A major European cosmetics and perfumes distributor, Perfumes Y Diseno, has set up its regional office at Dubai Airport Freezone to tap the UAE and Gulf markets.

“The Gulf and Middle East cosmetics and perfume market is developing very fast and is witnessing phenomenal growth. Perfumes Y Diseno established a presence in Dubai Airport Freezone to come closer to our clients in this market,” said Bashir Tahboub, managing director of Perfumes Y Diseno (Middle East).

The company has made an initial investment of Dh11 million ($2.9 million) in setting up its Middle East distribution office -PYD Middle East Distribution FZCO - at the Dubai Airport Freezone to take advantage of phenomenal growth in this industry sector.

“Growth in cosmetics and perfumery business in this market has grown tremendously in the last couple of years up to as much as 10 times in value and we have set up a regional office at Dubai Airport Freezone to take advantage of the fantastic growth and opportunities available in this market,” said Tahboub.

“Perfumes Y Diseno is a major European cosmetics and Perfumery Company established 25 years ago in Madrid, Spain. The group’s turnover last year was Dh552 million ($150 million).”

He said Perfumes Y Diseno distributes cosmetics and perfumes in the ME, US, Central and South America and Russia. “PYD Middle east represents three high end perfume brands J. Del Pozo, Roberto Verino and Tous.”  PYD Middle East plans to open tie ups with retail chains in the UAE and all over the Gulf.

Tahboub said the decision to set up the PYD Middle east office at Dubai Airport Freezone was an easy one.

“Everything can be done under one roof here from immigration, customs, logistics, bank branches, post office counters and logistics everything is here. Another important thing is that the environment is high end from the quality of the offices and the amenities. At Dubai Airport Freezone there is a sense of community and a family oriented atmosphere,” he explained.

“The Dubai Airport Freezone management is very responsive to the needs and anticipates the requirements of tenants and eliminates bureaucracy. At Dubai Airport Freezone you could set up an office in 10 days and begin operations immediately provided you have the necessary documents and other requirements,” he added.

Ibrahim Ahli, director of Marketing at Dubai Airport Freezone welcomed the arrival of PYD Middle East at DAFZ.

“PYD Middle East is a welcome addition to our growing list of international companies. At Dubai Airport Freezone we have a diverse mix of cosmetics and perfume companies to, electronics and IT, air charter, logistics companies to pharmaceutical all of them taking advantage of the well developed facilities at Dubai Airport Freezone for doing business and its strategic location and position of Dubai as a business hub in the Middle East."

"Most of our clients are long-term tenants and recently, we have seen an increase in the number of international companies increasing their office space in anticipation of a rebound after a severe global economic downturn," Ahli added.

Tahboub pointed out that the downturn has acted as a filter and eliminated companies that do not have the knowledge of the business.

“Before the credit crunch many companies entered different sectors of the business without the knowledge or experience creating turmoil in the sector. The downturn has weeded out these companies leaving only the more established players.”

“Consumer sentiment and confidence in the last quarter – the Christmas shopping season in the Middle East and worldwide will be an important barometer of the long awaited economic recovery,” Tahboub added.-TradeArabia News Service