The Brand Owners' Protection Group (BPG) holds its quarterly "general" meeting in Dubai

Members of the BPG agreed to launch an economic impact study which will be initially activated in the U.A.E. Renowned international audit, tax and advisory services firm KPMG has been entrusted with the task of carrying out the study.

The Brand Owners' Protection Group launched several initiatives, during the meeting, including the setting up of various sub-committees or working groups to take its action plan to the next level. The group has also strengthened its membership base when more world renowned brands joined it.

"The economic impact study aims at identifying the size of counterfeiting in the UAE market for the brands covered under the BPG umbrella," said Mr. Omar Shteiwi, first Chairman of the Board of the BPG and Regional Intellectual Property Advisor, Nestlé Middle East F.Z.E.

"Since our launch, BPG has been widely recognized as a powerful tool to fight illicit goods. To increase its effectiveness, specialized working groups, within the group, are now set up to implement its activities and objectives in the fields of government liaison, best practices & enforcement, communications & public relations and membership services."

Several leading global corporations including Estee Lauder A. G. Lachen, GlaxoSmithKline, Kao Brands Company, Kraft Foods Middle East & Africa Ltd., Philip Morris Management Services (Middle East) Limited, AGN MAK Business Consultants, and Khasawneh & Associates Legal Consultants have joined the group," Mr. Shteiwi said.

Estee Lauder is one of the leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, fragrance, and hair care products while Kao Brands is a manufacturer of premium beauty care products. GlaxoSmithKline is a leading research-based pharmaceutical company, Philip Morris is one of the leading tobacco companies in the world and Kraft Foods which is one of the leading food companies. AGN MAK and Khasawneh & Associates joined BPG as service providers in the field of intellectual property.

These companies join hands with the Brand Owners' Protection Group members including reputed global brands like Beiersdorf Middle East, BMW Group Middle East, British American Tobacco, DaimlerChrysler Middle East FZE, GM Overseas Distribution Corp., Johnson & Johnson M.E., Nestlé Middle East F.Z.E, Phillips International, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever besides service providers such as Al Tamimi & Co, Clyde & Co, Rouse & Co International and Saba & Co.

The BPG is currently coordinating with local authorities including the Departments of Economic Development, the Chambers of Commerce, the Customs, the Municipalities and the Police departments. "We are extremely grateful for the continuous cooperation and absolute support from these organizations in fighting counterfeits and illicit goods," Mr. Shteiwi said.

Several decisions recently announced by the government towards consumer and brand protection have come at the right time for the BPG. These include the new consumer protection law which will be effective from mid-November 2006, especially with the introduction of the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection headed by the UAE Minister for Economy HH Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the new Consumer Protection Department and a hotline number that will handle consumer complaints and grievances.

"The BPG is optimistic that such government measures, combined with our own efforts, will work towards a common goal - consumer protection. "The presence of an increasing number of leading global brands under the BPG umbrella within such a short span of time, the group's landmark initiatives including the launch of the economic impact study and the cooperation and support from government organizations will surely make our group more effective in fighting the illicit product menace," pointed out Mr. Shteiwi.

"We are sure consumers all over the region will welcome our efforts in ensuring that only genuine products are delivered when they part with their hard-earned cash," Mr. Shteiwi concluded.