Largest-ever gathering of hospitality, food and foodservice companies will meet in Dubai

Organisers are confident that the expanded show will break all previous records for both visitors and signed deals, anticipating in excess of 40,000 trade visitors from over 140 countries.

The trade-only show is one of the most sought-after in the world, and is now a key event for local, regional and international professionals from the food and beverage, hotel, technology, catering, foodservice, supermarket, equipment and restaurant sectors.

The overwhelming international demand for a place at this major trade fair has resulted in that all exhibition space has been sold out for several months, including Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre's (DICEC) new Za'abeel Hall, which adds an additional 15,000sqm to the event.

The event will welcome national pavilions from countries as diverse as Chile, Ireland, Latvia, and Syria featuring alongside first-time exhibitors from Bangladesh, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Georgia.

'Gulfood is truly a global success story that fully demonstrates the benefits of Dubai's positioning at the heart of the world's food networks. Given the volume of food trade which passes through Dubai to territories around the world, it is unsurprising that a specialised trade show has achieved such strong popularity,'

said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre.

'The overwhelming response to this year's show clearly affirms how accurately we are meeting the demands of the industry in building an international platform for business development,' he added.

International interest in events like Gulfood is the product of a number of key factors. The rapid growth of the hotel and hospitality sectors across the GCC has proved influential in bringing a number of specialist suppliers and equipment manufacturers to the region in recent years - Dubai alone is expected to see at least 20,000 more hotel rooms - an increase of almost 100% - by 2010.

In addition, the rapid growth of the population within the GCC states - coupled with the ease of access to major markets like India, Pakistan, Southeast Asia and CIS territories - has turned the food and food equipment market in the region into one of the most dynamic in the world.

'The region has the fastest-growing rate of per capita food consumption in the world, offering excellent business and trade opportunities for a wide range of companies,' said Al Marri.

Major growth within the market is also accompanied by increasing specialisation in terms of market demand. A trade show like Gulfood is seen as offering strong insight for food companies into the fastest-growing sector in the industry, the Halal food sector.

As part of their strategy of fully supporting the demands of the global industry and helping to meet the needs of the region's population, Gulfood 2007 will host the inaugural Halal Industry Dialogue. The Halal Industry Dialogue, organised by The Halal Journal and sponsored by Al Islami, will bring together companies from around the world to discuss the changing dynamics of the Halal food market.

Other attractions at this year's Gulfood include a specifically designated area for packaging, labelling and food processing equipment; Salon Culinaire, a competition for more than 1,000 of the world's young chefs; and the second Dubai International Food Safety Conference (DIFSC), organised by the Dubai Municipality public health department

'Gulfood 2007 is the largest edition that we have ever organised, and it is also the most diverse in terms of the sectors, countries and companies it will be welcoming. In all, we believe it will continue to make a significant contribution to enabling further development and growth within the region's hospitality and food industries,' concluded Al Marri.

Gulfood 2007 - The 12th Gulf Food, Hotel and Equipment Exhibition and Salon Culinaire, organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) from 19 - 22 February 2007. The opening hours are 11:00 to 19:00 on 19 - 21 February, and 11:00 to 17:00 on 22 February.

Gulfood is strictly a trade-only event and is open for business and trade visitors only, proof of which must be provided at registration. General public and persons under the age of 21 will not be allowed into the exhibition.