The fifth edition of the region’s fastest growing professional trade exhibition for the food, drink and hospitality industry, which returns to Abu Dhabi next week, is expected to welcome a record turnout in visitors and exhibitors with a 30% jump in pre-registered visitor numbers setting the scene for the 2014 event.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, and organized in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), SIAL Middle East 2014 will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 24-26 November 2014.

Speaking at today’s press conference event, Mohammad Jalal Al Rayssi, Director of Communication and Community Service Division, ADFCA, and Chairman, SIAL Middle East organizing committee said: “The incredible interest shown by the international food industry in SIAL Middle East reinforces the global strategic importance of the region as a vital trading hub and major conduit that links the Gulf with the emerging markets of Africa and Asia to the rest of the world.”

The three-day exhibition will occupy all six halls at the ADNEC venue with an international line-up of global food industry players from four continents and a record 27 international pavilions.

‘With each edition, SIAL Middle East continues to offer a unique industry platform at which the full spectrum of local, regional and international retailers, operators and thought leaders can meet, outline regional initiatives, facilitate business transactions and analyze the challenges and opportunities that global trends present, thanks to the patronage of the visionary leadership of Abu Dhabi and the seamless support by HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan which really helped the event grow, through years, to this unparallel height in global business arena, he added.

“The UAE has built lasting, productive partnerships with leading industry players around the world in order to secure successful inbound and outbound trade relationships. With global food security issues very much front of mind, these collaborations have become increasingly important over the last few years and import and price concerns will undoubtedly dominate discussion on the exhibition floor,” said Al Rayssi.

According to Fadi Saad, Director, SIAL Middle East, the growth of the exhibition over the past 5 years clearly demonstrates the need for a dedicated industry forum in order to drive the industry forward in a sustainable manner.

“With a 20% increase in visitors expected, a year-on-year rise in the number of international pavilions and a record 1,000 exhibitors for 2014, SIAL Middle East’s reputation as a globally recognized exhibition for the food, drink and hospitality industry has made it a must-attend calendar event, with the support of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) adding an official seal of approval and relevance,” he said.

The 2014 show will also include a new feature dedicated to the manufacturing process. The co-located Middle East Pack exhibition will showcase packaging, processing, ingredients, printing and handling industries companies for the food and beverage sector.

The three-day event also features the annual La Cuisine by SIAL competition. Organized by the Abu Dhabi chapter of the Emirates Culinary Guild, this pits the country’s top culinary talent against one another in a showcase of skill and creativity. A total of 650 chefs, of all levels, will be put to the test across various categories, with performance judged by a panel of peers and industry experts approved by the World Association of Chefs Societies.

In addition, the SIAL Innovation Area will allow visitors a privileged insight into the future of the industry with a line-up of the world’s most innovative food and beverage products. This is supported by the SIAL Innovation Award, which is presented to the company that has developed a groundbreaking product reflecting global product trends. SIAL Middle East 2014 will feature winning products from other global competitions held in China, Brazil, Canada, Paris and the Philippines.

The multibillion dollar inflight catering sector will once again have its own dedicated focus as the newly rebranded OnBoard Catering exhibition matches buyers from more than 50 major regional airlines and other sectors with exhibitors; highlighting the importance of the future of the Middle East’s aviation industry which will see 400 million passengers take to the skies by 2020.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, acting group CEO of ADNEC said: “SIAL ME – now in its fifth year – continues to grow as a recognized and reputable platform, attracting more than 800 international participants. It is a world-class exhibition that brings together leading experts and specialists from across the world to discuss the future of the food and beverage industry.

Al Dhaheri added: “We at ADNEC look forward to working with our strategic partners and the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority to deliver an event that showcases the latest developments in organic agriculture, food and beverage and stimulates co-development and collaboration.”

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

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