Doha: The
third edition of the Indian Mango Festival (locally known as the Hamba
Exhibition) opened at the Eastern Square of Souq Waqif on Thursday, bringing
together premium Indian mango varieties, food products, cultural experiences,
and business opportunities. The festival was inaugurated by representative of
the Private Engineering Office Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Nuaimi, in the presence
of Ambassador of India to Qatar HE Vipul, alongside several ambassadors and
invited guests.
Organised
by the Celebrations Committee of the Private Engineering Office in cooperation
with the Embassy of India, the exhibition runs until June 27. More than 35
Indian companies are participating, showcasing varieties including Alphonso,
Mallika, Kesar, Langra, and Dasahri, flown daily from India to guarantee
freshness. The second edition attracted over 114,400 visitors, with mango sales
exceeding 130,000 kilogrammes.
General
Supervisor Khalid Saif Al Suwaidi said the festival was scheduled to coincide
with the peak mango harvesting season in India, with prices kept affordable
while offering premium varieties not normally available in local markets. A
fully air-conditioned tent with advanced cooling systems has been installed to
preserve freshness.
Ambassador Vipul praised the festival's success and its role in strengthening people-to-people ties. "Food connects people, culture connects people," he said, noting that bilateral trade between India and Qatar exceeds $14 billion annually. The exhibition is open daily from 4pm to 10pm.
