ROYAL APPEAL
The key to the group's longterm success has been its undying commitment to providing an ever-evolving market with precisely what it needs.

BIOGRAPHY
Omar Hussain Alfardan is president and CEO of Alfardan Group, one of the most successful privately owned companies in Qatar and the region. He has acquired sharp business acumen under the tutelage of his father Hussain Ibrahim Alfardan, a distinguished pearl businessman. He holds a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in finance from Webster University in Geneva. Through his visionary approach and strategic expansion into profitable business sectors in Qatar and the region, he has driven the group along the path of sustained growth and continued success.How would you assess your clientele?
Alfardan Group is known for conducting business in a way that sets exacting standards, which is quite visible through the excellence, leadership, and quality of our products and services. It is this shared value with clients that allows us to meet their needs and the types of products and services they expect from us. We deliver state-of-the-art products and services by investing heavily in the latest technologies and innovation, while ensuring these investments are met with superiority, luxury, and transparency. The core is trust and reliability. Our broad expansion into other industries from jewellery and luxury watches to currency exchange, property development, hospitality, automotive and industrial equipment, investments, and maritime services is consistently supported by our high-profile clients because of their trust in us. They experience the consistency in our services across all sectors, and we continue to maintain these established standards with a firm commitment to providing an ever-evolving market with what it needs most.
What competitive advantage do you have for distributing certain brands?
We have successfully established ventures in a wide range of industries, with a special focus on luxury and high-end markets. We maintain a high level of qualifications for our teams, ensuring they are widely-experienced, and we continue to train them to keep them on par with international practices. Yet, we always remain true to our commitment to family values, quality, excellence, integrity, social responsibility, and professionalism. At the core, our efforts are an uncompromising commitment to honor the values of the company's founding father Ibrahim Alfardan, whose vision and character have guided our business. We have earned the trust not only of our customers, but also of leading global brands seeking to expand into Qatar and the region.
Alfardan Group announced the launch of the Marsa Arabia Resort luxury development project. How will this be different?
Marsa Arabia Resort is Alfardan's latest major venture in integrated luxury lifestyle development and part of its initiative to boost international hospitality offerings and commitment to supporting Qatar's progress in diversifying the economy through tourism. As Qatar is positioned to become the preferred luxury destination in the Middle East, we are bringing an exclusive development masterplan to the market that transcends the boundaries between residential living and hotels. The landmark project is strategically located within Porto Arabia along the Pearl Qatar waterfront, featuring an architectural design that reflects both the Arabian and Andalusian cultures. Our aim for it is to showcase an entirely new way of living, with world-class facilities and amenities under the management of the St. Regis brand. The tourism sector is at the heart of our core offerings, and we are always guided by the vision of Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, to build a highly developed and sustainable nation. We will continue to build our offerings following this agenda in line with the Qatar Vision 2030 and take advantage of the strong momentum in Qatar's tourism and hospitality sector. The current developments in the sector, including infrastructure investments, are massive, and there is upward of USD200 billion for new projects. The generous support of the Qatari government to sustainable development further reinforces our confidence in significantly contributing to and tapping into our business capabilities to strengthen Qatar's presence on the global tourism map.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister , Public Health & Managing Director, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
The Ministry of Health focuses on collaborating with private hospitals and clinics on a range of initiatives to improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of care services for patients.
read articleInside Perspective
HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir , the State of Qatar
Since the blockade, the number of factories has increased by 14%, the currency has remained stable, non-oil GDP has grown by 4%, and projects to boost desalination by 40% and electricity by 30% have gotten off the ground.
read articleGuest Speaker
George Hollingbery , , State for Trade Policy, Department for International Trade (DIT)
“It is an exciting time for both our nations as the UK sets up its independent trade policy for the first time in more the 40 years, and Qatar continues to drive forward its National Vision 2030."
read articleInterview
Mohammed Ali Al-Mannai , President, Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA)
Despite its small size, Qatar continues to be one of the most progressive telecoms markets in the region, with the sector identified as a key enabler of the country's economic diversification and sustainable growth outside of hydrocarbons.
read articleInterview
Fahad Al Khalifa , Group Chief Executive Officer, Al khalij Commercial Bank “al khaliji”
By employing a Qatar-centric strategy, supporting SMEs, and integrating new technologies in a secure way, Al Khaliji continues to play an invaluable role in uplifting the country's economy.
read articleInterview
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Subaie , Minister, Municipality and EnvironmenT (MME)
MME strives to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the implementation of all state sectorial plans in accordance with a comprehensive framework that guarantees the integration of all sectors.
read articleInterview
Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, Minister of Energy Affairs, President & CEO, Qatar Petroleum
Qatar Petroleum has the largest industrial base in Qatar and it is harnessing latest technologies to deliver enhanced performance and deliver on its ambitious growth strategy and vision to be one of the best oil and gas companies in the world.
read articleInterview
Essa bin Hilal Al-Kuwari , President, Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa)
Kahramaa is completely aligned with the Qatar National Vision's sustainability targets and is working toward reducing the need for fossil fuels and increasing the country's renewables uptake.
read articleInterview
Abdul Aziz Ahmed Bashraheel , Group Manager, Qatar Plastic Products Company W.L.L. (QPPC) & Qatar Wooden Products Company W.L.L. (QWPC)
TBY talks to Abdul Aziz Ahmed Bashraheel, Group Manager of Qatar Plastic Products Company W.L.L. (QPPC) & Qatar Wooden Products Company W.L.L. (QWPC), on the Energy sector.
read articleFocus: Hamad airport
Bigger and Better
Despite the ongoing blockade of June 2017, Qatar's leadership is racing forward with huge expansion plans that will boost Hamad International Airport's capacity to 65 million annual passengers and help its nascent Hamad Port reach a potential 400 million global customers a year.
read article