Dubai - United Arab Emirates, December 13th 2010: His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of the Department of Economic Development - Dubai Government inaugurated today the third edition of the Dubai Drink Technology Expo (DDTE) which is held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre for three days. H.E. was accompanied by a number of officials and specialists from the beverage technology industry in the UAE and the region.
H.E. had a tour in the Exhibition Area and he was delighted by the increased number of the exhibiting companies, which is 15% larger than last year. He said: "I am also delighted to note that this expo has earned a name for itself within the short span of three years. Today Dubai Drink Technology Expo is recognized as the largest beverage technology exhibition in the Middle East, and as we know that the non-alcoholic beverages industry is a key emerging market today with an expanding product portfolio and growing demand."
H.E. also said; "The Middle East region with its high dependence on imported and packaged food and the large proportion of youth among its growing population provides ideal growth opportunities for the beverage industry. However, the regional beverage industry faces various challenges too; increasing domestic and international competition, rising expectations, and stricter health, safety and environment specifications, to name a few. And for the industry to stand up to these challenges and continue to grow, innovations in technology, manufacturing, branding, marketing and sustainability are essential."
H.E. also mentioned that Dubai is acknowledged as a regional leader in promoting technology, innovations, best practices and international collaboration, as it draws its strengths from a visionary leadership, which has successfully leveraged our strategic location to facilitate exchange of ideas, trade and culture.
He continued; "Dubai offers the best connectivity for businesses to the emerging markets and expanding populations in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. Today, the emirate accounts for almost 50 per cent of total re-export from the UAE, the world's third largest re-exporter after Hong Kong and Singapore. In recent years Dubai has also expanded its industrial capabilities with the integration of state-of-the-art facilities and technology, and its economy grew 2.3% in the first half of 2010, well above the 0.5% forecasted by the International Monetary Fund earlier this year. Manufacturing accounts for 17% of the gross domestic product in Dubai and is fast emerging as a key driver foreign direct investment into Dubai."
H.E. conveyed his confidence that the Dubai Drink Technology Expo will contribute to strengthening the beverage manufacturing sector in the region and the Middle East. He also assured the full fledged support of the Department of Economic Development in facilitating the successful growth of business enterprises in Dubai.
Mr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Executive Chairman of DDTE and the Arab Asian Beverage Alliance, and President of INDEX Holding expressed his gratitude for all the attendees and participants who came from different parts of the world, and he announced that there are more than 130 exhibiting companies are participating from 62 countries, and that the organizers are expecting more than 10,000 trade visitors and specialists from the region and the world.
"Dubai Drink Technology Expo 2010 is a unique event and dynamic meeting place for trade visitors and leading suppliers eager to promote high-tech machinery, systems, and expertise. It is an ideal meeting platform for decision-makers and key players where they can find new business opportunities, obtain major market trends, study large variety of products for all kinds of processes in one place and develop new business relationships. For three days, the latest technological advancement in drinks and liquid food, along with the new and innovated products related to beverages and liquid food will be on display. Participants and business visitors will have the opportunity to meet, interact, and hold business-to-business meetings." Said Al Madani
Mr. Al Madani also said: "the liquid food and beverage industry in the UAE, GCC and MENA region had witnessed a continuous increase in the demand caused by the noticeable rise in living standards of people in these areas, they pay more attention now to their health and how they need to eat healthy and monitor the products that they are consuming. That is why we now see more factories opening in the UAE producing varieties of non-alcoholic beverages and liquid food, which is distributed in the UAE and the region."
Mr. Al Madani also mentioned that "The Dubai Drink Tech Expo is a member of the American Beverages Association -the world largest gathering that brings together the leading manufactures of beverages and its technologies. The DDTE is considered a great opportunity for businessmen and investors of the UAE, the Middle East and Asia to meet their peers from beverage technology representatives, and service suppliers from the US, Europe and Asia to explore the latest technologies used and current market trends."
From his side, Dr. Ahmed Al Banna, the Secretary General of the Arab Asian Beverage Alliance (AABA) welcomed all the participants, exhibitors, and speakers to the third edition of the Dubai Drink Technology Expo. He said; "The Dubai Drink Technology Expo had proved for the past two years that it is the best platform where the world's experts in the beverage industry including packaging, branding, and labeling can meet and share their expertise and learn about the latest of this very rapid growing industry."
Dr. Al Banna continued: "According to industry sources, the beverage market is witnessing noticeable expansion in the MENA region. In addition, the Beverage Technology market is witnessing a prosperous period in the UAE especially those used in producing juices, dairy products, soft drinks, liquid food and mineral water. Moreover, the AABM program for this year will converse the UAE vision of beverage industry and the beverage trade value in addition to major topics related to this industry."
He finally thanked the sponsor of this show, Borouge, and the supporters; ISBT - The International Society of Beverage Technologists, the American Beverage Association, Dubai Export Development Corporation, JAFZA Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority, and the strategic partners including; Al Wasl Football Company, UAE Ministry of Economy, and the Naturalization & Residency Administration - Dubai.
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© Press Release 2010
