More than 450 international delegates, a 39 per cent increase in attendance from the previous event, attended the Global Dubai Tea Forum held in Dubai, UAE, which was hosted by Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a leading free zone.

The three-day event opened was held at The Address Dubai Marina, under the theme of “Brewing the Future of Trade”. The international delegatesl took part in expert analysis on the current state of the global tea industry, as well as debate the challenges set to define its future, said a statement.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman, DMCC, said: “We are a market-maker, facilitators of trade, and a hub for the flow of commodities around the world, and through Dubai. The DMCC Tea Centre is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for the industry and has helped secure the position of the UAE as a valuable export route for the majority of the tea producing nations,” he said.

“Our state-of-the-art tea centre handles 53 million kg of tea annuall   y, and we are confident our market share will remain consistent for the foreseeable future,” he added.

According to Euromonitor International, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region will account for 11 per cent of the total global retail value by 2022, growing at a 5 per cent rate over the same period of time.