A reportjust published by the global research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) highlights Qatar’s bid to encourage local industry expansion, as part of a broader move to increase self-sufficiency and alleviate the impact of the regional blockade.

The Report: Qatar 2017 considers the key role that the newly approved six-year plan will play in spearheading efforts to generate growth through private sector development and entrepreneurship.

OBG’s publication also includes extensive coverage of Qatar’s pipeline of infrastructure and transport projects, which form part of the country’s preparations for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It also considers the myriad opportunities emerging in other areas of construction, particularly housing, as the drive to accommodate Qatar’s growing population gains momentum. The energy sector is another focus. The Report: Qatar 2017 looks in detail at the country’s plans to increase liquefied natural gas production by 30%. OBG also examines the overhaul earmarked for Qatar’s electricity network, which will help provide the additional power capacity needed to fuel economic expansion.

Commenting after the launch, Oliver Cornock, OBG’s editor-in-chief and managing editor for the Middle East, said that while 2017 had been challenging in many ways for Qatar, diversification, resourcefulness and development were aiding recovery. “Qatar’s infrastructure investment boom has helped the country to weather the oil price fluctuations better than much of the GCC, while the visa-free programme and local industry initiatives are easing the impact of the blockade,” he said. “Higher oil prices should now support the country’s efforts to reduce the deficit and, longer term, broaden its economic base.”

The Report: Qatar 2017 marks the culmination of more than 14 months of field research by a team of analysts from Oxford Business Group. The publication assesses trends and developments across the economy, including those in macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and others. The Report: Qatar 2017is available in print and online.

Nearly 1.2 million people worldwide are working in shared spaces. According to the latest Global Coworking Survey, the number of coworking spaces worldwide is approaching 14,000 and is growing at a rapid rate, almost doubling every year.

Qatar, with its thriving start-up and entrepreneurship ecosystem, is no exception to this trend. Today Servcorp Qatar, the leading premium office space provider, launched a brand new coworking space in Doha, in the presence of His Excellency Dr Axel Wabenhorst, Australian Ambassador to Qatar, as well as Mrs. Aysha al-Mudahka, CEO of Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) and Alain Valiquette Head of Incubation for QBIC tourism and start-up coach.

“Qatar is a key target market for Servcorp. We see a growing demand for more flexible and cost-effective solutions from a new profile of customers and businesses operating in Qatar,” commented Mrs. Fabienne Hajjar, Servcorp Senior Manager. “It is a proven fact that people thrive in coworking spaces in terms of networking, creativity and efficiency. Servcorp actually offers much more than a coworking space. We offer a community of like-minded people sharing the same values and the same willingness to collaborate, learn and exchange. The new Servcorp coworking space is open for business and welcomes visitors to check-out our location.”

Located on the 14th Floor in Commercial Bank Plaza at the heart of the business area in West Bay, the new Servcorp coworking space offers impressive views at 148m high, over the sea, Al Corniche and is immediately available to local and international companies, start-ups and independent professionals looking for innovative working solutions. Providing the world’s finest workspace solutions and moving away from traditional spaces, the fully equipped and furnished coworking space offers a ready-made solution for companies looking to establish a branch office, entrepreneurs needing a flexible office space or local businesses currently cutting their operational budgets and looking for more flexible solutions to host their teams, meetings and business.

Mrs. Aysha al-Mudahka, CEO of Qatar Business Incubation Center welcomed the opening of Servcorp coworking space: “An inspiring, collaborative and modern working environment is crucial to spark new ideas and to boost business opportunities. QBIC is empowering local entrepreneurs to build and grow their companies. So far, we incubated more than 50 companies and are hosting more than 300 Lean Start-up graduates who will be soon looking for a strategic location to operate, with high degree of flexibility and cost-efficiency. Servcorp is the ideal solution for ambitious entrepreneurs in Qatar.”      

Depending on the package, Servcorp coworking space offers clients access to hot desks or dedicated desks, boardroom and meeting rooms, secretarial support in addition to a wide range of other benefits. Most importantly it also allows members to collaborate and network locally, and with Servcorp operating in 23 countries, in over 160 locations, members can connect with 40,000 clients globally, one of the world’s largest business communities. In line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 in building a self-sustainable society and diversifying its economy, Servcorp aims to serve this vision by paving the way for a flourishing ‘gig-economy’ in Qatar.

Link to Servcorp website: http://www.servcorp.com.qa/en/

Mannai Trading Company WLL has recently been appointed as a KineMatik Authorized Partner further enhancing the Mannai solution offering in the area of innovative enterprise applications.

“We are excited about this new partnership as the KineMatik range of OpenText Content Suite solutions will enable our customers to optimize their IT environment and exceed their digital transformation goals. This is the right partnership at the right time for both companies. KineMatik is a long-established Partner of OpenText, with a proven track record across all sectors,” says Binu M. R., Vice President - Mannai InfoTech. “We are delighted with this new partnership as Mannai has an excellent reputation as a value added solutions and services reseller, across all sectors. We believe that this partnership will further grow our customer base in Qatar, creating a better way for organisations to work with information, whether it is on-premise or in the cloud,” says Anne O’Leary, Executive Chairman, KineMatik.

KineMatik is a Technology Partner of OpenText since 1999 and a leading developer of OpenText Content Suite applications. KineMatik develops applications for customers worldwide including:

• Project Management, with industry standard and advanced project management tools
• Quality Management System applications, such as Audits, Complaints, Change Control, Corrective Actions, Equipment Register, SOP Training and more
• Publisher - Publishing of complex documents such as Data Books, Project Books and MRBs from Content Suite data
• An Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN) built on Content Suite for R & D departments and laboratories

Mannai is a Platinum Partner of OpenText. Through this partnership, Mannai and KineMatik aim to help organizations define strategies for their digital transformation journey while harnessing the power of best-of-breed technologies.

For further information, see www.kinematik.com and www.mannai.com

Aamal Company Q.P.S.C. (“Aamal”) - one of the region’s fastest growing diversified companies - today announced the purchase of assets in Doha from related parties through its Aamal Real Estate subsidiary.

These assets include three residential compounds which comprise 24 villas and two buildings containing 20 apartments. They are located in prime locations in Doha including West Bay Lagoon, Al Waab, Abu Hamour and Madinat Khalifa.

The consideration paid for these assets is approximately QAR 179.5 million and its impact will be seen in the first quarter of 2018 with an expected uplift in Aamal Real Estate’s revenue of around QAR 1.9 million, a rise of approximately 9% compared with Q1 2017.  The transaction was funded entirely through existing cash resources and is expected to increase Aamal Real Estate’s net assets by 7%. Aamal also confirmed that another Aamal Real Estate project - the construction of a 63-apartment residential building - is progressing on schedule and is expected to be completed at the end of the third quarter of 2018.

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Faisal Al Thani – Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Aamal Company Q.P.S.C. – commented: “Aamal Company’s diversified business model and focus on vital economic sectors allows us to be an active player in Qatar’s growth, contributing directly to its further development and diversification. Aamal Real Estate is one of the leading real estate companies in Qatar, with a unique property portfolio. This acquisition is in line with our growth strategy of expanding our real estate portfolio in key areas, fulfilling market demand for high quality properties and maintaining our market-leading position.

The real estate sector in Qatar has seen steady growth and offers many attractive opportunities as infrastructure projects near completion. It is pleasing to see that Aamal’s diversified business model, solid foundations and strong financial position allow the Company to capture suitable investment opportunities when they arise. We expect the acquisition of these fully-developed and operational assets to have a positive impact on Aamal’s financial position and cash flow.   We will continue to expand our property portfolio and seek further opportunities that are in line with our growth strategy and that will add value for all our stakeholders.”

Celebrity, entrepreneur, singer, DJ and socialite Paris Hilton will be at Mondrian Doha on January 26, 2018 as part of ‘I Love Paris’ weekend.

This reality TV star, business tycoon and socialite will make a pit-stop at Doha’s finest restaurant, Morimoto, where chefs will prepare special Paris Sushi Rolls and a Paris Combo. She will then be the special guest host of a spectacular night of hedonistic fun at Doha’s hottest nightlife venue, Black Orchid. Doha, are you ready for an unforgettable night?! Don’t miss this opportunity to party with the stars!

Listings:

Morimoto Hosted by Paris Hilton

An A La Carte Menu will be available

Book by contacting 4045 5999 or visit https://www.opentable.com/r/morimoto-reservations-mondrian-doha?restref=136158&lang=en-US

Black Orchid hosted by Paris Hilton

Ladies - QAR 250 (1 comp. drink included)

Gents - QAR 250

Membership is required for entry. Apply for membership now at bit.ly/Are-You-In or call 5007 1999 for more information and table bookings.

The first edition of the Qatar’s Chocolate, Coffee and Tea Festival (CTCF) was inaugurated with much fanfare at the Hotel Park – Sheraton in Doha on Thursday.

The festival, which will be held from January 25 to February 3, is organised by Four and One, a leading business agency, and it brings together more than 40 exhibitors, who will be displaying and providing free tastings of their finest Chocolate, Teas and Coffee while introducing the latest award winning technological products. The opening ceremony was attended by Qatar Tourism Authority Director of Exhibitions Ahmed Al Obaidli, Australian Ambassador to Qatar Axel Wabenhorst, Four and One Chairman Omran Al Sherawi, Four and One Chief Executive Officer, Fernando De Guama and other dignitaries.

Inaugurating the festival at the Park Hotel was SNS Chief Executive Officer Mr. Saleh Al Eida urged organisers to make the event an annual celebration with a focal point for culture, business and tourism. Speaking at the event, Sherawi said, “We are delighted to organise the chocolate, tea and coffee festival which is the first of its kind in Qatar. The festival marks the beginning of a long story in the development of the industry in the country. CTC will not only create more awareness about the beverages but also help to introduce new variants to the delights of consumers in the country.”

De Guama said, “Qatar is known for its fine taste in tea, chocolate and coffee and bringing together the calibre of exhibitors at the festival showcases the extent of the importance of such an event. For 10 days, attendees will have the opportunity of sampling some of the best brands while at the same time enjoy the best of interactive entertainment.” “While the festival is professional in nature, it is albeit designed to ensure that all attendees witness 10 days of fun-filled activities. There will be ongoing live entertainment, bloggers lounge, and various competitions involving professionals and members of the public,” he added.

The opening night attracted well over 5000 people and featured different live presentations and classical performances as well as a painting competition hosted by renowned Qatari Fahad al Maadeed.

The 10-day entry free festival opens each night from 5.00 pm – 12.00am. 

About Four and One

 Four and One also known to be the leading business agency is composed of creative, innovators and researchers responsible for the delivery of award winning Marketing and Communication strategies. We are composed of leading communications and marketing strategists who will overcome any challenge in their path and deliver out of box, innovative solutions to your most complicated task or mission.

Since its launch in November 2017, people from across the country have flocked to Torba Farmers Market in Education City. The Qatari-founded initiative provides organic, locally-grown food and homemade products to the wider community in a friendly marketplace environment, and from Thursday, February 1, it will extend its opening hours.

The market, which takes place at Qatar Foundation’s Ceremonial Court, and is accessible from Education City’s Gate 2, will now open every Thursday from 12pm-7pm, every Friday from 8am-11am and 1pm-5pm, and every Saturday from 10am-7pm. Ms. Noor Nasser Al Maadeed, Head of Community Engagement, Community Development, QF, said: “Since it opened, the market has gone from strength to strength, and we’re absolutely delighted with the response we’ve had from the wider public. Community Development is at the heart of everything we do, and Torba Farmers Market has become a wonderful platform for bringing people together, fostering social engagement between vendors, farmers, producers, and the public.” 

Hessa Al-Kuwari, from Qatar, commented on the market: “I’m here with my family today, who suggested I come along as they’ve been multiple times before. I will definitely be back, it’s great to be able to come down here to Education City and support the local community. I think this market is a wonderful concept.” Torba Farmers Market offers fresh produce including fruit and vegetables, homemade preserves, syrups, and butters, and handicrafts and gardening supplies. Hend Khader, a local Palestinian resident, said: “This is my first time visiting Torba Farmers Market. I originally heard about it from friends who’d visited. I’m very impressed with the variety of products on offer, and, as a gardening enthusiast, by the wonderful array of local fruit and vegetables. I’ve had a fantastic afternoon, and will definitely be back soon.”

Noha Abdelghany, from Egypt, said: “I heard about Torba Farmers Market from friends, and saw it advertised on a few social media platforms. There’s a wonderful variety of products on offer, and the food is locally-grown, organic, and healthy. I’m here with my mother and father and believe this is a great place to bring your family on the weekend.” Torba Farmers Market is a community-inspired initiative aimed at supporting local food producers and agriculture, while encouraging the public to lead healthier, more active lifestyles.  

For more information, please visit: www.farmersmarket.qa

Weekend is a time for families. Wondering where can you go during the weekend and enjoy great food, heart-warming Arabian hospitality and world-class facilities?  

To make your weekends special, Argan restaurant at Al Jasra boutique hotel- part of the Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli, the five-star designer collection of boutique hotels in Doha, has launched an exquisite offer for the Moroccan food aficionados. Available on every Thursday and Friday, the buzzing Argan restaurant will set the scene for a weekend to remember by offering the best authentic platters lead by the renowned Moroccan Tajin, where six diverse types of Tajin and Lamb Tanjia will be available for guests to indulge their senses.

Culinary enthusiasts can experience creative cuisine by the talented Chef Zahira, who has a proven track record when it comes to the Moroccan cuisine due to her unique touch that adds distinctive flavors and cooking style that suit all tastes. Guests can enjoy dinner on Thursday at Argan restaurant from 6pm till 11pm, while on Fridays, they can relish brunch from 1pm till 4 pm and savor authentic Moroccan platters as well as choose from favorites ranging from variety of superb salads to mouth-watering meat, and desserts. In addition, guests will be treated to the to the famous Kouskoussi platter. To further enrich guest experience, Argan restaurant will be offering free access to kids under 5 years, and 50% discount for children between 6 and 11 years.

Mr. Mohammad Taha, Director of Food & Beverage at Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli said, “Moroccan cuisine is the culinary star of North Africa and the Middle East and considered among the finest in the world. Often called as “a cuisine of the kings,” Moroccan cuisine is served in leading international hotels around the globe.  “There is definitely no better way weekends than to congregate with friends and family in a beautiful and relaxing environment at Argan restaurant enjoy and outstanding dining that has thought-fully prepared to provide a memorable weekend celebration reflecting the rich heritage and tradition of Morocco’s cuisine and culture.”

Located in the heart of Doha, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli is an urban sanctuary, ideal for those keen on getting insider access to the city’s hottest shopping, nightlife and beverages.

For reservation, please call +974 4433 6666

Fridays are family days and Oryx Rotana, the five-star luxury business hotel in Doha has launched its all-new perfect brunch offer at the “Choices” restaurant. Designed to offer guests excellent value for money, the Friday brunch offers an extensive variety of dishes from diverse culinary cultures for you to explore, enjoy and relax to best of Jazz music.

Guests can savor a superb selection from more than 100 dishes from all over the globe including a wide selection of soups, a varied assortment of cold and hot appetizers and mezzeh. Mr. Mark Timbrell, General Manager of Oryx Rotana said, “Our Friday Brunch is truly special and features an irresistible variety of international dishes and delectable desserts drawn from the world's most popular cuisines. The setting is fabulous and allows you to have a unique experience at our all-new Choices restaurant for you to have a hugely enjoyable afternoon with your family or friends”.

As Friday Brunch is a tradition in Qatar. Brunch connoisseurs will find Friday Brunch at Choices restaurant, offered every Friday from 12.30 pm to 4 p.m., a delightful experience from start to finish. With an emphasis on fresh, enticing menu options with Asian, Arabian, and European influences, guests will find a tempting array of favourites on offer. The live cooking stations provide additional delight to foodies, who can choose their own fresh ingredients to be prepared right in front of them. For the children, the kids’ corner with fun activities guarantees to be memorable for everyone. Children below 6 years dine free and those between 6 and 12 years enjoy 50% discount.

To further make the Friday brunch more memorable and exciting, Oryx Rotana is offering one-night stay during the weekend for guests when they book a Friday brunch for two. “People in Qatar are hungry for new flavors and dining experiences, and we think our offerings will provide the ideal weekend appetizer. With Choices’ menu highlighting global cuisine, our guests will find a very satisfying dining experience, for the weekend.  It’s all about fresh, international flavors in a unique setting that is unlike anything else in Doha,” added Mr. Mark Timbrell.

In a colourful celebration of the World’s diverse cultures, the third week of Shop Qatar (January 21- 27) took Qatar’s residents and visitors on a tour around the world. The week’s events included a line-up of unique fashion-forward events and activities at malls that sampled the arts and crafts from countries as far as Russia, the USA, Malaysia and Morocco.

The week kicked off with a three-day certified fashion course by Spain’s Alejandro Resta where 23 students learned the ins and outs of fashion design. Together they explored creating unique shapes and silhouettes, and how to develop ideas from the first sketch to the final piece.

Later in the week, the festival’s third and final fashion show brought an international line-up of fashion creations from as far off as Mexico in the West to the Philippines in the East. In a true celebration of international fashion, twelve designers from eight different countries shared the runway to showcase their Spring/ Summer 2018 collections. The designers included Kuwait’s Thaher Baqir and Lebanon’s Fouad Sarkis and the jewel in the show’s crown was a guest appearance by Pakistani superstar Imran Abbas in one of Maria B.’s creations. The display of over 120 looks included menswear, bridal, pret-a-porter and couture designs.

And on Thursday, the American award-winning pop duo, The Chainsmokers performed their latest hits at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. Their performance in Qatar, organised by the Social Studio, marked the beginning of their 2018 tour. And on Saturday, one of Hollywood celebrities’ favourite make-up artists, Joyce Bonelli came to Doha for the first time to share her tips and tricks in beauty and makeup with the ladies at a make-up class in the Ritz-Carlton. The LA-based makeup artist and mogul is most famously known as the mastermind behind every Kardashian’s signature cat eye and high-gloss cheekbone for over a decade.

In addition, malls participating in Shop Qatar also hosted a variety of international handicraft activities inviting mall-goers to create their own Malaysian kites, Russian embroidery and much more.

Raffle Draw

On Thursday, the third of the festival’s four raffle draws was held at Tawar Mall and 15 winners walked away with two BMW cars and QAR 500,000 in cash prizes.

The winners of the QAR 10,000 cash prizes in the second week’s raffle draw are Saed Luseif (114832), Jathro Lanco (198654), Ismail Parambaih (125520) & Ahmad Zyada (030872). Winners in the QAR20,000 and QAR30,000 prize category are Krishna Bahadur (124915) and Bilal Saade (152682) respectively. And, Ivory Abratigue (149253), Joan Valenano (058986), Khalil Ummer (119449) & Saed Luseif (034477) each won the QAR 40,000 cash prize. The QAR 50,000 cash prize went to Sathuo Vallanchira (247489), and both Abdurrob Mollakutimia (127519) & Pradeep Suvarna (149269) won the QAR 100,000 prizes. The BMW 520i prize went to Noura Al Sulaite (082605) and the winner of the grand prize, a BMW 730 Li, was JCJ (110049).

Visitors and residents still have a chance to win by shopping or dining at any of the festival’s 13 Mall partners. The final draw will be held at the Festival’s closing ceremony on Thursday, 8 February at Doha Festival City’s Center Court and will feature a special open performance by Lebanese singer, Ramy Ayach.

To find out more, visit www.shopqatar.qa and follow the dedicated Shop Qatar social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  

Bang & Olufsen, represented by Fifty One East, Qatar’s favorite department store,introduced two new flagship headphones with the introduction of Beoplay H8i and Beoplay H9i. These two headphones bring forward a thoughtful infusion of new features to complement the way we live with sound, new streamlined aesthetics and the latest Bang & Olufsen Signature Sound designed to overwhelm you with precision, power, and detail.

Beoplay H8i and Beoplay H9i are available at Bang & Olufsen store in Lagoona Mall on the first floor.

Beoplay H9i - a comfortable and supreme listening experience

The wireless Beoplay H9i comes with an over-ear wearing style and is crafted in luxurious materials. The headband has a solid and lightweight aluminium frame covered with stitched cowhide leather, anodized aluminium ear cups and underneath the soft lambskin ear cushion is adaptive memory foam that adapts to the shape and curve of the ear for supreme comfort and breathability. The new Beoplay H9i brings:            

• Enhanced Design – Beoplay H9i comes with an even slimmer ear cushion design, reshaped anodized mono arm and enlarged aluminium discs with mesmerizing touch control to give the headphones an even more elegant appearance. Moreover, the ANC microphone grill on the housing has been upgraded for a cleaner design expression, and the battery removal solution is more secure with the removal of the aluminium disc from the left ear cup.
• Improved ANC– The hybrid Active Noise Cancellation in Beoplay H9i has been improved to perform better between 300-800Hz meaning that the cancellation of human voices will be more effective.
• Improved sound– We have introduced a bass port that ensures optimal and more powerful bass.
• Transparency Mode– With just one quick gesture, you can turn off the music and the ANC at the same time listen to your surroundings. 
• Proximity sensor – A smart feature that automatically pauses your music or video streaming, when you remove the headphones. When you put the headphones back on, the music or video starts playing again.
• Dual device connectivity - Pair your headphones to two devices at the same time, so you don’t have to disconnect from one device to connect to the other.
• Increased playtime and call quality – Due to a more optimal circuit design, we have been able to achieve better performance with up to 18 hours - four hours extra playtime from Beoplay H9. Also, we have added an additional microphone dedicated to improving voice quality.

Beoplay H8i – revitalizing a modern classic

B&O PLAY has streamlined the classic design to give Beoplay H8i a more contemporary and light appearance, increased playtime by more than 100% and added smart features to improve the listening experience.  The new Beoplay H8i brings:

• Enhanced design – B&O PLAY has redesigned the classic Beoplay H8 with a more streamlined, contemporary design. The anodized aluminium discs have been streamlined to flush with the earcups, and the mono-arm has been redesigned to give a cleaner and more minimalistic expression.
• Physical button controls – Beoplay H8i comes with button controls on both ear cups for people who prefer physical simplicity over the smart touch control on Beoplay H9i.  
• Industry leading playtime– We have increased playtime from Beoplay H8 to H8i by more than 100 % now sporting up to 30 hours with Bluetooth and ANC on.
• Transparency Mode– With just one click, you can turn off the music and the ANC at the same time to listen to your surroundings.
• Proximity sensor – A smart feature that automatically pauses your music or video streaming, when you remove the headphones. When you put the headphones back on, the music or video starts playing again.
• Dual device connectivity - Pair your headphones to two devices at the same time, so you don’t have to disconnect from one device to connect to the other.
• Improved call quality - We have added an additional microphone dedicated to improving voice quality.

Personalizing your experience with Beoplay App

With Beoplay H8i and H9i you can fine tune your listening experience by using Beoplay App for Android, iPhone and Apple Watch. You can adjust the tonality and sound staging with the intuitive B&O PLAY ToneTouch, choose between a variety of sound profiles specifically for Beoplay H8i and Beoplay H9i to match different types of activities such as working out, commuting or listening to podcasts and you can activate Transparency Mode.

QPAY, Qatar’s largest FINTECH company offering Made-In-Qatar electronic payment solutions, has launched a major blockchain e-commerce initiative based on the Ethereum blockchain platform.

In partnership with Nexxo Network LLC – USA, QPAY has unveiled QPAY-SECURE, a suite of blockchain-based Decentralized Applications (D’APPS) and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), which are built form the ground up based on the Ethereum Blockchain platform. The company has started its first test on the Ethereum Test Network and is preparing to officially launch in March. Blockchain technology enables banks and financial institutions to provide the highest security in payments processing with tamper-proof digital records, and facilitate complete and immutable records of fund transfers. Using blockchain in payments processing, banks can readily trace the entire sequence of Business to Business (B2B), Business to Consumer (B2C) and Consumer to Consumer (C2C) transaction fund transfers.

Highly secured, trusted, tamper-proof and trackable transactions are the main reasons why the financial services industry is rapidly exploring blockchain technology. “Implementing a blockchain-based payments platform is critical to our consumer and commercial clients. It is a clear signal from us that customer information is being handled securely and with trust,” said Mr. Nebil Ben Aissa (pictured), founder and CEO of QPAY.

“Furthermore, although QPAY is compliant with the latest industry security standards such as Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS 3.22), we are still moving forward with blockchain security, as we believe that adding blockchain to our transaction platform will enhance our security when compared with standard SSL e-commerce transaction security. Blockchain is the future and it was paramount that we embrace it and invest in it,” Mr Ben Aissa added.

Mr. Naren Kannan Head of Disruptive Application Team at Nexxo Network LLC, said: “We are partnering with QPAY and implementing blockchain technology in order to help build QPAY-SECURE; Qatar’s first blockchain-centric financial services platform. We are helping QPAY leverage Blockchain in order to offer a much more secured payment processing set of tools and features. The objective is to create an encrypted, digital ledger of secured financial transaction blocks, Distributed Apps (DAPPS) and APIs which can only be seen by authorized parties. Unauthorized parties, such as hackers, are denied access to such information and even if they got hold of the information, it is impossible for them to decrypt it. In fact, the costs involved to hack or decrypt blockchain information is astronomical. You need to invest billions to hack blockchain secured data.”

FINTECH will play a key role in Qatar’s ambitious National Vision 2030 Plan for economic diversification and a more knowledge-based economy. As an industry leader, QPAY is a key contributor towards the national goals, leading the way in innovation and offering new technology and solutions to meet Qatar’s needs.

“As an active member of Qatar’s digital and cashless initiatives, and aligned with the National Vision 2030, we see Blockchain as a key ingredient in taking leadership in Qatari digital revolution and financial services innovation,” said Mr. Ben Aissa. “Blockchain, not to be confused with Bitcoin, is a far superior technology that is revolutionizing financial services and banking industries all over the world. It is time for QPAY to take initiative and leverage such powerful technology to implement a set of technical applications for the greater good of the Qatari financial services ecosystem.”

“Zeituna”- the renowned Lebanese restaurant at City Centre Rotana Doha, has launched a bouquet of exquisite offers to provide unique dining experience for its guests through a wide range of dining options that suit all segments of society throughout the week days.

Dedicated for businessmen and early lunch connoisseurs, “Zeituna” has introduced business lunch from Saturday to Thursday between 11 am to 3 pm, providing discerning diners the opportunity to savor business lunch amid a distinctive Lebanese ambience, far from the city noise and the burden of office.

Furthermore, “Zeituna” has also introduced the Mezze & Grill Nights on every Saturday and Wednesday from 6.30 pm till 11.30 pm. At a tempting price of QR 165 per person, diners can choose from a wide variety of Hummus, Tabouleh, Fattoush and other mouthwatering starters from the Lebanese cuisine. In addition, hot mezze such as Sawda Djej (chicken liver), Beef Soujouk, Lamb Makanek, Batata Harra  and grilled items such as Riyach Ghanam, Lahmeh Chekaf and Taouk, all served with fresh baked bread  offers diners a chance to eat and mingle in a superb musical setting.

To provide customers with a memorable experience, the restaurant has launched the “Lebanese Night” on every Saturday, promising guests the chance to witness the nostalgic sights and sounds of Beirut’s culturally charged streets. Guests can enjoy dinner from 6.30 pm till 2.00 am in pure Lebanese aura and live music performed by Fadi Kfoury and Cynthia, who will treat diners to a variety of most modern, traditional Lebanese and Arabic songs. This culinary journey is not only for Lebanese food lovers only, but for the lovers of authentic atmospheres. The Lebanese night will offer a 20% discount to all Lebanese nationals living in Doha.

On this occasion, Mr. Martin Kendall General Manager of City Centre Rotana Doha said, “Since day one we have witnessed a great turnout at our latest outlet “Zeituna”. We strive to offer the best Lebanese dishes in an authentic atmosphere accompanied by a musical band In addition to the diversity and innovation in the dishes that are served through a varied and rich menu to suit all lovers of Lebanese cuisine.” “In order to provide a unique experience, we have launched a series of offers that are suitable for all segments of the community- businessmen, families and friends who seek to spend quality time in a refreshing atmosphere and enjoy the delicious cuisine from Lebanon ” he added. 

Praising the historic ties between Qatar and US, the Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani said US is Qatar’s sixth largest trading partner with a trade volume of $6bn. The Minister was speaking at a reception held by the US Chamber of Commerce in the honour of Qatar’s delegation participating in the Qatari-US Strategic dialogue in Washington. 

Speaking about country’s economy, he said that Qatar’s GDP during 2017 rose up to about $220bn, compared to about $218bn during 2016, reported QNA. He mentioned that the real growth rate of GDP at constant prices reached about 2 percent in 2017. According to the latest World Bank reports, Qatar’s real GDP growth is expected to rise to 2.6 percent in 2018.

Qatar has been working on increasing its investments in the US for many years, with those investments helping create millions of jobs, he said. Some of those investments involved partnerships with a number of American companies such as Exxon Mobil, Conoco Phillips, and Raytheon. 

The Minister said that international trade and investment represent a main component of Qatar’s economic diversification policy. The US was Qatar’s biggest source of imports in 2017, representing 16 percent of the country’s total imports. Trade balance was $5bn in favour of US, he said. 

He added that the number of American companies operating in Qatar with Qatari partners were 505. The number of companies that were owned 100 percent by Americans and operating in Qatar was around 102. Around 20 companies were working in the field of oil and gas, with 40 companies licensed by Qatar Financial Center. 

According to the Minister, there were more than 5,000 American citizens currently working in Qatar’s private sector, with a million more in the US which depend on Qatari investments. He pointed out that this meeting comes in the light of a series of economic challenges witnessed by Qatar following the illegal siege imposed on it since June 5 last year. 

This crisis has provided the opportunity to make the Qatari economy more open to all countries in the world. He pointed out that Qatar succeeded in the development of direct trade routes with a number of strategic ports and turn them towards the main trading partners of the state.

Speaking about the Qatari economy,  he said that the wise policies adopted by Qatar helped stimulate all sectors of the country to increase their productivity, which reflected positively on the national economy and helped it achieve positive growth rates during the past year. That growth confirmed the economy’s flexibility and showed that it was siege-proof.

The Economy Minister further said that the contribution of the non-oil sector to the GDP at constant prices reached 52 percent during 2017. He added that Qatar’s foreign trade witnessed remarkable growth last year, with trade volume increasing by 16 percent in 2017 to reach $103bn, compared to $89bn in 2016. 

Qatari exports were $68bn in 2017 which was an increase of 19 percent year-over-year, when exports were worth $57bn. The growth was reflected in the total trade balance of the state, by registering a surplus of about 40 percent. Trade surplus rose from $25bn in 2016 to $35bn in 2017.

The Minister stressed that all economic indicators confirm Qatar’s passing of the siege imposed on it and that the siege has contributed to enhancing the economic competitiveness of Qatar, making the country an attractive destination for American investments.  He stated that Qatar was seeking to be a regional private sector-led trade centre through the provision of high-quality goods and advanced services, together with an environment that contributes to attracting global talent and skills to support investment and strengthen the domestic market in Qatar. 

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson paid tribute to the American-Qatari relations, asserting that they were strong and constantly evolving in all areas, he commended the Qatari economy and the positive growth rates it has achieved in all the indicators, calling in this regard the companies of America in various sectors to take advantage of the investment opportunities offered by Qatar, which would benefit both countries. The delegation was led by H E Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and the presence of H E Minister of Finance Ali Sharif Al Emadi, Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada and the President of Qatar Investment Authority, H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed bin Saud Al Thani.

source: The Peninsula

Baladna, the Qatari owned Farm and lead supplier in the food industry in Qatar, has announced its participation in Qatar Sufficiency Exhibition (QSSE), the first-of-its-kind event in the region, dedicated to diversifying production lines and shaping the country’s future economy.

Baladna will be covering a 100 sqm2 space at the Exhibition’s venue where they will showcase the company’s dairy products and the food industries products. Organized by HiSky for Tourism and Exhibitions, with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce as Main Partner, the QSSE will be held from April 1^st till April 3^rd 2018 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).

“Baladna is proud to take part in such an initiative, because it plays a key role in the Economic development and Food Security Program of the State of Qatar.” said Peter Weltevreden, CEO of Baladna. He added: “Baladna has shown big expansion up to now, leading to a very promising start of its new business in less than a year, from its establishment in late 2016. We are delighted to showcase our achievements during QSSE and to meet potential consumers, customers and potential investors, to discuss our plans going forward.”

Aamal Company Q.P.S.C., one of the region’s fastest growing diversified companies,today announced through its subsidiary Aamal Trading & Distribution, one of the leading trading and distribution companies in Qatar and an official distributor of Total Lubricants,the launch of TOTAL’s first truck Pit-stop service center, in collaboration with Al Sraiya Trading & Contracting Qatar, and Total Marketing Qatar.

The truck Pit-stop, located on street 25 in the Industrial Area, will offer premium services including oil change, wash and mechanical repairs for trucks, equipment and light vehicles.As this new Truck Pit-stop is considered part of Aamal Trading’s ordinary course of business operations, it also reflects the Company’s commitment to  better serve its clients, and continuously seek new ways to enhance the accessibility of its services in line with its objective to be the leading specialist partner-of-choice across the full range of vehicle services.

On this occasion, Mr. Syed Rashid Hassan - General Manager of Aamal Trading and Distribution – commented:“It is a pleasure to announce the opening of our new truck Pit-stop, in collaboration with Al Sraiya Trading & Contracting Qatar, and Total Marketing Qatar.The launch of this new truck Pit-stop service also reflects the strength of our partnership with Total and we look forward to further developing our relationship with them to better serve the market and meet the growing demand for high-quality automotive products and services in Qatar.”

Marking the completion of yet another successful term of its renowned national development program, Qatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA) recently held the graduation ceremony for the fifth cohort of the ‘Kawader’ program under the patronage of the Minister of Finance, His Excellency Mr. Ali Shareef Al Emadi.

The ceremony saw the graduation of 32 outstanding young Qataris, bringing the total number of participants in ‘Kawader’ since its inception to 124 students, who have been primed to contribute effectively to the human capital development of the country’s financial services sector, the national economy’s progress, and to the realization of the Qatar National Vision 2030. HE the Minister of Finance praised the winning efforts of the program’s fifth cohort and highlighted the important role that acclaimed training programs like ‘Kawader’ play in the development of a high-caliber, human capital base that can help drive the growth of the entire industry on a national and regional level.

Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Mohammed Al Emadi, Acting CEO of QFBA, said: “It is my pleasure to congratulate our 32 graduates who represent the high-caliber talents that Qatar has to offer in the financial services arena. Having successfully completed the program’s curricular modules, which are designed to develop and inspire creative thinking and effective decision making, the employment-ready candidates can now join Kawader’s lineup of 124 graduates, who have contributed, and continue to contribute, to raising the bar of performance in the country’s emerging financial services sector. On behalf of QFBA, I would also like to personally thank the Minister of Finance, His Excellency Mr. Ali Shareef Al Emadi, and Qatar Financial Center Authority for their continuous support, as well as the world-class institutions that hosted our interns and enriched their learning. It is with such initiatives and capacity-building programs that QFBA reaffirms its role as a key player in supporting a modern, industrialized, knowledge-based economy. Once again, congratulations to our graduates and we wish you further growth and success in your careers.”

In addition, Yousuf Mohammed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer of QFC Authority, said: “Kawader, with its unique and excellent training program, is one of the main sources to provide the financial services sector with young, talented Qatari professionals with the right set of skills and knowledge to go on to play important and vital roles in the economy. Graduates from previous cohorts are proving themselves in the jobs and positions they are occupying and are contributing to the sustainability and prosperity of Qatar’s economy, which indicates the success of the program in achieving its objectives.” He also added: “We are proud to support the Kawader program launched by QFBA. We look forward to further success and achievements by qualifying talented Qatari students to take a significant role in the revitalization, development and progress of our beloved Qatar and its economy and contribute to the achievement of Qatar National Vision 2030 goals as well.”

Kawader is an exclusive and innovative learning initiative that consists of an intensive training program specially designed to equip every participant with practical skills and competencies in cross-functional areas in order to qualify them to become tomorrow’s business leaders and decision-makers in Qatar’s emerging financial services industry. Kawader differentiates itself by offering an intensive and holistic training program that combines academic learning with practical, on-the-job training under one course, offering students direct access to world-leading financial institutions and a collection of carefully-crafted, specialized courses backed by world-class professional accreditations that encompass several aspects of the financial sector, including certifications awarded by the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (CISI), the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), Cambridge English and The London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF).

The program cultivates the knowledge, skills, experience and personalities of young Qatari graduates, preparing them for careers in the financial services sector and developing them into effective employees and leaders in the firms that they join after graduation. What makes Kawader graduates superior to their counterparts is their demonstration of voluntary commitment to intensive and demanding training through timely attendance, teamwork and independent work, while following the highest standards of work ethics and discipline, which takes place in the classroom as well as at renowned professional organizations where they gain real-life work experience.

By the time they graduate, participants command a unique skillset that covers leadership, management and personal development, as well as an in-depth understanding of local and international economic and financial services topics. This gives firms the chance to employ and leverage the skills of highly trained, high-caliber candidates who are equipped with the necessary tools for success. Applications for the next term of Kawader will open in March-April 2018 and the program is expected to run from September to December of the same year.

Aamal Company Q.P.S.C., one of the region’s fastest growing diversified companies, announced through its subsidiary Aamal Trading & Distribution, one of the leading trading and distribution companies in Qatar and an official distributor of Total Lubricants, the launch of TOTAL’s first truck Pit-stop service center, in collaboration with Al Sraiya Trading & Contracting Qatar, and Total Marketing Qatar.

The truck Pit-stop, located on street 25 in the Industrial Area, will offer premium services including oil change, wash and mechanical repairs for trucks, equipment and light vehicles. As this new Truck Pit-stop is considered part of Aamal Trading’s ordinary course of business operations, it also reflects the Company’s commitment to   better serve its clients, and continuously seek new ways to enhance the accessibility of its services in line with its objective to be the leading specialist partner-of-choice across the full range of vehicle services.

On this occasion, Mr. Syed Rashid Hassan - General Manager of Aamal Trading and Distribution – commented: “It is a pleasure to announce the opening of our new truck Pit-stop, in collaboration with Al Sraiya Trading & Contracting Qatar, and Total Marketing Qatar. The launch of this new truck Pit-stop service also reflects the strength of our partnership with Total and we look forward to further developing our relationship with them to better serve the market and meet the growing demand for high-quality automotive products and services in Qatar.”

Place Vendôme, a multibillion mixed-use development by United Developers, partnered with the British Fashion Council to host the 28th Fashion Awards in London. The prestigious event welcomed over 4,000 industry experts and was held at The Royal Albert Hall on the 4th of December 2017.

The Fashion Awards 2017 in partnership with Swarovski celebrated the best of British and international talents from the global fashion community. The Fashion Awards are also the primary fundraiser for the British Fashion Council’s Education Foundation; an entity that aims to secure a sustainable lifeline for the industry’s future generations through supporting their education. As Qatar continues working towards the diversification of its economy, Place Vendôme’s participation in the event is the latest step aimed towards attracting international brands to the blooming Qatari retail market. The move is set to further position the country as a hub for retail, leisure, entertainment and luxury.

Sean Kelly, Project Director at United Developers said: “The Fashion Awards celebrate exceptional individuals who have broken the boundaries of creativity and changed the face of the international fashion industry. It also honors brands and businesses that have enriched the sector over the past year. Place Vendôme is pleased to partner with the British Fashion Council to not only celebrate these individuals and brands but to also support rising talents through the Education Foundation. We would like to warmly congratulate all the winners”.

The Place Vendôme development draws inspiration from the famous Parisian high-end shopping street, Rue de la Paix, of which Place Vendôme is the starting point. Slated to open in 2019, the 1,000,000m² project will host Le Royal Meridien  hotel  and serviced apartments, as well as a luxury collection hotel. This will be in addition to a mall featuring up to 600 different retail outlets and a central entertainment amphitheater. Place Vendôme is set to bring a unique experience of fine fashion, luxury, lifestyle and architecture to the Middle Eastern region.

Almost all decision-makers interviewed for the first release of the Business Barometer: Qatar Survey carried out by Oxford Business Group (OBG) remain upbeat about the local business environment, despite the ongoing boycott implemented by some of its GCC neighbours.

As part of its survey, the global research and consultancy firm asked over 100 high-level executives from across the country’s industries a series of questions aimed at gauging business sentiment. The results of the survey which was done on a face-to-face basis, cover the period both before and after the blockade, and are now available to view in full on OBG’s Editors’ Blog at: https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/blog​. In the period after the blockade, 91% of respondents said they felt positive or very positive about local business conditions, up from 74% surveyed in the period June 2016 to January 2017.

In answer to another question, almost 80% of business leaders thought it likely or very likely that their company would make a significant capital investment within the next 12 months, compared to nearer 50% previously.  A similar percentage described the level of transparency for conducting business in Qatar relative to the region as high or very high. Significantly, the share of business leaders satisfied with the quality of local suppliers and service providers was considerably higher than prior to the embargo, rising nearly 15 percentage points, suggesting that Qatar has successfully identified alternative sources and routes for goods previously imported from its neighbours, The country’s lending conditions were also viewed favourably, with almost three-quarters (72%) of respondents saying they found credit easy or very easy to access.

Commenting on the results in his blog, Oliver Cornock, OBG’s managing editor for the Middle East, said the survey’s results suggested that Qatar had found ways of working around the blockade, with the result that fall-out had been less negative than expected, even in a year of continued consolidation due to lower hydrocarbon incomes. “There is perhaps an element of defiance in some of the responses, but this can only account for a proportion of the overall upbeat nature of the findings,” he noted. “Indeed, the speed and ease at which Qatar has managed to find alternative sources for goods previously imported from GCC neighbours has no doubt boosted business sentiment, not to mention resourcefulness.”

Cornock added that while finding a solution to the current political stand-off is in everyone’s interests, the survey results indicate that the local business community feels able to confidently continue with its operations in the interim. “The increasingly interconnected nature of global markets and the ease with which trade and commerce is done means that new partners and different routes can easily be identified and exploited,” he said. “It will be interesting to see how sentiment is holding up when we look at the results of the OBG Business Barometer: Qatar CEO Survey this time next year.”

Cornock’s in-depth evaluation of the survey’s results can be found on OBG’s Editors’ Blog, titled ‘Next Frontier’. All four of OBG’s regional managing editors use the platform to share their expert analysis of the latest developments taking place across the sectors of the 30+ high-growth markets covered by the company’s research. The OBG Business Barometer: CEO Surveys features in the Group’s extensive portfolio of research tools. The full results of the survey on Qatar will be made available online and in print. Similar studies are also under way in the other markets in which OBG operates.