BUONO QATAR
BIOGRAPHY
Vito Cerabona is the general manager and co-founder of Buono Qatar, which has proudly created a unique Qatari-European partnership. After spending almost a decade managing and developing this locally created brand, Cerabona truly understands the Qatari retail market and the ever-changing demands of consumers in the country. He passionately advocates the importance of locally created business concepts within the Qatari retail landscape.
What market opportunity did you identify in Qatar that favored the launching of Buono?
The idea comes from a strong Qatari-European ownership. We saw an opportunity in the market for high-quality chocolate products, sweets, flowers, and designer items, with a European-inspired flair and presentation and a competitive price point. We put as much effort into our chocolate as we do into its design. We started in 2010 with chocolate and flowers, and have been in the market for nine years. We have four operating branches and a fifth opening in 2019.
How has the retail landscape been evolving, and where do you forecast the industry going in the future?
When we opened the business, there was not much competition in the market and spending power was high. The country's continued development created a huge advantage in the retail sector. Now, the market has evolved. Consumers have become savvier in their expenses, looking for value and becoming more demanding in terms of quality. There are around 20 malls, and those malls need to be full, so there is much more competition. People are now significantly more realistic about their expectations and standards of living. For the consumer, it is positive. When I first came, people complained there was only one supermarket chain. We have to embrace new ideas, technologies, and ways to increase revenue.
Did you see a shift of preference toward Qatari products after the blockade?
People now choose to support local companies. Malls are increasing spaces for local brands and companies. This has been a huge advantage for us. Now, it is all about the local market and specifically hotels. We specifically changed our brand from Buono to Buono Qatar for this reason; hotels like to feature our name so guests can see where the chocolate company comes from.
BUONO QATAR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Given its successful performance in the last few years, QFC is optimistic it will be able to capitalize on Qatar's ongoing efforts to create a world-class business environment and attract more global companies.
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Lolwah R M Al-Khater, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is focused on pushing forward Qatar's foreign policy, sharing information and perspectives that could be useful for regional security and advancing the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the world today.
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Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President, Research, Development, and Innovation, Qatar Foundation
The first country in the world to track its citizens' genomes, Qatar is on track to make one of modern science's biggest breakthroughs by personalizing medical treatment and precision care.
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Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister, Transport and Communications (MoTC)
With plans for a fully electric bus system and an impressive set of interconnected transportation options including metro, rail, and tram, the Ministry of Transport and Communication is shifting mobility into the next gear in Qatar.
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Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank (QCB)
Encouraging local manufacturing, initiating self-sufficiency in dairy and farm products, expanding into new air and sea routes, offering select visa-free entry, and enacting fiscal reforms are but several of the successful reforms undertaken since 2017.
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Sean Kelly, Project Director, Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is no ordinary mall: with 650 hotel rooms, a 6,000-sqm cinema with 18 screens, six slides, three toboggan runs, and an ice river opening in September 2020, it is looking to slide into Qatar's tourism infrastructure in time for the World Cup.
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Mehmed Zingal, General Manager, Turkish Airlines - Qatar
With its 30th year celebration of its Miles&Smiles club launch in Qatar, Turkish Airlines is acknowledging its continued diligence to provide the best customer service, with targets to increase customer happiness through innovative technologies and increasing tourism to Qatar for the future.
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Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President, Qatar University (QU)
Ranked in the top-500 universities by the Times Higher Education, Qatar University improves students' academic success by supporting students throughout their academic lifecycle, from the pre-university stage to beyond graduation.
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A lesson learned
The international attention set to fall on Qatar over the coming years is significant only to the extent that it generates advances in human capital required by Qatar's blueprint, National Vision 2020, where local know-how and innovation advance the nation and promote wellbeing.
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Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health & Managing Director,, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
The health minister is committed to continuing the growth of Qatar's healthcare system, with plans for more than 20 new facilities specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health.
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