Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates said it has joined hands with Alfardan Group, a premium lifestyle conglomerate in Qatar, to launch its second branded company in the Middle East in the capital Doha.

Sotheby's International Realty currently has more than 22,700 affiliated independent sales associates located in nearly 1,000 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide.

Qatar Sotheby's International Realty is the second Sotheby's International Realty-branded company in the Middle East besides Gulf Sotheby's International Realty located in Dubai.

Qatar Sotheby's International Realty will be headed by general manager Seran Gheorghe, an industry veteran who has practised real estate in the Middle East for the past 13 years.

Gheorghe was a top performing associate with Gulf Sotheby's International Realty for the past six years and worked with Qatari clients to make this opening possible, said the statement from Sotheby's.

The Qatari unit will serve the luxury residential real estate markets of Lusail, the island of Pearl and West Bay Lagoon. The company will also continue to support Qatari clients in their continuous interest for the best international assets.

"Qatar's high-income economy and global real estate interest is appealing to the Sotheby's International Realty brand," said Philip White, president and chief executive officer, Sotheby's International Realty.

"Seran and his team have a strong understanding of local and global luxury real estate and we are proud to have them as our affiliate in Qatar," he stated.

On the new role, Gheorghe said: "The real estate market in Qatar offers high-quality, luxurious apartments, penthouses and beachfront villas. From a global perspective, we are seeing interest from buyers in India, China, Europe and the United States."

"We pride ourselves in offering the highest level of support and advice to our clients before, during and after the transaction. Aligning our company with the Sotheby's International Realty brand will further provide our clients with unparalleled marketing, global reach and exposure," he added.-TradeArabia News Service