The second edition of Sial Middle East, the regional show of the world’s largest food industry exhibition, concluded last week in Abu Dhabi with Dh1.3 billion ($350 million) worth of deals inked at the event.

The exhibition, which was held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and ADFCA Chairman, attracted more than 9,700 visitors from around the globe, registering 34 percent growth rate compared to the inaugural footfall. 

Around 500 exhibitors from more than 40 countries participated in the exhibition, with 70 percent of them presenting their products in the region for the first time, a statement from the event organisers said.

Using Abu Dhabi’s stature as a major trade centre for a vantage point, they plan to reach out to the rest of the region with their products.

Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, chairman of the higher organising committee for Sial and official spokesperson for Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, said: “The success of Sial was primarily due to the enormous support it received from the Government of Abu Dhabi, especially from HH General Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces and HH Al Nahyan.”

Al Reyaysa expects that Sial 2012 will attract more exhibitors, given the huge interest the show has evinced in the first and second editions as well as tremendous return of investment for most of them, which has been translated into deals, new markets, as well as fresh insights on regional needs. – TradeArabia News Service