Al Islami

UAE-based food producer Al Islami will open its $6.8m, 30,000 sqft plant in Irans Kish island in May 2007, Retail News Middle East reported. The factory will be capable of producing more than 200 metric tonnes of meat a month, CEO Saleh Abdullah Lootah told the publication. The company plans to open a second factory in Iran in the next couple of years. (Middle East Retail and Leisure News Wire, "Al Islami to open Iranian plant," 4/12/07)

But while the franchise and meat counter deals help further its domestic position, the Canadians estimate that 35% of Al Islami revenue now comes from exports, and the company set out in 2006 that it wants to expand further into global markets. Acting on this goal, last year it entered into a joint venture with the UKs 3663 First for Foodservice, set up a food processing venture in Iran, and also launched its Al Islami cart franchise in both Malaysia and Egypt. (Business Middle East Select, "Food, beverages and tobacco: UAE," 3/16/08)