The sixth edition of Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS) 2019 was inaugurated on Tuesday by HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari at Porto Arabia Marina in The Pearl–Qatar. Organised by Al Mannai Plus Events, this year’s edition, which runs until March 16, is witnessing the participation of many prominent brands and names in the sector, with more than 30 exhibitors.

The inauguration event was attended by UDC president, CEO and board member Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman, QIG Marine Services executive director Captain Mohamed Ali, Qatar Free Zones Authority chief corporate services officer Fahad Zainel, senior officials from Coast Guard, Ministry of Interior, and other dignitaries.

QIBS is the only annual exhibition held in Qatar, showcasing the best luxury yachts designed with international craftsmanship, along with boats, dhows and all marine equipment and accessories. It provides a global platform for major brands to showcase their latest products to potential customers from Qatar, the Middle East and around the world. QIBS will be hosting various interesting activities such as marine tours, prizes, water activities, marine races among others. More than 5,000 visitors are expected to attend the five-day expo.


HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari inaugurates the sixth edition of the Qatar International Boat Show on Tuesday in the presence of other dignitaries. PICTURES: Thajudheen.

Al Mannai Plus Events chairman Khalid Issa al-Mannai said, “The annual boat show not only meets the requirements of marine life enthusiasts, but it also provides an opportunity to discuss and obtain the necessary information with representatives of the Qatar Free Zone during the exhibition period.”

“Despite regional challenges resulting from the ongoing and unjust blockade of Qatar, we have come together, and have united against those who are trying to harm us,” Mannai Plus Events CEO Loay al-Dulis said. He added that this year’s edition will showcase luxury brands from Qatar, Germany, Italy, Turkey and Pakistan. A must-attend event for boaters and anyone thinking of getting into boating, QIBS serves as an ideal maritime-industry networking platform and a key business driver for the marine sector.

Speed Marine, one of the biggest exhibitors at QIBS, have on display some of their finest marine equipment. “This is not our first time at the International Boat Show and we wanted to bring some of the fun stuff here for the marine enthusiasts. We have participated in many boat shows around the world and there is a great potential in Qatar for the marine business,” said Speed Marine sales and marketing director, Sevil Tonkal.

Ronautica Middle East, a subsidiary of UDC, is one of the partners of the 2019 QIBS. “I can see on the very first day itself that people are enthusiastic to know about the boating community and boating industry in Qatar. This year’s exhibition has a lot of local participation and we can see local boat dealers from Qatar also participating,” noted, Abed al-Rehman Akawi, senior guest service agent, UDC Support Services.

Internationally renowned marine giant, Morsa International Trading Company is at the Qatar International Boat Show for the first time.

Sarah Teubner, commercial manager International Trading Company noted, “We have over 20 years of experience in the marine industry but have opened our first branch in Qatar just a few months back. We hope people will visit us and give us an opportunity to introduce our staff and services.”

Qatar Free Zone is one of the exhibitors at the QIBS. “We are having a marina within one of the free zone areas and it will have direct access to the Hamad Port. The purpose of the marina is to have maritime services for manufacturing and servicing the port industry. We are having a booth at the QIBS where we are inviting investors and expatriates to come to the Qatar Free Zone and invest and start their business,” Zainel added.



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