Egypt food exports to Arab countries worth $102m

Exports to Arab countries from Egypt were valued at $102m in 2007, from a total of $224m. The trade relationship is improving consistently with total exports from Egypt worth $305m for the first half of 2008 alone, according to statistics from the Egypt Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Gulfood is an ideal opportunity for Egyptian businesses in the food and catering sector to showcase products, launch new offerings and expand their existing presence through the Middle East.

Hundreds of trade visitors and exhibitors from Egypt will be arriving in the UAE from 23 - 26 February 2009 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and the additional venue at Airport Expo Dubai for the region's largest trade exhibition - Gulfood - for food, drink, food service and hospitality equipment.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), said:

"Egypt has had a consistent presence at Gulfood, this reflects the strength of its long-standing trade relationship with the UAE. Trade relations have grown at an unprecedented rate and with the UAE's increasing demand for food products the value of imports from Egypt is expected to continue this upward trend."

The Egyptian pavilion is one of the largest at this year's show - taking up nearly 1,000 square metres at DICEC.

"We consider Gulfood to be one of the world's best food shows, it provides us with huge opportunities to meet current and new clients and enables us to expand our export business," said Farag Amer, Chairman, Faragalla Group.

To support increasing specialisation within the market, Gulfood has introduced dedicated halls within the show for specific products and services, ranging from processing, packaging and labeling, through to beverage and beverage equipment.

For the first year Ingredients Middle East will be co-located with Gulfood. Ingredients Middle East caters to suppliers of raw material and ingredients for food, beverages, and health food being held at Airport Expo Dubai.

The 4th Dubai International Food Safety Conference, organised by Dubai Municipality, will return to examine the challenges facing the market including the consequences of food-borne illness, and new regulatory standards which have been introduced for previously unknown or unregulated hazards. Renowned speakers from around the world attending this year's conference include Prof. Chris Griffith, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff and Dr. John P Zoller, Intertek, Germany. Attendance at the Dubai International Food Safety Conference has consistently doubled each year with its inception at Gulfood.

One of the most popular areas at Gulfood is the Salon Culinaire, where 1,000 international chefs compete against each other in front of a panel of 20 international judges - each mandated by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS). The practical and display-based competitions will test the differing skills of entrants whilst also celebrating the preparation and presentation of food and its accoutrements in attractive and pleasing forms.

Gulfood will also host comprehensive beverage workshops, organised by Industry specialists Zenith International.

Gulfood is strictly a trade-only event and is open to business and trade visitors from within the industry 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.

Interested trade visitors are advised to pre-register online at Gulfood website where they can qualify for free entry. Industry business professionals on the day of the show will be able to buy either a Day Pass, or a Four Day Pass. Gulfood is open from 11:00 - 19:00 Monday 23 February to Wednesday 25 February and from 11:00 - 17:00 on Thursday 26 February 2009.