JOSEPH VARGHESE

DOHA QATAR residents will wake up to a New Year shopping extravaganza as the 10-day Doha Trade Fair 2012 (DTF) opens at the Doha Exhibition Center on Sunday.

Around 570 exhibitors from 29 countries will participate in the fair. The fair will exhibit a wide range of products ranging from cosmetics, fabrics and textiles to food, toys and more.

Chairman of Qatar Chambers of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed al Thani will inaugurate the mega shopping event that will run for ten days. The DTF is being organised by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) in cooperation with q.media Events. The shopping carnival is expected to welcome thousands of visitors from the country and across the region.

The exhibitors at the 2012 edition of the DTF, which is one of the region’s prime trade shows, will showcase and sell a wide range of the latest and most exclusive products ranging from household items, toys, gadgets and electronics, perfume and cosmetics to clothes and food.

Families and children will also enjoy a dedicated fun zone area, featuring inflatables, face painting, mascots and a parade. The parade will perform four displays, including fire barrel shows, daily starting from 2pm.

The opening ceremony of the highly-anticipated event will be attended by representatives of the QTA and q.media events along with other government officials and personalities.

Following the inauguration, visitors will enjoy a captivating show and parade that will add a festive spirit to the overall ambiance of the fair.

Participating countries this year include Bangladesh, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, the UAE, the United States and Yemen.

The Doha Trade Fair 2012 will run from January 1 to January 10.

Opening times are from 11.00am until 10.00pm daily and on Friday from 2.00pm until 10.00pm. Entry is free. The 2012 edition of the DTF is being held in partnerships with Seqlia, Al Mutakamelah Tents and Batteel.