How long have you been living in Doha and has it been worthwhile?

I came to Doha four years ago and, yes, I feel my stay here has been worthwhile. The lifestyle is relaxed and mostly stress-free. Commuting around the city is easy and not time consuming at all. Most places are air-conditioned and climate-controlled so you don’t feel the heat. Amenities like water and electricity are pretty consistent and, overall, the standard of living is great for people of all income groups.

What makes Doha tick? Can it charm a first-timer? Is it a safe place?

Doha is definitely a safe place. Although you probably won’t immediately fall in love with the place, you’ll come to appreciate it in due course. Easy commutating, well-equipped malls and supermarkets, good hotels and a few places to chill out make it a nice place.

What advice would you give to a business person?

There are good opportunities for business now that Qatari society is opening up to consumerism. People are more aware of products and the variety that’s available. Mostly leisure, food and consumer electronics appear to have the best opportunities.

How has the pace of development been in the past five years and how exciting will be the future? Compared to Qatar’s past, the last five years have seen a very rapid growth in almost all sectors of business. Qatar’s endeavours in leisure, sport, construction and trade in general will ensure that the trend remains upwards for quite some time to come.

What would be your choice of place in Doha which stands out as a major landmark and why?

My favorite is West Bay because it’s plush all the way. Then there are all the shopping and office complexes, world-class hotels and some interesting new construction projects. The one stand-out place, as of today, would be the City Centre. It caters for all age groups in terms of both shopping and entertainment. And City Centre now houses no less than 14 cinemas!

What do you miss about Doha when you’re away?

I think it would be safe to say that, if I’m away from Doha, I would miss the relaxed atmosphere of the city. Life, by and large, can be stress-free in Doha.

Where would you take a first-time visitor in Doha?

I would take them to City Centre and other shopping malls. Sealine Beach Resort wouldn’t be a bad idea if you want to chill near a beach or go desert driving in a four-wheel drive. Al Ghurair Resort is also cool.