The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has today announced the highlights of the fourth edition of SIAL Middle East, the region’s fastest growing professional business platform for the food, drink and hospitality industries, taking place next week from 24-26 November at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Addressing media at a press conference today at the Aloft Hotel, Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA and Chairman of the SIAL Middle East organising committee, said that the three-day trade exhibition is the largest yet, attracting more than 1,000 food and equipment manufacturers and suppliers along with a record 21 international pavilions from five continents.

They will all be eager to capitalise on a booming regional food and beverage sector in the GCC in particular, which is expected to attract US$106 billion of consumer spending in the next five years, reaching an average per capita consumption of 983kg annually.

Held under the patronage H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of ADFCA, SIAL Middle East will welcome more than 15,000 trade visitors from across the region.

“Expanding regional populations coupled with growing per capita income and a booming tourism sector inevitably translates into higher food consumption,” said Al Rayssi. “The UAE has also developed into the largest food processing and re-exporting destination in the Gulf region, and currently has more than 140 food re-export markets around the world.”

“The Emirates’ strategic location and favourable business environment presents the perfect gateway for food and beverage companies to access new markets not only in the UAE, but across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.

“This is also indicative of the strategic importance of SIAL Middle East, which continues its sharp growth curve year-on-year, and will showcase 65 per cent of products that are new to the region. The three-day show certainly provides an exceptional opportunity for international and regional food companies to present and promote their products to new dynamic markets.”

Joining Al Rayssi today at the press conference were Dr. Suleiman Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Government Officer at Al Dahra Agriculture, the Headline Sponsor for SIAL Middle East, and Khalid Ahmed, Group Public Affairs Director of Agthia, the Platinum Sponsor.

SIAL Middle East is part of SIAL Group, the world’s largest network of professional B2B food exhibitions which include SIAL Paris, SIAL China, SIAL Canada, SIAL Brazil, and SIAL ASEAN in the Philippines.

Co-located with ITCA (International Travel Catering Association) Abu Dhabi, and the Emirates International Date Palm Festival, SIAL Middle East 2013 returns with a three-day conference featuring 35 international and regional experts highlighting the latest innovative trends, industry updates, new products and solutions for the Middle East food, retail, and catering sectors.

Also returning is the hosted buyer programme and La Cuisine by SIAL international chef competition, where 600 international chefs from four continents will compete across 17 different categories to win one of four trophies, including Best Cuisinier, Best Pastry Chef, Best Artist and the Best Arab National Chef.

Finally, the prestigious The SIAL Innovation Observatory and Award will put a spotlight on 70 of the worlds’ most innovative food and beverage products, including winners from the global competitions at SIAL events in China, Brazil, Canada, the Philippines, and Paris. For more information and to register for SIAL Middle East, go to www.sialme.com. />  

We accept Guest Posts