Lulu Group Launches 'Explore Australia' Festival At All Hypermarkets

Doha, Qatar: The country's leading retailer Lulu Group has launched“Explore Australia” in cooperation with Austrade, the commercial division of the Australian embassy, offering a wide range of products on discounted prices.

Ambassador of Australia to Qatar H E Shane Flanagan and wife jointly inaugurated the festival at Lulu Hypermarket, Giardino, The Pearl-Qatar yesterday. It will run until February 12 in all Lulu Hypermarket outlets in the region.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Australian officials, the Regional Director of Lulu Group International Shaijan M.O, Regional Manager Shanavas Padiyath, officials from the Australian embassy, and a host of other dignitaries from various sectors.

The Ambassador of Australian during his inaugural address said:“It is a real reflection of our commitment, of Australia's commitment to meet Qatar's food security interests as well as to our commitment to the whole region. And this is a terrific initiative, I think, by LuLu to host these weeks.”

He added:“We are very proud to play a long-standing role in supporting food security for Qatar. I don't think there's a kitchen or a dining table or a refrigerator in all of Qatar that does not have Australian products in one form or another. This reflects that Australian food and beverage products have an impeccable reputation for superior quality, safety, and great value. Our products are renowned for their freshness and their excellence.

“We very much see this as a partnership between ourselves and LuLu. And we congratulate LuLu on its successful IPO in 2024. And we're confident that it's going to transform retailing in Qatar, in the Gulf region, and beyond,” said Flanagan.

Gonul Serbest, Commissioner for Victoria to Europe, Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa said:“Victoria is very proud to be the home of LuLu in Australia for their purchasing and distribution centre. Again, Victoria is very proud and very much thanks you for LuLu's investment in Victoria.”

Todd Miller, Trade and Investment Officer, Australia Trade and Investment Office, commented:“We're proud to see that companies like LuLu are leaning in and opening the distribution centre and the buying centre in Melbourne, I think it's been a big part of it.”

Regional Director of Lulu Group International Shaijan said the festival is being held to promote Australian products in Qatar. He added:“Australian products have been increasing significantly at Lulu outlets during last four years due to growing local demand. We had started importing some perishable and other types of products. Now we have almost all ranges of Australian products, which have become integral part of Lulu's offerings.”

The festival is showcasing the major product lines that are directly being imported from Australia regularly since long time. The important categories that are imported include fresh meat, organic food, muesli bars, plant-based milk, sauce, cake mix, honey, grocery, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. Recent reports state that there has been considerable increase in the export of livestock, fresh food, processed food products and vegetables from Australia to Qatar.

Live musical performance of children from United School International was appealing and added vibrancy to the ceremony. Chef Ali's culinary live cooking sessions were also organised during the festival, and special counters were set for sampling.

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