New Middle East F&B association launched in UAE to support its growth

In a bid to tie together F&B partners and stakeholders in trying economic times, the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) has launched the Middle East Restaurant Association (MERA).

A non-profit organisation, MERA will act as a centre-point to connect and promote F&B stakeholders as well as curate the agenda for the UAE’s restaurant industry.

In addition, it will also seek to help and advice concerned industry participants.

A platform for innovation, coordination and education – MERA endorses sustainability, responsibility and food safety, while ensuring longevity, and ultimately, helping curate a better future for the wider F&B industry.

All profits gleaned will be reinvested into both the association and the industry.

MERA’s founders are currently in the final stages of registering the non-profit incorporated organisation (NPIO) as a legal entity.

The founding board members of MERA include Naim Maadad, CEO, Gates Hospitality; Duncan Fraser-Smith, vice president, TFG, Food & Beverage; Ramzy Abdul-Majeed, founder and managing director, Whissle Hospitality Group; Ravi Chandran, CEO (MENA), Liwa Minor; Amit Nayak CHA, vice president and board member, HAMA MEA; and David Singleton, partner, Socius group.

The association will host its first-ever ‘MERA powered by GRIF’ online session on April 1, 10am local time led by industry veterans and MERA board members.

The meet will strive to address industry concerns and anticipated common threads such as rents, employment, VAT, licencing, WPS finance, and more.