HE the Minister of Social Development and Family Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad opened the second edition of the exhibition of national productive projects, 'Bazaar from the Homeland' during the holy month of Ramadan at the garden of the Museum of Islamic Art. The five-day event is held in co-operation with the museum.
The number of participants in this year's bazaar reaches 20 projects, ranging from productive projects 'From the Homeland' that include food products, local foods, textiles, various handicrafts, workshops for children, ceramics, honey, baked goods, coffee, ice cream, roses, and social initiatives that aim to raise community awareness of the importance of sustainability.
In her statement on this occasion, HE Assistant Undersecretary for Family Affairs Sheikha Shaikha bint Jassim al-Thani said the family sector, represented by the Family Empowerment Department, encourages and supports innovative and creative Qatari youth in all fields, noting that this event is held within the framework of keenness to achieve the ministry's vision towards directing the efforts of institutions concerned with women and families economically, encouraging them to be self-reliant, and developing and implementing projects to support and develop entrepreneurs through training and providing auxiliary services as well as providing areas to market their products.
She added that the Family Affairs Sector always seeks to encourage the owners of productive projects by providing a sustainable environment in coordination with the relevant authorities to facilitate the marketing of the products of the productive projects' owners as well as supporting development initiatives directed at empowering individuals and families economically, in addition to providing guidance, technical consultations to achieve stability for owners of national productive projects in the country.
She indicated that work was done to develop the second edition of the bazaar by increasing the number of participants, adding social initiatives and international painters, and focusing on products that are characterised by sustainability and recycling.
She stressed that the national productive projects are one of the most important strategies for the family sector in the ministry to provide protection for some families that produce many food products, crafts and handicrafts, pointing out that the success of these projects pushes young entrepreneurs and families to replicate them and search for entrepreneurial ideas to develop them.
She noted the ministry's keenness on participating in 'From the Homeland' projects in many events in the country, and considered this participation a great opportunity for families to present their home projects and introduce the public to the most important Qatari products that bear the 'From the Homeland' identity.
HE Sheikha Shaikha also stressed the ministry's keenness on attracting families and individuals to participate in such projects, which are considered a cultural platform, as they reflect community interaction and preserve local traditions and heritage.
Director of the Museum of Islamic Art Shaikha Nasser al-Nassr said the co-operation between the ministry and the museum comes as part of Qatar Museums' efforts to support project owners and promote the culture of sustainability.
She added that this co-operation includes several programmes such as seminars and training courses, noting that various activities will be organised during the bazaar, including drawing sessions and workshops for children in the museum's garden, in addition to distinctive educational programmes. She hoped that this co-operation would continue on an annual basis.
