The Souq, which started on Monday will continue till November 18. It is open between 11am and 10pm.
Nama Centre’s initiative comes in the context of overcoming the challenges Qatar is currently facing and in line with the state’s orientation towards supporting national industries and products.
Some of the products at a stall at Souq Nama.
Accordingly, Nama Centre is granted free promotional spaces at DHFC, for establishing special platforms for home-based business projects, thereby enabling them to access the local market. The souq offers facilities to market products from the country's households. The Souq was opened by Maryam bint Abdullatif al-Mannai, acting executive manager of Nama Centre.
Speaking on the occasion, she said Nama's mission is centered on motivating youth with promising potential to excel in various fields and disciplines as there are many opportunities for them to realise their ambitions and aspirations to develop themselves and their community.
"At Nama Centre, we place great emphasis on the development of human capital by providing them with all kinds of support as they are considered the cornerstone of economic and social development and the most effective contributor to the realisation of the Qatar National Vision 2030. The centre is also committed to achieving a number of objectives which are to support outstanding efforts and initiatives that help shed more light on the status of entrepreneurial projects in Qatar," she explained.
Al-Mannai also said the Souq would introduce the youth to the community, and raise their awareness about the exceptional services that the Center offers to innovative entrepreneurs of all nationalities in the country, in addition to providing them with direct access to the local market to promote and sell their products.
"We also aim to activate the role of partnerships with developmental bodies in Qatar and collaborate to maximise the benefits of the services provided, which include direct support, as well as working with partners to promote the entrepreneurship ecosystem.”
Al-Mannai also thanked Doha Festival City’s management for the generous initiative which she said has demonstrated their profound dedication to Qatar and their keenness to support its progress and development, by making way for young entrepreneurs to enter the arena of practical life.
"We also hope that other stakeholders in the country will follow the footsteps of Doha Festival City and contribute to the success of our developmental work in supporting this important segment of the community.”
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser established Nama Centre in 1996 with the aim of providing a stimulating environment that contributes to investing in the potential and creativity of youth, as well as to meet their needs and aspirations as partners in civil work. Since 2013, the centre has been working under the umbrella of QFSW. Nama is a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and the Arab Network for NGOs, and the World Family Organisation.
Speaking to 'Gulf Times' at the inauguration of Souq Nama, DHFC general manager Trevor Hill hailed the decision of Nama Centre for choosing their sprawling mall as the venue for launching an initiative to empower the local youth and expand their opportunities.
There are about 80 stalls at the venue, where a number of locally developed goods, including foodstuffs are put up for sale.
Officials of Nama Centre, Doha Festival City and some of the participants at the Souq Nama. PICTURES: Jayaram
Nama Centre, an affiliate of Qatar Foundation for Social Works (QFSW) and a leading developmental institution of the country with the mission to empower youth and expand their opportunities, has launched Souq Nama 2017 at Doha Festival City (DHFC).
