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Middle East Market Developers - Foods & Confections

Company Profile

Who we are

Founded in 1986, La Providence Company consists of a team of progressive and professional representatives for North American manufacturers of fast moving consumer goods, namely Food, Snacks and Confections. With offices in France and Egypt and affiliates in the Gulf Cooperative Council, we provide in-depth market coverage of the Middle East for our suppliers.

It all started in 1970 when Mr. Ebeid founded Gulf International, with the objective of introducing U.S. and European food products to Dubai. The company soon became one of the most prominent importer and distributor of consumer products in the United Arab Emirates. The company now still exists under different management and kept its leading position as a result of the flagship agencies introduced by Mr. Ebeid in the early stages of development.

Having accomplished his goal, Mr. Ebeid proceeded to use his know-how to focus on and introduce branded food product lines to the Middle East and founded La Providence.

What we do

At La Providence, we dedicate ourselves to introduce, develop, service and monitor key distribution accounts in the Middle East and North Africa while providing the following services for our suppliers:

	Extensive traveling to the regions
	On-the-spot market study
	Cost analysis
	Set strategic marketing objectives with distributors and implement them
	Expand the distribution network by opening new markets
	Coordinate budgets and forecasts between suppliers and distributors
	Advise and counsel on strategies for promoting and advertising the products in accordance with local, social and cultural traditions to create brand awareness
	Advise and counsel on labeling legislation in conformity with local health regulations

One of our main objectives is to contribute to a consistent development and expansion of sales and distribution for our suppliers. Below is an example of a promotional strategy implemented in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to enhance brand awareness and achieve sales objectives.

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Our strengths

	Our solid knowledge of Middle Eastern market business practices, language, culture and tastes coupled with our clear understanding of North American corporate functions and strategies gives us an unmatched competitive edge
	We are well established in the Middle East consumer markets and business circles as a result of working in the area for more than 30 years
	We have the ability to enter all Middle East markets with new products at once for our suppliers. The regulations for imported products are the same for all Arab countries. We therefore arrange for special production consolidations to supply these markets
	We also derive our success from focusing on fewer leading brands, thus servicing our suppliers and our distributors more effectively and efficiently

Our achievements

	From a small representation in Bahrain, in a matter of 3 years, La Providence succeeded in establishing a network of distributors covering 11 countries
	We soon built an average of US$3 million per year business for our suppliers, which did not have a presence in the Middle East markets prior to dealing with us
	We established Amurol Confections' Bubble Tape as the Bubble Gum market leader in the Middle East, with Kuwait as one of the highest per capita consumption in the world
	We entered the Libyan market soon after the lifting of the US sanctions with Just Born's MIKE AND IKE® and ZOURS® fruit-chew candy lines, opening a new door to countless opportunities in North Africa

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