Made in Italy food treasures go directly from the field to Qatar. This is the result of the cooperation started between the Italian farmers association Coldiretti and the authorities of the Gulf emirate. The goal is to promote the real products of the Mediterranean diet. These include extra virgin olive oil, rice, cheese, preserves, tomato sauces, honey, fruit and vegetables, balsamic vinegar, fish, and apple vinegar. The agreement was signed during a summit in Rome (see picture above) with the President of Coldiretti Roberto Moncalvo, the Chief Executive Officer of ‘Lulu Group’ Mohamed Althaf Musliam Veetil, the Operations Manager UK of Lulu group Keith Smith Retail, and ICE’s (Italian Trade Agency) Director of Doha, Giosafat Riganò.
ITALIAN FOOD TO QATAR WITH LULU GROUP
Italian food products will be exported to Qatar with the ‘Signed by Italian farmers’ logo thanks to the collaboration with Lulu group. This is one of the major distribution chains of the Mediterranean area, operating in 31 countries located in Asia, USA, Europe and the Middle East. Including Qatar, where Italian food exports have more than quadrupled in the last ten years, exceeding 39 million euros in 2017. Lulu group, with an annual turnover of 7.4 billion dollars and 48,450 employees, is based in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. It manages a portfolio of international activities ranging from shopping centers to hypermarkets, supermarkets, and department stores, and from production to food processing.
PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES
The agreement also includes some exclusive promotional activities within Lulu group’s points of sale for the promotion and enhancement of authentic 100% Italian products. The summit follows the one held last July, where Coldiretti’s delegation met the authorities of Qatar. These activities and agreement had the support of the Italian Embassy in Qatar, with Ambassador Pasquale Salzano, and the local office of ICE – Italian Trade Agency.