A seismic shift in perception of the quality of private label products in the Middle East and Africa has resulted in a sharp spike in opportunities for food and beverage industry operators and FMCGs. This can be explored from tomorrow when the eagerly-anticipated inaugural Private Label & Licensing Middle East opens for business at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Private Label & Licensing Middle East, the MENA region’s only dedicated private label and licensing exhibition, comes as positive opinion towards private – or store-branded – labels have improved by 79 percent in the region, according to a 2018 study by Nielsen.

Private label products continue to grow by 6.3 percent year-on-year and are now outpacing traditional brands, according to Nielsen. Thus, Private Label and Licensing Middle East 2019, which runs until 31 October, alongside Gulfood Manufacturing, will enable visitors to explore new business lines and product convergence routes in a sector tipped to grow by 3.5 percent by 2024.

The exhibition has attracted 140 leading brands from more than 50 countries including heavyweights from food and non-food FMCGs, such as Carrefour, Tetra Park and Cartoon Network. The inaugural three-day event will be a key link in connecting private label suppliers, contract manufacturers, and solution providers from the wider FMCG sector to optimise opportunities in a market that commands a global revenue of USD271.6 billion, according to Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association data.

“Being part of the Private Label & Licensing Middle East is a great opportunity for us to meet business partners and clients. It creates the right platform for us to educate the visitors and exhibitors on the value that Cartoon Network can add for their business. Helping us initiate the right business discussions with the right people” said Ali El Hagar, Licensing Director MENAT, Commercial Director Turkey, Cartoon Network.

Running alongside the exhibition, Prime Connect is a tailored meetings programme that will connect buyers direct with suppliers, while free-to-attend licensing workshops and packaging masterclasses will enable attendees to maximise their participation. “Private Label and Licensing Middle East was developed in response to persistent exhibitor and visitor feedback for a dedicated platform to address rapidly expanding private labelling and brand licensing opportunities in the region. From the outset, this event will be the preferred platform for established names and industry start-ups, to entrepreneurs to converge and explore a plethora of opportunities triggered by changing consumer preferences and sentiment towards private label,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events, DWTC. “With a carefully-considered business facilitation programme, conference and interactive workshops, the event, from the opening day, will help underline Dubai’s status as a multi-faceted business incubation hub and strategic gateway to global markets.”

Private Label & Licensing Middle East 2019 includes a series of features designed to enhance exhibitor and visitor experience. A ‘Packaging Masterclass’ series curated by Tetra Pak will offer an in-depth understanding of the latest trends in packaging technology and material innovation. Free-to-attend Licensing Workshops, featuring Cartoon Network, Mubadala, Chupa Chups and Licensing International – USA, will help manufacturers and retailers differentiate their products from the competition, excite and engage their consumers and increase market share and brand awareness.

Prime Connect, meanwhile, has attracted top-level global industry professionals with a proven budget to spend on private label products as part of the Prime Connect Major Buyers Programme, which will give exhibitors crucial facetime through pre-arranged appointments with worldwide manufacturers, hoteliers and retailers such as Amazon, Emirates Flight Catering, Tamimi Markets and Al Islami to name a few.

Ahead of its opening on 29 October, the inaugural Private Label & Licensing Middle East has already earned a reputation as a place to be for trade professionals seeking innovation and opportunities in a rapidly growing market. “The exhibition is the right forum for us to understand what products consumers prefer, what works in the region with regard to private labelling and contract manufacturing, and to widen our brand recognition. Private Label & Licensing Middle East 2019 is the right forum to connect with players on a global level,” said Berj Boyadjian, Commercial Manager of Orontes Dairy Manufacturing LLC.

In addition to showcasing the latest industry innovations and offering high-level networking opportunities, Private Label & Licensing Middle East will serve as the premier knowledge platform for the industry through the Prime Summit, which will bring together a high-calibre line-up of speakers to examine key issues and trends.

Key speakers at the two-day summit include Regan Leggett, Executive Director Thought Leadership and Foresight, Global Markets, Nielsen, who will conduct a session titled ‘Private Label 2025’, providing attendees with insights on some of the key drivers of change that will influence the global private label landscape over the next five years; Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO – Retailers Association of India; and John Francis, Head of Private Label and Own Brands – Al Khayyat Investments | Bin Sina Pharmacy, among others.

Visitors and exhibitors can maximise their Private Label and Licensing Middle East 2019 participation, thanks to its co-location with Gulfood Manufacturing 2019, the largest food & beverage processing & packaging show in Middle East, Asia and Africa; yummex Middle East, the MENA region’s leading event for the sweets and snacks industry; and SEAFEX Middle East, the only professional seafood event for Middle East, Africa and Asia.