Mohamed Althaf Joins CQBF Board: Elevating Canada–Qatar Trade through Retail Diplomacy
The Canadian‑Qatari Business Forum (CQBF) is honoured to announce the appointment of Mr. Mohamed Althaf, Director at Lulu Group International, to its Board of Directors. This strategic addition reflects our dedication to fostering meaningful economic and cultural partnerships between Canada and Qatar—especially in the fields of retail, logistics, and bilateral trade.
A Proven Leader Joins the CQBF Family
Mr. Althaf’s leadership over Qatar’s premier retail network, coupled with Lulu Group’s expansive global footprint, positions him as a visionary bridge between market economies. His expertise in legal frameworks and intellectual property further enriches CQBF’s evolving narrative of sustainable, socially responsible trade.
His strategic guidance within MAE Holding Group has helped position the company as a leader not only in industry but also in contributing to the national economic vision of Qatar. His focus on operational excellence, market expansion, and business sustainability aligns with CQBF’s goals of fostering forward-thinking, long-term business partnerships.
In this deep dive, we explore his career journey, leadership philosophy, and the compelling reasons why his presence at CQBF marks a major milestone for cross‑border collaboration.
The Rise of Lulu Group in Qatar
Founded in 2000, Lulu Group International launched its first hypermarket in Qatar—a modest beginning that has blossomed into a pivotal fixture of the country’s retail identity. Under Mr. Althaf’s stewardship, Lulu has expanded to seven flagship locations in Qatar alone, employing over 3,500 staff representing 15 nationalities. This multicultural workforce embodies the company’s dedication to inclusive hiring and community development.
What sets Lulu apart isn’t just its scale—it’s the unwavering focus on quality, customer experience, and social responsibility. Supermarkets aren’t merely retail outlets; they’re community centres reflecting Qatar’s diversity. Lulu’s stores offer a curated mix of domestic and imported goods—supporting both local producers and international suppliers.
Beyond pure commerce, the Group participates actively in charitable initiatives, food security campaigns, and educational outreach. In an era where retail giants often prioritize profit margins, Lulu maintains a leadership philosophy that blends economic growth with meaningful impact—a value sync with CQBF’s own commitment to inclusive, sustainable partnerships.
This journey from single store to national anchor, led by a team attentive to cultural nuance and operational excellence, exemplifies how local entrepreneurship can evolve into a global brand.
Lulu’s Global Reach
While rooted in Qatar, Lulu Group International boasts a truly global footprint: distribution and export centers in 24 countries, with principal hubs in Turkey, the UK, the USA, and Spain. These strategically located centers enable efficient sourcing, storage, and wholesale supply to multiple markets, while ensuring quality control and cost-efficiency.
Mr. Althaf’s strategic leadership helped build this infrastructure—championing a supply chain model that balances Qatar’s consumer needs with export potential. For Canadian businesses, his approach holds valuable lessons. Lulu sources agricultural and specialty products from around the world; Canada’s agri-produce, seafood, and specialty goods could represent untapped opportunities.
His deep understanding of the Qatari market — from industrial capacity to investment flows — will be invaluable in identifying synergies with Canadian industries. Moreover, his operational insight will help Canadian businesses better understand how to navigate and partner effectively within the Gulf region.
The Group’s logistics network navigates both GCC distribution and global export channels. Richard warehousing in Spain or distribution lines in Turkey and the UK serve as gateways to European and North American markets. This international strategy demonstrates how a regional brand can function as a hub for global commerce—a concept central to CQBF’s goal of positioning Canadian exporters within Middle East supply chains.
Moreover, Lulu’s sourcing diversity mirrors Canada’s own multicultural economy and strengths in food, agriculture, retail innovation, and ethical product lines—offering synergistic opportunities.
Althaf’s Leadership Philosophy
Mohamed Althaf is more than just a corporate executive—he is a leader shaped by legal rigor, strategic vision, and ethical stewardship. Holding a postgraduate degree in Law from the University of Delhi and a Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights from WIPO in Geneva, he applies legal insight to global retail dynamics.
Under his watch, Lulu has embraced intellectual property compliance, global licensing partnerships, and ethical brand representation—a subtle but powerful difference in retail governance. This legal backbone helps Lulu maintain authenticity across product categories while respecting global standards. His leadership blends operational efficiency and human-centered culture. Multicultural teams across borders, operational excellence in supply chain, and shared stakeholder responsibility reflect a philosophy of inclusive growth—from ensuring fair labour practices to maintaining product integrity. Aligned with CQBF’s ethos, Althaf exemplifies the values of diverse leadership, cross-border ethics, and strategic innovation.
Mr. Al Emadi’s appointment sends a strong message to the business communities in both Canada and Qatar: the Forum is ready to elevate its impact, grow its network, and cultivate projects that align with national visions and global imperatives such as clean technology, infrastructure modernization, and digital transformation.
His Appointment to CQBF
Mohamed Althaf’s presence on CQBF’s Board is more than symbolic. It signals actionable potential in three key areas:
Retail and Food Security Partnerships
With his network, Canadian exporters—especially in agriculture, seafood, and specialty foods—gain access to Lulu’s procurement channels in Qatar and beyond. Lulu’s role as both retailer and distributor means Canadian products could soon appear in Gulf store shelves.Logistics & Distribution Strategy
Lulu’s export hubs offer models for Canadian businesses seeking streamlined access to GCC consumers. Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises exploring distribution strategies can learn from Lulu’s centric approach—Qatar as a logistics beacon.Cross-Cultural and Ethical Governance
Canada-Qatar collaboration benefits from leaders who understand both markets. Althaf’s legal and IP credentials help Canadian brands navigate Gulf regulatory frameworks and ethical retail standards.
Combined with CQBF’s broader mandate—engaging SMEs, facilitating internships, and deepening educational exchanges—Althaf’s insights lay the strategic groundwork for long-term bilateral cooperation.
Closing Thoughts: Canada and Qatar’s Retail Diplomacy
With Mohamed Althaf now on its Board, the Canadian‑Qatari Business Forum takes a significant leap forward—anchoring its retail diplomacy in real-world leadership. His strategic vision, coupled with Lulu Group’s global infrastructure and ethical strengths, reinforces CQBF’s aim to build business bridges between Canadian innovators and Qatari retail networks.
As we look ahead, this appointment exemplifies CQBF’s belief that partnership is power—a belief made tangible through leaders who span industries, geographies, and values. Mr. Althaf’s journey is not just a story of commercial success; it’s a testament to the impact of collaborative leadership—and precisely why his inclusion heralds a new chapter in Canada‑Qatar trade relations.
Together, Canada and Qatar move beyond conventional diplomacy into a partnership shaped by commerce, collaboration, and meaningful growth.
Ibrahim Abdelhalim
Board Member & Senior Business Advisor