More than 15,000 visitors from across the region attended the Chocolate and Coffee Exhibition, which concluded yesterday (December 11), in Bahrain.

The three-day event, which was organised by Events Starts – an event management company, was the first-of-its-kind in the kingdom.

The exhibition was held under the patronage of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA) chief executive Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa.

A total of 51 exhibitors from across six countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain and others, participated at the event, said a statement from the organisers.

The exhibition on its final day showcased a large panel designed in the shape of Bahrain’s water front which was completely made out of chocolate, in the presence of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani.

Yasmin Jamal, executive director of Events Starts, said: “The event’s success underlines the importance of shedding more light on this industry in Bahrain and the region, especially since there are about 2,200 commercial register specialising in chocolate and coffee in the kingdom.”

“This sector includes a number of world-renowned coffee cafe brands and specialised chocolates shops, and the volume of employment in the sector is no less than 4,000 workers, including a large percentage of Bahrainis,” she said.

“Besides the chocolate and coffee manufacturers, the list includes some of the top hospitality groups, in addition to representatives of the global chocolate companies in the region (franchisees), who aim to boost their brands' presence in the Gulf and the Arab market, and also strengthen communication with their customers,” she added. – TradeArabia News Service