UAE-based UNIKAI taps into Qatari FMCG market

29/05/2016 05:40 AST

United Kaipara Dairies (UNIKAI), one of the largest fast moving consumer good (FMCG) companies in the UAE, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Qatar Foods & Services, to make available UNIKAI products in the Qatari FMCG.

The deal was signed in Doha by Mana Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla, chairman of UNIKAI, and Shamsudheen Olakara, Qatar Foods & Services, in the presence of Neeraj Vohra, CEO of UNIKAI.

"Qatar Foods & Services shares our standards for delivering high quality fresh products," said Al Mulla. "It is our pleasure to expand our presence into the rapidly increasing Qatari market through a strategic agreement with an experienced partner such as Qatar Foods & Services. The food market is a vital sector that is immune to global uncertainties, and this was reflected in outstanding performance for UNIKAI. Our expansion plans across the GCC are going full swing."

On his part, Olakara said: "It is a matter of pride for us to partner with one of the region's most trusted dairy products providers. We will leverage on our long business experience which includes deals with prestigious companies to ensure continuous flow of UNIKAI products to Qatar. We have also identified the large storage requirements of this particular nature of business and therefore we are establishing a long term partnership with the company."

According to a report by Al Masah Capital, the GCC food services market is predicted to grow at Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.8 per cent to reach $24.5 billion in 2018. "We have studied the Qatari market closely, because of its vitality and competitiveness. We are extremely confident about this move, and hope to create a loyal client base across Qatar," added Al Mulla.

Earlier this year, UNIKAI unveiled excellent results for 2015, and announced major expansion plans across the GCC and beyond. The company signed several deals within the UAE and regionally, including Qatar and Bahrain, to implement this vision. The company is set to expand its footprint covering nearly 200 routes in 2016.

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