Dubai FDI, the foreign investment office in the Department of Economic Development (DED), along with the Austria Business Center has facilitated the establishment of a European halal foods company in Dubai.
It is a first-of its-kind launch in Dubai since His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced the initiative to make Dubai a hub of Islamic economy. European Food & Beverages (EFB), which aims to be a major supplier for the growing halal foods market in the GCC and the wider Middle East from its Dubai base, has also concluded a deal with the Consumer Co-operative Union in the UAE and is further negotiating with other regional and international retailers.
“The Islamic economy is a wide-ranging sector that holds immense potential and opportunities. Dubai’s focus on this sector and its central location will break new grounds for companies, especially those in Europe and North America, aiming to capitalise on the growing demand for halal foods in and around the Middle East,” said Fahad Al Gergawi, chief executive officer of Dubai FDI.
He further added that the company’s successful take off in Dubai would further boost investor confidence in Dubai and its Islamic economy initiative across strategic overseas markets. “Dubai FDI, in its efforts to achieve His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision of an Islamic economy, is expanding its partnerships as well as awareness and attraction programmes to enable foreign investors and companies to benefit from Dubai’s business advantages. Dubai as a hub for new sectors such as Islamic economy and clean technologies adds substantial traction to our attraction plans and the impact they would generate among investors,” elaborated Al Gergawi.
EFB was set up in Dubai as the regional office of Landena Wels KG, the leading Austrian manufacturer of culinary convenience products. The firm has done extensive market research in the GCC and put together an appealing range of halal certified culinary convenience products to enhance retailers’ private label portfolio.
“Dubai FDI and Austria Business Centre have been tremendously supportive of our business during our set-up phase and continue to be invaluable partners in terms of networking and providing an impeccable service for our operations base here in Dubai,” said Gerhard Machtlinger, managing
director EFB.
Josef Kleindienst, CEO of Austria Business Center, pointed out: “Dubai is today the Middle Eastern trade hub and hundreds of companies would like to tap into this tax free business market and take advantage of the competitive opportunities. Setting up their operations in Dubai becomes a goal and this is where we provide the necessary assistance. Austria Business Center takes care of their clientele by offering cost effective business set up and
office solutions.”
A global network of state-of-the-art business centres offering flexible start-up solutions, the Austria Business Center has been working with Dubai FDI since 2010 helping a growing number of Austrian firms set up in Dubai and target high growth markets.