ASPA’s open house to tackle counterfeiting in MEA

The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA) will host an open house in Dubai on 24 April 2025 to address the growing threat of counterfeit products across the Middle East and Africa (MEA). The event, open to solution providers, brand owners, regulators, and stakeholders, will take place at Anantara Downtown, Dubai.

The event will begin with a presentation by ASPA president Manoj Kochar, who will outline global challenges in product authentication. This will be followed by region-specific insights from Ranesh Bajaj, chairperson of ASPA’s MEA chapter.

Counterfeit goods — from pharmaceuticals to consumer products — pose risks to public safety, erode trust, and affect global trade. The discussions will explore the role of technologies such as blockchain and AI in improving traceability and detecting fraud. Experts will also highlight the importance of applying these solutions in rural areas and using physical packaging features to help consumers identify genuine products.

“This is not just about one sector or region — it’s about restoring trust in the products we use every day,” said Kochar. “Collaborative action is essential if we want to ensure safer supply chains and protect consumers at scale.”

The open house builds on ASPA’s 2024 event at Drupa in Germany, where global stakeholders met to discuss anti-counterfeiting strategies. The Dubai event aims to provide a regional platform for further collaboration.

“The MEA region has its own challenges and opportunities,” said Bajaj. “Through this initiative, we hope to bring together solution providers and brand protection experts to support businesses and improve authentication practices.”
ASPA invites industry participants to join the event and contribute to the development of safer and more transparent supply chains.