Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), has revealed on the sidelines of the 6th Global Dubai Tea Forum, the authority’s plans to introduce its own signature high-end tea brand, ‘Shay Dubai’.

The new ‘Shay Dubai’ tea will be marketed under different flavours, including Dubai Spirit, Khaliji Blend, and Arabic Breakfast.

DMCC is a Dubai government entity. In 2015, the DMCC Tea Centre handled 41 million kg of tea through its centre in Dubai with a growth rate of 208 per cent over the past three years.

Hosted by the DMCC Tea Centre, the 6th Global Dubai Tea Forum was attended by over 370 delegates, representing over 30 tea producing and consuming countries.

Panel experts and delegates covered a diverse range of topics from the effect of climate changes to production and consumer trends, through to what the future holds for the tea trade with a focus on digitalisation.

Commenting on how the tea trade can further excel, Bin Sulayem gave delegates three key points to consider: "First, Digitalisation – the application of new internet based technologies to your businesses. This will help you exploit the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of the future.

"Second, Diversification – into new products and markets in the tea industry. This is the essence of commerce in every sphere, but especially in a consumer product like tea. And finally, Delivery – Dubai is at the centre of the tea-trading world, positioned between the growers to its east and the big markets to its west. It has shown how important it is to implement and act upon strategies for long-term growth. In short, to deliver results."

A panel session dedicated to the topic of ‘The Future of Trade’ furthermore unravelled recent research suggesting that adoption of digital technologies can revolutionise logistics, supply chains and distribution channels, and add billions of dollars worth of new export-import business to world trade.

Sanjeev Dutta, Director of the DMCC Tea Centre and DMCC Tradeflow, said, "Events like the Global Dubai Tea Forum connect the industry throughout the entire supply chain to ensure that we collaborate to deliver the products, services and infrastructure industry participants need to succeed as well as identifying new opportunities.

"Global trade is vital to the future growth and development of the DMCC Tea Centre which is why cultivating best practices, introducing digital innovation that will increase efficiency is high on the agenda this year as we gear up for growth and delivery of our expansion plans."

DMCC is also developing the ‘Burj2020 District’ as part of its DMCC Free Zone expansion strategy to provide leading businesses with a commercial property offering unique to the Dubai marketplace.

Source:WAM