Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa, announced the introduction of a lifestyle hypermarket by Carrefour Qatar, a first-of-its-kind concept for the brand in the Middle East. The hypermarket located at Mall of Qatar is now open for shoppers.

This new lifestyle concept, which has been built to resemble a village market, and features a complete redesign of the traditional hypermarkets for Carrefour, is in line with Carrefour Qatar’s continuing diversification of its offering for both long-term and new customers alike. Laurent Hausknecht, Country Head for Carrefour Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, at Majid Al Futtaim Retail said: “Carrefour Qatar has established a strong foothold in Qatar since entering the market 16 years ago. We are excited about the launch of the new hypermarket, which will bring a standout lifestyle concept to the Qatari market while introducing an innovative hypermarket layout at the new Mall of Qatar location.

“The opening of this new hypermarket marks a significant development in the evolution of the Carrefour brand in the region, as we have placed a greater emphasis on the working environment, aesthetics and technology that has been used. As always, Carrefour looks forward to providing the people of Qatar with great moments at its stores through best services, finest products and produce, all in one hypermarket,” continued Laurent Hausknecht. Carrefour Qatar has multiple concepts under its umbrella including hypermarkets and supermarkets in addition to its unique lifestyle concept at Mall of Qatar. The brand currently operates three hypermarkets at Villaggio, Landmark Mall and City Center Doha Mall, as well as three supermarkets that are conveniently located at Dar Al Salam Mall, Lagoona Mall and Ezdan Mall.

Carrefour will continue to offer a vast array of over 50,000 products and brands at both its hypermarkets and supermarkets, rightfully cementing its place as the most vibrant and sophisticated commercial chain in Qatar and the region. Carrefour Qatar has had a successful 2016 following its 16th anniversary celebrations during which it launched a number of special offers, promotions and awards, and in-store activities to mark this momentous occasion and reward its returning customers as well as new ones with attractive offers and discounts across selected items. 

A landmark report released today by research group Marmore MENA Intelligence profiles 15 of the fastest growing listed companies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Tal Nazer, Chief Executive Officer of Bupa Arabia noted that: “Marmore MENA Intelligence has correctly highlighted how particular GCC companies have achieved revenue growth of at least 20% per annum over the five years to the end of 2015.” “These companies have had the vision, the business models, and the solutions for their customers which have enabled them to thrive even though the regional economy has been slowing.” “At Bupa Arabia, we are proud to be a part of this group and, indeed, the third-fastest growing company in the region over that period.”

The report highlights how particular companies have achieved very strong annualised growth in revenues and/or net income in the five years to 2015. The report profiles 15 regional companies, who achieved between 20% and 63% annual growth in revenues over that period. Some 13 of the 15 companies - or 90% of the total - came from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. For all but one of the 15 companies, higher revenues and/or net income resulted in share price gains over the five years to the end of 2015. Some 10 of the companies achieved double digit rises in their share prices. This outcome meant that the fastest growing companies dramatically outperformed other listed companies in the GCC countries.

Notes MR Raghu, Managing Director of Marmore: “Falling energy prices have produced a profound - and well-documented slowing of economic activity across the region over recent years.” Adds Nigel Sillitoe, CEO, Insight Discovery, a Strategic Marketing Partner of Marmore, an investment of US $1,000 in the S&P GCC Index at the end of 2010 would have become US $950 by the end of 2015. The value of the investment would have basically tracked sideways. Conversely, an investment of US $1,000 in the 15 fastest growing companies - the growth champions - would have risen in value to US $1,910."

In terms of revenue growth, the fastest growing company was Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden). Revenues increased by 63% per annum, while net income also rose at a double digit rate. The second fastest growing company was Qatar Insurance Company (QIC), which achieved a 40% annual lift in revenues and 15% annual increase in net income. In third position was health insurer Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance, whose revenues also increased by 40% per annum. Bupa Arabia’s net income nearly doubled each year, growing at a compound rate of 99%.

As part of its #100milestone celebrations this year, Kalyan Jewellers, is rewarding its customers in GCC region with the launch of its “Win 100gms Gold everyday” campaign.

Customers can participate in this promotion by making a minimum purchase of QAR 500 across any of the Kalyan Jewellers showrooms in Qatar. Those who buy gold will receive one coupon, whereas those buying diamonds will receive two coupons. The campaign has been rolled out in Qatar, Kuwait and UAE, allowing customers to win 100 grams of gold everyday spread across all three markets respectively. This unique campaign which was first launched in March- May 2016 is all set to create yet another benchmark in the jewellery retailing industry as Kalyan Jewellers gives away 100grams of gold a day for the next 50 days.

Mr. T.S. Kalyanaraman, Chairman and Managing Director, Kalyan Jewellers said, “We are celebrating our #100 showrooms milestone this year across India and GCC region. As part of these celebrations, we have launched a series of initiatives to delight our patrons. Our unique engagement programs with customers and Brand Ambassadors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Manju Warrier, Nagarjuna and Prabhu have resonated well with the people of Qatar. The “Win 100gms of gold everyday” is also exciting as we are giving away 5kgs of Gold in 50 days across Qatar, Kuwait and UAE. I’m sure this will add more glitter to the New Year celebrations for all the wonderful people of GCC.”

“We are extremely delighted to have pioneered yet another industry’s first of its kind campaign and look forward to an overwhelming response to the second season of “Win 100 gms Gold Everyday” campaign. The launch of seven Kalyan Jewellers showroom on a single day in Qatar, is a reiteration of our commitment to the market and we are constantly striving to strengthen our relationship with our esteemed patrons in the region through unique customer centric campaigns,” added Mr Kalyanaraman. The draw dates are spread over the months of December 2016 to February 2017 in all three markets – UAE, Kuwait and Qatar. In Qatar, all the draws will be held on February 12, 2017. In the UAE, the draws will be held on December 18 and 25, 2016; January 2, 10, 18 and 25, 2017 and also on 2 February 2017 and in Kuwait the draws will be held on 29 December, 2016 and 6 February, 2017.

Within a short span of three years, Kalyan Jewellers has made a strong impact in the GCC and has a significant presence in Qatar with seven showrooms, UAE with 12 showrooms and in Kuwait with four showrooms. The company has built a loyal base of over 2.8 million customers. The brand has marked its entry into the GCC through innovative and clutter-breaking customer engagement. It was the first to launch a Goldback card in the UAE and the “Win A Bentley” campaign across the UAE and Kuwait. As a participant of the ongoing 21st edition of Global Village, it has launched a showroom inside a replica of the resplendent Taj Mahal as part of the festivities that will continue till April 2017.  

Following the success of its outlets in UAE and Kuwait, the award-winning contemporary Indian restaurant Zafran is now open at the exciting new retail destination Mall of Qatar in Doha.

This highly-acclaimed bistro specializes in North-west Indian cuisine and has established very strong credentials in the region. From its smooth and inviting ambience and friendly and engaging service to a menu created using the finest ingredients, all these elements combine to make for an unforgettable experience. Led by a team of highly skilled and experienced chefs, Zafran’s menu celebrates the subtle and complex flavors of the region, yet remains light on the stomach.

From Tandoori kebabs and wholesome curries to regional favorites such as Laal Maas and Rogan Josh, fragrant biryanis and signature dishes like Aloo tikkia and Butter chicken, each dish is distinctive and perfectly complimented with homemade pickles and preserves and a range of signature drinks and desserts with their own distinctive Zafran flair. Highlighting the restaurant’s unique approach Rakshak Puri, General Manager – Asian Dining at Foodmark says, “The founding principal of Zafran is ‘Big heart- Light touch’ and every aspect of the restaurant stays true to this promise. Our menu delights but doesn’t overwhelm and the engaging table service and personalized attention warms your heart and leaves you wanting more.”

Added entertainment is provided by the ‘wow’ kitchen, a signature element of the restaurant allowing guests to really experience a true taste of Zafran as they witness chefs engaging in the preparation of their food. “With Qatar increasingly on the regional and global map and going all out in the run up to hosting the 2022 Football World Cup, it seemed the right time to make our presence felt and be integral to the preparations for such a big event, not to mention continue our ambitious expansion in the region,” said Richard Barclay, COO Foodmark.

“An edge in quality and price is what sets us apart from the competition in Qatar not to mention a wealth of experience in what the discerning diner is looking for when it comes to Indian cuisine. Be it authenticity, exceptional value or outstanding customer service, we are truly setting the benchmark,” he added. The restaurant is open to guests for lunch as well as dinner from 11 am – 11 pm on weekdays and 11am – 12 am on weekends. To make a reservation please call 50248181.

For added convenience Zafran offers a take-out service with the delivery option coming soon.

Bringing its distinctive shopping experience to the residents of the North Sailiya region, Al Meera Consumer Goods Company QSC (Al Meera) has recently launched its new branch in North Sailiya (Al Miarad). The opening of the new community shopping center marks the second launch in Al Meera’s current five-store expansion phase in the country, after the opening of the Bu Sidra branch.

With completion nearing of the 3 remaining stores due to open their doors to shoppers in the soon future, to be located in Al Wakra (West), Um Salal Ali, and Leaibab 2, Al Meera will be on its way to fulfilling the 12 of 14 stores as part of their expansion plan announced last year. The 4000 m²Al Meera North Sailiya Branch, which features around 1817m² Supermarket area that has been equipped with modern interior designs and shelving installations, state-of-the-art technologies and facilities, a huge parking space, and a diversity of restaurants and shops, providing the area’s residents with all their shopping needs under one roof, synonymous with its motto of being everyone’s ‘Favourite Neighbourhood Retailer’.

The branch opening was inaugurated in the presence of the Al Meera Chairman HE Sheikh Thani Bin Thamer Bin Mohamed Al-Thani and the Al Meera senior staff members.

Commenting on the launch, HE Sheikh Thani Bin Thamer Bin Mohamed Al-Thani, Chairman of Al Meera, said: The opening of Al Meera’s new Branch brings our seamlessly integrated shopping experience to the residents of North Sailiya as well as demonstrates our unwavering commitment to meeting our customers’ expectations and our contribution to the real estate development of every neighbourhood in the country. Wherever Al Meera marks its presence, it strives to make a difference in the daily lives of citizens and residents. It is through offering a vast range of competitively priced food and non-food products under one roof coupled with an unmatched shopping convenience and best-in-class services that Al Meera has emerged as the destination of choice for consumers in Qatar.”

He added: “In addition to serving residents in the area its surrounding communities, our new community shopping center in North Sailiya gives consumers a glimpse of the unique shopping experience that Al Meera will be bringing to its upcoming stores in Al Wakra (West), Um Salal Ali, and Leaibab 2, and marks a milestone in our expansion strategy that is set to drive Al Meera’s future growth and elevate its status as the leading retail chain in the country, while effectively contributing to the realization of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and its community development objectives.”

The current expansion phase of the 5 stores that was put in motion, which is set to add a total of 9,709 m2 Supermarket Area to the Company’s presence in Qatar, is part of Al Meera’s ‘14 shopping centers’ expansion plan announced last year.

With the opening of its new Branch in North Sailiya and continuing to make progress in its ambitious expansion strategy, Al Meera is fulfilling its Social Responsibility towards the community it serves and honoring its commitment to provide consumers across Qatar’s various regions with the highest quality products at affordable prices, while effectively contributing to the urban development of the country and the realization of its National Vision for the year 2030.

Hospitality guests at the 2017 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters’ will be treated to an extraordinary gastronomical experience to celebrate the tournament’s milestone 20^th edition with IHG Culinary Ambassadors, Chef Tobias Gensheimer and Chef Hiroaki Nagaishi, hosting the event’s high-end hospitality offering with a team from the InterContinental Doha from 26 – 29 January.

Hospitality guests will experience another level of culinary pleasure, as Chef Gensheimer and Chef Nagaishi will provide exquisite five-star dining for guests at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters’ Winner’s Enclosure. Guests will enjoy the finest cuisine while overlooking the stunning 18th green at the Doha Golf Club throughout the four days of the prestigious European Tour event.

Chef Gensheimer specialises in international fine dining with a vast experience in Asia and is no stranger to the sports world. He has had the privilege of cooking for Thai royalty, several presidents and sports stars such as Pele, Maradona, Yao Ming and Roger Federer. Chef Nagaishi specialises in French and Japanese cuisine and will join Chef Gensheimer in providing guests with an unforgettable culinary experience. Guests in the Winner’s Enclosure will not only enjoy the chefs’ signature dishes but they will also have the chance to witness their skilful culinary expertise first hand at live cooking sessions. The InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) Culinary Ambassadors are looking forward to cooking live for the first time in hospitality at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

“I am thrilled to be taking part in the live cooking session in hospitality alongside my colleague Chef Hiroaki at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters for the first time, and its 20^th edition no less,” said Tobias. “We are going to introduce a new style of modern European cuisine to Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, where the fusion of flavour between Japanese and French cuisines come together to mesmerize your senses.” Guests can enjoy a memorable alfresco experience along a two-storey open-air balcony overlooking the action on course, or retreat to climate controlled luxury hospitality to enjoy exquisite five-star dining with business contacts, friends and family.

Joseph Abraham, CEO of Commercial Bank commented, “The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters’ was a great success last year with the addition of the live cooking of world renowned chefs. Sport can be an incredible platform for brands and tourism destinations to showcase themselves and to communicate to a global audience. Therefore we are continuously striving to enhance our hospitality offering and provide sponsors and businesses an impressive platform to further enhance their profile by entertaining and networking with their guests.”

For those looking for an extra-special experience with the best views of Doha Golf Club’s Championship Course and an exclusive culinary experience created by Chef Tobias Gensheimer and Chef Hiroaki Nagaishi, Commercial Bank Qatar Masters’ Winner’s Enclosure is the perfect option. Daily and four-day hospitality passes for the 2017 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Winner’s Enclosure are available, in addition to private suites. In the Winner’s Enclosure tickets prices for daily passes range from QAR 2,000-2,750 for individual bookings and QAR 20,000-27,500 for corporate bookings. Four-day passes are QAR 7,500 for individuals and 75,000 for corporate bookings. The hospitality packages are available to purchase now at qatar-masters.com/hospitality.

Official Website: qatar-masters.com; Hospitality: qatar-masters.com/hospitality; Facebook: facebook.com/CommercialBankQatarMasters; Twitter: @CBQatarMasters; Instagram: @CBQatarMasters; Official hashtag: #MyCBQatarMasters

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha, the sole authorized dealer for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Qatar, has partnered with Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl - Doha, the ultra-luxury resort located on its own man-made island, to create the Rolls-Royce of hotel experiences. Guests staying at the Royal Suite will enjoy a bespoke luxury experience infused with the personalized and authentic touch that is unique to the Rolls-Royce brand.

Catering to the royal families, dignitaries, celebrities, and other guests that stay at one of Marsa Malaz Kempinski’s Royal Suites, the Rolls-Royce experience begins even before the hotel arrival as guests are picked up from their preferred location in Doha in a chauffeured Bespoke Rolls-Royce. Upon checking into their lavish 650 square-meter suite they are introduced to their private butler and given a choice of a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Ghost, Wraith or Dawn to drive during their stay.

Guest can start their mornings with a casual stroll through the luscious gardens of Marsa Malaz Kempinski, followed by a relaxing day in their very own private Roman bath overlooking the exquisite turquoise Gulf waters. All their needs shall be anticipated by their personal butler, from a refreshing towel to a romantic dinner experience in a private beach gazebo. A Royal Breakfast awaits the following morning in the comfort of their remarkable Suite followed by a sensational treatment in the only Spa by Clarins in the Middle East, comprising of the finest gold and chocolate to leave the skin feeling enriched.

Rolls-Royce’s partnership with Marsa Malaz Kempinski includes models that cater to all tastes of the VIP guests visiting the hotel. The full model line-up is offered including Phantom, the ultimate expression of Rolls-Royce luxury; Wraith, the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history; Ghost, the pinnacle business limousine and Dawn which provides the most uncompromised open-top motoring experience in the world.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Ihab Allam, General Manager of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha, said: “We’re delighted to announce this new extension of our partnership with Marsa Malaz Kempinski, further strengthening our relationship with this ultra-luxury hotel, as well as the relationship between both of our leading global brands. We have always been committed to providing customer service of the highest standards to our valued clients and we are pleased to extend this to guests of the Royal Suites at Marsa Malaz Kempinski.”

Mr. Wissam Suleiman, General Manager of Marsa Malaz Kempinski said: “We are pleased to partner with Rolls-Royce in designing the ultimate guest experience. The message is clear: when you stay at the Royal Suite, you spend your day like royalty, and there is no better brand than Rolls-Royce to partner with.”

Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl - Doha is located on its own secluded island, just steps away from numerous entertainment and dining options at Porto Arabia and Medina Centrale on The Pearl-Qatar. The central business district of West Bay is a 10-minute drive away. A paradise for getaways, the island features a private beach and outdoor swimming pools, water sports facilities, private yacht jetties, tennis courts and plush gardens and patios. The culinary destination offers a variety of 11 restaurants and lounges including large open-air terraces.

Guests can arrange their Royal Experience through Marsa Malaz Kempinski’s iconic Lady in Red.

adidas provided fans the opportunity to meet some of the world’s most iconic football players today, as AC Milan stars Riccardo Montolivo and Davide Calabria visited the adidas store in Villagio Mall. Hundreds of fans visited the store to catch a glimpse of the stars on Qatar soil, as they spent time signing autographs and taking pictures with the public.

Speaking at the event AC Milan Captain, Riccardo Montolivo, said: “We have a huge game on Friday evening against Juventus and, thanks to the overwhelming support we’ve received today, the team are more than ready to take to the pitch here in Doha. It’s always an amazing experience to meet fans away from our home country and see such strong support for AC Milan in Qatar too. Thanks to adidas for giving myself and Davide the chance to meet local fans and hear their well wishes ahead the final.” Also at the appearance was AC Milan full-back, Davide Calabria, who added: “It’s great to share the magic of the Italian Super Cup with Qatar. It was great to hear messages of support from fans here at the adidas store today, and the team hopes to hear them in the stadium too on Friday night!”

The team is in Qatar to compete against league rivals Juventus in the prestigious Italian Super Cup. The game is being played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium tonight (23^rd December) - the second time within two years that the stadium will host an Italian Super Cup fixture. AC Milan have a decorated history, having won the Italian league an impressive 18 times, proud winners of seven UEFA Champions League titles and six Italian Super Cup trophies. After winning the 2011 edition in their last appearance, AC Milan are back to face Juventus who have won the last four editions of the Italian Super Cup, including the 2014 edition also staged in Doha where they won on penalties against Napoli.

League rivals Juventus have won the trophy consecutively for the last four years, including a win on penalties against Napoli here in Qatar in 2014. After meeting the players at the adidas store in Villagio Mall, 12-year-old AC Milan fan Abdulla Saeed said: “I am so happy to have met some of my favourite players from the AC Milan team. I want to be a midfielder just like Montolivo so to meet him here and get his autograph at the adidas store in Qatar has been a dream come true!” Today was a great opportunity for fans of adidas and AC Milan to spend time with European football stars on Qatar soil, as adidas continue to share the brands’ love for sport with the region and help to bring fans closer to their sporting idols. 

Follow the football conversation at www.mena.adidas.com and on twitter and Instagram @adidasmena

Medina Centrale has officially welcomed Kiddy Zone to its friendly retail neighbourhood as the first and exclusive toy store at The Pearl-Qatar at Building No 90. Kiddy Zone's new store at Medina Centrale spreads over 5,230 square feet designed to develop a marvelous shopping experience for families. Its interior decoration focuses on creating an exciting, friendly and joyful ambiance for both children and parents which gives the store a competitive edge in the market.

The store also brings, for the first time ever, a multi-touch interactive game and selfie centre at the entrance where children can play, compete, win, develop skills and build beautiful memories. Kiddy Zone is committed to become the number one retail toy store destination in the GCC countries where customers can shop knowing that all the products are safe for children and complies with the US European and Gulf Standards, it takes special care on matters related to kid's safety and applies strict adherence to all relevant local, national and international safety standards essential for cultures.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kiddy Zone's CEO Osama al Shihabi said,"We are enthusiastic to bring the brand Kiddy Zone to The Pearl and specifically to the vibrant district of Medina Centrale where we believe we will further enrich the family-friendliness surroundings offering the most versatile and diversified line of toys and much more from the world's prominent brands. "We are pleased to be affiliated with UDC being our strategic partners and I thank UDC on behalf of Kiddy Zone for all the continued support and cooperation extended. Kiddy Zone development plans also include one more store in The Pearl-Qatar at Porto-Arabia, which shall be the best retail toy stores in Qatar as we aim for it."

Kiddy Zone franchise was launched in the year 2006 in Qatar. Drawing strength from its local partner Qatar National Trading Group Company, Kiddy Zone has soon established itself as the Qatar's most successful retail toy stores possessing a character for excellent customer service, pleasant in-store ambiance and exhaustive collections of toys for discerning customers and expanded its business to other GCC countries successfully operating a chain of 10 stores in popular shopping malls in Qatar, the UAE and Oman.

Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia today announced the opening of Carrefour hypermarket as a key anchor store in Mall of Qatar. The store spans a total covered area of 14,000 square metres and will be the largest Carrefour store in Qatar.

The opening ceremony was attended by Majid Al Futtaim Retail’s regional management team, including Younis Al Mulla, Senior Vice President - Development and Government Affairs at Carrefour; Herve Majidier, Executive Regional Director - Qatar, Egypt, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait at Carrefour; and Laurent Hausknecht , Country Head for Carrefour Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait at Majid Al Futtaim.

Commenting on the new store, Hausknecht said: “Carrefour Qatar has established a strong foothold in Qatar since entering the market 16 years ago. The opening of this new hypermarket marks a significant development in the evolution of the Carrefour brand in the region. The new store, which is the largest at Mall of Qatar, will offer Qatari shoppers unbeatable value for money and an unparalleled array of products, creating a unique shopping experience. “The Carrefour brand has grown significantly in this region thanks to consistently offering the highest quality, most diverse range of products, at the most competitive prices. We are committed to growing our footprint in Qatar and delighted to have chosen Mall of Qatar as the location to open our fourth hypermarket store in Doha. The store will offer a distinctive retail environment that encourages families to shop for every household need, dine and play within a state-of-the-art development,” Hausknecht added.

The new Carrefour outlet has a traditional Arabian-style souk theme, with specialised sections offering specific types of product, each housed in indoor alleys. The store also has indoor trees, traditional tiled flooring, colourful shelters and stone linings on walls. Mall of Qatar is set to be a landmark retail development for the country, located in the heart of a major new development area 20 minutes from the centre of Doha city. The area will see 10,000 new villas being built, alongside the new Metro line as well as regional rail links and improved highway connections to the centre of Doha.

Carrefour Qatar has multiple stores under its umbrella including three hypermarkets at Villaggio, Landmark Mall and City Center Doha Mall. It also operates three supermarkets that are conveniently located at Dar Al Salam Mall, Lagoona Mall and Ezdan Mall. Carrefour offers a vast array of over 50,000 products and brands at both its hypermarkets and supermarkets, cementing its place as the most vibrant and sophisticated commercial chain in Qatar and the region. 

Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, the luxury brand’s first resort in Qatar, is celebrating two years of successes after winning a string of international awards.

After opening in early 2015, Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara has been raising the benchmark for luxury in hospitality. Generally, one thinks of the Seychelles, the Maldives, and Bora Bora when private island resorts come to mind. However, it was Qatar’s own Banana Island Resort Doha that has outpaced the globe top brands.

In 2015, Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara was presented with a host of esteemed awards, namely, Best Villa Resort Worldwide, Best Luxury Resort Worldwide, and one of the top ten resorts worldwide at the Hotel of the Year Awards.  At the World Luxury Awards, they were crowned Luxury Private Island of the Year and were then rewarded Best Hospitality Company of the Year at the Arabian Business Qatar Awards. In 2015, Banana Island celebrated Anantara Spa’s wins for World’s Best Private Island Spa at the World Spa Awards and Best Wellness Spa from the Middle East Pool and Spa Awards.

During their first year of operations, Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, additionally garnered accolades from some of the top travel and hospitality web portals and magazines. The private island resort was named to the highly coveted Conde Nast Traveller’s Hot List and to the Agoda.Com 2015 Gold Circle Awards. Moreover, Fact Magazine, bestowed the resort’s Azraq Restaurant with Best All Day Dining Restaurant in Doha. Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara’s secured a windfall of awards in 2016. The Luxury Awards Middle East & Africa conferred it with the Golden Crown Award, Luxury Travel Guide Global Awards presented it with Luxury Hideaway of the Year and it was a double win at the World Spa Awards, taking home Best Luxury Spa Award and Best Luxury Wellness Spa. Anantara Spa then netted World’s Best Private Island Spa and Qatar’s Best Hotel Spa at the World Spa Awards. 

The honors continued throughout 2016 with Hospitality Project of the Year from the Construction Week Qatar Awards and Qatar’s leading Luxury Hotel Villa at the World Travel Awards. The Grandeur Global Hotel Awards showered Anantara Spa with winner at the Country Level in the Best Resort Spa category and Global Level in the New Resort category. As 2016 drew to a close Banana Island’s eateries Azraq, Q Lounge and Al Nahham held the top three spots on Trip Advisor’s rank of over 700 restaurants in Doha. When speaking of the longlist of awards and honors, Thomas Fehlbier, Cluster General Manager Doha and General Manager of Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara said: “This wealth of awards and accolades reflect the promise we have made to our clientele to provide superior hospitality and the most tranquil and the most sumptuous resort and spa experiences they will ever have. These awards are indicative of everything that we do to make a visit to our resort the ultimate holiday getaway.”

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

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

Several expatriates have started preparations to procure a licence to set up a business at home, following the recent decision of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce to legalise household businesses.

Many expatriates, The Peninsula spoke to, expressed happiness over the move, saying it will help them start home-based business activities such as cooking, sewing, tailoring and gift packaging in a legal way and earn some extra income. To obtain a licence to run a small business at home, the applicant should be at least 18 years old and a resident of the house. The annual licensing fee is QR1,020. The licence holder can engage only in direct sales to the public from home.

Only one business will be allowed to be registered per house, under one licence. The licence holder will not be allowed to recruit any employee from abroad. “We have been thinking of doing a business for sometime but didn’t know the path. The decision by the Ministry has given us hope and confidence,” said a Sri Lankan expatriate planning to start a catering business. “The licensing process requires to have a house contract. We are now looking for a suitable, spacious house. A civil defence certificate is also required for cooking at home. Once we get all the documents ready, we will be able to register the business, hopefully in the new year,” he added. “Once it’s made a formal business people will have trust and it will help to reach more customers,” he added.

“Anyone who has the skills and a facility can start a small business and earn some extra income. It’s very promising,” said an Indian expatriate planning a business in sewing clothes. “There is a huge demand here for stitching clothes, especially for ladies and we have seen lack of female tailors. People don’t like to take chance with stitching clothes and so if we register as a home business it will give us credibility,” she said. Home-based businesses permitted by the ministry include sewing, cooking, creating antiques and gifts, preparing and packaging gifts, designing cards and gifts by hand, arranging natural and artificial flowers, electronic services including computer-based general designs, packaging and binding school textbooks, preparation of perfumes, beauty products, coffee, spices and meals. 

“The move to license household businesses is a good investment opportunity for women who don’t go for work. Even those who go for work can earn some extra income. There are many opportunities in selling beauty products and I would start a business based on that. I have decided to visit the ministry to obtain a registration form and know the exact procedures and get all required documents ready,” said a Filipina who is employed in a private organisation. A Palestinian woman said, “I make food upon orders by customers especially for parties and special occasions. I have a permit from the social development department and I promote my business on social media. People who start household businesses under the new licensing initiative may also be able to promote their venture in a similar way and by word of mouth.”

source: The Peninsula

Change continues to be the defining feature of the global energy sector in 2017.  In the oil and gas industry, as well as in electric power, major internal and external forces are driving change, requiring industry leaders to revisit strategies. In oil & gas, 2016 was a year of continued overproduction.  The resulting oil inventory overhang finally had an effect in reducing U.S. shale production, but did little to spur demand that’s needed to bring the global market into balance. 

In the Middle East, a prolonged period of low oil price has impacted government spending but the move toward economic diversification and reduced reliance on oil is prompting greater investment in high-potential sectors including real estate, construction, hospitality, tourism and education. There is also a greater national focus on achieving operational efficiency across sectors – and one notable area that stands to benefit immensely from embracing digitally-enabled solutions is utilities. The utilities sector has historically under-invested in information technology (IT), but an increasing number of utilities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are waking up to the benefits of smart technology. In utilities and electric power, the traditional supply chain is undergoing change driven primarily by regulation, public policy, plentiful inexpensive natural gas, and dramatic cost declines in renewable energy and storage. 

Dr Walid Fayad, executive vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton MENA said: “Energy and technology form the backbone of global economies and play a crucial role in driving the operational success of all other sectors. As innovation and technological disruption become the norm across the MENA region, we are increasingly seeing regulators and policy makers embracing game-changing trends in the energy sector – from support of renewable energy, advanced metering, and grid modernization to big data and cloud. We expect that wider adoption of these technologies will increase overall operational efficiencies, especially in the wake of a period of prolonged low oil prices.” 

Dr. Adham Sleiman, vice president, Booz Allen Hamilton MENA, adds: “Data analytics has emerged as one of the key trends that will shape the future of the energy sector in 2017. Big data is rapidly changing the way the energy sector operates globally – by reducing costs, optimizing investments and reducing overall risk. In order to achieve these objectives, and create additional value from untapped areas, organizations in the Middle East must establish holistic digital strategies that include upgrading their required digital capabilities.

Booz Allen Hamilton identified the following 5 trends that will impact the energy industry in 2017:

1.  Focusing on Capital Expenditure Productivity

Market shifts are putting capital program execution under major pressure in both the oil and gas and electric power industries.  In oil and gas, the global “lower for longer” cycle of oil prices has executives and boards of Integrated Oil Companies, National Oil Companies, and oilfield service providers placing high scrutiny on exploration and production activities.  Industry leaders are pursuing everything from technology and information innovation, to greater personnel and asset tracking in oilfield development in an effort to drive greater labor and material productivity. In the electric power industry, inexpensive natural gas has already caused a collapse in the construction of new coal plants, and nuclear power is now in danger of a similar decline. Across the entire energy spectrum, companies are taking steps to develop the capability to conduct deep continuous analysis of their capital projects during execution, and leaders are finding ways to put the insights they gain into management action.

2.  Creating Enterprise Value from Data

Like many industries, the energy sector has seen the amount of data from its operations skyrocket as advanced instrumentation and metering has been implemented. Only the most accessible benefits from this data have been realized so far, mainly focused on identifying opportunities for cost savings through labor elimination and incremental improvements to existing processes.  While analytics in the industry is nothing new, companies are only starting to scratch the surface of how data can create new value within existing businesses.  For example, vertically integrated oil majors have weathered the “lower for longer” market environment in recent years better than non-integrated competitors because of their refining and petrochemical businesses. Yet most of these companies have very limited insight into the markets into which they sell their products. Data science is changing this, creating dramatically better ability to decipher and understand trends, draw insights, and capture new opportunities.  A similar change is underway in safety and reliability, where use of data is changing what engineers know about the optimal safe operating envelope for industrial processes.  Organizationally, companies across the energy spectrum are growing centralized data science teams, often blending legacy employees with new, more data science-oriented hires.  The hard work of building business cases for data science is just beginning. 

3.  Using Markets to Shape the Future Grid

Public sector support of renewable energy, advanced metering, and grid modernization over the past five years – in the form of mandatory deployment standards, and direct and indirect subsidies – have been very effective at driving down the costs of these advanced energy technologies, spurring their broader deployment. As regulators and policy makers consider what comes next, they are increasingly moving from a standards-and-subsidy approach to one that is more market-driven. As a foundation for future markets, regulators are requiring a greater understanding of the value that distributed energy resources (DERs) bring to the grid, so owners of DERs can be fairly compensated. For utilities, particularly in retail markets, this means understanding how the grid works in greater detail, and being able to dynamically model how it changes over time with the further expansion of DERs. Ultimately, it also means operating markets where customers have greater choice than ever before.

4.  Following Security to the Operational Edge

Across the energy sector, security has been focused primarily on protecting company and customer data on corporate systems.  With the increase in instrumentation, automation, and virtualization of operational assets – the rise of the Internet of Things – the security frontier is moving to the operational edge, and is growing in importance. We have already seen the growing threat to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) because they represent an increasingly diverse and extensively connected set of technologies. ICS are already automating power movement through the electrical grid, oil flow through pipelines, and control of manufacturing systems. Unfortunately, as cyber attackers are more emboldened, they are recognizing the operational, economic, and safety impacts that attacks on ICS infrastructure can cause. As a result, companies will increase focus on security beyond their traditional lens.

5.  Innovation is the Tipping Point for Cloud

In most industries, the decision to migrate IT infrastructure from fixed, on-premises servers to cloud-enabled as-a-service models has been heavily based on cost. This was true for many corporate systems at the oil supermajors, but it’s innovation that’s driving the current wave of cloud migration in the operational business units at these companies. The rise of analytics within operational business units in order to create maximum business value is enabled by a digital strategy centered on the flexibility that the cloud provides. In the utility industry, movement to the cloud has been delayed by ambiguity over how the costs of new service models are categorized. 

Oryx Rotana, the five star luxury business hotel in Doha, has announced the launch of Club Rotana. This latest edition is aimed at providing maximum comfort, personalised hospitality services and superior facilities, thereby offering the best business and leisure experience for travellers as well as local visitors.

"Club Rotana" provides special services, which will raise the services to a whole new level with exclusive benefits such as special breakfast menus and evening snacks with the availability of high-speed wireless Internet. On this occasion, Lana Jwainat, Director of Marketing and Communications at Oryx Rotana said: "We are honoured to announce the official opening of Club Rotana at Oryx Rotana, which will add an additional outstanding experience to businessmen, guests and travellers."

“Since its inception, Oryx Rotana has strived to be the destination of choice for travellers, businessmen and the guests of Qatar. And during the past years, we have become the preferred destination for the local community seeking excellence and outstanding 5 stars hospitality services.” “We are confident that today with the opening of Club Rotana we will have the satisfaction of all our local and external guests who will enjoy a distinctive upscale experience," she added.

Club Rotana guests will be entitled to a private and personalised check-in and check-out at Club Rotana lounge. They will be offered welcome drinks upon check in as well as welcome amenities in the room in addition to assistance with any requests and bookings they are looking for.

Club Rotana members can enjoy complimentary breakfast served in the comforts of the lounge or at Choices - the all day dining restaurant. On weekdays (from Sundays to Thursdays), breakfast will be served between 6:00 am until 10:30 am and from 6:00 am until 11:00 am during the weekends. They will also be served complimentary afternoon tea from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm while complimentary tea, coffee, juices and soft drinks will be served throughout the day. Moreover, evening canapés including beverages will be offered from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Club Rotana Lounge, where they can avail  meeting room facilities for an hour on a complimentary basis. Club Rotana will also offer complimentary wireless internet access in the lounge, English & Arabic newspapers and magazines, besides basic secretarial assistance for guests.

Furthermore, the spacious 35 sqm rooms in Club Rotana are characterised by simple design coupled with an elegant touch of modernism and provide either king bed or twin bed. The rooms on the seventh floor offer memorable views of the city as well as the glass atrium of Oryx Rotana lobby. This floor also features amenities including state-of-the-art 42" LCD televisions, mini bar, daily fresh fruit of the day, tea and coffee making facilities, besides wireless Internet connection, iron and iron board.

The Azadea Group, one of the leading lifestyle retailer operators in the region, has opened the first ever Eataly in Qatar, within the new Mall of Qatar development. The opening, one of several planned for the brand in the Middle East, comes after three incredibly successful years for Eataly in the UAE, and a recent expansion into KSA.

Azadea Group CEO Said G. Daher said: “We are extremely excited about introducing our very first Eataly in Qatar; its unique concept will offer a whole new lifestyle experience to guests within a fully-fledged Italian atmosphere”. Daher also added: “Overall, we strongly believe that this new launch will only bring forth great outcomes and strengthen our positioning in Qatar, especially through the Mall of Qatar.”

Eataly was first introduced in the Middle East through Azadea Group which brings over 55 brands and international concepts from around the world to the Middle East and Africa. Qatar’s growing F&B scene, with international and home-grown brands opening across the capital, made Doha and Mall of Qatar a logical next step for Eataly’s expanding portfolio. Commenting on the opening, Luca Baffigo Filangieri, Eataly CEO said: “The new outlet will be our fourth location in the Middle East and we have been delighted with the success of the brand in the region to date. Eataly, with its unique approach to celebrating and educating consumers about Italian food, is the ideal fit for the Qatari market and its consumers, who are becoming ever-more sophisticated and nuanced with their food choices.”

Filangieri explained: “Eataly’s emphasis on providing consumers with the true taste of Italy, has resulted in worldwide success and recognition. Since its inception in 2007 in Torino Italy, the brand is now a global powerhouse, with outlets in major cities across four continents, including New York, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Dubai and Munich.” Just like other Eataly locations across Europe and the US, the new Mall of Qatar store is designed to encourage consumers to explore and discover new dishes and tastes. Eight stand-alone food stations are manned by expert chefs in their fields, each of whom are well versed in the traditional methods of creating authentic Italian fare.

Setting it apart from competitors is Eataly’s unique in-restaurant market, where customers can purchase signature products from across every region of Italy such as Afeltra pasta, Antonella tomato sauce, pesto from Niasca Portofino, gluten-free pasta and an exceptional assortment of sweets, biscuits, torrone and chocolate.

Eataly is located in Mall of Qatar – Entertainment arena, Ground Floor

The global publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) has appointed a new team to oversee its latest project in Qatar.

Izabela Kruk takes on the role of country director, while Simon Gaillard will be the Group’s editorial manager for The Report: Qatar 2017. Kruk moves into her new post from Nigeria, where she contributed to the Group’s most recent report on the country’s economy. She also brings with her a wealth of experience from conducting research in 12 countries in various regions such as Latin America, Asia, Africa and GCC. Kruk also was actively involved in opening new Oxford Business Group offices in Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Djibouti.

Jana Treeck, OBG’s Managing Director for the Middle East, said Kruk and Gaillard were taking up their new roles at a pivotal time in Qatar’s development. “Our recent GCC CEO survey indicated that business sentiment across the region remains broadly positive, despite the current challenging economic climate,” she said. “Qatar, in particular, has continued to perform well across the economic sectors. The country’s ambitious project pipeline and major events, led by the FIFA World Cup in 2022, will support national efforts to maintain the shift away from a reliance on oil and gas.”

Gaillard agreed that Qatar’s long-term economic development plans, combined with healthy non-oil growth, had helped to instil confidence in business leaders eyeing the country’s potential. “While Qatar will undoubtedly face challenges in its efforts to achieve the goals laid out in its National Vision 2030, the initiative also offers tremendous opportunities for investors in emerging sectors of the economy,” he said. “I’m delighted to be joining Oxford Business Group’s team here as the country’s diversification efforts gain pace and analysing the next phase of its growth story for our readers.”

Kruk added that prudent planning and foresight had given Qatar an edge over some other oil-dependent countries in what remained tough times for producers. “Qatar’s $220bn infrastructure programme will act as a major driver of long-term growth and help cushion the country against volatile commodity prices,” she said. “With solid macroeconomic fundamentals in place and efforts to enhance the business climate taking shape, Qatar’s outlook appears to be bright.” The Report: Qatar 2017 will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking, energy and other sectoral developments. It will also contain interviews with leading representatives. The publication will be available in print and online.    

Tivoli Spa at Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels has launched its free boot camps every Saturday from 8.00 to 9.00 am and is welcoming everyone to participate in the intensive training sessions. The camp is open for residents of the Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels or anyone wishing to get fit and start his day with fitness activities.

This initiative is part of the CSR activities undertaken by Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels to motivate the society to create a positive social impact in the community and to follow a healthy and sportive lifestyle for the welfare of human resources - one of the main pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030. The one hour intensive training session at the boot camp which will take place on the beach and in the park, will include a bunch of sporting activities led by expert trainers from “TIVOLI SPA” and will include sit-ups and push-ups, sprints, tire dragging and squat thrusts. Furthermore, the camp will be a wonderful opportunity for developing healthy and active lifestyle.

Investment Holding Group's Chairman, H.E. Mr. Ghanim Sultan Al Hodaifi, said "IHG has a proven track record of achieving robust results and is now moving into its next phase of growth. Over the past forty years it has not only established itself as a strong presence in the Qatari business sector but as a reliable investment platform owning diverse commercial and construction business activities. We have achieved steady growth over the years and through this IPO our management will continue to deliver on IHG’s strategy to enhance market competitiveness, ensure we are in line with Qatar’s development boom and help us meet the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.”  

In his statement addressed by Mr. Mohamad Ghanim Sultan Al Hodaifi, Member of the Board, at the IHG press conference held today in Doha, Al Hodaifi said: “Thanks to the strong leadership of H.H. Emir of Qatar, the country continues to execute a range of important projects initiatives to help the country sustainably grow and develop.” He reiterated that he and the wider IHG's Board of Directors’ are proud of being able to offer the Qatari financial market its first case of a family business listing through an IPO.

Mr. Wael Shtayyeh, CEO of IHG, highlighted that “obtaining approval from the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA) to list 60% of the Group’s capital, which is an unprecedented level on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), has made the Group the first Qatari family business to list a major capital share through an IPO.” He added that the Group “will use its transformation to a publicly listed company on the stock exchange as a real opportunity to not only execute IHG’s future strategic plans but develop the businesses of its subsidiaries to achieve robust financial results.”

Shtayyeh further confirmed that IHG “offers a unique brand that reflects the confidence of the local business sector, which in itself is a distinct competitive advantage and has laid the foundation for us to develop future strategic partnerships, become the partner of choice for executing key projects and improve our returns on investments." The offer period will be open for two weeks (extendable as per the applicable laws and regulations) starting Sunday January 8th, 2017 and ending on Sunday 22nd, 2017. Shtayyeh announced that all preparations related to receiving subscription offers are complete and that they may be received from individual Qatari citizens, Qatari companies registered in the State of Qatar or companies incorporated in Qatar and listed on the Qatari Stock Exchange through the following branches of the Commercial Bank:

The minimum application by an individual or institutional investor is set at 500 shares. Any application exceeding the minimum application shall be in groups of 100 shares. The minimum application by a cornerstone investor is set at 1,000,000 shares, with the option of acquiring additional tranches of 100,000 shares over the minimum level. A cornerstone investor may be any of the following: (1) Qatari companies registered in the State of Qatar, (2) companies incorporated in Qatar and listed on the QSE, or (3) government entities that submit subscription applications of a minimum of 1,000,000 shares. In the event of oversubscription, shares included within this offer will be distributed on a proportional basis to investors, both individuals and entities.

The shares are being offered at QAR 10.1 per offer share, representing the nominal value of QAR 10 per offer share, plus offering and listing costs of QAR 0.1 per offer share. Payment should be made in full at the time of subscription.

All those intending to subscribe to this offer should carefully read the prospectus which was approved by the Qatar Financial Markets Authority, and Ministry of Economy and Commerce, including the terms and conditions for subscription. This can be found by downloading the Prospectus page, available on IHG’s website: www.ihgqatar.com

The Commercial Bank of Qatar can be contacted through its offices at Plaza Mall, Floor#18, West Bay, and through the website: www.cbq.qa and the following contacts: 44495444

The “Moments” Exhibition of historic photography held by Salam International Investment Ltd. (SIIL) came to a successful conclusion on the 7^th of January 2017. The unique archival photography display held at the Gate Mall’s Maysaloun Hall attracted a steady stream of exhibition goers who engaged with the images; absorbing the captivating glimpses they shared of Qatar’s past.

Launched on the 11^th of December 2016, the exhibition titled “Moments in Memory of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani” brought out rare images that chronicled Qatar’s late Grandfather Emir, in his official capacity as the nation’s head of State. “Moments” also showcased a selection of personal interactions of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani, captured by SIIL’s Founder Mr. AbdulSalam Mohammed Abu Issa himself.

Mr. Issa AbdulSalam Abu Issa, Chairman and CEO of Salam International said: “We were very encouraged by how the “Moments” exhibition was received by Qatar’s public. For a number of VIPs and Qatari citizens the exhibition provided an opportunity to honour the leadership of the past; particularly that of the late Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani. Seeing the nation’s grandfather Emir building relationships with global leaders, from HRH Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, to the Middle East region’s Heads of State, revived a sense of pride in the early steps taken by Qatar to journey towards its current position on the global stage. For residents, students of history and photography enthusiasts who visited, we were so pleased to see that “Moments” provided a valued window into the past”. He went on to say that SIIL welcomed the curiosity and appreciation of exhibition goers as their interest in revisiting the past confirmed that the story of Qatar will continue to be passed on from one generation to another.

Mr. Issa AbdulSalam Abu Issa acknowledged that owners of historically significant material, such as the archives from which the exhibition’s images were drawn, have a key role to play in the narrative of a nation. He reiterated that the Abu Issa family were happy to share these images from their private collection with all and will continue to participate in celebrating the incredible journey of this nation.