More than 660 companies to exhibit at Gulfood 2003

321 debuting companies are greatly looking forward to participating for the first time at GULFOOD. With the exhibition only one month away, interest for the event is increasing daily, with exhibitors showing enthusiasm at the opportunity to showcase their latest products of the food and hospitality industry, and debuting exhibitors expecting to broaden their business in the region.

'The tremendous interest that newcomers are showing towards GULFOOD reflects the importance of the event as a necessary business platform for the food and hospitality industry in the Middle East that is growing in size and stature every year. We are anticipating this edition to be the biggest and the best yet,' said Vijay Menon, International Project Manager for GULFOOD, adding that the exhibition's attractiveness will no doubt continue to increase with the potential opportunities in the region.

Numerous international and regional exhibitors, who will be debuting at this year's edition of GULFOOD are looking forward to present their products and to meet with potential business partners in the Gulf food market, which is estimated at US$ 9 billion.

Torrefazione Mussetti, an Italian company taking part in GULFOOD for the first time, want to use the event to expand their products into the Middle Eastern and Gulf region. ' Our participation at GULFOOD 2003 will allow us to spread our market into new territories, namely the Middle East,' said Ms. Veronica Sironini, a representative of Torrefazione.

UAE-based Lebanese Italy company, another company debuting at GULFOOD 2003, also plan to use the event for exposure in order to increase awareness of their products. 'GULFOOD is the best platform anyone could use in the food and hospitality industry in order to expand their business regionally and globally,' stated Mr. Malek Mouzzen, the managing partner of the Lebanese Italy Company.

Nema Food Company from USA is also participating in the show for the first time. The company will produces certifies halal meat and poultry. 'GULFOOD 2003 is an excellent opportunity for us to solidify our plan of exporting our products to the Middle East,' said Mr. Selim Petek of Nema Food.

The profile of Gulfood 2003 will include food & beverage, hotel refrigeration & catering equipment, hotel supplies and services, food processing machinery, food packaging & labeling equipment, disposable items, hospitality information systems.

The exhibition will also feature the Emirates Salon Culinaire competition, in which an estimated 800 participants are expected to compete in the exhibition. The culinaire is an integral part of GULFOOD and is co-sponsored by Nestle Foodservice, Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba, and Sadia.

The 8th edition of Gulf, Food & Hotel Equipment exhibition, which was held from 25-28 February, 2001, received an overwhelming response with more than 10,000 trade professionals visiting the show and over 540 companies displaying the latest from food & hospitality industry. Exhibitors complimented the quality of the show and expressed overall satisfaction with their participation.

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