Minister of Municipality H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie and Director of Lulu Group International Dr. Mohamed Althaf with other officials during the inauguration of ‘Qatari Products Our First Choice’ at the Abu Sidra branch of Lulu Hypermarket, yesterday. Pics: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
The ‘Qatari Products Our First Choice’ festival returns for another exciting year, bringing together a celebration of Qatar’s cultural heritage and locally produced Food and Non-Food Products.
The festival takes place annually since 2010, and this year it is being held from March 4 to 9 at all Lulu outlets in the region.
The festival aims to promote the use of locally produced food and non-food products and supports small local businesses and entrepreneurs.
The festival showcases a variety of food and non-food products, ranging from fresh vegetables, herbs, chicken, egg, Arabic lamb, local beef, dairy, frozen foods including chicken parts and processed food, delicatessen and bakery products to grocery food, grocery non-food, health & beauty and linen including pillow covers, table covers, bed and bed sheets, etc.
Ministry of Municipality H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie yesterday inaugurated the festival at Lulu Hypermarket, Abu Sidra branch.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani, Jaber Hassan Al Jaber, Director of Al Rayyan Municipality, Dr. Mohamed Althaf, Director of Lulu Group International, Dr. Masoud Jarallah Al Marri, Director of Food Security Department at the Ministry of Municipality, Muhammad Hamad Al Attan Al Marri, Vice President of the Central Municipal Council, Mubarak bin Fresh Al-Salem, Member of Municipal Council for District 15.
Representatives of almost all leading agricultural farms were also present at the inaugural ceremony.
Minister of Municipality H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie and Director of Lulu Group International Dr. Mohamed Althaf along with other dignitaries during cake cutting at the inauguration of ‘Qatari Products Our First Choice’, yesterday.
Director of Al Rayyan Municipality Jaber Hassan Al Jaber thanked Lulu Group for their keenness to promote local products. He said that the initiative is part of the efforts of the Ministry of Municipality to support farmers in different ways. He also thanked farmers and those who participated in the programme for promoting local products.
Dr. Mohamed Althaf, Director of Lulu Group International said that ‘Qatari Products Our First Choice’ festival is part of the Lulu World Food Festival, which aims at promoting local products.
He said that Lulu emerged as the largest buyer of local agricultural produce by showcasing 300 local products from 35 farms. Dr. Althaf thanked the Minister of Municipality H E Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie for inaugurating the ‘Qatari Products Our First Choice’ festival.
“During the last five years, we have increased the number of products in the festival and the season has been extended,” said Dr. Althaf. Earlier, he said, there were few major products but now it is covering most of the essential commodities including fruits and vegetables, micro greens among others.
“We are also discussing our sustainability strategy, which is aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 such as installation of the reverse vending machine (RVM), refill stations, and circular economy among others,” said Dr. Althaf. He said that Qatar made great efforts in ensuring food security in the country resulting in local agricultural production increasing significantly during the past five years.
Lulu Group has always been committed to promote Qatari food and non-food products and agricultural produce, and almost all prominent Qatari brands namely Dandy, Al Maha, Baladna, Mazaraty, Qbake, Rawa, qfm, Rayyan, Qatar Pafki, Pearl, Jawharh, Flora, Gourmet, Jerry Smith, Agrico Qatar, Paramount Agricole, Ocean Fish, Napoli Bakeries, Al Waha, Korean Bakeries, Parline, Ghazlan, Al Manhal, Dana, Aqua Gulf, Safa, Sidra, Lusail, Doha and Napico etc. are on regular display.
The leading retailer Lulu Group has a long-standing tie-up with the local farmers and has been the focal point in marketing local agricultural produce for many years. Although Lulu Hypermarkets have been promoting Qatari products and farm produces for many years, in the last few years they have been concentrating more on this regard as a social and economic commitment to the nation.
