QC Board Member: Merwad expo as ideal hub to introduce women designers, entrepreneurs

Qatar Chamber board member Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani inaugurating the sixth edition of the Merwad Exhibition, which will run until October 6 at QNCC. Looking on are Vouge Event Company director Tamader al-Marri and other leading businesswomen in Qatar.

The sixth edition of the Merwad Exhibition is seen as an “ideal hub” to launch and introduce women designers and entrepreneurs, said Qatar Chamber board member Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani, who inaugurated the event on Friday.

Slated until October 4 at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), Merwad gathered 150 participants, 135 of which are Qatari businesswomen. Lebanon is this year’s latest addition to Merwad’s growing list of participants, including designers from GCC states, Turkey, Morocco, and India.

“Events, such as Merwad, reflect the growth and development of the Qatari economy in all sectors. The exhibition is the perfect venue to introduce women designers, especially the youth.

“This occasion also helps inspire Qatari businesswomen to continue innovating and designing in the fashion sector, which is an important and growing industry not only in Qatar but worldwide,” al-Ahmadani told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the event.

According to al-Ahmadani, who is also chairperson of the Qatari Businesswomen Forum, both the forum and Qatar Chamber are keen to support and promote activities involving women and the youth.

Al-Ahmadani said the expo reflects the innovations of Qatari designers in the field of fashion and women’s supplies and highlighted the development of this industry. She noted that previous editions of the expo had showcased a large variety of high-end Arab fashion and luxurious abayas, adding in this edition offers new innovations, which is an indication of the development of this sector.

She underscored the Chamber’s keenness to support exhibitions that are held by Qatari businesswomen to help them promote their products, as well as the Qatari Businesswomen Forum’s role in supporting businesswomen and help encourage them to maximise their contribution in the economic activity.

Al-Ahmadani also lauded the growing innovations of Qatari designers. She also emphasised that the large participation of Arab and foreign companies in the expo reflects the increasing development of the exhibition.

Speaking on the occasion, Vouge Event Company director Tamader al-Marri said the number of participating companies in this year's edition “affirms the expo’s development year after year.”

Al-Marri also extended her gratitude to Qatar Chamber and the Qatari Businesswomen Forum for sponsoring and supporting the expo, noting that this emphasises the “key role” played by the forum in supporting the Qatari woman and enhancing the role of businesswomen and entrepreneurs in the national economy.

The six-day Merwad 2021 not only showcases 150 booths but offers a wide selection of abayas for the fall-winter collection, as well as a variety of the latest innovations in women’s supplies and accessories.
After inaugurating the event, al-Ahmadani toured the expo’s pavilions and viewed the items and designs on display, which were introduced by Qatari designers, along with some designers from the countries participating in the exhibition.