DOHA: The Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari yesterday inaugurated 7th Qatar International Boat Show (QAWARIB 2020) at the Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar.
Held Under the patronage of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, QAWARIB 2020 will be held from 3am to 9am daily until November 20 following preventive and precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
H E Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari accompanied by Chairman of Al Mannai Plus Events, Khalid bin Issa Al Mannai toured the exhibition. A number of diplomats and other dignitaries attended the opening ceremony.
“More than 18 brand new boats mostly made-in-Qatar are being exhibited. The boats are showcased for sale but the main purpose is to promote the products,” said Khalid bin Issa Al Mannai, Chairman of Al Mannai Plus Events.
He said that a total of 33 companies, mostly local companies, and 158 international brands with local dealers are participating in the show.
The 7th Qatar International Boat Show marking the only marine event to take place since COVID-19 pandemic hitting the world. QAWARIB 2020 is making its way to The Pearl-Qatar with changes for a better and safer event experience.
Produced and owned by Al Mannai Plus Events, the show features the largest display of boats and new models and the latest in marine technology and accessories.
This was announced in a press conference held yesterday by Khalid bin Issa Al Mannai Chairman of Al Mannai Plus Events the sole organiser of the show in The Oyster at The Pearl-Qatar.
Al Mannai added that due to the pandemic COVID-19, world class yachts and marine accessories exhibition of Qatar was postponed from March early this year to the month of November. “As we are witnessing the severe impact of pandemic on the economy and the tourism industry of regions across the world, prestigious international boat shows around the world were also no exception, therefore, either were cancelled for this year or postponed.”
He said that in Qatar we are able to sustain in organizing the event with the valuable support of our partners, local exhibitors and the prestigious sponsors of the show.
Al Mannai paid his gratitude and thanks to the United Development Company (UDC) as strategic partner as well as The Pearl-Qatar and Ronautica Middle East as official hosts of the show, in addition to the Ministry of Interior and the Coast Guard on their cooperation and support.
He added that during this show edition, an additional entrances and exits have been added and different way of entry registration to the show for exhibitors and visitors will be implemented to make the show safe and health secure in addition to all practiced COVID-19 precautions in the country.
Hamad Issa Al Mannai, Chief Executive Officer of Al Mannai Plus Events, said that annual luxury boat show is a solo show being organised since 2013 in Qatar by Al Mannai Plus Events.
The event provides a single window to the luxury lifestyle enthusiasts of the region, it preserves 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.
He said that the visitors to the exhibition will witness highly skilled and of quality local manufactured boats along with display of other international brands of yachts and boats.Hamad Al Mannai said that this year, 32 exhibitors will be showcasing various marine related products including the highly skilled latest model luxury yachts and boats.
He thanked the sponsors of QAWARIB 2020 – Qatar International Boat Show – including the United Development Company (UDC), The Pearl-Qatar and Ronautica Middle East, in addition to Qatar Airways; Vodafone; Milaha; Qatar Free Zone Authority; Bentley Qatar and all partners of the show for this exceptional edition.He paid his thanks to his team on putting their all efforts making the event possible to organize successfully in spite of many hurdles due to the pandemic COVID-19 impact on travelling and movement.