Mr. Khaled Essa Al Mannai, Chairman Al Mannai Plus Events, the organizer of the sole luxury yacht exhibition in Qatar has said that in spite of ongoing illegal blocked of Qatar since over two years and a half, and the cancellation of some of the prestigious international boat shows in different regions across the world due to various reasons, we in Qatar by the grace of almighty god are still able to sustain and in organizing the seventh annual exhibition of the luxury yachts with consistence.
He was addressing at a press conference recently held at Hotel Intercontinental Doha The City. Present on the stage were Mr. Adel Salem (Commercial and Retail Property Director, United Development Company), Mr. Adel Al Mohannadi, (General Manager, Ronautica Middle East), Mr. Ali Al Kuwari, (Vice President, Milaha Trading), Mr. Mohamed Al Yafei, (Head of Public Sector, Vodafone Qatar), Mr. Seran Gheorghe, (General Manager, Qatar Sotheby’s International Reality), Mr. Hassan Ali Al Anwari, (Manager Gulf Times & Al Raya) as official Media Partners and Mr. Loay Dalis, (CEO, Qatar International Boat Show 2020).
Al Mannai paid his thanks to the strategic partner United Development Company (UDC), the hosts Pearl-Qatar, HDC and Ronautica Middle East for their valuable support and standing in mission to make Doha a hub in the region for the luxury yachts and other luxury products. He paid his thanks to Milaha, Vodofone Qatar and Qatar Sotheby’s International Realty for being the valuable sponsors of the sole grand luxury and highly craftsmanship products event in the region.
Al Mannai announced that the premier luxury 7th Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS) will be held from March 18-21, 2020, in Porto Arabia, award-winning marina at The Pearl-Qatar. He said that the show will connect the world’s most privileged yacht and boat manufacturers, service providers, local dealers, suppliers and potential buyers in an exclusive B2B and B2C platform to showcase the latest products and services in the marine industry and other luxury products.
He said that the sole luxury boat show of Qatar witnessed a 58% increase of participating companies in 2019 compared to 2017. Al Mannai said that the rapid growth despite the current geo-political challenges underlines economic strength and resilience under the wise leadership of His Highness the Emir of State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
He said that where the event provides a single shopping window to the luxury lifestyle enthusiasts of the region, it preserve century’s old relationship of the natives with the sea in addition to its role in positioning Qatar as a regional hub for luxury, highly skilled craftsmanship and most modern boats and marine related accessories.
Khaled Al Mannai invited regional luxury lifestyle products manufacturers and traders to take benefit of the annual Qatar International Boat Show for showcasing their products and services.
Adel Salem, Director of Commercial and Retail Property, United Development Company (UDC), said that UDC, the main developer of Pearl-Qatar and Jewan Island is honored to host world class events like as QIBS for the third year. He said that ” Golden Anchor ” award winner as the best international marina witnesses island’s strategic location, forefront in services, boats and marinas specially Porto Arabia Marin, having capacity to accommodate 891 boats and yachts of different sizes.
He lauded the organizers of QIBS for organizing successfully world class marine activity in the country and providing a platform to the marine sports lovers and the industry. He said that we witnessed previous years extraordinary sessions of QIBS and he hoped that such events will contribute towards strengthening Qatari marine sector and Qatar as hub for marine activities.
Adel Salem said that island facilitates marine sports lovers an ideal destination for water sports, safe beaches and the provision of all world-class marine facilities. He said that Pearl-Qatar Island provides a unique lifestyle including all services and luxury features that any visitor or resident wishes. He said that Pearl Qatar island has various housing options to suit different requirements of modern life with all amenities, amusement and recreation facilities.
Mr. Adel Al Muhannadi, General Manager of Ronautica Middle East, responsible for managing marine facilities on The Pearl-Qatar Island and one of the leading companies in the field of luxury yacht services said in his speech that Ronautica Middle East is delighted to be a partner in this huge event to be held at the Porto Arabia Marina, a favorite destination for yachts owners. He said that The Pearl Qatar provides a sophisticated and safe refueling system for yachts, with black water pumping facilities.
He said that Ronautica Middle East plans to expand its service base to support the growing tourism market including hosting exhibitions of heritage boats and luxury yachts, the water taxi service network, in and around the channels. He said that currently, it is using nine environmentally friendly electric boats for its water taxi service.
Mr. Ali Al-Kuwari, Vice President, Malaha Trading, Qatar Navigation Company, in his speech at the press conference, expressed the happiness being one of the sponsors of Qatar International Boat Show 2020 with the aim to enhance Qatar as a major marine center and a tourist destination in line with the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030. He said that Milaha is firm in its commitment to developing the yachts and luxury boats market in Qatar, where Navigation has demonstrated this commitment in recent years by developing a shipyard at Mesaieed Shipyard. He said that the facility provides high-quality services including specialized sheds, integrated workshops and highly skilled professionals.
Mr. Mohamed Al-Yafie, Head of Public Sector, Vodafone Qatar said that Vodafone is pleased to be the official sponsor of communications at the Qatar International Boat Show 2020. He said that Vodafone Qatar play leadership role in supporting the local community in its activities.
Mr. Seran Gheorghe, General Manager, Qatar Sotheby’s International Reality said that Qatar Sotheby’s International Realty was pleased to be gold sponsors of 2020 Qatar International Boat Show. He said that Sotheby’s look forward to showcase first time in Qatar at the event state-of-the-art high end properties – one is influenced by Andalusia and Arabian architecture life style residences at the St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, in the heart of Porto Arabia, Pearl Qatar and the other property at the St. Regis, Al Mouj Muscat, Oman.
Dr. Loay Dalis, CEO, QIBS, said that there is an increase of 100 % in the exhibition area from 6,000 sq m to 12,000 m comparing to 2019 because of the large demand and expected increase in participating exhibitors including traders from the high-end lifestyle products sector. He said that there was an increase of 58 % in the participating companies, from 35 in 2017 to 55 companies in 2019.
Dr. Loay Dalis thanked Milaha Qatar, Vodafone Qatar and Qatar Sotheby’s International Reality for their valuable sponsorship. He also thanked media partners including world’s prestigious magazines EuropenLife, Azimautio in addition to Qatar based Arabic daily Al Raya, English daily Gulf Times, Qabayan Radio 94.3 FM.
2019 Qatar International Boat show was held in March 2019. Among dignitaries, former Prime Minister of State of Qatar and then Interior Minister had visited and inspected various sections of the exhibition. The 6th edition of the boat show was inaugurated by HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Ibrahim Jassim Al Othman, President, CEO and Member of the Board of United Development Company (UDC), and Fahad Zainel, Chief Corporate Services Officer of Qatar Free Zone Authority, in addition to a number of dignitaries, diplomats, and business community members.
Qatar International Boat Show is a silver member of International Federation of Boat Show Organizers and a UFI (The Global Association of Exhibition Industry) certified event in Qatar.