Many micro businesses in Qatar have benefited from public sector initiatives that promote and develop home-based companies, supporting them to penetrate new markets both locally and abroad.

One of such companies is Doha-based Brush 221, a micro business specialising in decor, furniture, and home accessories, which received much-needed exposure during the second edition of ‘Made at Home’, organised recently by Qatar Development Bank (QDB).
Brush 221, according to Qatari entrepreneur Moza al-Mansoori, not only supplies home décor and accessories to local restaurants and coffee shops but also exports its products to Italy. The company plans to expand to other European countries in the future.
Al-Mansoori, who runs the company's operations, also conducts online training to Qataris and expatriates but plans to expand her workshops later on to cater to a much wider audience.






Some of the 'antique' frames on display. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil

She also lauded QDB and the Bedaya Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development for the services they provide to micro business owners and for developing home-based businesses in Qatar.
In 2015, QDD initiated the Home-based Businesses National Programme (HBBNP), in collaboration with Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs), Social Development Centre, and Qatar Chamber, to further help develop and promote this thriving sector.
The development bank also launched the ‘Made at Home’ exhibition to provide more exposure to home-based businesses, which are seen as contributors to the development of Qatar’s economy.
Speaking to Gulf Times earlier, QDB executive director of Intelligence and Localisation, Saleh Majid al-Khulaifi, said that ‘Made at Home’ helps create new marketing windows that could contribute to the diversification of the national economy, support Qatar’s small and medium-sized enterprise industry, encourage new entrepreneurial pursuits, and empower micro businesses.
He said QDB’s new programme dubbed ‘Derwazaa’ aims to help micro businesses in the rebranding, packaging, and marketing of their products, as well as to provide them access to local and international markets.
Al-Khulaifi encouraged home-based businesses to register so they can avail the services of ‘Derwazaa’, which includes 50% subsidy of rebranding and marketing costs of their products.
“QDB is committed towards the continuous support its offers to home-based businesses, which play a key role in accelerating Qatar’s economic growth, and contribute effectively to the sustainable development of the country,” al-Khulaifi said.
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