Bahrain is gearing up for the Kingdom's biggest annual gathering of food, beverage and hospitality industry professionals, Food & Hospitality Expo, which runs from January 12 to 14.

Held under the patronage of Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the second annual Food & Hospitality Expo will begin at Hall 2 in Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre.

Event organisers, Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) said it had received overwhelming response from the exhibitors and was witnessing over a 100 per cent growth in participation when compared to 2009 debut show.

This year's expo will be see 81 companies from across the globe showcasing their range of products and services related to all aspects of food and beverage, catering equipment, food processing technology and packaging.

Lulu Hypermarket, the biggest hypermarket chain in the Gulf, takes pride of place on the 6,000 sq m exhibition floor with a 320 sq m stand - double the size of its stand in 2009. Also a major sponsor, the Lulu Hypermarket stand will display premium brands at the Expo.

A retail division of Abu Dhabi-based Emke Group, Lulu Hypermarket describes the partnership with Beca as a good fit with the chain's retail model 'since they have always considered Bahrain as one of the most forward-looking and promising economies in the region.'

The company said it was delighted to partner once again with Beca with a stand double the size of the one at the inaugural expo last year.

'Food & Hospitality Expo is Bahrain’s most important one-stop shopping platform that brings together an entire community of importers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and large-scale buyers including hotels and restaurants.'

Beca’s Food & Hospitality Expo has launched new products and product enhancements since it debuted in January 2009 with the endorsement of Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry & Commerce.

It is part of the events portfolio of Beca which functions under the stewardship of Dr. Hassan A. Fakhro, Minister of Industry & Commerce, Kingdom of Bahrain, and chairman of the Board of BECA.

Hassan Jaffer Mohammed, CEO of Beca, said the authority would exert its best efforts to satisfy the thirst for innovation and new markets of the industry.

'Food & Hospitality Expo offers a tremendous opportunity for exhibiting companies in one of the world’s most lucrative markets. We are proud to partner with Lulu Hypermarkets for the 2010 Expo and will endeavour to deliver added value especially for retailers wishing to boost their sales through the many opportunities for partnerships that can be made at the Show,' he added.

An interesting feature of expo will be the Thai Pavilion which will offer authentic Thai food and other products.

UK-based Steelite International, a leading manufacturer of innovative and inspirational tableware for the hospitality industry and a first-time exhibitor at the expo, will be launching its new, Symbol Fine Bone China and Porcelain range along with Tablekraft 18/10 stainless steel cutlery to further enhance the tabletop experience.

Nestle Bahrain will also exhibit its products including Nescafe, Nestle Cream, Nido Nestea and Nestle bottled water at the expo.

Leading companies including Babasons, Bahrain Modern Mills, Chinese Centre for Kitchen Equipment Co., The Diplomat Radisson BLU Hotel, Gulf Hotel, Moevenpick Hotel, Regency Inter.Continental Hotel, Noor Al Bahrain, Tamkeen (Labour Fund), Tariq Pastries and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry will also take showcase the latest innovations in the industry.

In addition, BECA and Tamkeen are co-financing a showcase for Bahraini food industry Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with Tamkeen’s pavilion being organised in co-operation with the Bahrain Business Women’s Society.-TradeArabia News Service