29 October 2016
Transport Innovation hits the road at Gulfood Manufacturing's Logistics Solutions Middle East

Dubai, UAE: A new breed of intelligent logistics solutions could save five per cent of the UAE’s multi-billion billion food wastage, according to industry experts.

As food wastage becomes a key global public and social issue, suppliers and transport providers say the stage is set for innovation to transform the way the UAE handles its food distribution and re-exports.

Transformational technology and systems will be in focus at November’s Logistics Solutions Middle East – a dedicated zone within Gulfood Manufacturing - at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), as the industry moves to shave the country’s food wastage bill, currently put at 3.27 million tonnes worth some AED13.6 billion (US$3.7 billion) by Abu Dhabi’s Massar Solutions.

“The UN’s Food and Agriculture Association has clearly stated that substantial savings can be made in food loss and waste through improved storage and transportation,” explained Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Events & Exhibitions, DWTC. “These are now crucial issues as countries and industries move to reduce their carbon footprints and deliver on sustainability goals.”

Innovation will be the back-story to this year’s Gulfood Manufacturing, which runs 7-9 November, as the food industry grapples with wastage and increasing competitiveness. Gargash & Mercedes-Benz is targeting the F&B distribution segments with plans to roll-out a new range of futuristic trucks, highlighting their fuel-efficiency and productivity. The promotion will also see a focus on new Mercedes-Benz electronic trucks including the Urban eTruck, the company’s first fully electric truck, and its ‘Vision’ van-of-the-future concept.

Food-specific logistics remain a core component of a UAE logistics industry which reached AED 99 billion in 2015, according to the UAE National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL), which has signed up as the show’s official logistics partners. The issue is vital for Dubai, which currently re-exports nearly half of its imported food product to other GCC countries, Russia, India, Pakistan and East Africa, according to the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre.

NAFL President, Nadia Abdul Aziz is leading a campaign to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global logistics hub, and is planning to spell out how the emirate plans to keep ahead of competing global markets and what it means for transport and logistics stakeholders at the Food Logistics Forum being held at DWTC on November 8.

Logistics Solutions Middle East is one of the three focused shows making up the sold-out Gulfood Manufacturing exhibition which also includes ProPack Middle East and Ingredients Middle East.

Gulfood Manufacturing 2016 is an impressive 20 per cent larger than last year’s event and will see 1,600 international food manufacturers, suppliers and industry service providers fill 13 DWTC halls. The show will feature exhibitors from 52 countries including 29 official national pavilions including production machinery leaders Austria, Germany, Italy, Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. It will also welcome first-time pavilions representing Indonesia, Ireland, Russia and South Africa.

DWTC is also rolling out its most extensive Hosted Buyer Programme for the show which will be sponsored by Tetra Pak. More than 2,000 of the region’s most prominent industrial buyers are being invited to the event and supported with complimentary flights, accommodation and transport to and from the show.

Gulfood Manufacturing 2016 is open between 10am-6pm on 7-8 November and 10am-5pm on 9 November. The show is only open to trade professionals and visitor attendance is free-of-charge. For more information, please visit www.gulfoodmanufacturing.com

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About Gulfood Manufacturing
www.gulfoodmanufacturing.com
Launched in 2014, Gulfood Manufacturing is a sector-specific trade exhibition for ingredients, processing, packaging and food logistics providers who service the rapidly growing food and beverage production industries established in the Middle East, Africa, Far East and Sub-Continent. The event provides food manufacturers with the ingredients, equipment and business improvement tools that enable more efficient production and distribution. Gulfood Manufacturing has three focused sectors namely Logistics Solutions Middle East, ProPack Middle East and Ingredients Middle East. Gulfood Manufacturing 2016 takes place from 7 - 9 November 2016.

About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) 
www.dwtc.com
DWTC brings more than 35 years’ experience delivering world-class events in the Middle East and provides local, regional and international exhibitors with unmatched expertise and in-depth market knowledge. Our team organises more than 20 of the largest and most successful international and regional shows in Middle East, providing an ideal platform for business development in the region. Our commitment to on-going innovation within the exhibition industry has supported the rapid growth and development of a wide range of business-to-business and business-to-consumer shows, and delivered consistent satisfaction to exhibitors and visitors. DWTC works with the leading trade bodies and industry associations to ensure that all exhibitions deliver full value and are built upon the real needs of their specific sector.

For more information, please contact:             
Naina Chaudhary
MCS/Action
T: +971 4 3902980 
M: naina.c@actionprgroup.com

© Press Release 2016