In just five years, Global Fresh International (GFI) - a participation of Direct Source International (DSI) from The Netherlands - has made significant presence in the Asian market. Now the company is ready for the next phase to expand this success to the Middle East. GFI will start to operate out of the Emirates in August 2022 with an office in Dubai to serve retail and wholesale customers in the Middle East and Asia. Not only will GFI relocate, but Arie van Helden, one of the GFI founders, will also depart from The Netherlands to Dubai.
The new GFI management will be represented by Tarek Bedir (who is well known in the Fresh Produce industry) in his capacity as CEO together with Arie in his capacity as CCO. "We have made great presence in recent years on the Asian continent even though we have been operating out of the Netherlands. Now it is the time to expand and relocate our operations so we will be closer to our targeted markets and clients" says Arie.
Focus on Asia expanded with Middle East
“Given the potential we saw in the Middle East, relocating GFI to the Emirates is the best option. With this new office in Dubai we want to become a significant partner for Gulf countries. GFI's focus has always been Asia and it will certainly remain, only the Middle East is now added," Arie continues. Tarek Bedir's experience as a partner on board - active for many years in the Middle East for various large fruit and vegetable companies as well as the connection with the founders for more than 20 years – ensures a high quality combination to this new opportunity.
"We will start in Dubai with a small but dedicated team. We have learned from the DSI' successful business model to bring our suppliers and customers to be part of the journey we are on. This will definitely distinguish us from others in this market," emphasizes Tarek. "Our worldwide cultivation partners have more and more product available. This growth fits in with our strategy to add together with our partners even more value to them. The support from the Dutch mother company and colleagues will remain."
Apples important item next to citrus and grapes
Citrus and grapes remain the main products for GFI. In addition, apples is an important product for the Middle East and Asia. "We are committed to supply these main products year-round. About 60% of GFI's sales goes to retail. Everything revolves around permanent availability at the right quality, which we will provide through our reliable worldwide network of partners. Our network from the Northern Hemisphere, such as Egypt, Morocco, India and Eastern Europe is supplemented by the southern hemisphere, such as South Africa, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Australia," says Tarek. "From the Emirates with our new office in Dubai, we are ideally located to also serve neighboring GCC countries. We are convinced that our knowledge, both on the European and Asian market will help to be successful in the Middle East.”
Expectations for the years to come
"Despite all the limitations of recent years, we have made huge presence in Asia. Countries such as China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, but also India are booming. The potential is enormous, given the population alone, and we see that purchasing power of the middle class is taking a huge spurt. We expect to see even faster growth and expect that in five years' time, 50% of GFI's business to be in Asia and 50% will be in the Middle East."
For more information:
Arie van Helden / Tarek Bedir
Global Fresh International
Mob: +31 6 51 10 18 93 / +971 50 926 4622
arie@globalfreshint.com / tarek@globalfreshint.com
www.globalfreshinternational.com