Partnership to expand K-Food across the Middle East
Al Khayyat Investments (AKI), through its consumer division AKI Consumer, has announced a strategic partnership with CJ Group through CJ Foods to join forces in expanding K-Food across the Middle East.
The collaboration reflects the shared ambition of both organisations to broaden the regional presence of authentic Korean food (also known as the ‘K-Food’ category) and deepen long-term commercial cooperation.
The partnership was formalised through the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Zaid S. Al Khayyat, Managing Director of AKI, and Sukjoon Lee, Vice Chairman, CJ Group, during a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi as part of the State Visit of the President of the Republic of Korea to the UAE.
Economic collaboration
The signing took place in the presence of HE Kim Jung Kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea, and HE Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, underscoring the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and advancing new avenues of economic collaboration between both nations.
AKI Consumer and CJ Foods will work together to introduce a wider range of K-Food offerings to consumers across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and neighbouring markets.
“We look forward to creating meaningful synergies with our partner AKI, especially in K-Food as well as across a wide range of other business areas,” stated Sukjoon Lee.
“The demand for K-Food in our region is expanding rapidly, and this partnership positions both our organisations to move with scale, speed, and a shared ambition to serve consumers with the very best offerings,” noted Zaid S. Al Khayyat.
