Qatar Today March 2017 by Oryx Group of Magazines

inside this issue March 2017 / Vol. 43 / Issue 3

COVER STORY

34 TAKING THE TOUGH ROUTE TO THE TOP

Gulf countries have undoubtedly made significant strides forward in recent years when it comes to increasing the participation of women in tertiary education and the workforce. But still, numerous reports show that the number of women advancing to senior executive and board levels within organisations in the GCC remains low. As a matter of fact, in some sectors, they are nearly invisible.

18 LAFFAN REFINERY 2 COMES ONLINE

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani inaugurated Laffan Refinery 2 at a special ceremony held at the Qatar National Convention Centre attended by senior ministers and officials, project shareholders, and leading industry executives.

24 LIVING, BREATHING AND LOVING IT

“When you love what you do, you live it and then encourage others to love it as much as you do,” says Edmond Moutran, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Memac Ogilvy & Mather, about the big love in his life, the advertising industry, one that he has helped nurture in the Middle East and North Africa.

66 A NIGHT OF HUMOUR

The Doha Comedy Festival, held at the Qatar National Convention Centre as part of Shop Qatar’s entertainment experience, ended on a high note with three of the most gifted comedians that Qatar has seen to date.

inside this issue March 2017 / Vol. 43 / Issue 3

DOHA JEWELLERY AND WATCHES EXHIBITION

50 OLD WORLD LUXURY

As is the tradition every year, the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition put on a splendid show of opulence, with international and local brands putting on display their most luxurious and decadent pieces of diamond, gold and precious stones.

30 MAJOR WORKS DRIVE GROWTH

The Qatari government has increased its budget allocation for major works this year, with many of the projects being undertaken in preparation for Expo 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup well under way.

44 HOW TO APPLY FOR AN INTERNAL JOB OPENING

In the case of a new challenging post opening at your company, applying for it is a viable option. But, it should be done right. It is as hard as landing a great job in a new company, if not harder.

46 NATURE, HEALTH AND THE NEW GENERATION

Sasol Qatar, which is involved in CSR activities in all the above-mentioned themes, is one of the companies whose CSR activities tick all the right boxes to delivering the right social message.

60 BLENDING LUXURY WITH SPORTINESS

Luca Delfino, Sales Director of Maserati Middle East, India & Africa FZE, talks about the all-new Quattroporte which was launched recently in Qatar.

68 RAIN OR SHINE

Despite rainy weather, Doha residents turned up in great numbers to participate in various National Sports Day events around the city.

and regulars 12

NEWS BITES

BANK NOTES

REALTY CHECK

OIL & GAS REVIEW

TECH TALK

AUTO NEWS

MARKET WATCH

DOHA DIARY

PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF YOUSUF BIN JASSIM AL DARWISH MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO JASSIM BIN YOUSUF AL DARWISH MANAGER DR FAISAL FOUAD EDITORIAL CHIEF EDITOR IZDIHAR IBRAHIM SENIOR CORRESPONDENTS AYSWARYA MURTHY UDAYAN NAG KARIM EMAM CORRESPONDENTS AARTHI MOHAN KEERTANA KODURU

ART SENIOR ART DIRECTOR MANSOUR ELSHEIKH DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR HANAN ABU SAIAM ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR AYUSH INDRAJITH SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER MAHESHWAR REDDY PHOTOGRAPHER ROB F ALTAMIRANO MARKETING & SALES MANAGER SAKALA A DEBRASS TEAM SONY VELLATT DENZITA SEQUIERA MATHEWS CHERIAN NISHAD N P EVENTS OFFICER GHAZALA MOHAMMED ACCOUNTANT PRATAP CHANDRAN DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT ESLAM ELMAHALAWY BIKRAM SHRESTHA ARJUN TIMILSINA BHIMAL RAI BASANTA POKHREL PRADEEP BHUSAL

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from the desk Change, even when it’s for the worse, is good. Change is just inertia in action, an accumulation of residual forces. It is as unavoidable as it is necessary. Even as our team here in Qatar Today is in the throes of change, we have an opportunity to talk about another kind of change, this time the good sort, that is transpiring across our societies and economies. It’s the kind of slow but steady change whose causes and effects span decades; it’s the kind of change that needs an occasional giant push to move it along; it’s the kind of change that is transformational for our civilization as a whole. This time in our cover story we talk about leveling the playing field for women in our workplaces. This is a decades-old debate and it’s been such a tough uphill battle. Reversing centuries-old patriarchy is bound to be. But nowhere are the results better measured than in the business world and changes here have the power to spill over into our social lives as well. Though the GCC is a challenging environment to effect this kind of change, the efforts are visible everywhere. Even as we are going to press, we received news that GE has announced its strategic goal of achieving 50:50 representation of women for all its technical entry-level programmes in the region, especially in engineering, manufacturing, information technology and product management roles. This kind of high-level initiative trickles down into far-reaching consequences. It fuels more debate and action that emphasise how the empowerment of women is crucial if the region is to reach its full economic potential, and is at the heart of sustainable development. It’s commendable but we still have a long way to go, as we note in the story.

GE intends to fill 20,000 STEM roles globally with women by 2020

Before empowerment came along, diamonds used to be a girl’s best friend and they still continue to come a close second. That probably explains our wall-to-wall coverage of the venerable Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, the region’s biggest, blingiest and most extravagant luxury show. While the halls may have been quieter this year and there may have been more window shopping than previous editions, the quality of the event has continued to increase steadily, with new exciting activities this year that drew more crowds and engaged the public more effectively. We are excited to bring you the highlights. Apart from this, our March issue also carries an insightful interview with a veteran of the regional advertising industry, news about the official inauguration of the Laffan Refinery 2, and some tips on how to apply for an internal job opening. As always, we hope you find this edition entertaining and informative. Happy reading!

affairs > local

GROWING TIES This handout photo taken and released by Turkey’s Presidential Press Service shows HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani welcoming Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the latter’s two-day state visit. The Turkish president was in Qatar during a Gulf tour ahead of Syria peace talks but also to cement the steadily strengthening relationship between the two countries over the past few months. AFP / KAYHAN OZER / TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE

QATAR SIGNS RADAR DEAL Defence contractor Raytheon has been awarded a $1.06 billion contract for an early-warning radar system in Qatar.

T Image for representational purposes only 14 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

he radar system will be integrated into the Qatar integrated air and missile defence enterprise and the work, which will be performed at Woburn, Massachusetts, is expected to be completed by June 2021. The system is capable of detecting “sea-launched or intercontinental ballistic missiles” at a range of up to 3,000 miles (4,828 km) and is capable of tracking them in real time, US Defense documents show. Raytheon won several contracts in recent years with Qatar to provide missile defence capabilities, including a $2.4 billion contract in 2014 to supply a Patriot Air and Missile Defense System.

Fuel prices continue rising Fuel prices in Qatar increased in March for the fifth straight month. Starting March 1, the cost of 91-octane, premium grade fuel was

QRI.60

/litre, up five dirhams from current prices. The cost of 95-octane super gasoline also went up by five dirhams to

QRI.70

/litre. And diesel saw a 5-dirham increase to

QRI.55

/litre.

DOMESTIC WORKERS LABOUR LAW REVIVED Officials have revived legislation that would provide legal protection to domestic workers like nannies, maids, drivers and cooks by creating a common contract.

TESTING THE WATERS Qatar’s Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and US Secretary of State Rex W Tillerson take their seats for a meeting at the State Department in Washington, DC. AFP / Brendan Smialowski

QATAR-BACKED FILM WINS AN OSCAR

urrently, these workers are not required to sign contracts with their employers and they cannot file complaints against them with the Ministry of Labor. The Cabinet approved new legislation to change that, according to Qatar News Agency. It said the bill would define the rights and duties of house help and “regulate the relationship” between these employees and their sponsors. Qatar has been discussing a draft law for several years but it had stalled at least twice before for various reasons.

AL THUMAMA STADIUM CONTRACT AWARDED

The Supreme Committee of Delivery & Legacy has awarded the main construction contract for one of its final tournament stadiums.

The Salesman, a film funded in part by Doha Film Institute (DFI), won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

he DFI described the win as a “historic moment,” adding that it is the first time in 48 years that a film co-financed by an Arab country had won the award. It’s also the first time ever that a Qatar-financed film has won the coveted prize. However, this isn’t the first time that a project co-financed by DFI has made the shortlist. Last year, two films also partly funded by the institute – Theeb and Mustang – made it to the nominations list. The director, Iranian national Asghar Farhadi, boycotted the ceremony in protest of the immigration ban imposed in early Februrary on seven countries including Iran.

The Al Thumama Stadium will be built by a joint venture between Qatar’s AlJaber Engineer and Turkey’s Tekfen Construction. Earlier, the design commission was awarded to Arab Engineering Bureau, a Qatari architectural firm. The venue will be located between E-Ring and F-Ring Roads, or between the Medical Commission and the under-construction Kahramaa Awareness Park. It is expected to host matches upto the quarter-final stage, and will seat some 40,000 people. Like several other Qatar stadiums, it will be dismantled to accommodate half that many people after 2022. So far, Qatar has chosen a diverse range of firms to build the stadiums, including from India, China, Italy and Cyprus. 15 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

affairs > local

A WORTHY WIN

QA’S AL MAHA PLANS SCRAPPED?

fter years of delays, Qatar Airways has given up on plans to launch its Al Maha airline in Saudi Arabia. In an interview, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said that he was “disappointed that we were not able to launch that airline”, in what was the first public confirmation that the project has been dropped. Five years ago, Qatar Airways and GCC rival Gulf Air were awarded the right to operate new airlines within Saudi Arabia. The goal was to help meet rising domestic demand there. But while SaudiGulf – Gulf Air’s offshoot– was granted a licence to operate in the kingdom last summer, no licence for Al Maha was ever awarded, a local news website reported.

QATAR CHARITY TURNS FOCUS INWARDS Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar Charity launched its ZHAAB initiative which will provide support to communities and families in need inside Qatar.

uring a press conference, to announce the initiative, Yusuf bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, CEO of Qatar Charity, said that although an existing number of humanitarian initiatives and charity programmes already provide aid and support to many segments of society here and abroad, there has always been an urgent need for a national initiative which caters to

16 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

providing aid and assistance to members of the local communities in particular. “We seek comprehensive long-term solutions to the challenges they face in order to ensure a sustainable and comprehensive development of society as a whole, with a focus on human rights while promoting a culture of community service through cooperation with various state entities,” said Talal Al Kuwari, Executive Director of the initiative. In an effort to ensure the success of this initiative, carefully set criteria have been put in place to evaluate the applications requesting support, as well as provide the necessary and appropriate assistance to those families and individuals. ZHAAB is accepting donations through the Zokhor campaign under the name Zokhor, which has been established through Qatari banks to facilitate the donation process and make it more convenient to the donor.

Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic poses for a picture with the winner’s trophy after beating Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki during their final tennis match in the WTA Qatar Total Open. AFP / KARIM JAAFAR

FIFA MEETS IN DOHA

FIFA has held its regular Executive Football Summit, one of the key initiatives introduced as part of the FIFA reforms, in Doha. The series of summits will bring together member association presidents and general secretaries to discuss strategic matters and provide a platform for discussion, debate and an exchange of know-how. The two-day event chaired by FIFA President Gianni Infantino focused on “FIFA 2.0 - The Vision for the Future” strategy, the “Forward” programme, and development of children and youth football. AFP / KARIM JAAFAR

business > bank notes LOOMING DEADLINE QCB sets April 1 deadline for banks across the country to obey new FX limits. The central bank says the rule will “limit the risks of foreign currency open positions”.

QNB EXPANDS FURTHER IN SE ASIA

LOANS TO REAL ESTATE SECTOR ON THE RISE Qatar Central Bank’s (QCB) loans to the real estate sector jumped by 7.65% (QR9 billion) to reach QR130 billion in 2016, according to data issued by the bank. The surge comes despite the bank’s strict lending rules. The existing guidelines state that the loan facility to the real estate sector should not exceed 65% of the total cost of the project, and the bank must make sure that the entire credit is being used for project implementation.

TOTAL LOANS

QR839

billion from QR748 billion

PUBLIC SECTOR

aving achieved its ambitions in the Middle East and Africa three years ahead of schedule, Qatar National Bank (QNB) is now setting its sights on Singapore. The bank is also boosting its presence in India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar. “Our previous target, to become a Middle East and Africa icon by 2017, was achieved in 2014, so we have upscaled our aspirations to become a Middle East, southeast Asia and Africa bank,” said QNB’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Kuwari. “The business environment in southeast Asia is great for us.” According to Bloomberg, QNB has almost doubled its assets to $198 billion (QR720 billion) over the past five years by increasing lending in its home market and by spending about $6 billion (QR21 billion) on acquisitions.

BOUNCED CHEQUES INCREASE

QR293

billion from QR238 billion

GENERAL TRADE SECTOR

QR59

billion to QR64 billion

SERVICES SECTOR

QR65

billion to QR71 billion

Cases related to bounced cheques are on the rise in the country, according to Hawas Menawer Al Shammari, co-founder of Al Shammari and Al Hajri Law Firm.

ata released by the Supreme Judiciary Council revealed that the Misdemeanour Court heard 86 cases related to bounced cheques on one particular day in February. QCB has instructed banks operating in the country to enhance measures to address the issue of returned cheques, giving companies and individuals the chance to rectify their financial status.

Al Shammari said that most of the cases related to cheques are related to their misuse. He added that the only way to reduce the number of disputes related to cheques is to use them in accordance with the provisions of the law and restore their natural status and value. They should be used as an order to a bank to pay a specific amount of money to the payee, not as a tool of guarantee. 17 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

business > realty check FURTHER CUTS

“Supply of housing units has surpassed the demand. Owners of buildings will have to reduce the rents by 20-30%.” – Khalifa Al Maslamani, real estate expert

QATAR HOLDINGS' HOUSING INITIATIVE IN INDIA

Qatar Holding has committed to invest $250 million in Arthveda Fund Management Pvt. Ltd's new Affordable Housing Fund, the company announced in February.

BRACE FOR LIQUIDITY ISSUES According to developer SAK Holding Group, the country’s real estate sector is feeling the pinch of restrictive liquidity conditions.

ccording to the group’s latest report published in February, “The real estate market entered 2017 affected by the repercussions of last year’s performance. This can be seen in a set of signs and indicators, the most evident of which is the growing trend to reduce the liquidity directed to the real estate sector, raising lending interest rates, and banks’ strictness in financing the real estate sector.” The report further added, “The

complexity of guarantees required for getting real estate financing is resulting in developers avoiding large-sized projects, and searching for quick steady returns by trading in-built residential and commercial properties suitable for investment.” The real estate market in Qatar is reconsidering its position owing to the limited adjustment of prices in different regions, correction of prices of empty plots and land being put up for rent by owners.

rthveda's fund, backed by Qatar Holding, is an alternative investment fund which will invest in low and mid-income housing projects in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Nagpur, Lucknow and Jaipur. Arthveda Fund Management CEO, Bikram Sen, described the move as the first significant foreign inward investment into India's affordable housing segment after the recent Union Budget. "We have been marketing the fund for the last 18 months or so and it has come through at a time when the government has announced its affordable housing sector plans. It also helps that the government has relaxed FDI norms, making it easier for us to invest now," said Sen.

EZDAN HOLDING EXPANDS INTO ETHIOPIA In order to further discuss its first multipurpose project in Ethiopia, Ezdan Holding Group chairman Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani met Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe in the country’s capital Addis Ababa. Boshe welcomed Sheikh Dr Khalid and the high-level Qatari delegation accompanying him and hailed the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. He also instructed his officials “to immediately coordinate with members of the Qatari delegation in order to put the project into operation as early as possible.” The mayor of Addis Ababa Diriba Kuma made a detailed presentation about the project and highlighted the importance of its site as a key commercial hub in a central location in Addis Ababa. Kuma also accompanied Sheikh Dr Khalid and the delegation on a field trip to the project site. 18 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

business > oil&gas

TOTAL RESUMES OPERATIONS IN IRAN The French energy giant is going ahead with operations in Iran’s South Pars Gas Field megaproject.

“

he project is not jeopardized. Total respects international laws. If there is a change in the deal that was signed, we will be obliged to obey, but as of today, we are moving ahead,” CEO Patrick Pouyanné told reporters. The preliminary agreement worth $4.8 billion was sealed in November last year and will involve the development of Phase 11 of the South Pars. Total is heading the consortium that includes China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and Petropars, a subsidiary of the National Iranian Oil Company. Based on the agreement, production is expected to begin 40 months after the start of operations. Phase 11 is deemed as one of the least developed of the South Pars field that is shared between Iran and Qatar.

PAKISTAN EXPLORES ITS OPTIONS Pakistan is poised to start oil and gas imports from Central Asian states with the signing of an agreement with energy-rich Azerbaijan, in a move that will lessen the country’s excessive reliance on Middle-Eastern countries. This even as Qatar Petroleum, Total, Mitsubishi, ExxonMobil, and Hoegh have announced their commitment to advance a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import project in Pakistan in collaboration with Global Energy Infrastructure Limited. The consortium will seek to develop a project that includes a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) with a minimum regasfication capacity of 750 MMcfgd by 2018, a jetty and a pipeline to shore to provide a timely and reliable natural gas supply to Pakistan.

MAN OF THE HOUR HE Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada has been awarded the title of “International Oil Diplomacy Man of the Year 2016”. The selection comes in appreciation and recognition of the pivotal role that he played through 2016 in securing the Vienna Agreements to cut global oil supply. The award is also in recognition of the critical role that Qatar has played in leading producing countries from around the world to find common purpose in cooperation and partnership.

MENA PETROPROJECTS ARE A GO MEED Insight’s Mena Oil & Gas Report 2017 says that about

$294

billion of oil, gas and petrochemicals projects are at the pre-execution phase across the MENA region even while concerns about global oversupply continue to suppress oil prices. However, investment in the MENA hydrocarbons industries hit an eight-year low in 2016, dropping 34% to $32.4 billion in 2016.

QP SETS SIGHTS ON MOROCCO

atar Petroleum (QP) is exploring oil and gas in Morocco and Cyprus as it aims at expanding its LNG assets abroad while trimming costs at home, according to CEO Saad Al Kaabi. “You will see us going internationally with some of the partners we have in Qatar, this year and next year... We are in growth mode,” Al Kaabi told reporters at the company’s headquarters in Doha, Qatar. QP, the world’s largest LNG producer, has been pursuing deals in Cyprus, where it “won a bid for 40% of a plot for exploration” and recently “went into Morocco for exploration”. 19 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

affairs > oil & gas

LAFFAN REFINERY 2 COMES ONLINE

20 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

ituated at Qatargas’ facilities at Ras Laffan Industrial City, Laffan Refinery 2 (LR2) is an important milestone in the development of the oil and gas sector in Qatar due to its strategic role in diversifying the country’s energy mix. When the commercial operations of the facility began late last year, it more than doubled Qatar’s condensate refining capacity to 292,000 barrels per day, which is equivalent to 100 million barrels per year, making this one of the largest condensate refinery sites in the world.The condensate,

which is the byproduct of gas extraction, will be processed into five different derivatives – naphtha, jet fuel, diesel, propane and butane – for both domestic use and export. Prior to the official inauguration of the facility in the presence of HH the Emir, media representatives from Qatar and the region were given a tour of LR2 by the Chief Operating Officer of Refinery Ventures at Qatargas headquarters, Salman Ashkanani. He explained that the QR3 billion venture, which includes three separate refinery expansion projects – the Receiving and Loading Facility, the Diesel Hydrotreater facility and the LR2 itself – was completed

on time, under budget and meets the most stringent environmental standards. The facility boasts reduced emissions, zero flaring during normal operations and zero waste water discharge to the sea. LR2 includes a waste water recycling facility which treats industrial water from LR1 and LR2. The recycled water is then re-used as boiler feed water and cooling water, thereby reducing water consumption and eliminating the discharge of treated industrial water. In a grand inauguration ceremony the following day, the facility was officially brought online by HH the Emir in the presence of high-level government officials including HE Dr Mohammed Al Sada, the Minister of Energy and Industry. Saad

Sherida Al Kaabi, the President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum, and the Chairman of Qatargas Board of Directors, said during the event, “We are deeply honoured by the patronage and presence of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. This inauguration is the result of the wise leadership and directives of His Highness the Emir, and is another step on the road to a better future as mapped by Qatar Vision 2030, which was launched by His Highness. This Vision has laid the foundations to transform Qatar into an advanced country, capable of achieving sustainable development and ensuring the continuation of a dignified life for its people, generation after generation.” He said, “We, in Qatar Petroleum and

its subsidiaries and joint ventures, have been working to achieve the pillars of this Vision, and have worked to ensure the wise and prudent management of our hydrocarbon resources, the calculated and diverse investment, the development of the Qatari citizen, and the ability to implement our projects with the highest international environmental standards.” Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatargas’ Chief Executive Officer, said, “Qatargas has a distinguished track record for constructing and managing innovative facilities such as Laffan Refinery 2. This new refinery is a clear demonstration of Qatargas’ ability to manage and operate our resources safely, efficiently and reliably, and further strengthens our reputation for value creation and operational excellence. At Qatargas, we are proud of the trust bestowed upon us to enhance Qatar’s leadership position in the energy sector.” The new refinery processes condensate to produce five high-quality products which support the energy and industry sectors by providing energy sources and raw feedstock material. Every day 146,000 barrels of condensate are converted to 70,000 barrels of naphtha, 50,000 barrels of Jet-A1 fuel, 15,000 barrels of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel of Euro V specification, and 9,000 barrels of liquefied petroleum gas. Ashkanani also hinted that a pipeline is being planned to take the jet fuel directly to Hamad International Airport. Qatargas operates the refinery on behalf of LR2’s shareholders, Qatar Petroleum (84%), Total (10%), Cosmo (2%), Idemitsu (2%), Mitsui (1%) and Marubeni (1%)

21 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

development > viewpoint

ENERGY

TRENDS IN 2017

n oil & gas, 2016 was a year of continued overproduction. The resulting oil inventory overhang finally had an effect in reducing US shale production, but did little to spur demand that’s needed to bring the global market into balance. In the Middle East, a prolonged period of low oil price has impacted government spending but the move toward economic diversification and reduced reliance on oil is prompting greater investment in highpotential sectors including real estate, construction, hospitality, tourism and education. There is also a greater national focus on achieving operational efficiency across sectors - and one notable area that stands to benefit immensely from embracing digitally-enabled solutions is utilities. The utilities sector has historically under-invested in information technology, but an increasing number of utilities in the MENA region are waking up to the benefits of smart technology. In utilities and electric power, the traditional supply chain is undergoing change driven primarily by regulation, public policy, plentiful inexpensive natural gas, and dramatic cost declines in renewable energy and storage. Booz Allen Hamilton identified the following five trends that will impact the

22 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

Change continues to be the defining feature of the global energy sector in the coming year. In the oil and gas industry, as well as in electric power, major internal and external forces are driving change, requiring industry leaders to revisit strategies.

and nuclear power is now in danger of a similar decline. Across the entire energy spectrum, companies are taking steps to develop the capability to conduct deep continuous analysis of their capital projects during execution, and leaders are finding ways to put the insights they gain into management action. energy industry in 2017. 1. Focusing on capital expenditure productivity Market shifts are putting capital programme execution under major pressure in both the oil and gas and electric power industries. In oil and gas, the global “lower for longer” cycle of oil prices has executives and boards of Integrated Oil Companies, National Oil Companies, and oilfield service providers placing high scrutiny on exploration and production activities. Industry leaders are pursuing everything from technology and information innovation, to greater personnel and asset tracking in oilfield development in an effort to drive greater labor and material productivity. In the electric power industry, inexpensive natural gas has already caused a collapse in the construction of new coal plants,

2. Creating enterprise value from data Like many industries, the energy sector has seen the amount of data from its operations skyrocket as advanced instrumentation and metering has been implemented. Only the most accessible benefits from this data have been realized so far, mainly focused on identifying opportunities for cost savings through labour elimination and incremental improvements to existing processes. While analytics in the industry is nothing new, companies are only starting to scratch the surface of how data can create new value within existing businesses. For example, vertically integrated oil majors have weathered the “lower for longer” market environment in recent years better than non-integrated competitors because of their refining and petrochemical businesses. Yet most of these companies have very limited insight into the markets into which they sell their products. Data science is changing

this, creating dramatically better ability to decipher and understand trends, draw insights, and capture new opportunities. A similar change is underway in safety and reliability, where use of data is changing what engineers know about the optimal safe operating envelope for industrial processes. Organizationally, companies across the energy spectrum are growing centralized data science teams, often blending legacy employees with new, more data science-oriented hires. The hard work of building business cases for data science is just beginning. 3. Using markets to shape the future grid Public sector support of renewable energy, advanced metering, and grid modernization over the past five years - in the form of mandatory deployment standards, and direct and indirect subsidies - have been very effective at driving down the costs of these advanced energy technologies, spurring their broader deployment. As regulators and policy makers consider what comes next, they are increasingly moving from a standards-and-subsidy approach to one that is more market-driven. As a foundation for future markets, regulators are requiring a greater understanding of the value that distributed energy resources (DERs) bring to the grid, so owners of DERs can be fairly compensated. For utilities, particularly in retail markets, this means understanding how the grid works in greater detail, and being able to dynamically model how it changes over time with the further expansion of DERs. Ultimately, it also means operating markets where customers have greater choice than ever before. 4. Following security to the operational edge Across the energy sector, security has been focused primarily on protecting company and customer data on corporate systems. With the increase in instrumentation,

automation, and virtualization of operational assets - the rise of the Internet of Things - the security frontier is moving to the operational edge, and is growing in importance. We have already seen the growing threat to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) because they represent an increasingly diverse and extensively connected set of technologies. ICS are already automating power movement

BY DR WALID FAYAD, Executive Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton MENA, and DR ADHAM SLEIMAN, Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton MENA

through the electrical grid, oil flow through pipelines, and control of manufacturing systems. Unfortunately, as cyber attackers are more emboldened, they are recognizing the operational, economic, and safety impacts that attacks on ICS infrastructure can cause. As a result, companies will increase focus on security beyond their traditional lens. 5. Innovation is the tipping point for cloud

In most industries, the decision to migrate IT infrastructure from fixed, on-premises servers to cloud-enabled as-a-service models has been heavily based on cost. This was true for many corporate systems at the oil supermajors, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovation thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s driving the current wave of cloud migration in the operational business units at these companies. The rise of analytics within operational business units in order to create maximum business value is enabled by a digital strategy centered on the flexibility that the cloud provides. In the utility industry, movement to the cloud has been delayed by ambiguity over how the costs of new service models are categorized

ABOUT BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Booz Allen builds on six decades of experience partnering with public and private sector clients to solve their most difficult challenges through a combination of business strategy, digital innovation, data analytics, cybersecurity and resilience, operations, supply chain, organization and culture, engineering and life-cycle project management expertise.

23 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

affairs > arab snippets

24 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

V I O L E N T H O M EC O M I N G

A picture taken on February 18 shows the reflection of a fighter manning a gun through the mirror of heavily-armed vehicle near the frontline village of Ayn Al Hisan, on the outskirts of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, where Iraqi forces are preparing for an offensive to retake the western side of Mosul from Islamic State group fighters. AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP

25 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

affairs > listening post

26 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

LIVING, BREATHING AND LOVING IT “WHEN YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO, YOU LIVE IT AND THEN ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO LOVE IT AS MUCH AS YOU DO,” SAYS EDMOND MOUTRAN, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF MEMAC OGILVY & MATHER, ABOUT THE BIG LOVE IN HIS LIFE, THE ADVERTISING INDUSTRY, ONE THAT HE HAS HELPED NURTURE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA. BY SINDHU NAIR

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affairs > listening post

ust when you have been reinforced with a rare sense of confidence, a chance interview with Edmond Moutran, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Memac Ogilvy & Mather, who has been in the advertising industry for over 40 years, makes you reflect on the irrelevance of your decade-long contribution to publishing. Moutran, who rode the first waves of the Middle East’s advertising industry in the early ‘70s, has had a bird’s eye view of the sector. At the Four Seasons Doha lounge, as he sits rather awkwardly on a small arm chair that is not tailored to confine this giant of a persona, Moutran is not the least bit uncomfortable as he recounts some memories and innumerous insights harnessed during his career in the advertising industry. “When I arrived in Bahrain in February 1973 there was almost no media to speak about. There were two or three magazines in the whole of the Middle East, including Qatar, all of which were social in content with some informative news and very little political coverage. There were no dailies in the whole of the Gulf and only national radio and television. There were no commercial programmes. “Looking at the Qatar television scene from an advertising perspective, there was just one channel, Qatar Television, for the whole family, which used to air programmes dictated by the management. If we were lucky, and if the weather permitted, we could catch a glimpse of some programmes aired from Tehran. They had some movies and a few Western programmes which were of interest.” Moutran paints this scenario to compare with what we now have literally at our fingertips: hundreds of radio stations and so many more television channels, to cater to the choices of each family member. In the late 90's, social media as a medium multiplied the list of choices for the consumer, and the market broadened so much that it is now quite impossible to keep count of the various ways of engagement in the entertainment segment. “The consumer is spoilt for choice,” he says. “We as advertising specialists have a large medium to cater to and media planning is proving to be paramount in our industry. Who is watching what, and when, is a question we begin to ask ourselves when we start with our media planning.

"WHEN CONCORDE WAS BEING LAUNCHED, IT WAS BASED IN BAHRAIN. WE HAD MANY HEAT BEARING TRIALS TO GO THROUGH AND ALSO INITIAL TEST FLIGHTS WERE CONDUCTED HERE." “From a messaging point of view, the diversity or the creation of these messages has become revolutionary not evolutionary. The change that has happened is indescribable. Today the content that we, as professionals, create is a result of enormous research brought together by the study of the consumer, the product, company, market and the environment. It is then that the message is created.” But the core principle of messaging, according to Moutran, still remains the same, through all the changes that have flashed past. “If there is no core idea that is creative while throwing light on the benefits of the product, then your message is a waste. Messaging needs to have a purpose, it has to be memorable and effective to create an impact, and that is where professionals like us come in to make an impact through influential messaging. We create messages that are powerful and penetrate through to the people.” Has messaging got tougher due to the plethora of devices that are lined up to deliver the various messages? “It is not tough, but yes, it has become more challenging. Nothing is tough when you put your mind to it. We need to think and articulate much more. The competition is high, the economic situation is not healthy, the clients are hard to come by and hence the ROI for a client has to be absolutely impeccable. If we do not deliver, the client will make sure that we are replaced.” Reminiscing about the first ad space he published, Moutran relives nostalgic moments. “The very first ad that I published in my professional life was a Space for Rent ad. My landlord had space on the main road for rent and wanted me to insert an ad for him, a gift

HISTORY IN THE MAKING Left: Moutran in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, with a group of Arabian journalists at the Westinghouse Radar factory which built the radar used on the Awacs planes Above: Concorde on the tarmac in Bahrain in preparation for its flight to Doha in 1975

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for me for choosing his property. The very first campaign I did was for Singapore Airlines which was also my first international client, for which the material came from abroad. My biggest local client was Zayali, a Bahrain-based car dealer. “Khalid Zayali, who is now a dear friend, asked me a few questions like, 'You don’t seem to know much about advertising, and you are running an ad agency?' I said, I might not know much today, but I promise you that I will learn about it tomorrow. And Khalid said, 'I believe you.' He is still a dear friend and we have a 44-year-long association.” Moutran’s memory of his first trip to Qatar and his associations thereafter are still fresh in his mind. “I first came to Qatar in 1973 and started to work with Al Arab newspaper. I am proud to say that the first advertisement that appeared on Qatar TV was booked by me. We remained one of the biggest advertisers with them for years and years.” Sheraton Hotel’s advertising and PR were handled by Moutran’s agency for the launch of the hotel and he remembers the first GM of the property, Gerhard Fotlin, “a very tough but fair gentleman”. He remembers being involved in the launch ceremony of the first mall in Qatar, The Center, and “bringing four hostesses from Bahrain for the welcoming committee and that was done for the first time in Doha”, bringing the England's 1966 World Cup team to Qatar, and then later the same team in 1974 to play against the Qatar team.” Moutran travelled with King Abdullah of Jordan to Qatar when he was the Prince to drive in a rally against Qatari Said Hajri and Emirati Mohammed bin Sulaim. Moutran was in charge of the advertisements for Silk Cut cigarettes for the Challenge Cup – “we sponsored the Prince and got a lot of publicity because of that”. The stories of earlier associations are plenty and Moutran has a flawless memory of all things past. “When Concorde, was being launched, it was based in Bahrain. We had many heat bearing trials to go through and also initial test flights were conducted here. We even took the Emir on the Concorde on a test flight to Kuala Lumpur,” he says. First flown in 1969, Concorde entered service in 1976 and continued flying for the next 27 years. It is one of only two supersonic transports to have been operated commercially and British Airways and Air France were the only airlines who operated the Concorde. Did being in the Middle East in the early 70s put the focus on the lack of availability of talent in this part of the region? Moutran disagrees: “Talent is talent; there is nothing called global and local talent. You have amazing talent in every nationality and it applies the other way too. Talent depends on the level of education, experience and motivation people get from their leaders. I have seen in this region people who are brighter than anyone I have ever met in my life, and many of them even without much education. Their brilliance shows even in the absence of the polish that education gives and their wittiness has been proof of their talent, a reflection of the local environment in which they are bred.” Moutran feels that the eye of the local or a Gulf consumer in tweaking an ad is much superior to any other individual. He explains, “The Gulf consumer sees things in an ad that a normal consumer does not. The West has lived with advertisements their entire life, we have not. When I explained that I was in the advertising business, people asked me what that was. When they have not seen an advertisement how do they know what it is? It was more a form of boosting something which was not acknowledged as a form of business.”

He tries to explain the impact ads had in the early 70s and 80s in the region, “In 1980, when Saudi TV first accepted advertisements, the advertisement breaks in between were one of the most popular on TV because the rest of the programmes were restricted. On Kuwait TV, you would be lucky to get six slots for advertisements; getting two was normal, more than that was a luxury. This was similar for Qatar TV too.” Hence they scrutinize ads with great attention, go deep into

THE DETAILS Moutran’s business career began in 1973 when he joined Intermarkets in Bahrain. His career moved quickly and in 1976 his focus on international expansion – a hallmark of the years to come – bore fruit with the opening of Intermarkets in Saudi Arabia and UAE, then in other countries in the years to follow. Expansion coupled with Eddie’s understanding of the entire marketing mix was exemplified when he set up Burson Marsteller Intermarkets in Bahrain in 1978 and opened the doors on a new industry for the region – public relations. In 1984, he began his own agency, Middle East Marketing and Communications, which became better known by its initials: MEMAC. Today, Memac Ogilvy is one of the largest marketing services companies in the region supporting clients from every industry and sector. The portfolio includes Coca-Cola, American Express, Al Marai, Sunbulah, KC, IBM, Bupa, Volkswagen, Abu Nayyan Holding, Indomie, Huawei, Vodafone, Qatar Islamic Bank, Qatar Tourism Authority and Roche to name but a few.

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affairs > listening post it and look at it from all angles, and to get the right message it is always worthwhile to get the locals to comment on the message that the product wants to portray. “If you ask an expat to comment on a product, say, silk, he or she would say it is soft and silky while the Gulf consumer would add that it is a female product. They associate everything they see with their local tradition or even to the Quran, in which silk is classified as a female product. It is these nuances which makes it much more interesting to work with the Gulf consumer as they bring out small facts that might otherwise be missed.” But having said that, Moutran picked a new talent from the West for the agency. Paul Shearer joined the group as its Chief Creative Officer two years back, bringing 25 years of experience in advertising to his new role and he is based in Memac Ogilvy’s Dubai office. “Paul is one of the most awarded guys in the industry, his record speaks for itself and we are confident that he will drive our group forward to even higher creative levels,” says Moutran. “Hiring people like Paul is a major step for us. When you look at the way advertising is consumed and see how advertising is designed you get to know that many of the big local clients go to

“It is not happy days for people who have a business; I worry about the salaries I have to pay my staff. Luckily for us we have had good financial wisdom over the years and we are quite solid with reserves which we have put aside for days like this.” On the Trump era, he says with wisdom, “Sometimes we need a Trump in our lives to shake things up. We do not realise our blessings until we have something like this weighing down on us. Trump makes us appreciate the Bush, Clinton and Obama eras. But I do have to say that Trump is only doing what he said he would, so why are we shocked?” Moutran offers his advice on the path the publishing industry needs to take in these difficult times: “Nobody can cancel anybody. What I mean is that when television came, radio did not get cancelled. Similarly, when social media became popular, no one stopped reading magazines or newspapers." He says that it is the traditional media which is promoting social media across mediums. “The moment you stop that, their importance will die. The reason why social media is so popular is simple; it is their ability to talk to each one of you directly and hence the euphoria is much more. It gives power to everyone. It is built on

"AS LONG AS ALL MEDIA OUTLETS ARE INFORMED ABOUT THEIR READERS, KNOW WHAT THEY WANT, HAVE A PULSE ON THEIR INTERESTS, THEY HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR.”

the West to get their messages designed. Clients like Qatar Airways and Qatar Foundation are always going outside the region to get their creatives. Looking at that phenomenon, I decided it would be better to bring those people who design those ads to our agency,” he says. “So the philosophy behind me hiring people like Paul is very simple: to get these local clients and to get the attention of local and regional agencies. We win all the design awards in Cannes and our office in the MENA region is the third most creative agency in the world and now we have talent from around the world; all that we need now is to be given a chance by these local giants to show our expertise.” This preference for global agencies is more prevalent in Qatar than in any other country, remarks Moutran. On what 2017, a post oil-era and a Trump-ruled America hold for the region, Moutran first asks for a crystal ball, but later he reflects, “2016 was the toughest year for me, from all angles. It was tough economically because of low oil prices; it was tough politically, because of the problems in Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. Luckily we do not have a problem socially, but slowly, people are regressing, as we go into a modern era; globally we see an era which is more recessive than it ever has been.

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the power of human vanity.” Moutran believes that the social media onset is a phase. “People use it because it is ‘the’ in thing to do. Imagine saying to your friends that you do not have a twitter or Facebook account. It is almost a crime not to be on social media. It is like asking your friend whether he has read the latest bestseller; you have to conform to the majority...” But Moutran believes that even this phase will die off. “Everything has its own place. As long as all media outlets are informed about their readers, know what they want, have a pulse on their interests, they have nothing to fear. If you know your reader, then you are a smart publisher. So don’t just sit on the problem at hand, get out there and if you want to survive, find out what you need to do.” “If I was a publisher, I would conduct research after research to understand what the readers expect from me and keep changing as they dictate.” Moutran’s one philosophy that has always been his lucky charm: “Work, work and work,” says the man who is touching his mid-70s, known in the marketing field as the man who created many “firsts” with his special “Eddie way”. “The more I work, the better I get, and the luckier I am.”

development > viewpoint

MAJOR WORKS DRIVE GROWTH The Qatari government has increased its budget allocation for major works this year, with many of the projects being undertaken in preparation for Expo 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup well under way.

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ndeed, in the third quarter of 2016 the construction industry grew by 12.4% year-on-year (y-o-y) and contributed 1.9 percentage points to y-o-y nonhydrocarbon growth. By comparison, financial services contributed 0.9 percentage points, according to Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics data. This expansion looks set to continue this year, with the total value of contracts awarded expected to climb approximately 40% to $26.6 billion, according to the “Qatar Construction 2017” report released by Project Qatar in January. As of last month the Qatar Public Works Authority (Ashghal) was working on projects worth $200 billion. In terms of

the value of contracts currently under way, building contracts account for 49% of the total, with infrastructure and energy works representing 33% and 18%, respectively. To support the ongoing projects and the rollout of new ones, $26 billion of Qatar’s $54 billion spending plan for 2017 was allocated for major projects this year. By comparison, $24.9 billion was set aside for the same purpose in last year’s budget. Steady progress Speaking at a weekly cabinet meeting in February, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar and Minister of the Interior, said work was being carried out at “a steady pace”,

Demmler, senior programme director of the Qatar Integrated Railway Project, told local media. Comprising 32 km of lines and 35 stations, the LRT is set to come onstream by 2020. Demmler also revealed that Doha’s 163.8-km metro network was 54-59% complete, with operations on schedule to start in 2019.

with 90% of World Cup-related projects already awarded. Other significant public infrastructure projects are also nearing conclusion. For instance, all major tenders have been awarded for the $40 billion Lusail City north of Doha, with an estimated 80% of infrastructure work already finished, according to media reports. Slated for completion by 2018, Lusail City aims at accommodating more than 200,000 inhabitants in 19,000 multipurpose districts. Work is also progressing quickly on the country’s planned rail networks. As of December, the Lusail Light Rail Transit (LRT) was 44.8% finished, Markus

Supply chain improvements To deal with the increase in imports precipitated by the construction pipeline, the Qatar Primary Building Company (QPBC) – which supplies the country with the majority of its building materials through its Port of Mesaieed terminal – teamed up with Australian management and consultancy firm Aurecon last year. Efficiency strategies developed by Aurecon via simulation modelling are expected to help boost the terminal’s annual throughput capacity from 16.6 million tonnes currently to 30 million tonnes, while also helping reduce unloading times from 50 to 20 hours. The Hamad Port is also undergoing major expansion. The first phase of the project came online in early December, increasing total container handling capacity from 750,000 to two million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year. Once all phases are complete, the port will have a capacity of six million TEUs a year and comprise a general cargo terminal, multi-use terminal, offshore supply base and centralised customs area. One segment expected to profit through in the coming years is the equipment rental sub-sector, with the high cost of equipment and the entry of foreign companies to the market on a per-project basis prompting an increase in rental contracts. According to a report from market research company TechSci Research, the rental equipment market is forecast to surpass $1.9 billion by 2022, with cranes and earthmoving equipment singled out as likely to experience particularly strong demand. Upcoming tenders that might feed into this segment include the Hamad International Airport expansion project. The airport announced plans last month to increase capacity from 30 million passengers to 65 million per year by adding a new concourse to the existing terminal. The expansion will be open to international contractors; however, dates for the tenders have yet to emerge

BY OLIVER CORNOCK Managing Editor, Middle East Oxford Business Group

This Qatar economic update was produced by Oxford Business Group

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affairs > worldview

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R I G H T EO U S R AG E

Demonstrators protest President Donald Trump's executive immigration ban at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. US President Trump signed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Joshua LOTT / AFP 35 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

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TOUGH ROUTE TO THE TOP GULF COUNTRIES HAVE UNDOUBTEDLY MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES FORWARD IN RECENT YEARS WHEN IT COMES TO INCREASING THE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN TERTIARY EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE. BUT STILL, NUMEROUS REPORTS SHOW THAT THE NUMBER OF WOMEN ADVANCING TO SENIOR EXECUTIVE AND BOARD LEVELS WITHIN ORGANISATIONS IN THE GCC REMAINS LOW. AS A MATTER OF FACT, IN SOME SECTORS, THEY ARE NEARLY INVISIBLE.

BY SASA ZUZMAHOWSKY

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More than a hundred years ago, Kishida Toshiko, a writer, activist, and one of the first women to speak publicly about women’s rights in semi-feudal Japan, gave a famous speech to the crowd where she said, “If it is true that men are better than women because they are stronger, why aren’t our sumo wrestlers in the government?” Several thousand kilometres to the east, you can’t make the same argument in the GCC, where the sheikhs indeed run the government. And all businesses. Here, the gender inequalities related to employment and promotion of women are even more amplified in comparison with the rest of the world. According to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants’ report from January, women represent only 2% of board positions in the GCC. Women account for only 17% of all executive roles in the UAE and 7% in Qatar. Across the region only 13% of women are CEOs versus a 21% share in the developing countries, with a low of 7% representing presidents of the board. The A.T. Kearney report, ‘Power Women in Arabia’ from 2016, reveals even more shocking

AN IMPORTANT FACTOR, WHICH HAS OFTEN BEEN NEGLECTED, IS A MISALIGNMENT BETWEEN WOMEN’S FIELDS OF STUDY AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKET AND SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES, CONTRIBUTING TO THE LOW PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE AND LOW FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES.

results – shares of board seats held by females in the GCC countries in the same year ranged from 0.01% in Saudi Arabia to 1.7% in Kuwait. There are numerous such research studies which fortify the case for change in promoting the pathway of women into senior decision-making roles, but the pace of change still seems to be slow. Hard transition from school to work Despite an encouraging uptrend in education, research 38 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

has shown that there is a significant disconnect in terms of educational success and reaching senior management roles in the GCC. One of the most crucial issues Gulf women are facing is their transition from school to work. This has been known as the “leaky pipeline”, with educated female jobseekers struggling to find acceptable employment and many female graduates becoming inactive in the labour market. For example, women in Saudi Arabia account for nearly 60% of university graduates, but less than 20% of Saudi women enter the workforce after graduation, according to Booz & Company. In Qatar, 54% of university-age women are enrolled in universities compared to only 28% of their male counterparts, according to the Qatar National Development Strategy. This brings us to the paradox, so conspicuous for the GCC in particular, between achievements in education and their challenges in employment. This skewed relationship raises a simple question: how is it possible that women have been able to access educational institutions and were even more educated than men but employment and promotion to senior positions, particularly in the private sector, seems to be limited? An important factor, which has often been neglected, is a misalignment between women’s fields of study and the requirements of the market and specific industries, contributing to the low participation of women in the workforce and low female participation in specific industries. Ada Perniceni, partner at A.T. Kearney Middle East, notes, “For example, in the energy sector women represent only 19% of the workforce worldwide. Lack of women with technical degrees (in STEM) is one of the primary factors contributing to this, a situation which may worsen as digitization and automation alter the job market in the coming years.” On a positive note, she added, Qatar, with 17% of female graduates specializing in STEM, slightly outperforms the 16% global average. Governments globally are testing, with various degrees of success, education reforms and private sector incentives to raise these numbers.

GCC Female Labour Participation Rate 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 2000

2001 Oman

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

United Arab Emirates

2008

2009

Saudi Arabia

2010

2011

2012

Qatar

2013

2014

2015

Bahrain

Kuwait

Source: World Bank

Percentage of Women's Labour Force by Country and Sector 40% 35% 30%

The data was based on each country's most recent figures on women's labour participation by sectors. There was not enough data on Oman and UAE to include them in the graph, nor were there any figures on Saudi Arabia's women's labour participation in the domestic sector. Source: Gulf Labour Markets and Migration; Bharain: "Labour Market Regulatory Authority"; Kuwait: Public Authority for Civil Information"; Qatar: "Labour Force Sample Surveys, 2006 to 2009 and 2011 to 2013; Census 2010"; Saudi Arabia: "Labour Force Surveys."

25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

Bahrain

Kuwait Private Sector

Saudi Arabia

Qatar

Public Sector

Domestic Sector

Total Women's Labour Force

Female employment level in GCC companies 2015 Decrease

Decrease

42%

No change

56%

Increase

Is gender parity part of the strategic agenda of your company?

No change

57%

No 40%

Increase

Yes 60%

40%

Gender parity not part of the strategic agenda

Gender parity included of the strategic agenda

Note: Percentages may not resolve due to rounding. Source: A.T. Kearney gender equality study, October 2015

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“WHILE STATE POLICIES FORM ONE PART OF THE SOLUTION, INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES CAN PLAY AN EQUALLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN BUILDING A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR WOMEN.”

CARLA KOFFEL Executive Director Pearl Initiative

Obstacles When you are a woman, nothing comes easy in business. There is no single factor that explains this lower participation; it is, instead, a combination of multiple elements. According to Pearl Initiative’s 2015 report the single most important factor holding women back is the potential impact of their career on family life. It is the family – both positively and negatively – that determines the degree of a woman’s professional success. Reports reveal that family may be the most valuable support a woman can rely upon, but it can also be the most significant impediment to her success. The "family factor" is also markedly more significant for GCC national women, compared to non-GCC nationals (77% against 67% citing family as important), which is no doubt a reflection of the strong family culture in the region, and the traditional cultural norms that are still so important here. Carla Koffel, Executive Director at Pearl Initiative, told Qatar Today that in 2015 Pearl Initiative’s report on ‘Women Careers in the GCC,’ found that the numbers of women enrolling in university courses are either the same or even higher than men, but their participation in the workforce drops off sharply, especially around mid-career (the point when many women leave to have their first child). According to the report, the problem is that so few return thereafter, which is why they make up only 38% of

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the workforce in the GCC, and 21% in the Middle East and North Africa region as a whole. “This pattern is common in other regions; however, in the GCC relatively fewer women make it to senior positions because they opt out of their careers before they make it that far,” she added. Therefore, balancing work and family life, which is a challenge for women across the world, is particularly difficult in the GCC, Koffel noted. However, Qatar as well as Kuwait do show slightly more balanced figures in this respect, where women constitute 35% of the workforce according to the 2014 Global Gender Gap Report. Indeed, according to the most recent data from the Global Gender Gap Report from 2016, Qatar has improved, holding 119th position globally and outpacing other countries in the region, while Saudi Arabia falls far behind. Besides family-related factors, Perniceni told us that her company's study from 2016 finds that 44% of respondents identified cultural barriers and lack of support as the primary reasons for low female participation in the workforce as well as the opportunities for women’s professional development. According to Karen Young’s recent study ‘Women’s labour force participation across the GCC’, “a value system that prioritizes women’s protection and separation from both men and immorality gives the state the authority to decide how best to guard women, and how best to create safe spaces where they can work, learn, and socialize. Women’s participation in the labour force is more limited by social and cultural barriers, and even geographic mobility, as the family (and proximity to home) centres spatially in the protected sphere of women’s lives, even in states where women’s legal limitations to enter the workforce are less restrictive.” However, the impact of tradition varies across GCC countries. For example, A.T. Kearney interviews with female professionals in the UAE suggested that families and society are quite supportive, while the leadership in the workplace represents the primary limiting factor to their career progression. “On the other hand, in other countries in the region, deeply ingrained social structures and processes create an environment where limitations on female education and economic opportunities are more formalized. The responses required vary as a result of this, with some countries requiring greater efforts on behalf of the government and civil society towards public awareness, and others needing actual structural reform by the government. From a government perspective, the incentive for making such changes is high, due to the proven link between greater female labour force participation and an increase in GDP,” says Perniceni. Another barrier highlighted by Koffel is the glass ceiling, which prevents women from moving up the corporate ladder. This is a universal challenge that women experience, where they are denied opportunities to develop their careers and be promoted on the basis of gender. It is more than evident that the gender gap in engagement emerges as employees become more senior. However, it is good to see that governments in the GCC are taking the lead in changing this and setting an example for the public and private sectors.

Are HR programmes and state policies enough? The GCC governments have taken a number of steps to improve this situation, through HR programmes and policies and royal decrees. These states have been under pressure to nationalise their workforce by stimulating the private sector, which has been relying on foreign labour. Private-sector companies in the Gulf have an opportunity to address nationalization imperatives and local unemployment by attracting more national women into their workforce. But they have been only partly successful. Initiatives to improve female employment across the GCC are not fully reflected in Qatarisation strategies, says William Scott-Jackson, Chairman of Oxford Strategic Consulting. According to their new survey report, ‘Strategic Qatarisation: Focusing on Meaningful Employment’, more than a third of organisations in Qatar (36%) either never or sometimes “actively promote female nationals” as part of their Qatarisation strategy. Qatari women represent about half of the national workforce with approximately 91,000 working-age female nationals, but Qatarisation strategies do not always engage this vital demographic segment.

“A.T. KEARNEY RESEARCH IDENTIFIED QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CHILDCARE, COMPREHENSIVE MATERNITY BENEFITS, AND FLEXIBLE WORK OPPORTUNITIES AS CRITICAL TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN FEMALE TALENT.” Sparking a debate Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Law and Public Policy hosted a colloquium titled 'Women in Leadership in Qatar' on February 15 th , bringing together a number of distinguished speakers from across Qatar Foundation. The discussion explored ways to ensure the removal of barriers to women's leadership and the various ways to develop and harness the leadership potential of women in Qatar. The discussion covered such topics as women in leadership from a historical context, portrayals of women in the media, and whether legally binding quotas for women should be introduced at board level.

ADA PERNICENI Partner A.T. Kearney

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Oman (PDO), which is one of the companies featured in our report, decided to put more focus on gender diversity to overcome the perception that women should work in caregiving roles rather than in technical careers. In fact, it even developed a three-year field-based development programme for women to gain experience while working on remote oil fields. Many of the women who completed this programme have continued their careers as technical operations professionals at PDO’s headquarters. Today four out of 15 directors on PDO's senior leadership team are women,” she continued. Companies can therefore address the challenge of hiring more women in a region where it is not always considered "normal" for women to work. In fact, both educational institutions and companies need to take a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating these existing challenges.

“QATARI WOMEN REPRESENT ABOUT HALF OF THE NATIONAL WORKFORCE WITH APPROXIMATELY 91,000 WORKING-AGE FEMALE NATIONALS, BUT QATARISATION STRATEGIES DO NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE THIS VITAL DEMOGRAPHIC SEGMENT.”

WILLIAM SCOTT-JACKSON Chairman Oxford Strategic Consulting

He added that while the government excels in promoting women through Qatarisation programmes, most organisations can improve in this critical area. When surveyed about their Qatarisation strategies, 11% of senior business leaders in Qatar stated that they never promoted female nationals in their organisations. A further 25% of organisations stated that they only sometimes promote female nationals. Smaller organisations (250499 employees) were significantly less likely than larger organisations (500+ employees) to actively promote female nationals. As noted, government and semi-government organisations were significantly more likely than private sector organisations to always actively promote female nationals (79% vs. 25%). According to Pearl Initiative's report on ‘Women’s Careers in the GCC: Four Good Practice Case Studies’, implementing supportive policies in the workplace is a key driver leading to more women in senior positions. According to Koffel, “While state policies form one part of the solution, individual companies can play an equally important role in building a supportive environment for women. These include practical steps such as flexible working hours and provisions for crèches.” “In our case study report, we found that there is a lot of positive work being done by companies in the region to overcome cultural stereotypes. Petroleum Development

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Flexibility key to successful inclusion But in order to gain and retain well-educated female talent, organisations have to adapt to their female employees. Oxford Strategic Consulting research suggests that alternatives to 9 to 5 at the office, such as working from home, part-time hours, contracting, job sharing, flexidays and hot desking, could be at least an interim solution. According to an earlier survey by Pearl Initiative, women consider flexible working hours as the most important factor that allows them to meet the competing pressures of work and family. In addition, many suggest that maternity leave and childcare options may be one of the ways to narrow the gender gap, such as introducing childcare options, maternity leave, more flexible working hours and other benefits that many enjoy in the work elsewhere. Women perform a significantly larger portion of “unpaid work” – childcare, household management – than their male counterparts. This is one of the key challenges to female talent attraction, retention and career progression, Perniceni added. “A.T. Kearney research identified quality infrastructure for childcare, comprehensive maternity benefits, and flexible work opportunities as critical to attract and retain female talent. In this regard, GCC countries have made significant progress. A prime example of this is Qatar’s 60-day maternity leave.” Meanwhile, Koffel noted, it is also important to adapt these solutions to specific social and cultural circumstances. For example, in Saudi Arabia, companies are required to comply with gender segregation rules. “HR departments therefore need to focus on understanding and addressing the challenges that working in segregated workplaces presents. These challenges may concern the office layout, communications or more practical issues such as transportation to and from meetings.” Meanwhile, employing more Qatari women requires effective talent pipelines, said William Scott-Jackson. For example, 47% of companies rarely undertook activities to identify potential talent early, while 50% rarely offered careers advice to nationals at schools and colleges. He noted that effective female talent pipelines require stronger links with educational institutions as well as more

pragmatic techniques, such as talent spotting, ambassador programmes and internal referrals. The focus on female talent should not only target top-level talent but also “second” and “third level” Qataris, those who should be trained to become leaders of the future. The most practically minded companies should build effective talent pipelines by reaching out to female nationals often and early in addition to ensuring ample development opportunities for new entrants to the workforce or those who re-join after maternity leave or as a second wave in their careers. But all this is easier said than done. “Austerity measures implemented across the GCC could hinder faster increase in female participation in the workforce and career progression,” Perniceni said, but added that the austerity measures are likely to be counterbalanced by the strong commitment to enhanced gender equality. “In fact, gender equality represents a national priority for the GCC countries and it is part of the national visions and plans of nearly all of them.” Quotas dilemma Finally, we could often hear that the introduction of gender quotas in the public/private sector and for boards and senior management could be the fastest solution to problems addressed. Whether to introduce quotas is an issue that is debated around the world. Najat BenchibaSavenius, Head of Social and Economic Research at Oxford Strategic Consulting, in her paper ‘Woman in the board room’, finds that countries that have introduced mandatory quota systems to increase the number of women on corporate boards have found it successful. Norway, for example, is leading the way in mandating that 40% of its board seats must be filled by women. Finland is not far behind with 30%, and with France given until 2017 to fulfil its quota, it is currently estimated there are approximately 30% of women in French boardrooms. The UK has opted out of the quota system but has set its target firmly on a 25% female board representation as of last year. So, gender quotas are a popular solution to the complex challenge of gender equality, demonstrating varied levels of success. But Perniceni explains that unintended consequences of such policies are often under-examined, and can have negative consequences even where positive progress is made. A.T. Kearney emphasizes the value of using positive policies such as voluntary company targets and public reporting of successes, and de-emphasizing obligations and sanctions in addressing the gender equality challenge. Additionally, A.T. Kearney believes that a coordinated approach carried out through collaboration between the government, the private sector and opinion influencers is the only likely means of achieving sustained progress. “In our recent study on achieving gender parity in the energy industry in the GCC we highlighted that the debate on quotas is still open: more than 55% of survey respondents believe gender targets should be set for the board and senior leadership positions while only 25% believe quotas should be enforced,” she added. However, numbers are only part of the issue. The real

“A CRITICAL IMPASSE IS THE FACT THAT WOMEN ARE NOT ‘MADE’ MIDDLE MANAGERS EARLY ENOUGH AND THEN ARE NOT ‘TRAINED’ TO BECOME LEADERS IN TIME. THERE IS NO MENTION OF MEN NOT BEING ‘BOARD-READY’ AND SO THESE EMBLEMATIC PHRASES ARE GAINING MYTHICAL STATUS..”

DR NAJAT BENCHIBA-SAVENIUS Head of Social and Economic Research Oxford Strategic Consulting

benefits of women on the board come from their capable, intelligent contributions, which are best achieved through promotion on the basis of gender-agnostic merit. BenchibaSavenius said in her paper that attaining board-ready status early on is essential. “A critical impasse is the fact that women are not ‘made’ middle managers early enough and then are not ‘trained’ to become leaders in time. The fact remains that women are under-represented in most tiers of their developing careers and it is to the detriment to corporations and organisations alike. There is no mention of men not being ‘board-ready’ and so these emblematic phrases are gaining mythical status. The same can be said for the lack of female presence in the coveted C-suite roles whereby there is a huge gulf of talent and a lack of diversity across ethnicity and gender,” she continued. After all, the most important thing is to create a corporate culture that is inclusive and supportive rather than discriminatory, Koffel noted. Creating this environment is critical as it enables personal growth and allows employees to focus on their work performance and take on new challenges. Ultimately, there is no universal model for implementing gender parity. “No two companies are the same and companies and their senior management teams therefore must work to identify the unique challenges that apply to them and then take necessary steps, and adapt best practices, to address them,” she concluded 43 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

business > bottomline

HOW TO APPLY FOR

AN INTERNAL JOB OPENING

IN THE CASE OF A NEW CHALLENGING POST OPENING AT YOUR COMPANY, APPLYING FOR IT IS A VIABLE OPTION. BUT, IT SHOULD BE DONE RIGHT. IT IS AS HARD AS LANDING A GREAT JOB IN A NEW COMPANY, IF NOT HARDER.

any employees find themselves in a job that is not completely satisfying but end up sticking to it because they love the company they work at. In fact, remaining in a position that is not entirely satisfactory can be a waste of the employee’s time, as well as a hindrance to their career advancement. But before considering a career move, you might want to look at another option that will keep you employed at the company you love: an internal job vacancy. The Bayt.com team has comprised a list, inspired by real-life experiences, of ways to help you land a great job internally. 1. Pick a vacancy Most companies begin advertising new jobs

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internally. If not announced, the Human Resources department will know about vacancies that hiring managers are looking to fill. The HR department is there for your support, and its personnel will respect your confidentiality if you’re not ready to publicize your plans and intentions yet. Make sure that they know that your inquiries are not public knowledge, especially if you haven’t made a final decision yet. 2. Carry out necessary due diligence Once an interesting vacancy opens up, carefully study the job description, research success stories, and ask employees within the same department about the reality of holding such a position. You might think a job looks great from the outside, but the

insiders know best. You might want to try connecting with industry professionals on Bayt.com Specialties for detailed market insights. 3. Talk to your manager If you are positive that you want to pursue a certain internal job, make sure you talk to your manager and let them be the first to know of your plans. Don’t hesitate to be honest with them and explain the reasons behind your decision. Indeed, managers are employees of the company too and they might offer you advice that will push you and the company further on the path of success. After making sure that pursuing a certain internal vacancy is the right move for you, you now need to step up your game and start taking certain measures that will push you forward ahead of the flock. 4. Update and customise your resume Being an internal candidate doesn’t mean that you’re automatically a perfect fit. You need to look at this job pursuit as if you’re applying for an external job. Make sure your CV highlights your best skills and shows why you’re the best candidate for it. For professional help with CV writing, check out Bayt.com’s CV Writing Services. 5. Write a customised cover letter As we established, thus far, internal job vacancies should be taken seriously. Write up a cover letter highlighting why you think you’re the perfect fit. In addition, if you work in a domain that relies on a portfolio to showcase your talents, make sure yours is up to date. You can always check Bayt. com’s tips on writing the perfect cover letter. 6. Prepare well When you’ve advanced to the interview stage, be well prepared. Many hiring managers will look at you as if you’re a newcomer and not an existing employee. Knowing the right information and being familiar with the required skill set will push you forward. You will not be automatically

considered just because a hiring manager is familiar with you or your work. 7. Network It is important for key people at your company to know that you’re considering a career shift. Talking to heads of departments – as part of your research – can help set up your image as a future leader who is working hard on establishing crossdepartmental connections. Department managers can also provide you with insights from their own teams that can add to your research, which, in return, will help you ace your job interview.

Visit www.bayt.com today and download the white paper to know more about the skills gap crisis in the Middle East.

8. Do not assume they know you While interviewing, do not assume that the hiring manager knows you and/or is familiar with your capabilities just because you work at the same company. In fact, managers might know of other departments’ work and employees but might not be entirely familiar with each and every talent. Demonstrate your capabilities as if you’re talking to a stranger and make sure you focus on achievements while highlighting your capabilities and knowledge. 9. Send a Thank You note Just like any other job interview, send an e-mail or a handwritten note after the interview thanking the hiring manager for their time and consideration. Even if the manager deems you unfit for the job, being courteous and expressing gratitude will help you in the future. 10. Stay positive Even if your hard work didn’t get you the job you wanted this time, you must stay positive and do not give up. It is very important to know that not getting a job could be due to many different reasons that might have nothing to do with you and your capabilities. In fact, you could talk to the hiring managers and ask for the reasons. They might be able to give you pointers that will help you advance your profile in the future

ABOUT BAYT.COM Bayt.com is the #1 job site in the Middle East with more than 40,000 employers and over 26,750,000 registered job seekers from across the Middle East, North Africa and the globe, representing all industries, nationalities and career levels. Post a job or find jobs on www.bayt.com today and access the leading resource for job seekers and employers in the region.

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affairs > tag this

NATURE, HEALTH AND THE NEW GENERATION SASOL QATAR, WHICH IS INVOLVED IN CSR ACTIVITIES IN ALL THE ABOVEMENTIONED THEMES, IS ONE OF THE COMPANIES WHOSE CSR ACTIVITIES CLICK ALL THE RIGHT BOXES IN DELIVERING THE RIGHT SOCIAL MESSAGE. BY SINDHU NAIR 48 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

orporate Social Responsibility activities spearheaded by corporates are proving to be challenging to convince everyone. Most of the media and even civil society advocates view CSR activities as PR campaigns to boost brand reputations, especially when corporates are involved in activities that work against the sustainable parameter, read oil and gas companies. This dismissal of CSR resides in a fundamental distrust of a corporationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legitimate intentions to do anything more

than increase its profits. The oil and gas sector is also among the leading industries in championing CSR. This is partly due to the highly visible negative effects of oil operations such as oil spills and the resulting protests by civil society groups. So while CSR is viewed with distrust, the oil and gas companies take a step ahead and try to prove how they have affected or touched the community in which they are involved, through CSR programmes that are innovative and effective. So even while we looked with misgivingsat Sasol, the South African energy giant which

had bagged the "Best Initiative on CSR in the Energy Sector in Qatar" award for its ongoing Qatar e-Nature initiative, a chat with Jack Saba, General Manager of Public Affairs at Sasol, who explained each of Sasol’s CSR activities and the reasoning behind them in detail, put to rest, most of the concerns we had. This and later after an evening spent with a young schoolgirl playing with the new educational tool, “the Health Park with Salem and Sarah”, developed by Sasol to support children and families living with type 1 diabetes in Qatar and the region, the CSR initiatives did seem to touch a chord. The board game encouraged the curiosity of the child to know a little more about diabetes, a condition that is rampant in the Qatar with more than 200,000 diabetes cases . Explaining the reasoning behind the game, Saba says, “Through experiencing the game, families can learn about the various lifestyle changes they will have to go through, hence helping them to cope with the diagnosis. This unique educational board game with the characters Salem and Sarah includes three different games: Health Park with Salem and Sarah, Slides and Ladders and Match Up. These games test the knowledge of the children with diabetes and their families on the food groups, on food that affects blood sugar and on the dos and don’ts of healthy behavior of people with type 1 diabetes. These games were also designed to relieve children from anxiety and fear thanks to the friendly companions Salem and Sarah that they learn from and play with." It is a simple initiative but one that is delivered artistically, with the games

developed creatively to keept the interestsof the complete family and thus touch the very members of the society who are affected by it . A thousand board games were distributed in Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) camps for children with diabetes, as well as distributed through collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation, according to Saba. Dr Abdulla Al Hamaq, Executive Director of Qatar Diabetes Association, commended Sasol for this initiative as QDA is always “on the lookout for innovative methods to prevent diabetes, managing the chronic illness and raising awareness about it, especially when it comes to the lives of young children who are always in need of special guidance and treatment.” But this is not the only activity in which Sasol engages with the community in Qatar.

Qatar e-Nature, the first-of-its-kind smartphone application in the region, is also an app that is created by Sasol, which received many honours, one being the “Best Arab Government Smart Applications” award as part of the Smart Government Awards. Launched in December 2013, the Qatar e-Nature app highlights plant, bird, insect, mammalian and reptile life in the country. Sasol created the app under its CSR programme in partnership with Friends of the Environment Centre. The app, which features content in Arabic and English, aims at supporting the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 to promote sustainable development by contributing towards an environmentally aware population. “Our simple concept – putting nature in the palm of people’s hands – has captured the attention of governments

Launched in December 2013, the Qatar e-Nature app highlights plant, bird, insect, mammalian and reptile life in the country.

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affairs > tag this and public parks have been audited by an expert in the field and detailed information is available for people with various types of disabilities. Additionally, the application also allows users to rate and submit their own reviews about the accessibility of venues around the country. The objective of the application is to allow the disabled community and tourists to move about more con?dently, knowing they can arrive and leave any spot without unwelcome surprises that limit access. “Moreover, having accessibility information publicly available on Accessible Qatar will encourage venues to make necessary modification in support of accessibility for all patrons,” he says and it is this initiative that will certainly classify Sasol as a company that thinks ahead of its times in creating a programme which will eventually see that the country as a whole as well as individuals for its ability to use technology to drive an appreciation for the environment in a fun and engaging way,” says Saba. This app was taken to the next level through a live event, in the Qatar e-Nature Schools Contest with the final live round. Nearly 200 students representing 60 private and independent schools from across Qatar participated in the third edition of the schools contest. This year the contest introduced the exciting new element of a real-time quiz contest in front of a live audience, in which teams answered questions in order to gain points. The questions posed to the students during the competition were based on the Qatar e-Nature application. Sasol has also launched Accessible Qatar, an initiative under the patronage of HE Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, Minister of Municipality and Environment, “responding to the need for reliable and vetted information about the accessibility of popular venues across the nation”, according to Saba. Accessible Qatar will bring mobility and further inclusion for the disabled community in Qatar. The Accessible Qatar smartphone application and website (www. AccessibleQatar.com) are now available in Arabic and English with accessibility features free of charge for all users. Sasol has developed this initiative in partnership with The Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Qatar Tourism Authority, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Mada, and Shafallah Center, and in close collaboration with Qatar Social & Cultural Center for the Blind, and the Qatari Center of Social Cultural for the Deaf. 50 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

SASOL HAS ALSO LAUNCHED ACCESSIBLE QATAR, “RESPONDING TO THE NEED FOR RELIABLE AND VETTED INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACCESSIBILITY OF POPULAR VENUES ACROSS THE NATION”.

“By accessing Accessible Qatar, the disabled community and other individuals are able to view popular public and touristic venues in Qatar and see whether they are accessible and in what way before setting off or while en route,” he says. At launch, 50 locations around Qatar ranging from retail locations to hotels

gets more accessible. While all of these events do celebrate the role that Sasol has played in organizing or creating, it is the local engagement on issues that play a vital role in the Qatari society that is the focus, and hence makes us tick all the boxes that make a CSR programme effective and not just a PR tool

DOHA JEWELLERY AND WATCHES EXHIBITION

OLD WORLD LUXURY

AS IS THE TRADITION EVERY YEAR, THE DOHA JEWELLERY AND WATCHES EXHIBITION PUT ON A SPLENDID SHOW OF OPULENCE, WITH INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL BRANDS DISPLAYING THEIR MOST LUXURIOUS AND PRICELESS PIECES OF DIAMOND, GOLD AND PRECIOUS STONES. 52 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

eld at the at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center under the theme "Once upon a time... luxury", the sixday Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) had on display and for sale precious jewels and time pieces from over 400 brands and 40 exhibitors from 10 countries. Heritage pieces shared the limelight with fresh new designs and young, upcoming designers rubbed shoulders with established brands. Even though the atmosphere was subdued and the throng of visitors was conspicuously thin, the quality of the show was as high as ever. Interesting activities, unique exhibits and recordbreaking unveilings all served to keep the

visitors engaged as well as in awe. Right upon entry was the specially curated Central Exhibition, presenting vintage and privately-owned pieces, never before shown in Qatar, from luxury jewellery retailers like Fifty One East, AlFardan Jewellery, Ali Bin Ali and Al Majed Jewellery. The fifteen exclusive pieces included a unique 18k yellow gold pocket watch presented to His Majesty King Fuad of Egypt by the Swiss Colony in Egypt in 1929 and a striking gold and diamond necklace and earring set which was part of the former collection of Her Imperial Highness Princess Soraya of Iran. Meanwhile, unique visitor experiences

enabled more than 500 people to delve into the world of artisanship, creating special memories at watchmaking workshops by Objectif Horlogerie and portraiture sessions at Studio Harcourt. Visitors enjoyed an exclusive opportunity to have their portraits taken by the world-famous Parisian photo studio that told the story of Hollywood’s biggest stars and European elite since the 1940s. In Paris, a photo session at this studio runs into several hundred Euros, but at DJWE, people could enjoy the five-star, red carpet treatment free of charge, with a complimentary makeup session to prepare them for the shoot. Another exciting experience was the watchmaker-for-a-day workshops by world-renowned specialists Objectif Horlogerie. These watchmaking classes, held under the tuition of co-founders, Jean Yves Goldman and Samir Khemici, allowed enthusiasts to understand how complex and delicate the process of building a watch is. Added to these, were the various unveilings that happened at DJWE throughout the week – from the largest heart shaped diamond, "Venus", from Graff to Mouawad’s Guinness World Records-certified jewellery box. Revealed at the exhibition for the first time in the Middle East, the Mouawad Flower of Eternity Jewellery Coffer is the world’s most valuable jewellery box. At DJWE Graff also unveiled a magnificent display of diamond design and craftsmanship, the Graff "Hallucination", which features an unprecedented kaleidoscope of over 110 carats of extremely rare coloured diamonds and, at a whopping $55 million, is reportedly the most expensive watch in the world. With one thing or the other, this DJWE was jam-packed with activity and brands put their best foot forward with their latest collections and exclusive pieces. Which is why, even though the exhibition might not match up to its predecessor in terms of numbers, its shine and splendour continue undiminished. Qatar Today caught up with some of the brands for their take on this year’s festivities. 53 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

DOHA JEWELLERY AND WATCHES EXHIBITION

YOUNG QATARI DESIGNERS

HOME-GROWN SHINE

A new initiative by the DJWE highlighted home-grown Qatari talent by selecting six local designers to showcase their brands alongside the international names.

From left to right: Founders SARA AL HAMMADI (Sarah's & Company), NADA AL SULAITI (Hairaat Fine Jewellery), GHADA AL BUAINAIN (Albuainain Jewellery)

ara Al Hammadi is the woman behind Sarah’s & Company, which had an additional booth outside the Young Designers section. Al Hammadi is most comfortable behind the scenes creating her jewellery, so there was a learning curve getting adjusted to a more marketing-focused perspective. “There is nothing similar to actually showcasing and doing the business and meeting people; it’s so different,” says Al Hammadi. Nada Al Sulaiti of Hairaat Fine

Jewellery dove right into the process – when we approached her, she was speaking passionately with a visitor about a potential partnership and haggling over stone pricing. “DWJE has become one of the most important watches and jewellery exhibitions not just regionally but internationally,” says Al Sulaiti, exuberant at the opportunity. Designer Ghada Al Buainain of Albuainain Jewellery shared her peer’s opinion on the importance of the DJWE. “This partnership gave me a chance to

get my name out to a bigger audience,” she says. There were sales as well – Social Media Influencer Fatima Almomen bought one of the Albuainain rings while perusing the collections on Tuesday. However, while the sales clearly excited them, the designers stressed the role the exhibition played in boosting both their brand and their confidence. “Designers are artists, and artists are never satisfied with their work. But now that I’m getting compliments, I’m getting satisfied,” says Al Hammadi, laughing.

BOVET

BEYOND THE BRAND

Bovet doesn’t rest on the laurels of its 200-year-old history; they know that constant innovation is the key to brand recognition in the competitive luxury segment.

“

KURT HEFTI Global Director Bovet 54 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

or the collectors who appreciate beautiful timepieces, we have a lot to offer,” says Bovet Global Director Kurt Hefti. “We make about two and a half thousand timepieces a year but the collection is quite extensive. It’s not as though we make one model with forty different executions.” Bovet’s 2017 novelties highlight the diversity of offerings from the small but mighty Swiss purveyor; each of the three pieces is distinct, though

all of course share the same signature, high-quality finish. A big focus for the upcoming year was to expand their presence in the lady’s watch market. Their commitment was so great that for the first time a lady’s watch was chosen as one of their three annual novelties: the Récital 19 Miss Dimier. Hefti says women looking for time pieces often prefer name brands with which they are already more familiar, so Bovet tries to highlight the unique nature of their pieces, such as a watch that can double as a hanging pendant necklace, or a watch with a hand-painted dial. Of course, the brand is not eschewing their dedicated male customer base. The

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

THE WORLD IN YOUR PALM

ALESSANDRO MAFFI Managing Director Van Cleef & Arpels, Middle East and India

Van Cleef & Arpels celebrated its 111th year with the new Émeraude en majesté collection which required over a decade of careful stone selection and pairing.

o create cohesive pieces in the collection, over 1,400 carats of emeralds were selected from several international locations, primarily Zambia and Colombia, though there are also stones from Afghanistan. A frequent guest at the DJWE, Alessandro Maffi, the Managing Director Middle East and India, noted a shifting perspective in the way the Middle East, and especially the people of Doha, view their jewellery. “A few years ago, they were very inspired by the creativity, while today they are more attentive to investment. They want something that has value today

but will also have value tomorrow,” says Maffi, adding that this suits Van Cleef & Arpels since many of their pieces, like their signature zip necklace, are as in fashion now as they were at the time of their creation in the early to mid-twentieth century. Rather than following trends, the jeweller prefers to stay timeless. He noted that Qatari women are also very conscious of brand names and want to make sure they are buying from a legitimate, quality jeweller. “When we’re thinking about investment pieces, that’s the strength of our brand,” says Maffi.

195th anniversary of Bovet is celebrated with the creation of the Virtuoso VIII, featuring the Fleurier Collections’ first reprise of a an inclined crystal aperture along the 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock axis, lending a new perspective to calibre architecture, decoration, and function displays. The same inclined crystal aperture can be found in this year’s Récital 20 Astérium, which entices wearers to gaze up at the heavens with constellations laser-engraved on a dome of translucent blue quartz, which are then overlaid on a 24-hour dial. By building off the success of last year’s models and implementing innovative twists, Bovet is able to offer customers unique and memorable pieces. 55 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

affairs > local DOHA JEWELLERY AND WATCHES EXHIBITION

SUZANNE KALAN

ALL IN THE FAMILY

SUZANNE KALAN Owner and Designer Suzanne Kalan

Suzanne Kalan comes from and married into families that are deeply entrenched in the tradition of jewellery-making. It’s in her blood.

hree years ago, Los Angeles-based designer Suzanne Kalan was one of only two independent designers (the other being David Webb) unaffiliated with local stores invited to the DJWE. That number has since increased, but Kalan’s unique design sensibilities still set her apart from the crowd. Her international upbringing is reflected in her pieces, which combine the more modern, innovative styling of LA with a commitment to highquality fine jewellery perfected by the Middle East. “I used to work with my father in the fine jewellery industry before I got married,” Kalan explains. “My husband was a setter; his whole family were jewellers so you know, I went back into the business,” she

56 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

adds. The familial ties extend down to the next generation as well; Kalan’s daughter Patile also has her own collection, set in 14 karat gold as opposed to her mother’s preference for 18 karat. Kalan’s jewellery sales are primarily divided between the US and the Gulf region, with more total customers in the US but with customers in the GCC more likely to buy multiple pieces, meaning that the total jewellery sales in each region are about even. There is one major difference, however – in the US customers buy through retailers, but in the Middle East, customers purchase directly from Kalan, a sure benefit of her unaffiliated status, though Kalan maintains that she is willing to partner if the right fit comes along.

BAUME & MERCIER

TIMELESS SOPHISTICATION

Inspired from a 1940s museum piece in the Baume & Mercier archives, the Classima Collection is the essence of the brand's heritage.

mbodying the know-how of Swiss watches for the past 187 years, Baume & Mercier has celebrated life's greatest moments, and this year My Classima continues the celebration inviting new clients to commemorate their memories with a Baume & Mercier timepiece. Aligned with the watches in the existing collection, My Classima has sleek features – roman numerals, a date aperture at 3 o'clock, and sophisticated steel case. Each new style is crafted according to the brandís drive for excellence. My Classima is equipped with a Swiss quartz movement

guaranteeing reliability and precision. Designed for men and women, it comes in three case sizes – 40 mm, 36.5 mm and 31 mm, with a matte white or sun satin blue dial (40 mm). Each model is proposed with a choice of an urban chic steel bracelet or a genuine leather strap, in timeless black or navy blue. Whether given as a gift or purchased for oneself, the watch celebrates memories for a lifetime. Its design distills the reflection of the brand's rich heritage and offers a closed case-back with space to engrave a message, date or initials.

LALAOUNIS

JEWELLERY WITH SOUL

Lalaounis is world renowned for creating luxurious gold jewellery steeped in historical references.

MARIA LALAOUNIS Creative Director Lalaounis

he brand's creations are a synthesis of the past and present. The art of ancient civilizations and cultures are translated into exquisite, contemporary and timeless creations. Spanning four generations, Katerini, Demetra, Maria and Ioanna Lalaounis are at the helm of the brand. They continue the long family tradition and are taking the brand to new heights of excellence and design while following in the footsteps of

their father Ilias Lalaounis, the illustrious jeweller, artist and academician. Maria Lalaounis, the company’s Creative Director, embraces ancient art and history with the same appreciation and enthusiasm of her father, and drives the brand at the forefront of contemporary jewellery design. Maria creates collections that are innovative and inspirational, representative of the Lalaounis distinctive design and unparalleled craftsmanship,

and aims at underlining the inner and outer beauty of the women who wear her jewellery. Their latest collection at DJWE, Aurelia, is inspired by the jewellery of the 3rd-7th centuries AD which were famous for detailed and elaborate opus interrasile work, a metalworking technique imitating lattice work. Delicate with a romantic feel, the collection is made in brushed 18k gold and sprinkled with diamonds to create an ethereal effect. 57 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

DOHA JEWELLERY AND WATCHES EXHIBITION JEREMY MORRIS Managing Director David Morris

DAVID MORRIS

THE ETERNAL FEMININE

This year, David Morris have brought their most economical collection yet to the DJWE and this new price point has proven to be very popular.

or Managing Director Jeremy Morris, DJWE is a special event in the brand's calendar. "It's the only trade show we do and is a great opportunity to highlight our new pieces and collections, meet with old clients and attract new ones. There aren't many shows that have this kind of strong private client presence." The timing is also very opportune this year, with David Morris opening their first store in Qatar at The Pearl, making this their third boutique in the region. David Morris was one of the very first brands to exhibit in DJWE and they have great brand recognition among the locals. "Not only here, but Qataris frequent our

stores in Paris, Harrods, Bond Street and Dubai," he says Jeremy Morris. The brand's appeal lies in its feminine designs. "We have a very unique handwriting that people here like. A lot of feminine motifs. Also, we pay attention to price points. A lot of weddings happen here and people want to buy gifts but not necessary spend millions on them. The brand is a big draw for them. This year, we have brought an economical collection called Miss Daisy which starts from a much lower range than what has historically been the case for David Morris. Our entry price has always been very high but now we have started letting people in for lower and as I expected it continues to be very popular."

OFFICINE PANERAI

THE LICENCE TO IMPRESS

Officine Panerai had a long history of supplying timepieces for the Italian navy. Now those military aesthetics help them stand out in the luxury market.

D GEORGE MILVIN Managing Director Officine Panerai, Middle East and India 58 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

espite being a relatively new entrant to the luxury market, Officine Panerai very quickly became a name to reckon with in fine watch-making. The brand's Managing Director for the Middle East and India, George Milvin, says, "The key is to be true to your roots and your DNA." We used to make oversized casings and dials to improve readability during missions. Now this distinctive design helps us stand out.

In the earlier days when we didn't have the technology we do today, the crown of the watch was weak and prone to damage. So we had to protect it against water resistance and contact damage with the bridge. "Now it's an aesthetic strength," he says. Officine Panerai has an important relationship with the Qatari market, says Milvin, with a new boutique in Vandome set to join the existing one in Villaggio.

MIKIMOTO

THE ROMANCE OF PEARLS

A name which is impossible to separate from the world of pearls, Mikimoto Kokichi was the first man in history to create cultured pearl oysters which marked an important turning point in the pearl industry.

JEREMY BURBANKS Wholesale Director Mikimoto

t was Mikimoto's dream to adorn the necks of all women around the world with pearls. Continuing to challenge boundaries with their designs and creating pieces that really showcase this jewel from the sea to the very best of its potential, this year at DJWE, Mikimoto presented their popular collection of body jewellery – extravagant pearl pieces that cover much of the upper body in strands of glittering moonlight shine, often incorporating diamonds and other gemstones for a stunning effect. The

collection consists of tiaras, sashes and bonnets. They take more than a year to create these pieces. They also displayed multifunctional pieces, such as necklaces which turn into brooches, or belts and bracelets, which is typical of the Japanese design with hidden intricacies. The wedding bonnets in stunning pearls and diamonds were made exclusive to Doha in collaboration with Ali Bin Ali. There are four types of pearl in general but the brand uses the Japanese Akoya pearl – the one which Mikimoto originally cultured – White

South Sea from Australia, Tahitian Black Pearl and Golden South Sea from Indonesia. "Pearls are a soft product in the design sense and when combined with diamonds the variations are infinite. Bringing together Japan’s traditional techniques and Europe’s artistry and offering exclusive designs from classical styles to the latest trends is what Mikimoto stands for. Customers in Doha love unique pieces and we make sure that every year we bring something different to the exhibition," says Jeremy Burbanks, Wholesale Director, Mikimoto.

They introduce new collections in Geneva every year in the second week of January and, through DJWE, Qatar invariably becomes the first market to get a preview of these. "We have been exhibiting our watches here since we established our relationship with Ali Bin Ali, and it's the perfect time to showcase that novelties. Most of them are not available for sale immediately but it gives our customers a chance to try it on, ask questions and meet the people behind the brand directly. They can then start reserving pieces are will be launched throughout the year," he says. This year, the Qatari market is in for a special treat with 60 special edition watches exclusively designed for the Gulf market. The watch's cover is handengraved with Arabian horses and Milvin expects this collection to be very popular among Qatari buyers. 59 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

development > tech talk

FOR HIRE ON FACEBOOK The social network announced new tools to connect job seekers with companies looking for recruits.

TOUGH MONTH FOR UBER The star start-up has had a February to forget with hashtag campaigns and sexual harassment allegations.

t all started to go wrong with the #DeleteUber campaign which was trending on Twitter following US President Donald Trump's shock travel ban. A public that was already looking askance at Uber CEO Travis Kalanick’s decision to join the new president’s business advisory council lashed out in anger after Uber dropped surge pricing, allowing drivers to pick up passengers during a planned taxi strike at JFK airport following Trump’s signing of his executive order on immigration. Uber took intense heat on social media for this, with people deleting the app and signing up for alternatives like Lyft. Soon after, Kalanick announced his decision to leave the council in order to quell rumours that he supports the Trump administration’s agenda. Another scandal was sparked off when a former Uber engineer published a blog

post that described an incident in which her manager solicited sex over company chat. She reported it to the manager but both HR and upper management refused to take any action against the individual. Following this revelation, many other female engineers from Uber came forward with similar allegations. Kalanick pledged to “conduct an independent review” and has hired former Attorney General Eric Holder to head this review. Meanwhile in Qatar, Uber drivers went on strike for the second time in a year to protest against fare cuts and an “upfront” service launched in November that allows passengers to view the total fare before the journey. Uber has in recent months cut fares by 15-20% for passengers amid growing competition. Some drivers say they have struggled with the domestic price of petrol going up by 30% since last year.

E3 TO BE OPEN TO PUBLIC E3, an annual gathering of video game industry bigwigs, isn’t just for insiders anymore; now the general public will be able to buy tickets too. Tickets cost $149 and will give buyers access to the show floor, panel discussions, and other events during the convention week, which starts June 13 in Los Angeles. 60 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

In what was the official launch of a pilot programme that has been in the works for a while, businesses in the US and Canada can now post job openings on their Facebook pages, and job seekers can browse these opportunities via a new jobs bookmark as well as alongside other posts on business pages. Job openings may also start to appear in news feeds. Facebook will also pre-populated job application forms with information from your Facebook profile, which can be reviewed and edited before submission.

TRACKING SHARKS A pioneering research project by a team of Qatar University researchers and external collaborators has used underwater video to survey the abundance of sharks and rays in the coastal waters of Qatar. The team used a technology called baited remote underwater video (BRUV) to study the marine creatures. The BRUV system, which consists of fish bait and cameras, attracts and records fish life in the immediate area. Preliminary results of the study show that very few sharks and rays have been observed. It may be a sign that sharks are no longer found in habitats where they should be, due to overfishing or habitat destruction. The team has completed over 100 deployments of the BRUVs in northern and southern Qatar to undertake the study. The lack of observations is also useful data, providing a baseline for future studies. Sharks and rays are of particular conservation concern due to their vulnerability to overfishing, and to their slow growth and reproductive rates.

DATA-DRIVEN DRESS HIGH HONOUR

The Communications Regulatory Authority has won “Best Mobile App” for ICT sector for its "Arsel" app at the 8th Smart Government Excellence Awards Ceremony held by Pan Arab Excellence Awards Academy in Cairo, Egypt.

FORD INVESTS BIG IN AI The automaker has acquired majority ownership of Pittsburgh-based Argo AI, which was founded by Google and Uber self-driving car veterans Bryan Salesky and Peter Rander.

oing forward, the startup will work to develop a new software platform for Ford’s fully autonomous vehicle, which is expected to arrive in 2021. Ford said this investment puts it in a better place to bring self-driving cars to market in the near term. The Argo AI team will initially focus on supporting Ford’s autonomous vehicle development and production efforts, but may in the future look to license this technology to other companies. Argo’s roboticists and engineers will work alongside the team developing Ford’s virtual driver system, described as “the machine-learning software that acts as the brain of autonomous vehicles.”

WHATSAPP WANTS TO BE COOLER

A new Snapchat-like feature on WhatsApp lets you share photos, videos, and GIFs with all your contacts at once.

rom the recently redesigned WhatsApp camera app, you can personalise media with emoji, text, and drawings. When you open the new Status tab, you’ll see updates from people in your WhatsApp address book which will expire after 24 hours. You can control who sees what you share, and mute or unmute contacts at any time. WhatsApp said it’s introducing this feature to celebrate its anniversary. The app launched nearly eight years ago, and was originally designed for sharing status updates. WhatsApp said its users now send 50 billion messages every day, including more than 3.3 billion photos, 760 million videos, and 80 million GIFs. In the last year, photo sharing on the platform has doubled and video sharing has tripled.

A week’s worth of data from Google’s Snapshot, which tracks your physical activity, location, and even the weather around you, can be used to create custom-designed dresses.

he data will be fed into an app from fashion label Ivyrevel, the result of which will be a dress that translates your life into a one-of-a-kind design, the so-called “data dress.” The Snapshot API uses an Android mobile device or smartwatch to capture several parameters of daily life: your physical movement (walking, running, driving, etc...), nearby Google beacons, whether or not your headphones are plugged in, and your location and its current weather. This can tell the app a lot about what sort of fashion cues you might like for your next dress. For instance: do you eat at formal restaurants or do you frequent pizza joints? Do you live in a warm climate? Do you commute on the train or in a car? “After the course of a week, the user’s context signals are passed through an algorithm that creates a digitally tailored dress design for the user to purchase,” Google explained in a blog post. For now, Ivyrevel is the only designer to participate, although Google hopes to interest other fashion labels in data from the Snapshot API. If you’re interested and don’t mind the privacy implications of letting a fashion designer track your whereabouts for seven days, you can register for a chance to download a beta version of the Snapshot app, which will be released later this year. 61 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

business > auto news

BLENDING LUXURY WITH SPORTINESS LUCA DELFINO, SALES DIRECTOR OF MASERATI MIDDLE EAST, INDIA & AFRICA FZE, TALKS ABOUT THE ALL-NEW QUATTROPORTE, WHICH WAS LAUNCHED RECENTLY IN QATAR. BY UDAYAN NAG

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“Everything is done to enhance the sportiness and driving experience. To have good control, the driver needs to feel the road. Obviously, if the road is rough, the driver will feel it since our cars have been designed that way.”

restyled exterior, improved aerodynamics and a new infotainment system were some of the features that stood out in the new Quattroporte, which was launched at Maserati’s showroom at The Pearl-Qatar in January. A new trim strategy has also been introduced for the clientele with the additional choice of two unique trim lines – GranLusso and GranSport – which emphasize the key pillars of the brand’s DNA. The luxury four-door sedan, which is now available for sale in Qatar, comes at a starting price of QR380,000. Providing details of the different models of the latest Quattroporte, Delfino says, “The GranLusso comes with two-pin leather, the top quality leather in our range and it’s included in the price of the vehicle. It also comes with Vanya pure Italian silk. The Grand Sport has a black grill in the front, optional carbon trim, sports steering wheel and seats, power foot pedals, front pedals, shift pedal, and its chrome is also bigger than normal. It has the very best of the sporty elements, whereas the Quattroporte is a mix of luxury and sportiness.”

LUCA DELFINO Sales Director of Maserati Middle East India & Africa FZE

Interestingly, the new Quattroporte also boasts features like the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems optional package, which includes Automated Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning with Advanced Brake Assist. Even though Maserati has taken a stand against selfdriven cars, Delfino disagrees with the fact that the company is promoting something which it is not in favour of. “Our cars are for people who like to drive. We have added features that we think are useful and are already available in the market,” says Delfino. “As of now, there’s nothing in our cars which represents selfdriving features. Everything we have is either an alert or a warning. The only real supports for the driver are the automatic brakes in case of emergencies. Other than that, it’s all down to the driver’s decisionmaking. The Blind Spot Alert and Surround View Camera are also there simply to assist the drivers.” With a highest speed of 310 km/h, the Quattroporte GTS is one of the fastest sedans in the world. Furthermore, the new engine gets an increase of 20 hp, taking the total power to 350 hp. Improvements have also been made on the Sport Mode,

thanks to a faster shifting time of less than 100 milliseconds. However, there is also a view in the market which puts a question mark on the suspension and steering wheel of the Quattroporte on rough and bumpy roads. The latter is apparently a little shaky in those conditions. What’s Delfino’s take on this? “When we design a car, it is equally balanced at the front as well as the back,” he says. “It has to have a low centre of gravity. Everything is done to enhance the sportiness and driving experience. To have good control, the driver needs to feel the road. Obviously, if the road is rough, the driver will feel it since our cars have been designed that way. Along with the sportiness, the wheel is there to provide the driver with the best possible control.” And finally, does the price justify the additional features included in the car? “We have been able to address the specific needs of different customers. Maserati is more into technical engineering than gadgetry. We focus on exclusivity and refined engineering. It’s about giving the best experience to our customers, which is reflected in our tie-up with a luxury brand like Vanya,” says Delfino 63 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

business > auto news

VOLKSWAGEN QATAR OPENS NEW SERVICE CENTRE

Q-Autoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new state-of-theart service facility offers an exclusive selection of servicing and maintenance options for its Volkswagen customers.

QATAR WELCOMES ALL-NEW BMW 5 SERIES SEDAN Alfardan Automobiles, the official BMW Group importer in Qatar, welcomed the BMW 5 Series into its showrooms in February.

he seventh generation of the BMW 5 Series Sedan boasts a sporty figure with further enhanced dynamics and an unbeatable lineup of assistance systems. The design and aerodynamics have been heavily upgraded to add higher levels in efficiency, comfort and performance. Rigorous application of the BMW lightweight design concept, with increased use of aluminium and high-strength steel, reduces the weight of the 5 Series Sedan by up to 100 kg from the previous model.

"MAKE IT CLICK QATAR" CAMPAIGN CONCLUDES

onocoPhillips marked the successful culmination of #MakeItClickQatar, a unique national road safety drive launched in collaboration with BMW Qatar, at a grand ceremony held at the Alfardan Automobiles showroom in West Bay, Doha. The event was attended by Todd Creeger, President of ConocoPhillips, Ihab Allam, General Manager of Alfardan Automobiles, the BMW importers in Qatar, along with other distinguished guests and members of the press. The communitydriven campaign was aimed at raising awareness on road safety to counter the rising incidence of traffic accidents. With the support of 53 social media ambassadors, the campaign has reached an estimated 800,000 people on Instagram. With over 1,000 incredibly unique, funny, creative and talented posts submitted on Instagram, the hashtag has garnered a rising number of followers and continues to trend both online and offline.

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The precinct features a cluster of mechanical working bays that serves 19 Volkswagen cars at a time. This is in addition to dedicated units for genuine parts, a new body shop, washing bays, detailing bays, polishing and window tinting sections, alongside an extensive space for parking. Customers visiting the facility will be assisted by a team of dedicated professionals, specially trained to deliver top-of-the-line diagnosis and repair services. While stepping up its efforts in exceeding customer expectations, the dealership has launched a pick-up and delivery service, exclusively for Volkswagen customers. As part of the service, the team at Q-Auto will collect vehicles either from home or place of work within Doha and bring them back to customers after servicing. For further convenience, complimentary replacement vehicles are provided to manage the daily commute during the time that the car is at the service station.

ROLLS-ROYCE TAKES DELIVERY OF GHOST DHOW EDITION Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha has announced the arrival of the one-of-one Rolls-Royce Ghost Dhow Edition, a special commission developed by the marque’s world-renowned bespoke department, to be presented in Qatar only.

MASERATI LAUNCHES CERTIFIED PREOWNED CAMPAIGN

he vehicle takes its inspiration from the country’s heritage by using the Qatari Dhow as its muse. The twotonne exterior features the Inca Gold set against Porcelain White, with a Turchese twin coach line extending around the car. The three colours combine artistically to convey the hues of the wooden Dhow as it embarks on its misty morning sojourns in the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf. “Ghost is a vision of simplicity – it takes

the core brand values of Rolls-Royce and creates effortless luxury, and also stands for a new generation of younger and contemporary Rolls-Royce customers,” said Ihab Allam, General Manager of RollsRoyce Motor Cars Doha. “We are truly proud to merge these attributes – old and new, iconic and contemporary, traditional and modern – in one special edition that is only available for our brand’s patrons in Qatar,” he added.

Alfardan Sports Motors, the official dealers of Maserati Qatar, launched a new manufacturer-backed campaign for pre-owned vehicles. The offer extends across a number of Maserati’s high-performance models, including the Quattroporte and Ghibli. It also includes warranty and service packages, based on the model year, and excellent sales and premium after-sales facilities, thereby increasing the attractiveness of the promotion. Commenting on the campaign, Alfardan Sports Motors General Manager Charly Dagher said, “We are delighted to introduce this new campaign that will allow customers to experience the Italian heritage and craftsmanship that Maserati is revered for. Since the Quattroporte and Ghibli are popular models in the Qatari market, we have given the chance to potential clients to own their dream car, with the starting price being QR180,000.”

NISSAN LAUNCHES ALL-NEW KICKS ACROSS MIDDLE EAST Nissan has launched the all-new Nissan Kicks in its compact crossover range of cars in the Middle East, its latest addition to the crossover segment.

he body of this vehicle features an advanced aerodynamic design, which optimises fuel consumption and minimises noise. Kicks is also one of the first models to realize the concept of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, initially presented at the Geneva Auto Show in 2016. “The all-new Nissan Kicks was developed with the modern urban commuter in mind, with the aim of delivering the most innovative, stylish and functional crossover in its class,” said Samir Cherfan, Managing Director of Nissan Middle East. “These commuters will appreciate the car’s ability to deal with the rough and tumble of the urban jungle, courtesy of its advanced chassis control technology.” 65 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

business > marketwatch

EXPANSION DRIVE Rotana’s new properties in Qatar are poised to support the Qatar National Vision of welcoming seven million visitors by 2030.

otana is entering 2017 with aims to strengthen its already formidable presence in Qatar’s vibrant hospitality sector with two properties in the pipeline. The fourth quarter of 2018 will witness the opening of Downtown Arjaan by Rotana, Doha, followed by the company’s first property in Qatar under its Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts brand – the Plaza Rayhaan by Rotana, Doha which will be unveiled in the fourth quarter of 2019. The projects represent a total investment of $250 million and will add 765 rooms to the company’s existing inventory of 1,510 rooms in Qatar.

DON’T DRIVE, JUST FLY

PRESENCE MAGNIFIQUE

Careem customers in Qatar can now collect Air Miles on every ride.

ide booking service Careem is offering all customers in Qatar the opportunity to collect Air Miles with every riyal spent on rides. Since the successful partnership launch in the UAE in June 2015, customers have taken the opportunity to collect Air Miles on over 20,000 journeys with Careem. Daniel Laczo, Careem Regional Director Sales and Partnerships, said, “We’ve been pleased with the success of our partnership with Air Miles in the UAE. It has given us a competitive advantage over other private hire car companies in the region and also helped us to understand our customers better, enabling us to offer a more personalized service. We look forward to mirroring this success in Qatar.”

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International luxury brand, Amouage, expanded its presence in Qatar with the opening of its latest shop in The Mall of Qatar.

LUXURY REDEFINED

Qatari artist and CEO of DNA Sounds, Dana Alfardan, recently joined Alfardan Jewellery as Vice President.

nder Dana’s leadership, the jewellery house is set to enjoy a bold and new edgy look with inspirational campaigns and offers for women in Qatar, as well as an array of new timepieces of the world’s finest jewellery brands soon coming to Doha. Speaking about her new appointment, Dana Alfardan said, “I am thrilled with my new role at Alfardan Jewellery and to have the opportunity to live my passion for jewellery design once again. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend because we can take

them with us everywhere! Diamonds are not only confined to the ballroom, they add value to everything we do in life. I believe in the power of jewellery to help us express ourselves and I see every item as a conversation piece that speaks about us and defines us to the world. We all deserve to sparkle and stand out! Our aim is to encourage women to stay fit and active and take care of their wellbeing from within whilst enjoying the finesse and beauty of their timeless jewellery pieces at the same time.”

A model showcasing collections from Alfardan Jewellery

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP Doha Bank and Mastercard have signed a long-term agreement to introduce a number of payment solutions in Qatar.

REINTRODUCING ITALIAN CUISINE Warwick Doha, Qatar’s youngest five-star destination, is all set to launch Carisma Restaurant’s Giro d’Italia (Tour Around Italy).

ne of the largest payroll solutions in the market, the offering with Mastercard gives a holistic approach to payments, including the introduction of remittance offerings and contactless payments. This initiative supports the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and Qatar Central Bank’s efforts to secure a safe working environment for workers and to ensure wages are electronically transferred to their bank

accounts. Dr R. Seetharaman, Group CEO of Doha Bank, said, “Our partnership with Mastercard serves to bring the best card products to our growing customer base.” Khalid Elgibali, Division President - Middle East and North Africa, Mastercard, said: “Innovation plays a key role in driving inclusion in the market, and access to convenient solutions such as payroll cards will give more communities access to the formal financial sector.”

For 20 Wednesdays starting February 22, the culinary journey will feature original recipes from 20 regions/cities of Italy. The Italian restaurant’s latest promotion is the brainchild of the Italian Executive Chef, Andrea Parente, who conceptualised it from his desire to let the guests taste and feel what Italian food is. The culinary art of Italy can be summarized with the concept of “Kilometro zero”, which means, whatever is grown near to a place will be the main source of a dish. So diners will be able to enjoy dishes from Campania – Napoli, Lazio – Roma, Lombardy – Milan, Piedmont – Torino, Siciliy – Palermo, Tuscany – Firenze, and Venice – Veneto. The set menu will be served during dinner time and the starter, main course and dessert package is priced at QR90 per person.

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doha diary > sports day

A NIGHT OF HUMOUR THE DOHA COMEDY FESTIVAL, HELD AT THE QATAR NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE AS PART OF SHOP QATAR’S ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE, ENDED ON A HIGH NOTE WITH THREE OF THE MOST GIFTED COMEDIANS THAT QATAR HAS SEEN TO DATE. BY KEERTANA KODURU

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ike any other entertainment buff, I followed the US presidential election campaign from 2015 when Donald Trump first confirmed that he would be running for the highest office in the free world – the President of the United States of America. But, what interested me the most throughout the campaign season was the running commentary from newscasters and daily shows that mocked his presence in the international scene. Trevor Noah rose to fame (in my mind) with his political satire because somehow he was able to astutely dissect the political structure, election results, mind games, and the ridiculousness that the moment brought in. Admiring Noahisn’t difficult – he is funny, sending the right message across while being amazingly entertaining with his take on the drama of world affairs. You could only imagine how exciting it was to see him live at the Doha Comedy Festival. On a cool (literally) night, the Qatar National Convention Centre was lit up and ready for a show never to be forgotten. A recent tradition in Doha, the comedy festival definitely was a great experience, offering up three completely different comic styles.

A man of many accents The first, Hamad Al Amari aka The Qatari Guy, is known for his contribution to Middle East comedy and for making fun of his own people, the Qataris, and their stereotypical behaviour. He started the night by speaking in the many accents he seems to own with his extensive research and travels around the world. What kept the laughs going were his experiences of being a dad for the first time and how broke it made him feel. He was surprised by how much it actually costs to have a child. He also spoke about his career choices and how shocked his father was to hear that he was becoming a comedian, despite coming from a highly educated family of lawyers, doctors and engineers. Another experience he cited was that of Donald Trump’s win; when he discussed it with his father, the latter said "oh no! This is not going to be good for the world" but he exclaimed that it was good for his comedic stance and career growth! A man of many voices The winner of the 10th season of America’s Got Talent, ventriloquist Paul Zerdin was also in town for the night. The British comedian and a man of many voices

brought Sam his puppet to excite the audience with his atrocious behaviour. It was a skit of sorts that had the good guy/ bad guy effect and garnered maximum audience participation. He was just beyond brilliant, changing voices and tones like nothing we had ever seen here before. He also explained that the art of ventriloquism takes years to perfect and can go wrong if done incorrectly. A man of many thoughts The man of the hour and many thoughts, Trevor Noah was the headliner for the night and started off the session describing Qatar

as a Legoland for rich kids with buildings and towers everywhere. Speaking about the oil-rick country and the residents' driving skills, Trevor said, “Driving in Doha is like a version of Mad Max and using an indicator is a sign of weakness." There were a number of things that kept us laughing for the one hour during which he shed light on some of the most pressing issues today; like how African American people are facing the brunt of white supremacist actions, how South Africa organised the World Cup amidst allegations of a high crime rate and how language is a barrier around the world. He highlighted many issues that we know

exist but do not speak about openly. He also spoke about how Dubai brunches are a debauchery for European citizens, who are calm in the UK but go absolutely nuts in Dubai. He spoke about the calming sounds of the ‘vuvuzela’ for the African tribes but its use in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa changed everything thereafter for the sports fans around the world. Thinking about the night, I could guarantee that there were more than a few laughs and of course the message was loud and clear – we need unity now more than ever before to fight against evil and also, love trumps hate 69 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

affairs > doha diary

RAIN OR SHINE

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DESPITE RAINY WEATHER, DOHA RESIDENTS TURNED UP IN GREAT NUMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS NATIONAL SPORTS DAY EVENTS AROUND THE CITY.

arious sports and fitness events were held in public spaces like parks, malls and sports clubs as the country celebrated National Sports Day for the sixth consecutive year. The muggy weather didn’t deter people from enjoying a range of free sports and healthy activities for all ages and abilities in places like the Museum of Islamic Art Park. Team Qatar’s Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic athletes joined celebrations at the various national federations to share their experiences and inspire visitors. This included athletes like Fares Ibrahim, Kamal Mallash, Mohammed Al Kubaisi, Qatar’s first-ever Paralympic medallists, Abdelrahman Abdelqader and Sara Masoud, and Qatar’s first-ever female double Olympian, swimmer Nada Arakji, who held court at the Hamad Aquatic Centre. Speaking about this new tradition, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, said, “Our athletes are an inspiration to our nation and are excellent role models for our young people and we are delighted that so many of them were able to join in the celebrations today and pass on their experiences and guidance to aspiring young athletes.”

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city life > doha diary

INTRICATE LUXURY The Gate Mall and Salam International Investment Ltd. joined hands with Turkey’s Han Hali to unveil the Hereke Carpet Exhibition as a treat for Qatar’s art lovers and collectors.

n full display at The Gate Mall’s Maysaloun Hall was a stunning collection of legendary Hereke carpets hailing from an ancient town in Turkey. From Buckingham Palace and the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, to the White House to Château de Versailles, the carpets are known to adorn iconic locations celebrating an artistic discipline that is admired by the world. The 100% handmade Hereke silk

carpets customarily carry 64 knots and over-loops per centimetre and a Hereke weaver is said to tie at least one million knots in a finished carpet, while crafting extremely intricate, fine designs. Han Hali, the creators of the carpets, have developed a portfolio of over 25,000 exquisite carpet designs among which are collections ranging from classical Hereke with fabulous Ottoman motifs, to Turkish-Islamic designs that celebrate

LEARNING FROM THE BEST

Qatar Airways’ Al Darb Qatarisation programme, in collaboration with its strategic partner Rolls-Royce, held a custom-designed and developed training session for its national employees.

the illustrious transition to Islam. Commenting on the grand opening of the exhibition, Salam International’s Chairman and CEO Mr Issa AbdulSalam Abu Issa said, “A glance around the display, will confirm that most of these modern pieces have taken artists over six years or more to create because they have followed a timeless tradition and revived a glorious artistic heritage that is genuinely breathtaking”.

ARABIAN BEATS

Participants came from several of the airline’s departments and included aircraft maintenance engineers, graduate developers, and employees from the commercial, human resources, finance and contracts divisions. Ten Rolls-Royce employees also participated in the programme to facilitate cross-company experience and knowledge sharing.

Award-winning sibling duo, the Chehade Brothers, brought their signature Arabian Beats to W Doha Hotel & Residences. The Chehade Brothers, Farid and Rami, hail from a Palestinian family with Lebanese roots and boast a strong musical lineage. 72 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017

COOKING UP NEW FRAGRANCES FEIER DER KULTUR Qatar Museums has confirmed Germany as the official partner for the 2017 Year of Culture.

Kuwaiti fragrance house, The Fragrance Kitchen, will join more than 500 international and local brands at Doha Festival City.

ounded in 2005 by Sheikh Majed Al Sabah, a member of Kuwait's royal family, TFK has been inspired by his "East meets West" philosophy, and unites traditional aspects of Middle-Eastern perfumery with the expertise of a laboratory in Grasse, France, the world’s perfume capital, where his three unisex perfume collections are analysed, executed and bottled.

Initiated by Qatar Museums and the German Federal Foreign Office and organized in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region and the German Embassy Doha, the initiative will run throughout 2017 and will feature an exciting programme of events in both Qatar and Germany. The aim will be to strengthen existing ties between both countries through mutual exchange of arts, culture, and sport, and to promote dialogue, mutual understanding, recognition and appreciation.

TURKISH DELIGHT

t the grand opening party of Nisantasi Baskose, guests were offered a dinner of carefully crafted favourites while being entertained by music from well-known Turkish DJ Senol Aycan, an electrical violin show and a Turkish original Darwish Show. The restaurant’s menu features everything from the delicious minimalism

of Abagannus to the multilayered flavours of Nisantasi Baskose’s top-line signature dish, Lokum. Selected items will be served including mezzes, doner, kebabs, and lahmacun as a worthy foil for the introduction of the restaurant’s new Special Imperial Kebab: their delicious signature kebab adorned with edible goldleaf.

One of Istanbul’s highest-rated restaurants opened in Meliá Doha on a night that attracted a number of VIPs, including the Turkish Ambassador as well as Doha’s social elite, business leaders and the media.

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A day in the life of... Viera Situmorang Eggerstedt Makeup artist

Qatar Today follows the daily routines of professionals around the country from all walks of life. By Ayswarya Murthy Viera lives in extremes. Her days are either crazy packed or super chilled. But there are some routines. Taking her son to school, for example. And working out three or four times a week, despite the fact that her personal trainer has now left the country and she is on the lookout for another one. Friends feature heavily in these routines as well, importantly the international ladies potluck that is hosted once a month where they each get to bond over foods from their native countries.

It all starts with determining the kind of look they are going for. Some clients come to her with pictures from magazines, asking her to recreate that particular look on them. Her approach is to enhance beauty that already exists. “It’s all about them,” she says. It takes her about an hour to get the look down. During photo shoots, the stylists follow up after her with the hair and clothes. “There is rarely any trial and error,” she says, assuring us that she isn’t bragging. “This is because I listen to them, making sure I understand what they really want. So when I am done, they are usually happy and convinced.”

She picked up her knack for makeup during her stint as a professional singer. When she moved to the UK, she began to pursue it professionally at the London College of Fashion. In Doha, she is able to put her skills to extensive use and is quite busy with private clients, editorial assignments and even makeup workshops.

Her singing days are not entirely behind her though. Often she is invited to perform at special events. And she is a well-known fixture at fashionrelated events around the city. Also, since her husband is the General Manager of a prominent five-star hotel in the city, she can often be found helping out both behind and on the scene during the many events the hotel hosts.

Recently she has taken up a hobby, trying her hand behind the camera lens. “I always bring my camera to shoots and other events like matches and concerts,” she says. Some of her shots have ended up being published in local magazines.

74 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2017