The seventh annual Sial Middle East exhibition, the fastest growing event for the region’s food, drink and hospitality sectors, concluded in Abu Dhabi, UAE with a record number of visitors and deals worth Dh3.8 billion ($1 billion).

Major-General Staff Pilot Ishaq Al Balushi, head of the Supply Department of the General Command of the Armed Forces signed contracts worth Dh763 million ($207 million)with the Army Officers Club, Abu Dhabi National Hotel Company Middle East, Al Wasita for Catering, Emirates Hospitality Centre, Kelvin catering services, Army Forces Coop Association and FOODCO.

Jennan Investments signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sudanese Finance Ministry to establish the biggest date palm farm in the world, with a total of 221 million trees to be planted in Sudan over a 13 year period.

Abu Dhabi Health Authority signed a contract with Etihad to introduce healthier, Weqaya-approved meal options to its staff restaurants. The Weqaya logo is the official mark of healthy eating in Abu Dhabi and is only permitted on foods and in food outlets that meet strict requirements on preparation and ingredients.

Sial 2016 is organised in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA). Thamer Al Qasemi, chairman of the organising committee for Sial 2016 said: “Sial has witnessed unprecedented growth during the last seven years, in 2010 we had eight national pavilions, 7,200 visitors and floor space of 4426 sq m. Now, visitors have grown to over 22,000, we have 30 national pavilions and floor space has more than trebled to 14,220 sq m, underscoring the appetite and strategic importance of the event. Show content is evolving to provide a broad overview of food trends and innovation and further highlighting the importance of the event.

“The success of this event, now one of the biggest food and beverage showcases in the region, is attributed to the support of the Abu Dhabi Government and the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which has been instrumental in developing the show to the record numbers we have seen this year.”

Out of over 150 entries, the Sial Innovation World Champions awards’ showcase was won by Northern Irish food producer Mash Direct for its Crispy Vegetable Bakes. The Silver Award was presented to Al Ain Diary for their Breakfast Milk while Icelandic food company, Complete Global International Apoly Trade., was awarded the Bronze prize for their Vikingur food supplement.

Rounding out the show floor events, and organised by the Emirates Culinary Guild of Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the World Association of Chefs' Societies, La Cuisine featured over 1000 professional chefs competing in a variety of culinary competitions, including the Alen Thong Golden Coffee Pot, Young Chefs Challenge, launched in memory of one of the Emirates Culinary Guild’s founding fathers.

Fadi Saad, Sial managing director, Sial Middle East, said: “Innovation in the food industry is not only trending around the globe, it is accelerating thanks to the digital environment we all live in and it is an aspect that we have been keen to showcase.” – TradeArabia News Service