International retail franchise operator M.H. Alshaya Co. is preparing to open 32 brands at the prestigious new Mall of Qatar – including eight brands that will be making their debut appearance in Qatar. The Mall, a major new retail, leisure and entertainment venue in Al Rayyan, opens for trading in the coming weeks.

The brands opening for the first time in Qatar include The Cheesecake Factory, Victoria’s Secret, Texas Roadhouse, Le Pain Quotidien, Bridgewater Chocolate, Phase Eight, Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids. They will join a stellar line-up of some of the world’s best-loved brands at the Mall, including Starbucks, H&M, Mothercare, Debenhams, The Body Shop and Boots.

“Alshaya’s strong presence at Mall of Qatar is a strong signal of our commitment to the Qatar market, which forms an important part of our ongoing growth plans across the Middle East,” said Alshaya’s Senior Vice-President for Property Development, John Hadden. “We’re continually looking for opportunities to introduce our portfolio of well-loved international brands to our customers in our core markets, and the scale and vision of the Mall of Qatar gives us a great opportunity to extend the shopping and dining choices available to discerning, brand-savvy consumers in Qatar."

Alshaya already operates more than 100 stores in Qatar, across retail sectors that include fashion & footwear, food, health & beauty, pharmacy, optics and home furnishings. The opening of 32 brands at Mall of Qatar represents Alshaya’s single biggest opening in the country.

The complete list of brands being opened by Alshaya at Mall of Qatar is:

Crowning yet another trendsetting year in business, during which the Company continued to achieve further growth and cross farther milestones, Al Meera Consumer Goods Company QSC (Al Meera) is celebrating its 11th anniversary with Grand Raffle Draws that will have 11 lucky winners walking away with grand prizes of QR 11,111 each, in addition to 590 more prizes for Al Meera shoppers.

With a massive turnout of customers and contestants hoping to become one of the campaign’s total of 601 winners, the anniversary’s first draw – held on Monday – saw the winning of 300 charmed customers who claimed more than QR 500,000 worth of prizes, leaving Al Meera shoppers anticipating its second and final draw, which will be held on the 13th of December at the Company’s newly opened Bu Sidra Branch. Winners are chosen in the presence of the Ministry Of Economy And Commerce representative.

Congratulating the winners of the first raffle draw, Al Meera stated: “Since its inception back in 2005, Al Meera has grown to become a staple of the Qatari economy and a key player in the country’s urban development, in addition to transforming retail shoppers experience across its regions. As well as demonstrating our commitment to the faithful execution of our expansion and growth plans, we have contributed to the realization of the Qatar National Vision throughout the years, by supporting each and every one of its pillars through our sound policies, market-leading innovations that pour into our beloved country’s economic development, and a number of community partnerships and initiatives that are a cause of pride and determination to maintain such efforts.”

Al Meera added: “This year, we wanted to celebrate our 11th successful year in business by sharing our blessings with our valued customers while continuing to provide them with the best shopping experience in Qatar. This translated into a number of Raffle Draws on coupons, fully sponsored by the Al Meera suppliers, and a wide range of in-store promotions that are bound to ‘make the day’ for hundreds of customers as well as make a tangible source of joy for a lucky few. Such promotional offers are a gesture of appreciation to our customers for being loyal to Al Meera, which is why we are really thrilled about the scores of shoppers who continue to choose Al Meera as their favourite neighbourhood retailer, and the huge interaction they are having with our 11th anniversary Raffle Draw and promotions. We also want all of our loyal customers to know that Al Meera stakeholders and customers will always be our number one priority and the Company will save no effort to bring the most innovative technologies, equipment and setups to Qatar and will continue to pursue its medium and long-term expansion plans, bringing our trademark shopping experience that brings shoppers ‘true value for money’ to shoppers in every corner of the country’s various regions.”

In addition to the 11 winners who will be taking home QR 11,111 each, Al Meera’s 11th anniversary celebration has 590 other prizes in store for its customers. Consumers shopping at any of Al Meera’s 40 stores across the country, earn one raffle coupon for every QR 200 spent. Customers can then use their coupons to enter in the raffle draw for a chance to win shopping vouchers at Al Meera stores. Entry coupons will be accepted until December 12th and the remaining 301 winners will be announced on the 13th of December at Al Meera’s Bu Sidra Branch at 11:00 am.

To sweeten the deal for shoppers during the anniversary celebration and provide them with more ‘value for money’ on their purchases, Al Meera’s supermarkets are also holding a wide variety of in-store promotions during the campaign. The anniversary draws on coupons and in-store promotions are just two of many special offers that the Company hold all year round, demonstrating its belief that its customers are not just shoppers, but active partners in Al Meera’s success. Through this Grand Raffle Draw, Al Meera is also celebrating its many achievements in 2016, including the strides the Company has made in bringing its expansion plan to fruition. Al Meera’s Bu Sidra Branch, where the raffle draws are held, is the latest achievement to materialize as part of Al Meera's ‘14 shopping centers’ expansion plan, announced in 2015.

In addition to the Bu Sidra branch, Al Meera will be opening four new shopping centers in North Sailiya (Al Miarad), Al Wakra (West), Um Salal Ali, and Leaibab 2, built on a covered of 4,000 m2, 2,667 m2, 4,014 m2 and 5,093 m2 respectively, which are set to open their doors to consumers in the soon future. Al Meera’s faithful execution of its expansion plan reflects the Company’s strategy to be present in all the regions and residential communities in the country and improve the shopping experience of customers through the provision of a wide range of products, while following the highest international standards for quality assurance in processes, procedures and services, synonymous with its motto of being everyone’s ‘Favourite Neighbourhood Retailer’.

Fifty One East, Qatar’s Favorite Department Store, and Sony introduced the newest 4K Action Cam and Full HD Action Cam bringing together Sony’s imaging expertise as never been seen in POV cameras as well as delivering a great video experience for users in the Middle East.

The new FDR-X3000R and HDR-AS300R, are available at the Fifty One East store located in Al Maha Center on Salwa Road in addition to all branches of Virgin Megastore as well as major retailers in Qatar. The new 4K FDR-X3000R[1] and full HD HDR-AS300R Action Cams are packed with Sony’s patented Balanced Optical SteadyShot (B.O.SS) technology that offers a noticeably more effective image stabilisation suitable for 4K[2] and high speed recording modes. Compensating for strong camera shake with the addition of B.O.SS, the FDR-X3000R and HDR-AS300R are designed to give users peace of mind by focusing on any action-packed activities without worrying about jerky or jumpy videos.

The B.O.SS technology, which was initially rolled out across Sony’s premium Handycam® range, allows the FDR-X3000R and HDR-AS300R to be mounted on a bicycle or car dashboard, or used as handheld and yet deliver smooth video footages. The new models come supplied with Sony’s latest Live-View Remote² which is approximately 30 per cent smaller than its predecessor[3] to make it more compact, portable with the ability to control shooting settings without touching the camera. It can also be worn like a wristband using Shooting Grip (VCT-STG1) or the new Finger Grip (AKA-FGP1) or attached to mount accessories such as the optional Handlebar Mount (VCT-HM2).

Users can also control the camera with their smartphones and tablets[4] with the free PlayMemories Mobile™ app. The new camera and Live-View Remote all feature a similar user interface and menu system, with a rich indication of camera settings that makes it easier to navigate menus and customise settings when needed. In addition to being able to shoot beautifully balanced 4K video on the FDR-X3000R, both the FDR-X3000R and HDR-AS300R offer the option to capture approx. 8.3-megapixel[5] interval recording shots for stunning 4K and Full HD[6] time-lapse videos³ can be created using the Action Cam App. Videos can also be edited using the free Action Cam Movie Creator PC software[7] and share with whoever you want[8].

Both the new Action Cam models are powered by the same BIONZ X™ processor which can be found inside Sony’s flagship ɑ7 cameras, and optimised for use in Action Cam. Light is captured via an Exmor R CMOS sensor and the new ZEISS® Lens delivers a more natural image with significantly less distortion than current models.⁷ The combination of image sensor and processor enables full pixel readout without pixel binning for truer colours and reduced ‘jaggie’ effects. You can capture high-bitrate recordings in 4K at 100Mbps and Full HD at 50Mbps in the XAVC S™ format[9]. The FDR-X3000R can also shoot 120p in Full HD while the HDR-AS300R can shoot 120p in HD for impressive slow-motion footage. The stereo mic further ensures that sound is crisp and clear as a result of Wind Noise Reduction so you can actually record the audio that you want[10].

Features such as the angle adjustment of “wide”, “medium” and “narrow”[11] that have proved to be very popular on the existing Action Cam models have been retained in the new models. A new option of smooth zooming (up to 3x) during recording is also added to the new Action cams. It also offers Loop Recording, high speed recording in Full HD at 100p[12] for stunning slow motion action[13], Live Streaming via the Ustream platform[14], Burst Shooting, and the ability to manually adjust white balance and auto exposure shift.

The FDR-X3000R and HDR-AS300R benefit from a splash-proof body and is supplied with a fully waterproof Underwater Housing (MPK-UWH1) that is effective down to 60 metres. It also offers an in-built tripod socket, giving the flexibility to attach to a variety of accessories without needing an adaptor or housing and all terminals have been placed on the back of the of camera, making it easier to use HDMI, the Micro USB or the microphone jack even when attaching the camera to various Action Cam accessories.

Sony’s own in-built movie creator, Highlight Movie Maker[15] automatically selects points of footage, action scenes, and now people’s faces, to create a short movie, complete with background music. GPS data overlay on video reads your speed data and location information recorded by built-in GPS and generates another video file that displays your route and speed information so that you can archive your adventures with complete accuracy[16]. The growing range of Action Cam accessories is boosted further by two new introductions that are ideal compliments to the new Action Cam models. The AKA-FGP1 Finger Grip allows for easy one-handed monitoring and operation of the Action Cam with Live-View Remote, and tilts up to approximately 120 degrees for interesting low and high angle shots.

The utilities sector has historically under-invested in information technology (IT), but an increasing number of utility companies in the MENA region are waking up to the benefits of smart technology – particularly smart grids, a Booz Allen Hamilton report has found.

As Qatar looks towards attaining its National Vision 2030, developing smart cities and harnessing alternative sources of energy production, the Solar Smart-Grid Project launched by the Qatar Foundation (QF) is paving the way for the adoption of solar power as a key energy source for the country[1]. In its latest report, Switched On: How MENA Can Build Smart Grid Success Booz Allen states that customizing smart grid strategies to suit an organization’s objectives and mitigate challenges, while focusing on business transformation will determine the successful adoption of smart grids in Qatar. 

Smart grids are a convergence of the electric power, communications and IT industries, built on the foundations of advanced metering infrastructure, or AMI—an integrated system that enables two-way communication between utilities and their customers. Using a blend of classic electric grid with information, communication and control technologies, smart grids help utilities companies overcome many of the operating and customer service obstacles that stand in their way, thus delivering results for both companies and consumers. The result is greater control over the production, transmission, distribution and retail of electricity, as well as increased efficiency along with the reduced consumption and cost of energy.

Dr. Walid Fayad, executive vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton MENA, says: “Utilities have traditionally been slow to adopt digital technologies, focusing instead on the operations technologies that enable their core business of generating, transmitting and distributing power. In doing so, they have typically taken a reluctant approach to IT, viewing it as a necessary evil for customer management and revenue collection. “Increasingly, however, we are seeing that MENA utility companies are becoming open to employing smart grid technologies to manage their operations more efficiently. Smart grids provide an opportunity for the region to modernize its infrastructure and lay the foundations for renewable energy development which can help economic diversification.”

The way forward

The benefits of a smart grid are manifold, including opening up new opportunities for renewable energy production and storage. They also help cost-cutting, system upgrading and maintenance, and improve customer service to end-consumers.

Furthermore, smart grids introduce new metering, billing and payment methods, as well as greater access to, and accuracy of, data and information for customers and utilities alike. Several developed countries are already leveraging the smart grid to fulfill a number of key priorities, which relate primarily to energy efficiency and reliability. Utilities in North America, for example, have focused on distribution automation and transmission modernization to fulfil their goals. But alongside any digital innovation come challenges and it is imperative that utilities companies fully understand these before they develop their smart grid strategies.

Dr. Adham Sleiman, vice president, Booz Allen Hamilton MENA, says: “Utility companies must remember that smart grid is not a one-size-fits-all solution. To optimize the investment that utilities make, the smart grid must be tailored to address the specific goals and challenges faced by each organization.” “For the region’s utilities to be successful in their smart grid strategies, they must take a more effective approach to technology selection, proofing and piloting, and focus efforts on developing solid strategies that take smart grid ambitions beyond the pilot, making tangible and lasting impact on the ground,” Dr. Sleiman concluded.

Qatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA), has recently launched its all-new revamped open programs calendar for 2017, in the first of a series of steps designed to elevate the status of the Academy as a center of excellence for its clients and partners, while propelling its contribution to the realization of the Qatar National Vision 2030 to a whole new level.

QFBA’s new calendar gives professionals and HR Directors easier access to its wide range of training programs and courses and allows them to quickly identify their own as well as their organizations’ learning needs. The launch of the brand-new all-inclusive calendar also complements the Academy’s recent centralization of its 7 new product lines, in line with QFBA’s new direction towards becoming a center of excellence for professionals and business organizations in the country.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Horr, CEO at QFBA, said: “Over the years, QFBA has grown to become the leading professional training authority in Qatar and one of the top in the region. In order to reach this sought-after status and maintain our edge, we continuously develop new strategies and initiative and develop our operations in harmony with our vision, while staying true to our clients and partners’ needs. To start the New Year with a win, we have developed a brand new, all-inclusive 2017 open programs calendar, which makes the process of discovering, assessing and applying for our training programs and courses more accessible, quick and convenient. This step, along with centralizing our seven new product lines, is the first in a series that aim to realize our vision of becoming a center of excellence for our clients and partners in Qatar and across the region.”

The seven new product lines that QFBA is centralizing are ‘Cybersecurity’ in partnership with Bornemouth Security, ‘Code of Excellence’ customer service program, ‘Islamic Finance Center’ via its partnership with Dirasat, the ‘Training and Development Hub’ including Kawader & global certifications, ‘Kafaa’ Competency framework, the ‘MENA Hub for Public Finance’ in partnership with QIPF, and ‘Leadership Excellence’ through 3 different programs aimed to develop leaders on a national and international level. All of the newly-centralized product lines, along with the rest of the Academy’s open courses, will be incorporated in and accessible through QFBA’s 2017 open programs calendar, which clients can view and apply for from the comfort of their computers or mobile devices.

QFBA’s open-portfolio programs are designed around the critical issues facing the business environment today and into the future. These programs address the challenges and opportunities for professionals in the financial services industry and business sector. It is worth mentioning that the latest research and studies conducted in the field have proven that training and developing employees yield higher ROI for companies that implement such programs as opposed the ones who do not incorporate professional training in their development processes.

To ensure that its offerings accomplish the results desired and make a tangible difference in the performance and skillset of enrollees, all QFBA programs incorporate reputable accreditation, delivering qualifications and certifications against all assessed levels of technical competence and in line with regulatory authority rules and regulations.

QFBA’s 2017 open programs calendar is available at the Academy’s official website (www.qfba.edu.qa), which can be accessed on any personal computer or mobile device.

The challenge that Qatalum undertook was to address the uncontrolled emission of dust from the 11 furnaces in Casthouse. These furnaces were not fitted with any dust collection system as per design, which is the normal practice in most smelters and in compliance with practice endorsed by IPCC BAT 2014.

What makes this endeavour exceptional is that while solving the environmental issue related to air quality, in addition to the improvement over baseline, there were a number of positive spin offs, with major sustainability benefits:

• Significantly reduce the exposure of employees to dust at workplace.
• Reduced ALF3 consumption for metal fluxing by 50 % - cost saving 350,000 USD/year.
• Producing 1,040 tons extra aluminium per year at almost no cost! 
• Saving of 18,500 MWh energy required to produce 1,040 tons aluminium.
• Conservation of non-renewable natural resource – 3.02 million Nm3 natural gas/year required to produce 18,500 MWh electricity.
• Avoided emission of 83,200 tons of CO2/year associated with combustion of 3.02 million Nm3 natural gas/year.
• Employee motivation and satisfaction resulting from success and an improved workplace.

Initial investigations from late 2013 and assessment led to the conclusion that retrofitting with dust collectors was the only solution. At this stage Qatalum top leadership decided to apply QPS (Qatalum Production System) for this project. Accordingly, a professional RCA (Root Cause Analysis) was done and CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) developed. The RCA started in May 2015 which included many stack emission measurements and identified the pouring of liquid metal into the furnace from crucibles as the major source of dust. Many options, trials and associated emission stack measurements under the CAPA process concluded that reducing the speed/rate of pouring the metal dramatically lowered dust emission.

A new procedure was developed and staff were trained to modify the metal pouring operation by late December 2015.  The improvement in dust emission from the baseline level of 29.7 mg/Nm3 to 6.1 mg/Nm3 (80% reduction) was achieved and sustained from 29 December 2015, compared to the international benchmark of 40 mg/Nm3 (max.) as per IPCC BAT 2014. The target of 15 mg/Nm3 was surpassed… The innovative solution developed by Qatalum can be replicated in many aluminium smelters which face the same challenge, with zero investment.

With deliberate steps, the General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority (GRSIA) continues to promote its reserve and investment funds in order to meet future obligations and sustain funds for future generations, while taking into account social and economic dimensions and demographic changes. 

Over the past fourteen years, the GRSIA has consolidated its contributions and accomplishments and made great strides in modernization efforts built upon solid foundations derived from the Qatar National Vision 2030, and upon extensive studies of global insurance systems, which contributed to the upgrading of the pension systems, and the dissemination of its culture locally. In 2016, the Authority continued the course of progress initiated in 2002 and made persistent efforts to attain more accomplishments to push forward for more development, while aspiring to occupy a prominent position among its counterparts regionally and internationally. 

Oryx Rotana, the five-star luxury business hotel in Doha, concluded its fourth annual swimming competition for kids. The event saw the participation of 78 contestants varying between School students, children of guests, as well as of the hotel residents. The competition was witnessed by an audience of more than 350 people who supported the participants and enjoyed a nice and relaxing sunny day by the pool with family and friends.

Speaking on this occasion, Lana Jwainat, Director of Marketing & Communications, Oryx Rotana Hotel said: “This year’s tournament witnessed a great turnout with 78 contestants from both genders registering for the event and we are extremely delighted to see the number of participants increasing year after year.” “The competition aims to deliver a day full of fun and excitement, and for the parents to spend quality time with their kids and encourage them to present their talents in this sports loved by everyone and motivate them to win the race”, added  Lana Jwainat

“By organizing this annual contest, we aim to create an atmosphere of fun and memorable experience for children by going into a new adventure that will teach them swimming skills of various kinds, and also provide opportunity for everyone to improve their talents in swimming with the help of trained professionals in addition to the chance to win valuable prizes” she concluded. At the end of the tournament Wellage Ushara Ovidu De Silva won the Overall Championship Medal in male category, while Shenoa Sarkari and Abeygale Seema Fernandes won the same in female category. 

Mall of Qatar, brand new shopping concept with 500,000 sq. m of innovative shopping, top-notch recreation and remarkable leisure options, has officially opened its doors to the public. On December 10, 2016, Mall of Qatar welcomed a slew of visitors who came to experience its offerings during the soft opening. 

Media personnel were among the first to be welcomed by Mall management, who held a special breakfast for them at AlRayyan Hotel, before embarking on a tour of the premises and its anchor tenants including beauty, fashion, department stores, homeware, and restaurants. Speaking about the first official day at Mall of Qatar, Ahmed Al Mulla, CEO, said: “After working towards a goal for many years, seeing it come to life is one of the most incredible experiences – and I am grateful to the entire team responsible for this momentous occasion. Mall of Qatar marks a new era of shopping in Qatar- merging shopping and entertainment at our regional super mall.”

“We are pleased to announce that the Mall is 99% leased- and 92% are currently in the fit-out phase. We are opening over 220 stores on our first day, which is 60% of the gross leasable area,” Al Mulla Added At Mall of Qatar, MOQ Live, a free entertainment program will take visitors on an incredible adventure on the world’s first 360-degree in mall revolving stage. The stage is located at MOQ`s dazzling Oasis, a 5,000 sq. m lush, green, landscaped entertainment arena featuring dancing interactive fountains and waterfalls and hosting all year long shows.

Al Mulla concluded : “Mall culture plays a large role in Middle Eastern, and especially GCC society. We are pushing the boundaries and elevating the Mall experience with our brand new, and innovative offering. Today, we are setting super-regional standards for shopping malls, and bringing the concept of retailtainment to life.” The media expressed their delight at the Mall offerings during their tour of the retail outlets culminating in a delightful experience at NOVO Cinema, Xtremeland and a lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.

Doha Festival City, one of the largest leisure and retail developments in the Gulf, has announced that Teyseer Security has been awarded the contract for security services. Qatar based Teyseer Security is preparing to take control of the 670,000 sqm.

Building as Doha Festival City prepares to open its doors to the public in February 2017. Prior to the opening, the security company will allocate 70 dedicated security professionals to Doha Festival City, for the protection of all visitors and employees, with the guard force increasing to over 100 upon the mall opening. The security officers will be trained to cover every security aspect within the mall, and will familiarize themselves with the overall offering, with the officers considered as an extension of the customer service team for the protection of visitors and employees.

Trevor Hill, General Manager, Doha Festival City Mall explains: “Our extensive consumer research has shown that one of the primary considerations for our visitors’ choice of shopping mall to visit,is for a safe and secure environment, which is just as relevant to their overall experience as the leisure, entertainment and retail offering. Teyseer Security has been appointed due to the customer service-focused manner in which they operate, and by adopting a customized response to meeting our security needs. Doha Festival City, with the help of Teyseer Security, will ensure customers feel protected, comfortable and at ease when they visit, at any time of the day ornight.”

Teyseer Security is a pioneer in the security industry in Qatar having begun its operations in 1994 in Ras Laffan Industrial City. Over the years it has evolved in full adherence to the legal framework regulating security activity in Qatar, as well as consistently meeting the highest stakeholders’ expectations.

According to Zaher El Khatib, Business Development Manager, Teyseer Security: “Teyseer Security employs guards with exemplary backgrounds including the Armed Forces or Civil Defence, therefore, they are trustworthy, firm disciplinarians - dedicated to excellence and capable of professionally representing Doha Festival City. Our security staff will be well trained to create a risk-free environment, to carry out risk assessments in accordance to situations as they may arise and provide peace of mind to all visitors whilst they enjoy this new world-class destination. The 100-strong guard force and team of dedicated supervisors and CCTV operators will include Arabic speakers and female guards to ensure that visitors to Doha Festival City will feel completely at ease.”

Teyseer Security has a national footprint of contracts across wide-ranging clients’ organizations in both public and private sectors including commercial enterprises, healthcare, oil &gas and education. It designs and delivers fully-integrated security solutions to protect people, property and assets through electronic systems, CCTV, crowd and event security management, mobile patrols, risk assessment and consultancy.

The QAR 6.5 billion mixed-use Doha Festival City is set to become a top leisure, retail and entertainment destination of choice in the region. The security and safety of each and every visitor is of paramount importance to all those involved in the project. As well as employing world-class security services, Doha Festival City is in full compliance with the Ministry of Interior’s standards and requirements.

Hertz Qatar, part of AlMana Group, has recognized its best employees during its annual celebration party held this year at the Fraser suites Hotel. During the evening’s festivities, Hertz Qatar’s management paid tribute to the company’s achievements during the past 12 months and congratulated those employees who, by excelling on their service to customers, made an outstanding contribution to the company.

“The success of Hertz Qatar is testament to the dedicated and loyal employees who strive to deliver the Hertz promise of excellence every day, and it is with great honor that we are able to congratulate those who go over and beyond in their roles. ” said Hertz Qatar General Manager MS.Sanaa Ouahmane. “We pledge to continue our drive in achieving our mission of providing the best car rental services in Qatar with a promise to exceed our clientele’s expectations and attracting new customers.” During the ceremony, Hertz has awarded its “Best Customer Service Agent”, “Best sales Performance Agent” and the “Ideal Employee” of the year.

Hertz is one of the most recognized car rental brands in the world, signifying leadership in quality services and products. Operated by Al Mana Group, Hertz Qatar has been serving residents and visitors in the country for more than 21 years, offering a large and diverse range of automotive brands, including Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ford and Peugeot. Hertz Qatar offers a fully comprehensive, top-quality service and outstanding value on popular vehicles.

In the run-up to Qatar National Day on 18 December, the Shangri-La Hotel, Doha has created a full programme of inclusive activities for the whole community to enjoy.

Anyone and everyone – not just guests residing at the prestigious five-star hotel – are invited to show up for the treats on offer. These range from a free, themed, polaroid photo booth – featuring a traditional majlis so adults and children can create a unique portrait photo during lunch time on Qatar National Day – through to promotions on the hotel’s week-long Red Velvet High Tea, available 3-5:30pm every day in the Lobby Lounge.

Taxi drivers bringing guests to enjoy the festivities will be happy to learn that delicious National Day muffins have been baked specially for them to collect and enjoy when they stop by the hotel. Visitors passing through the lobby will enjoy participating in hanging their wishes for the year ahead on the beautiful Wish Tree brought in from well-known florist Plaza Hollandi for the week, as well as admiring the huge, specially created Qatar Flag cake on display nearby. Meanwhile, Shangri-La will be exhibiting Qatari artworks loaned from the celebrated Sheikh Faisal Museum for the week in their lobby, turning the hotel space into a temporary gallery for national creativity.

When looking for a pick-me-up after sampling all the above, visitors will be happy to know that deliciously prepared local food will feature in the Shangri-La’s friendly, souq-themed Sridan restaurant for all three main meal periods, bringing to life the traditions and tastes of the nation for all diners. And if serious relaxation is on the agenda, the hotel’s reputable CHI Spa is featuring special offers on massages for the week. Alex Willats, General Manager of Shangri-La Hotel Doha, commented: “It’s a fun detailed programme intended to make the point that National Day is for all Qatar to celebrate and enjoy.

“Shangri-La Doha benefits from a wide community in Doha, Qatar and beyond. This week we are focusing on the people closest to us, and inviting everyone to come and participate in activities designed to make the most and best of our National Day.”

The Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels in Doha has kicked off the Qatar National Day festivities by celebrating the traditions of Qatar and paying tribute to the people who built the Nation. The hotel will arrange for a cake cutting ceremony for the guests.

Qatar National Day represents an important annual milestone in the history of Qatar. It not only commemorates the country’s unification and independence but is also an opportunity for the nation to come together to reflect on past accomplishments as well as to look towards the future.

With the celebrations of Qatar National Day in full swing, it’s also the perfect time to indulge in Qatari food and desserts with families, friends and loved ones. Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, known for its Arabian feasts and gourmet goodies, has announced that it will celebrate Qatar National Day by offering traditional food at special prices in all its outlets. To begin with, Al Shurfa restaurant will serve traditional Qatari breakfast buffet from 6:00 am till 10:30 am, with Live Stations of “Shakshouka”, “Rokak”, “Sajj”, “Balaleet” and “Karak tea”. The breakfast package is priced at QR 75 per person.

Further, Al Shurfa will offer a special buffet for both lunch and dinner, priced at QR 120 per person that features some of the best dishes from the region. For instance, the salad bar menu will comprise tabouleh, fine Arabic salad, besides rocca salad and Fatoush. It will also have a Sushi Station, where Qatari bazaar marinated hammour tempura roll, breaded calamari with spicy miso and dates as well as tuna machbous roll will be served. On the balcony, there will be live barbeque & wrap station that will offer beef kebab, lamb kebab, shish taouk, kofta and spicy kebab. Those with sweet tooth will appreciate the Desserts Stations that will include “Konafa” and “Katayef”. The restaurant will be open from 11 am till midnight.

Visitors and guests can also stop by at the Italian food stalls in front of Al Bidda Boutique Hotel and indulge in the choicest range of pizza, priced at QR 20 per piece and pasta at QR 40. These stalls offer dine in as well as take away food services and will be open from 12:00 pm till 12:00 am. Moreover, the food stalls in Al Terrace will have a wide spread on offer comprising Shawarma for QR 15, fish curry with plain rice for QR 32, chicken machbous served with plain yoghurt at QR 30 and Harees at QR 25. These stalls will remain open from 6:00 pm till 11:30 pm.

With a variety of offerings, visitors can look forward to indulge in lavish feasts featuring traditional favorites and be wowed by the stunning presentations. 

A delegation of 18 American companies and over 30 U.S. business executives took part in the “2nd U.S.-Qatar Economic and Investment Dialogue” set up to open channels of communication between members of the business communities in both countries. The U.S. Chamber, as the organizer of the dialogue, worked in partnership with sponsors ConocoPhillips, Visa and Blue Rubicon. The success of the trade mission was marked by a closing lunch hosted by one of the event partners – the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar.

Robert Hager, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, said: “American companies bring with them a number of innovations and transferrable skills that would give Qatari companies a critical competitive advantage. Qatari companies can take advantage of these skills by setting up a number of partnerships and finding new ways of working together, a key point of discussion during the business mission. This is the type of commitment we already see from mission sponsors, energy company ConocoPhillips, financial services company Visa and reputation management consultancy Blue Rubicon, who have all set up thriving business in the country. We are looking forward to paving the way for future economic cooperation between the U.S. and Qatar.”

The strong bilateral partnership is also evidenced by increasing trade volumes between the U.S. and Qatar, which have seen significant growth in recent years. The U.S. is one of Qatar’s largest trade partners — Qatar’s imports from the U.S. reached $3.3 billion during the first half of 2016, a 87 percent increase from the same period last year. Moreover, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has renewed its commitment to invest over $35 billion in the U.S. over the next five years. “The U.S. Chamber’s business mission is a great way to cap off 2016 and prepare for the coming year. By organizing this delegation of top American companies to Qatar for the bilateral dialogue, the U.S. Chamber is leading by action to strengthen and expand the vibrant commercial and investment relationship between our nations,” said Steve Lutes, executive director of the U.S.-Qatar Business Program at the U.S. Chamber.

Qatar and the U.S. inaugurated their first U.S.-Qatar Economic and Investment Dialogue in October of 2015, marking a milestone in the bilateral economic relationship between the two countries. The dialogue is intended as an annual forum for key decision makers to identify concrete steps to bolster financial, investment and economic relations.

W Doha Hotel& Residences, the first luxury lifestyle hotel in Qatar, now offers lunch at the recently refurbished and evolved WAHM, an exclusive poolside lounge that is poised to gather the city’s savviest and most stylish show stoppers for a revelry redefined and reinvented.

The innovative menu is carefully constructed to ensure the best of international cuisine is at hand for all palates. The three course menu allows guests to choose between five starters, five main courses and three desserts for only QAR 79 between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm all throughout the week.

For starters, guests can select from fresh and balanced options which include a Beetroot, Roast Butternut Quinoa Salad topped with pomegranates and toasted nuts. Or indulge in the Chimichuri Beef served alongside some homemade guacamole garnished with cilantro. As a follow up main course, WAHM’s kitchen team have prepared a sumptuous choice of dishes such as a juicy Crab Sandwich with Smoked Turkey Ham, Fried Egg and Crispy Turkey Bacon as well as a light Caprese Flatbread layered with Roasted Cherry Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, Basil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. To end the meal on a sweet note, the signature W Chocolate Brownies are truly pampering and moreish. A creamy home-made Vanilla Ice Cream is accompanied with the decadent brownies drizzled with a rich and smooth hot chocolate sauce.

With the weather cooling down, there is no better location than the newly refurbished poolside lounge to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The sleek decor will provide the perfect setting to enjoy a fresh selection of daytime comfort food, whether indoors or at the terrace.

The offerings have also evolved to cater to the taste of guests who wish to go longer, stay later, connect and live life to the fullest. The dynamic menu gives the option to retox with handcrafted cocktails and skinny shims, detox with raw juices and mocktails, and even quench the craving for comfort food with hearty servings styled to make anyone feel good and prepared for the day or night ahead. Complementing this is the sound that sets the scene with resident and international DJs behind the decks playing world electronic music with eclectic oriental and occidental fusion sounds until sunset. This transitions into stimulating beats and deep soulful house that progresses into the peak of the night with solid soulful grooves.

WAHM is open for lunch from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM as well as during the evening hours between 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM. For reservations or enquiries, please contact +974 4453 5323. For more information, please visit www.wahmdoha.com 

Cool weather has increased the demand for firewood in Qatar with a number of families camping and staying outdoors over night.

A private company here has imported some 5,000 bundles of olive wood from Sinai area of Egypt to supply to winter camps set up across the country. Camping season lasting some five months began earlier last month.

Olive logs are in demand among campers. Olive has a dense firewood that burns with a beautiful aroma. It burns longer than most species of wood due to the density. When cut into chunk pieces, it burns well in open fires and wood burners.
“We had visited Sinai in Egypt, where there is an abundance of cut wood, recently, to import olive logs for selling in Qatar,” Mohamed Murshid, one of the traders in the business told The Peninsula. “Our consignment of more than 5,000 bundles of olive firewood arrived here recently. It was our initial order, and we will place more requests according to the demand,” he added.

Murshid was selling the imported fire wood along the road in Al Murra. He was able to trade-off one mini-truck of wood in less than an hour. “Olive wood produces a beautiful aroma and turns red when set on fire. Hence people use the wood in camp fire. It is also ideal for barbecue; therefore there is a fair demand among citizens. Olive woods are cut into small pieces so that it burns well in open fires. It burns longer than most other woods due to the density,” he said. In terms of cost also, olive wood surpasses others. “Olive firewood is expensive compared to the local firewood like Sidr. We sell a bundle of olive firewood weighing some four to five Kilograms for QR30. However, a bundle of Sidr of the same weight is available at QR20,”said Murshid.

A number of local families, all set for camping, were seen queuing up for the firewood. “I work between 2pm to 10pm everyday. The demand for firewood increases duirng weekends. We started the tradings for the season early last month,” said Murshid. “Firewood is an essential part of winter camping. Normally, local firewood like Sidr is being used in winter camps for heating, barbecuing and making tea and Qahwa,” said Nada, a Qatari. "Some people also used imported firewood like olive as it has less smoke and strong fire. Olive logs have a gentle scent, fantastic heat, superb flames and burns longer than other local wood. It is also used for special type of barbecues involving big pieces of meat. The strong heat is also used to make marshmallow," she added.

source: The Peninsula

The outlook for the hotel industry in Qatar is “especially promising” for 2017, according to the leader of one of the Middle East’s most prominent hospitality companies.

Hamad Abdulla Al-Mulla, Chief Executive Officer, Katara Hospitality, commented: “The region’s fundamentals are strong, making it an attractive investment destination. In Qatar for example, the outlook for the hotel industry is especially promising. According to the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in 2015, income from tourists amounted to QAR18.3 billion, nine-times the QAR2.1 billion recorded in 2010, demonstrating the clear opportunity for proven investors like Katara Hospitality in the region.”

Mr Al-Mulla was speaking ahead of the AHIC Regional Briefing on Qatar, being held at The Ritz-Carlton Doha on 24 January 2017 and hosted by Katara Hospitality. The event is one of the Regional Road shows organised by Bench Events and Meed Events in the lead-up to the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), being held at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai from 25 to 27 April 2017.

The AHIC Regional Briefing on Qatar, an exclusive invitation-only knowledge and networking event, will debate the key challenges and opportunities impacting the Qatar hospitality market in 2017. Presentations from Philip Wooller, Area Director – Middle East & Africa, STR Global, will review key hotel performance indicators and pipeline with a focus on Qatar, while Filippo Sona, Director - Head of Hotels MENA Region, Colliers International, will share the firm’s Guest Experience Index and hotel performance forecasts in Qatar for the year ahead.

Mr Sona said that while global macroeconomic conditions may have caused projects to slow down in 2016, “developers have to continue their plans if they want to capitalise on the World Cup 2022.” He added: “For existing hotels, the key to a satisfying 2017 is to prepare a budget focused on cost-balancing strategies. This will entail a closer communication and marketing with customers via social media, attempting to minimise OTA costs.” Mr Al-Mulla agreed that 2016 “will be remembered as a challenging year for hospitality investors as a mix of global geopolitical and economic issues has resulted in a more cautious approach towards investment decisions.” However, he revealed that Katara Hospitality’s “healthy diversification strategy” had delivered continued success and growth.

“This business-driven approach ensures that a balance is met across assets of short- and long-term profitability and that the company’s cash flow projections adequately support its development. However, Katara Hospitality continues to identify new opportunities to create lasting value. Our current portfolio includes assets in Qatar, Europe, Africa and Asia, and we are continuously evaluating opportunities in emerging markets, which reflect and fit with our strategy of creating a portfolio of iconic hotels in prime locations. We also see opportunities in refurbishing hotels to restore them to their former glory and have developed a reputation for this type of investment.”

Katara Hospitality is investing in a phased renovation at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha, to be completed in 2017, in addition to developing 18 new villas at the Sealine Beach Resort in Qatar. The group is also developing the award-winning Katara Towers development in Lusail Marina District, which will become a new hospitality landmark and an architectural icon for Qatar. 

Essential Information

Regional Briefing on Qatar – a prelude to the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2017

Date:                       Tuesday 24 January 2017

Timing:                   10am-12pm

Hosted by:              Katara Hospitality

Location:                  The Ritz-Carlton, Doha – Qatar

Contact:                  Annie.Santo@benchevents.com

For more information, visit: www.arabianconference.com

The General Authority of Customs (GAC) has reached 95 percent Qatarisation in its human resources, representing a rise of two percent compared to last year, according to the Authority's report. GAC has also completed 21 projects out of the 54 approved as being strategic to accomplishing its vision.

The projects include the study of the delegation of powers, which aims to apply wise governance within the Authority and a study of the organisational structure and specialisations which will enhance the functional structures of the entity, as well as a plan to normalise the corporate culture, resulting in strengthening the administrative and financial regulatory systems and targeting 40 employees to complete diploma programme in customs science in order to secure the flow of administrative requirements of resources and equipment, the report indicates.

The report outlines the GAC achievements in the past one year, which include strengthening human resources, techniques and administration as well as cooperation with other entities inside and outside the country. Within the period, the GAC and the Qatar Chamber have signed a memorandum of understanding to implement rehabilitative training programmes for the customs brokers, resulting in the evolution in the number of customs brokers and their entering to the labour market in all customs ports. The partnership has led to 400 percent increase in the number of courses and 150 percent rise in the number of qualified participants.

The Authority has also upgraded all control and analysis systems as well as the remote control inspection equipment while the picture analysis systems have seen notable enhancements, which in turn raise the logistics standards of the Customs authority. The GAC also released a manual explaining the essence of the International Customs Cooperation that explains the standard procedures and sets the quality standards. The Authority aims to achieve the institutional structure, determine future technical requirements, renovate the technical infrastructure and modernise the database system to develop standards that meet the latest global practices for the of Abu Samra border post. 

Besides, the GAC aims to update the customs valuation database, improve the provided services, develop e-services and enhance the process of custom clearance and licensing procedures in order to increase the level of services provided to the public. The GAC also plans to switch the manual procedures applied by the customs to an electronic version, amend the time of release according to the processes approved by the global customs and set up an alternative information centre for road transport. The Customs authority also aims to launch a trial phase for the committed economic partners and run a feasibility study to evaluate joining the customs agreements of the World Customs Organization in coordination with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). 

In its future plans, the GAC will execute strategic projects, which include bridging the knowledge map for the authority, establishing a modern centre to meet the needs of theoretical and practical training, presenting a project to build a customs lab and setting up an electronic custom inquiry platform. Other strategic projects include applying the authority's strategy in combating money laundering and in the customs tariff. The strategy also includes coordinating and following up with Qatar Public Prosecution and courts in order to set up a customs prosecutions department that would handle customs cases and ensure that the agreement between the committed economic partners is met.