April 24 (SeeNews) - Croatian food, beverage and drug producer Podravka [ZSE:PODR-R-A] said on Monday it will increase its presence in the Middle East after signing a distribution deal with Qatari-based distributor Arabian Supplies, a unit of local group Tadmur Holding.
The partnership with Arabian Suppliers will allow Podravka to enter all sales outlets in Qatar and to develop its business in the long term on one of the key markets in the Middle East and North Africa, the Croatian company said in a filing with the Zagreb bourse.
Over the past two years Podravka has expanded in the Middle East by opening its own branch Jebel Ali Free Zone in the United Arab Emirates.
"In addition to Qatar, long-term projects with local partners in Oman and Kuwait were agreed at the beginning of the year, and we have created the conditions for entry into Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq and Lebanon", Nermin Salman, executive director of Podravka Gulf FZE, said in the filing.
Podravka is present in nine countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
In February, Podravka also opened a factory in Tanzania, its first in Africa, as part of its strategy for international expansion.
Podravka exports its output to more than 60 countries, has 15 own companies on different markets, 12 branches, its own distribution network in 9 countries and 17 production facilities in four countries.