DOHA: Qataris are flocking to Al Ahsa in Saudi Arabia for Ramadan and Eid related shopping lured by lower prices.
The markets in Al Ahsa are most popular for coffee, clothes, dates, cardamom, saffron, harees, spices and other such products. Apart from lower prices, vicinity of Al Ahsa town to Qatar is another trigger for Qatari citizens to drive to Saudi Arabian markets. Dammam in Saudi Arabia is another favourite destination for a large number of citizens for Ramadan and Eid shopping.
A trader told Al Yaum, a Saudi local daily, that Qataris prefer to go to Al Ahsa for shopping because it is very close from Qatar. It takes only two hours by road and there are a variety of products at cheaper prices.
Going to Saudi Arabia is not a new thing for Qataris. Every Ramadan they drive to Saudi towns in search of cheaper products.
Ahmed Al Kuwari said that many food items and other household products are available in Al Ahsa market at cheaper rate compared to Qatar. Prices of food items are very high in Qatar because of Ramadan. Citizens save a lot by buying from here and it is not much far from Qatar, he said.
Mohamed Al Jabbar, a trader in Al Ahsa said Qataris have been visiting Saudi Arabia for the past several years. There is a huge difference in the prices of many items in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Qataris make large chunk of customer base, he said.
Umm Khalid Al Marri was in the market to buy dresses for family members. She said there is a lot of variety in shops which attracts women buyers from Qatar. Qataris will continue to visit Saudi Arabia until the prices of goods fall in Qatar.
Khalid Al Marri said that quality of goods in Al Ahsa are satisfactory despite lower prices. Apart from food items, garments are also available at competitive rates.The Peninsula
