The 10-day festival has come to an end. But the memories are forever in people’s heart. Qatar National Day ’17 is going to be remembered for years to come. This nation does know how to celebrate!

The most important moment that stays with us is the Made In Qatar exhibition. If you visited Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre in the past few days, you know what I’m talking about. The exhibition consisted of around 300 Qatari companies to showcase their products and services to the community.

HE the Chairman of Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani said that the exhibition provided opportunities to discuss with business delegations and businessmen to explore the possibility of forging partnerships and alliances that contribute to the promotion of Qatari industry and bringing in more industries needed by the Qatari market, especially those depending on modern technology – As reported by Gulf Times

Locals were selling hand-made fabrics, bakery, honey, organic vegetables etc. Qatar’s own dairy farm was at the exhibition offering samples for tasting. And it tasted great!

From perfumes to Industrial steel, they exhibited their products proudly.

When a consumer supports his local business owners, he enjoys benefits he can’t possibly get from shopping at national chains.

As locals and expats, here’s how we can help Qatari manufacturers to grow:

  • If you plan to eat out, make space for local based cafes or restaurants. Take family or friends along.
  • Offer reviews on any place or service.
  • Visit Souq Waqif once in a while to purchase hand made fabrics, paintings, spices etc.

It’s best visited at night for the lights and music played on the streets.

  • Improve your family’s health by buying from local farmers. This gives you access to fruits and vegetables that you know are chemical free.
  • If you are organizing small events for family or friends, contact local designers for interiors or decorations.
  • There are also benefits to eating raw local honeys, which are thought to helpbattle allergies.
  • Search for products in your surroundings before ordering online from abroad. You never know what you are searching for is in your community. This saves you time and money on high delivery charges.
  • Check Instagram for freelance designers based in Qatar. Give them a shoutout on your social media. They will acknowledge it and appreciate it.
  • Support Qatari farms by buying their fresh dairy products or meat.
  • You can also fund local businesses if you want to. Partner with them if you have a business of your own.
  • Gift your friends perfume and clothes, designed by small business owners in Qatar.
  • Volunteer for or offer your skills to non-profit organizations.

Help your community to be successful. There’s more for you than you can think of. Not only do you get to experience new and value-based products, it also makes you creative and aware of happenings.

Note: You don’t have to promote places or services you don’t like. Just offer them a feedback.

When you support local business owners, you get a better level of service, as well as helping make your community a better place to live. This is in addition to the health benefits and access to unique products that you usually can’t find with chain locations.

Written by Frah Eqbal