Haitham Al Majali, President, MEADFA, believes collaboration among all stakeholders is required to make the association even more cohesive.

The Middle East and Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) has held its first regulatory intelligence sharing session dedicated to members.

According to MEADFA, the meeting reflects its determination to keep developing its cross-category advocacy capacities and to build relationships with key stakeholders and decision makers in the Middle East and Africa Region.

Consequently, Rita Chidiac, Advocacy Working Group, Secretary General, MEADFA recommends intensifying the flow of regulatory intelligence between MEADFA members (brands, landlords, retailers). This will help anticipate regulatory threats with a clear in partnership with the duty free industry.

Chidiac said: “Under the guidance of MEADFA president Haitham Al Majali and the Board, we have set the objectives of our monthly regulatory intelligence sessions. The first aim is to improve MEADFA’s engagement capacities. Other objectives include consolidating the cross-category approach and developing a flow of intelligence process.”

Al Majali added: “The challenge is big. Collaboration is needed among all stakeholders. Joining forces makes us stronger. This will lead the way to realising our objective of becoming an even more cohesive trade body”

MEADFA, which notes it is pushing ahead into a more proactive and influential trade body, cites the MEADFA Advocacy Working Group as a key element.