As many as 27 pavillions are taking part in the Middle East’s fastest-growing professional trade exhibition for the food, drink and hospitality industry which concludes today (November 26) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The three-day SIAL Middle East also played host to five additional international pavilions with a number of first time exhibitors making their show debut and a surge of overseas enquiries from international exhibitors keen to develop partnerships with the GCC food sector.

Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, director of Communication and Community Service Division at Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) and chairman of the event’s organising committee, said: “The strength of the UAE’s existing partnerships with global food industry players both in terms of inbound as well as outbound trade activity, is well documented and as we address future issues of food security and continue in our role as a global trade facilitation hub, new partnerships are the way forward.”

Joanne Cook, SIAL managing director, said: “More international destinations have targeted SIAL Middle East as a direct entry point into the mushrooming GCC food import market. We have a record 27 international pavilions with exhibitors from five continents this year, with new participants Egypt, Indonesia, Georgia, Lithuania and Sri Lanka each bringing their own unique perspective and products to the UAE.”

The full line-up of pavillions for this year’s event included Argentina. Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, Georgia, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, US and Vietnam.

The new exhibitors included Native American Indian Nathan Notah of the Navayo Tribe and programme director of the American Indian Foods; exclusive Lithuanian chocolatiers, Taitau, showcasing all natural chocolate; and Perlage Water in Poland. - TradeArabia News Service