President's Message “On behalf of my fellow Board members, I would like to welcome you to the official Middle East Duty Free Association (MEDFA) web site.

The Middle East is the fastest growing sector within the global duty free industry. A series of expansion programs within the airport sector across the region in the next few years will see the Middle East share continue to rise dramatically in the coming decade.

MEDFA was established in 2001 with the aim of ensuring the continued growth of the duty free business in the Middle East. MEDFA also aims to ensure that high standards continue to be maintained in the region's airport retail operations.

MEDFA must start building awareness with the public and the various government entities with the geographical area that it covers.

MEDFA should be, in the mid term, a force to be recognized for negotiating with the diverse government entities amongst others with the aim of promoting the Travel Retail industry.

To be a member of MEDFA is a mark of quality and legitimacy of supply. Subscribers to MEDFA can never market “look alike”, counterfeit or expired products.

MEDFA has adopted a code of conduct based on ethics; being a member of MEDFA is a gauge of quality.

Our Board members from the Middle East and the Levant meet regularly throughout the year to review developments. The year-end MEDFA conference, which has been staged in Dubai since 2002, attracts business and industry speakers from around the world and an audience of several hundred.

This year's MEDFA conference will take place in Dubai on Nov 23-24, 2009. For registration details contact Ms. Micheline Enkiri.

I wish to thank all contributors to MEDFA who brought the Association where it is today and will contribute to its further development.”

Anthony Chalhoub

CEO

Habchi & Chalhoub W.l.l.