In 1995, Qatar experienced a fundamental shift in its outlook when the Amir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani took rule, and initiated an economic and soft diplomacy strategy, it came from the strong belief that Qatar, was ready to make its mark on the world stage and it culminated in the country’s hosting of one of the largest sporting events in the world, the FIFA World Cup. 

We first saw it in the advent of Al Jazeera as an alternative news channel with a local viewpoint, launched in 1996 by the then Amir, a mere year after he ascended the throne. For the first time, a local voice could be seen and heard on televisions across the Arab World and beyond. As Al Jazeera grew, so too did its reputation as a global news source and as a local success story.

Al Jazeera rivals the BBC and CNN as a leading global news source, but still with a local voice, which matters more than ever amid the devastation occurring in Gaza. 

Around the same time, Qatar Airways was taking its first steps towards expansion. With Gulf Air, Qatar was part of a joint venture with the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, but the country wanted focus on its local carrier, eventually withdrawing from the Gulf Air partnership a few years later. Qatar Airways is now recognised as one of the best airlines in the world, coupled with one the best airports in the world. Qatar became a hub of air transport infrastructure brilliance. 

The country’s vision has provided proof towards why investing in local is important. And the power of local also accelerated, I would argue through three trends that all lead to us to examine seriously our national strategic priorities towards this subject.  

1. On a global scale, covid made people reconsider their relationship with their community through the grounding of flights and limitations of mobility,
   and businesses to re-examine its supply chain amid world supply of product shortages. 

2. On a geo-political block scale - The war on Gaza, leading to the revaluation of consumers in the muslim world with international brands, deeming them
   incompatible with their ethical or moral principles.

3. Lastly, on a national scale, the blockade of Qatar in 2017 by neighbouring countries that made the proverbial phrase “cows fly” come to life, kick starting a
   whole dairy industry in the wake of months (thank you Baladna!).

Localism has become more important than ever. The challenge is the need to develop the architecture of economic and social ownership of localism in Qatar. So now we need to turn inward again and find a new collective goal to drive our ambition.

So what does that mean for entrepreneurs? 

Entrepreneurs in Qatar now have the belief that they can walk in the steps of these local-  -gone-global-giants. It’s time we envisioned a future together where the world’s next big brands could come from here, where Snoonu becomes the first unicorn, a Stripe emerges right here from Qatar or the next Coffee Brand replacing Starbucks. This isn’t just a dream; it’s a tangible possibility. These businesses wouldn’t just be selling a product; it would be sharing a piece of Qatar’s soul, its rich history, and its vision for the future. It’s deliberate action in unison. 

To do this we have to form collaborative partnerships with our key stakeholders, whether it is with our customers, suppliers or even with government employees. In fact in many cases the same person can be all three. We need to innovate more to really understand what our customers want, and focus less on what we want for ourselves. When it comes to supply chains we have to work together to open up new sources, whether from the region or even farther afield. Finally, we need to form better relationships with local government, in order to help them design easier-to-navigate bureaucracy and to seek better incentives for great products and services.

So the entrepreneurs and dreamers in Qatar, if a global pandemic, a geo-political blockade, or a targeted smear campaign against the country couldn’t effect the positivity and determination. I say: Your local business can be the next global phenomenon. Embrace your heritage, harness your creativity, and let your ambitions soar. 

Happy Qatar National Day! 

At the Torba Store, we’ve started giving away mini trays of vegetables for kids. We want to encourage kids to have a good relationship with food from a young age and also to embrace healthy eating as the norm. Establishing healthy eating habits at an early age has been proven to have a positive lasting effects on a person’s diet through adulthood. To help out, here are a few easy, and healthy, recipes you can do with your kids. And tasty too.

Kale Chips

These are a delicious and easy alternative to potato chips. Fantastic for busy kids.

Ingredients:
- Fresh Kale
- Olive Oil
- Salt

Directions:
- Take your fresh kale and remove the stems, either by stripping the leaves off them by hand, or by using scissors or a knife
- Coat in olive oil and a generous pinch of salt
- Bake at 175 degrees celsius until the edges of the kale become brown and crispy (around 5 minutes)

Zucchini Muffins

These muffins are a great way to get some vegetables into your child. Even better when they help prepare them, they get to eat the end result and realise how tasty veggies are. 

Ingredients:
- Zucchini
- Flour (about half a cup)
- Shredded cheese
- 1 egg
- Salt
- Cumin (optional)

Directions:
- Grate your zucchini and spread onto a paper towel
- Cover with another paper towel to help remove moisture
- Place the zucchini into a medium-sized bowl with the rest of the ingredients
- Stir together until the flour and egg have combined to create a muffin mix
- Add muffin mix to muffin tray or muffin cups
- Bake at 180 degrees celsius (about 15 minutes) until set and lightly golden brown.

Serve warm!
 

Cherry Tomato & Mozzarella Skewers

Quick and easy, these skewers are simply and tasty as well. Plus, you can grow tomato and basil at home!

Ingredients:
- Fresh cherry tomatoes
- Mozzarella balls
- Fresh basil 

Directions:
- Pierce tomatoes, mozzarella balls and basil alternately through a skewer (in case you have no cherry tomatoes, wedges of tomatoes work as well!)
- Serve

Note: You can also season with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, or fresh pesto. 

All the ingredients in these recipes are readily available at the store. Keep an eye out for the free kid's veggie trays at the store, where some of the ingredients for these recipes are available in the store.   They are quick and easy to prepare, and taste delicious as well! Happy cooking!

One of the easiest ways to get your garden flourishing is to start incorporating seaweed.

The natural resource is right at your fingertips. You just need a trip to the beach! Before we dive in (get it?), let's talk about this magical weed for a bit...


 One of the easiest ways to get your garden flourishing is to start incorporating seaweed.

This natural resource is right at your fingertips. You just need a trip to the beach! Before we dive in (get it?), let’s talk about this magical weed for a bit..

Seaweed has a very high micronutrient content and is widely used as a fertiliser and as a plant growth stimulant. Seaweed is also one of the fastest growing organisms on the planet. In Scotland people would make lazy trenches for their potatoes and just lay seaweed down and grow potatoes on top with a bit of soil covering them. They get bountiful potatoes plus a nutrient rich soil at the end.

Studies show that seaweed contains substances that help improve soil structure. Jelly-like particles in brown seaweed bind soil particles together. They contain natural growth-promoting phytohormones which are important plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, as well as more than 60 minor nutrients and trace elements.

As seaweed breaks down into the soil, it encourages microorganisms in the soil, it increases chlorophyll production and contains important nutrients for soil and plant health. Are you converted yet?

Collecting your seaweed 

It is very important to collect seaweed that has been washed up, it’s not sustainable for everyone to go around pulling off living seaweed.

Make sure you’re collecting from unpolluted beaches where you know the seaweed hasn’t absorbed any chemicals or nasty toxic particles.

Gently give your seaweed a shake to release any excess sand and any sea creatures that may be in there.

Don’t wash it when you get home. There’s no evidence that the salt or sand on it is harmful to your plants or soil, plus the salt will repel those pesky pests.

1. Use seaweed when planting your new seedlings

Add clumps of seaweed to the base of plant holes before transplanting your seedlings.

When using seaweed under new seedlings, you will get increased root and plant growth; healthier foliage, flowers, and fruits, plus a greater resistance to pests and diseases.

2. Mulch and soil conditioner

Use your freshly harvested seaweed layered on top of soil to help improve its condition and moisture retention. If you are not keen on the fresh smell of seaweed you can dry it in the sun then place on the garden, or grind into a powder and sprinkle around your plants for a great soil conditioner. Get hold of an old blender or food processor to do the job.

3. As a pest control

As the seaweed dries, it becomes hard, crinkly, and is irritating to slugs and snail’s soft undersides. Most birds don’t like seaweed either. When it’s wet, they get tangled easily; when it’s dry, it’s a scratchy deterrent. So, they steer clear.

4. Us a fertiliser (Seaweed tea)

Soak seaweed in a bucket or barrel of water with a partially closed lid. Infuse the seaweed for several weeks then strain. Seaweed fertiliser tea can be watered in at the root zone or used as a foliar spray. Any leftover seaweed can be chopped up and added to your compost.

5. In your compost pile

You can add fresh or dried seaweed to your compost, with equal parts dried leaves, or grass clippings. It will promote micro-organisms in your compost, encouraging the breakdown of plant matter, and the creation of the gardener’s version of black gold – delicious, fertile soil.

Conclusion

Seaweed is a natural and freely available fertiliser. It is sustainable, chemical free, and provides amazing nutrients and minerals for your home garden. Its multiple uses make it a fantastic versatile additional to your back yard.re...

One of the easiest ways to get your garden flourishing is to start incorporating seaweed.

This natural resource is right at your fingertips. You just need a trip to the beach! Before we dive in (get it?), let’s talk about this magical weed for a bit..

Seaweed has a very high micronutrient content and is widely used as a fertiliser and as a plant growth stimulant. Seaweed is also one of the fastest growing organisms on the planet. In Scotland people would make lazy trenches for their potatoes and just lay seaweed down and grow potatoes on top with a bit of soil covering them. They get bountiful potatoes plus a nutrient rich soil at the end.

Studies show that seaweed contains substances that help improve soil structure. Jelly-like particles in brown seaweed bind soil particles together. They contain natural growth-promoting phytohormones which are important plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, as well as more than 60 minor nutrients and trace elements.

As seaweed breaks down into the soil, it encourages microorganisms in the soil, it increases chlorophyll production and contains important nutrients for soil and plant health. Are you converted yet?

Collecting your seaweed 

It is very important to collect seaweed that has been washed up, it’s not sustainable for everyone to go around pulling off living seaweed.

Make sure you’re collecting from unpolluted beaches where you know the seaweed hasn’t absorbed any chemicals or nasty toxic particles.

Gently give your seaweed a shake to release any excess sand and any sea creatures that may be in there.

Don’t wash it when you get home. There’s no evidence that the salt or sand on it is harmful to your plants or soil, plus the salt will repel those pesky pests.

1. Use seaweed when planting your new seedlings

Add clumps of seaweed to the base of plant holes before transplanting your seedlings.

When using seaweed under new seedlings, you will get increased root and plant growth; healthier foliage, flowers, and fruits, plus a greater resistance to pests and diseases.

2. Mulch and soil conditioner

Use your freshly harvested seaweed layered on top of soil to help improve its condition and moisture retention. If you are not keen on the fresh smell of seaweed you can dry it in the sun then place on the garden, or grind into a powder and sprinkle around your plants for a great soil conditioner. Get hold of an old blender or food processor to do the job.

3. As a pest control

As the seaweed dries, it becomes hard, crinkly, and is irritating to slugs and snail’s soft undersides. Most birds don’t like seaweed either. When it’s wet, they get tangled easily; when it’s dry, it’s a scratchy deterrent. So, they steer clear.

4. Us a fertiliser (Seaweed tea)

Soak seaweed in a bucket or barrel of water with a partially closed lid. Infuse the seaweed for several weeks then strain. Seaweed fertiliser tea can be watered in at the root zone or used as a foliar spray. Any leftover seaweed can be chopped up and added to your compost.

5. In your compost pile

You can add fresh or dried seaweed to your compost, with equal parts dried leaves, or grass clippings. It will promote micro-organisms in your compost, encouraging the breakdown of plant matter, and the creation of the gardener’s version of black gold – delicious, fertile soil.

Conclusion

Seaweed is a natural and freely available fertiliser. It is sustainable, chemical free, and provides amazing nutrients and minerals for your home garden. Its multiple uses make it a fantastic versatile additional to your back yard.re...