The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA) will organize an Open House event on April 24, 2025, at Anantara Downtown Dubai, aimed at protecting consumers, businesses, and economies from the growing threat of counterfeit products. The event is open to solution providers, brand owners, regulators, and other stakeholders committed to enhancing product authenticity and trust across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.
The event will commence with a presentation by Manoj Kochar, president of ASPA, who will address the global challenges and advancements within the authentication sector. This will be followed by a region-specific insight from Ranesh Bajaj, chairperson of ASPA’s MEA Chapter, offering a focused perspective on the Middle East and Africa.
Counterfeit products, from pharmaceuticals to luxury goods, pose serious risks to public safety, businesses, and global trade. Fake and mislabelled goods erode consumer trust and could lead to stricter trade restrictions. At the event, experts will discuss the need for advanced traceability and authentication solutions, such as blockchain and AI-driven systems, to monitor supply chains and detect fraud.
They will also emphasize the importance of adapting these technologies in rural areas where traditional methods still prevail and advocate for physical overt packaging to ensure authenticity is clear and accessible to all consumers.
“This is not just about one sector or region—it’s about restoring trust in the products we use every day,” Kochar said. “We are seeing greater international momentum around product authenticity, and this Open House is part of a larger push to connect efforts and expertise across borders. Collaborative action is essential if we want to ensure safer supply chains and protect consumers at scale.”
The initiative builds on ASPA’s earlier international engagement, including its 2024 event during drupa in Germany, where over 40 delegates from various regions discussed global anti-counterfeiting strategies. The success of that interaction reinforced the need for focused regional engagement—especially in the MEA region, which plays a major role in global exports and is equally affected by the counterfeit trade.
“This Open House in Dubai is about bringing people together—solution providers, innovators, and brand protection experts—to be part of something larger,” said Bajaj. “The MEA region has its challenges and opportunities, and through this initiative, we hope to enable more voices to join the global fight against fakes, while also helping local businesses adopt best practices in authentication.”
