One of Qatar’s home-based businesses is seeking to establish a name abroad, and promote the ‘Made in Qatar’ trademark in the regional and international markets.
Marwad Qatar specialises in homemade oudh incense and fragrances. It has been in the market for the past four years but the only marketing exposure for its products is through word of mouth or via online channels like Instagram and Whatsapp.
However, after participating in one of the regular workshops of the Bedaya Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (Bedaya Centre) earlier this year, Marwad Qatar had its first taste of public exposure at Meerat Ramadan, which will run until June 29 at the southern sector of Katara–The Cultural Village.
The Bedaya Centre is a joint initiative by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and Silatech, which holds the monthly initiative titled ‘Second Sunday Networking’. The event brings together many young entrepreneurs and business professionals seeking to gain guidance, training, and support.
The owner of Marwad Qatar, who requested not to be named and photographed, said she personally makes all of the products, including the packaging, with the help of her daughters.
She said the skill of making oudh was passed down by her mother, who used to make many types of incenses and other fragrances for her family and other relatives.
This skill, she stressed, will also be passed down to her daughters, who have taken interest in running the business in the future.
From an age-old tradition to a flourishing source of livelihood, the owner said she also wants to bring her business to other markets, initially in the region and later on in other markets abroad.
To do this, she said Marwad Qatar will be participating in other initiatives similar to Meerat Ramadan and events such as those spearheaded by QDB aimed at promoting the culture of entrepreneurship in the country.
“With further government support and strong backing from the private sector, many home-based businesses will be encouraged to expand to a wider market. Take, for example, if a mall would offer space with special rent rates for home-based businesses, this initiative would be very beneficial and helpful in promoting our sector,” she said.
Earlier this month, QDB and Qatar Chamber announced the launching of the ‘Made at Home’ exhibition slated in October to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The upcoming exhibition is part of a broader SME outreach initiative – the Home-based Business National Programme (HBBNP), which was launched by QDB in 2015 to stimulate the private sector through facilitating the entry of a greater variety of SMEs into the local economy.