Doha: IN-Q Enterprises (IN-Q), will be part of the welcome of the FIFA World Cup and the hospitality Qatar would extend to the global sporting and travel community during and after the FIFA World Cup, IN-Q General Manager Philip Lawrie told The Peninsula during an interview with the paper yesterday to elaborate on the company’s role in the state’s economy and the preparations to host visitors for the most look-forward to sports fiesta scheduled to kick off on Sunday.
IN-Q is a wholly owned subsidiary and the commercial arm of Qatar Museums (QM).
"We are well geared to welcome travelers from across the globe for the FIFA World Cup and thereafter with some of the unique offerings that would enable them to discover Qatar’s rich heritage, culture and cuisine", Lawrie said on an upbeat note of an exciting time for Qatar Museums and IN –Q as the clock ticks on for the spectacular sporting event.
IN-Q General Manager Philip Lawrie
“IN-Q has been playing a pivotal role by adding value and contributing to the creative economy through revenue generation through retail, merchandising, membership, ad sales, ticketing, commercial leasing, external food and beverage, in-house food and beverage and manpower contracting. All these business activities contribute to the creative economy of Qatar”, Lawrie said.
"The company has been a vital cog in supporting the country to achieve its ‘National Vision 2030’ goal and diversification from hydrocarbon. We develop merchandising and take great pride in the array of collections at the museums" Lawrie said adding that IN –Q has been the bedrock for small and medium sector enterprise development in Qatar.
The success story of Wadha Al Hajri, a reputed designer who has her own boutique at our museum is an excellent opportunity to nature young businesses and develop SME enterprises in Qatar, he said.
The Qatar museum and exhibition will intrigue visitors and we will help them to discover Qatari culture and traditions. We extend the visit experience, commercial economy and provision of additional source of income to the economy.
QM has a wonderful array of museums. The sports museum is amassing in terms of value creation at QM and it’s tailored for the sports fans coming to Qatar for the World Cup. The wonderful shops which speak of the history, themes and feelings of sports is amusing, he said adding that IN-Q is very proud to produce a lot of FIFA merchandising, soft toys and fun merchandising.
He said the company has produced a number of water bottles featuring a number of world renowned artistes from Qatar and across the globe. All these go to say that World Cup is not only a sporting event but also an event that comprises a cultural dimension that we offer through QM to enable visitors to get a taste of Qatar’s culture and cusines.
“So we are proud of merchandising and exhibiting the country’s diverse attractions to delight visitors and bring pride to the country which is a unique place to be”, Lawrie said.
Speaking about food and entertainment he said the Jiwan restaurant is the pace to be and experience the wonders of Qatar’s rich cultural and gastronomic legacy with the latest menu launched to mark the football season at the restaurant.
Overseeing the wonders of the Arabian sea as well as the extensive views of the Museum of Islamic Art, Jiwan, perched on the 4th floor of the National Museum of Qatar (NMOQ) with an elaborate outdoor terrace, is the second restaurant opened by Michelin-starred restaurateur and “architect of flavours” Alain Ducasse in Qatar.
Jiwan’s guests are invited to sample the culinary traditions of the past, where the menu is served sharing style featuring reinvented Qatari cuisine but with familiar flavours and a touch of sophisticated simplicity –comfortingly nostalgic.
