Ovelle set to enter Middle East market
DUNDALK company Ovelle has become the first Irish company to enter a supply agreement with the Dubai pharmacy retailer Life Pharmacy which has over 175 outlets in the Middle East.
The agreement was signed at Arab Health in Dubai, the largest healthcare exhibition and conference in the Middle East North African region, in the presense of Minister Jim Daly.
‘ This agreement is a significant milestone in our international strategy,’ says Mr Conor McEneaney, International Business Development Manager, Ovelle. ‘We have seen huge interest in our brands across the Gulf and Middle East regions in recent years as consumer demand for natural and organic sensitive skincare increases, particularly in the mother and baby categories. Life Pharmacy are the largest pharmacy retailer in Dubai with over 175 outlets and we are proud to be the 1st Irish company to sign a supply agreement with them.’
The agreement will see the Dundalk company supplying its Ovelle range of traditional family skincare and their multi award winning certified Organic Elave Baby Range, to Life Pharmacy, which is the largest retail chain of pharmacies in Middle East with over 130 pharmacies, health and wellness stores and hypermarkets
Ovelle and Elave brands are already available in many countries globally including Hong Kong in the Far East, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates in the Middle East and closer to home in Ireland and the UK.
‘ We have also supplied all of the major aid agencies including UNICEF and the International Red Cross globally for many decades,’ added Conor.
The company’s ranges were developed for sensitive skin conditions in- cluding eczema and dermatitis which are on the increase globally so their existing portfolio of products have an international reach in this niche sensitive skin market, he explained.
Ovelle was one of a number of Irish companies at the Enterprize Ireland Stand at the Arab Health exhibition which was expected to attract an attendance of 4,000 exhibitors and over 130,000 visitors from 163 countries.
Speaking on his arrival at Arab Health Minister Daly said; ‘ The United Arab Emirates presents growth opportunities for Irish companies and is already a significant consumer of Irish goods. In 2016 Enterprise Ireland client company exports to the UAE were in excess of €123M. By providing a platform for Irish companies to present their solutions and network with leading healthcare professionals, Arab Health is an ideal opportunity to position Ireland as a source of worldclass high tech products and solutions for the UAE healthcare sector.’ Dr. Tom Kelly, Divisional Manager of Lifesciences at Enterprise Ireland said; ‘We are keen to use Arab Health as an opportunity to promote Ireland to potential healthcare buyers. Supporting our client companies to identify new markets for their products and services is part of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy to enable our clients to build scale and expand global reach as part of our response to the UK’s decision to leave the EU”.