SIAL Middle East 2018, currently underway at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), has witnessed increased visitor footfall and drawn a strong participation of leading F&B experts and decision makers, according to the exhibitors and attendees visiting the fastest-growing food, beverage and hospitality event in the region.

The three-day event is running under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA).

Representatives of participating companies praised the significant uptake from trade visitors and the public for the exhibition, and appreciated its wide-ranging appeal and high level of organisation, as well as its role in promoting exhibited food products, services, and activities.

Asma Mohammed Ali, Head of Business Development at the National Initiative for the Development of the Agricultural Sector, said: “Bahrain is participating for the first time in SIAL Middle East this year with a national pavilion. Alongside four other companies that specialise in agricultural production and manufacturing, the National Initiative for the Development of the Agricultural Sector is also present in the exhibition to help step up the contribution of the agricultural sector to the GDP and to formulate future plans to achieve prosperity in this vital sector.”

Exhibitors at the pavilion that received a high footfall of trade visitors, applauded the unprecedented visitor turnout and reiterated their intention of participating in future editions. Among the Bahraini companies participating in the exhibition are Peninsula Farms that is showcasing its latest innovation in manufacturing soap from goat milk.

Lina Hussain Al Mousa, Senior Media Specialist – Department of Promotion and Export Opportunity at the Kuwaiti Public Authority of Industry, said: “Joining this landmark event as the Country of Honour this year has been a privilege. SIAL Middle East has established an enviable regional and global reputation as a prestigious platform that contributes to achieving food security – a key concern for the world today.”

She added: “With the aim of supporting national industries and foraying into new markets with innovative products, the Authority was keen to include a variety of Kuwaiti companies of different capabilities. We look forward to joining future editions of this event.”

The country pavilion of Morocco that is participating for the sixth time in a row, has attracted the strong participation of Moroccan cooperatives. One of the largest country pavilions participating in the event, it features 100 agricultural cooperatives, mostly small farmers, as well as 24 exhibitors.

The products showcased in the pavilion range from Argan oil and olive oil to a wide variety of indigenous dates, Moroccan honey, medicinal and aromatic herbs, as well as the famous Talvin saffron.

On the second day of the event, the Mercurys, the most prestigious awards in travel catering worldwide, announced the winners of the 2018 edition of the contest. The winners included Tops Foods, Koopskaap (Pty) Ltd, Kaelis On Board Services  &  BA, Sola Airline Cutlery B.V., Diversey, Saudi Airlines Catering Company, Savarin Deserts, Beemster Cheese, D&F Marketing GmbH  & DELTA, and En Route.

Al Foah, the leading producer of dates, unveiled its new corporate identity that encapsulates the company's new philosophy of mind, body and soul, where consumers represent the mind, Al Foah represents the body and the heart of the date industry, and farmers form its soul and foundation.

Etihad Airways, the official carrier of SIAL Middle East, is also running daily draws on the sidelines of SIAL Middle East 2018. It announced the three winners of the draw conducted on day one of the event.

Running for 36 years, the Mercurys awards are judged by a panel of independent experts, and recognise the very best in travel catering with five main categories spanning airline meals, service, general on-board food and beverages, and equipment. Another major highlight of the event this year is the UAE National Coffee Championships, a competition certified by World Coffee Events (WCE) and sanctioned by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).

The ninth edition of SIAL Middle East has drawn the participation of over 1,089 exhibitors, 34 country and specialised pavilions, and 25,000+ industry experts and unique visitors from more than 45 countries.

SIAL Middle East 2018 has signed on Abu Dhabi Chamber as Host Sponsor, the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) as Investment Partner, Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Services Centre as Silver Sponsor, LuLu Group International as Retail Partner and Etihad Airways as Official Carrier.

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