Market Potential Attracts Global Players to Gulfood 2012
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Demand for processed food is growing rapidly across all food and beverage categories in the Middle East, and currently accounts for a substantial 50 percent of the total food market in the region. Driven by growing urbanisation, increasingly hectic lifestyles and active encouragement from GCC governments to process foods within their respective countries, the market potential is attracting unprecedented interest from global industry players, according to the organiser of Gulfood 2012.
As the world's biggest annual food and beverage trade show as well as the most influential in the Middle East and neighbouring regions, Gulfood 2012 takes place from 19 - 22 February 2012 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Exhibitors from every sector within the food and beverage industry are participating at the show, including a record number of companies in food processing and packaging.
More than 350 exhibitors out of a total of 3,800 companies participating at this year's event are focused on food processing and packaging, and include such global giants as Al Bayader, Al Thika, IPS, Ishida, Multivac, SIG Combibloc Obeikan, Rieckerman and Rondo.
"Packaging and processing solutions have never been more important, particularly for the Middle East region, and Gulfood presents the best platform for companies in this sector to gain access to this market. With governments in the GCC promoting movement up the value chain by supporting domestic food processing, there are exceptional business opportunities for raw material suppliers, food processing equipment providers and packaging manufacturers, and this is clearly being recognised by the global players coming to Gulfood this year," said Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Gulfood 2012.
Government support throughout the region to grow the local food processing market has included direct subsidies on food equipment and attractive financing options. The UAE Government, for example, has made considerable and sustained investments in local food processing units since its original commitment in 2010 of US$1.4 billion for the sector, with more than 150 companies now in operation in the Emirates and many more expected to expand production. Development in Saudi Arabia has led to the country now becoming a leading supplier of biscuits and tinned products in the Middle East.
Given the significant growth potential, international companies are also setting up food processing plants in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with duty-free access to markets across the GCC region adding to the prospects.
Suppliers of food processing and manufacturing equipment at this year's show are bullish about the regional market. Yamato, a leading manufacturer of multihead weighers and check weighers will be showcasing its Alpha machine at Gulfood 2012, a series which offers food manufacturers flexibility, precision and high speed in packaging. Managing Director, Neil Fowell, commented: "We're looking forward to meeting potential new customers from all over the Middle East, Africa and South Asia at Gulfood 2012. We're especially keen to demonstrate how we can improve the food manufacturing process and believe that our Alpha machine will illustrate this perfectly."
Riggs Autopack Ltd., a leading UK depositing and filling machine manufacturer that enables accurate filling of almost any foodstuff container available, is driving its global business initiatives forward by exhibiting for the first time at Gulfood 2012. With equipment already in operation across the world, including Sweden, Ghana, India, Jordan and Oman, Riggs Autopack General Manager Nigel Matthews said: "We firmly believe that exhibiting at industry renowned exhibitions such as Gulfood will further enhance our position within the world food production market, and anticipate new opportunities and new clients as a result."
The structures and requirements applying in the food & beverage industry have witnessed change in the last several years, with many food and beverage companies looking for turnkey solutions and suppliers capable of offering ready formulated products. Companies such as IPS (Integrated Packaging Systems) offer exactly that. Operating in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) since 2001, IPS has evolved into a strong contender with a firm regional footing, unrivalled product knowledge and market awareness to provide the right solutions.
With food safety heading the agenda of many governments and regulatory authorities throughout the Middle East and beyond, food packaging is coming under even closer scrutiny in terms of food protection. SIG Combibloc Obeikan (SIG CBOB), a leading systems supplier of aseptic beverage cartons and filling machines for longlife food and beverages, offers innovative packaging solutions that are unrivalled. Martin Schmedes, Director of Business Development and Marketing, SIG CBOB said: "We believe our offering can improve production economics and provide better product differentiation for the food and beverage manufacturers. This year we will showcase a revolutionary filling module that enables manufacturers to fill particulates (fruit, cereal and vegetables) on their standard filling machine."
Gulfood is strictly a trade-only event and is open to business and trade visitors from within the industry only. Complimentary registration is available in advance online. Industry business professionals on the day of the show will be able to buy a Four Day Pass for AED 200. Gulfood is open from 11am - 7pm Sunday 19 February to Tuesday 21 February and 11am - 5pm on Wednesday 22 February 2012.
For more information, please visit www.gulfood.com.
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About Gulfood
www.gulfood.com
Organised since 1987, Gulfood is the region's largest and most important industry event of the year and a strategic platform for buyers and sellers to conduct direct business face to face. The exhibition is a showcase for manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers from around the world, representing all of the key sectors within the food and hospitality trade.
The trade-only show reported record visitor attendance in 2011 with a total of 62,000 trade professionals from 150 countries attending the exhibition.
About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
www.dwtc.com
As the organiser of Gulfood 2012, Dubai World Trade Centre offers more than 32 years experience delivering world-class events in the Middle East, providing local, regional and international exhibitors with unmatched expertise and in-depth market knowledge. Our team organises 19 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 ongoing 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.
© Press Release 2012
