Arab & India Spices (AIS), one of the largest importer of food products in the Middle East, has unveiled the region’s largest food production facility built in Ajman at an investment of Dh350 million ($95.2 million).

The second largest processor of pulses and spices in the world, AIS said with the expansion of its production facility, it now aims to achieve an annual turnover of Dh1 billion ($272 million) starting from this year.

The 70-year-old company is one of the first and largest firms that sources and processes a range of pulses and ground spices in the Gulf. The company records the largest import of pulses, lentils, spices and rice from various sourcing points around the world with hundreds of tons of foodstuff being imported annually to the GCC, it added.

The production facility was inaugurated by Mohammed Al Muallam, the managing director and senior vice president of DP World, in the presence of senior AIS officials including its managing director Harish Tahiliani, director Vidhya Harish.

The entire factory premises of AIS now covers an area of over 400,000 sq ft, where the production plant has the capacity to process additional 36,000 tons of lentils annually.

Commenting on the launch, Tahiliani said: "We are extremely proud to unveil the region’s largest food processing plant. This new facility is an extended version of AIS’ existing state-of-the-art food processing plant in Ajman."

"AIS began its journey in a 400-sq-feet facility in the UAE and now it operates a 400,000-sq-fet production facility extended gradually, making AIS one of the largest food production and processing facility in the region," he stated.

According to him, the hi-tech plant is part of the company's plans to drive the continued growth of its business in the UAE and expand further into other parts of the Gulf region.

"AIS has diversified its operations from milling and grinding to processing of whole spices and consumer packing. We are making investments to drive sustainable long-term growth. The extension of our plant is a crucial factor of our growth strategy facilitating us consolidate and expand our market share in the Middle East region," he added.

Tahiliani said the company has implemented global standards of quality control measures to maintain the safety and value of the foodstuff produced in its facility and supplied across the region.

Today AIS is one of the largest importers in the Middle East sourcing raw pulses from most of the major pulses producing countries like Myanmar, Australia, Canada, US, China, UK and India.

The company mainly produces Masoor Dal (Red-split lentils), Chana Dal, Moong Dal, Urid Dal and Toor Dal. Spices are mainly procured from India, China, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

The spices and pulses imported from various countries are packed and sold in the UAE and other countries. It also owns major rice brands including 777, Ameera and Nallari.

"Known for hygienic packaging, stringent quality norms and competitive pricing, the range of products from AIS enjoys a strong customer base of all regions and ethnic backgrounds, major hotels, restaurants and catering companies. We will continue our commitment to sustainable development, which we believe is a key driver of our success in future," he added.-TradeArabia News Service