Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, the UAE Minister for Foreign Trade, will officially open the upcoming rice industry exhibition and conference in Dubai.

'Rice Dubai 2011' which runs from November 3 to 5 at Madinat Jumeirah, is aimed at strengthening the UAE’s position as the world’s biggest re-exporter of rice. It will be a platform for discussions on key issues facing the rice industry, said the event organisers.

On the opening day, Shiekha Lubna will hold talks with Luong Le Phuong, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Agricultural & Rural Development, who will later outline for conference delegates his country’s vision to become the world’s largest rice exporter.

She will also meet Cham Pradidh, Cambodia’s Senior Commerce Minister, Tariq Puri, chief executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, and Lokesh Mysore Kapanaiah, India’s Ambassador to the UAE.

“Together, we are creating an international stage bringing together major rice producers and millers, exporters and importers and leading branded dealers, as well as several thousand trade visitors, government and corporate buyers, wholesalers, traders and re-exporters,' said Dr Faisal Ali Mousa, the founder of Rice Dubai 2011.

Held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, the event takes place at a time when influences in the Far East are having a big effect on prices of the grain and exports to the Middle East and international markets, he added.

Export rates have risen following the recent heavy floods which swept through farms and mills across Thailand, and major importers in Asia, Africa and the Middle East could delay buying until the market stabilises, or alternatively seek cheaper options in India and Pakistan.

Rice Dubai 2011 is officially endorsed by Dubai Multi Commodities Centre and supports the causes of the United Nations World Food Programme.

Major Indian rice exporters KRBL and Dunar Rice are among the leading producers and millers in the event’s international exhibitor line-up. Both are also silver sponsors of the event along with Central Food Distribution.-TradeArabia News Service