Sial Middle East 2016, the region’s fastest growing business trade event for the food, drink and hospitality industries, welcomed more than 900 exhibitors and buyers from around the world as it opened today (December 5) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, officially opened the event taking place at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until December 7.

Organised in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), Sial 2016 will welcome 950 exhibitors and over 20,000 visitors to the dedicated industry forum.

Sheikh Nahyan said: "Sial Middle East, now in its seventh year, has become one of the region’s most important industry showcases for the food and beverage sector. The show is of paramount strategic importance and creates a platform for discussion on important industry topics such as food security and sustainability. Year after year Sial Middle East reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading trade hub for the Middle East, benefiting the economy by promoting investment and business.”

Sial is organised in cooperation with Strategic Partner, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority and supported by Abu Dhabi Chamber as Host Sponsor and in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Food Festival. Al Dahra Agriculture is headline sponsor with Jenaan Investments the Diamond Sponsor and Emirates Food Industries Gold Sponsor.

Emirates International Group for Food and Agriculture and Al Rawabi are Silver Sponsors; Mawasim and Agthia are Bronze Sponsors; LuLu is the official Retail Partner; Etihad Airways is the Official Airline; and Emirates Culinary Guild and World Association of Chefs are Culinary Partners. – TradeArabia News Service