Dubai Tea Trading Centre to host third Global Dubai Tea Forum

Launched in 2006, the Global Dubai Tea Forum has become an important event in the tea industry's calendar. This biennial two-day gathering, which will take place at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina in Dubai, has consistently attracted leading representatives from the international tea industry, and is expected to see the participation of public and private-sector industry participants from across the regional and international tea industry.

Aimed at addressing new developments and key issues in the tea industry, the Global Dubai Tea Forum 2010 will focus on sharing industry-specific knowledge and international best practices. In addition, the conference and exhibition offers an excellent networking opportunity for all sectors of the trade with representatives from tea boards and associations, producers, regional and international buyers, machine manufacturers and raw material suppliers.

"During this period of unprecedented volatility in the global commodities space, the international tea trade continues to collectively address current challenges and work towards finding common long-term solutions to sustain and expand the trade. In that regard, the third biennial Global Dubai Tea Forum represents a significant opportunity for industry participants worldwide to gather together and share insights and experiences. Both DTTC and DMCC are extremely pleased to once again host this important event in Dubai, an increasingly vital link in the worldwide tea trade,"

said Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC.

Sanjay Sethi, Director, DTTC said, "Building upon our past success in attracting high-profile government and private-sector representatives from here in Dubai and across the globe, we look forward to welcoming delegates from a wide range of tea-producing and consuming nations. This is an important event for the industry, occurring at a critical time, and we are delighted to play a leading role in this ongoing dialogue."

The third Global Dubai Tea Forum is supported by Glatfelter, IMA, Martin Bauer, DPH, Finlays, Alokozay, Teamac and DPWorld.

Despite shortage of 65 million kilos in global tea production over last year, volumes of tea transacted through the DTTC have grown by 45% this year. In the spring of this year, DTTC unveiled its new centralised tea storage, blending and value-addition services centre at the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai, a signal part of its expansion plans to accommodate the growing activities of the centre.

DTTC presently stocks teas from 13 producing countries, including Kenya, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Nepal, China and Iran. In keeping with its mandate to further increase the tea trade in and through Dubai, the DTTC also facilitates sales with buyers in the Gulf Cooperation Council states, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Afghanistan, UK and the Commonwealth of Independent States, and has plans to expand its services to other Middle East and European markets.