Middle East & Africa's first Technology Distributors Association launched at DISTREE MEA 2006

TDA's initial Executive Committee includes some of the region's leading and most established distributors representing an estimated 25% of the MEA's IT spend. Dr. Ali Baghdadi, CEO of Aptec, was elected as its first President.

Speaking at the initial meeting of the Executive Committee, Dr. Baghdadi said, "We feel that the region's (technology distribution) industry has matured to the point where it is necessary to introduce a platform to assure its long-term sustainability by achieving consistent customer satisfaction through promoting a code of professional conduct. As an association, we are absolutely committed to bringing value to our members by speaking as one voice and promoting best practices throughout the region."

Aims & Objectives

As an association representing the region's distributors, TDA will work with its members to look at issues affecting all and to bring benefits to all the stakeholders within the value chain including vendors. These issues include vendor and reseller relations, the value the channel brings, credit and insurance, financing matters, legislative matters surrounding IT in the region, and promoting ethical business throughout the technology channel.

Farouk Hemraj, CEO and co-founder of DISTREE Events, commented on the formation of the association, "We are excited at the prospect of the region's distributors working together for the benefit of the channel as a whole. As an organiser, we have a commitment to providing the platform for the healthy growth of the region's channel structure. The fact that DISTREE was selected as the launch event for the association underscores the importance of the event to distributors in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa."

Membership

The executive committee consists of the following inaugural members of the recently announced MEA Presidents Club:
• Adnan Al Falah, General Manager, Tech Data, Middle East
• Ali Baghdadi, CEO, Aptec, Middle East
• Paul Conradie, CEO Comztek, South Africa
• Anthony Fitzhenry, CEO, Axyz, South Africa
• John Hurrell, CEO, Westcon , South Africa
• Izi Kohen, CEO, Arena, Turkey
• Frank Sheu, CEO, Almasa, Middle East
• Guy Whitcroft, Tarsus, South Africa
• Jacque Chammas, Mindware, Middle East
• Raj Shankar, Redington, Middle East
• Mark Lu, Rectron, South Africa

In addition to the eight members above representing the Distribution community, Farouk HEMRAJ, CEO Distree Events, and Bob Snyder, CEO, The Distribution Channel, have also been appointed as members of the Executive Committee. Michael Kaack, former VP Europe at Ingram Micro, was appointed an honorary executive committee member in light of his significant channel experience in the region.

Membership of the association is open to technology distributors operating in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa region, subject to meeting certain entry-level criteria and committing to a code of conduct mutually agreed by TDA's executive committee.