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Qatar’s hospitality sector, like the wider tourism industry here, has proven to be extremely resilient, according to Qatar Tourism’s Christoph Hodapp on the occasion of Hospitality Qatar, which will be held from November 8 to 11 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC). “At Qatar Tourism, we remain committed to working with our stakeholders to offer authentic experiences to visitors – rooted in the country’s tradition of hospitality. We are proud to support events, such as Hospitality Qatar, where sector partners come together to share best practices and innovations in the field. The business events sector introduces new audiences to Qatar, facilitating investment and showcasing the breadth of our offerings,” Hodapp said. This was reiterated by Haidar Mshaimesh, general manager of IFP Qatar, at a press conference yesterday, saying “the confidence is there; the resilience is there. The hospitality sector has what it takes to overcome the impact of the pandemic.” “Amid the deadlines to be delivered before Qatar hosts the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the country also has its 2030 National Vision, which sets many targets,” Mshaimesh said, citing Qatar Tourism's global campaign to attract “6mn tourists by 2030.” He said, “These ambitions give participants and stakeholders of Hospitality Qatar the opportunity to grow the sector and to also develop it further. It is also an indicator that Qatar’s hospitality sector is the fastest growing industry in the country.” Italian ambassador Alessandro Prunas added: “Hotels and restaurants in Qatar have become busier and busier, which is an indication that the sector is getting back to normal or has gone back to normal and is actually growing even further.” Turkish ambassador in Doha Dr Mustafa Goksu underscored Qatar and Turkey's robust relations, saying Turkey is keen to support Qatar in its bid to position itself as a leading destination in the hospitality industry, which has witnessed steady growth amid the challenges of Covid-19. Hospitality Qatar 2021 offers a rich blend of exhibition, conference, training workshops, an awards ceremony, various competitions, and live performances to promote the hospitality, tourism, and food sectors. The ‘Destination Pavilion’ sponsored by Qatar Airways, will once again be key feature at the event. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar al-Baker, said: “For the second year in a row, Qatar Airways is sponsoring the Destination Pavilion in Hospitality Qatar. This year, the pavilion will be larger than before to accommodate 22 different tourist destinations where Qatar Airways operates flights. As the world reopens to travel, we encourage everyone to visit the pavilion and get inspired for their next destinations.” Participating for the first time, delivery mobile app, talabat, is this year's ‘Food Tech Partner’. Francisco Miguel De Sousa, managing director of talabat Qatar, said: “talabat will feature the ‘tala-bot’ autonomous delivery vehicle and will present the Food Tech conference. We are also thrilled to present, for the first time, the Restaurants Choice Awards, in which talabat will pick the customers favourite restaurants. This event fits within talabat’s engagement in supporting the hospitality sector in Qatar and helping it flourish.” During the first two days of the exhibition, Corona International Company will organise a free barista training for café workers in Doha followed by an international competition with the participation of international experts recruited from outside Qatar. Boecker, a global leader in health and safety, will also hold a free food safety training and the Qatar Clean Programme for workers in Doha hotels and restaurants. Participants will receive certificates accredited by the CPD Foundation in London after completion of the training. In addition to the business programmes and industry training, culinary lovers will be able to enjoy live cooking shows throughout the four days which feature the best chefs in Qatar as they present innovative recipes for various cuisines.    

Several countries worldwide have studied Qatar Development Bank's (QDB) National Guarantee Programme, which had already benefited over 4,500 companies in Qatar, a QDB executive has said. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, QDB created the National Guarantee Programme, the government’s 100% guarantee scheme to aid companies and the SME sector struggling to pay rents and employees’ salaries, QDB communication and partnerships manager Soud al-Boinin said. Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the launch announcement of Rowad Qatar 2021, al-Boinin said more than 4,500 companies in Qatar had benefited from the National Guarantee Programme, which was part of the QR75bn economic stimulus released by the government. Al-Boinin said the National Guarantee Programme was “a success story” for QDB, adding that “countries around the world have actually studied that model and they were very flexible with getting the lessons learned and how they could develop similar products for their countries if and when similar pandemics would occur.” “It is also a success story for Qatar that we share to other countries when we participate in government strategic meetings on a national level,” al-Boinin further explained. While globally and in Qatar, the appetite to start a business during the pandemic was low, al-Boinin emphasised that there was a rise in tech companies that were catering to the needs of people through digital and innovative solutions, citing fintechs and other technology-based startups. On the growth of export companies in the country, al-Boinin said QDB participated in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) held in June this year where around 18 exporters from Qatar were able to sign deals worth QR75mn in various fields, such as medical, healthcare, and manufacturing. “It was a diverse basket of products…regardless of which sector but a company will always have the potential to export if their product is good, and this was what we were able to do during the event,” he said. He said initiatives like Rowad Qatar 2021, otherwise known as ‘Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference’, aims to help the local economy and Qatar’s private sector through workshops and top-notch speakers who will discuss topics revolving around this year’s theme ‘Digital Transformation & Thriving in the New Economy’. “Digital transformation is a key to make sure that businesses would transition easily from something tactical and physical prior to the pandemic to efficient and agile operations moving forward. “This includes adopting robotics and technology within their operations and AI solutions in data gathering, among others. The idea is to expand their knowledge on these innovative techniques to prepare them for similar incidents like Covid-19 and help them manage the impact of any new crisis,” he said.    

The Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference (Rowad Qatar) 2021, which will be held during Global Entrepreneurship Week from November 8-10, serves as a key platform to accelerate the development of innovative ideas, an official of Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) has said. QSTP executive director Yosouf al-Salehi made the statement during a press conference held recently to announce the launch of Rowad Qatar 2021, which is now on its seventh edition under the theme ‘Digital Transformation & Thriving in the New Economy’. Rowad Qatar is Qatar Development Bank’s (QDB) national initiative of bringing together Qatari entrepreneurs and industry key players to exchange ideas and explore opportunities to support entrepreneurs across different sectors. Speaking at the press conference, al-Salehi said: “Rowad Qatar is a very important event for many entrepreneurs; at QSTP, we recognise the strong partnership we have with QDB. QSTP, which focuses on entrepreneurship and technology, works for the development and growth of innovation in the State of Qatar.” Al-Salehi further said: “QDB is a significant tool in helping entrepreneurs in Qatar succeed. Similarly, QSTP works tirelessly in encouraging the youth and creating an ecosystem for innovation and technology. We support ambitious entrepreneurs at the onset and we help them by opening opportunities to get their ideas to the market. “By collaborating with QDB, our aim is to put more effort in supporting startups and new ideas in different fields, such as technology and education. We have seen different ideas from the youth in the State of Qatar who have presented a wide range of technological solutions.” On the sidelines of the press conference, al-Salehi told Gulf Times that the Covid-19 pandemic has encouraged a lot of entrepreneurs to think of innovative ideas and create new solutions. “The pandemic also ignited the people’s passion to think differently to cope with the challenges of the times. As part of QSTP’s goals, we are working with entrepreneurs to accelerate their concepts and ultimately develop and grow these ideas, especially now that the world is in a pandemic, so we really need to push the growth of their plans. To do this, al-Salehi said QSTP are engaging Qatari entrepreneurs, students, and a variety of people with programmes, such as XLR8. Similarly, al-Salehi said QSTP is also engaging the youth through the Arab Innovation Academy (AIA), which is currently being held virtually in observance of Covid-19 health and safety protocols. XLR8 is a pre-startup programme that offers intensive training and mentorship for early-stage technology entrepreneurs and enables them to transform their ideas into commercially viable businesses. On the other hand, AIA is the first and the most extensive entrepreneurship programme in the pan-Arab region and aims to provide aspiring university students and young entrepreneurs with the authentic experience of developing and launching new tech ventures under the guidance of leading global tech startup mentors.    

This year's staging of Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference (Rowad Qatar) 2021 will highlight how entrepreneurs could leverage technology and innovation to accelerate solutions for a post-pandemic era. This was emphasised during Qatar Development Bank’s (QDB) announcement of the launch of the conference, which will be held during Global Entrepreneurship Week from November 8 to 10. The seventh edition of the conference celebrates the achievements of entrepreneurship locally and globally and inspires entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs to develop their skills and knowledge by providing them with a platform that encourages innovation and initiative, and opens communication channels among actors in the entrepreneurship ecosystem to exchange ideas and collaborate towards achieving mutual benefit. QDB acting CEO Abdulrahman Hesham al-Sowaidi said: “Held under the slogan ‘Digital Transformation & Thriving in the New Economy’, the Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference 2021 seeks to create a productive exchange on the new economy that was expedited by the coronavirus pandemic and explore the opportunities and challenges that are transpiring as a result.” “It also aims to identify ways to invest in all available opportunities by harnessing innovation and digital solutions to develop more agile business models and thrive in this new era,” al-Sowaidi added during a press conference held Wednesday in the presence of QDB communication and partnerships manager Soud al-Boinin; Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) executive director Yosouf al-Salehi, and QIIB head of business development and alternate channels sector Omar Abdelaziz al-Meer. Following the success of its first virtual edition in 2020, this year's conference will blend virtual and in-person activities. The event will be held under the strategic sponsorship of the Qatar Investment Authority, platinum sponsorship of QSTP, and golden sponsorship of QIIB. The year’s edition is also organised in collaboration with an array of high-profile governmental and semi-governmental national partners, in addition to a number of global partners, such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and the World Economic Forum, among others. As the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic tapers off globally and with the concerted efforts of entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) towards finding a foothold in the new economy amid an accelerating digital transformation, QDB aims to leverage Rowad Qatar to reaffirm the need for entrepreneurs to adapt to the new global economy and to integrate technological and digital solutions in their businesses towards harnessing innovation and providing added value. In line with QDB’s endeavour to create an authentic discussion space based on the exchange of experiences and knowledge among aspiring entrepreneurs and industry experts, the conference will feature more than 30 workshops that cover a multitude of topics focused on entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and the new economy over the course of three days, with the participation of many renowned speakers. This is in addition to a high-level keynote speech and three-panel discussions, making the conference a true meeting point for all individuals and institutions in their leap forward into the post-Covid world. The conference will also witness the announcement of the third Rowad Awards across five categories. QDB is anticipating the participation of all members of the entrepreneurship ecosystem, including business owners, institutions, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the conference and their engagement with the leading platform that it presents, towards achieving its goals and objectives.

Businesses in Qatar will have the opportunity to tap into one of Southeast Asia’s vibrant economies by participating in the ‘36th Trade Expo Indonesia Digital Edition 2021’, which will run until November 4, according to Qatar-Indonesia Business Council (QIBC) president Farhan al-Sayed. Al-Sayed noted that Indonesia, which is targeting “$1.5bn worth of transactions” during the trade expo, is an investment haven for halal foods and various food and beverage (F&B) brands. Indonesian F&B products have been “highly-acknowledged” in the international market, he noted. He said Qatar has been importing top-rated foodstuff from Indonesia ranging from ingredients and spices, seafood, fruits and vegetables, instant and frozen foods, canned foods, snacks, coffee, tea, cocoa, milk, juices, and soft drinks, as well as herbal food supplements, organic products, coconut oil, and processed foods. Aside from F&B, businesses in Qatar will be able to view other products, including manufactured goods in textile, leather, building material, rubber, metal, pulp and paper, palm oil, automotive parts and lubricants, perfume and cosmetics, said al-Sayed, adding that the manufacturing industry played a significant role in Indonesia’s economic growth in Q2 reaching “17.34%.” “Trade Expo Indonesia is held this year in a digital edition to adhere with Covid-19 restrictions. This is an opportunity for all businesses in Qatar to explore and tap into the Indonesian market. Indonesia is a trillion plus dollar economy among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), al-Sayed pointed out. Underscoring innovation and technology, the expo also focuses on digital lifestyle and services in e-commerce, social media, digital campaign, mobile apps, web hosting, and web design, as well as services in the financial, banking, insurance, and tourism sectors, al-Sayed said. “The pandemic has also put an impetus on medical and healthcare. The expo will showcase medical supplies, medicines, vitamins, dietary supplements, sports nutrition, essential oils, and hair and body care products. Indonesia has 241 pharmaceutical manufacturing industries, 17 pharmaceutical raw material industries, 132 traditional medicine industries, and 18 natural product extraction industries. “Also, the expo highlights Indonesia’s abundant natural resources and technology potential to develop renewable energies focusing mainly on solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass, and biodiesel energies,” said al-Sayed.

Financial technology (fintech) companies in Qatar are constantly innovating to meet the needs of their clients, spurring growth in the industry, according to local fintech player, Dibsy. Dibsy, which was the Local Payment Partner of the Arab Fintech Forum 2021 held recently in Qatar, offers affordable, straightforward onboarding, and fast integration with a simple Application Programming Interface (API). “With this tool, business owners can accept payments through their website, Apps, or messaging platforms,” according to co-founder Ahmed Isse, who was also one of the panel of experts at the forum. Isse said Dibsy is fulfilling its promise to deliver easy payment solutions by becoming the “first payment processor in Qatar” to integrate Apple Pay for its customers. “With Apple launching its mobile payment and digital wallet solutions, it was only in due time that users worldwide would start using this service. Thanks to Dibsy, Qatari businesses can now take advantage of this opportunity, too,” Isse pointed out. Not only does this feature make paying online easy, Isse said it also gives Qatari businesses access to thousands of Qatari Apple users and millions more worldwide from over 60 countries where Apple Pay is supported, including the US and the UK. “Apple Pay has the potential to improve success rates for international and local transactions and a strong move towards digital transformation, which is a big part of Dibsy’s vision,” Isse further explained. Isse noted that Dibsy’s integration with Apple Pay lets businesses accept local and international online payments quickly and securely from Apple Pay users. Users can authorise payments with Touch ID or Face ID, instead of manually filling out long payment forms. “Anyone in Qatar with an iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac can easily pay anytime from anywhere,” he said. As businesses are looking to connect to customers in the global market, payment channels like Apple Pay help local companies reach a wider audience, said Isse, who added that “Dibsy is looking forward to integrating more payment channels in the future to help connect our merchants to the global economy and give their customers more payment choices.” For more information on how to integrate Apple Pay during checkout, visit www.dibsy.one    

Digital innovation is continuously changing financial services and how the industry creates a positive impact on end customers, Doha Bank CEO Dr R Seetharaman emphasised during a recently held webinar. Titled ‘Digital Innovation in Financial Services’, Seetharaman was joined by a panel of experts Gaurang Shah, senior vice president, Product Management, Digital Payments & Labs, Mastercard; Shahid Khan, Strategic Leader - Banking & Insurance, ME & Africa, Oracle; Inigo Viti, CTO, Financial Services, IBM; Basel Haddadin, regional sales manager, Google Cloud, and Peter Clark, chief operating officer, Dona Bank. During the webinar, Seetharaman stressed that the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the digital transformations that were already happening even prior to the global health crisis. “Today, economics is converging with ‘e-conomics’, everywhere, we're seeing the overall changing dynamics for a green nation…sustainable development goals have been the new world order,” Seetharaman said. He said: “To address major challenges in the world, we need to come together; create a new world…and digital is the solution – and that’s convergence in your business model. Future technologies and digital innovations are here to stay and they’re going to make an extraordinary set of transformations to the betterment of the world. “The message we are getting now is that the Internet will become a basic right in 2024, as well as the increase in usage of mobility and smartphones, among others,” said Seetharaman, who also underscored the impact of 3D printing on healthcare, the evolution of robotics and automation, and how artificial intelligence (AI) can learn from mistakes and from big data. Seetharaman’s video presentation stressed that “cash is no longer king” in the future and that payment transactions will, instead, be made through smartphones or wearables “rendering physical cards unnecessary.” “60% of financial organisations are expected to make wearables a common payment method. Physical shops will still exist but the way you pay will change with money changing hands virtually,” the presentation pointed out. Further in his presentation, Seetharaman elaborated on mobile wallets, which allow shoppers to use their payment details to easily make payments or purchases. “The main benefit of a mobile wallet is to make checkout quicker and easier across devices, and more secure because the shopper doesn't have to re-enter their card at billing details every time they make a purchase,” the presentation stated. On the mobile wallet’s benefits to merchants, Seetharaman’s video presentation said: “Since checkout is easier for the shopper with the mobile wallet, then you can increase your conversion rates by just allowing your shoppers to pay using a wallet. Removing an obstacle to check out means that fewer shoppers will abandon the shopping cart and more will finish the checkout process.” It added: “Over the last decade, large and successful digital players in various industries have used open application programming interfaces or APIs to connect their services with Apps and websites of third parties. “Today, open API technologies have evolved to an extent that allows them to be applied by the financial services industry where security is key. This opens up new opportunities for banks and other financial services providers to offer innovative digital services themselves.”

The US remains a strong market for Qataris looking to invest in real estate, said Mari Pearce, vice president US Division at Alternative Line Real Estate, who was one of the expert speakers at Cityscape Qatar 2021. Pearce delivered a presentation on Tuesday titled ‘Investment Opportunities in the US’, which identified key trends in the US residential sector, as well as geographical hotspots and where to invest in the US next year. Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of Cityscape Qatar 2021, which concluded yesterday, Pearce said Alternative Line Real Estate aims to be a pioneering company that promotes US properties to investors in Qatar. The top US markets for Qataris looking at residential and commercial real estate investments are California and Miami, Florida. New York is attractive for residential investments, while Texas is ideal for residential and multi-family properties, Pearce said. “Qataris do buy real estate in the US; their investments are spread in both residential and commercial segments. In other States, some Qataris have also purchased residential properties for their children studying in universities in America,” she further explained. Pearce said investors are guaranteed with “strong return on investments” when investing in commercial buildings under specific zoning areas, such as “medical zones,” which she describes as “bulletproof investments” in most US states. She said, “We do work with a lot of commercial assets, which are definitely very strong investments. What I would highly recommend for people interested in these types of investments are medical buildings because they are one of the strongest commercial real estate investments in the US.” “No matter what time of the year and despite fluctuations in the economy, these types of buildings are always occupied, so investors will always make their return on investments,” Pearce explained, adding that the Covid-19 pandemic had no impact on the US property market. On the success of Cityscape Qatar’s ninth edition this year, Pearce said the participation of leading local and international real estate development companies, as well as the launching of major projects across Qatar during the event “is a positive indication” post Covid-19. Pearce also assured that Alternative Line Real Estate is working with “trustworthy” property management firms to provide clients with strong ROIs. “We are based in both Doha and the US, and we know what people in Qatar want and we do have knowledge of real estate investments in America, so what we want to do is to give Qataris the best possible experience when buying real estate in America. “Even if they don’t fly out to the US to check on their property, our company guarantees a hassle-free experience right from the beginning,” Pearce said, adding that the company is also an expert in virtual transactions.    

LuLu Group is seeking to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 as part of its sustainable development initiatives. Dr Mohamed Althaf, director, LuLu Group International, made the statement on the sidelines of a signing ceremony with United Development Company (UDC) held at Cityscape Qatar 2021 Monday. Althaf signed an agreement with UDC executive director commercial Hussain Akbar al-Baker for the opening of a LuLu Hypermarket in Giardino Mall at The Pearl-Qatar covering an area of 13,000sqm, in addition to a LuLu Supermarket and retail brands on a 700sqm area at Gewan Island. “What we have done now is a part of our expansion strategy for LuLu in Qatar; we are now expanding into all the new settlements and all the new areas. The Pearl-Qatar has a large community that requires a lot of services, so now we already have a plan for a large formatted LuLu Hypermarket inside The Pearl-Qatar, which will be a very major step for us. “The other LuLu store at Gewan Island is the second development that we are signing with UDC. It will be a smaller outlet but it will cater to the needs of all the people around that area, depending on their requirements,” Althaf told Gulf Times. He said, “These two outlets reflect our confidence in Qatar, as well as with Gewan Island and The Pearl-Qatar, which is becoming a very interesting mix of people now; it is probably the most cosmopolitan living area now in the Gulf, so we are very happy and very proud to be present there. As The Pearl-Qatar expands its footprint, we would also like to expand our operations and presence there.” As a retail outlet pioneering in sustainable development in Qatar, Althaf said all new LuLu outlets in the country are based on the principle of sustainability. He said both LuLu and UDC follow the same strategy. “With our outlets in the island, our strategy is very clear that at least by 2030 all our carbon footprint should be reduced by 50%, and by 2050, we definitely want to become net-zero and to become carbon neutral. “So, you will find that it is not only from an energy-efficient perspective, which we will be, but we are targeting about 40% less energy than a conventional hypermarket in The Pearl-Qatar but we will also look at it in terms of our water conservation, a lot of recycling, and then a big target on the reduction of wastage,” he said. Althaf added: “On food wastage, we have some plans now but these will be organised, and we will also conduct zero waste sessions and a lot of other innovations that aim to minimise the impact on the environment.”

United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Island, has signed major retail leasing agreements at Cityscape Qatar 2021, which concludes Tuesday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC). Not only did UDC sign deals with leading international retailers, the company is also continuing to achieve remarkable sales on Crystal Residence apartments launched exclusively at the event. UDC signed a contract with LuLu Group to open LuLu Hypermarket in Giardino Mall at The Pearl-Qatar, covering an area of 13,000sqm, in addition to LuLu Supermarket and retail brands at Gewan Island on a 700sqm area. UDC also concluded an agreement with its subsidiary, Hospitality Development Company (HDC), to open Spontini Restaurant at Gewan Island and ‘Burger & Lobster’ in Porto Arabia at The Pearl-Qatar. On Cityscape’s second day, UDC further signed leasing agreements with Ariane Holding to open Qatar’s first Sainsbury Supermarket ‘Mowneh’ in Al Mutahidah Towers at The Pearl-Qatar, which will cover an area of 1,200sqm, and with Al Maha Global to open ‘Kernel & Roast’ gourmet store in Porto Arabia also at The Pearl-Qatar, in addition to a local coffee shop concept ‘Café de Rêve’ at Gewan Island. More retail and F&B concepts will be revealed on the exhibition’s closing day, demonstrating The Pearl-Qatar’s position as a leading leisure and shopping destination and Gewan Island as Qatar’s most exclusive and promising luxury address. The Pearl-Qatar houses more than 350 brands operating across the island’s main retail hubs, each offering a unique experience. The island’s retail offering continues to grow. In 2021, 40 new and diverse retail and F&B brands have opened their doors at The Pearl-Qatar, benefiting from the island’s more than 35,000 residents, in addition to its unique setting of beautiful architecture and scenic views, attracting more than 28mn visitors annually. Gewan Island will also feature a lively outdoor retail hub and Qatar’s “longest climatised” Crystal Walkway, which is characterised by elegant crystal overhead panels and will house 101 retail and F&B brands, spanning an area of 11,000sqm. Crystal Walkway is nestled between Crystal Residence’s 15 buildings where UDC has launched its first phase of apartment sales exclusively at Cityscape Qatar 2021. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the signing ceremony, UDC executive director commercial Hussain Akbar al-Baker said the majority of the retail outlets coming to The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Island are new to the Qatari market. “We’re very excited because these retail stores are coming to the Qatari market for the first time, so people will not see them in other malls or retail areas. Apart from LuLu, the other stores are new to the country,” he said.

United Development Company (UDC) inaugurated its 900sqm pavilion at Cityscape Qatar 2021 on Sunday, featuring scale models of its flagship developments, The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Island. Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the event, UDC president and CEO Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman, who is also a member of the board, said the sales launch of UDC’s Crystal Residence at Gewan Island was well-received by property finders. “We’re launching 70 apartments and already we have bookings as much as almost 40% even before we started, and that’s a good sign. The area, which spans 11,000sqm, is air-conditioned. The other side facing Qanat Quartier is also climate controlled and this huge area will provide convenience to the shoppers, buyers, and other visitors of the area,” al-Othman said. At Cityscape, which will run until October 19 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), UDC is showcasing attractive properties for sales and leasing, as well as a range of attractive in-house financing plans and promotional leasing offers. UDC chairman Turki bin Mohamed al-Khater said, “We are excited to be returning to Cityscape after weathering economic uncertainty linked to the pandemic. We will therefore be capitalising on our participation to reconnect with our existing customer base and learn more about the changing needs and preferences of our clients. “UDC’s ongoing strategy is focused on delivering our current inventory of residential units at The Pearl-Qatar. Meanwhile, we are launching the first phase of Crystal Residence sales, which we expect will enthral visitors as another high-quality product that translates UDC’s commitment to crafting unique lifestyle and leisure experiences that our customers have come to expect from us.” Al-Othman said UDC is also announcing the Corinthia Yacht Club, which is an international yacht club inside The Pearl-Qatar. Construction is ongoing, al-Othman said, adding that UDC aims to complete the facility by the third quarter of next year “in time for the FIFA World Cup.” He said UDC has been a long-term and essential participant in Cityscape Qatar and recognises the event’s valuable influence on the local real estate market. “We have therefore chosen this platform to launch one of our most promising projects, Crystal Residence at Gewan Island. As for existing projects, we are presenting exciting sales and leasing offers on our completed projects in various precincts of The Pearl-Qatar, including the recently launched Giardino Gardens villa compound. “We also want to showcase our portfolio of upcoming diversified projects, mainly Giardino Mall, Floresta Galleria, Floresta Gardens’ three residential villa compounds, United School International, and Corinthia Yacht Club at The Pearl-Qatar, in addition to Crystal Walkway’s retail hub and Corinthia Gewan Island Qatar hotel with its connected golf course and beach club at Gewan Island,” al-Othman said. Crystal Residence, which is the highlight of UDC’s participation in Cityscape Qatar 2021, is set to attract a remarkable number of businesses and individual investors from both Qatar and abroad thanks to its amenity-rich, smart, and sustainable features, in addition to the unmatched location at Gewan Island, which promises to be Qatar’s most prestigious and exclusive address. Crystal Residence consists of 15 luxurious mixed-use buildings, six-to-seven-storey high that sit at the heart of Gewan Island within a lively commercial and residential district, arranged around the canopied pedestrian zone and Qatar’s longest climatised ‘Crystal Walkway’. Crystal Residence consists of a total of 586 apartments overlooking the seaside or the Crystal Walkway, including one to three-bedroom units ranging between 90sqm and 240sqm, and four-bedroom duplexes with an area of 365sqm. Residents have also access to exclusive world-class leisure facilities in addition to retail, entertainment, and dining outlets on the ground floor available to the public with ample parking spaces underground.    

Cityscape Qatar 2021 is an important platform to showcase the developments being witnessed by the country’s real estate sector, HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry and Acting Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari said. He made the statement on Sunday after inaugurating Cityscape’s ninth edition at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC). The event will run until October 19 to showcase the latest real estate projects by Qatar’s leading developers. The minister emphasised that the growth in Qatar’s property market underscores the “projected positive growth indicators of the national economy and the recovery of real estate markets during the coming period.” Al-Kuwari stressed that Qatar’s interest in Cityscape reflects the State’s belief in the pivotal role played by the real estate sector in supporting the national economy’s diversity and competitiveness. Furthermore, the minister expressed hope that Cityscape Qatar 2021 would achieve “tangible results” that consolidated Qatar’s position as an ideal destination for real estate investment in the region. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, al-Kuwari toured the exhibition hall and visited a number of pavilions. He also witnessed the signing of a contract between Qatar Chamber and Qatari Diar for the purchase of a new building for the chamber’s main headquarters in Lusail Commercial Boulevard. Al-Kuwari witnessed the contract signing between Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani and Engineer Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, the CEO of Qatari Diar. The minister also visited the pavilion of Barwa Real Estate Group to set the foundation stone for the launch of its new residential project, ‘Furjan Wadi Lusail’. Group CEO Abdullah Jubara al-Rumaihi said: “In our fulfilment of the group’s role as a leading national real estate company, we are showcasing non-traditional projects to the Qatari market, such as ‘Madinatna’ and ‘Barahat Al Janoub’ through our participation at this year’s edition of Cityscape Qatar. The Qatari market is still open for many opportunities, especially in the lead up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.” The three-day event will unveil the country’s prominent real estate projects from top Qatari developers. Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, head of Business Development at Qetaifan Projects, spoke on the residential market opportunities in the coming months. “We have seen our projects gain great sales over the recent months in our residential sector. Our island project has had great success with FDIs and we believe this trend will continue with the additional projects we will launch later this year to meet market demands,” Sheikh Nasser said. Throughout the event, which is held under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, visitors can expect diverse discussions from Qatar’s government ministers and global consultants. Yesterday’s agenda included talks on the rise of digitalisation from top consultants McKinsey & Company, whilst post-pandemic workspace trends were the key focus during a panel discussion featuring speakers from Cushman & Wakefield, Servcorp, and Workinton. Changes in trends remained a key focus for companies at the show with over 30 local and regional exhibitors taking part over the next three days. Developers have taken note of changing demands from buyers both local and international, with new projects offering investors access to luxury developments across a range of price points. Chris Speller, group director of Cityscape, spoke on the diverse range of projects: “Qatar’s developers have responded quickly and effectively to the changing market and investor needs. “The wide range of project launching and on display at this year’s show is testament to that – from luxury waterfront properties to modern commercial developments. We look forward to seeing further launches and initiatives from Qatar’s leading developers over the next three days.” Cityscape, which is supported by Platinum Sponsors, Barwa and Qetaifan Projects, aims to shed light on the most prominent real estate projects across Qatar, as well as provide a platform for communication between residential buyers, investors, and real estate sector specialists in the field of design and construction. Ends    

The Icon Tower, which is one of the main attractions on Qetaifan Island North, is vying for two 'Guinness World Records', said Mustafa el-Cherkawi, senior officer – construction at Qetaifan Projects. Speaking to Gulf Times during a recent site tour of the island, el-Cherkawi said the 85m-tall Icon Tower is registered for two world record attempts: The tallest waterslide and the most waterslides from a single tower.   Engineer Mustafa el-Cherkawi, senior officer – construction at Qetaifan Projects. PICTURE Shaji Kayamkulam He said there are different international vendors and teams from the US, Canada, the Netherlands, and Germany that are co-ordinating with the local contractor for work at the tower, which has 12 rides on six levels – two rides on each level of the tower. El-Cherkawi expressed confidence that the Icon Tower will secure the two Guinness World Records, and that the amenities will be open to visitors before the 2022 FIFA World Cup. “We are working hard to get these records. We did our assessments, research, and homework, and hopefully, we will get these two records before the World Cup. We are currently in contact with Guinness World Records and once there is progress in completing the loops, they will come and they will start accessing. “When we compare this to other waterparks in the Gulf or in the Middle East, as well as other waterparks worldwide, this is really a big attraction and a big achievement for Qatar. We have very unique and special attractions and it's not possible to find them anywhere or in other waterparks,” he stressed. El-Cherkawi explained that the teams are currently working on the installation of the fibreglass loops at the Icon Tower, which is expected to be completed “in the next five to six months.” “This is a big challenge but we are managing the work perfectly. The island’s water park has 66 water slides. The slide wheel is one of only three worldwide, making it a unique attraction for visitors and residents of Qetaifan Island North. “Many of the rides are very unique and were built only for this waterpark. There is also a private beach here, as well, so all visitors will have the privilege to use and swim at the beach; this is not possible in other waterparks,” el-Cherkawi said, adding that 2,000 people are working to finish the amenities and other attractions on the island. He said a loop train runs all around the island, as well as exchange stations where people can use the shuttle train to go to the Icon Tower. People may either walk or use the train to get to their favourite destinations all around the island, he noted. “We have 45 cabanas allowing visitors to rent them for different occasions. We have four F&B restaurants – the Icon Tower, Italian restaurant, wave pool bar, and beach bar. All rides will be completed by next year. Now we have 22 complexes. We finished four of them; we finished the ride installations, and we will start testing and commissioning each ride. “At 85m high, people will not only enjoy the Icon Tower’s rides but they will also get a view of the Doha Skyline, Lusail Stadium, West Bay, Porto Arabia, Viva Bahriya, and Lusail City from the tower. The waterpark, which is 60% complete, will be able to accommodate 6,500 visitors every day,” he added.

Qatar has poured “$2.77bn” worth of foreign direct investments (FDI) into California, the second-largest Qatari FDI recipient after Texas, according to the US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC). Citing data from the US Census Bureau, USQBC managing director Mohamed Barakat said California exported “$316.2mn” worth of goods to Qatar in 2019. During the same year, California’s imports from Qatar stood at “$28mn.” The value of Qatari donations to California amounted to “$5mn,” said Barakat. Speaking at a virtual discussion hosted by the USQBC, the Commercial Attaché Office in the US for the State of Qatar, and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Barakat said the major exports from California to Qatar are aircraft, spacecraft and parts, nuclear reactors, boilers and machinery, and electric machinery and equipment. The major merchandise California imports from Qatar include aluminum and articles, inorganic chemicals and rare-earth metals, and plastics, Barakat pointed out during the virtual discussion. On US-Qatar trade, the total value of goods imported from Qatar stood at “$1.7bn” in 2019, while the total value of goods exported to Qatar in the same year amounted to “$6.5bn,” said Barakat, citing data from the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR). Major US exports to Qatar include transportation equipment, defence technologies, and electronics, while the major imports from Qatar include petroleum products, chemicals, and primary metal manufacturing (aluminium), Barakat said. He said US investment opportunities in Qatar belong to diverse sectors, such as ICT and services, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, education, and tourism. The top Qatari FDI sectors in the US are communications, energy, real estate, and financial services. “California has an incredibly diverse economy, with Hollywood, Silicon Valley, manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture all making significant contributions. California contributes to 13% of total agricultural cash receipts in the US. “Large trade shows and conferences, such as Dreamforce and Oracle OpenWorld take place in California, which is home to the largest innovation network in the country, with 16 innovation hubs (iHubs),” said Barakat. Barakat said California, which had a “$3.1tn” GDP in 2019, is the “first largest economy” in the US, and the “fifth-largest economy in the world.” With 17 foreign trade zones in California, the Los Angeles County has the most foreign-owned enterprises, he said, adding that California has the largest investment received by a US state in 2019 at “$22.7bn.” He said select Californian companies doing business with Qatar include multinational energy corporation, Chevron, which has had one of the longest standing presence in Qatar through Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (CPChem). Among other companies, Barakat said EatJust secured “$200mn” in a 2020 funding round led by Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), joined by private investment firm Charlesbank Capital Partners and Vulcan Capital. Meanwhile, SoFi closed over “$500mn” in equity financing led by QIA, which values the company at “$4.3bn” on a pre-money basis. Califia Farms completed one of the largest private capital raisings within the natural foods sector through a “$225mn” Series D financing led by QIA in 2020, Barakat said. Through its joint venture with QIA, Douglas Emmett acquired The Glendon, a residential community in Westwood with 350 apartments and approximately 50,000sq ft of retail in 2019 for “$365mn.” They have also invested “$1.3bn” in LA Office Portfolio in 2016. Gigamon Inc is a leader in traffic visibility solutions for cybersecurity and monitoring applications. It was jointly acquired by Elliott Management (Elliott), a leading multi-strategy private investment firm, and QIA for “$1.6bn,” said Barakat.    

With over QR15bn worth of investment opportunities available at Qetaifan Island North, the ambitious project is not only expected to put Qatar on the global tourism map, but it will also enhance the tourism activity in the country, a top official of Qetaifan Projects has said. Speaking to Gulf Times during a site tour of the island Wednesday, Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, head of Business Development at Qetaifan Projects, said he is “optimistic” that the company will meet its target completion dates for the island’s four operating assets, which consists of the beach club, linear park, hotel, and water park. “We're very optimistic with reference to the progress of the construction work…moreover, other important packages consist of infrastructure, in addition to community facilities, such as the mosque; so all these seven packages are to be delivered before the World Cup. “Hopefully by Q3 2022, we will have all of these facilities ready, subject to certain authority approvals, in addition to certain testing and commissioning protocols, and then we will be more than happy to welcome all our investors, clients, and residents,” explained Sheikh Nasser. Sheikh Nasser, who was joined by Khalid al-Jassim, business development officer, and construction engineer Mustafa el-Cherkawi during the site tour, also said the island’s Icon Tower is vying for two Guinness world records – the world’s tallest water slide sitting over 85m high and a tower with the most slides. “We’re very proud of these attractions and we’re hoping this would build on the success of Qatar, in general, whether it is catering to the hospitality sector or the real estate development and tourism sectors,” he emphasised. On the island’s role in putting Qatar on the global tourism map, Sheikh Nasser said: “Though Qatar is seen as a business destination where an average visitor would stay around four days, we think that by offering these ‘second-to-none’ services, they would emphasise and also improve our tourism statistics both outbound and inbound.” “Investment opportunities from the island is over QR15bn but the construction of the whole island is going to cost the company just over QR4bn. Once fully operational, the total capacity of the island at one time is 25,000 to 30,000 visitors. “We believe the residents would be around 10,000 to 15,000, in addition to another 10,000 to 15,000 daily visitors. The water park’s capacity is around 6,000 to 6,500 at a given time,” he explained. Sheikh Nasser added: “We’ve already sold the villa plots, all 107 in two phases. We’re currently in negotiations with certain real estate development players in both the local and regional, as well as international markets for the development of community facilities and certain residential components of the island.”

The further easing of Covid-19 rules in Qatar has greatly contributed to the “vibrant momentum” being felt by stakeholders and major players in the country’s business sector, according to Qatari entrepreneur Farhan al-Sayed. “Business activities in Qatar are in high-velocity now that the government has further relaxed Covid-19 restrictions; there has been heightened enthusiasm among local businesses and I am positive that this rhythm will continue as the country gears for the hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2022,” al-Sayed pointed out. He said, “There is increased movement in the market, and many events organisers have been staging local and international exhibitions, such as Project Qatar and Build Your House 2021, as well as upcoming functions like Cityscape Qatar happening next week, and Qatar Travel Mart and Hospitality Qatar next month.” Similarly, local businesses stand to gain from the influx of tourists and other visitors to the country, said al-Sayed, adding that “this has shown a definite growth both in retail and hospitality industries locally.” In recent weeks, Qatar also witnessed “rapid economic growth,” citing “high energy prices globally,” said al-Sayed, who is also the president of the Qatar Indonesia Business Council (QIBC). He said, “The rebranding of Qatar Petroleum to ‘QatarEnergy’ will further contribute to the development of the country’s hydrocarbon sector. As world markets have opened up and the demand for oil and gas increased, energy prices have soared to new highs. This has definitely brought a burst of fresh air to GCC economies. “The Qatari government is doing a tremendous job in maintaining a steady supply of goods and commodities from all over the world during the pandemic, ably supported by Qatar Airways cargo and Hamad Port,” he said. Al-Sayed added: “His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s wisdom and leadership have steered Qatar smoothly past the pandemic stage and brought peace in the GCC with brilliant diplomacy to end the blockade peacefully, as well as strengthening ties with allies in the GCC and the Arab world. Qatar’s role as a peacemaker and its diplomacy has been applauded recently at the UN.”

Plans are in the pipeline to forge partnerships between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Qatar and Malaysia to bolster further growth of Malaysian halal brands in the Qatari market, said Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, CEO of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade). Similarly, Abdul Aziz said plans are afoot for knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices between Qatari and Malaysian SMEs, as well as visits between business delegations of both countries to explore investment opportunities related to the halal industry. “Matrade is currently in the midst of discussion with Qatar Chamber to jointly organise a webinar between top management from Matrade and the chamber to promote growing sectors in both countries,” Abdul Aziz told Gulf Times. He said the proposed collaboration is expected to enable direct access and communication between Qatari companies and Malaysian SMEs for knowledge-sharing and exchanges that will allow companies from both countries to leverage business opportunities in the areas of the halal industry, building material, furniture, and services initially through electronic platforms until restrictions for cross-border are relaxed. “We are also planning to collaborate with major hypermarkets in Qatar to expand the variety of Malaysian products, especially in halal food and beverages. This will give the opportunity for the business community in Qatar to reach our products through online and offline platforms,” he explained. During the 17th edition of the ‘Malaysia International Halal Showcase’ (Mihas 2021), the event underscored the potential of Malaysia’s SME sector in becoming “global halal champions.” Abdul Aziz said that in July Matrade co-ordinated a Trade and Investment Mission to Qatar led by Malaysia’s Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry to further strengthen trade ties between Malaysia and Qatar. “We had also arranged high-level meetings with renowned conglomerates in Qatar to pave the way for our SMEs to offer their products and services to the Qatari market,” Abdul Aziz noted. He said Matrade is “currently working closely” with top retailers and Fast-Moving Consumer Good (FMCG) buying houses in Qatar to position the entry of Malaysian halal brands into the country “in a well, orderly manner.” “Generally, we will generate a list of potential brands to the targeted Qatari companies for their shortlisting and we will then arrange an online meeting under our virtual business matching programme ‘eBizMatch’. “Through our eBizMatch programme, Matrade has organised various buyer-seller engagements aggressively via digital platforms to ensure that Malaysian companies have access to international buyers even during the travel restriction periods amid the Covid-19 pandemic,” Abdul Aziz added.

Investment opportunities are available for Qatar as India aims to develop as a gas-based economy, Indian ambassador Dr Deepak Mittal said, citing the Indian government’s “$60bn” energy infrastructure development plan. Mittal made the statement during a Doha Bank-hosted webinar on ‘Bilateral & Synergistic Opportunities between Qatar and India’. The event, which was moderated by Doha Bank CEO Dr R Seetharaman, also included former Foreign Secretary of India Ranjan Mathai; Shaliesh Haribhakti & Associates chairman Shailesh Haribhakti, and Doha Bank country manager Manish Mathur. On the continuous development of Qatar-India ties, Mittal said the growth of direct shipping lines between the two countries has brought down the cost of logistics. The ambassador also said there has been an increase in co-ordination at the government-to-government levels, citing efforts to set up commerce groups and joint business councils. “The effort is to look partnerships, such as Invest India and Invest Qatar on building investment opportunities. They have decided to set two task forces between countries, one on investment and another on energy. The success is seen through Qatar Investment Authority’s (QIA) investments in electricity, renewables, and startups. QIA is looking towards the east,” Mittal said. He added: “Qatar’s efforts to develop ports and public-private partnership, and 2022 FIFA World Cup will give opportunities for the Indian economy. Hospitality is also an area to look at because of the World Cup next year. “The Northfield project of Qatar provides trade and technology opportunities for India. Qatar has successfully won the bid to host the 2030 Asian Games. This also provides opportunities to India. India has the third-largest startup ecosystem and it provides opportunities for Qatar.” Mathai said, “Qatar can emerge as one of our critical partners through the LNG trade, complementarities in supply chains, and investments. India and Qatar are both practitioners of multi-alignment with the autonomy of decision making.” Haribhakti said India and Qatar can work on digital technology. “A digital twin needs to be imagined helping in crafting a strategy, requiring a change of mindset, ability, and willingness to invest,” he said. “Capturing the financial footprint company-wise by using Artificial Intelligence, algorithms, and machine learning, as well as building blockchain technology will help in trade automation and avoid delays. Rather than ‘Public-Private Partnerships’, it will be ‘Private-Public Partnerships’, and this will enable a tight handshake between India-Qatar,” Haribhakti said. Chandrakanth Salunkhe, founder and president of SME Chamber of India, said, “It is a right time to encourage SMEs, given targets for exports. We have to focus more on various activities. Banking has given proper support to SMEs, which have become digital-savvy. “How can we connect with Qatar and its nearby countries for SMEs? Where we can focus on manufacturing and inviting manufacturing in India? SMEs in India are becoming big; this is the right time to target the global economy. We are given a level playing field.” Seetharaman said the 2022 FIFA World Cup will provide opportunities for Indian companies in infrastructure, trade, and services. “Direct shipping lines between Qatar and India have increased to strengthen logistics for trade co-operation between countries. The Indian startup segment provides great investment opportunities for Qatar,” he added.