Gulfood 2007 to feature 16 of Australia's leading meat exporting companies

The exhibition will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from the 19th to the 22nd of February 2007.

While Gulfood 2006 was a huge success, with over 32,000 visitors from 146 countries and 1,122 exhibitors from 70 countries participating, even more is expected in terms of activity and participation at Gulfood 2007.

Mr. Ian Ross, Regional Manager, MLA stressed the importance of Gulfood 2007 and said, "For MLA, the exhibition is a very important platform to showcase the quality of Australian meat products in the Middle East. In fact, so important is the market, MLA has decided to double its presence and introduce not just the leading few, but sixteen of Australia's top meat exporting companies at Gulfood 2007."

The Australian meat exporters being showcased by MLA at Gulfood 2007 include Australian Agricultural Company [AAco], Allegro Pty Ltd, Ausland, Australian Quality Plus (AQP), Elders Limited, Fletcher International Exports, Floreat Meat Exporters Pty Ltd, Karim Overseas, Mandel Trading Pty Ltd, Midfield Meat International Pty Ltd, Mulwarra Exports Pty Ltd / Foodsource International, Premier Exports, Rohan Trading Company, Sanger Australia Pty Ltd, T & R Pastoral Pty Ltd, TRP Commodities Pty Ltd, Towers Thompson (Australia) Pty Ltd and WAMMCO International.

Most of these companies have already been exporting meat products to the Middle East region for many years. Moreover, being part of the largest red meat and livestock exporting nation in the world, like all Australian meat producers they are all well known for innovation, leadership and world's best practices which have allowed the Australian meat industry to currently supply more than 110 markets worldwide.

One other factor that sets all these Australian meat companies apart is that they are very well tuned to all the markets they serve. They understand the religious sentiments of Muslims in the many countries they export meat products to, for whom 'Halal' slaughter, is a religious requirement. An understanding thanks to which, all cattle, sheep and goats which are processed in Australia for the Middle East market are slaughtered by Muslims approved by accredited certifying authorities, according to strict Islamic or Shariah law and supported by Australian government regulation.

Besides featuring sixteen of the leading meat exporting companies, the MLA stand at Gulfood 2007 will also feature an exciting and unique concept, a MLA kitchen and dining area. According to Mr. Rodney Sims, Technical Manager with MLA, "This will enable exhibitors and importers to invite customers to the MLA stand to enjoy a lunch prepared from Australian beef or lamb products. Besides the meat dish, all the meals served will also be accompanied with a salad and suitable condiments."

Visitors to the MLA stand at Gulfood 2007 will also have the opportunity to meet Tarek Ibrahim, MLA's newly appointed consultant to the Middle East office. Tarek, who was born in Egypt, has spent the past twenty five years in Minnesota, USA where he enjoyed a successful career as a highly awarded Certified Executive Chef and was Chef Instructor at The Art Institutes International in Minneapolis. Now he is based in Egypt, where he has rapidly become a highly respected member of the Egyptian Chef's Association. Tarek will be on hand to meet with customers at the MLA stand to provide translations and to assist those exporters who may wish to provide a light lunch or samples for clients.

With the market for top quality meat products growing tremendously in the Middle East, MLA firmly believes its strong presence at Gulfood 2007 will further raise awareness of both the quality and great taste of Australian meat products.