Doha Trade Fair 2012 Opens with Fanfare

Doha, January 01 (QNA) - Doha Trade Fair (DTF) 2012, Qatar's biggest ten-day shopping festival opened here at the Doha Exhibition Centre (DEC) on New Year day, showcasing diverse consumer products to local and regional visitors. Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice Chairman Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Tuwar Al Kuwari who inaugurated the Fair in the presence of dignitaries, officials, exhibitors and country representatives, said "The Doha Trade Fair 2012 is a key forum for the private sector, manufacturers and all stake holders since Qatar is poised for good growth prospects in 2012 as the country diversifies its economy." Al Kuwari expressed his confidence that DTF 2012 would also be successful like the previous editions of the fair and would attract thousands of visitors to the pavilions that have been set at the DEC. Organized by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) in conjunction with q.media events, the 2012 edition of one of the region's prime trade shows will run from January 1 to 10 featuring over 570 exhibition booths from 29 countries representing five continents on a 15,000sqm area. The DEC decorated to match a festival ambience welcomed visitors to pavilions displaying computers, electronic gadgets, kitchen appliances, toys, home furnishings, furniture, decorative lights, home decor, textiles, perfumes, cosmetics, apparel, fashion accessories, food, spices, sweets and other assorted goods. This year's edition is displaying items based on product classification and on the basis of country pavilions to make accessibility easier for visitors seeking specific items. The huge product gallery is supplied by Bangladesh, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, KSA, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, the UAE, the United States and Yemen. The massive inventory will come from: Bangladesh, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, KSA, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, the UAE, the United States and Yemen. QTA Chairman Ahmed Al Nuaimi said, "The Doha Trade Fair has proven to be a highly anticipated event benefitting both the tourism and business sectors in the country. It brings together a large number of participating countries from across the globe, while spreading Qatar s name as a premier business and tourism hub in the region. "This event complements QTA's domestic and regional strategy to bring exciting and interactive activities to Qatar. The involvement of q.media events in the last trade fair has helped to upscale this event, making it a much more successful and attractive trade fair. With this show, we will offer more exclusivity in products and more excitement in entertainment, ensuring all visitors have a positive experience." The DTF 2012 is being held with strategic partnerships of Seqlia, as stand contractors, Al Mutakamelah Tents, as tent contractors, and Batteel, as sponsor of the event's catering. (QNA)