In line with the major challenges that the F&B industry is facing, the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) has launched the Middle East Restaurant Association (MERA). The NGO will act as a hub connecting, promoting and supporting its members, while helping to frame the agenda for the UAE’s restaurant industry.

MERA will also be a vital source of help, advice and information that concerned business-owners and members of the industry can come to for assistance and guidance. The association aims to look after everyone in the industry, at all levels, not just owners and management.

MERA’s founders are currently in the final stages of registering the non-profit incorporated organisation (NPIO) as a legal entity. Nevertheless, the needs of the industry come first and the MERA team is eager to provide an inclusive support system for the wider F&B community. With that in mind, the association will host its first ‘MERA powered by GRIF’ online Zoom session this Wednesday, 1st of April, at 10am UAE time, which will be led by the following founding board members of MERA, along with a leading legal practitioner: 

•         Naim Maadad, Chief Executive, Gates Hospitality
•         Duncan Fraser-Smith, Vice President, TFG, Food & Beverage
•         Ramzy Abdul-Majeed, Founder & Managing Director, Whissle Hospitality Group
•         Ravi Chandran, Chief Executive Officer (MENA), Liwa Minor
•         Amit Nayak CHA, Vice President & Board Member, HAMA MEA
•         David Singleton, Partner, Socius Group

These F&B leaders will be on hand to listen to the industry’s queries, and if they cannot provide answers to certain questions, then they will endeavour to assist and facilitate connections with those who are more qualified. MERA is anticipating that, during the discussion, common threads will emerge around rents, employment, VAT, licensing, WPS finance, and more; however, participants can rest assured that specialised MERA Power Sessions will be set up on Zoom at later dates, which will include representatives capable of expertly addressing specific subject matters. 

Other founding board members include Rene Beil (Managing Director, Beaufort Global Partners), Lynne Bellinger (Director of Food & Beverage Development, Marriott International MEA), and Jennifer Pettinger-Haines, (Co-Founder of GRIF & MD Middle East of Bench Events).