(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) Forbes Arabia, the Dubai-based Arabic edition of the world-renowned business magazine Forbes, has announced the top 40 Arab brands for 2008 in Dubai on Sunday.
The annual event was also co-sponsored by Wataniya Telecom as Platinum sponsor, Almarai and Ajmal Perfumes as gold sponsors, and Aramex as silver sponsor; in participation with CNBC Arabiya as the Media sponsor of the event.
The brands that topped the list were Al Jazeera TV, MBC TV, Afia, Al Marai, Rotana TV, LBC TV, Emirates Airlines, Etisalat, Fine and Melody TV, respectively.
It is our hope that all Arab countries achieve more success and establish prestigious brands on an international level; as they acquire significant practical experience in the market to increase their sales and profits, which will help to promote their image, credibility and gain wide acceptance globally," said Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy.
Delivering the opening speech at the gala dinner, Mansouri said, this can only be achieved with a focus on education and training, and leveraging the advanced information technology systems that will enable Arab companies to increase spending on marketing and advertising without any impact on prices of the products or services.
Refaat Jaafar, Managing Editor of Forbes Arabia, said that the listing of the top 40 Arab brands was conducted in cooperation with TNS Middle East & Africa, in line with a group of specialised lists issued by Forbes Arabia during 2008, including the Arab World's richest list, Highest Income Earners among Arab Preachers, the 50 most powerful businesswomen in the Arab World, and the top Arab investment firms and funds.
It is only the second time since the Top 40 Arab Brands list has been announced since the Arabic version of the magazine was first issued in 2004, following a similar list in 2006.
A discussion session run by the Media-star Hala Sarhan was also part of the event.
During the discussion, the participants shared their views regarding the challenges faced by Arab brands amid the global credit crisis, while also promoting the reputation of Arab brands strategically and practically both on the regional and global levels respectively.
The discussion also highlighted the available potential for these brands to establish themselves in the respective markets, and to compete with the Asian, European and American brands in global markets.
