The Middle East Duty Free Association (MEDFA) became an officially recognised entity within the global duty free and travel retail business in May 2001. MEDFA's founding membership comprised of nine of the leading travel retail organisations of the Middle East and quickly grew to 21 members within its first 2 years and now MEDFA membership include 30 members in 9 years..
MEDFA is set up as an establishment within the Dubai Airport Free Zone and operates as a non-profit making trade association of Middle East-based retail organisations operating within the global duty free and travel retail industry. Its raison d'etre was to create a body that would bring official recognition to the region's duty free industry, raise awareness of the industry's contribution to the greater travel and tourism industry infrastructure and provide representation for its member companies. Its main objectives are to:
Another key objective of the association is to encourage positive working dynamics between retail members and their brand suppliers which at a future point in MEDFA's development will be eligible for membership. At present, however, the focus is on grouping together as many Middle East based duty free retailers as possible to not only facilitate the growth of the region's industry, but to establish standards for quality a hallmark of duty free trading in the Middle East.
MEDFA's objective of organising conferences, and seminars was realised in 2002 with the inauguration of the annual regional industry conference. The Middle East Duty Free Conference was held for the first seven years in U.A.E. The MEDFA 2010 Conference, was held for the first time outside the UAE in Cairo, welcomed almost 400 delegates, representing multinational and regional companies arriving from 32 countries.
In 2011 the Conference will again take place in Dubai on Nov 21-22 at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel. MEDFA retains the Tax Free World Association as its managing partner. MEDFA's event has certainly set a benchmark for quality regional conferences.
"Building Service Excellence - Train the Trainer" a 3 days training program was held in Dubai on June 19-21, 2006 at the Aviation Club. This was the 1st training event organized by MEDFA"Advanced Negotiation Skills" The 2nd MEDFA Training Program took place in Oman during May 07 at Shangri-La Hotel. The program was addressed to Duty Free Senior Executives where 24 participants attended from MEDFA member companies and operators.
"Cross Cultural Mangement skills" The 3rd Training program which was conducted by HILLCREST, took place in the UAE on March 27-28, 2008 at the Fujairah Rotana Hotel. 20 participants were sent by the MEDFA members companies and operators.
"Train the Trainer Program" This 4th training program was highly appreciated by all the 20 attendees who enjoyed all the new information and Training techniques delivered by Mr. Bob Pike, Chairman and CEO of "The Bob Pike Group". The training took place in Dubai at the Murooj Rotana Hotel on March 2-3, 2009.
"Stock Control and Supply Chain Management" the 5th training program organized by MEDFA took place in Dubai at the Al Bustan Rotana on the 11th & 12th of April,2010.
It is a privilege for MEDFA to be part in the growth and progress of the Duty free industry, the challenge remains and we look forward for new projects to maintain our standards of quality and value.
The challenge remains and we look forward for new projects to maintain our standards of quality and value.
MEDFA Board members are elected for a two-year term. Elections for the new term 2011-2013 were held in Dubai on April 11, 2011.
John Sime - Vice President RS/ Emirates Airlines
Sean Staunton - Manager - Operations/ Dubai Duty Free
Erik Van der Veen - Deputy Chief Operating Officer / Dufry Sharjah
Taleb Izmigna - Chairman - Aldeasa Jordan Airports Duty Free Shops Ltd.