NBK Automobiles, Qatar’s exclusive AMG dealers, and Salam Bounian, the mastermind developers behind Doha West Bay’s prestigious project, ”The Gate”, today announced the upcoming launch of the Middle East’s first AMG standalone showroom.

A press conference was held at the Mercedes-Benz premises seeing the attendance of Sheikh Nawaf Nasser Bin Khaled Al Thani, Chairman and CEO of NBK, and Mr. Issa Abu Issa, Chairman and CEO of Salam Bounian, who signed the leasing agreement allowing for AMG to showcase its mind-blowing automotive collection at one of the most exclusive boutiques at “The Gate”.

Other officials included Mr. Paul Maryan, NBK Chief Operations Officer-Auto, Mr. Khaled Shaa’ban, GM of Mercedes-Benz Qatar and NBK Automobiles, Mr. Yasser Hamad, Salam Bounian’s GM and Mr. Neville Koen, Salam Bounian’s Head of Properties.

The Gate has become the heart beat of Doha’s West Bay area owing to its unique location and first-class features. The Gate project is a mixed-use development offering a first-class range of retail shopping, F&B, health and wellness in addition to a variety of other services. “The Gate” also provides smart commercial accommodations that are second to none, located at the top of its retail center.

Sheikh Nawaf Nasser Bin Khaled Al Thani said: “Nasser Bin Khaled has been strategically aligned with global names since inception, bringing internationalism in standards and setting several benchmarks in Qatar and the region. We have an automotive track record that dates back to over five decades, boasting solid affinities with the brands we operate and our partners. Quality and luxury are core elements of our NBK lifestyle. AMG is an icon which necessitates the presence of top-of-the-line settings and this is exactly what The Gate and Salam Bounian are offering.”

Mr. Issa Abu Issa said: “Salam Bounian is very pleased to host the prestigious AMG showroom at its signature project “The Gate” and is confident that this agreement will add tremendous value to The Gate and will further promote its premium and personalized services and offerings. The ME first standalone AMG showcase is exactly the type of tenants we have planned ”The Gate” concept for and it will undoubtedly be another premium addition to our existing list of high-end tenants helping us establish a world-class community of elite brands.”

“With such strategy, we are further building on our long-standing heritage of luxury retail and trading, encompassing this vision with the legendary Salam Stores that has become one of Qatar’s most successful lifestyle destinations with a sizable loyal customer base that we have a commitment towards and we are fulfilling this commitment by creating “The Gate”. The signing of this agreement between NBK and Salam further solidifies the strong business relationship that both groups have enjoyed over the years.” added Abu Issa.

Spanning an area of 387 square meters, the AMG showroom is designed to perfectly portray the AMG brand which combines modernity, cutting-edge technology and raw performance. The showroom will have prime double-void 10-meter high premises at the northern corner of the boulevard walkway of “The Gate” marking the start of the upscale street that is planned to open towards the end of 2010.

In 2007, NBK acquired 25% of Frankfurt Stock Exchange listed HWA AG, the motor sport specialist. HWA AG was founded in 1999 as a spin-off from AMG. Investing in HWA helped further boost NBK’s ties to the iconic brand adding edge to the holding’s automotive portfolio.