The Victoria Government Business Office (VGBO) will exhibit at SIAL Middle East, a major B2B event for the food, drink and hospitality industries, in an effort to grow its billion dollar exports to this key market for the Australian state.

The event will be held from November 24-26 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Victoria’s food, beverage and fibre exports to the Middle East and North Africa in 2013 was worth AU$1.25 billion, a 15 per cent increase on the previous year.

Victoria was the first in Australia to establish a presence in the region when it opened the VGBO in Dubai in 1997.

“The Middle East is a major and fast growing trading partner for Victoria,” said John Butler, state government of Victoria Commissioner to the Middle East and North Africa. “We have had a long-standing and committed presence in the region for over 15 years and the connections across trade and investment, as well as important social ties, remain of vital importance.

“There is, of course, scope for Victoria to engage even more closely with the Middle East. Attending events like SIAL remains a key part of our work to assist Victorian exporters to develop new trade and investment opportunities and links with this important region.”

As part of its efforts to promote and develop trade relationships between Victoria and the Middle East, the Victoria government earlier this year led a delegation of 75 food and beverage companies that exhibited at Gulfood 2013, providing an opportunity for the companies to showcase the best the state has to offer, whilst conducting meetings with buyers and sharing knowledge and ideas with industry leaders.
The Super Trade Mission in 2013 generated immediate sales of AU$ 18 million and projected exports to the region of AU$ 240 million over two years, a statement said.

This will be the first time the VGBO will be exhibiting at SIAL Middle East. – TradeArabia News Service