The
first Ingredients Middle East exhibition, a specialist trade event
dedicated to ingredients used in the food, Halal food, beverage and
health food industry, kicked off in Dubai on Sunday.
Hussain Nasser Lootah, acting director general for Dubai
Municipality, inaugurated the event in the presence of several top
officials of the food industry.
The expo, which runs upto June 17, comes at a time when numerous
recent reports have been debating the issue of increasing food prises
and their effect on the UAE.
Emirates Consumer Protection Society (ECPS) stated that food prices
in the UAE rose between 27 and 30 per cent in 2007 and could rise to 40
per cent in 2008.
The Abu Dhabi Council of Economic Development has also released a
study to assess the country’s food status in view of the current global
food crisis. One solution currently under review is that of realisation
of self-sufficiency through local food production.
Exhibitions like Ingredients Middle East are set to play a vital
role in addressing these issues by bringing together raw material and
ingredients providers with local and international food manufacturers.
“The Middle East’s food manufacturing and processing industry is
experiencing consistent growth. At a time when cost-efficient
ingredients sourcing is at an all time high, Ingredients Middle East is
an essential event for food manufacturers and processors to meet with
leading suppliers. We are confident that this show will be a great
success,” said Helal Almarri, DWTC director general.
Companies from the UAE as well as China, Germany, India, Lebanon and
Malaysia are among the 18 countries represented at the event.
The
show is providing an important platform for manufacturers planning to
expand in the region, such as leading global dairy ingredients
supplier, Agus. The company develops, produces and sells innovative
dairy-based raw materials for all sectors within the food industry
including confectionery, ice cream, bakery and dairy.
Grzegorz Maczynski, director of expansion, Agus, said: “We see this
as an excellent opportunity to meet Middle East-based food
manufacturers and food processing companies and we look forward to
extending our reach into key vertical markets.”
Indian-based Aarkay Foods is a leading producer and developer of
natural food ingredient and supplements. This year the company is
preparing to successfully launch vacuum-dried fruit and vegetable
products in the Middle East region.
“We look forward to building a strong presence at this year’s show
by offering ingredients such as fruits and vegetables in the form of
pieces, flakes and powders,’ said Abishek Kapoor, corporate relations
director, Aarkay Food Products.
‘Our products are completely natural, which is seen as a growing
trend around the world. Ingredients Middle East gives us the perfect
opportunity to reach a wide range of potential customers,’ he added.
Supported
by Gulfood and Dubai Municipality, the event will also be co-located
with the Arab Beverages Forum, which comprises a strong ingredients
component and focuses on discussions on added values and updates from
local players about developing and positioning their products.-TradeArabia News Service
