Dubai World Trade Centre and trade commissioners from around the world gathered to discuss the growth in food exports to the Menasa region that is being facilitated by Dubai, the region’s most important international trading hub.

In a sign of international food producers’ continued drive to find new markets, trade commissioners report a significant increase in participation by exporters at Gulfood 2011, and expectations of robust sales at what is now recognised as the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade event.

Trade commissioners representing France, Germany, Italy, Egypt, Singapore and the US joined Hamad Buamim, Director General of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Helal Saeed Almarri, chief of Dubai World Trade Centre, to outline growth opportunities and challenges for food trade in the Menasa region.

“The overarching message from the food producing nations represented here today is of the importance of the region for the growth of the global industry. Gulfood plays a key role in facilitating trade and business opportunities for more than 100 countries around the world, so it is no surprise that the show is now recognised as the largest annual food and hospitality trade exhibition in the world,” said Helal Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Gulfood.

“Dubai’s food trade market is thriving and has the potential to grow much further, especially with events like Gulfood, which encourages new companies, business partnerships and trade ties – all essential to the health and wealth of Dubai’s business community,” added Hamad Buamim, director general of Dubai Chamber.

The GCC has long been one of the biggest food import regions in the world, bringing almost 90 per cent of food products in from other markets.

This year’s participation, a record 3,800 exhibitors – a 23 per cent increase on last year - is a clear indicator of the world’s attention on the region, he said.

Now in its 16th edition and running from February 27 to March 2 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gulfood 2011 expects to welcome 60,000 trade visitors during the four day show. 

New countries represented at Gulfood 2011 include Ethiopia, Luxembourg, Malta and Norway, with new country pavilions opening from Armenia, Bangladesh, Morocco, Palestine and Sweden.

Gulfood supports almost every element of the food, beverage and hospitality industry, incorporating co-located shows Restaurant & Café Middle East and Ingredients Middle East, hosting the Gulfood Conference, and the annual Gulfood Awards and the Emirates International Salon Culinaire competition. 

Gulfood is a trade-only event and is open to business and trade visitors from within the industry only.-TradeArabia News Service