IDFTA CEO Sherif Toulan has been elected as the new President of The Middle East and Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA).

Toulan, formerly the association’s Vice President, succeeds Jordanian Duty Free Shops CEO Haitham Al Majali who served as MEADFA President for two consecutive (two-year) terms.

MEADFA held the elections of the board for the 2021-2023 term during its virtual AGM on Tuesday 30 March.

Dufry Group COO Central & North Europe, Russia and Africa Isabel Zarza was named as Vice President.

NEW AFFILIATE MEMBERS

Aphrodite SARL CEO/Chairman Karl Raphael has been appointed Secretary General and Dubai Duty Free Senior Vice President Finance Bernard Creed as Treasurer (for the full list of committee officers, see below).

During the meeting, several board members were elected to the affiliate membership to represent the companies they serve: Rita Chidiac, Corporate Affairs & Communication Manager WWDF, JTI; Roger Jackson, Managing Director, Organico Solutions; and Mazen Kaddoura, Regional Business Development Manager, Mars International Travel Retail.

Al Majali, who steps down as President but remains on the board, thanked members for their support during his two terms as President.

Toulan paid tribute to Al Majali and the outgoing officers for leading the association during the current turbulence, while welcoming the new board members.

“It is a pleasure and honour to be elected as the MEADFA President,” said Toulan. “My sincere gratitude to the members for their trust. A warm welcome to Roger and Mazen as new board members.

“They will bring a wealth of expertise in their field and will be an added value to our association. I am excited to work closely with the new appointed officers and grow the association stronger.

“MEADFA will make sure to be part of the industry recovery in the region, unification is key to overcome the current challenges and persevere. I highly encourage the stakeholders to join MEADFA and its efforts in the recovery phase.”

MEADFA BOARD

Sherif Toulan, IDFTA – President, MEADFA
Isabel Zarza, Dufry – Vice President, MEADFA
Karl Raphael, Aphrodite SARL – Secretary General, MEADFA
Bernard Creed, Dubai Duty Free – Treasurer, MEADFA

Haitham Al Majali, Jordanian Duty Free Shops
David Bisset, Lagardère Travel Retail Middle East
Frederic Garcia-Pelayo, Interparfums
Richard Gray, Aer Rianta International Middle East
Tarek Hamila, Hamila Duty Free
Alexandre Tabacoff, Dufry Sharjah
Nicolas Van Brandt, IDF Africa & Middle East DWC