Western Mediterranean Exporters Entering the Dubai Market with THY Cargo


Western Mediterranean Exporters Association (BAIB) keep on working on creating alternatives for fresh fruit and vegetable exports. Dubai and Abu Dhabi which imports billions of dollars of food and fresh fruit and vegetable products every year are also in the list of target markets. Participants of Project for ‘The Development of the Export of Seed and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable' went to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. West Mediterranean Exporters Association was represented by the chairman of the executive board of BAIB, Mr. Mustafa SATICI, Member of the Board Ali Demir, Secretary General Fisun Evrensevdi Pektas and 11 project participants.

Because transportation by both land and sea is disadvantageous in export to UAE, Western Mediterranean Exporters Association aimed to carry out all the logistics with national airline company Turkish Airlines. For this reason, BAIB delegation were accompanied by THY Cargo officials at all visits and meetings they held in Dubai. The delegation also visited the Gulfood-Food and Hospitality Show in Dubai and held B2B meetings with the important actors of the region.

In addition to the fair, the delegation visited Dubai's leading fresh fruit and vegetable importers and supermarket chains such as Carrefour, KAF, Mirak and Choithrams. Also the delegation visited Al Bakrawe's facility area in Central Fruits Market Dubai. The delegation, was accompanied by Dubai Commercial Attaché Hasan Önal and Member of the Board of the Turkish Business Council Nevzat Esen during visits and meetings with supermarket managers. The delegation visited the Turkish Trade Center, which was established by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), and held meeting with the managers of Carrefour here.

After Dubai, the delegation visited Head office of Fathima Goup in Abu Dhabi which is one of the leading companies in the region. The delegation also visited the supermarket in Abu Dhabi. The delegation was accompanied by Turkish Commercial Counseller Erdinç Erbay, Turkish Business Council Chairman Ibrahim Eskiocak and Turkish Business Council Board Member Mustafa Dag at metings held in Abu Dhabi. Because exports are planning to be made via THY Cargo, Middle East Regional Marketing Supervisor of Turkish Cargo Halit Tuncer and Antalya Regional Manager Ebubekir Kusak took part in all meetings.

---