Regional energy drinks sales showed a significant increase last year.

The energy drinks segment of the GCC beverage market registered 13.2 per cent sales growth in 2006, while three other segments also posted double-digit figures which reflect the growing Arab beverage industry.

This was the assessment made by Sharaf Dabbagh, president of Taaheel FZ LLC, on the eve of the first-ever Arab Beverages Forum which will be held on June 19 and 20 at the Grosvenor House in West Marina Beach, Dubai.

The fresh milk segment posted 13.1 per cent sales growth, followed by the carbonated soft drinks and juices segments with 11.9 and 11.3 per cent, respectively.

“The Arab Beverages Forum will discuss the growing market trend in the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as developments in the global beverage industry with leading innovators and entrepreneurs like Paul Evers of Alko International, David Berryman of David Berryman and Taoufik Mathlouthi of Mecca Cola,” said Dabbagh.

Evers was responsible for producing the world’s first drinkable yogurt and is the founder, President and CEO of The Netherlands based-ALKO International.

Berryman is one of the forerunners in the juice revolution movement. His company is the United Kingdom’s largest blender of fruit juices and manufacturer of fruit juice bases.

Mathlouthi introduced the Mecca Cola brand, a carbonated soft drink, which is available in Europe, Africa, Middle East and some Asian markets. Mecca Cola recently signed an agreement with Dubai Industrial City for the construction of the first Mecca Cola Industrial Park in the Middle East.   

Taaheel is a Dubai-based consultancy specializing in the beverage industry in the Arab world. It is also organising the Qatrah Awards which will recognize the region’s best brands belonging to six segments of the beverage industry. The awarding ceremonies will be conducted in the evening of June 20 at the Madinat Jumeirah.

Tetra Pak, Al Rabie and Lipton are the major sponsors of the Arab Beverages Forum, with Bayt.com and Soft Drinks International as strategic online media partner and media sponsor, respectively.

The Qatrah Awards is also sponsored by Tetra Pak, with the support of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and UAE University. TradeArabia News Service