The Middle East and Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) and Airports Council International Africa (ACI Africa) hosted their first joint webinar yesterday (30 June), which attracted more than 300 participants from 60 countries.

All industry sectors (airports, retailers and brands) were represented at the online event which drew record numbers.

MEADFA said it was particularly encouraged to see representatives from large and small companies from across the Middle East and Africa region.

Moderated by John Hume, Managing Partner of Hume Brophy, the session featured five speakers. These were Ilia Lioutov, Director, Economics and Policy, Airports Council International; Peter Mohn, CEO, M1nd-set; Rita Chidiac, Secretary General, MEADFA Advocacy Working Group; Ramesh Cidambi COO, Dubai Duty Free; and Sean Doherty, Vice President Innovation, Coforge.

Each speaker assessed the impact of the pandemic and examined the new normal of retailing in a post coronavirus, along with new trends and experiences.

REINFORCING INCREASED CORPORATION VITAL

MEADFA President, Sherif Toulan commented: “It is obvious that regulatory and business threats are fast hitting our industry. Reinforcing increased cooperation between our two organisations is essential to reach to a strong unified voice.

“Together, we are more efficient in creating awareness and in keeping regulators and decision-makers informed and updated. We need to concentrate our efforts, first on the recovery of our industries; second, on our ability to build relationships with decision makers and eventually reach to the momentum that the duty free industry is one of the safest secured channels in the world.

“Working together is key. We will continue to help our members adapt to the new normal and hopefully get things back to a sustainable business in the near future.”

Ali Tounsi, Secretary General, ACI Africa remarked: “Stakeholders in these regions have shown exceptional adaptability and we will continue to foster the recovery process through cooperation across the region. Commercial revenue will be critical to getting our airports up and running again, so events like these are invaluable in promoting cooperation, understanding and innovation in our common interest”

Participants were also reminded that the 2021 MEADFA Conference (21-23 November) in Dubai will take place as a hybrid event.