Pakistani companies take part in first-ever Alhamba Festival to attract mango imports from Qatar
ISLAMABAD: The inaugural Alhanba Festival currently underway in Qatar’s capital Doha is celebrating the “abundance” of Pakistani mangoes and hopes to attract orders from Qatari importers for mangoes and other agricultural products from the South Asian country, state media reported on Sunday.
Pakistan is the world’s fourth-largest mango producer, with agriculture contributing nearly a quarter of its GDP, but its mangoes have faced export challenges in recent years due to bad weather and concerns about pests and fruit flies that could threaten agricultural standards in importing countries.
To attract Qatari importers, the Al Hanba Festival being held at Souq Waqif is showcasing several popular mango varieties including Sidri, Chaunsa, Safeed Chaunsa, Anwar Ratoul and Dusehri.
The event, which began on Thursday and will continue till July 6, is organised by the Pakistan Embassy in Doha in collaboration with the Organising Committee of the Private Engineering Firms Celebration and will see the participation of over 43 companies and over 100 shops.
“The first-ever Alhamba Festival will not only promote cultural exchange between the two countries through the universal language of food, but also provide an opportunity to taste the diversity of Pakistan’s finest mangoes,” state news agency APP quoted Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar Mohammed Aejaz as saying.
“The Alhamba Festival will offer a rich array of flavours and cultural experiences, making it a memorable event for families and foodies.”
The envoy expressed confidence that the event “will attract orders from Qatari importers not only for mangoes but also for other agricultural products, including rice, food and other fruits.”
The festival will see participation of a range of exhibitors including importers, retailers and exporters showcasing processed foods and dried mangoes. Key participants include Zuhair Impex, Akin Foods, Kashan Trader’s, Friday Fresh Pvt Ltd, Naurus Pvt Ltd, Pak Khyber Traders, Aaj Enterprises, Al Hamad Agro Chemicals and Swat International Trading Company. Key participating retailers include Al Baladi Hypermarket, Marza Hypermarket, Sunder Mart and Al Hemaliya Trading.
In addition to mangoes, the festival also showcases seasonal fruits such as farsa, jamun and peaches. A variety of Pakistani cuisine is another highlight of the festival, with many local restaurants and cafes offering diverse menus showcasing Pakistani culinary traditions.
