Shopping

The first Souq Waqif Exhibition for Honey and Dates got underway at Souq Waqif's Al Ahmad Square Sunday afternoon, continuing until March 11.Khalid Saif al-Suwaidi, general superviser of the event, said the exhibition will be open to the public from 3.30pm to 9.30pm until Wednesday and from 3.30pm to 10pm from Thursday until Saturday.He explained that the morning hours, announced earlier, were dropped due to the rising temperature.The official stressed that the large numbers of visitors on the opening day strongly indicated the assured success and popularity of the event. He added that some countries are participating for the first time in such festivals in the country, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Algeria and Egypt.He also noted that besides being a good opportunity for marketing these products for both local and international exhibitors, the exhibition is an excellent platform for the exchange of related experiences and ideas among the stakeholders that could help them improve their production and ways of displaying and packing their products, and reach out to new markets.Al-Suwaidi said the exhibition has a testing laboratory for honey, set up in co-operation with the Ministry of Public Health, to determine the quality and purity of the honey exhibited. In addition, there will be a competition to select the best honey in two categories - local and international - and the winners will get excellent awards. Further, the exhibition has a special stall for apitherapy with specialists in the field from Oman, such as Dr Hassan Talib al-Lawati.Dr al-Liwati explained that apitherapy is a branch of alternative medicine, in which honeybee products that include honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom are used to treat several ailments as a way to support conventional medicine.He said while such treatment could be effective in some cases, patient are advised to continue to see their physicians, take the prescribed medicine and follow up on their health status through the usual medical checkups and tests.Dr al-Liwati noted that his approach has been proven effective among many patients who need a full course of treatment, and some were able to achieve good results that helped them cut down on their regular medication.The ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Qatar, Chyngyz Eshimbekov, took part in the opening of the exhibition alongside Kyrgyzstan's Minister of Economy Kojoshev Arzybek, who is currently visiting the country.Ambassador Eshimbekov said four companies from Kyrgyzstan are taking part in the exhibition. He said his country has a special type of White Mountain honey that has excellent qualities and is considered unique as the bees that produce it often feed on the nectar of the herbs that grow on the top of mountains. He also noted that the exhibition is a good opportunity to encourage co-operation between Qatari and Kyrgyz companies, as his country is open to all foreign investors and Qatari investors are welcome in all fields there.Gayth Taha, an exhibitor from Yemen, said the exhibition is excellent in all respects and enjoys a high level of organisation. He was keen to take part in it due to the good reputation enjoyed by the country and the potential of the local market.Salem al-Kindi from Oman said this is his first participation in the Qatari market and stressed that he brought with him the best Omani varieties of wild honey that have special therapeutic effects. He also sees the exhibition as a good opportunity to expand business and explore new markets, as Doha has many people from around the world living here.Saber Ahmed from Iran said he hopes the exhibition will help him introduce quality Iranian honey products to people from around the world to experience the special favours at reasonable prices.The exhibition enjoys the participation of 160 farms and companies from 25 Arab, Asian and European countries – including Oman, Tunisia, Libya, Palestine and Georgia – displaying 50 types of honey and 50 varieties of dates. Some 31 Qatari companies that import honey are taking part, in addition to 26 local producers.

Qatar Tourism (QT) has revealed the schedule of upcoming events as part of Shop Qatar, the largest shopping festival in the country. Khalifa al-Haroon, founder and CEO of community platform ‘I Love Qatar,’ is the face of this year’s shopping festival, as part of a new partnership with QT.Arab mega stars will take centre stage at Shop Qatar this year, with a performance by Haifa and Elissa on March 9 at Mondrian Doha, and one by Oumaima Taleb on March 10 at the Katara Amphitheatre.Sheikha Hessa al-Thani, head of Marketing and Planning at Qatar Tourism, said: “We are delighted to partner with I Love Qatar and its founder, Khalifa al-Haroon, to promote the variety of events and activities taking place as part of this year’s Shop Qatar. We have a packed schedule of festivities and promotions this year to ensure residents and visitors experience the ultimate shopping festival of its kind.”Sephora is set to host a series of events as part of the Shop Qatar festival. The beauty retailer will be offering Sephora Saturdays at Place Vendome, featuring masterclasses that are open to all from 7pm to 10pm. Additionally, Sephora Ladies Night will be held every Wednesday at the same time, while a special Sephora Men's Night is scheduled for March 4. Alongside this, Harvey Nichols at Doha Festival City is set to host a grand fashion show on March 14, featuring local designers' Ramadan collections of caftan and abayas.Participating in the month-long celebration of Qatar's retail industry are ten of the most popular shopping malls in the country, which include Doha Festival City, Place Vendome and Lagoona Mall.For every QR200 spent, shoppers are eligible to enter a draw for mega prizes worth over QR2mn. On March 4, 11 and 18, Qatar Tourism will be holding raffles at Lagoona Mall, Place Vendome and Doha Festival City, respectively. Starting at 8pm, each event promises to be an "exciting and fun-filled evening, with a chance for attendees to walk away with some incredible prizes", a press statement notes. These include six cash prizes worth QR10,000, three cash prizes worth QR20,000, and a grand prize of either a BMW X5 or a studio apartment at The Pearl Island.Shoppers can also look forward to spectacular roaming performances that will take place at participating malls throughout the month-long shopping festival. These acts include dazzling winter circus and heliosphere aerial performances, as well as a captivating trip to the enchanted fairy forest for young children.For more information on upcoming events, visit www.qatarcalendar.com and follow @qatarcalendar on Facebook and Instagram.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the sixth largest jewellery retailer globally, is providing customers with the best opportunity to invest in gold, through the 10% advance booking option, a statement said on Wednesday.The brand has announced this offer as part of the upcoming festive season, through which, customers can pay 10% advance for their favourite jewellery and block the gold rate until April 23.If gold rate increases at the time of purchase, customers can avail the blocked rate and if it reduces they can still draw mileage of the reduced rate. A customer intending to buy gold jewellery worth QR1,000 needs to pay QR100 to avail the advance booking offer and in turn get protected from the increasing gold rates.This offer will be valid across all Malabar Gold & Diamonds showrooms. Customers can either pay the advance directly at the outlet or online, via Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ mobile app.“Even though gold has retained its status as a safe haven investment, the constant fluctuation in prices can cause doubts amongst potential customers. With the gold rate protection offer, customers can be assured that they can reap the benefits of the fluctuating gold rates, regardless of whether it goes up or down. This is also a golden opportunity for customers looking to buy their favourite jewellery in light of the festive season that is fast approaching,” commented Shamlal Ahamed, managing director-international operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds.In addition to the 10% advance option, customers can also pay 50% and 100% of the amount as advance to get gold rate protection for 90 days and 180 days, respectively. This option will be available to customers throughout the year across all stores of Malabar Gold & Diamonds.

Building on its heritage as a motorsports brand and catering to the region’s desire for high-performance vehicles, Nissan has rolled out the 2023 model of its most powerful SUV, the Patrol Nismo, in the Middle East.Designed exclusively for customers in the Gulf region, the Patrol Nismo 2023 combines the refinement of a luxury SUV with the thrill of a sports car and is admired by automotive and driving enthusiasts across the region, a press statement noted.Launched for the first time in 2015, the Patrol Nismo reinforces the build of the Patrol V8 model and is aligned with Nissan's design philosophy of being bold, energising, human and alive. Exuding a sense of thrill and excitement, the Patrol Nismo 2023 features a carefully tuned engine by Nissan’s Takumi master craftsmen, as well as Nismo-branded side fender vents, and red accents on the interior and exterior denoting its sporting pedigree.Thierry Sabbagh, president, Nissan Saudi Arabia, Infiniti Middle East, and managing director, Nissan Middle East, said: “The 2023 Nissan Patrol Nismo builds on the success of its predecessors and continues to be the ultimate mark of performance, luxury, and respect. As a tangible symbol of our continuous innovation and thrilling driving experiences, the Patrol Nismo defies ordinary and accelerates the Patrol experience to an entirely new level.”Nassim Mourani, general manager – Automotive Group, Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Co, Qatar, said: “Offering relentless power and performance, the 2023 Nissan Patrol Nismo is a legendary vehicle created by elite engineers – the car you’ve dreamt of driving. The Nismo has proved its position as one of the most reliable vehicles, and with this special edition that is designed for the Gulf region, we are confident that it will exceed the customers’ expectations.”The distinctive design of the Patrol Nismo exudes sportiness with aerodynamic inserts and a variety of Nismo badges, heighted by the signature Nismo red line wrap around the SUV’s base. The honeycomb three-dimensional mesh emphasises the signature V-motion grille, flanked by LED headlights to create an imposing presence on the road. In the back, dark chrome inserts and wraparound taillights make a striking impression, while the LED rear fog light - inspired by Formula One - emits the same brightness as the car's brake lights in adverse conditions.The interiors of the Patrol Nismo 2023 dial up luxurious comfort while underlining Nismo's racing heritage. Premium quality seats with crafted quilting, together with a black Alcantara steering wheel and red centre stripe, allow drivers to feel the thrill while cruising the streets. Red stitching and carbon fibre inserts run along the centre console and sit fittingly in the Patrol Nismo for a sporty and dynamic feel. Made of the highest strength and resistance, it is the optimal material for the ultimate car.This striking centre console, features a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as an ergonomically designed Intelligent Driving dial. Adding to the overall experience is a 13-speaker Bose Premium Sound System with perfectly placed speakers to offer a premium audio experience for all onboard. Improved noise reduction also enables drivers to have a more luxurious experience inside the Patrol Nismo.Under the hood, the Patrol Nismo’s V8 engine is tuned by Nissan’s Takumi craftsmen, a group of five master engine builders who hand-build Nissan GT-R engines – resulting in a concentrated 428hp and peak torque of 560Nm. Bilstein-tuned suspension and shock absorbers, which come in a prominent yellow color, allow for better handling while a side duct in the front bumper, roof spoiler, and lighter 22-inch two-tone aluminum wheels refine aerodynamics to achieve zero lift force.The Nissan Patrol Nismo 2023 features the latest Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) technologies. This includes Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Smart Rear View Mirror, and High Beam Assist.The Nissan Patrol Nismo 2023 is now available at Nissan’s partner in Qatar, Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Co, at its showrooms on Salwa Road and in Al Sadd, Bin Omran and Al Khor.

The Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) is on the right path to become the biggest jewellery and watches show in the world, Alfardan Group chairman Hussain Ibrahim Alfardan has said.“That is our direction and it is within reach,” he told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the 19th DJWE Wednesday.Alfardan underscored the growing popularity of the annual luxury event, which brings together more than 500 brands from around the world at the Doha Exhibition and Conbrowsevention Centre’s 33,000 sqm area.He cited DJWE’s increasing number of participants annually, featuring the biggest names and most prominent jewellers who showcase rare and exquisite pieces. The event, he pointed out, has been attracting many of the most affluent visitors from the region and internationally.“We are here since 50 years or more, established the exhibition and we grew up with it and the number of exhibitors increases every year. We expect it will grow much bigger in the future,” he said.Renowned brands from Qatar and around the world set up large showcases at DJWE. Many have introduced new brands, limited edition collections, and exceptional showpieces.This year’s big nine at DJWE are Alfardan Jewellery, Ali Bin Ali Luxury, Al Majed Jewellery, Al Muftah Jewellery, Amiri Gems, Bulgari, Blue Salon, Fifty One East, and Louis Vuitton.The DJWE is also presenting pieces that reflect Qatar’s rich culture and heritage, especially natural pearls, which are displayed at Al Tawash, located in the heart of the Alfardan pavilion.The Alfardan Group chairman said the demand for natural pearls in Qatar and globally has remained robust despite the increasing popularity of other precious stones such as ruby, emerald, and sapphire, among others.“This (natural pearl) is a precious stone, it has value and the value remains, always there is a big demand for it, and the market is very strong now, moving to the highest value in the market,” said Alfardan, who is considered a leading expert and authority on the natural pearl not only in the Gulf but in the world.“Everybody recognise that the natural pearl will exist forever, last forever... it is natural, there is a market for it,” he noted, adding that Alfardan Jewellery is the best and biggest supplier of natural pearls in the global market.The company, he noted, has started a partnership with Tiffany & Co in the pearl jewellery business. The Tiffany & Co booth is located at the Alfardan pavilion, featuring an array of exquisite unique pieces.The annual DJWE, Alfardan said, puts a spotlight on Arab-inspired jewellery and timepieces – produced and designed by local, regional, and international brands. Their unique designs have become appealing to many, prompting designers to create more.“We are (continuously) improving the designs and adding beauty to it," he said, noting that they created a special section for such pieces.

Renowned French luxury jeweller Boucheron is showcasing some of its latest collections at the ongoing Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition 2023. Housed at the Fifty One East pavilion, the beautiful and exquisite collections are attracting large number of jewellery lovers.“Boucheron generally releases its collections two times in a year. One in January which focuses more on pieces from the archives of the brand and the other one in July to coincide with the Paris Fashion Week. We have two pieces from the January collections,” a senior official of Fifty One East told Gulf Times. “The Lavallière Diamants Necklace paved with diamonds and onyx, with black lacquer, in white gold is one of them. It is a necklace in the tradition of the multi-wear which is three pieces in one. It costs QR4.5mn. The other one is History of Style, New Maharajahs High Jewellery collection which is also in the same price range,” he added.The History of Style, New Maharajahs High Jewellery collection pays homage to the largest special order in the history of Place Vendôme, which was commissioned to the brand in 1928 by the Maharajah of Patiala. In addition, the French Maison is also showcasing pieces from its 2021 History of Style, Art Déco High Jewellery collection which takes inspiration from the brand's Art Deco archives and celebrates the spirit and radical simplicity of a time when style was all about attitude.Boucheron has also unveiled its latest novelties from the Serpent Bohème Solarité collection including bold, statement pieces such as huge sun-like hoops, asymmetric earrings that unfold behind the ear, and a spectacular necklace with 360-degree motifs.Launched from the Boucheron workshops in 1968, the serpent bohème collection has transcended the ages and has made its mark as one of the maison’s iconic pieces. its emblematic codes, the diamond-studded droplet, and its honeycomb latticework or embossed gold, are testament to the high jewellery skills of the Boucheron artisans. The new collection sees a whole new chapter written in the history of this iconic range of jewellery, reinterpreting the serpent bohème codes, with a new identity, Solarité.Created by Frederic Boucheron in 1858, Boucheron is built through four generations of direct descendants. There are currently more than 84 Boucheron boutiques across the world.

World class luxury watchmaker, Rolex is presenting some of its iconic timepieces at the ongoing Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) 2023 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.At Fifty One East Pavilion, Rolex offers a wide assortment of Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches to suit any wrist, including some of the latest creations that were exhibited during Watches & Wonders - Geneva 2022. “Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition and Watches & Wonders – Geneva are the only exhibitions where Rolex showcases its collections. We are really lucky to have them here in Doha. There is huge demand for most models of Rolex and from day one we see huge rush of Rolex lovers at our pavilion,” an official from Fifty One East said.Rolex is presenting three new versions of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 with striking floral-motif dials. Calling to mind wild summer meadows, the design comprises 24 flowers that stand out distinctly from one another thanks to their finishes – either sunray, matt or grained. Each of the flowers is lit from within by a diamond set into the centre.The new versions of the Datejust 31 are equipped with calibre 2236, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, enabling them to display the hours, minutes, seconds and date. Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.Rolex has also released the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 in 950 platinum – easily recognisable thanks to its ice-blue dial – with a fluted bezel for the first time. A cornerstone of Rolex’s aesthetic heritage, this striking component, which is found only on some Classic models in the Oyster Perpetual collection and until now has only been made in 18 carat gold, now exists in the most prestigious metal available.The Rolex collection of prestigious, high-precision timepieces shines the light of optimism and innovation on the watchmaking world. In its perpetual quest for excellence, Rolex constantly enhances the aesthetics and technologies of its emblematic timepieces. They are an invitation to push boundaries, to reach ever higher. With, as always, the same promise of outstanding quality thanks to the company’s complete, in-house mastery of watchmaking expertise.

Fifty One East is showcasing a vast collection of luxury products from several world class brands at the ongoing 19th edition of Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition (DJWE) at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre.The Fifty One East pavilion includes many of the latest novelties and iconic creations from some of the most renowned and sought after brands such as Rolex, CHANEL, Boucheron and TUDOR among others. The pavilion also includes other trendy names such as Azza Fahmy, David Yurman, Falamank by Tarfa Itani, Genesia, J by JOELLE, L’Âme – a brand by Fifty One East, Piero Milano, The Little Frog, WOLF and Yvan Tufenkjian, that are presenting their latest collections in a multi-brand area. The visitors are welcomed with prominent services and expertise in an exquisite pavilion that showcases unrivalled collections of jewellery and watches.Bader al-Darwish, chairman and managing director of Fifty One East, said: "It gives us great pleasure to return to the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition for its 19th edition. As longstanding supporters of the DJWE, we have proudly watched this event grow from strength to strength, asserting its status as a regional exhibition leader and shining a powerful light on Qatar’s importance as a destination for appreciators of fine jewellery and watches. The trust we have built with the DJWE extends to the exceptional brands we represent, with some, such as Rolex, selecting it as the exclusive event, besides Watches & Wonders - Geneva, to display their creations.”"We are sincerely pleased to welcome our dear clients to our pavilion this year where they will be able to explore the latest novelties from the finest international brands, including pieces that are being revealed for the very first time in the world, coupled with our signature hospitality and excellent after-sales service. This year’s edition is particularly exciting coming so soon after a momentous time in our history as a nation when Qatar was given the opportunity to showcase its beauty and capabilities with a global audience during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022," he added.Rolex offers a wide assortment of Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches to suit any wrist, including some of the latest creations that were exhibited during Watches & Wonders - Geneva 2022 among its other eternal exquisite pieces.Meanwhile, Maison Boucheron presents a fine selection from its 2022 History of Style, New Maharajahs High Jewellery collection as well as its 2021 History of Style, Art Déco High Jewellery collection.CHANEL has redesigned its wing with an expanded concept that takes its guests on an imaginary journey starting from a window of its unique location - 18 Place Vendôme - and unveiling a panoramic vision of exceptional high jewellery pieces, signature collections and unique timepieces. The highlight of the brand during the exhibition is the “COLLECTION N°5”, which is the first High Jewellery collection fully dedicated to this emblematic number (5), created on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of N°5 perfume.As for TUDOR, the Swiss watchmaker displays its latest models from Watches and Wonders - Geneva 2022 alongside other models released in Summer 2022 including the new Ranger, a tool watch celebrating the spirit of a daring adventure that took place 70 years ago.Other highlights which are to be discovered by visitors of the pavilion include ‘Wonders of Nature Reimagined’, the latest collection from Azza Fahmy that presents a selection of one-off pieces, adorned with vibrant stones that bring every piece to life.American brand, David Yurman also returns with splendid collections that fuse fashion, art, and jewellery into signature design concepts, including its iconic collection, Cable, which features individual strands of metal twisted into a helix with end caps embellished with colored gemstones.Fifty One East is also introducing J by JOELLE for the first time. The exceptional brand offers luxury ear styling and piercing sessions, as well as a variety of jewellery earpieces that are all gold-based and primarily made of diamonds. Also, the British brand, WOLF, known for luxury jewellry accessories, watch boxes, cases and watch winders, will have a new display concept, highlighting its star products on pillars within the pavilion’s multi-brand area.

The 19th edition of the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition is set to shine a spotlight on Qatari designers, who will be showcasing an array of unique and Arab-inspired creations from February 20 to 25 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.A platform highlighting Qatar Tourism’s commitment to nurture local and creative talent, the Qatari Designers initiative is to feature their latest and exclusive collections.Established in 2017, the segment has provided some of Qatar’s most recognised contemporary jewellery and watch brands a springboard to elevate their businessesGhand Jewellery (Jawaher & Hissa Mohamed al-Mannai), among other Qatari designers, has confirmed its participation in the annual exhibition, which will bring together more than 500 jewellery and watch brands from around the world.“Beside our signature collections and the popular designs, we continued to expand on the jewellery by designing AlDana collection that has sophisticated details. Additionally, we invite our client and exhibition visitors to discover our new designs of luxury cuff links for men. Elegant and practical, crafted from elegant materials, these are the perfect accessory,” a Ghand Jewellery spokesperson told Gulf Times.Hairaat Jewellery founder Nada al-Sulaiti is one of the successful jewellery designers in Qatar who participated in the initiative as she established her own brand and takes part in DJWE every year.Al-Sulaiti exhibited a commissioned piece – the Sakura Necklace – in 2015, winning two global awards: ‘Merit Award in International Jewellery Design Excellence' (Hong Kong in 2017) and ‘Golden Award from A Design’.The DJWE provides an opportunity for Qatari jewellery designers to showcase their creativity and promote their work alongside renowned luxury brands, including this year’s big nine: Alfardan Jewellery, Ali Bin Ali Luxury, Al Majed Jewellery, Al Muftah Jewellery, Amiri Gems, Bulgari, Blue Salon, Fifty One East and Louis Vuitton.The latest edition of DJWE will feature several activations, giving visitors “an imagined luxury boutique environment as soon as they set foot through the door”.“Central to the activation will be the addition of the DJWE studio, a purpose-built studio on-site where numerous interviews with renowned jewellery and watch experts will take place. With content shared on YouTube, global audiences will be able to tap into the striking conversations and ideas being shared right here in Doha,” an organiser said.

LuLu Group, in co-operation with Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), the commercial division of the Australian embassy, launched Sunday ‘Australia Week’, which will be celebrated in all LuLu hypermarkets across the region.Australian ambassador Jonathan Muir and his wife inaugurated the event held inside LuLu’s hypermarket at Giardino Mall, The Pearl Island, in the presence of Dr Mohamed Althaf, director of LuLu Group International.The event was also graced by other special guests, including ICC Qatar secretary-general Remy Rowhani, BLJ Worldwide CEO Justin Kerr-Stevens, and Austrade Business Development manager - Qatar Diana Monis, among others.Speaking at the event, Muir emphasised that Australian food and beverage products have gained “an impeccable reputation” around the world for superior quality, great value and innovative production methods.He stressed that Australian produce is renowned for its diversity, freshness and excellence, with beef, lamb, seafood, truffles, olives and cheeses consistently ranking among the world’s best.“Our products are also tailored to meet the specific needs of international markets, with many Australian companies specialising in organic and halal products, as well as those with reduced sugar, salt and fat, preservative-free, gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free,” Muir said.He also lauded LuLu’s “sustained efforts” to promote Australian food and non-food products locally and beyond the Qatari market through its extensive network of hypermarket chains.“You can find these products in the world’s most prestigious restaurants, in the cabins of Qatar Airways, on the shelves of the finest retailers, including, of course, your local LuLu. These unique food offerings have also become a major draw for visitors to Australia and research shows that travellers rate it as one of the top two countries in the world for food experiences.“With Australia hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer, I am thrilled to announce that residents of Qatar are among the largest purchasers of tickets for the event. I encourage all of you to visit Australia this summer for an unforgettable experience, where you can not only enjoy exciting football but partake of some of the world’s best food,” Muir added.On the sidelines of the event, Dr Althaf told the media that Australian products “have been increasing significantly” at all LuLu outlets over the last four years “due to growing local demand”.“We had started importing different food and non-food items from Australia. Now, we have almost all ranges of Australian products, which have become an integral part of LuLu’s offerings,” he explained.According to Dr Althaf, LuLu Group is working closely with Austrade to expand its footprint in Australia. “We will be able to start shipping a wide range of products from Australia to Qatar soon. LuLu will buy products in Australia and export them to Qatar.“This will go through all necessary processes like halal certification, traceability and quality testing to bring the best products from Australia. We believe this initiative will play a proactive role in ensuring food security in Qatar. Historically, GCC markets depended very heavily on Australia for perishable and protein-rich foods, as well as other products.”According to Dr Althaf, Australia has a long history of producing high-quality halal products, especially for the Middle East and GCC countries. “LuLu is going to benefit from this initiative and we are looking forward to meeting with government officials to start import operations officially from Australia,” Dr Althaf said.‘Australia Week’, which has been organised by LuLu Group in Qatar since 2018, will run until February 11 and is showcasing major product lines that are directly imported from Australia.These include fresh meat, organic foods, muesli bars, plant-based milk, sauces, cake mix, honey, groceries, and fresh fruits and vegetables, among others. Recent reports say there has been a considerable increase in Australia’s exports of livestock, fresh food, processed food products and vegetables to Qatar.During the inaugural ceremony, students from King’s College Doha delivered live musical performances. Chef Ali’s live cooking sessions were also organised during the festival, while special counters were set up to allow customers to sample different kinds of food from Australia.

A number of novelty pieces and collections such as Louis Vuitton’s 'Fantasy necklace' will be showcased for the first time at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE), set from February 20 to 25 at the Doha Exhibition and Conference Centre (DECC)."Louis Vuitton's 2.56-carat Monogram flower-cut diamond represents the kind of bold design that is the hallmark of DJWE,” Qatar Tourism chairman and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar al-Baker told a press conference Sunday.Large number of international visitors expectedWith 96 countries granted visa on arrival in Qatar, Qatar Tourism (QT) is looking forward to welcoming a large number of international visitors at DJWE 2023, which will run in the midst of QT’s ‘Feel Winter in Qatar’ seasonal campaign.“Returning to the DECC this year, visitors can marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship of over 500 globally admired jewellery and watch brands during the event. Many of Qatar’s leading jewellery brands will be revealing their latest collections, providing guests with plenty of reasons to visit,” he explained.Under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, DJWE’s 19th edition will bring together the most prominent local and international jewellers, including Alfardan Jewellery, Ali Bin Ali Luxury, Al Majed Jewellery, Al Muftah Jewellery, Amiri Gems, Bulgari, Blue Salon, Fifty One East and Louis Vuitton in a 33,000sqm venue.Exhibitors will be showcasing new brands, limited-edition collections, and exceptional luxury pieces, including the debut of regional giant Damas Jewellery and the reveal of its unique Alif collection.New to this year’s exhibition is an exciting partnership with internationally-renowned Qatari composer, Dana Alfardan, who created the campaign’s musical score, al-Baker said.He announced that DJWE this year will also feature a ‘designing with purpose’, which features a special partnership between Education Above All (EAA) and Valentino. A limited-edition collection of Valentino accessories that carries the EAA logo is to be unveiled.Parts of the proceeds from the sales will be given to EAA’s education project, benefitting a large number of children worldwide, according to EAA.“As the official airline partner of DJWE, Qatar Airways is pleased to bring onboard two of Qatar Duty Free’s most iconic cafés, where visitors can savour the delicious food and beverages available at Harrod’s Tea Rooms and Venchi,” al-Baker said.Qatar Airways is the official airline partner and QNB the official sponsor of the latest edition of DJWE. Phillips, a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st-century art and design, will also be present at this year’s exhibition, al-Baker added. Phillips, in association with Bacs & Russo holds the world record for the most successful watch auctions.DJWE will again put a spotlight on Qatar Tourism’s Qatari Designers initiative, a long-running platform highlighting its ongoing commitment to support local creative talent. Established in 2017, the programme provided some of Qatar’s most recognised contemporary jewellery and watch brands with a platform to help elevate their developing businesses.Visitors will also see the return of the stunning Turkish and Indian pavilions, featuring different brands and bespoke designs that celebrate the unique heritage and culture of the two countries.Described as the only business-to-consumer event of its kind in the region, al-Baker said this year’s DJWE is expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors from different parts of the globe.In a press statement, QNB’s Group chief business officer Yousef Mahmoud al-Neama said: “QNB Group is proud of its participation as the official sponsor to the 19th edition of the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, which has become a banner for luxury and elegance in Qatar and the region.“Sponsoring this event is an annual tradition that the Bank maintains and that demonstrates our commitment to support national events and implement the Qatar National Vision 2030 which aims to diversify the local economy.“In addition, our participation provides an important opportunity to position the QNB brand among the world’s finest and can encourage the local brands which are taking up a greater role in the exhibition. We hope that the exhibition will continue its success as an annual event that is highly anticipated by jewellery and luxury watch enthusiasts in the region.”An impressive array of extremely rare and exquisite pearls from the Hussain Alfardan Gallery, a personal collection of natural pearls and part of Alfardan Jewellery, was also presented at the press conference.The latest designs by the uniquely Qatari concept, Papillon Jewellery, which was launched in 2011 by Noora al-Ansari, were also displayed at the event.IDT Gemological Laboratories’ presence at DJWE – a new partnership under Al Darwish Jewellery – will give customers the opportunity to have their jewellery examined and certified by an internationally certified institute.

Culinary delights and cultural values, among other highlights, are taking the spotlight during this year’s edition of the ‘Taste of Sri Lanka’ festival, which was inaugurated Saturday at LuLu Hypermarket, Ain Khaled branch.The annual event has been organised by LuLu Group in co-operation with the embassy of Sri Lankan in Qatar to mark the country’s 75th Independence Day. Sri Lankan ambassador Mohamed Mafaz Mohideen led the ribbon-cutting ceremony in the presence of Dr Mohamed Althaf, director of LuLu Group International.Other VIPs and dignitaries present during the opening rites included Naser Mohamed J al-Marri, chairman of Doha International Consulting (DIC); Ishan Final, CEO & GM of DIC; Charith Jayasena, COO, Al Harib Security Systems; Kumudu Fonseka, chairman, Board of Trustees, Stafford Sri Lankan School Doha; and Kashayapa Ukwatte, minister counsellor at the Sri Lankan embassy.LuLu Group is celebrating ‘Taste of Sri Lanka’ to promote the South Asian nation’s unique culinary heritage, diverse culture and values, and colonial influences, which were handed down for generations.The festival, which is being held at all LuLu stores across Qatar until February 10, showcases the best-quality Sri Lankan ethnic products, a wide range of grocery items, and other agricultural and organic produce.The celebrations will also promote traditional Sri Lankan dances performed by students from Stafford Sri Lankan School and Dinu Dance Academy, along with other cultural programmes, thereby creating an ambiance that is reminiscent of the country’s rich culture and tradition.Aside from culture, heritage and cuisine, the festival is also highlighting the longstanding Qatar-Sri Lanka business ties and Sri Lanka’s top export-quality products targeting both Qatari citizens and expatriate communities.On the sidelines of the festival, Mohideen emphasised that the festival is offering a wide range of authentic Sri Lankan products, including organic and superfoods imported by LuLu Group.“I am grateful to LuLu Group for all the support it is extending in promoting Sri Lankan products not only in Qatar but also across the GCC. They are one of our strongest supporters,” Mohideen pointed out.

Are you looking for the perfect accessory to complement your professional wardrobe? Look no further than the French luxury heritage Masion, the answer to your style needs. Faure le Page offers a range of quality leather goods and accessories that are perfect for work attire. From stylish handbags to wallets, Faure le Page pieces can add sophistication and elegance to any look.Each piece is made with traditional Parisian craftsmanship, and features luxurious leather materials, modern design, and thoughtful details. With Faure le Page, you can look the part without sacrificing functionality or style. This edit consists of leather goods from the brand that highlights its iconic pattern print, including its Quiver Saga bag, Ladies First Saga Pochette, 6CC Wallet Etendard Saga, 4CC Card Holder Etendard, and the best-selling Daily Battle 19 bag. These products feature the Ecailles scale motif as the house signature. This motif – at once armor and ornament, evoking dragons and mermaids – confers power and allure to its wearers.The artisan screen-prints the Ecailles scale pattern onto the weave of the canvas in steps, using different stencils. This demanding technique is intricate and requires the hand of a virtuoso. This method enables Fauré Le Page to pair superlatively strong canvas with the embellishment reserved for the finest of fabrics.

Huawei Consumer Business Group announced today the release of its newest entry-level tablet. The HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch, a versatile tablet designed for household use, and offers a treasure trove of new home entertainment capabilities. The new-generation HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch is everything consumers have come to expect from a tablet, giving users the freedom to watch and browse with ease. Notably, the HUAWEI MatePad SE comes with a wealth of new online learning, e-book reading, and news browsing features, to meet the needs of the whole family.The HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch comes equipped with a spacious 10.4-inch 2K Eye Comfort HUAWEI FullView Display, which has passed the TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light and Flicker-free certifications for proven eye fatigue relief. The 83% screen-to-body ratio provides for immersive viewing, and the airy-light 440 g body, features a robust middle frame ensuring durable usage. The tablet body has passed a series of stringent extrusion tests, and is more than equipped to handle the occasional mishaps encountered in daily life, such as accidental drops. New smart capabilities make the MatePad SE a Super Device that benefits every member of the family.The HUAWEI MatePad SE is available in Qatar at a price of QR639 from Huawei’s online platforms, and Huawei Experience Stores in Doha Festival City and Place VendômeVast, Eye-Soothing ViewThe tablet's 10.4-inch 2K HUAWEI FullView Display comes with an 83% screen-to-body ratio, 2K resolution, and 225 pixel density, providing a clear and vivid view at just a glance. 4096-level brightness adjustment changes in real time to account for the ambient lighting conditions and keep the eyes refreshed at every moment. HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch has passed TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light and Flicker-free certifications, demonstrating proven eye fatigue relief.Powerful 6nm Octa-core ProcessorThe HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch is equipped with a 6 nm Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset, four Cortex A73 2.4 GHz (indicating highest frequency) performance cores, and four Cortex A53 1.9 GHz efficiency cores. The energy efficiency ratio (EER) is further improved, and multiple kernel-oriented optimizations have been applied to ensure a smooth experience. The tablet features low power consumption and continuous output performance, delivering unparalleled entertainment and audio-visual performance. In addition, the HUAWEI MatePad SE comes with a 4GB RAM as well as 128GB internal storage for smooth processing.Surround Sound tuned by Huawei Histen 8.0The HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch packs two speakers into its slim body, which generate sound from both the left and right, to provide for a wholly immersive listening experience. Histen 8.0 features auto-adaptable, context-based audio effects and fine-tuning, which account for frequency range and volume level, and support crystal clear voice enhancements.HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch enhances voices, to make film dialogue, short videos, online courses, and video calls a sheer joy. A unique centre-channel human voice extraction algorithm makes voices stand out. Better yet, HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch uses the bottom-layer algorithm to identify app types and automatically adjust the speaker sound effects, keeping the sound pristine without the need to lift a finger.With smart scene recognition, the HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch provides optimization solutions for users' varying sound effect requirements in different scenes. For example, users tend to expect immersive stereo sound and resonant bass effects while watching movies, listen to folk music with a keen ear for vocals, and wish to stay alerted to every subtle change during gameplay.Super Device FeaturesThe HUAWEI MatePad SE comes with Super Device features that allow you to manage your devices and connections from a single place and even share devices between accounts, making cross-device operations easier than ever. HUAWEI MatePad SE lets you connect to a pair of FreeBuds or HUAWEI Vision devices simply by dragging the corresponding icons. For example, dragging and dropping is all it takes to switch the tablet audio to a pair of FreeBuds, or a film to the living room HUAWEI Vision.The tablet offers a seamless user experience with its stackable Service Widgets of the same size, and combos of Service Widgets and shortcuts of different sizes, for easier access to your favourite content and features. The all-new Multi-Window feature turns the tablet into a standout multi-tasking tool by supporting up to four concurrent tasks. The new and improved App Multiplier feature allows you to open up to four ongoing tasks within a single app.Kids CareKids need tablets to help understand the world and learn new things, but, at the same time, children may lack the self-control to limit their screen time. Kids Corner is designed to be used by children at home, providing time control, multiple eye protection, and education & fun balance, such as drawing board, recording, and photographing. In addition, multiple Kids Corner theme interfaces are designed, working with multiple eye protection and time control interfaces, to reassure parents that their kids will be safe and have fun while using the tablet.Additionally, Parents can manage the usage time, apps, and content on Kids Corner, allowing them to set multiple designated time limit intervals throughout the day. For example, parents can set it so that their children can use the tablet for a maximum of 20 minutes after school between 5 PM and 6 PM, or after dinner between 7 PM and 9 PM. They can also apply different settings for the weekday versus the weekend, so that the tablet brings the perfect balance between study and play to meet different needs. In app management, parents can select apps that children can access, and videos and pictures that children can see in content management.Stylish, Minimalist LookThe Huawei MatePad SE 10.4-inch is made of aluminium alloy, which is applied with an anodised sandblasting process, to produce a breath-taking metallic gloss. The tablet is designed with an eye towards the future, and as an ode to classic symmetrical aesthetics, making it the perfect addition to any home. As a tablet intended for the home, the HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch weighs just 440 g and is comfortable to grip. Its durable body has been tried and tested to withstand drops and extrusion, so that minor mishaps and drops will not crack the screen or deform the body, making the device particularly suitable for kids.The Huawei MatePad SE 10.4-inch features a brand-new, high-performance antenna design for improved signal capture capability. Compared with other same-level tablets, the HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch features better network connection even when the signal is weak or multiple devices are on the network.

Huawei has announced the availability of the new entry-level tablet, the HUAWEI MatePad SE at a price of QR639 from Huawei’s online platforms, and Huawei Experience Stores in Doha Festival City and Place Vendôme. The smart family entertainer tablet features a stunning 10.4-inch Eye-Comfort 2K HUAWEI FullView Display, Powerful 6nm Octa-core Processor, Immersive Sound, Super Device and Kids Care features, in addition to light and reliable build.Presented in a simple yet sophisticated look, the HUAWEI MatePad SE boasts a 10.4-inch Eye-Comfort 2K HUAWEI FullView Display, with an 84% screen-to-body ratio, allowing consumers to fully immerse in the experience with no distractions. The HUAWEI MatePad SE’s screen has passed TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light and Flicker-free certifications, demonstrating proven eye fatigue relief. In terms of performance consumers will be delighted to know that the latest tablet from Huawei comes equipped with a 6 nm Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset In addition to a 4GB RAM as well as 128GB internal storage for smooth processing.Huawei’s entry-level tablet also packs two speakers into its slim body, which generate sound from both the left and right, to provide an immersive listening experience. Additionally, Histen 8.0 features auto-adaptable, context-based audio effects and fine-tuning, which account for frequency range and volume level, and support crystal clear voice enhancements. Consumers will also be intrigued by the smart scene recognition feature, which provides optimization solutions for users' varying sound effect requirements in different scenes.The HUAWEI MatePad SE comes with Super Device features that allow you to manage your devices and connections from a single place and even share devices between accounts, making cross-device operations easier than ever. HUAWEI MatePad SE lets you connect to a pair of FreeBuds or HUAWEI Vision devices simply by dragging the corresponding icons. For example, dragging and dropping is all it takes to switch the tablet audio to a pair of FreeBuds, or a film to the living room HUAWEI Vision.The tablet offers a seamless user experience with its stackable Service Widgets of the same size, and combos of Service Widgets and shortcuts of different sizes, for easier access to your favourite content and features. The all-new Multi-Window feature turns the tablet into a standout multi-tasking tool by supporting up to four concurrent tasks. The new and improved App Multiplier feature allows you to open up to four ongoing tasks within a single app.Children can make use of tablets to help understand the world and learn new things, but, at the same time, children may lack the self-control to limit their screen time. Kids Corner is designed to be used by children at home, providing time control, multiple eye protection, and education & fun balance, such as drawing board, recording, and photographing. In addition, parents can manage the usage time, apps, and content on Kids Corner, allowing them to set multiple designated time limit intervals throughout the day.Lastly, as for the design, the HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch is made of aluminium alloy, which is applied with an anodised sandblasting process, to produce a breath-taking metallic gloss. The tablet is designed with an eye towards the future, and as an ode to classic symmetrical aesthetics, making it the perfect addition to any home. As a tablet intended for the home, the HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch weighs just 440 g and is comfortable to grip. Its durable body has been tried and tested to withstand drops and extrusion, so that minor mishaps and drops will not crack the screen or deform the body, making the device particularly suitable for kids.

Splash, one of the leading fashion retailers in the Middle East, has opened the doors to its latest store in Qatar. The new retail destination at Abu Sidra Mall offers an extensive range of clothing and accessories for men and women. Featuring prominent collections such as Basics, Smart, Young and DNM, along with apparel from brands like Lee Cooper and Kappa -- the store is "poised to become the one-stop shop for the fashion-forward in the region", a press statement notes."Strategically located in the heart of Al Rayyan, the store covets the attention of fashion enthusiasts with its award-winning, avant-garde designs that champion sustainability and responsible buying," the statement adds. Raza Beig, CEO of Splash, said: “Our growing presence in Qatar is a testament to the trust placed on us by our loyal customer base. We thank them for supporting our journey thus far and hope for their continued support and acceptance. At Splash, our goal is to create world-class fashion without losing our regional sensibilities. Our commitment to ushering positive changes and breaking new grounds in sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready fashion has only grown stronger over the years.”Splash currently operates nine stores in Qatar, including three standalone stores.

Wireless earbuds are everywhere, right? Walk down the street, and the chances of you spotting someone sporting a pair are quite high. The market has rapidly and exponentially grown such that it is now flooded with many options at various price points. The good news is you can now find a great pair of TWS earbuds to fit every budget. The main points to take into consideration when looking to buy a new pair of earbuds are sound quality, battery life and charging speed, in addition to nifty noise cancelling technology. Moreover, if you could also get one with a stylish design and cool intuitive features at a pocket-friendly price point, then you have truly hit the jackpot!Enter the HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i. Huawei’s all-new Hi-Res Certificated TWS with Long Battery Life and Best ANC. The latest addition to the HUAWEI FreeBuds series comes with high resolution sound, 28h of Music Playback, 42dB Multi-Mode ANC, a compact and comfortable design with dual-device connectivity and IP54 Water Resistance. More importantly, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i is compatible with different operating systems, including devices running on Android and iOS.Read on to find out why we have chosen it as the best 2023 Hi-Res certificated TWS earphones in Qatar.High Resolution SoundThe most important factor to look for in wireless earphones is the quality of sound they offer. The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i supports LDAC™ HD audio codec, and it is Hi-Res certified. Hi-Res Audio Wireless is officially defined as the capability to reproduce the full range of sound from recordings that have been mastered from CD quality music sources and is widely accepted and recognised among audio enthusiasts. Moreover, the earbuds come equipped with a 10 mm high-sensitivity dynamic driver unit and customised polymer composite diaphragm. The dual adaptive EQ optimisation algorithm in the HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i can detect both ear canal structure and wearing status and optimises the audio at all frequency ranges to account for such factors, ensuring a consistent listening experience. The 10mm high-sensitivity dynamic driver unit works in tandem with the HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i to deliver powerful dynamic and amplitude resulting in surging bass, evocative vocals, and pristine detail at high frequencies, which are all attributes ideal for pop music.28 Hours of Music PlaybackBattery life is a top priority when looking to buy new TWS earbuds. HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i provides an impressive 28 hours of battery life with the charging case, and the earbuds themselves can support 7.5 hours of continuous audio playback. They are well equipped to serve as your anytime listening companion, taking you through your travels, conferences, online courses, and other important life experiences. The earbuds also support fast charging, under which a quick 15-minute boost in the charging case supports an incredible 4 hours of listening, catching up with your need while you take a cup of coffee or have breakfast.Multi-Mode Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i adopts hybrid noise cancellation technology, equipped with two MICs inside and outside the ear, to detect environment noise outside, as well as extra noise in the ear canal, and accurately produce reverse noise cancellation sound waves, generating 42 dB of maximum noise cancelling depth. The earphones also integrate a hearing optimisation algorithm based on wearing detection, which identifies the listener’s wearing status, and provides optimal sound effect parameters, thereby ensuring a better listening experience. Moreover, consumers will be able to choose between Ultra, General, and Cosy noise cancellation modes, to adapt the effects to their environment, whether it is a busy airport, subway station, restaurant, office, or quiet home.Compact and ComfortableThe lighter the earphones, the more comfortable they are. The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i has been crafted into a sleek and elegant shape, which is designed to fit the human ears just like a hand-in-glove. A single FreeBuds 5i weighs just 4.9 g, making it lighter than many commonly used coins. The body of the HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i is just 29 mm long. Compared to the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4i, the sound openings have been shortened by 1mm, and the relative height has been reduced by one-third, making the earphones more adaptable to each listener’s ear canal, thereby allowing for a more comfortable, snugger fit.Dual Device Connection/Compatible with iOS & Android Having a pair of earbuds that can seamlessly switch between devices and connect to different operating systems is definitely a plus. The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i can connect to two devices running different operating systems (Compatible with EMUI/Android/iOS/Windows) and automatically switch between the devices without missing a beat, bringing users a smooth and smart audio connection experience.IP54 Water ResistanceLastly, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i comes with IP54 water resistance, making it capable of meeting most listeners’ needs in daily life, from accidental splashes of water to rain. All you will need to do is wipe the earphones and leave them to dry. You can enjoy music carefree during outdoor workouts without worrying about dust and water splashes.The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i incorporates exclusive technologies and audio aesthetics. With standout sound quality, formidable battery life, noise cancellation performance, and seamless interactions, the earphones are uniquely versatile in daily life, and that is why we have chosen it as our best 2023 Hi-Res certificated TWS earphones at QR 329 in Qatar.

Huawei recently announced its all-new Hi-Res Certificated TWS with long battery life and outstanding ANC, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i. The latest iteration to the HUAWEI FreeBuds series offers users high-resolution sound with 28h of Music Playback and 42dB Multi-Mode ANC. This is also topped off with a compact and comfortable design with dual-device connectivity and IP54 Water Resistance. More importantly, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i is compatible with different operating systems, including devices running on Android and iOS. Consumers can now get the HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i for a price of QR329 from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers.The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i supports LDAC™ HD audio codec, and it is Hi-Res certified. Hi-Res Audio Wireless is officially defined as the capability to reproduce the full range of sound of recordings mastered from CD quality music sources, and it is widely accepted and recognised among audio enthusiasts. Moreover, the earbuds come equipped with a 10 mm high-sensitivity dynamic driver unit and customised polymer composite diaphragm. HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i comes equipped with a dual adaptive EQ optimisation algorithm that detects both ear canal structure and wearing status and optimises the audio at all frequency ranges to account for such factors, ensuring a consistent listening experience.Huawei’s newest earbuds provide EQ effects, which will allow consumers to choose the audio effects freely, such as by selecting Bass boost or Treble boost mode, so that each song can be tailored to users’ unique tastes, just like customising to get the most desirable listening experience that meets each individual’s taste.The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i provides a formidable 28 hours of battery life (with the charging case) and fast charging capabilities to sustain a staggering 7.5 hours of continuous audio playback, which can soar to 28 hours when used with the charging case. With a quick 15-minute boost in the charging case, users get an incredible 4 hours of listening power, catching up with their needs in a short period of time.HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i adopts hybrid noise cancellation technology. Equipped with two MICs inside and outside the ear to detect environment noise outside, as well as extra noise in the ear canal, and accurately produce reverse noise cancellation sound waves, generating 42 dB of maximum noise cancelling depth. The earbuds also integrate a hearing optimisation algorithm based on wearing detection, which identifies the listener’s wearing status, and provides optimal sound effect parameters, thereby ensuring a better listening experience. Consumers will be able to choose between Ultra, General, and Cosy noise cancellation modes, to adapt the effects to their environment, whether it is a busy airport, subway station, restaurant, office, or quiet home.The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i has been crafted into a sleek and elegant shape that is designed to fit the human ears just like hand-in-glove.Lighter pairs of earphones have been well received by consumers. A single FreeBuds 5i weighs just 4.9g[1], making it lighter than many commonly used coins. The body of the HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i is just 29 mm long. Compared to the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4i, the sound openings have been shortened by 1mm, and the relative height has been reduced by one-third, making the earphones more adaptable to each listener’s ear canal, thereby allowing for a snugger fit.The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i can connect to two devices running different operating systems (Compatible with EMUI/Android/iOS/Windows) and automatically switch between the devices without missing a beat, bringing users a smooth and smart audio connection experience.Lastly, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i comes with IP54 water resistance, making it more than equipped to meet most listeners’ needs in daily life, from accidental splashes to rain.[1] The product weighs 4.9±0.2 g. Actual product size and weight may vary depending on the configuration and manufacturing process.

As 2022 comes to a close, we have already witnessed flagship launches from all the major smartphone brands. So, now it is time for the mandatory end-of-year contest between the smartphone giants, where we get to find out the one and only true winner. And for this year’s battle, we have 3 candidates — iPhone 14 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, and none other than HUAWEI Mate50 Pro. Let’s compare the features of these flagships one by one and see how and where HUAWEI Mate50 Pro wins.DesignHuawei really pushes the boundaries of smartphone aesthetics and clearlty wins with HUAWEI Mate50 Pro. The phone combines the iconic symmetrical Space Ring design with an elegant touch of Clous de Paris step-patterned embossing, which creates an intricate yet subtle texture. The Clous de Paris pattern is a time-honoured embossing process that originated in France. Originally this took the form of handcrafted ornamentations on luxurious wristwatches, jewellery, and other accessories. With its intricate pyramid-shaped ornamentations, the Clous de Paris pattern is a tribute to elegance, perseverance, and classic design. And Huawei has brought this elegance to its latest premium flagship smartphone.From the back, it’s hard to tell the iPhone 14 Pro apart from last year’s iPhone 13 Pro. Well, except for the slightly larger camera module of the newer model. But on the front of the iPhone 14 Pro, the notch is replaced by the new pill-shaped cutout that houses the front facing camera and Face ID. Along with this new design, you also get the Dynamic Island interface, which is basically a new way to view and interact with notifications. Just like the pill-shaped cutout, Dynamic Island is only available in the Pro models of the iPhone 14 Series.The Galaxy S22 Ultra is different from the rest of the Galaxy S22 Series in many ways. Most importantly, the Galaxy S22 Ultra marks the merging of the Galaxy Note Series and the Galaxy S Series. Another stark departure from any Galaxy S series phones before it, the Galaxy S22 Ultra comes with a built-in S Pen that the Note Series was known for. This shift is also visible in the aesthetics of the phone with curved sides and a gently curved display in contrast to Galaxy S22 and S22+, both of which follow the same design as the Galaxy S21 Series with only minor refinements.Incorporating Clous de Paris in the design of HUAWEI Mate50 Pro illustrates its approach to aesthetics. Moreover the symmetrical design of HUAWEI Mate50 Pro looks better.CamerasThe Ultra Aperture XMAGE Camera system on the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro is here to redefine smartphone photography. Its optical system features a 10-size adjustable physical aperture that uses six aperture blades. This gives you more granular control over the depth of field while shooting in Professional mode. In Auto mode, the smart aperture adjusts the aperture size based on the shooting conditions. With a large F1.4 aperture and the power of XD Fusion Pro, the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro gives you unmatched low-light capability. On top of that, the Night mode enables you to capture photos with highly distinct bright and dark regions, even in dim environments. The Portrait mode feature adds a pleasing natural background blur to allow the subject to stand out from their surroundings. On the other hand, if you want some one-of-a-kind wildlife shots or impressive close-ups of intricate architectures, the periscope telephoto camera with up to a whopping 200x zoom range has you covered.This year, the iPhone 14 Pro main camera comes with a 48MP sensor instead of the 12MP sensor that has been the standard for iPhones for the past six years. That being said, the images snapped by the main camera are still 12MP by default, although it lets you take 48MP ProRAW images if you fancy more flexibility during editing. The ultrawide and telephoto cameras continue to use 12MP sensors. And you might find the 3 times optical zoom of the telephoto camera helpful when taking portraits.Galaxy S22 Ultra comes with a 108MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide, a 10MP 3X telephoto, and another 10MP 10X telephoto. While this is not much different from last year’s Ultra model, Samsung has made some improvements to its image processing system. The new night mode, which Samsung calls Nightography, promises improved low-light performance.The Ultra Aperture XMAGE camera takes smartphone photography to new heights. Moreover, HUAWEI Mate50 Pro doesn’t fail to impress with its low light capability, vibrant colours and dynamic range.Battery, charging speed and performanceHUAWEI Mate50 Pro packs a 4700 mAh battery and supports 66W wired and 50W wireless fast charging to strike an optimal balance between battery life, fast charging, and portability. While the battery is large enough to sustain heavy usage, the innovative low-battery Emergency Mode gets activated when the battery level falls to 1% to extend the battery life further. In the low-battery Emergency Mode, the phone can support 3-hour standby or 12 minutes of calling. The phone also comes with a handy feature called SuperStorage that can automatically detect duplicated files on the phone and offer you the option to compress them in the HUAWEI Optimiser app.Apple doesn’t advertise the battery capacity of iPhones. Regardless, iPhone 14 Pro supports 20W wired and 15W wireless charging through MagSafe. The 20W wired charging will be able to fill up 50% of the battery in 30 minutes.Galaxy S22 Ultra packs in a 5000mAh battery and supports 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.The interesting thing here is that the wireless charging on HUAWEI Mate50 Pro is faster than even the wired charging speeds of iPhone 14 Pro or Galaxy S22 Ultra. Huawei’s 66W wired and 50W wireless fast charging, when combined with a large 4700mAh battery, means that battery should be the least of your concerns.

Haute Parfumerie Henry Jacques has revealed that its collection of Les Brumes fragrances is now complete, with its entire range of 50 Les Classiques fragrances on offer in the unique “Splash & Spray” version."Reinventing heritage, Les Brumes offer a lighter expression of the traditional Essences at the very heart of the maison, bridging the spirit of high perfumery and modern-day living," a press statement noted.All 50 Les Brumes are presented in "stunning crystalline glass flacons topped with an innovative and highly technical spray, an in-house creation that dispenses a delicate, airy yet highly intense cloud of fragrance”.“Thanks to interchangeable tops, one can personalise their experience according to their mood – two rituals in one highly contemporary showcase: an enveloping mist of a Spray, or a gentle Splash on the skin,” the statement said.A playful entry into the world of Haute Parfumerie, Les Brumes are a perfect gift for the upcoming festive season, for those with a passion for fragrance and an appreciation for savoir-faire.Like the more traditional Essences, Les Brumes allow wearers to build their own perfume wardrobe, to compose their own signature, or imprint – in a more light-hearted way.Les Brumes offer a glimpse into the Henry Jacques’ Art-de-Vivre, a treasure trove of endless choices and a bountiful journey: the most precious and exclusive ingredients, rare and perfect – from the intricate Les Exceptions masterpieces, the innovative Clic-Clac solid perfumes, and the pinnacle of Haute Parfumerie, Les Sur-Mesures, or Bespoke.The 50 Les Brumes are now available at Henry Jacques boutiques in the Middle East: Galeries Lafayette Doha, the Dubai Mall Fashion Avenue extension, and the Galleria Mall – Abu Dhabi.