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Bateel International, a leading gourmet food business, marks its 25th year anniversary with celebrations starting from 1 May 2016. Beginning in agriculture with its date palm groves at Al Ghat, Saudi Arabia, Bateel is now an internationally recognized conglomerate with boutiques and cafes across the globe, from London to Jakarta. Synonymous with reinventing and elevating the date to a gourmet product, Bateel has since grown to become an admired gourmet food brand, renowned globally for culinary excellence.
Dr. Ata Atmar, Managing Director, Bateel International, commented on this occasion: “Bateel is an ancient Arabic word for ‘a young offshoot of a date palm’ and like our namesake, our company has grown tremendously over the years. 2016 is an important year for Bateel as we are expanding our presence across the GCC region, as well as celebrating an impressive 25 years since the launch of our first boutique. I believe the success of the brand to date can be credited to our focus and emphasis on authenticity, quality, and innovation.”
Bateel’s Owner and Chairman, Dr. Ziad Al Sudairi, encountered Atmar in 1989 and asked him to help build Bateel by marketing dates like Premium Swiss chocolates. Atmar shares, “At that time dates were just a standard commodity in supermarkets. We essentially introduced and developed a new concept, which did not exist before.”
The first Bateel boutique opened in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, and shortly after the product portfolio was expanded to include premium quality chocolates and fine foods. Taking the brand a step further, Café Bateel was launched in Dubai in 2007, introducing a new concept in casual dining: celebrating Mediterranean fare, curated by Bateel.
Today Bateel boutiques and cafés can be found in numerous locations around the world. Customers can also enjoy a one of a kind gourmet experience at Bateel’s first flagship store. The expansive venue, which opened last year, brings three Bateel elements together under one roof – the boutique, café and bakery.
Behind the established and well-respected company is a team of over 1,400 people representing 42 nationalities, who, over the years, have selflessly contributed to building a world class brand. Additionally, an equal employer, Bateel is proud to have a number of women holding senior management positions, across departments such as retail and marketing.
2016 marks an impressive year of growth for Bateel, with 20 new boutique and café openings scheduled across the GCC region. February saw the opening of Café Bateel Olaya, in Riyadh’s prestigious district, and further openings are scheduled in new markets such as Kuwait, Oman and Qatar in the coming months.
