Organic Advisory Committee
The Middle East Organic and Natural Products Expo is featuring a committee of distinguished leaders who have pioneered sustainability across several consumer markets within the region. Expo attendees will get a unique insight into the minds of leaders and a view into the future of the organic and natural industry in the future.
Dr. Ashraf Mahate
Chief Economist
Dubai Exports
Sanjeev Dutta
Executive Director
DMCC
Halima Jumani
Director
Kibsons International LLC
Mette Haxthausen
Managing Director
The Grooming Company
Yazen Al Kodmani
Food Security Expert
Emirates Bio Farm
Dr. Shyam Viswanathan Pillai
Medical Director
Dr Shyam's Ayurveda Centre
2021 PANEL DISCUSSIONS
A Closer Look at Clean Beauty Ingredients and Trends
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
It's the new trend and beauty-lovers are raving about clean, natural beauty. No side effects and healing properties from within, what's next for the industry?
Mukta Tewani Purain
Co-founder
MissPalettable.com
Mukta founded MissPalettable.com in 2017, as a solution for women like herself who were
struggling to find beauty brands that are independent, cruelty-free, innovative and safe for sensitive
skin. MissPalettable has been featured in Elle Arabia, Cosmo Middle East, Entrepreneur
Magazine, Goodness Middle East, Sassymama DXB, The National, Khaleej Times, Friday Magazine.
Deborah Thony Senior
Senior Brand Manager
Neal's Yard Remedies
Established in 1981, Neal’s Yard Remedies is a modern apothecary, creating award-winning health and beauty products that are natural, organic, and ethical.
Sustainable Tea & Coffee Growth in a New Era
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Tea & coffee of all forms is loved by people all over the world. There's an upward trend for naturally grown tea and coffee. Meanwhile, Dubai is a major hub for re-exporting the same. Experts talk about this.
Alan Hardman
Director
Coffee Planet
Alan has over 20 years of experience in hospitality and investment banking. He is currently the Director of Coffee Planet, which is now a multi-million dollar company through their own coffee brand and as coffee roasters for global companies
Sanjeev Dutta
Executive Director
Coffee Planet
Sanjeev is responsible for identifying new business opportunities for DMCC. DMCC is the world’s most interconnected Free Zone, and the leading trade and enterprise hub for commodities.
Vivek Hans
Founder and CEO
Bevarabia
Vivek founded Bevarabia with a vision in mind to be socially and environmentally conscious. Bevarabia is currently a leading provider of innovative and niche beverage solutions across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
James Sachs
Puroast Coffee
James aim was to create a smooth and rich Café del Caficultor, the Grower’s Coffee. Acoffee with a uniquely rich, smooth taste, much lower acid and an antioxidant boost. Puroast Coffee has 7 Times More Antioxidants than Green Tea.
Organic and Natural Retail, Distribution, and Manufacturing
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Preservatives or no preservatives? Sustainable packaging or other trends? We get up close and personal with experts in the retail, distribution, and manufacturing segment with industry leaders.
Kirti Meghnani
Head of Procurement
Choithrams
Kirti is one of the leading procurement strategists in the Middle East. He has over 35 years of experience working in Choithrams, one of the leading retailers in the Middle East region.
Shahid N. Khan
CEO
Al Islami Foods
Shahid has managed several mulitinational businesses such as Uniliever, IFFCO and Alghanim Industries. He is presently the CEO of Al Islami Foods, UAE, leaders in Halal Foods since 5 decades with a mandate for major expansion of the business.
Natalie Carvalho
Head of eCommerce
Truebell
Truebell is currently recognized as a reputable multifaceted business and are one of the largest independent food and licensed beverage importers in the GCC.
Sustainability in the Hospitality Sector: What are the Experts saying.
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
The hospitality sector is officially moving towards sustainability. More and more guests are demanding green and ethical forms of living, and the industry has to stay with the times.
Julia Schamne
General Manager
Accor - Adagio Premium the Palm, Dubai
Sanjeev is responsible for identifying new business opportunities for DMCC. DMCC is the world’s most interconnected Free Zone, and the leading trade and enterprise hub for commodities.
Nadini Veerasamy
CEO
Elite Inspired Hospitality
Nadini is a proactive visionary with expertise in both resort and hotel opening and operation. She has worked with hospitality brands such as One & Only, Hilton and Taj.
Raffaella Campagnoli
Acting CEO
Zeca Group - Natura Amica
Rafaella is the Founder and Managing Director of LIRA Strategy Partners and Acting CEO of Zeca Group that has been developing, manufacturing and supplying customized solutions for cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food products since 1983.
Ahmad Nofal
Director of Sales & Marketing
ZOYA Health & Wellbeing Resort
A Commercial Leader at ZOYA Health & Wellbeing Resort, UAE’s First 5-star Wellness Resort. Nofal focuses on promoting the importance of Health & Wellbeing in modern societies.He brings with him, an expertise of over 12 years in the hospitality industry.
Sustainable Farming
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Mehlam Murtaza
Executive Director
Uns Farms
Uns Farm is the largest hydroponic vertical farm in the UAE. Mehlam is responsible for heading the operations and business development of the company and is an enthusiast of technology driven solutions for a sustainable future.
Yazen Al Kodmani
Operations Manager
Emirates Bio Farm LLC
Yazen has spent the last four years building arable soil in the UAE desert which successfully produces over 60 varieties of products in Al Shuwaib, Al Ain. Emirates Bio Farm has established the largest private organic farm in the UAE advocating for environmental protection, health and well-being of all UAE residents
Nitin Menon
CEO
Elven Agri
Elven Agri specializes in the growing and processing of dried fruits, spices, vegetables & seeds. It is backed by experienced and established investors with a vision to bring social business models to East Africa.
8th December
Russia Presentation
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
TBD
Dmitry Polyakov
Director
RusGlobalExport LLC
General Director of RusGlobalExport LLC, a single company representing all Russian producers with full direct access to the Russian market. He has over 10 years of expertise in the Middle East.
8th December
Ministry of Environment Presentation
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
TBD
Dr Mohammad Al-Oun
Advisor
Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
Dr. Mohammad develops high-level federal policies, strategies and programs to develop the UAE agricultural and environmental sectors considering the climate change issues. As an Advisor for The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment he helps the country reach its goals to mitigate and adapt to climate change and protect the UAE’s unique environmental systems
8th December
The Natural Way to Immunity and Good Health
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Healthcare experts talk about the side benefits of having natural immunity-boosting ingredients that are bringing about a new wave of good health.
Wade Lightheart
Co-founder and President
BiOptimizers
Wade Lightheart is an athlete, nutritionist, and one of the world’s premier authorities on Natural Nutrition and Training Methods. BiOptimizers has helped over 65,000 people optimize their health and digestion since 2004.
Ms. Sushma Ghag
Dietetics (Specialist)
Aster Hospital
Sushma is a Nutrition Expert at Ater Hospital, Dubai’s leading chain of hospitals with advanced technology and world’s top specialists.
Veenisha Fatnani
Nutritionist
New Country Healthcare, UAE
Established in 1978, NCH is the leader in marketing and wholesale and retail distribution of Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals and Personal Care products. Veenisha is involved in nutritional analysis, supplements, vitamins, and market research across healthcare categories.
8th December
What's the Future Going to be Like if There's No Sustainability?
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
To be sustainable isn't a choice anymore. It's become more and more necessary with each passing minute. Join us as our sustainability experts discuss this.
Amruta Kshemkalyani
Founder
AK Sustainability Advisory and Sustainability Tribe
Amruta also founded the #ZeroWasteUAE Social Initiative and is a sustainability advisor, educator, and social entrepreneur. The Sustainability Tribe has been inspiring climate action for over a decade.
Adrienne Doolan
CEO
Green Touches
Adrienne introduced an entirely new concept to the Facility Management industry in the Middle East and is working towards achieving environmental sustainability along with health & wellness in the workplace.
Hazem Hammad
Arabesque Ventures
Adrienne introduced an entirely new concept to the Facility Management industry in the Middle East and is working towards achieving environmental sustainability along with health & wellness in the workplace.
8th December
The Natural Way to Immunity and Good Health
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Healthcare experts talk about the side benefits of having natural immunity-boosting ingredients that are bringing about a new wave of good health.
Linda Abdullah
Managing Director
Ultra Products Global - Ascania Honey
Linda specializes in optimization and innovation of F&B brands. As a leading general trader, she has helped Ascania Honey to become a leader in manufacturing and export of honey in Ukraine.
Lesley Kennedy
Director
OnlyFromNZ Limited
Linda has been instrumental in making OnlyFromNZ one of New Zealands largest producers of premium, organic and sustainable honey.
Founder
Balqees Honey
Riath Hamed is known as ‘the Honey Man’ because of his passion and knowledge of this fine, rare, luxurious golden substance. Balqees Honey's mission is to find the purest, most delicious, raw honey from Yemen and other countries around the world.
WHY ATTEND?
- Optimum networking event for the regional bio industry
- Highlight your company’s expertise in your field by showcasing yours
- Learn effective bio business management from successful entrepreneurs
- Learn the latest trends in the organic industry from key experts
- Learn how we can help you get your products licensed in UAE
- Be part of the region’s organic and natural think tank
- Get inspired by the big ideas for the growth of the regional organic market
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The 2019 conference brought together key experts and decision makers in the Middle Eastern organic industry. It brought in visitors engaged in import, HoReCa, re-export, manufacturing, retail and wholesale within the bio market.
The 20 sessions of the conference saw a high level of engagement from its audience; with Organic Trade Association (OTA) Board President Melody Meyer and and International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM – Organics International)’s Deputy Director Thomas Cierpka’s speeches being particularly well received.