DOHA, QATAR.- Sotheby’s, the international art auction house, today announced plans to open an office in Doha in 2008, and to hold its first major international series of auctions in Doha in early 2009.

At a press conference in Doha announcing Sotheby’s future activities in Qatar, Bill Ruprecht, President and Chief Executive of Sotheby’s said “Doha is today a centre of dynamic economic and cultural growth, not only for the region but also internationally. The magnificent Museum of Islamic Art as well as other museums planned for this city are stirring huge excitement around the world and it is a great honour for Sotheby’s to be a part of this dynamism.”

“Our links with Qatar go back almost twenty years when we held pioneering sales for Arab stallions in the USA which attracted great interest from Qatar. Since that time, we have travelled extensively to Qatar and have developed close relationships here. We have also held very successful charity sales in Doha, one in 2005 and one in 2006, each of which achieved the record for a charity auction in the region. Our announcement today is the beginning of an exciting new phase in a long and much valued relationship and we look forward to our future in Doha with enormous enthusiasm.”

The announcement coincided with the first day of an exhibition at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Doha of Impressionist & Modern Art, International Contemporary Art, Modern & Contemporary Arab and Iranian Art and Orientalist Art as well as Jewellery and Watches, from Sotheby’s upcoming auctions.