Qatar residents are in for a shopping treat as the Doha Trade Fair, which is showcasing an array of exclusive traditional merchandise from within and outside the region, opened yesterday at the Doha Exhibition Centre.

More than 200,000 visitors are expected at the 10-day fair, the second this year, being organised by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) under the patronage of the Qatar Chamber (QC) chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani.

The fair with the theme “We Attract the World for You” was declared open by QC vice chairman Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Tawar al-Kuwari in the presence of QTA Tourism Director Abdulla al-Bader and QTA Local Exhibition head Lahdan al-Mohannadi.

The shopping fest features around 550 exhibitors from 31 countries including from the Gulf, as well as other Arab and Asian countries.

On offer at the exhibition, which concludes on July 10, are a rich mix of products ranging from clothes to shoes and bags, abayas and jalabias, jewelleries, earthenware, ceramics and porcelain, interior decoration, lights, children’s wears, handbags, duvet and bed sheets, gold-plated dinning and kitchen sets, household items, toys, gadgets and electronics, perfumes, Oud and cosmetics as well as food.

Abayas and jalabias, which are the signature dresses for women of the region costs between QR1,500-3,000 depending on the type of fabrics and designs.

Some of the jewelleries including rings, bracelets, bangles and necklace sets cost from QR400 to as high as QR5,000.

Also available are hand-made costume jewelleries priced from QR50 to QR1,000.
Prices of perfumes, Ouds and other cosmetics start from QR100.

There are also carpets from many master weavers from Turkey and Iran offering different kinds of handmade carpets from either silk or wool or a mixture of both.
Masterpieces of art works by Iranian painter from Asgari Paintry are also on offer for sale from QR500 up to QR3,000.

New additions to this year’s event include the availability of some 50 ushers, who will help shoppers carry their purchases free of cost; on-demand limousine services; and simple banking services to facilitate purchases by credit cards.

Medical experts and security forces are also present to ensure safety and security.

Some of the participating countries include Bangladesh, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Syria, Bahrain, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirate, the US, Germany and Yemen.

Side attractions at the exhibition include daily live performances by entertainers such as dancers, acrobats and jugglers, clowns as well as stilt-walkers.

A dedicated ‘entertainment tent’ including kids play area, will stage live shows and musical performances in addition to traditional Qatari gourmet being offered by two prominent restaurants.

The timing of the exhibition being organised in collaboration with Maraya Public Relations is from 11am-10pm daily and on Friday from 2pm-10pm. Entry is free.