Arab Beverages Forum 2007 and Qatrah Awards launched

The event was led by Mr. Sharaf Dabbagh, president of Taaheel FZ LLC, a Dubai-based consultancy specializing in the beverage industry in the Arab world and was attended by DCCI Director of Marketing and Communications Ms. Nuha Safar.

Mr. Sharaf said that the Arab Beverages Forum 2007 will be a four-day event that will be highlighted by a series of discussions and workshops between delegates from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and a pool of speakers who are renowned international and regional beverage industry executives and consultants.

"The Arab Beverages Forum 2007 will concentrate on emerging trends in the industry. It is being organized to offer expert guidance to delegates by providing them an appropriate setting to formulate successful business strategies," Mr. Sharaf explained.

The Qatrah Awards will be one of the major highlights of the forum. The award will recognize the Arab world's best brands in the following categories: bottled water, carbonated and soft drinks, fruit juices, dairy beverages, health and energy drinks, and hot beverages.

International beverage industry veterans and representatives from the UAE University's College of Food and Agriculture led by Dr. Isam Bashir will participate in the panel of judges which will evaluate the packaging designs, marketing strategies, and ingredients of each participating product.

Tetra Pak Arabia Business Development Director Mr. Michel Brikho said that they are supporting both events because "they provide concepts and ideas for new products and new business opportunities to meet the growing needs of modern retailers and consumers in the region."

The Arab Beverages Forum 2007 will be conducted at the Grosvenor House, West Marina Beach, from June 19 to 21; while the Qatrah Awards will be held at the Madinat Jumeirah on June 20.