PwC, one of the world’s largest professional services firms in the region, launched its first-ever regional megatrends report entitled Middle East Megatrends: Transforming our region. The report explores the profound changes that are disrupting and reshaping the region’s economies, society and industries, compounded by the urgency caused by the sharp drop in oil prices.

The report’s insights, a result of conversations between PwC and its clients across the region and beyond, have been distilled down into five global shifts or Megatrends that the firms says are already having a major impact on the Middle East, and whose impact, it believes, will continue to be felt over the coming decades. The report aims to foster a debate amongst thought leaders, businesses and governments in the region about how these megatrends are reshaping the economic and commercial landscape in the Middle East and guide discussions on what can be done to successfully navigate these transformative changes in the years to come.

According to PwC, understanding these key structural megatrends is vital to gain a clear and collective understanding for how to successfully tackle the challenges the Middle East faces and to uncover opportunities that may have never been considered in the past:

• Demographic and social change has driven both prosperity and instability in much of the region, as explosive population growth has boosted economies, strained resources and raised the spectre of youth unemployment. The Middle East has led the emerging market population boom in the past decade. This means that the region is young, with 40% of its people under 25; but it is also a region with one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world, standing at 28%. Population in the Middle East is expected to rise by almost 50% over the next 25 years – at a rate faster than that of India, however its age pyramid will shift by 2050, with far more elderly nationals in the GCC (20%) than the expected world average (16%). Leveraging young people’s brain power and capabilities has therefore become vital for economic prosperity.
• Shift in global economic power has placed the Middle East firmly in the middle of the world’s fastest-growing markets and allowed Dubai in particular, to turn itself into a global hub for aviation, tourism and logistics. Through Dubai International Airport, the city has also turned itself into a key link, connecting the economies of the East and the West and placing the UAE within a four-hour flight of 40% of the world’s population.
• Rapid urbanisation is transforming nations worldwide, yet the Middle East region remains one of the most highly urbanised in the world. And with new cities under construction, this level continues to rise – making it a struggle to develop sufficient infrastructure to cope with this population explosion. However, the years of sky-rocketing population expansion are now almost behind us, with focus shifts today making urban spaces function optimally, as evidenced by the public transport build-up in Dubai, or in the development of new cities such as King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia and plans for a new capital city East of Cairo. This, PwC says, reflects the $4 trillion opportunity of projects planned or under construction in the Middle East and North Africa.
• Climate change and resource scarcity is today more than ever, a pressing issue for the Middle East. And changing the way humans use the planet’s resources will impact GCC countries more than most, given that GCC countries are among the world’s highest consumers of energy and water per capita. Water in particular, will become a significant challenge in the coming decade, with the GCC already relying on desalination for 70% of its water and water consumption being forecast to grow by one-third by 2020.
• Technological breakthroughs, however, could be part of the answer to these issues, but the disruption that digitalisation is bringing to today’s organisations also requires new skills that are in short supply in the Middle East. The Middle East has many of the right ingredients to benefit from new technologies, with young, tech-savvy populations in countries like Saudi Arabia ranking fourth globally in active Twitter usage, and the UAE reaching 78% smartphone penetration. However, most companies and government entities are struggling to develop digital strategies and are lagging in terms of digital innovation, R&D and the development of new technologies. R&D expenditure in Saudi Arabia and the UAE for example, is still below 1% of GDP – well behind European averages and far behind the world’s biggest R&D spenders such as South Korea.

Commenting on the release of the report, Hani Ashkar, PwC Territory Senior Partner, Middle East, said: “This seminal report comes at a very important time as our region finds itself in flux. The Middle East today sits at the epicentre of megatrends that are reshaping our world; our ‘new normal’ era of low oil price and squeezed liquidity has therefore created the impetus for urgent action and that is something we wish to come through loud and clear in this report.” He added: “While it is true that the urgency of the transformation currently underway is a reaction to the sharp drop in oil revenues, the direction of change – and its complexity – is an inevitable response to these multiple global forces. By helping our partners in the government and private sectors alike understand this broader context, we can ensure they are armed with all the tools necessary to make this transformation a success.”

Meanwhile, Stephen Anderson, Middle East Clients and Markets Leader noted: “Governments know they need to cut subsidies, expand their fiscal base and bring private investment and corporate practices into state entities. But they also know they need to keep building infrastructure and enable technology and innovation. Governments and businesses alike can translate an understanding of these megatrends into practical guidelines for future strategy and through this report’s insights, we hope to enable them to do just that.”

“From transportation to energy, healthcare to manufacturing, changes of this magnitude can unveil unforeseen threats and challenges. By fostering a deep understanding of the undercurrents shaping society and businesses in the Middle East, PwC supports its partners in the government and the private sectors to manage these changes and seize all opportunities that arise.” he ended.

For more details and insights on the impact of these megatrends, the full report is available here, along with illustrations and country reports: http://www.pwc.com/m1/en/issues/megatrends.html

Download the full report here: http://www.pwc.com/m1/en/publications/megatrends/pdf/megatrends-in-me-transforming-our-region.pdf

Download the regional overview here: http://www.pwc.com/m1/en/publications/megatrends/pdf/megatrends-in-me-regional-overview.pdf

Oryx Rotana, the five-star luxury business hotel in Doha, hosted a series of pink initiatives during the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month to spread awareness regarding breast cancer as well as to encourage women to be proactive in the prevention of this disease.

To mark the “Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” OryxRotana employees sported traditional pink ribbons while a special set up was put together with the special treats from the chefs. The event helped colleagues understand that breast cancer is one of the most curable types of cancer, which due to lack of awareness and timely treatment continues to take thousands of lives every year.

On this occasion Lana Jwainat, Director of Marketing and Communications at Oryx Rotana Doha, said, “We are pleased to showcase our support in the fight against breast cancer. OryxRotana has been playing an instrumental role in Qatar’s fight against this sickness. We understand that awareness can make a huge difference as early detection and regular checkups can save many lives.” "The event is an integral part of our active health and community awareness strategy and an opportunity for people to give back to the community," she added.

span style="font-family:sans-serif,arial,verdana,trebuchet ms">Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women worldwide, accounting for 16% of all cancer types. It is notable that in Qatar majority of breast cancer patients are diagnosed in later stages thereby decreasing their chances of survival. October is observed as International Breast Cancer Awareness Month worldwide and the campaign aims at disseminating the message that it is highly treatable and completely curable if detected in the early stages.

Blockchain technologies have the potential to revolutionize the rapidly growing financial services sector in Qatar and the broader GCC region, according to a new report from Booz Allen Hamilton, titled ‘Blockchain: Application to Financial Services in the GCC Region’. The global consulting and technology firm outlines how the technology could have many useful applications, including in retail payments infrastructure, remittances, trade finance and syndicated loans, capital markets, and compliance activities such as Know Your Customer (KYC), benefitting both the financial sector and consumers.

Qatar has recently been ranked as the most competitive economy in the Middle East by IMD World Competitiveness Centre[1]. Recent developments including the implementation of the Basel III regulations’ agenda, enhancing foreign participation in the stock market, establishing specific zones for foreign investors, and ensuring strong transparency procedures along with the establishment of Qatar as the first regional Renminbi clearing centre will play an important role in developing the financial sector of Qatar.

Booz Allen Hamilton identifies a number of specific opportunities in the financial services sector to shape and drive blockchain adoption, and recommends how the region can best organize and co-ordinate efforts for future research and development, given the government’s desire to establish the country as a major financial technology (fintech) player. The report also outlines how central banks could lead this initiative by supporting broader issues on regulation, and knowledge sharing, as well as encouraging commercial banks to work together and collaborate with fintech firms to test and utilize new business models using the technology.

Lutfi Zakhour (pictured), Senior Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton MENA, believes that it is imperative for commercial banks to actively look to embrace blockchain: “The digital economy is moving so rapidly that adopting a 'wait and see' approach is not advisable. Our report shows that there are a number of very real opportunities that will provide genuine long-term benefits. We are seeing significant momentum now at the global level which means that GCC institutions need to start planning the most effective ways to engage and implement blockchain solutions into their future business operating models.”

The report identifies a number of key areas of finance that blockchain has the potential to revolutionize in the GCC, including:

Retail Payments Infrastructure

Introducing blockchain will speed up transactions and reduce costs, provide near instantaneous clearing and settlement, and manage complete transaction records, which would boost the accuracy of data and allow for improved monitoring by regulators. Banks could look to develop payments infrastructure and systems to make them blockchain compatible, but implementing blockchain will require investment to upgrade existing infrastructure. Collaboration between banks on an equal partner basis to develop a co-owned blockchain payments system, or partnerships with specialized 'fintech' firms and startups, could help offset some of these costs.

Remittances

GCC countries account for an estimated $98 billion in annual outward remittance flows[2] which are likely to continue to grow given the high percentage of migrant workers. However, transaction costs and time are relatively high, reflecting the complexity of the clearing and settlement chain. Blockchain application could potentially reduce this complexity by eliminating the need for correspondent banks, thus reducing cost for customers and providing near instant settlement. This would enable banks to levy cheaper fees and compete better even if exchange houses also adopted blockchain technology.

Remittance industry leaders like Western Union are already investing in blockchain companies (in this case, Digital Currency Group) to see how the technology can help improve their service. Given the scale of the remittance market in GCC countries, this is an area that needs to be further explored by banks and exchange houses alike.

Foreign Exchange

Foreign exchange (FX) trade volume in the GCC has increased 50% year on year since 2011[3]. Blockchain technology could be utilized to meet this increase in demand in order to enable direct peer-to-peer foreign exchange transactions. By allowing parties to access a much larger pool of currency exchange markets, costs can be driven down and the speed of transactions increased.

Trade Finance

Trade finance is another key area that could benefit from blockchain technology adoption. Trade finance is a complex process that involves a number of manual checks to verify the legitimacy of a client, its trading partners and the goods that change hands. The majority of these processes involve the exchange of paper documents between buyers and sellers via their respective banks, ensuring transactions are verified and processed, and allowing for payments to be made. Utilizing blockchain technology could yield significant benefits. Having all parties on a shared system with permissioned access will enable real time exchange of information, increase speed and provide visibility across the transit of goods and flow of information.

The report concludes with recommendations on how GCC governments, central banks and the banking sector can help shape and drive blockchain development and application in the region. Understandably, new technologies and disruption often leave governments and regulators playing catch up, and blockchain is far from a complete and proven technology. What is clear, though, is that leadership and direction are vital for a meaningful and productive initiative, which could ultimately deliver profound change and benefits to financial services within the GCC region.

“Branding Evolution”, a unique exhibition which tells the story of iconic Italian brands, will come to Qatar for the first time from 6 – 20 November 2016, at City Centre Rotana, Doha held under the patronage of the Italian Embassy in Doha.

The announcement was made during a press conference held on 24^th October 2016 which was attended by His Excellency Mr. Guido De Sanctis, Ambassador of Italy to Qatar, Mr. Essa Ahmed, CEO, Rosso Italiano Luxury Events (Rosso Italiano) and Ms. Laura Somma, Managing Director, Rosso Italiano. Following its European successes in Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Turkey and of course Italy, “Branding Evolution” will soon arrive in Qatar, a stage considered "essential and fundamental" by its curators and owners Museo del Marchio Italiano, Maurizio di Somma and Raffaele Fontanella.

His Excellency Mr. Guido De Sanctis, Ambassador of Italy to Qatar said, “We have strongly supported this exhibition because we truly believe in its great artistic value and are delighted that Qatar is the first country in the Middle East to host it.” Mr. Essa Ahmed, CEO, Rosso Italiano said, “We are excited to bring this one of a kind exhibition to Qatar for people to enjoy. The artistic and visual journey it creates will guide visitors through the evolution of some of Italy’s most famous and loved brands, such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Versace, Fendi and Piaggio, amongst many more. Thanks to the contribution of globally celebrated designers, the story of these brands are really able to come to life.”

Ms. Laura Somma, Managing Director, Rosso Italiano commented, “As well as the exhibition itself, people can expect to see some world-class entertainment. Amii Stewart, the platinum disc award-winning and Grammy Nominated American singer will be performing her most well-known repertoire. Incanto Quartet, four famous and renowned sopranos, will pay homage to great Italian opera and popular songs, while for the first time, and with the support of the popular singer Ali Shaeen they will also combine an Italian opera of Rossini with a memorable Qatari song.”

Mr. Joseph Coubat, General Manager of City Centre Rotana, Doha remarked, “It is our utmost pleasure to be the hospitality partner of “Branding Evolution”, which is definitely a unique event happening for the first time in the city. As a five star hotel in West Bay featuring a big number of customized artworks within our property, we are pleased to be part of this artistic event where we are able to showcase an impressive combination of art and hospitality.”

Giving visitors a complete experience for their senses, food will also play an important part in “Branding Evolution” with influential chefs Frank Bordoni and Nawal Al Sayed bringing an extravagant four-course menu that blends the best of Italian gastronomic culture with that of Qatar. While the famous Qatari presenter, Hamad Al Amari will entertain guests during the gala event. Last but not least the best of Made in Italy, Pinella Passaro will also be showcasing her outstanding high-fashion dresses and Pier Antonio Friso, an artist whose shoes have been worn by countless Hollywood celebrities, will be present with his creations for the opening.

To celebrate the fact that “Branding Evolution” has come to Qatar, organizers Rosso Italiano have also decided to establish an annual Award which will recognize relevant local personalities who contribute to the growth and development of the country. 

Starting October 28, the last Friday of every month will mark a new eating experience in Doha as the Shangri-La converts its first floor restaurant area to one enormous brunching zone. The Shangtastic Brunch is on.

Three signature restaurants – Yabby, Fuego and The Den – join culinary forces to offer a high-quality, varied feast including live oysters and fish, fine butcher’s cuts of meat, authentic English pies and outrageous desserts. The preparation of the brunch requires the skill and attention of no fewer than twenty chefs during seventy-two hours prior to the day. Guests can choose to be seated in the upbeat décor of either Fuego or Yabby, whilst being invited to indulge themselves with tasty offerings from all the different live cooking stations as well as plated main courses from all three restaurants. Live entertainment from the hotel’s Argentine duo and DJ Yas rounds off the mellow Friday vibe.

“One of the best things about our Shangtastic Brunch is that it isn’t a huge buffet with food sitting out in chafing pans for hours on end,” said Ryan Sonson, Executive Chef of Shangri-La, Doha. “For our brunch, each restaurant will provide all-you-can-eat main courses plated fresh to order. From Fuego we will offer wonderful meaty items as Fuego is essentially a steak house; while from Yabby the mains will be focused primarily on excellent seafood. This gives our customers the maximum freshness and quality of dishes according to the specialised skills of our chefs.”

The high quality and variety of the Shangri-La’s live stations are a notable touch, including as they do: a carving station which will feature unique rotisserie chicken, whole roasted boneless salmon, and bone-in prime rib of beef; the station devoted to savory English pies made by the hotel’s British chef, boasting rich, flavourful combinations such as chicken, beef and bone marrow, broccoli and Roquefort, as well as more Continental offerings such as pâté en croûte and gargantuan quiches; and also from the French quarter, a fromagerie-boulangerie featuring a raclette station and Brie de Meaux en croûte,  as well as over a dozen other favourite European cheeses.

Selections for the health-conscious are excellently represented with a station serving fresh ceviche from the Argentine chefs in Fuego, an oyster and sushi counter, and, at the carving station, a unique presentation of delicious and tender vegetables cooked sous-vide to retain maximum flavour, texture, and nutritional value. Freshness is a primary concern. The Shangri-La’s oyster and sushi counter features oysters flown in from France, with two varieties shucked live in front of diners while sushi and sashimi are prepared à la minute. Yabby restaurant features fresh Boston lobster, crab, mussels and prawns and further, at its teppanyaki counter, salmon and prawns from Europe, beef from the USA, and fresh local vegetables.

For anyone still feeling a little hungry, the Shangtastic dessert station will feature irresistible favourites including Eton Mess, sticky date pudding and a deliciously architectural éclair tower. The lighter option of ice-cream is lent excitement by being served from a live liquid nitrogen station in the very best new traditions of scientific gastronomy. The adult only Shangtastic brunch makes available a brunch package including a choice of light alcoholic beverages which contribute to the authentic flavours of the gourmet dishes on offer: a sangria station in Fuego, a Bloody Mary station in Yabby, sparkling wines – either alone, or as featured ingredients in the fruity Mimosas and Bellinis served from the ‘bubbly station’ at the oyster and sushi counter – and a selection of red and white wines, beers, Caipirinhas and Caipiroskas.

Shangtastic promises a tremendously varied brunch, well-judged to enhance the already rich and complex Doha brunch scene, and perhaps set to become a staple for Qatar’s discriminating diners. Priced at QAR 305 with soft drinks and QAR 405 with alcoholic beverages.

Shangri-La Hotel Doha, Level 1, Conference Centre Street, West Bay, Email: doha.dining@shangri-la.com, Phone: 4429 5295.

Grazia magazine, the only international women’s monthly in Qatar and one of 25 international editions of the leading fashion title, will be holding the Grazia Style Awards in Qatar for the first time ever next month.

Celebrating everything that is great in fashion – from the best design talent, to your favourite shopping destinations - Grazia will recognise regional and global achievement at a special awards night on November 21 held at The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa in association with Exclusive Fashion Partner Salam Stores, Exclusive Automobile Partner Mercedes-Benz, and Exclusive Fragrance Partner Amouage.

The theme for the inaugural Grazia Style Awards is “From Catwalk to Qatar” and invitations feature a drawing of a model wearing a couture creation against the Doha skyline, designed by legendary fashion illustrator Shamekh Bluwi. Grazia will be showcasing the best that Qatar has to offer and welcoming the who's who of the international industry to an awards ceremony held in Doha to honour the standout style stars from the past 12 months. Guests can expect the industry's most influential and style-savvy personalities from Qatar, the Middle East, and beyond ― brought together for one night only to celebrate their contributions to the fashion landscape.

This historic occasion demands an iconic host and Grazia welcomes one of the world’s most celebrated designers, Alice Temperley, to lead the fashion pack on what is set to be the most glamorous fashion event ever held in Qatar. Readers can have their say in the awards by voting for their favourite brands, designers, and bloggers at www.graziastyleawards.com. This will be an open vote which means that any brand, boutique, or style star is eligible. Once the initial votes have been tallied, a shortlist for each of the ten categories will be announced in the coming month. 

Al Meera Consumer Goods Company (Q.S.C.) discloses its third quarter financial results that ended 30 September 2016.

Al Meera Group gross profit increased 6.2% (QAR 18.4 million), from QAR 295.5million to QAR 313.9 million. Meanwhile, Group gross shops rental income increased 49.6%, from QAR 35.6 million to QAR 53.3 million, compared to the same period last year

Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Qahtani, Al Meera Deputy Chief Executive Officer said: “For the third quarter of 2016, Al Meera’s Group sales increased 7.2% (QAR 129.2million), from QAR 1,805.0 million to QAR 1,934.2 million, compared to the same period last year. Al Meera’s Group operating income increased 9.4%, from QAR 349.6 million to QAR 382.6million, compared to the same period last year.”

Al Meera’s financial results for 2016’s third quarter reflect the Company’s sound policies, high standards of service, and the continued progress achieved in its medium and long term expansion plans, including the recent soft opening of its 4,239 m2 Bu Sidra branch; the first of five new shopping centers set to open their doors to consumers in succession in the soon future, adding a total of 9,709 m2 Supermarket Area to Al Meera’s presence in Qatar.

Al Qahtani continued: “Guided by a clear vision, a passion for excellence, and a growth strategy that is perfectly aligned with the country’s National Vision and its urbanization plans, Al Meera has successfully concluded yet another successful quarter that boasts strong financial results, growth figures, and Key Performance Indicators. 2016’s Q3 results propels us to continue our march of progress, and spare no effort in bringing our future expansion plans to fruition and Al Meera’s upcoming shopping centers to new neighborhoods across Qatar’s various regions, with an unmatched, totally revamped shopping experience designed to take our household brand and the retail market in the country to greater new heights.”

Earlier this month, the Company announced that it is in the final stages of preparations for four of the Company’s upcoming stores in North Sailiya (Al Miarad), Al Wakra (East), Um Salal Ali, and Leaibab 2, on a covered area of 4,000 m2, 2,667 m2, 4,014 m2 and 5,093 m2 respectively, in addition to the recently launched Bu Sidra branch. Each center will feature a supermarket equipped with world-class technologies and facilities, a huge parking space, and a diversity of shops and restaurants and other stores, further fulfilling the Company’s vision of becoming consumers’ ‘Favourite Neighbourhood Retailer’.

With the upcoming stores reaching the finalization stage, the Supermarket Retail Chain is bringing progress to 11 out of the ‘14 shopping centers’ expansion plan that Al Meera announced last year.

For the first time ever in the GCC and the Arab World, Qatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA), in association with ADNAR Group, will be hosting the International Final for the 2016/2017 edition of the world’s largest simulation-based strategy and management competition, the ‘Global Management Challenge’ (GMC), in Doha. The Final will be played over two days in April, with the winning teams of each of the participating countries competing against one another.

The opening event will take place on April 10th 2017, under the patronage of Qatar’s Minister of Finance H.E. Mr. Ali Shareef Al Emadi, and the awards ceremony and gala dinner will be held under the auspices of the Deputy Governor of Qatar Central Bank H.E. Sheikh Fahad Faisal Al Thani.

Commenting on the unprecedented achievement, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Horr, CEO at QFBA, said: “It is QFBA’s absolute honor to bring the International Final of the world-renowned ‘Global Management Challenge’, in partnership with ADNAR Group, to Qatar and the Arab World for the first time ever in the competition’s 36-year history. Not only will we witness the skillfulness and talents of some of tomorrow’s brightest business minds during the competing teams participation in the Finals, including the National Winner that will be representing Qatar, but we are also helping raise the status of Qatar as a strong regional supporter of skill-development and human capacity building initiatives and events, in line with the country’s National Vision for the year 2030, and in harmony with the Academy’s vision, mission, and core values. QFBA is determined to deliver a world-class event that matches, if not exceeds, previous GMC International Finals that were held in some of the world’s biggest capital cities, and we can’t wait to welcome the winning national teams to Doha next April.”

Echoing Dr. Al Horr’s remarks, Ms. Randa Haidar, Managing Director of ADNAR Group, said: “As the Official Organizer of GMC in Qatar, ADNAR Group continues to be an active partner in raising the bar for professional talent development and promotion in the country and the region. This year, we are pleased to be collaborating once again with QFBA to mark a new milestone in this arena, as we prepare to welcome the International Final of the globally-acclaimed competition to Doha for the first time. As an establishment that with an extensive understanding of the various aspects of multinational and local business requirements and needs, ADNAR Group will do its absolute best to turn this extraordinary event into an extraordinary success.”

On his part, Mr. João Matoso Henriques, the Managing Director of the Global Management Challenge – International, commented: “Since the concept of the competition emerged back in 1980 in Portugal, the Global Management Challenge has grown to be the world’s most highly respected and anticipated event of its kind. Over the years, we have tweaked, updated and perfected the competition to constantly reflect real-world trading conditions and business risks in order to present competitors with very realistic and complex business scenarios, with varied challenges and problems. This year, the GMC is bigger and better than ever before and auspiciously marks the debut of our International Final in the GCC, Arab World and the entire MENA region, and we are confident that we, in collaboration with QFBA and ADNAR Group, will bring professionals all over the world a first-class event that continues to play a vital role in promoting business and managerial talents as well as supporting human capacity building initiatives and efforts in this part of the world.”

Since its kick-off in 1980, the GMC has witnessed the participation of more than 500,000 contestants across 5 continents, with more than 40 countries participating the GMC finals every year, becoming the world’s biggest simulation-based Strategic & Management competition along the way. At the core of the competition is an innovative platform built around simulation and strategy-based training models, where each of the teams competing in the National GMC manage a virtual company with the objective of achieving the highest investment performance for their company in a simulated stock exchange.

Conducted under conditions that mimic real-life global economic dynamics, the competition empowers participants with deep insights and an understanding of real marketplace changes, as well as firsthand experience in creating a practical corporate strategy, planning for contingency and a range of other key financial, operational and managerial decisions. An intelligent, sophisticated simulator then analyzes each team’s decisions and assigns a financial and operational score for the virtual company. The team achieving the highest investment performance in their group, become eligible to move to the next round. Each of the first and semi-final rounds take five weeks to complete, before the National Winner is announced during the one-day National GMC Final. The National team that scores the highest investment performance during the two-day International Final is then crowned as the International GMC Winner of the Year.

Throughout its history, the GMC has been hosted in many of the world’s leading countries including Portugal, France, Poland, Czech Republic, and Russia. With Qatar hosting the 2016/2017 edition of the competition’s International Final, through QFBA and ADNAR Group, the month of April will mark GMC’s premiere in the GCC, Arab World and the entire MENA region.

Chef Vu Van Dang, the visiting chef from Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi’s Hoi An restaurant, will showcase Vietnamese cuisine at Sridan Restaurant. Chef Dang uses fresh, traditional ingredients to bring the flavours of Vietnam to life while applying a liberal dose of imagination to culinary techniques and presentation.

Traditional Vietnamese cuisine is marked by delicate spicy and fresh flavours, incorporating five essential elements. Each Vietnamese dish has a distinctive flavour which reflects one or more of these elements. Thus, the cuisine is celebrated for its fresh ingredients, minimal use of oil and reliance on herbs and vegetables with a perfect balance between herbs, meats and a selective use of spices to reach a fine taste. Vietnamese food is also considered one of the healthiest cuisines worldwide.

The Vietnamese Culture and Cuisine Festival will run from 30 October to 12 November 2016 for both lunch and dinner, and will feature iconic dishes, such as Hanoi Crispy Seafood Rolls, Steamed Sea Bass in Banana Leaf and Indochina Devilled Crab Cake. Of course, the experience would not be complete without having a bowl of traditional national favourite, Phở, for which diners can choose between beef or chicken broth infused with fresh coriander, lemon and chilli. Lunch buffet is priced at QAR109 per person every day, excluding Friday, between noon and 3p.m. and dinner buffet is at QAR139 per person daily from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.  For more details, please contact 4429 5295 or email doha.dining@shangri-la.com.

In partnership with Emirates Airlines, Shangri-La Hotel Doha will run a social media contest with people attending the Vietnamese Culture and Cuisine Festival and will be giving away two business class return tickets and a weekend stay at Shangri-La Hotel Dubai, as well as an Economy class ticket to Hanoi, Vietnam.

About Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 98 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 40,000.  Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.  Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.  The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka.

In the framework of supporting causes that matter to the community and make a difference in their lives, Simaisma, a Murwab Resort, is organizing ‘Party in Pink’, an outdoor Zumba session for ladies, on the occasion of the world ‘breast cancer awareness month’. The special fitness event, which aims to promote women’s health and support their fight against breast cancer, will take place at the beach in front of the Luxury Resort’s four-bedroom villas, on Saturday - 29th October 2016.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Tarek Nour, Simaisma’s General Manager, said: “Making a positive impact on the community that we serve and being an active player in supporting their wellbeing is an integral part of Simaisma’s core values and is it at the heart of our CSR program. Our ‘Party in Pink’ outdoor Zumba event is not only an uplifting way to mark the ‘breast cancer awareness month’ and stand together with the courageous women in our community who are determined to score a victory against such a serious disease, but is also a great opportunity to promote women’s health and encourage them to lead a healthy and fit lifestyle, while enjoying the tranquility our Oceanfront Oasis embodies. At Simaisma, we are honored to be a part of such an openhanded campaign, and we are excited to welcome our guests to this special event.”

The event will start at 4 pm with guests gathering for a welcome drink by the beach, after which two expert Zumba instructors will lead the ladies during the session. Upon completing the session, a snacks buffet and fresh juices will be served at 6 pm. Breast Cancer Awareness accessories including pink t-shirts, ribbons, and balloons will also be distributed to the participants, provided by Qatar Cancer Society.

Guests will also have the opportunity to discover the five-star luxury resort and its wide range of dining venues, leisure and entertainment facilities. Located just 20-minutes away from downtown Doha, the Oceanfront Family Oasis elegantly blends its natural habitat with modern day luxuries and locally inspired design elements to create an enchanting resort that mesmerizes both the heart and soul. 

Qatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA), in collaboration with the "Adnar" group, will host the International Final for the 2016/2017 edition of the world's largest simulation-based strategy and management competition, the 'Global Management Challenge' (GMC), in Doha on April 10th 2017.

On this occasion, QFBA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Horr said "It is QFBA's absolute honor to bring the International Final of the world-renowned 'Global Management Challenge', in partnership with ADNAR Group, to Qatar and the Arab World for the first time ever in the competition's 36-year history.""Not only we will witness the skillfulness and talents of some of tomorrow's brightest business minds during the competing teams participation in the Finals, including the National Winner that will be representing Qatar, but we are also helping raise the status of Qatar as a strong regional supporter of skill-development and human capacity building initiatives and events, in line with the country's National Vision for the year 2030, and in harmony with the Academy's vision, mission, and core values," he said.

He added that QFBA is determined to deliver a world-class event that matches, if not exceeds, previous GMC International Finals that were held in some of the world's biggest capital cities. Since its kick-off in 1980, the GMC has witnessed the participation of more than 500,000 contestants across five continents, with more than 40 countries participating the GMC finals every year. At the core of the competition is an innovative platform built around simulation and strategy-based training models, where each of the teams competing in the National GMC manage a virtual company with the objective of achieving the highest investment performance for their company in a simulated stock exchange.

Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition (Heya), Qatar’s leading platform for contemporary Arabian fashion creations, has now opened its doors to the public. The exhibition takes place from 27th – 31st October 2016 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).

Heya showcases authentic Arabian fashion designs of abayas, kaftans, veils, jalabiyas, shaylas, and evening gowns with over 220 booths from high level designers. Playing an increasingly important role in supporting Qatari businesswomen and entrepreneurs, Heya has attracted its largest number of home grown talents to participate in this year’s edition including Al Motahajiba, Debaj, Al Dukan and Ckali.

The opening of the exhibition follows a series of tours by the organising team including going to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait for the very first Heya fashion forum outside of Qatar. This has resulted in an increased number of regional designers taking part. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the latest collections from M2me by Maali Alsaleh, Naseem Alandaos, Butterfly Abaya and Ghudfah, amongst many more. What is more, Heya is now attracting increasing international attention with brands such as Asiyam Australia from Australia, Fazzali from Egypt, French Oriental from France, Indian brands Nirraamyaa and Paridhi, Doris Dorothea from Indonesia, Turkish brands Ecem Bocam, Rafine Istanbul and Lale Deuri, as well as Marina Qureshi and Amirab from the United Kingdom.

“The Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition is no doubt the strongest and the biggest fashion exhibition in Qatar, and our vision now is to achieve the title of being the number One Fashion Platform in the Region. It offers a unique fashion platform with many marketing, positioning and branding opportunities available to Qatari and regional designers, both new and established. Heya also provides a wonderful opportunity for international designers to test the market in the GCC. We are proud to say that visitors can expect a complete Arabian fashion experience from Heya. Our long term objective is to help play a key role in Qatar’s journey to becoming a global hub for international conferences and exhibitions” said Jawaher Alkuwari, Head of Advisory Committee for organizers Design Creationz.

Fashion enthusiasts, designers, industry experts, and visitors will be united for five days of fashion-focused offerings. There will also be five forums which focus on the fashion industry and the ways in which female entrepreneurs can develop their business. Additionally, there are workshops and forums with brands participating from regional countries including Debaj from Qatar, My Boutique by Sahar Al Hamoud from Kuwait and Naseem Alandalos from Bahrain. Refreshments are also available at the exhibition from the Intercontinental Doha The City, Fouj Café and Magnolia Bakery.

In line with Qatar’s cultural traditions, Heya is a female only event and visitors should be aged 13 and over. The exhibition is free for visitors throughout. Proud partners of this year’s Heya exhibition include Qatar Chamber as Strategic Partner, InterContinental Doha The City as Preferred Hotel Partner and Qatar Airways as Preferred Airline.

More information about the Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition program, as well as a detailed event schedule, can be found on the exhibition website www.heya.qa

Oryx Rotana, a five-star luxury business hotel in Doha, bagged 5 medals at the recently concluded Salon Culinaire competition held during Hospitality Qatar 2016. This initiative encourages and draws out the finest talents from the culinary scene of Qatar.

Oryx Rotana Doha’s master chef Patrik Hevlicek, who is passionate about creating mouth-watering cuisine participated in the competition – creating a signature dish, which won him a gold medal. Chef Mahesh Pudhari showcased his long years of experience by winning silver medal for Terrine/Pate while Smriti Singh walked home with a silver medal for Petit Fours. Dileep K Wilson was awarded bronze medal in the Bartender Mocktail Competition category while Raed Slime took bronze medal for his incredible Arabic Mezze.

On this occasion Lana Jwainat, Director of Marketing and Communications at Oryx Rotana Doha said, “By winning top honours across a broad range of categories, Oryx Rotana team demonstrated the diversity of our restaurant menus where guests can enjoy superb dining from around the world. This is also a great achievement for our chefs at Oryx Rotana. We are proud to have a talented group of chefs and we will look forward to more of them taking part and succeeding in future events.""The Salon Culinaire was a great opportunity for our chefs to show their abilities and practical skills. To be recognised by international judges is a tremendous achievement and we believe it will serve to inspire them to do better," she added.

At HQ 2016, Salon Culinaire, co-organised by Qatar Culinary Professionals (QCP) featured upcoming chefs who competed in 17 diverse categories ranging from live cooking and carving to aesthetically beautiful showpieces and static displays — all in front of a live audience as well as a judging panel made up of hospitality and culinary experts. The Salon Culinaire competition included Live Cooking, Fruit & Ice Carving, Barista Competition, Bartenders Flaring Mocktails, Signature Dish, Five Course Set Menu, Bread-making, Novelty Cake, Chocolate Showpiece, Wedding Cake, Hors d’ Oeuvre, and Terrine/Pate, among other things.

An exhibition for the hotels, restaurants, and cafes (HORECA) and hospitality industry in Qatar, HQ 2016 was held from October 18 to 20 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) in West Bay.

Zengo, the award winning Pan-Asian restaurant by celebrity chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval, has opened its doors in Qatar.

Inspired by the world travels of Chef-Owner Richard Sandoval and the ancient spice routes from Asia to the Far East, Zengo’s menu offers a unique spin on authentic Pan-Asian cuisine. The menu ranges from sushi, sashimi and hand-crafted Dim Sum; to curry dishes, grilled entrees, and wok dishes. Hand-muddled mocktails, with a focus on Asian flavors, complement the diverse menu.

Situated on the 61^st floor of the Kempinski Residences & Suites in West Bay alongside the acclaimed Z Lounge, the restaurant features a vibrant décor that fuses modern Asian and inventive design, providing the perfect ambience to savour the cuisine and adventurous variety of flavors. A unique door leads guests into the beautiful avian themed interior that boasts an open timber slot ceiling, housing origami-style bird sculputures that float above guests. A Sushi counter extends along the windows, where the impressive Doha skyline becomes the backdrop, offering an expressive and picturesque dining experience. Zengo Doha has the capacity to seat 160 guests – 120 in the ground floor restaurant, and with an additional 40 in the upstairs lounge.

The upper floor can be accessed by an elegant staircase that is encased within an oversized birdcage, leading to the lounge that could accommodate individual guests and could be made private for groups. The accent tiled wall finishing and concrete floors with subtle golden veins, give Zengo a rustic yet modern look. Antique wooden cabinets along with leather and cotton fabric seats create an open residential atmosphere as well as an added layer of warmth. Richard Sandoval, chef-owner of Richard Sandoval Restaurants, said: "I have traveled a lot throughout my professional and personal life and I have found Asian cuisine to be extremely vibrant and varied. The menu at Zengo brings a new flavour to Doha’s palate, and I am confident that Zengo will quickly establish itself as a chosen destination for those seeking a trendy atmosphere with the finest cuisine.”

Zengo Doha is Sandoval’s fourth restaurant in Qatar along with Toro Toro, Isla in the Pearl and Z Lounge, which is also located in the 61^st floor of Kempinski Residences & Suites. Leading the restaurant’s culinary offering, Marko Maric has been appointed as Head Chef of Zengo Doha. Bringing over 17 years of international experience in European, Latin American and Asian cuisines to his role, Chef Maric will work alongside Sandoval to introduce a menu of contemporary Asian flavours to Qatar. Based in Doha since 2014, Chef Marik was responsible for the successful launch of Toro Toro.

For more information and news updates visit and follow Zengo via Instagram (@zengodoha), Facebook (@ZengoDoha) or call: 44053560

EY organized its much- annual International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Tax Update seminar at the W Hotel in Doha, Qatar. Over 100 finance professionals attended the seminar from the public and private sector in Qatar. The two-day event brought participants up-to-date on the latest IFRS developments and new pronouncements, and their impact on financial reporting.

In particular, the newly issued IFRS 16 “Leases”, the “new accounting landscape for leases” and the most recent development in revenue recognition, were extensively discussed and explained with practical examples. The seminar also dealt with IFRS 9, focusing on impairment component and practical questions of IFRS 9. The status of all FASB – IASB projects were reviewed as well as the latest updates in IFRS and IFRIC. Furthermore, EY Tax experts provided an overview of VAT and excise tax and managing contract tax retention.

Paul Karamanoukian, Office Managing Partner, EY Qatar, said: “Global financial markets demand international consistency in accounting practices. The implementation of IFRS in Qatar is key to increasing the transparency and comparability of financial information and further enhancing the efficiency of international capital markets”.

Imtiaz Ibrahim, Partner, Financial Accounting Advisory Services, EY Qatar, said: “We are living in an environment of continuous accounting change, which bring a number of new challenges to the way we record a number of transactions and assets, the volume of changes has been significant and is likely to continue in the foreseeable future. Early impact assessment and planning will be key to managing the successful implementation of the new standards that have far-reaching impact across the business. EY is committed to supporting business communities and will continue to provide high quality training to enable organizations to enhance the skills and performance of their employees.”

The sessions were led by László Péter Ph.D., ACCA, a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants as well as the Hungarian Accounting Standards Board. He is one of the leading presenters on IFRS and has over fifteen years of experience delivering high level financial reporting programs to audiences all over and has been a regular presenter for EY Qatar over the last few years.

A new Siemens Integrated Drive System (IDS) at Qatar Steel’s Rolling Mill #1 will raise annual output by up to 3.7 percent and is expected to reduce troubleshooting time by up to 20 percent.

The IDS, installed for the first time in the Middle East, is a unique technology from Siemens which allows the entire drive system in a manufacturing chain to be seamlessly integrated. The system will increase Qatar Steel's annual production by up to 3.7 percent. Mr. Ali Bin Hassan Al-Muraikhi, Qatar Steel's Managing Director and General Manager said: "Boosting our output and reducing the maintenance and troubleshooting time are becoming increasingly important for us to improve our manufacturing operations. We are pleased to be the first company in the Middle East to implement this innovative Siemens technology, which is distinguished by its efficiency and reliability.”

“Through using an integrated drive system to streamline our rolling mills operations, we look forward to improving our performance and realizing the required efficiency, in terms of operations and productivity,” Mr. Al- Muraikhi added. “This is a landmark installation for the Middle East’s manufacturing sector. An Integrated Drive System is capable of significantly transforming the productivity of manufacturing facilities, and we are proud that Qatar Steel is the first company in the Middle East to use this technology,” said Bernhard Niessing, Senior Executive Vice President, Process Industries and Drives, Siemens Middle East. “As Qatar’s economy diversifies, the efficiency and reliability of its manufacturing sector is of increased importance. Innovative technology such as the Integrated Drive System is a key contribution to ensuring our customers in the region are getting the most out of their facilities, and operating at their most competitive.”

The productivity gains are mainly due to a marked reduction in maintenance shutdown time and complexity, as the IDS allows for flexible maintenance cycles. A reduction in troubleshooting time by up to 20 percent also means that potential problems are diagnosed faster, and major maintenance cycles can be better planned for.  Moreover, the plant-wide standardization of Siemens machinery means that there is less downtime as parts are readily available. All these factors will lead to a faster time to market for Qatar Steel.

Siemens Integrated Drive Systems are the world‘s first true one-stop solution for entire drive trains. They enable noticeably shorter time to market and shorter time to profit. Integrating seamlessly in any drive train, any automation environment, and even in the entire lifecycle, Siemens IDS turn common drive components into drive systems and make assets become drivers of success. The result is less wear on machinery, easier diagnosis of potential errors and a more flexible approach to maintenance. Additionally, spare parts are available from a single source.

Formed in 1974 as the first integrated steel plant in the Arabian Gulf, Qatar Steel began commercial production in 1978 and it is now widely recognized as a leader in the steel industry locally and regionally.

For more information on Process Industries and Drives, please visit: http://www.siemens.com/about/en/businesses/process-industries-and-drives.htm

The in-house legal team of Al Faisal Holding, one of Qatar’s largest privately held diversified industry groups, owned by His Excellency Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, has been placed in The Legal 500’s GC Powerlist of Middle East legal teams.  

The Legal 500 is a global legal industry ranking organisation based in London which analyses and ranks the capabilities of legal teams across the world on an annual basis to identify and recognise those in-house corporate counsels who are making a difference and driving their companies forward.  Al Faisal Holding’s in-house legal team has met a series of The Legal 500’s criteria by demonstrating its innovative and progressive performance. Mr. Tarek El Sayed, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Al Rayyan Tourism and Investment said: “One of the key components of the success and growth of our company is the quality of its human capital.  All of our staff and management are highly qualified and strive to perform in accordance with best international practice and standards, so we are proud that the achievements of our legal team have today been recognised independently in the The Legal 500’s GC Powerlist.”

Chief Legal Officer Maha Jadallah Harper commented: “In line with the company’s expansion strategy, the legal department has undergone significant structural changes over the past few years, adopting new systems and processes to enhance efficiency and improve the corporate governance and compliance abilities of the group. At the same time, the legal team has been closely involved with the continuing development and expansion of Al Faisal Holding’s interests.  A major part of this role has been to undertake the challenging in-house legal work to enable the rapid growth of Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC), Al Faisal Holding’s international hotel investment company.  This has involved an immense number of major hotel acquisitions across the US and Europe, the successful completion of which is in no small way down the unstinting effort and dedication of the in-house team at Al Faisal.”

The team’s work has been greatly praised by several nominators commenting on the team’s role in being one of the main hidden pillars in the success and growth of Al Faisal Holding Group.

 At the recently concluded 4^th annual GOV HR Summit organized by Dubai based QnA International, women leaders and corporate giants in the government and public sectors were honoured at the GCC GOV HR Awards for their outstanding contribution in creating a breakthrough in people performance across the GCC region.

The GCC GOV HR awards comprised of 13 categories and are designed to recognize, felicitate and honour outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of HR. Nominations for the awards which were open to the government and private sector organizations, and individuals were received online and adjudged by an esteemed panel of judges comprising of independent experts, analysts, HR experts, journalists, and academicians. Some of the most coveted awards included the best ‘Nationalization Initiative in the GCC’ applicable to both the public and private sector; ‘GOV HR Leader of the Year’ and the ‘Visionary Leader of the Year’ for individuals.

The Guests of Honour at the Awards Ceremony were Brigadier Obeid Al Ketbi, Abu Dhabi Police, and Dr. Adel Khalifa Alzayani, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf – Secretariat General. Women leaders shone at the ceremony bagging the coveted ‘Organization of the Year for Women Empowerment’ and tied in the individual category for ‘GOV HR Leader of the Year’.

Ms. Fatima Haider, Chief Human Resources Officer, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar tied for the ‘GOV HR Leader of the Year’. Upon receiving her award, Ms. Haider said, “I am honoured to have received the ‘GOV HR Leader of the Year’ award and at the same time I feel humbled because whatever has been achieved at Hamad Medical Corporation has been the result of the great effort and commitment of my dedicated team. Each member is just like my extended family and I feel very lucky to work with them and be the facilitator to draw the best from them.’’

Receiving the award for ‘Organization of the Year for Women Empowerment’ on behalf of Emirates Women Police Association, Abu Dhabi Police, Major Amna Mohammad Khamis Al Beloushi, Leader Emirates Women Police Association said, “Being the proud winner of the ‘Organization of the Year for Women Empowerment’ is a thrilling moment for us at the Emirates Women Police Association. We will continue to strive as an organization to empower women and equip them with the required skills and knowledge. Thank you once again for the recognition."

In the organizational awards, the locally renowned Al Futtaim Group won the award for best ‘Nationalization Initiative in the Private Sector’. Receiving the award on behalf of Al Futtaim Group, Mr. Zuhair Al Haj, Director of HR & Localization – MENA, said “I am proud and honoured to represent Al-Futtaim and to receive this prestigious award, which recognises the significant investment that we are making as a group, in developing National talent into future leaders. Our internal ‘Talent for Growth’ agenda focuses on attracting the best National talent, whom we then engage and develop so that they may have a long and successful career within our diverse group. We are grateful that our efforts have had an impact.”

Regionally, Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation –KAHRAMAA, grabbed the award for ‘Digital HR Award of the Year.’ Receiving the award on behalf of the organization, Ms. Najlaa Adel S A Al Buanain, Manager Human Resources said, “Kahramaa being accorded with such a prestigious GCC Government Award is a testimony of its professionalism, best HR digital services and practices in the region. Kahramaa is committed to providing better customer services through effective human resources strategies, systems and business processes aligned to meet its corporate objectives and accomplish Qatar vision 2030.’’ The Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) is the sole provider of electricity and water under the Ministry of Industry and Energy, Doha, Qatar.

“Holding the GCC GOV HR Awards 2016 in conjunction with the 4^th annual GOV HR Summit displayed the commitment and application already present in the HR fields in both the government and private sector, and amongst individuals. This existing foundation provides stable pillars on which HR functions can build on in the GCC region. We are glad to honour this outstanding work and to provide motivation,’’ noted Mr. Ackash Jain, Organizer, GOV HR Summit and Awards 2016.

The full list of winners of the GCC GOV HR Awards 2016 are as follows:

1. Visionary Leader of the Year: His Excellency Major General Mohammed Khalfan Matar Al Rumaithi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, UAE
2. Organization of the Year for Women Empowerment: Emirates Women Police Association, Abu Dhabi Police, UAE
3. Digital HR Award of the Year - Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation –KAHRAMAA
4. GOV HR Leader of the Year – Two Winners
   
   1. Madiha Marzooqi, Group HR Director, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company- SEHA
   2. Fatima Haider, Chief Human Resources Officer, Hamad Medical Corporation
5. Nationalization Initiative in the Private Sector: Al-Futtaim Group
6. Outstanding Change Management Strategy: Dubai Police
7. Innovation in Employee Engagement in Private Sector: Jumeirah Burj Al Arab
8. Organization of the Year for the Best Happiness Initiative: Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority
9. Excellence in Talent Management Award – Two Winners
   
   1. VIVA Bahrain
   2. Abu Dhabi Distribution Co.
10. GCC GOV HR Team of the Year: DP World
11. Innovation in Employee Engagement: Etisalat
12. Most Distinctive Learning & Development Strategy: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
13. Best Nationalization Initiative in the GCC: General Civil Aviation Authority

The high-profile award ceremony was held at the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi, on 26^th October 2016. 

Quality Printing Press WLL, a Division of the Quality Group International - a leading business conglomerate in Qatar, has chosen Canon Middle East to set up their new digital print division to meet businesses’ demands for more flexible and sustainable printing options. According to Mr. Shamsudheen Olakara, the chairman of Quality Group International, the new technology will help to meet the demands of their customers who have been looking at digital printing as a viable and profitable option.

Factors such as faster turn-around times, qualitative print runs and more effective control and security of the printing architecture are causing businesses to move to digital. There is higher demand for variable data printing, customization and personalization, with local businesses experimenting with a variety of printing media following customer requests. As part of the agreement, Quality Printing Press has invested in bringing to Qatar the very first Canon imagePRESS C10000VP colour printer series. Addressing the need for more flexibility in digital output and which also meets offset-print quality and color consistency requirements, the imagePRESS C10000VP Series is engineered to run a wide range of media types and weights without sacrificing overall productivity.

“We have been wanting to expand our print services and invest newer technologies. Canon’s new printer series offer us the quality, flexibility, productivity, integrity and versatility required to meet our customer’s business needs,” said Mr. Mohamed Ali, the General Manager of Quality Printing Press. The new technology is designed for demanding production environments at commercial printers, in-plants, transaction and direct mail service providers alike, and further cements Canon’s position as the leader in imaging and printing solutions in Qatar.

“The print and packaging industry in MENA is on a growth path due to increase in innovative packaging. Qatar has been a key market for Canon and the establishment of Canon Office Imaging Solutions (Doha) subsidiary and the new business solutions showroom is reflective of our efforts to boost the printing and technology industry in the country. Bringing the first imagePRESS C10000VP Series to Qatar is a great achievement for us and we are certain that it will help and serve many different sectors and industries, also expand customers portfolio of Quality Group,” said Hendrik Verbrugghe, Marketing Director, Canon Middle East and Canon Central and North Africa.

“Such trends are leading organizations to consider digital printing for the various advantages it offers. This is also the case with Quality Group and we are happy to offer them our services,” adds Verbrugghe.