensational new educational activity to children and families at KidzMondo’s upcoming indoor theme park in Doha.”

On his part, Mr. Jaber Al Harami, Editor in chief    at Dar Al Sharq Group, said: “At Dar Al Sharq, our mission has always been to become a media institution that seeks to integrate its contribution in the construction of our beloved homeland and Qatar National Vision 2030. Our partnership with KidzMondo Doha is an important step in that direction. Over the years, we have strategically grown our activities and expanded the core journalism mission of our debut beyond expectations. Al Sharq Newspaper establishment at KidzMondo Doha is a fascinating way to introduce young minds to the thrilling world of news and media in a fun, yet educational environment, which is perfectly aligned with Dar Al Sharq’s social and awareness initiatives, emanating from its belief in the importance of social work and the distinctive role it plays in building human capacity in Qatar.”

Since it published its first edition in 1987, Al Sharq has grown to become the most read Arabic daily in Qatar, a status recognized on several occasions by international research agencies, such as PARC (Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated) and IPSOS. In 2011, it was named by Forbes magazine as one of the 50 most powerful Arab newspapers in terms of online presence. Al Sharq was also the first Qatari newspaper to offer readers an electronic news service that is updated round the clock via its official website.

KidzMondo Doha’s partnership with Dar Al Sharq Group further enriches children’s experience at the edutainment theme park, by complementing its extensive range of real-world establishments and activities. The upcoming indoor theme park, dubbed the "city of education and entertainment", features an interactive kid-sized city developed for and managed solely by children between the age of 2 and 14. The self-sufficient city, with its own economy and currency (Kidlars), includes over 80 real-life simulation activities across diverse business environments, and allows children to dress up and role-play realistic tasks in a safe, interactive and educational environment.

The activities will support social, artistic, creative and cognitive development amongst others, while unlocking imagination and creativity in children and empowering them with knowledge, essential skills and life-lessons that will help them become well-versed individuals and prepare them for the professional world of adults with confidence and courage.

Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) founded by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and Social Development Center (SDC) successfully kicked off its seventh wave of the LeanStartup Program (LSP), with a women edition Speaker Series entitled “The Rise of Female Entrepreneurship in Qatar”.

Building on its successful flagship program, the center continues to take on promising entrepreneurs of all ages with innovative ideas, to provide them with the coaching and support needed to establish a startup. By organizing a Speaker Series session and inviting local and successful entrepreneurial experts, QBIC hoped to encourage the new entrepreneurs to refine their business ideas, overcome their obstacles and fully dedicate themselves to their startups as they take their first steps towards turning their ideas into reality.

Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al Khalifa, Qatar Development Bank CEO and QBIC Chairman said: “SME’s are the core of a diversified and flourishing economy. We keep witnessing different ideas that have the potential to highly contribute to the local economy, and this is why we’re pleased to continue kicking off our flagship program twice a year. With our assistance and support, we are actively expanding and developing stronger SME’s.” “The major role we play at QBIC benefits the interest of entrepreneurs, as we ensure that their startup ideas are turned into reality, through which they can actively participate in the local economic and SME development. Uniting our expertise with established entrepreneurs is an essential part of transferring knowledge, which encourages aspiring ones to venture into the field of entrepreneurship; female entrepreneurs are a great example of this.”

He added: “Our significant partnerships are essential to help us achieve our mission of developing the next QAR 100 million companies in Qatar, and it is only by unification that we can promptly and efficiently move towards a knowledge based economy. We look forward to incubating startups under our specialized incubators that are available in partnership with Qatar Tourism Authority, and telecommunications giant Ooredoo”

This wave of the LSP entails business ideas in the fields of marketing, fashion and education. Additionally, startup ideas in the field of tourism will fall under the QBIC Tourism specialized incubator, guided by Qatar Tourism Authority, whereas ideas in the area of technology will belong to the Digital and Beyond specialized incubator, powered by Ooredoo. Throughout the 10-week program, entrepreneurs will work on developing their ideas and building prototypes in preparation for Demo Day using the Business Model Canvas as part of the ‘lean’ methodology.

While QBIC previously hosted various Speaker Series sessions with renowned entrepreneurs such as Mohammed Jaffar, former CEO of Talabat.com, Christopher Free, General Manager of UBER Qatar and UAE, and Elmar Mock, co-inventor of SWATCH, QBIC wanted to shed light on the local accomplishments of Qatari women to date in an effort to showcase that businesses do not require feasibility studies to succeed; they require hard work, determination, and customer assessment.

Talking at the women edition Speaker Series were women who were chosen based on their personal achievements, to share their acquired knowledge on the way to successful entrepreneurship. Topics included the rise in women entrepreneurship in the Gulf, how women’s contributions benefit the local economy, and ways in which entrepreneurship positively impact women’s personal lives. These motivating talks were delivered by:

• RazanSuliman, founder of Fanilla Couture
• Aisha Al Jaidah, founder of Blue Penguin
• Noof Al Marri, founder of Newline 4 Media
• Noora Al Amri, founder of Tartebkom Holidays

Aysha Al Mudahka, QBIC CEO said: “Ourentrepreneurs have been greatly benefitting from practical work, networking and collaborating with experts in the field. We strongly believe in the local talents making a difference in the Qatari market, and we especially value and believe in the capabilities of Qatari women, which is what we wanted to highlight in this edition of our Speaker Series.” She added: “Our select guest speakers were inspirational. With their experiences and facts presented, the incoming entrepreneurs with new business ideas can foresee the challenges they’re about to face, and can also realize the potential of their ideas.”

The entrepreneurs will be pitching their refined business ideas to a judging panel and potential investors during the Demo Day event marking the end of the program, which will take place on December 6, 2016.

“Argan”- the Moroccan Restaurant at Al Jasra Boutique Hotel, part of five-star luxury hotel collection Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels (SWBH), launched its exquisite offers for Moroccan food lovers to enjoy authentic family Moroccan Tagine.

“Argan” promises to offer a true Moroccan hospitality experience in a majestic setting, with vibrant colors and a relaxing majlis area on daily basis from 12 noon till 4. Every month visitors can enjoy a sumptuous new Signature Tajine Dish prepared by Chef Zahira. “Tagine” is set to tease the senses through the amazing blend of spice and herbs and its wholesome culinary experience. It will be a preferred venue for all those who truly appreciate true Moroccan delicacies.

The chosen Tagine for October, which will run till the end of the month will be the “Melage Tagine”a veal shank tajine cooked with baby onion and served with couscous, mix nuts in addition to the Moroccan olives, Harissa sauce and accompanied by freshly baked Moroccan bread and a variety of salads such as the Zaalouk Salad composed of grilled eggplant with fresh herbs and Moroccan olive oil, the Carrot Charmoula Salad composed of fresh carrot marinated with herbs and Moroccan olive oil, the Traditional Moroccan Salad with fresh Romaine lettuce, tomato and fresh cucumber and the Taktouka Salad with mix capsicum, fresh herbs and tomato, and of course all this to be followed by the Mhensha, baked almond sweet stuffed in the filo pastry with cinnamon.

“Souq Waqif is considered a cultural and historical destination for visitors from regional and international markets and our role as Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels is to reflect timeless Qatari hospitality with attention to details that will make every moment of your stay with us in to SWBH memory” says Hafidh Al Busaidy, Cluster General Manager of SWBH. “The SWBH combines state-of-the-art functionality with traditional warmth to ensure guests the highest levels of hospitality at a global standard. At SWBH, we aspire to be the top choice in the country by providing high standards of excellence and bespoke services in catering to upscale segments of corporate, leisure.” He concluded.

With just over one month to go before the start of the 10^th edition of Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition (Heya), Qatar’s leading platform for contemporary Arabian, Indian, Turkish and Moroccan fashion creations, organizers report that exhibition spaces were quickly snapped up. Over 230 customised boutiques and the best Gulf designers are set to showcase their collections to more than 15,000 visitors from 26th – 30th October at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).

Attracting some of the biggest names in Arabian fashion, designers taking part in this year’s edition of Heya include Debaj Collection, M.J, Signature Bay Al Motahajiba from Qatar; Ms. Sahar Al Homoud and Ms. Maali Al Saleh from Kuwait; Ghadfa, Butterfly and Ms. Najla Al Rajeh from Jolie Design from Saudi Arabia; Ms. Hessa Al Falasi, Ms. Fatima Al Mazmi and Anaya from United Arab Emirates; Naseem Alandalos from Bahrain and Bokan from Turkey, amongst many more up-and-coming designers, fashion enthusiasts and industry experts.

Ms. Jawaher Alkuwari, Head of Advisory Committee in Design Creationz said, “We are delighted to see interest in Heya growing year on year to attract the region’s most prominent names in fashion.  The event supports both established as well as up-and-coming local and Khaliji designers, providing a platform to connect with potential clients and partners and get their work noticed and appreciated. With over 5700 sqm of exhibition space and an exciting agenda of daily fashion shows, hands-on workshops and forums, Heya is fast becoming the region’s must attend fashion event. We look forward to welcoming exhibitors and visitors to what is set to be the best edition to date. Come and experience Heya for yourself.”

The ladies-only event is organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Design Creationz. Since it was launched in 2007, Heya showcases abayas, kaftans, jalabiyas and scarves, just recently added leather goods such as bags, belts and shoes. Appealing to designers and visitors alike, the trendsetting exhibition also supports Qatar’s business and tourism plans while developing the country’s growing exhibition and conference sector.

The 8^th global edition of Hotelier Summit, which enters the Middle East for the first time, has kicked off today (Tuesday, 27 September) in The Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel in Doha, Qatar. Organizers of the event said that creativity in hospitality design and new guest experiences are taking big chunk of the discussions on the first day. 

Hotelier Summit-Middle East is held against the backdrop of a recent research done by Alpen Capital, which predicts the Gulf hospitality sector is expected to grow by $11.1bn in 5 years, from $25.6bn in 2015 to $36.7bn in 2020. The summit, a part of the Hospitality Series conducted by IDE, has Qatar Airways as its Official Airline Partner and Colliers International as the knowledge Partner. Other supporters include AIA Middle East as Associate Partner, Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) as Sustainability Partner and Forbes Middle East as Business Magazine Leadership Partner.

“Qatar and the UAE will register a growth of 10% until 2020 due to Expo 2020 and 2022 FIFA World Cup respectively. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman are expected to record an average growth of 5 -6%, according to the report. The growth of the hospitality market in the Gulf is being discussed in details by global and regional experts at the 8^th global edition of Hotelier Summit,” said Ganesh Babu, Director - India & Middle East, IDE, organizer of the summit.

The summit guarantees an exciting business experience to all participants, as has attracted over 180 industry experts comprising leading hotel owners, operators, developers, architects, interior designers, consultants and service providers, making it a one-stop B2B platform for the Middle East hospitality industry. The event consists of various seminars, focusing on the potentials and challenges in the hospitality sector in this region. Each section is being led by prominent industry figures hailing from different parts of the world.

For the first time through this summit, Lufthansa is venturing into the Hospitality Sector of the Middle East as Gold Partner providing Hospitality Solutions and Room Controls. Other supplying partners include Credo Trading & LBDI as the official Construction Partners, Precor from the UK as the official Fitness Equipment Partner, Asfour Crystals from Egypt as Official Lighting Partner and Diamond Life from China as Gold Partner. “The summit is tackling the political instability in some markets in the Middle East and the falling demand vis-a-vis room supply which are two key factors putting pressure on occupancy and average daily rates,” he added.

“Challenges facing the regional hospitality industry are taking up a major chunk of our discussions during the summit, with the topics varying from the risk of an unbalanced supply demand market to the potential shortage of right human resources to manage the newly opened hotels and furnished apartments,” Babu added. Some of the 80 Project Holders present at this initiative include Decision Makers from Fairmont Hotels, WATG, Al Faisal Holding, Times Hotel, Khatib & Alami, Carlson Rezidor and Riyada Hotels & Resorts. The summit is being organized by IDE until Thursday (29^th September 2016). IDE is a global procurement consulting firm whose summits are procurement driven to connect suppliers from all across the globe with the leaders of the hospitality sector across the Middle East.

Sage, the market leader for integrated accounting, payroll and payment systems has confirmed its participation as a ‘Gold Partner’ at the IDC IT Forum. The one-day IT Forum will be held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Doha, Qatar on 29 September 2016.

This year’s theme is — ‘Digital Transformation: Leveraging IT to Future Proof Your Business’— and it will address organizational challenges in improving efficiency, fostering innovation, reducing costs, and increasing business competitiveness necessary for business growth. A key indicator of a businesses’ success will be enabling a seamless transition between existing systems and new technologies without disrupting ongoing operations or customer experiences.

Mr. Reggie Fernandes, Vice President – Sage X3 and Regional Director Sage Middle East, who will represent Sage at the IT Forum, says “Over the years we have become an indispensable partner to many organizations including Small & Medium Business in the Middle East. Our solutions have inbuilt scalability and are equipped with customizable features which can accommodate changes in both client requirements and the IT landscape. We are looking forward to our participation at the IDC IT Forum where we will be sharing information on our solutions, and gaining insights into the rapidly changing IT landscape in the region.’’

As the IT landscape continues to evolve and integrate more deeply with business functions and operations across business organisations, innovation in business strategies and operations is critical. "Businesses these days, be they enterprise level or Small & Medium Business, aim for operational efficiency and cost optimization. This drives them to seek innovative ways to streamline business processes to become more agile and in turn, drives IT to seek innovative solutions that allow for improved integration, consolidation and automation"- Megha Kumar, Senior Research Manager, Software IDC Middle East, Turkey and Africa.

The IDC IT Forum is set to attract more than 300 IT professionals who will impart expert advice on enacting strategic IT decisions based on best practices. Sage’s participation at the forum will include two components - a presentation and exhibition of its solutions that provide the best combination of new technologies, functionality, and value for mid-size businesses and Small & Medium Businesses. 

Fifty One East, Qatar’s favorite department store, is proud to announce that they have been rewarded 2016’s ‘Retailer of the Year’ at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards Qatar.

The Arabian Business Achievement Qatar Awards is a premier event in the regional business calendar, and consistently attracts and honors the biggest names in the Gulf business community. The awards recognize the most innovative companies and individuals in Qatar and regionally, and represent the benchmark of success. Fifty One East secured the award for ‘Retailer of the Year’ for the fifth time portraying a vibrant corporate vision and continuous growth marking its journey as a success story.

The jury members awarded Fifty One East, acknowledging the retailer’s business successes, superlative hospitality and vast portfolio of high end brands. Fifty One East further emerged as ‘Retailer of the Year’, owing to delivering on its vision and mission of being the principal destination for connoisseurs of sophisticated style and offering the world’s most coveted and elegant global and regional brands. Additionally, the selection committee noted the expertly trained staff at Fifty One East continually engaging with customers to enhance the shopping experience and after sales commitment.

The Arabian Business Qatar Awards was hosted on Tuesday 27th September at the Westin Hotel in Doha. The award for Retailer of the Year was collected by Mr. Hamdi Dessouki, Executive Director at Darwish Corporate, on behalf of Fifty One East, at the exclusive gala event attended by top leaders in business, in addition to VIPs and a host of esteemed dignitaries.

Commenting about being bestowed the award, Mr. Bader Abdullah Al-Darwish, Chairman and Managing Director of Darwish Holding, the parent company of Fifty One East, said: “It is always an honor to be recognized for our accomplishments. Being named ‘Retailer of the Year” at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards 2016 for the fifth time has underscored our retail philosophy of redefining the retail experience and rewarding our loyal customers who have trusted us over the years by extending the best assortment of the world’s premium brands, coupled with the most outstanding customer service in the marketplace today. It is our pleasure to be the department store of choice for discerning consumers who expect nothing but first rate hospitality and a superb product range from Fifty One East. It is truly an understatement to say that we always look forward to give our best in all that we do.”

The retail business at Fifty One East has a long history of more than 65 years of experience and excellence. It has introduced some of the most prominent international brands to Qatar such as Rolex, CHANEL, Sony, L’Oréal and many more.

The traditional flavours of Asia have arrived to c.taste, the all-day dining restaurant at Centro Capital Doha in Bin Mahmoud. c.taste will be offering exquisite curry dishes every Friday and Saturday for both lunch and dinner, specially prepared by their talented Chef Toufik who grew up in India and have a wide range of experience with curries.

c.taste will offer guests an exclusive a la carte menu, which they can indulge in starting from QR 20 per person. With a wide variety of flavours blended to perfection, guests can choose from a variety of curriers from all over Asia. “The emphasis of the Centro dining experience is on serving a delicious array of international food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We have created an intimate yet lively atmosphere, perfect for sampling a tempting selection of culinary delights," said Chef Toufik, Executive Chef at Centro Capital Doha.

For reservation or more information, call 445 55 000 or email centro.capitaldoha@rotana.com.

In a new professional achievement added to his distinguished academic career, Dr. Abdulaziz Al Horr (pictured), CEO of the Qatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA), has won the "Movers & Shakers" award presented by the Asian Council for Human Resources Development "The Asia HRD Awards", in recognition of his contributions to the development of human capital at the local level in particular, and the regional level in general.

The award was presented to Dr. Al Horr by the Asian Council for Human Resources Development for his efforts in transforming QFBA into a leading role model in the field of professional training and qualification by relying on the latest technologies, knowledge and best practices in the world of finance and business, thereby contributing to the building and development of human resources in the financial and banking sector, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 that aims for the realization of a science and knowledge-based economy.

During the "Movers & Shakers" awarding ceremony by the organizing committee, in a special event held to mark the occasion at the Shangri-La hotel in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, and in the presence of a large gathering of leading figures on the level of Asia and the Middle East, Dr. Abdulaziz Al Horr said: "My participation in this auspicious ceremony comes on the behalf of the QFBA team, as through the efforts of all its members, we were able to achieve one success after another, in the course of raising the status of our Academy to where it deserves to be. Over the years, we have together proved our ability to design and deliver leading training programs based on the latest in innovation and advanced practices in the business world, in order to qualify our human cadres and enable them to proficiently carry out the tasks entrusted to them, as to speed up the economic development process in the State of Qatar and effectively contribute in the realization of the Qatar National Vision 2030."

He added: "The homage paid to QFBA by a prestigious international institution like the Asian Council for Human Resources Development is a great honor for our team and a new responsibility received upon us to continue to work harder in order to meet the aspirations of our human resources and respond to the challenges posed by the finance and the business sector every day." In this context, the Asian Council for Human Resources Development, based in Kuala Lumpur, praised the merits of granting the ""Movers & Shakers" award to Dr. Al Horr, as it emphasized his role in the dedication of QFBA’s efforts to develop both theoretical and practical training programs, and the influential role they play in the process of raising the industry standards for financial services and helping organizations and professionals in achieving their academic and career goals.

The Asian Council for Human Resources Development is an international body concerned with the influential and exceptional contributions made by the nominees and winners of in the field of human capital development through their initiatives and programs in relevant disciplines and their dedication to serving the local community in particular, and the regional and Asian community in general. Qatar Academy of Business and Finance is working with world-class universities and international consulting firms to provide the best training programs and international accredited certificates awarded by prestigious international organizations. Through a qualified team and the support of the Qatar Financial Centre and various business entities in the state, the academy strives to provide the best training services to develop Qatari talents.

For more information about the activities of the Academy, please visit: http://www.qfba.edu.qa/

A venerable name, with a heritage that stretches back to over 150 years, Roger&Gallet, the master in creating perfumes with refined ingredients, notes and textures and Darwish Holding, as exclusive partner of the brand, officially opened the first ever Roger&Gallet flagship boutique in the Middle East at the prestigious Lagoona Mall in Doha.

The opening event was held under the patronage of His Excellency, Eric Chevallier, Ambassador of France to the State of Qatar in the presence of Mr. Bader Al-Darwish, Chairman and Managing Director of Darwish Holding along with L’Oreal Middle East and Darwish Holding senior management, key guests and media representatives. Roger&Gallet is the latest addition to Lagoona Mall’s world of leading brands and represents their promise to attract new customers as well as existing ones as the mall continues to innovate by constantly elevating the shopping experience. Mr. Bader Al-Darwish, Chairman and Managing Director of Darwish Holding said, “I am thankful that Roger&Gallet has chosen to launch the region’s first ever Roger&Gallet flagship boutique in the Middle East at Lagoona Mall in Qatar. Our relationship with Roger&Gallet provides us with another avenue for growth and will enhance our ability to continue delivering luxury items to our clientele.”

Roger&Gallet’s story began when Armand Roger and Charles Gallet, partners, brothers-in-law and entrepreneurs, created the first Boutique de Bonheur, a ‘boutique of happiness’ in the very heart of Paris. For the customers, it was the opportunity to discover the Eau de Cologne Jean Marie Farina, the worthy successor to the pioneering Aqua Mirabilis, a fragrant water with beneficial properties patented by the Cologne Faculty of Medicine. Visitors to the boutique were invited to discover beauty rituals based on nurturing fragrances and skincare enriched with distilled precious essences of natural ingredients. Roger & Gallet became the official supplier to the royal courts, and in 1932, the crème de la crème of Parisian society was beating a path to 32, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Later, Maria Callas, Marilyn Monroe and Catherine Deneuve would also leave their signatures in the Visitor’s Book.

WELCOME TO ROGER & GALLET BOUTIQUE DOHA

The Roger & Gallet boutique in Doha is an opportunity to discover the Roger & Gallet sensory experience in a unique and welcoming setting. The Parisian white and pearl grey moulded frontage, enhanced with a few touches of gold, invites further exploration. Intermingling arabesques and floral designs are an elegant echo of the brand’s heritage as a Parisian perfumer-apothecary since 1862. The resulting style is a blend of modern and authentic, a fresh take that revives the French-style Art of Living look. A sensuous experience Stepping inside the store of happiness and wonders, in front of the entrance, underneath an amazing Floral Ceiling, is the Sensory Experience Table. Here is a whole gamut of sensory experiences: fragrances from the world’s most beautiful gardens, nourishing skincare products and rituals as precious ingredients and essences.. On the right, a Soap Wall, bursting with bubbles in a spectrum of colours. The soaps, always contemporary, as they have been since 1879, are created using the ‘cauldron’ method, fragranced right to the centre, and wrapped in the distinctive ‘sun-shaped’ pleated silk paper for a daily touch of indulgence. Roger & Gallet art of gifting Here also, are wonderful, inventive ways to gift presents or to treat oneself. Choose a selection of products to be packed in boxes of pure pleasure! The packaging is the original Toile de Jouy pattern of Les Arts Decoratifs Paris, customized for size, color and ribbon for a unique gift idea.

ROGER & GALLET A PERFUME COLLECTION THAT DISTILLS HAPPINESS

Roger & Gallet’s perfumes are based on the technique of distillation, derived from the expert legacy of Jean-Marie Farina. Considered one of the best methods, distillation leads to a drop-by-drop extraction of precious liquid essences from natural ingredients while respecting purity. The fragrances are tailored to provide a range of benefits, from relaxing to euphoric, from soothing to energetic. Composed by the greatest masters in perfumery, each has its own captivating set of properties. The new Roger & Gallet Doha even offers a Fragrance Diagnosis service around the five senses. Visitors can answer a series of questions on a touchscreen to discover in seconds the perfect perfume to match their preference in terms of colors, touch, taste and sound. Among the many fragrances to discover are five examples of customized happiness: the pioneering:

EAU DE COLOGNE JEAN MARIE FARINA, a refreshing scent, with a particular emphasis on citrus fruits and medicinal plants; EAU PARFUMÉE BIENFAISANTE FLEUR D’OSMANTHUS, an euphoric blend of freshness with distilled, delicious essences of benzoin, neroli and patchouli; EAU PARFUMÉE BIENFAISANTE FLEUR DE FIGUIER, the most relaxing one enriched with distilled precious essences of fig buds inviting you to switch off and simply relax when life is racing at 100 miles an hour; EAU PARFUMÉE BIENFAISANTE GINGEMBRE ROUGE, a stimulating fragrance of energizing botanical root with 11 distilled precious essences to awaken the senses; Last but not least is Dominique Ropion, French master perfumer imagined, EAU PARFUMÉE BIENFAISANTE BOIS D’ORANGE, with distilled precious essences of orange blossom and neroli, this mixed water gently awakens and invigorates the senses.

Discover the magic of an olfactive journey to the heart of an Andalucian garden in the shade of the orange trees. Allow yourself to be carried away by the vibrant, sunny freshness of the leaf and the fruit, the smoothness of the flower and the soft, woody perfume of the wood of the orange tree.

About Darwish Holding Darwish Holding manages a portfolio of prominent companies that offer high-quality products and exceptional services to the people, businesses and the State of Qatar. Founded in the 1920s Darwish Holding swiftly expanded and now has diversified business interests across a spectrum of industries including consumer distribution, investment,retail, real estate, business services, and technology. Featuring 800 employees from 25 nationalities and representing over 100 major brands, Darwish Holding has carved a desirable reputation in the region. Merging exceptional local insight with a global outlook, Darwish Holding is uniquely positioned to be the partner of choice for ambitious brands keen to establish a presence in the region. As a dynamic organisation with a rich heritage and proud traditions, commitment to its core principles remains the key to future growth and success. By staying true to its founding values whilst pursuing innovation, adopting contemporary management practices and financial discipline, and making a positive impact in the community, Darwish Holding aims to serve the people of Qatar well into the future.

Wyndham Grand Regency Doha, part of the upper-upscale Wyndham Hotels and Resorts® brand, was recognized as “Qatar’s Leading Business Hotel” at the 23^rd Annual World Travel Awards 2016, which held in Dubai on September 29, 2016.

The World Travel Awards are acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade and celebrate those brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence. Thus, every year World Travel Awards nominates the hotels that fit their criteria. “We are delighted and greatly honored to have won this award,” said Ayman Lotfy, Wyndham Grand Regency Doha’s general manager. “I am very proud of my team for their commitment and dedication in providing best-in-class facilities and services which distinguish our hotel in a highly competitive marketplace. We are dedicated to offering our guests a true five-star experience and, in doing so, have been able to remain one of the region’s leading hotels.”

The Wyndham Grand Regency Doha offers 246 luxurious guest rooms, including single, double and suite accommodations. An effortless blend of traditional architecture and contemporary design, the hotel also offers three restaurants, an Angsana Spa, gym and swimming pool as well as the spectacular 600-square-metre Al Qasr Ballroom which can host up to 550 guests. Located near both the Exhibition Centre and Corniche waterfront promenade, the hotel’s 36 suites and penthouses all offer high-speed Internet access, a safe, complimentary breakfast and a spacious sitting room.

The Al Asmakh Royal Suite, which commands impressive views across the city, boasts a bedroom, living room, two televisions, dining or boardroom accommodating up to 10 people and two bathrooms, each with separate shower and Jacuzzi. 

Offering kids in the country a platform for experiencing their fifteen minutes of fame, KidzMondo Doha, Qatar’s one-of-a-kind miniature edutainment city, has partnered with Qatar Media Corporation (QMC) to give the indoor theme park’s young visitors a unique opportunity to host their very own ‘Live on Air’ Radio Show.

With a healthy dose of education and a sprinkle of entertainment to go with it, the new KidzMondo activity will let ‘Kidizens’ live the ‘behind-the-microphone life’ of Radio Hosts and studio technicians, just like their adult counterparts at QMC. “How impressive is it to be able to sit behind the microphone and broadcast your message live to an audience just like a real anchor? That’s the kind of adventure our new activity at KidzMondo will allow children to experience, while building their self-confidence, communication and artistic skills”, Mr. Nabil R. Barakat, General Manager of KidzMondo Doha said.

“Radio has been a part of the culture of citizens and residents in Qatar for many generations and continues to inform, entertain and excite listeners every day. KidzMondo Doha’s collaboration with QMC will not only let our visitors feel like they’re part of that culture, but will also arm them with audio technical skills and public speaking experiences while fostering a spirit of coordination and team play among the ‘Studio Crew’. This presents Kidizens with a perfect blend of entertainment and education and makes their time at our indoor theme park valuable, inspiring and sensational all at the same time”, he added.

The ‘Radio Show’ activity will have kids aged 6 to 14 learning how to collaborate to discuss, rehearse and arrange their speaking turns, and broadcast their session ‘Live on Air’. Meanwhile, other members of the ‘Crew’ will handle the technical aspects of running a radio station, such as operating audio mixers and other studio equipment. The activity is just the latest of more than 80, that children will be able to enjoy at KidzMondo Doha’s more than 60 establishments, which include a Bank, Gas Station, Police Station, Hospital, Driving Institute, Race Track, University, Car Wash, Barbershop, TV, Radio, an Oil & Gas Refinery, and much more.

KidzMondo Doha’s partnership with QMC comes on the heels of the edutainment city’s completion of its ground floor, in preparation for the grand opening of the indoor theme park, set to take place at the Mall of Qatar, before the end of the year. The completion of the ground floor takes the indoor theme park a significant step further into making the dream of bringing KidzMondo’s revolutionary edutainment concept to kids and families in Qatar, come true. Qatar Media Corporation is a Government media group which broadcasts content in Qatar and abroad in accordance with the national values and culture through 8 different medial channels, including Qatar TV - which targets the local and Arab audience, QBS Radio - which delivers news and music entertainment to foreigner residents in Qatar and the French-speaking radio station - Oryx FM.

In addition to QMC, KidzMondo Doha has teamed up with celebrated local and regional brands to develop establishments that kids can closely relate to, including world-renowned air carrier Qatar Airways, QIIB, perfume company Abdul Samad Al Qurashi, grade-one licensed builder UrbaCon Trading & Contracting (UCC), and Qatar’s leading telecommunications provider Ooredoo, thereby creating a familiar ‘real-world’ environment for young minds to thrive in.

The British Council announced that it is launching a new programme for corporates and individuals, called the Intercultural Fluency Training, this October. The Intercultural Fluency training is specifically designed to give participants the knowledge, tools and techniques required to work, communicate and collaborate effectively in multicultural contexts.

‘The ability to communicate effectively across cultures is fast becoming a definitive global skill. In response to employers increasing calls for better soft skills, we realised that there was a window and seized the opportunity to create a product with a refreshingly new approach,” said Amelia Moreno, the British Council’s lead trainer in Intercultural Fluency. She added, ‘Many other courses that aim to teach expats, migrants or new employees how to integrate and effective work in multicultural teams are often too broad or too specific. Our approach has been really successful so far because it mixes the latest academic research in this area, with practical tips that any employee can apply in any cultural setting.’

‘In addition to this, our courses are highly interactive, with a mix of participatory techniques and self-assessment tools which help people to develop nuanced interpretations of culture and better understand their colleagues’ behaviours, values and preferences.’ A suite of six different courses are available, which range from ‘beginning your intercultural journey’ to ‘leading across cultures’. Courses can be bought as flexible one-day packages or tailored to specific in-house requirements, in order to meet the needs of participants of all levels.

Frank Fitzpatrick, Country Director for the British Council in Qatar noted that ‘The British Council has been working in the field of cultural relations for 80 years. The training courses have been developed in collaboration with our expert staff around the world and we believe it has the potential to positively transform the working environment for corporations that take it, particularly in such multicultural environments like the Gulf. Immediate benefits some of our current clients have seen include improved customer service and internal communications, better productivity in multicultural teams, better staff integration, and enhanced workplace harmony and staff retention.’

‘The key thing for us’ says Amelia Moreno, who has been delivering the course to corporates across the Gulf for a year already, ‘is to witness our participants building stronger, better business relationships as a result of the course.’ To date, the training has been delivered to over 1300 people in a number of countries around the world. Our participants include employees of organisations such as Shell, Vodafone, Qatar Airways, Hilton Hotel and the British High Commission amongst others. 

The region’s leading human resource conference “The GOV HR Summit 2016” under the theme of “Creating a Breakthrough in People Performance” will be officially endorsed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization.

Now in its 4th Annual the GOV HR Summit, building on its success of the last 3 annuals, is set to play host to an impressive line-up of influential leaders in human capital development and leadership from Government, semi government and public sector entities at the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi on October 25-27, 2016 with National Bonds as the “Lead Sponsor”, IBM as “Platinum Sponsor”, PWC, The RBL Group and Franklin Covey as “Gold Sponsor” for the summit.

The endorsement of the regions pivotal HR event once again lays emphasis on the Ministries vision of creating a stable labor market and a productive workforce and is in lines with the vision of the regions supreme leaders towards promoting Creativity, Innovation and Building a cohesive knowledge economy. This year’s edition also introduces the “GOV HR Awards 2016” to be held in conjunction with summit and aims to recognize, promote and reward excellence, professionalism and outstanding achievement of governments, business organizations and individuals who have raised the benchmark of people performance across the region in ten different categories.

Highlighting the Top ten breakthroughs in HR leadership comprised of more than 20 sessions and an engaging international master class that will facilitate in-depth conversations across a range of topics and industries focusing on the development of human capital in the region with our prominent speakers paving the way towards achieving this goal. The breakthroughs include Making your organization happier, Bridging the skills gap, Digital transformation of Human Capital Management, Creating Financial Security for employees, Talent management, Workforce Optimization through strategic right sizing, The future of workplace, Leadership and Succession Planning, Women in Leadership & Youth engagement.

Highlighting the top priority for the GCC, His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary for Foreign Trade and Industry at the Ministry of Economy, UAE said “Getting the right people with the right talent on board is crucial to effective public service, the main focus should be on intensifying public workforce investment across the full spectrum of training, funding, career development, benchmarking and incentivizing. To achieve this, leaders should strive to gain a clear grasp of obstacles to individual and organizational success and from there formulate viable solutions. Leadership becomes crucial because of how it dictates the extent of effectiveness of government and public agencies”

Speaking about the summit, Mr. Ackash Jain, Managing Director, QNA International said “today’s dynamic market environment makes it necessary for governments and businesses to optimize resources and organizational assets for consistent growth and profitability, Human resources is an important part of the asset ecosystem and the summit’s mission is to increasingly view it as a strategic business value contributor. The summit will also showcase GCC’s commitment and initiatives in creating a knowledge based economy with “People” as its backbone”.

Speaking further on the challenges facing the region human capital development in the GCC, Ms. Fatima Haider, CHRO, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar said “The region is undergoing massive change including the pressures on its traditional economies. This has direct consequences on the way we develop Human Capital. In such times often the organizations tend to cut its spending on development; whereas I believe it should be the other way around and we need to increase our investment in development so as to make our people better equipped to respond to the challenges, increase productivity of the individuals and improve quality of their output. In the long term that will cut overall cost of running the operation and help the bottom line. We need to invest in changing that focus towards creating a performance culture and a sense of responsibility and service to the country”.

The GCC GOV HR Awards 2016 will be hosted in conjunction with the conference and aims to recognize & felicitate excellence in people performance. It will bring to the fore organizations giving impetus to women and youth empowerment, the conference will host a powerful panel discussion featuring Her Excellency Khuloud Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer, Emirates Foundation for Youth Development, UAE. She firmly believes in “focusing on the necessity of developing quality training programs for women to achieve international positions in global organizations”. She said “Supporting women and women leadership in this globally competent and challenging world and providing them with the necessary technologies and facilities to polish and bring out their full potential and capabilities is crucial to sustain a knowledge-based economy “

Sponsors for the GOV HR Summit also include Grow ME, Emirates Photo Marketing, People First, Advanced Employment and BTS as Bronze Sponsors, GODIVA as Official Chocolatier and Changeboard as the Strategic Media Partner.

The Qatar Culinary Professionals are teaming up for the second time with IFP Group for the upcoming Salon Culinaire in 2nd Annual Global Hospitality and HORECA Show in Qatar to be held at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) from 18th of October till 20th 2016.

To further show its commitment to the expanding hospitality industry in Qatar, IFP General Manager, Mr. George Ayache sought the advice and support of the Q.C.P. for the second time to create a dynamic three days of activities for hoteliers, restaurateurs and professional chefs. The three days of the event will feature; guest speakers, local hospitality industry leaders, 17 culinary artist competitions including Qatari Feast Category to promote the Qatari food which will encourage young chefs to improve their skills, highlighted by Salon Culinaire. QCP invited as well international celebrity Chefs to do the 1st Qatar Culinary Master Class in HQ2016.

The Salon Culinare is a heated battle where local chefs will go head to head to showcase their talents and it is a great platform for the Chefs to show their skills and uncover hidden talents to an international field of judges from World Chefs (formally known as WACS) to win best chef honors for their field. In this 2nd Annual Global Hospitality and HORECA Show in Qatar, Corporate Partners of QCP join as well as a sponsor of the show and some of them will have their booth to promote their products to the Chefs, hoteliers and other suppliers/exhibitors.

W Doha Hotel & Residences, the first luxury lifestyle hotel in Qatar, wins four World Travel Awards, the most prestigious, comprehensive and sought after awards program in the global travel and tourism industry. The Middle East Gala Ceremony was held at The St. Regis Dubai on September 29, 2016 and was attended by hundreds of hospitality leaders from across the region.

For this year’s illustrious Awards, W Doha Hotel & Residences bagged the titles “Middle East’s Leading Hotel Residences”, “Middle East’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel”, “Qatar’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel” and finally, “Qatar’s Leading Hotel Residences”, an accolade they have held consistently for four consecutive years. The annual winners are determined through a stringent voting process open to the public as well as senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators and travel agents from around the world.

“It is already a great honour to be nominated alongside the crème de la crème in the hospitality field from across the Middle East. To win and be recognized by our peers and the international community at this event inspire us further to elevate not just the W brand but also the industry standard to provide our guests unparalleled services that are constantly meeting the demands of the fast-changing and tech-savvy travel landscape,” says Safak Guvenc, Area Manager Qatar and Oman, Starwood Hotels & Resort and General Manager of W Doha.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, it is recognized as the ultimate hallmark of quality with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. Winners from its Middle East leg will go forward to compete in the World Travel Awards Grand Final taking place at the Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort in the Maldives on December 2, 2016.

For reservations or enquiries, please contact +974 4453 5000. For more information, please visit www.whoteldoha.com.

Al Meera Consumer Goods Company (Q.S.C) held an Extraordinary General Assembly on Wednesday 5^thof October 2016, at La Cigale Hotel in Al Sadd area.

The third meeting was called by Sheikh Thani Bin Thamer Al Thani, Al Meera's Chairman of the Board of Directors, following the postponement of the second meeting dated September 4^thdue to the incomplete quorum. The third meeting was held in presence of the attendees who answered the call.

The following points were discussed and agreed upon during the meeting:

1. Amendment of the Articles of Association of the company as per the regulatory requirements so as to conform with the rules of the Commercial Companies Act no 11 of the year 2015.
2. Amend Article no (6) of the Articles of Association of the company to transfer the shares of the Government of the State of Qatar amounting to 26% in Al MEERA Company to Qatar Holding Company.
3. Amend Article no (26) of the Articles of Association amended by Decree of the Extraordinary General Assembly held on 8/6/2008 that states “The Board of Directors shall manage the company and shall consist of seven members two of them shall be appointed by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce against the shares of the State of Qatar provided that one of them shall be the Chairman of the Board. The remaining members shall be elected by secret ballot and the Government of the State of Qatar may not participate in the election of the board members.” The amendment was read as follows: “The Board of Directors of the company shall manage the company. The board shall consist of seven members two of them shall be appointed by the Qatar Holding Company against its shares in the company provided that one of them shall be the Chairman of the Board. The other members shall be elected by secret ballot and Qatar Holding Company may not participate in the election of the board members”.
4. Amend Article no (35) of the Articles of Association that states “the General Assembly may dismiss the Chairman of the Board or any of the Board Members according to the suggestion issued by the Board of Directors by absolute majority, or according to the request signed by a number of shareholders holding not less than quarter of the company’s capital on condition that the Minister of Economy and Commerce’s approval shall be obtained in the event that the dismissal shall be related to the Chairman of the Board or any of the members representing the Government of the State of Qatar”.The amendment was read as follows: “The General Assembly may dismiss the Chairman of the Board or any of the Board Members according to the suggestion issued by the Board of Directors by absolute majority, or according to the request signed by a number of shareholders holding not less than quarter of the company’s capital subject the approval of Qatar Holding if the dismissal is related to the Chairman of the Board or the other member who is appointed for the Holding Company’s shares.”
5. The sentence “The Government of the State of Qatar “shall be replaced with the sentence “Qatar Holding Company” wherever seen and read in the company’s Articles of Association”.
6. Authorize the Board of Directors with all the necessary powers to implement the resolutions mentioned above and complete all the procedures before the official offices in the country to abide by the companies’ law.

Prior to the meeting, Al Meera had advised shareholders who are not able to attend the Extraordinary General Assembly meetings to authorize another shareholder in writing, as long as the authorized agent is not a Board of Directors’ member and does not hold more than 5% of the company’s shares. Al Meera had also requested representatives of companies to present an authorization letter stating their mandate to represent those companies.

Trading was suspended on the day of the General Assembly meeting. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Saif Said Al Sowaidi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, as well as members of the Board of Directors, and shareholders who said: “The call for this Extraordinary General Assembly meeting of Al Meera Consumer Goods Company stems from the keenness of the Board of Directors to interact with shareholders, in the framework of the system of governance and related laws, to address topics on the agenda.”

He added: “Your Company has been able to take firm steps that empowered it to assume a leading position in the consumer goods retail sector. In this context, the company relies on its expansion and development plan, in order to keep pace with the population boom and the urban changes in the State of Qatar, along with its ongoing pursuit of meeting the expectations of consumers and the ambitions and goals of shareholders. Your company is still the focus of attention of local and foreign investors and their investment destination of choice, which is what gives us confidence in the market, and drives us towards exerting more effort.”

And according to Al Meera’s latest Annual Report for the year 2015, released earlier this year, 2015 was yet another year of outstanding accomplishments and tremendous achievements in the company’s expansion milestones, operations and financial growth. Bringing life to family shopping, the report reaffirmed the company’s adherence to world-class shopping standards at the service of consumer needs and satisfaction, as well as at the various communities, nationals and residents in the State of Qatar.

The Board of Directors’ Report stated that Al Meera’s expansion plans are stretching to new heights with the setup of 14 new shopping centers spread across the country; a result of strategic research to keep pace with Qatar’s urban planning, which has extended to new areas and others that have recently witnessed a population boom.

The phrase haute cuisine could have been invented for the new Shanghai Club Restaurant and Lounge at Shangri-La Hotel, Doha, which opened today at an elevation of 162.3 metres above ground – the highest Chinese restaurant in the Qatari capital.

At the fabulous opening party high above the city, over 300 guests were treated to an unforgettable evening’s entertainment featuring glamorous resident DJ Yasuka, along with the traditional Chinese lion dance and more. Shanghai Club nestles atop the hotel on the 43rd and 44th floors and offers unrivalled views of the capital. Inside, playful combinations of well-known Asian elements define the restaurant’s ethos, from the massive bas-relief dragon on the wall to the colour-changing chandelier evoking the Great Wall of China – all set against incomparable views of Doha’s spectacular skyline. A refined collection of artwork depicting various eras of Shanghai is on display throughout the restaurant.

“Shanghai Club is the latest expression of our Asian inspired service, hospitality and creativity. The elegant mix of modern and evocative 1920s Shanghai is exemplified not only in the food and beverage, but also in the staff outfits, as well as the decorative pieces,” said Alex Willats, general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Doha. “We are all proud to welcome Doha’s community to this exciting dining experience featuring Chinese cuisine at its very highest – in all senses of the word.” On entering, guests can glimpse noodle-pulling performances in a nearby lamian station while the evening’s bartenders breathe Asian inspiration into their mixologist mysteries, suffusing signature concoctions with unique twists of flavour from the Jing tea selection.

Serious diners will want to get straight to the main menu, for which Executive Chinese Chef Pu oversees a kitchen that is both fully Chinese and boasts no less than five master chefs, each specialising in one of the country’s regional cuisines. Together, they blend the bold tastes of Sichuan with a carefully curated selection of classic and contemporary dishes highlighting Shanghainese and Cantonese traditions. A bespoke experience is also on offer, with three plush zodiac themed rooms available for private bookings.

Signature dishes include Shanghainese specialties, such as Steamed Corn-Fed Chicken and Truffle Xiao Long Bao, the famous soup dumplings. Peking Duck is also on the menu, first seasoned with Chef Pu’s special blend of Chinese spices, then cured for two days before being dried and roasted to perfection and, on the third day, delicately sliced and presented tableside for each guest. Two delicious alternatives are then created from the Peking Duck and presented in two ways: fried and minced with pine nuts and lettuce leaves, followed by a soup with tofu and braised cabbage.

From Sauna Prawns and Lobster Dumplings to Xinjiang Lamb Shank with Chilli Cumin Salt, Shanghai Club tests the boundaries between the familiar and the novel and between comfort food and Far Eastern surprise. Whilst Shanghai Club is open only for dinner, weekend-brunch lovers will not be disappointed, as the restaurant opens its doors every Saturday for a special Dim Sum Brunch offering unlimited servings of signature and traditional dim sum, soup and noodles for QR238 per person. Shanghai Club is the latest addition to the spectacular dining experiences at Shangri-La Hotel, Doha, which include Argentine favourites at Fuego, seafood specialties at Yabby, theatrical all-day dining at Sridan and signature tea and pastries at Lobby Lounge and al fresco refreshments at the Pool Bar.

Members of Shangri-La’s Golden Circle loyalty programme will receive a 20 per cent discount on all food and beverage at Shanghai Club. For enquiries and reservations, please call the Restaurant Reservation Centre at (974) 4429 5117 or email doha.dining@shangri-la.com.

Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels (SWBH), the exclusive collection of five-star, luxury designer Boutique hotels, organised a breast cancer awareness workshop conducted by Qatar Cancer Society on October 6^th.

The workshop held as a part of the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the annual global campaign promotes breast cancer awareness and express moral support for women battling breast cancer. It also symbolizes early prevention, early detection and treatment efforts with a footprint in dozens of countries around the world supports the cause.

The workshop held at Al Mirqab Boutique Hotel where large number of Team Members of Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels attended the awareness drive on breast cancer. More Than Awareness it inspires and supports them in choosing live a healthy lifestyle that will help prevent breast cancer. Our approach to Pink Ribbon aims to send a powerful message to raise awareness of breast cancer prevention. It is for the purpose of bringing together people to care for each other, to call attention to public health issues and to build a brighter future. Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels bears corporate social responsibilities to bring meaningful and positive contributions to our community,” says Hafidh Al Busaidy, Cluster General Manager of SWBH.

 “Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels (SWBH) participation in this workshop demonstrates our support to the campaign and to Qatar Cancer Society to create awareness to the community and reach out to the youth of Qatar. In tackling cancer, it is often crucial to respond powerfully and swiftly through a grassroots campaign. I am confident that through events like these we are not only spreading awareness but also sending out a strong message of HOPE.”