The seventh edition of the Qatar International Boat Show (Qawarib 2020) will bring together 32 exhibitors who will showcase world class yachts and marine accessories from November 16 to 20 at Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar, it was announced.
The event, under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, is a solo show being organised since 2013 in the country by Al Mannai Plus Events.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Al Mannai Plus Events chairman Khalid bin Issa al-Mannai said Qawarib 2020, which was rescheduled from March to November due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will feature the latest in marine technology and the largest display of boats and new models.
“As we are witnessing the severe impact of pandemic on the economy and the tourism industry across the world, prestigious international boat shows around the world were also no exception, therefore, either they were cancelled for this year or postponed,” he said.
“In Qatar by the grace of Almighty God, we are able to sustain in organising the event with the valuable support of our partners, local exhibitors and the prestigious sponsors of the show,” al-Mannai stressed, thanking United Development Company (UDC) Qatar (Strategic partner), The Pearl-Qatar and Ronautica Middle East being host of the show, MoI, the Coast Guard, for their co-operation and support.
He said health and safety protocols will be in place in accordance with the Ministry of Public Health’s instructions such as the mandatory wearing of face masks and social distancing practices, in addition to putting more entrances and exits.
Local participation in this latest edition of Qawarib is huge compared to the previous years, according to al-Mannai.
Highly skilled and quality local manufactured boats, along with a display of other international brands of yachts and boats, will be displayed at the annual show, according to Al Mannai Plus Events CEO Hamad Issa al-Mannai.
“The event provides a single window to the luxury lifestyle enthusiasts of the region. It preserves the century's old relationship of the natives with the sea in addition to its role in positioning Qatar as a regional hub for luxury, highly skilled craftsmanship and most modern boats and marine related accessories,” he said.
He also thanked the event’s sponsors: UDC; Ronautica Middle East; Qatar Airways; Milaha Qatar; Qatar Free Zone Authority; Vodafone Qatar; and Bentley Qatar; among others.
Among those present at the press conference included Adel Salem, Retail and Office Management director at UDC; Abdel Bomuttar al-Muhannadi, general manager, Ronautica Middle East; Saleh Abdulla al-Harooni, executive vice president, Support Services, Milaha Qatar; Ehab Amin, senior vice president at Qatar Airways; Fahad Zainal, chief corporate support officer and acting chief operating officer, Qatar Free Zones Authority; Mohamed Mohsen Alyafei, head of Public Sector, Vodafone Qatar; and Wasim al-Omar, sales manager, Bentley Qatar.
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