Doha: Bedaya Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (Bedaya Centre), a joint initiative by Qatar Development Bank and Silatech, in partnership with Lulu Hypermarket, one of the largest retail stores in Qatar, has inaugurated a dedicated section aiming to support local entrepreneurs at the Gharafa branch.

The inaugurated showcase platform is the culmination of the ‘On the Shelf’ initiative that was launched earlier this year in collaboration with Lulu Hypermarket and offers six local startups the ideal space to display their products– in-store – for a period of three months, at no cost.

The startups went through a foundation programme that provided them with the knowledge of how to prepare their products for inclusion in retail shops and supermarkets. The three-day programme, which was held in May at Lulu Hypermarket’s headquarters, was attended by 33 participants.

Hamad Al Qahtani, General Manager of Bedaya Centre said, “Today we are witnessing yet another cooperation between Bedaya Centre and Lulu Hypermarket Group to support startups and small & medium-sized enterprises. We always seek to enrich and enhance the capabilities of entrepreneurs in order to advance their businesses and put them on the right path to take their first steps in the world of success. Our mandate is to help our promising entrepreneurs achieve their desired goals that would stimulate their business, emphasise the quality of their products, and enhance their pioneering role in society by qualifying them to expand their clients base and achieve a wider reach for their offerings.”

Director of Lulu Group International, Dr. Mohamed Altaf, said, “We are elated to witness the successful results of the strategic partnership with Bedaya Centre, which is in line with our vision of supporting and embracing Qatari startups, small and home businesses by opening new horizons for a large number of entrepreneurs who avail the centre’s support, especially when the Qatari products have proven their worth and ability to compete in terms of high quality and best prices. 

“Today we are witnessing the launch of a special section dedicated for startups to display the products of the participating projects under the umbrella of Bedaya Centre. We are confident that this distinguished initiative will be a constructive step in the joint co-operation with Bedaya aimed at supporting Qatari entrepreneurs and their emerging projects.”