The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is to host SIAL Middle East, the first local offshoot of the world’s largest food industry event, from November 22 to 24.

The foodservice market in the Middle East is worth an estimated $31 billion.

Since its launch in Paris, SIAL has grown into a global food event. Last year SIAL had more than 9,300 exhibitors and over 216,000 visitors from 200 countries.

The three-day long event is organised by Turret Media in collaboration with Comexposium. The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority is a strategic partner.

“The GCC is the biggest importer of food in the world, sourcing more than 90 per cent of its total needs,” said Rashed Al Shariqi, director-general of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority.

“The industry is in need of professional business platforms such as SIAL Middle East. It will be a strategic meeting point to discuss the latest retail trends, innovations and food policies within the region.”

SIAL Middle East is also supported by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), the Unido Investment and Technology Promotion Office (Unido-ITPO), and the UAE Ministry of Environment.

“During Q1 2010, re-exports grew by 43.4 per cent in Abu Dhabi,” said Mohamed Rashed Al Hameli, director general of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“Buyers from the region will be able to source from more than 1,000 brands shown by 300 exhibitors from 30 countries. The show will also feature national pavilions from Argentina, China, France, Hong Kong, Iran, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States.”

A specialised line up of featured events will also run alongside the exhibition such as the first-of-its kind Middle East Food Summit held in association with ADFCA. This summit will include a high-level Ministerial Conference exploring the development of an integrated food policy for the GCC countries.

A Retail Forum organised in association with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) will be attended by key industry experts from the region, to focus on the latest issues, ideas, trends and opportunities in the Middle Eastern food retail sector.

Other highlights of the trade show include the SIAL Purchasers Club, La Cuisine Du SIAL – a chef competition, a Trends and Innovations Zone and Unido-ITPO investment meetings.-TradeArabia News Service