Business advisory firm ValuStrat has formally made its Doha office a fully owned subsidiary and appointed key executives to drive its business in Qatar to new heights. Since the establishment of ValuStrat’s franchise office in Doha under the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) in 2013, ValuStrat’s business has gone from strength to strength – with a growth in revenues, growing client list, new service lines and increased staff numbers.

Headquartered in Dubai, with offices also in Riyadh and Jeddah, ValuStrat has built a highly reputable multi-sector consultancy and professional services practice in Doha – a business that counts many of Qatar’s largest banks, investment groups, corporates and UHNWI amongst its client base. In addition to strong growth in the valuation practice, its Advisory Division which provides business advisory, strategy and management consulting services across multiple sectors, has also witnessed tremendous growth in Qatar. In order to provide new leadership to the fully owned entity, the company is pleased to announce some key appointments to the Doha office. Pawel Banach is appointed as General Manager, Qatar providing strategic leadership for ValuStrat’s Doha team. He has over 12 years of solid experience in real estate advisory, investment advisory, asset valuation and commercial due diligence.

Prior to joining ValuStrat, Pawel was Head of Valuation & Research at Land Sterling in Dubai, UAE, where he was responsible for delivering the department’s strategic objectives and managing all outputs. Before moving to the GCC region, his past experience includes roles with international companies such as Deloitte, Savills, Knight Frank and Prologis. In Deloitte, Pawel was Manager of the Real Estate Advisory Division in Poland and managed a team of consultants and senior consultants involved in various assignments including real estate valuations, feasibility studies and plant & machinery valuations. During his career Pawel has also advised a number of key stakeholders during the process of investment and due diligence.

Pawel is a professional member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) as well as a Polish Qualified Valuer. Pawel holds a Master Degree in Property Appraisal and Management from Sheffield Hallam University (UK) as well as an Engineering Degree in Land Surveying from Warsaw University of Technology. He commented “I am very excited to have joined ValuStrat Doha and look forward to leading the company to even greater success in Qatar”. Alexandru Ionescu has been appointed as Senior Valuer in ValuStrat’s Doha office, to provide clients with valuation expertise on all property types across Qatar.  He has over 10 years’ international experience in property valuations across Qatar, Oman, UAE and Romania. He is currently a candidate with RICS, finalising the APC, and a member of ANEVAR Romania.

Declan King (MRICS)- Director ValuStrat comments ‘…We believe that the above changes and new additions to our Qatar operation will help drive our Doha office to greater heights and further enhance our service offering and client experience…’. King also notes that ValuStrat is one of only a small number of international consultancy and advisory firms to actually be based in the country ‘…with highly qualified and experienced staff in our Doha office, under the expert guidance of our new General Manager Pawel Banach, our clients can be assured of direct on the ground expertise and un-rivalled capabilities in the areas of advisory, valuation, research, due diligence, industrial consulting and divestment services...’. ValuStrat’s Group CEO Shahid Kazi commented ‘… Our firm has made considerable investment in the above changes and new appointments – this is testament to the future we see in Qatar. Going forward, our clients in Qatar will see a roll out of additional service lines and enhanced offerings by ValuStrat…’.

City Centre Rotana Doha, Rotana’s newest five star hotel in Doha, has opened the first Teatro restaurant in the city to provide guests with a distinctive and unique experience offering signature cuisines from around the world. Media representatives and bloggers were invited to the restaurant for a special preview of the outlet, a signature Rotana restaurant brand. The famous restaurant is the fourth Teatro, with renowned branches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. 

Teatro stands out as a venue for theatrical dining and for merging Western and Eastern culinary specialties with a fantastic selection of Italian, Chinese, Japanese Sushi, Indian and Thai cuisines in a luxuriously designed venue. The award-winning food and beverage options are complemented with chefs displaying their culinary skills at an open kitchen and sushi bar, live entertainment featuring a pianist and DJ, a bar showcasing an extensive menu of signature beverages, private dining sections and exciting offers for the most discerning diners.  

“The restaurant’s concept of five global kitchens under one roof is a first in Doha. The interior design is unique and aesthetically stunning, providing visitors an unforgettable experience on both levels. Teatro is a great lifestyle addition that takes visitors from one country to another in only a couple of steps as they get to take a gastronomic tour from Italy to Japan, Thailand and more”: said Joseph Coubat, General Manager of City Centre Rotana. “We have previously succeeded in attracting lovers of traditional Lebanese cuisine and with the opening of MISK, the city’s only authentic Lebanese restaurant. With the opening of Teatro, we are seeking to provide an exceptional experience that matches the hotel’s vision of being a beloved local and regional tourist destination.” he cited. 

“Thanks to Teatro’s atmosphere and impressive food and beverage offerings, we will endeavor to provide our guests a new understanding of global cuisine. On behalf of the team, I promise to offer our guests a memorable dining experience in a theatrical atmosphere. We are confident that this new restaurant will reflect our committed efforts and make a strong impression on our guests in Doha and beyond." he concluded.

To know more about Teatro and its offers, please visit https://www.rotanatimes.com/citycentrerotanadoha/offers/15952

Fifty One East, Qatar’s Favourite department store and Yamaha Music Gulf has opened entries for its first PSR-A3000 Owners’ competition offering budding musicians in Qatar the opportunity to win USD 1,500.

Yamaha Music Gulf has worked tirelessly throughout the years to help nurture local musicians. This competition is a great platform to uncover hidden talent, raise artists profile in the region, encourage regionally relevant music and develop home-grown performers.

Local artists are encouraged to use their Yamaha PSR-A3000 to take part in the competition by recording their performances on video, uncovering talent in Khaligi, Arabic and Persian music. Artists without video equipment or a Yamaha PSR-A3000 can take advantage of the bespoke musical booth set up in Music Square in Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall where musicians can use recording equipment and upload their videos onsite. Entrants are encouraged to focus on originality and quality of their arrangements, showmanship, overall sound and control, technical proficiency in Yamaha PSR-A3000, and the use of original content (voices and styles).

There are four prizes available, a ‘Grand Winner’ will be chosen by viewer votes on the competition web-page and will be awarded USD 1,500. There are also three additional ‘Artists Choice Awards’ for Khaligi, Arabic and Persian music categories offering a cash prize of USD 1,000 that will be selected by the Yamaha Expert musicians team. Performers can enter the competition from around the Gulf and find out more information via ae.yamaha.com. To enter, simply upload your video or send the link of your video in YouTube or Vimeo. The competition closes on November 30, 2016.

Yamaha Music School at Fifty One East in Lagoona Mall, has seen huge growth since it started in 2011, with more than 250 students taking various music lessons, and the high standard of teaching is recognised in the long waiting list of applicants. The school is the first and only in the region that exclusively incorporates the authentic Yamaha Education System, a teaching methodology developed by Yamaha over the past 50 years that has received widespread appreciation and acceptance from both parents and students alike, to help encourage musicians and advance talent in the local community.

Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, the iconic 5-star hotel held an event of high fashion afternoon tea to raise awareness for breast cancer as a part of Sheraton’s GoPink Campaign.

Sheraton Grand Doha organized the GoPink event in partnership with FURLA, the Italian premium design house of leather goods and handbags, providing an opportunity for the two brands to unite for an important cause. Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, welcomed fashion influencers and members of the media to delight in an haute afternoon tea, underneath the charming setting of the Atrium Lounge at Sheraton Grand Doha.  

The unique tea experience is heightened with a selection of tea-time treats that combines quality, luxury and curiosity towards the ever-changing contemporary fashion and cultures of the world. The guests were spoilt for choice with sweet and savory delights such as Fashion Cookies, FURLA inspired Sugar Bags and a wide selection of sandwiches. Additionally, Sheraton Grand Doha provided an exclusive preview of Furla’s fall/winter 2016 collection. The fashion brand showcased a dazzling range of colorful stylish bags that personified youthful in the contemporary urban cultures encompassing pop, tribal and rock music.

“We were delighted that we could spotlight the important issue of breast cancer during our high fashion afternoon tea event with FURLA. The GoPink event was a unique opportunity to raise awareness and collaborate with one of the global players in the leather goods market,” said Nick Heath, Complex General Manager, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel. 

Most of the operations of the Teyseer Post Office on the Airport Road in Doha have been shifted to the General Post Office, it is learnt.

But, some of the services, including Mumtaz Post parcel service, would continue to be made available at the Teyseer Post Office for some more time, sources at the Qatar Postal Services Company (Q-Post) said. The post office at Hamad International Airport has been closed, according to information available on the Q-Post website. Post offices are also functioning at Woqod stations at Daayen, Shahaaniya, Gharafa, Al Hilal, Industrial Area, North University, Radwat al Rasheed, Muaither East, Muaither South, Umm Salal East and Rayyan.

source: Gulf Times

The world-famous Raffles Hotel Singapore, owned by Qatar's Katara Hospitality, will close briefly from the end of next year for renovations.

The work will begin in January and will be carried out in phases, starting with the hotel's Long Bar, which created the signature drink Singapore Sling. The hotel said in a statement that it will close from late 2017 until the second quarter of 2018 for the final phase of its renovations. Its owner Katara Hospitality is reportedly raising $500 million in debt through a syndicated loan. The company, headquartered in Doha, has a portfolio of 34 properties in operation or under development, and plans to add 26 more by 2026, according to its website. Its properties are located in countries including Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, Britain, France, Germany, Singapore and Thailand.

source: Arabian Business

Giving kids in Qatar an insightful look inside the fascinating kingdom of plants, KidzMondo Doha, Qatar’s one-of-a-kind miniature edutainment city, has partnered with Palmera Landscapes L.L.C, to introduce the theme park’s visitors to the art and science of botany, and plant in their young minds - important life lessons inspired by the brilliance of nature.

KidzMondo Doha’s ‘Botany School’ will provide a fertile ground for children to learn about the basics of planting seeds and practice their gardening skills through a range of fun experiments, while sowing seeds of wisdom that grow with them as they mature into adulthood.

“Plants don’t put limits on their growth, they grow as much as they can. They utilize every resource available to them in order to bloom. These are just two of many life lessons kids can learn from plants and apply in their own lives, as they come of age. The ‘Botany School’ we are developing in collaboration with Palmera will take our young visitors on a journey of exploration through the intriguing world of plants, providing them with valuable life skills and invaluable nuggets of wisdom along the way, while further enriching their experience at our one-of-a-kind edutainment city”, Mr. Nabil R. Barakat, General Manager of KidzMondo Doha said.

Following up on Mr. Barakat‘s remarks, Mr. Amer Mahasen, The General Manager at Palmera Landscapes L.L.C, said: “At Palmera, we believe landscape is a language we understand best, and the drive we have to turn any inspiration and dream into reality is how we express our belief. This is perfectly aligned with KidzMondo’s vision and creates the right environment to ensure that our ‘Botany School’ serves its purpose well and adds tremendous value to children’s memorable experiences at the upcoming Edutainment City. Our roots run as deep as our company principles and values, and we can’t wait to bring our experience to children and make a tangible difference in the lives of those we entrust with building a greener future for all.”

The edutainment city’s ‘Botany School’ will teach kids aged 4 to 14 how to plant, transplant, attend to, and do the necessary work for plants to develop and give flower then fruit, as well as how to provide the earth and plants with the proper environment and care. Each ‘Kidizen’ will be given seeds, sand, a pot, water sprayer and pair of gloves, before setting foot into a specially built ‘Greenhouse’; a glass room with the right environmental factors favoring plant cultivation, where kids will learn first-hand the vital role that trees and plants play in our lives.

Palmera Landscapes L.L.C was established as an answer to the growing demand for landscaping construction and maintenance in Qatar. Since their arrival in Doha, Palmera has strived to be the best by utilizing its experience to maintain a significantly educated and technically qualified staff, complemented by a strategic operations team with an exceedingly organized and well-trained labor force. Palmera is the latest established brand to collaborate with KidzMondo Doha, towards enriching children’s experience at the indoor theme park, through a plethora of educational-yet-entertaining activities and establishments that span the entire spectrum of real-life experiences.

Other celebrated local and regional brands that KidzMondo Doha has teamed up with include world-renowned air carrier Qatar Airways, QIIB, perfume company Abdul Samad Al Qurashi, grade-one licensed builder UrbaCon Trading & Contracting (UCC), one of the most widely read newspapers Al Sharq, leaders in pest management Boecker and Qatar’s leading telecommunications provider Ooredoo, helping the kid-sized city create a familiar ‘real-world’ environment for young minds to thrive in.

‘Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara’, the luxury brand’s first resort in Qatar, developed by Al Rayyan Hospitality hosted a charity event at their private island resort in support of the fight against breast cancer on October 13.

The Power of Pink fundraiser, was organized in partnership with the Qatar Cancer Society and Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels and was part of the Power of Pink Month. In keeping with theme of the evening, guests dressed up in the color pink and enjoyed a night of entertainment and delectable gourmet cuisine prepared by both ‘Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara ‘and Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels.

The gala event had been organized to raise awareness and funds to support Qatar Cancer Society and to celebrate the lives of those who live with the malady. Guests were whisked away by ferry and enjoyed a stunning sunset ocean ride to the opulent private resort. As a part of the festivities and to commemorate the resort’s Power in Pink month, specially decorated pink cupcakes are being sold throughout the month of October on the island. Buyers can then enter a raffle draw where the lucky winner will win a one night’s stay in the luxurious ‘pink room’ at Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara.

In speaking about the Power of Pink breast cancer charity fundraiser, Thomas Fehlbier, Cluster General Manager Doha and General Manager of Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara said: “Our organization has always realized the significance of giving back to the community. In doing so, it was incumbent upon us to partner with both the Qatar Cancer Society and Souq Wafiq Boutique Hotels to impact the raising of awareness and the improving of lives of those who are affected by breast cancer.” “We were honored to be invited to collaborate for this important cause. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the issue of cancer awareness becomes even more acute, that’s why the theme of Power of Pink is much more than just raising funds, but it also about empowering those who have the disease and also empowering their loved ones who have also been touched by it,” said Hafidh Al Busaidy General Manager of Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels.

“More than one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. At the Qatar Cancer Society our goal is to educate the community in the State of Qatar about Cancer and the methods of its prevention and early detection. We also believe wholeheartedly that a breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence and correct treatment, diet and care are imperative for remission. We want to thank our partners in Power of Pink for raising both funds and awareness in the fight for cancer eradication,” said Maryam Hamad Al Noaimi General Manager of the Qatar Cancer Society.

Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara’ feels a world away from bustling Doha but is only a 25 minute journey by luxury ferry from Al Shyoukh Terminal located in the city’s downtown area or a 10 minute helicopter ride directly from the airport with bird’s eye views of the spectacular coastline.

To make a reservation, call +974 4040 5050, email fbreservations.adoh@anantara.com or go to http://doha.anantara.com/.

In recognition of its mastery in envisioning and conceiving an enchanting resort that personifies the true meaning of luxury and privacy, Simaisma Resort Qatar’s undiscovered oceanfront oasis, has been named ‘Qatar's Leading Villa Resort’ for 2016 by the World Travel Awards.

Simaisma, a Murwab Resort, took home the coveted title after being selected from among three nominees competing for the award during a Gala Dinner held at the St. Regis Hotel in Dubai to honor the award winners. On this occasion, Tarek Nour, General Manager of Simaisma, said: “We are truly honored to be named Qatar's Leading Villa Resort for 2016 by the World Travel Awards; a highly sought-after title that crowns our endeavor in creating the ultimate blissful escape for families in Qatar”.

“Simaisma Resort is a one-of-a-kind destination, where we have essentially created a tranquil environment that mesmerizes both the heart and the soul. That’s why we are always delighted to take our guests on tour of our oceanfront oasis and its luxurious facilities, giving them a taste of what this magical place truly has to offer.” He added. Located on the grounds of Simaisma, each one of the Resort’s 52  villas is both luxurious and spacious with a spectacular array of personalized amenities. Guests have access to a range of facilities such as; basketball and tennis courts, health club and kids playground. For adventurous guests, Simaisma Resort’s Water Sports Center and Tour Service provider offer leisurely activities for the entire family.

When it comes to dining, Simaisma Resort has  an exciting gastronomic journey of its own, designed to cater to ‘everything palette’. From sophisticated fine dining to casual poolside fare, each and every dish is prepared fresh with local ingredients, cultivating diners’ senses with flavor. For a hearty family gathering, guests can enjoy a delicious meal delivered to their room, or prepared for them and their loved ones at one of the Five-Star Resort’s private gazebos.

In the interest of regionally advancing local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship in Qatar, Qatar Development Bank (QDB) is sponsoring local entrepreneurs, currently incubated at Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) at the 36^th GITEX Technology Week 2016 conference and exhibition.

The expo is currently taking place at the Dubai World Trade Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This year’s 36^thGITEX Technology Week conference and exhibition spans over a course of five days, from 16 to October 20. It is amongst one of the world's largest events that draws together tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, exhibitors and investors from information and communications technology (ICT) sectors globally. The conference presents participants with an opportunity to network with specialized international companies, share information and keep abreast of the latest developments in the field of science and technology.

QDB’s decision to sponsor SMEs incubated at QBIC is consistent with the development agency’s strategy to open business prospects for local entrepreneurs and globally expand the outreach of Qatari businesses. Furthermore, by promoting the incubated businesses abroad, QDB seeks to expand the knowledge base of local technology companies, attain first-hand knowledge of the competition in the global tech market and contribute to a knowledge-based diversified economy.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), QDB, Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa said: "By sponsoring local companies abroad, we, at QDB, seek to contribute to the achievement of the national vision of the State of Qatar. By sponsoring our SMEs in large conventions like 36^th GITEX Technology Week, we seek to motivate local entrepreneurs and support their growth as they engage with other creative technology companies abroad, broaden their professional networks and build a quality of technological services that is on par with top international standards.”

He added: "QDB is interested in participating in all local, regional and international events that support the growth of SMEs. It is our firm belief that events such as these empower our local companies by equipping them with the leverage of international exposure – the successes of other software and technology companies abroad serve as a positive example to Qatari tech-based SMEs.”

Aysha Al Mudahka, QBIC CEO said: "I'm delighted to be taking part in this prominent and distinguished convention. Technology is a huge part of our everyday life and plays a main role in the success of any startup. Addressing the role of women in technology is crucial to the development of the tech scene in the region, especially since the participation of women in the workforce has increased significantly over the last few years alone. By supporting the expansion of women's roles in the tech and entrepreneurship industry, it could have an immediate and positive effect on the private sector, as well as enhance the perception of women in the tech industry."

She added: "I'm proud that four of QBIC's very own startups are present at this convention, and with the continued support from QDB, we were able to showcase our incubatees' innovations locally as well as regionally​. I'm positive that more of QBIC's successful startups will be taking part in GITEX in the upcoming years."

Since its inauguration on 18th Oct., the 2nd Annual Hospitality Qatar 2016 has demonstrated its leadership as the Global Hospitality and HORECA (Hotels, Restaurants, Cafes) Show in Qatar. The show has achieved a remarkable number of exhibitors and visitors through its first two days, with thousands of participants from regional and international countries attending.

The event, held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Economy and Commerce and organized by IFP Qatar LLC, has filled an important need in Qatar. On the first two days, the show welcomed hotel investors, franchise and retail investors, hotel managers, restaurants managers, bar managers, as well as franchise and HORECA operators aiming at expanding their network and generating valuable sales by meeting top consultants, investors and influencers.

The second day of the show featured a series of workshops, during which a number current topics of interest were discussed, including: the role of the hospitality industry in the process of achieving the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030), conducted by Qatar Tourism Authority; Qatar’s hotel and tourism industry overview, conducted by TRI Consulting Hotels, Leisure and Real Estate; the challenges and opportunities for hotels in Qatar to become more sustainable, conducted by Green Hotel Interest Group and many others.

Commenting on its participation at Hospitality Qatar 2016, Mohammed Solh Executive Manager at INOX Kitchen Equipment Associate Sponsor had this to say: “We are a kitchen equipment company and industrial factory for forms and steel. I was actually surprised by the outcome, after welcoming representatives of many 5 stars hotels. We met the right people and this is what matters.” Also remarking on its involvement with Hospitality Qatar, Tarek Al Bayan, General Manager at Kitchen Plus stated: “Hospitality Qatar has been a highly attractive platform for us to showcase our products thus far. We are very happy with our participation and we will be coming back to hospitality Qatar every night.”

Dima Mansour, Marketing Manager at Nestle, Hospitality Qatar’s Live Cooking Sponsor soaked in the scene at this year’s Hospitality Qatar, noting “Nestlé Professional is glad to be back to The Hospitality & HORECA show of Qatar. The IFP have managed to deliver an excellent event in terms of attendees and contribution.” This year, Hospitality Qatar is providing its participants with a specialized mobile B2B Platform to plan their visit through an easy and interactive software. The app is allowing exhibitors and attendees to get even more value out of every visit to Hospitality Qatar. Another feature of the show is the product demonstration which provides participants an opportunity to showcase innovative new products to industry-targeted visitors.

For the second year in a row, Hospitality Qatar is hosting a Mocktail Competition which will be judged by two beverage professionals appointed by an even sponsor: Lamborghini Luxury Energy Drink. This competition represents an ultimate opportunity for HORECA bartenders to compete against each other and produce the best Mocktail in town. The leading Hospitality and HORECA show has proven through day two to be the right destination for thousands of leading local, regional and international HORECA professionals, and thousands of hospitality experts. Visitors are invited to register and attend day three if they haven’t had the opportunity to be a part of the show yet.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the leading jewellery retailer is nearing the much awaited opening of its renovated showroom at Al Watan Center in Doha at 5pm tomorrow.

The company has included inaugural offers on the occasion:

• Customers get ‘scratch & win’ coupons on purchase of gold jewellery worth QR2,500.
• Free two gramme gold coin on purchase of diamond jewellery worth QR5,000
• Free one gramme gold coin on diamond purchase of QR3,000.
• No making charges on 8g gold coins.
• Get gold rate protection on payment of 10% of the amount on gold jewellery purchase.
• Zero deduction offer on 22K (GCC) gold exchange.
• Offers valid until November 5, 2016.

The grand opening will be celebrated exhibiting the finest collection of gold, diamonds and precious gem jewellery in addition to exciting promotions for their customers. Showroom will participate in the ‘Delightful Diwali’ campaign which commenced yesterday. The outlet unveils a significantly large collection of traditional as well as contemporary designer jewellery. The exquisite range of collections in the outlet can hold one spell-bound with its awe-inspiring beauty and classic designs. Furthermore, with the ongoing festive period, the showroom will have special promotions on purchase of gold, diamond and precious gem jewellery.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds give their customers an opportunity to win big this festive season, making their Diwali a delightful one. Customers get a chance to win up to 500 gold cold coins instantly on purchase of gold jewellery worth QR2,500 via Scratch N Win coupons. Adding to the above, customers also get two gramme gold coin on diamond jewellery purchase of QR5,000 and one gramme gold coin on purchase of diamond jewellery worth QR3,000. Other exciting offers that customers can avail of during the campaign are no making charges on 8 gramme gold coins Also, customers can protect the gold rate at Malabar Gold & Diamonds on payment of 10 per cent of the entire amount on the selected gold jewellery. Furthermore, customers can avail the zero deduction offer on 22K (GCC) gold jewellery exchange as well. All such offers are valid until 5th November 5, 2016.

To add more glitter to this season, the company has also unveiled the latest collection of jewellery specially designed for Diwali in gold, diamonds and precious gems to suit the tastes of their multicultural and multinational customers. Malabar Gold & Diamonds has incorporated these designs as a part of various brands presented at Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ namely Ethnix — Handcrafted Designer Jewellery, Era — Uncut Diamond Jewellery, Mine — Diamonds Unlimited, Divine — Indian Heritage Jewellery and Precia — Precious Gem Jewellery. The company has always been at the forefront of gold jewellery manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing.

source: The Peninsula

General Manager of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Salih Hamad Al Sharqi said that holding the 'Made in Qatar' fair for the first time in Saudi Arabia is a result of the fruitful and positive cooperation between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. This came today in a speech during a press conference held for promoting the fair slated for November 6 to 9 in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Al Sharqi said that the selection of Saudi Arabia to be the first foreign stations for the fair, stems from the unique relationship between the two countries, in addition to Saudi Arabia's distinctive position, at the regional and international levels. With regard to the volume of trade exchange between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Al Sharqi said that in 2015 the volume of trade exchange amounted to about QR 9.6 billion, of which QR 8.1 billion was Qatari exports to Saudi Arabia and QR 1.5 billion was Qatari imports from Saudi Arabia. He pointer that the number of Saudi companies operating in Qatar and 100 percent owned by Saudis reached 315, while the number of companies with Qatari partners reached 303 with a total capital of QR 1.234 billion.

The fair is a platform for gathering factories, companies, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar under a single roof, in order to promote the Qatari products, and to strengthen the public-private sectors partnership, Al Sharqi said. He pointed out that the exhibition will be held on an area of 10 thousand square meters, with the participation of more than 200 Qatari companies and factory, featuring a distinguished presence of women, productive families, and SMEs.

The 360° Hospitality and HORECA (Hotels, Restaurants, Cafes) show of Qatar, Hospitality Qatar 2016, successfully came to a close at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) on Thursday, October 20.

Over the course of three days, Hospitality Qatar 2016, organized by IFP Qatar and licensed by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), confirmed its position as the leading Hospitality and HORECA show in the Middle East region after having surpassed all expectations delivering a high-end exhibition and recording satisfaction levels and positive feedback by all the show’s stakeholders.

The show, representing the ideal platform for all local, regional and international HORECA suppliers to meet with hospitality professionals from the entire region, attracted more exhibitors and higher levels of participation by welcoming thousands of visitors and official VIP delegations from over 10 participating countries. Hospitality Qatar 2016 provided the ideal platform for suppliers to showcase their products to hoteliers, HORECA professionals and buyers from other parts of the hospitality sector. The organizers implemented new technology this year to make it even easier for buyers to meet sellers.

Among the major highlights in this edition was the presence, Hospitality Qatar 2016 provided its participants with an interactive Business-to-Business (B2B) matchmaking platform. The matchmaking app saw high utilization this year with hundreds of meetings held over the course of 3 days, attracting a large number of decision makers, procurement directors, franchise operators, and consultants to network and create new business opportunities with hotel and retail investors, hotel managers and owners, restaurants managers, bar managers as well as HORECA operators through a set of pre-arranged meetings.

The event this year also included a number of features including a Mocktail Competition, a series of workshops covering current hot industry topics and Salon Culinaire, organized by Qatar Culinary Professionals. Being one of the most popular draws of the exposition, Salon Culinaire attracted a large number of participants who gathered to benefit from the opportunity to check the latest cooking styles, trends and innovations. Commenting on the success that Hospitality Qatar 2016 achieved, George Ayache, General Manager at IFP Qatar LLC, said: “Hospitality Qatar 2016 attracted this year a huge number of professionals and decision makers from around the world, eager to network and explore the most state-of-art technologies in the hospitality industry. The event has established itself this year its role as the leading hospitality platform in by providing exhibitors and visitors with the latest insights and trends of the industry.”

As for its company’s participation at Hospitality Qatar 2016, Khaled M. Al-Buainain, Owner and President of FITCO Holding said: “We are participating at this exhibition to showcase a large number of products and services which FITCO for cleaning products provide. The exhibition is amazing, and we have noticed a regional and international participation. This is an ideal opportunity to meet with some institutions, network with agents and explore new products.” In the same context, Iyad G. Sabbarini, General Manager of Nespresso in Qatar commented on the show this year: “We consider our participation at Hospitality Qatar highly effective. We are participating for the second year in a row, and we have noticed many companies interested in participating at this exhibition and we are interested in strengthening our position in the Qatari market.”

Also included in the Salon Culinaire, the Mocktail competition, sponsored by Lamborghini Luxury Energy Drink, was judged by professionals in the field, following which, the top three winners were crowned as the best Mocktail makers in Qatar. Commenting on the impact of her company’s participation at Hospitality Qatar 2016, Stephanie Chahabian, Brand Strategist at Tonino Lamborghini said: “Hospitality Qatar has been a guarantee for us since last year. We are participating for the second year and since last year we were very happy with the result so we were definitely going to participate again.” 

Imad Askar, Director of Operations at ASKAR Industries noted: “We were in partnership with Hospitality Qatar, sponsoring the Salon Culinaire. It is great to see the chefs competing and raising the caliber of their culinary arts in Doha. More exhibitors in the field are participating in the show and it is great that every year the show is achieving additional progress so we are looking forward to more years of Hospitality Qatar.” Hospitality Qatar 2016 has firmly positioned itself as the only major hospitality exposition in Qatar that welcomes thousands of professionals from all aspects of the Hotel, Restaurant and Cafe food, supply, design and investment Industries. Evidenced by the number of exhibitors, attendees, and users of its B2B Matchmaking business platform, Hospitality Qatar 2016 has cemented its place in Qatar’s burgeoning Hotel and Hospitality sectors and throughout the entire MENA region. 

KAMCO Investment Company, a leading investment company with one of the largest AUMs in the GCC region and an array of investments in the GCC markets, successfully acquired General Electric’s (“GE”) Global Operation Center building located in the United States of America.

KAMCO, established in the heart of Kuwait City with an international office in the UAE, announced that the 12-story office tower housing GE’s Global Operation Center, located within The Banks “Work, Live, Play” mixed-use development area in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio is categorized as a Class A property.

The strategic location provides returns expected to deliver an approximately 6.5% per annum yield and a projected net IRR of approximately 7.1% after a total investment period of 5 years. The newly built-to-suit state of the art facility is equipped with the latest building accessories and necessary infrastructure to accommodate a large number of offices, and consists of 339,678 sq. feet of usable commercial space. The property, leased to GE on a triple net 15-year lease, started from October 2016 until 2031 with five additional terms of 5 years with each option extended.

Commenting on the acquisition, Chief Executive Officer of KAMCO, Mr. Faisal Mansour Sarkhou, said that the acquisition was yet another landmark in KAMCO’s expansion plan that the Firm implemented during the beginning of 2016. He also affirmed KAMCO’s strategic focus on the regional and international real estate investments across the identified core markets that provide sustainable returns to the Firm’s stakeholders. Also commenting on the acquisition, Chief Investment Officer of KAMCO, Mr. Khaled Fouad, said, “This investment opportunity emphasizes KAMCO’s ongoing determination in providing new diverse and innovative income generating asset streams. KAMCO’s acquisition of the US Global Operations Center is one of GE’s five centers worldwide, and we believe that this prime asset offers long-term value in combination with attractive current yields.”

Mr. Fouad also added that the Alternative Investments Department at KAMCO is keen to resume developing and expanding its renowned track-record in different alternative asset classes on a local, regional and global basis. The investment transaction was orchestrated by the Atlanta office of Eastdil Secured, acting on behalf of Carter and 90 North Real Estate Partners acting on behalf of KAMCO. JLL Capital Markets Debt & Equity team, based in Chicago, coordinated the financing, on behalf of KAMCO, with Des Moines, Iowa based Principal Real Estate Investors. The local Cincinnati office of CBRE, led by Steven Thornton, will provide property management on the asset.

Assisting KAMCO in completing the transaction, Ice Miller LLP acted as legal advisors for all practices in the United States. Ernest and young provided tax advisory services for the acquisition, while BDO USA LLP, Centrum Investment Group, and Jones Lang LaSalle financial and professional services firm specializing in commercial real estate services, assisted in completing the transaction. GE is a global digital industrial company that is ranked 8^th in the Fortune 500 with investment grade ratings from Standard and Poor’s (AA+) and Moody’s (A1). The company’s diversified stream of income from its clients in over 180 countries has led GE to reach a market cap of approximately USD 296.5 billion.

Strategic Location

The real estate property acquired by KAMCO is located in the vital area of Cincinnati, Ohio called “The Banks”. The Banks is vibrant, mixed-use development on the banks of the Ohio River. The ideal location consists a combination of residential real estate, entertainment venues, retail stores, offices and national parks. It is also situated between the Cincinnati Reds’ baseball stadium, the Great American Ball Park and the Paul Brown Stadium. The development has also transformed downtown Cincinnati’s riverfront to a true live-work-play environment.

When fully completed, The Banks will feature 1,800 residential units, 400 hotel rooms, 1 million square feet of office space and 400,000 square feet of retail space. The 592 residential units have been completed to date, along with over 100,000 square feet of retail. The location has multiple bus and shuttle services and a new bike-sharing program, Cincy Red Bike, with recently installed stations across the downtown Cincinnati area providing over 260 bicycles for public use. The new $112 million, 3.6-mile streetcar track will link The Banks to Downtown and eventually to the University of Cincinnati.

The amenities The Banks has to offer allows GE to access a broader and wider pool of quality staff, in a modern working environment while encouraging a work- life balance.  

Bringing its expertise and two decades of experience in Pest Management, Food Safety and Biosecurity to the country’s leading exhibition for the Hotels, Restaurants, and Cafes (HORECA) sector, Boecker® Public Safety successfully participated in Hospitality Qatar 2016 as the Official Hygiene Sponsor and the Hygiene Jury of the exhibition’s ‘Salon Culinaire’ for the second year in a row.

This year, Boecker® has attracted a lots of visitors to its booth with a variety of exclusive offers, contests and prizes. The huge turnout gave visitors the opportunity to learn more about Boecker’s leading role in raising Public Health awareness and Safety standards in the Hospitality sector, as well as to introduce them to the Company’s brand-new services including SafeChildCareTM Programme for nurseries and children centers, and its latest InfectionControlPlanTM programme , which is designed to protect the families, homes, factories, companies  and the environment, etc. from all kinds of germs and bacteria. 

During the event, Boecker’s professional Food Safety Consultants also held a free induction to HACCP Training session to food business operators; a systematic preventive approach to food safety from biological, chemical, and physical hazards in food processing areas. The training equipped attendees with the basic knowledge they need to start applying HACCP principles to their operations, and the participants received a certification of attendance upon concluding the session.

Commenting on the occasion, Mrs. Carla Ghaleb, Boecker’s Country Manager, said: “Through our participation in Hospitality Qatar 2016, Boecker® has successfully shed a spotlight on the importance of following best food safety practices in the context of maintaining public health standards in the hospitality and tourism industries, through a range of fruitful workshops and introductory training sessions. The exhibition was also an effective platform to interact and share insights with the multitude of visitors and interested stakeholders, who flocked our booth to learn about Boecker’s newest services and innovations, such as the SafeChildCareTM and the InfectionControlPlanTM programmes, which help organizations, institutions as well as families and parents establish a safe environment throughout their venues, facilities and homes.”

She added: “As always, it has been a pleasure to serve as the exhibition’s Official Hygiene Sponsor for the second consecutive year, and the Hygiene Jury of ‘Salon Culinaire’, where we witnessed the extraordinary skills and talents of world-class chefs competing in diverse and exciting categories in front of a live audience. Our participation has definitely been constructive and rewarding, and provided us with some valuable insights on how we can better cater to the needs of the growing Hospitability and Tourism sectors in Qatar and beyond, today and well into the future.”

Through its dedicated booth and expert jury panel, Boecker’s participation in the 2016 edition of Hospitality Qatar enriched the highly-anticipated annual exhibition with a range of interactive games, animated competitions, and sought-after educational opportunities for visitors as well as the participating exhibitors, hoteliers, chefs, procurement professionals, and marketing directors. The three-days event also featured a series of specialized workshops for HORECA suppliers and stakeholders in the sector from all around the world, which were conducted by Boecker®, augmenting the value that exhibitors and visitors experienced at the exhibition.

Hospitality Qatar aims to play an effective role in achieving the Qatar National Vision as well as the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy for the year 2030, by promoting a sustainable and thriving hospitality sector in the country. The event was held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce.

Mövenpick Al Aziziyah held a reception last Wednesday night to mark the rebranding of the property and honour its clients and partners for their continuous support. The event took place at the beautiful terrace of the hotel's signature restaurant Blue, well-known for its picturesque views of Aspire Park.

Nearly 200 people came to the event. Amongst the distinguished guests were Olivier Chavy, President and CEO of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Andreas Mattmüller, Chief Operating Officer for the Middle East and South Asia, and Gerard Hotelier, Vice President Operations for the Middle East and South Asia, as well as a large number of company managers, embassies, journalists, bloggers and other personalities. Guests were welcomed with traditional Arda dance, escorted to the outdoor terrace of Blue and treated to Mövenpick’s signature “Healthy Shots”. At the terrace, a sax and violin duo performed beautiful live music for the arriving guests to enjoy.

The evening was opened by a welcoming speech from Beat Peter, General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel Al Aziziyah. “This special occasion give us a great opportunity to express our deep gratitude for our guests and clients for their trust and continuous support”, Peter said. The night continued with a magical performance by Zahra Nasser, a sand artist from Bahrain, who depicted the story of the hotel and the development of Qatar, by creating fluid illustrations with sand. Her spectacular performance, which was accompanied by music, was projected onto a large screen for everyone to appreciate.

The environment was highly amicable. Throughout the evening, visitors were offered with beautiful music, a selection of canapés and a collection of signature mocktails and fresh juices. Live cooking stations were presented during the event, featuring dishes from the main hotel outlets, Agora and Blue. Also, all the visitors had a chance to experience Gulf traditional food prepared by a special guest of the event, chef Mohammed, who is well-known in social media simply as "weld_alshei5a". The evening ended with a cake-cutting ceremony and firework candles.

Thomson Reuters, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, today released the quarterly investment banking analysis for the Middle East region.

According to estimates from Thomson Reuters / Freeman Consulting, Middle Eastern investment banking fees reached US$580.7 million during the first nine months of 2016, an 11% increase compared to fees recorded during the same period in 2015. Nadim Najjar, Managing Director, MENA, Thomson Reuters, said: “The value of announced M&A transactions with any Middle Eastern involvement reached US$37.4 billion during the first nine months of 2016, 19% more than the value recorded during the first nine months of 2015 and the highest first nine month total in the region since 2010.” 

“Middle Eastern equity and equity-related issuance totalled US$1.5 billion during the first nine months of 2016, a 72% decline from the first nine months of 2015 and the slowest opening nine-month period for equity capital markets issuance since 2004. Bolstered by a record-breaking second quarter, Middle Eastern debt issuance reached US$43.8 billion during the first nine months of 2016, a 75% increase compared to the value raised during the first nine months of 2015 and the strongest first nine months for DCM issuance since records began in 1980,” he added.

In respect to investment banking fees, fees generated from completed M&A transactions totalled US$158.3 million during the first nine months of 2016, a 23% decrease compared to a year ago and the slowest first nine months for M&A fees in the region since 2012. Equity capital markets underwriting fees declined 64% to US$29.1 million, marking the slowest first nine month period since 2009, while debt capital markets fees increased 64% to US$83.2 million. Syndicated lending fees accounted for 53% of the overall Middle Eastern investment banking fee pool, the highest first nine months share since 2002. Completed M&A advisory fees accounted for 27% of fees in the region, while debt and equity capital markets underwriting fees accounted for a combined 19%. 

Powered by syndicated lending fees, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group earned the most investment banking fees in the Middle East during the first nine months of 2016, a total of US$36.5 million for a 6.3% share of the total fee pool. Rothschild topped the completed M&A fee rankings with 12.9% of advisory fees, while HSBC was first for DCM underwriting, up from second place a year ago. ECM underwriting was lead by Sambacapital with US$13.0 million in ECM fees, or 45% share. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group took the top spot in the Middle Eastern syndicated loans fee ranking with US$32.2 million in fees for 10.4% of the market.

As for M&A deals, the US$14.1 billion merger of National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank was the largest deal to be announced in the region so far this year, it is the largest domestic Middle Eastern deal of all time. Boosted by this deal, domestic and inter-Middle Eastern M&A increased 149% year-on-year to US$20.5 billion. Outbound M&A activity fell 24% from first nine months 2015 to reach US$11.4 billion. 

Overseas acquisitions from Qatar accounted for 41% of Middle Eastern outbound M&A activity, while acquisitions by companies based in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates accounted for 34% and 11%, respectively. Inbound M&A fell 53% to US$2.2 billion. Financials was the most active sector, accounting for 45% of Middle Eastern involvement M&A, followed by Technology and Real Estate. Credit Suisse, which advised the Abu Dhabi banking merger with UBS, topped the first nine months 2016 announced any Middle Eastern involvement M&A league table. UBS ranked second.

In respect to Equity Capital Markets, six initial public offerings raised US$811.9 million and accounted for 54% of first nine months 2016 activity in the region. Follow-on offerings accounted for the remaining 46% of activity. Sambacapital took first place in the first nine months 2016 Middle Eastern ECM ranking with 31% market share. As for Debt Capital Markets, Qatar was the most active nation in the Middle East accounting for 36% of overall activity, followed by United Arab Emirates and Oman. International Islamic debt issuance increased 26% year-on-year to reach US$28.0 billion during the first nine months of 2016. JP Morgan took the top spot in the Middle Eastern bond ranking during the first nine months of 2016 with 9.2% share of the market, while CIMB Group took the top spot for Islamic DCM issuance with a 14.76% share. 

Mannai Corporation reports a Net Profit of QR343 Million for the period ending 30th September 2016. Group results for the 3rd Quarter improved significantly to QR 123 Million Net Profit, compared to QR103 Million at the same stage last year.

Following Mannai’s acquisition earlier this year of a majority stake in GFI Informatique, a public listed company in France, the Group’s level of profits from Associates and Joint Ventures has grown by 59% to QR 77 Million in the 9 month period to 30th September, compared to QR 48 Million in the previous year. For the 9 month period ending 30th September 2016, Mannai’s Net Profit was QR 343 Million compared to QR 379 Million for the same period last year. The decline in Net Profit was mainly due to the economic slowdown in the region and depressed market conditions in the Group’s retail businesses.

Alekh Grewal, Group CEO and Director said “the business of GFI Informatique, an IT conglomerate with operations in Europe and North Africa, has further diversified Mannai’s revenue stream internationally and will be an important contributor to Mannai’s future growth and quality of earnings going forward”.