UAE: Dubai Exports lines up local food trade at premier Russian show

logotypeDubai Exports , the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, has taken 20 UAE companies from the food and beverages and related sectors to the 22nd WorldFood Moscow, the leading international exhibition for food products in Russia being held at the Expocentre Moscow from the 16th to 19th of September 2013.Ranked among the major meeting grounds for the food and beverages industry worldwide and a chief sourcing point for the Russian market, WorldFood Moscow has given the UAE foods sector a wide platform to identify and pursue significant growth and export opportunities.

Dubai Exports secured the participation of the local foods and beverages sector in the event as part of its efforts to enable local firms to explore export markets, expand internationally and make use of the advantages of exporting as well as re-exporting through Dubai.

“The foods sector in the UAE has acquired enormous capabilities in terms of quality and reliability, which can fetch exceptional results in the export market. Dubai Exports is focused on bringing such sectoral strengths of the local trade to the appropriate forums and markets, especially fast-growing markets like Russia with which the UAE maintains vibrant trade ties,” said Engineer Saed Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Exports.

The UAE is one of Russia’s leading economic partners and bilateral trade between the two countries rose by 7.5 per cent during the first half of 2013 to reach AED3.3 billion (US$879 million). Total bilateral trade stood at nearly AED 6 billion (US$1.5 billion) in 2012.

“WorldFood Moscow has brought together wholesalers, distributors, retailers and hoteliers looking for the most competitive and reliable sources to procure foods and drinks. With its vast resources and ability to reach markets far and wide within the shortest lead time through Dubai, the UAE food trade has done a confident display at the event,” added Al Awadi.

WorldFood Moscow has exhibitors in nine major sectors – Grocery; Frozen Production; Confectionary ‘&’ Bakery; Preservation; Oils, Fats ‘&’ Sauces; Dairy, Meat ‘&’ Poultry; Drinks; Fish ‘&’ Seafood; Fruit ‘&’ Vegetables, and Tea ‘&’ Coffee. The UAE food trade was represented in most of the sectors, along with the flourishing halal foods industry in the country.

“Our presence in the UAE pavilion of the WorldFood Moscow is in line with Al Islami ‘s expansion strategy to offer high quality and real halal food to consumers in the region. Russia and CIS countries are very important Halal markets that are developing rapidly and Al Islami wants to be an important player in these markets,” Aziz Iraqi, Commercial Director, Al Islami Foods said thanking Dubai Exports for supporting local companies at the event.

UAE-based Al Foah, one of the world’s largest dates producing companies with a wide range of locally-produced dates processed, packaged and exported to more than 40 countries, is displaying its acclaimed brands such as ‘Date Crown’ and ‘Zadrina’ as well as a variety of organic dates at WorldFood Moscow.

“Russia is a promising market which imports more than 20,000 tons of dates annually. WorldFood Moscow therefore provides us with a perfect opportunity to showcase the UAE dates, produced in over 17,000 farms owned by nationals and best known for their high quality, and to open new markets in Russia and the neighbouring countries,” said Musallam Obaid Balkhalis Al Ameri, General Manager of Al Foah.

Agthia, one of the leading food and beverage firms in the UAE also emphasised the role of exhibitions like WorldFood Moscow in enhancing the visibility and reputation of their company and product portfolio outside their core UAE and GCC markets.

“We very much appreciate the role of the UAE government and in this case Dubai Exports in assisting us to participate in such leading trade exhibitions and fairs. We already have strong international partnerships via manufacturing and/or distribution relationships with Capri-Sun; Yoplait; Monster and we see events such as the WorldFood Moscow as a means of identifying new and potential partners,” said Fasahat Beg, General Manager of Agthia Consumer Business Division.

WAM/MMYS