With the participation of over 150 companies from 37 countries showcasing more than 50 varieties of honey, the third Souq Waqif Honey Exhibition 2020 has been attracting a large number of visitors during the last four days.
The exhibition aims at supporting Qatari products by introducing local honey producing companies to the public and providing the opportunity for traders, entrepreneurs, and small and medium enterprises to present their products of honey and related products.
About 22 Qatari farms are participating in the exhibition and they have been given distinguished places in the exhibition, said General Supervisor of Souq Waqif Honey Exhibition, Khalid Saif Al Suwaidi, adding that as many as 80 local entities participating in the Honey Exhibition this year are either Qatari farms or local companies which have imported honey from foreign countries.
According to the Ministry of Municipality and Environment statistics, Qatar’s production of honey has reached 45 tonnes annually, said Al Suwaidi.
“In recent years, Qatari people started supporting local products including honey,” he said adding: “The exhibition is not only a place for selling honey but also a place to educate people about the importance of it so we invite everyone to visit the exhibition.”
“For the first time countries such as Sweden, Denmark, and the US are participating in this exhibition. The exhibition also includes Omani laboratory which can check the quality of honey,” said Al Suwaidi.
He also said that the exhibition distinguished this year by the increase in number of participating countries and the participating companies. “The number of participating companies last year was 120 companies, while this year the number climbed to 150 companies while the number of participating countries increased from 22 countries last year to 37 countries now.”
Al Suwaidi expected an increase in trade deals which will be signed at the exhibition compared to the last year. “We have already received a delegation from Kurdistan who wants to sign deals with some companies in the exhibition.”
The exhibition is open to the public from 8am to 12noon, and from 3pm to 9pm, except Fridays when it will be open from 3pm to 10pm.
The exhibition includes more than 50 types of honey, of which 10 are being displayed for the first time in the Exhibition. “The local companies are participating in the event because their honey is of superior quality,” said General Supervisor Al Suwaidi.
He further said that the visitors can get their honey tested from a laboratory at the exhibition site by paying QR30.
Regarding the sales, he expressed hopes that the sales of honey will be more this year as compared to the sales of previous years. A total of 37 tonnes of honey was sold during the previous edition of the exhibition while officials expect sale of 50 tonnes during this year’s exhibition.
The local and foreign companies have brought large quantity of honey this year after witnessing huge demand for their products in last year’s exhibition, Al Suwaidi said.
Al Suwaidi stressed the keenness of the department to present products that meet the highest standards. Random samples of the products are taken and tested by the competent authorities to test their quality and suitability for human consumption.
The 10-day event is being organised by the Private Engineering Office (PEO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and with the participation of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment.