Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                       27 May 2018

As part of its continuous support for home-based businesses, Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has launched the 3rd edition of “Ramadan Bazaar Markets 2018” in cooperation with Bedaya Center and Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) at The Gate Mall.

In the framework of the bank’s Home-based Business National Program (HBBNP) for developing Home-based businesses launched in 2015 to encourage and support local talents/entrepreneurs to contribute effectively to the local economy.

The 'Ramadan Baazar Markets' was inaugurated by Ibrahim Al Mannai, Executive Director, Advisory Services and Incubations at Qatar Development Bank, Abdulsalam Abu Issa, CEO of Salam International, and Mrs. Aysha Al Mudahka, QBIC CEO, in the presence of participating entrepreneurs and shoppers.

The “Ramadan Bazaar Markets” is set to run from 26th of May until 8th of June from 8 pm to 1 am at the Gate Mall - Vatrena 17, at the Al Duhail Sports Club - Dukan Bedaya (Night Market), and at Katara - Dukan Bedaya (Night Market). It will feature a variety of homemade products and innovative handcrafts made expertly by 150 entrepreneurial projects and initiatives, available for shoppers during the holy month of Ramadan.

Commenting on the occasion, Ibrahim Al Mannai, Executive Director of Advisory Services and Incubations at Qatar Development Bank, said, ' Due to the pivotal role the Home-based business play and the significant impact they have in contributing to the development of the national economy.

'3^rd edition of the Ramadan Bazaar Markets is organized as a continuation to the success of the previous editions. The Ramadan Bazaar Markets 2018 offers home-based businesses a unique opportunity to display and sell their products, create new marketing and distribution channels, and showcase their projects on a wide scale. This comes in line with QDB’s strategy to support home-based businesses and to improve their economic and social stability and in return contribute to the sustainability and diversification of the national economy, which is in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030. QDB is committed to support and empower these businesses, enhance entrepreneurs’ skills, improve levels of production and provide them with market access opportunities to transform these businesses into larger enterprises.”

During the event, a special interview was held with Abdulsalam Abu Issa, CEO of Salam International, where he shared his career path success stories with the participating entrepreneurs and guests.

QDB continues to offer various programs and initiatives aimed at assisting Qatari entrepreneurs and qualifying them to successfully enter the labor market, taking into consideration the pivotal role the SMEs provide to the economy and its effective contribution in achieving the main objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 which aims at building a diversified and competitive knowledge-based economy.