Representative of the Private Engineering Office Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Nuaimi and Ambassador of India to Qatar H E Vipul inaugurating the Indian Mango Festival yesterday in the presence of other guests. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: The third edition of the Indian Mango Festival (locally known as the Hamba Exhibition) opened yesterday at the Eastern Square of Souq Waqif, bringing together premium Indian mango varieties, food products, cultural experiences and business opportunities in one of Qatar’s most anticipated seasonal events.
The festival was inaugurated by representative of the Private Engineering Office Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Nuaimi, in the presence of Ambassador of India to Qatar H E Vipul, alongside several ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, media representatives and invited guests.
Organised by the Celebrations Committee of the Private Engineering Office in cooperation with the Embassy of India in Qatar, the exhibition will run until June 27 2026, offering visitors a unique cultural and commercial experience that showcases India’s finest mangoes and a wide range of mango-based products in an atmosphere reflecting India’s rich heritage and traditions. The festival continues the remarkable success of its previous editions, having established itself as one of the region’s leading seasonal speciality events.
According to the organisers, the second edition attracted more than 114,400 visitors, while total mango sales exceeded 130,000 kilogrammes. Building on this success, organisers expect even stronger attendance this year, reflecting the festival’s growing popularity among residents and visit ors alike.
This year’s edition features participation from more than 35 Indian companies, presenting an extensive range of premium mangoes and mango-derived products.
Among the renowned mango varieties showcased are Alphonso, Mallika, Kesar, Langra, Dasahri and many more. All fresh mangoes are flown daily from India to Qatar, guaranteeing exceptional freshness and quality.
The festival aims to strengthen commercial and cultural ties between Qatar and India by promoting premium Indian mangoes and related products while providing Indian companies with an opportunity to expand their presence in the Qatari market.
Visitors at the Indian Mango Festival
General Supervisor of the exhibition Khalid Saif Al Suwaidi said that strict participation criteria were established to ensure product quality. He explained that the festival was deliberately scheduled to coincide with the peak mango harvesting season in India, allowing visitors to enjoy the finest available varieties.
Al Suwaidi also noted that prices have been carefully set to remain affordable for all visitors while offering premium and rare mango varieties that are not normally available in Qatar’s local markets.
He revealed that preparations for the exhibition began more than four months ago. Organisers installed a fully air-conditioned exhibition tent equipped with advanced cooling systems to preserve the freshness of the fruit while providing comprehensive facilities and services for exhibitors and visitors.
Speaking to The Peninsula, Ambassador of India H E Vipul, praised the remarkable success of the festival and its growing role in strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.
“We’ve had a massive success with this festival. It connects the people of our two countries,” Ambassador Vipul said. He noted that Indian mangoes are highly appreciated by people in Qatar and expressed his gratitude to Souq Waqif for hosting the annual event.
The ambassador highlighted the strong economic relationship between India and Qatar, noting that bilateral trade exceeds $14bn annually. “We buy a lot of energy from Qatar and we also export quite a lot of food products, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, jewellery and many other products to Qatar. This is a great partnership between our two countries.”
Emphasising the importance of cultural diplomacy through food, Ambassador Vipul said, “Food connects people, culture connects people.”
He noted that many culinary traditions, including karak tea, biryani, mangoes and dates, form part of the shared cultural heritage linking India, Qatar and the wider Gulf region.
The exhibition welcomes visitors daily from 4pm to 10pm throughout its duration, combining shopping, food experiences and cultural entertainment within the historic setting of Souq Waqif.
