What do camels have to do with Shell?

I own and take care of 200 camels on my farm in Qatar. From new-born babies, to energetic teenagers, all the way to fully grown adults. They are inquisitive, charming creatures with their own unique personalities; each one dear to my heart.

Camels are important to Qatari culture. Known as ‘ships of the desert’, they have been used for hundreds of years in the Middle East. They can survive the harsh desert climate; they can carry large loads; and they can run fast. You may be surprised to know they can reach speeds of over 35km/h. And this speed makes them an exciting animal to race.

The roots of camel racing are centuries old across the Arab region, however, professional camel racing in Qatar began in 1972, evolving to be the extremely exciting sport it is today. Unlike horse racing in other countries, no betting is involved. The main goal is to win the Amir’s Sword in the final and most prestigious race of the year – His Highness The Amir’s Main Race. And, this year, I will be once again at the finals along with His Highness due to Shell’s sponsorship.

But what does all of this have to do with Shell?

It is important that 壳牌 immerses itself into the social fabric of the community it operates. And with camel racing such a culturally cherished sport in Qatar, Shell has been the main sponsor of His Highness The Amir’s Main Race for well over a decade. This year it was held today, March 16, 2023, and it was another exciting race.

Our involvement in this race is just one of many initiatives Shell supports, either through sponsorship or social outreach, which makes me proud to be Qatari and to work for a caring company that supports our culture and preserves our heritage.?And there are many ways Shell contributes to this vision.

The communities in which we operate

壳牌 operates the world’s largest gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant on behalf of QatarEnergy. Informally referred to as the ‘jewel in Shell’s crown’, Pearl GTL has just recorded its best ever full-year performance. Our production, reliability and HSSE results were remarkable – we blew our targets out of the water.

Pearl GTL sits in the north of Qatar, which is surrounded by traditional, local communities. In our pursuit to be a good neighbour, Shell works hard in support of several community outreach programmes. ?

The Bedar programme focuses on raising cultural and safety awareness among communities surrounding the Ras Laffan Industrial Area – the heart of Qatar’s energy industry. Launched in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior, the programme provides a bridge for migrant workers to better fit into Qatari society, providing them with a better life while working in Qatar.

Another sport that has deep roots in Qatari culture, especially in our remote communities, is falcon racing. The Al Gannas Association works to preserve traditional hunting practices, and every year Shell leads this sponsorship on behalf of Ras Laffan Industrial Companies (RLIC). An extremely culturally important event, the championship attracts the most prestigious racing falcons in Qatar.

Shell’s support also helps falconry to be sustained amongst the younger Qatari generation, with the Al Gannas Association also reaching out to local schools to educate students on falconry culture and heritage.

This only scratches the surface of our initiatives. And you may ask why I am telling you this. Well, there are three reasons for any company to develop a robust community-based social outreach and sponsorship programme tied to the local society and culture:

It’s the right thing to do.

There is no doubt that Shell benefits from operating in Qatar. But reaping these benefits can’t be a one-way street. Giving back to the community in which we operate is morally and ethically the right thing to do. It is part of our DNA – Shell has always and will always strive to do what’s right while we provide more energy the world needs.

It makes business sense.

Shell is a business. So what we do must impact the bottom line of the company. Integrating into the local society helps to build long-lasting relationships. We have a promising future in Qatar and by being a trusted partner, we generate understanding and connection with those we do business with.

It builds pride.

I am a deeply traditional person. Qatar and its culture are very important to me and my Qatari colleagues. Knowing that I work for a company that gives back to my society builds pride and connection to Shell. Talking about my company and the work we do is a passion.?

Earlier this week, I was interviewed on Qatar’s cultural TV nation – Al Rayyan. I talked about our contribution to society and our operational work in the country, of which I am extremely proud. We have a lot to offer and will continue evolving and improving our commitment to Shell, QatarEnergy and the State of Qatar. Qatar has a rich history and culture, which Shell is proud to be part of.?

Watch the interview with Misfer Al-Bidaiwi on Al Rayyan TV's show Tarahib (12/03/2023) - starting at the 5:30 minute mark - in Arabic only.

Watch Misfer Al-Bidaiwi's appearance on Al Rayyan TV's show Al Rais (14/03/2023) - in Arabic only.