New sweets, confectionary and snack technology show to run alongside Sweets Middle East

Currently relying on over 80% imported products the UAE Government has a keen interest in fostering the development of the food processing industry having invested $1.4bn since 1994 to develop a value added food-manufacturing sector to target local and re export markets, say reports by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The result is that there are around 150 food processing plants in the country representing a large number of the region's food manufacturing capability.

Valued at $3bn (2007) the UAE's food processing industry is growing at 11% a year, according to a report by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, owing its growth to being the world's third largest re-exporter.

Recognising the growth and increasing sophistication of the Middle East food service market, Dubai World Trade Centre and Koelnmesse have partnered to launch Sweet & SnackTec Middle East, the 1st International Exhibition for Processing, Machinery and Packaging for the Sweets, Confectionery and Snack Industry.

The inaugural event will be held in conjunction with Sweets Middle East, the 3rd International Exhibition for the Sweets, Confectionery, Snack Food and Ice Cream Industry, and will serve producers, suppliers, importers & exporters of the sweets, confectionery and snack machinery industry from across the MENA region and GCC countries.

'Confectionery is one of the major winning categories and the results of confectionery in 2008 are quite staggering given the difficult trading conditions that became apparent especially during the second half of the year. Clearly the confectionery category has been very much less hurt by the global economic downturn than other categories,'

says Yngve Bia, President, Generation Research, who compiled the Trend Confectionery Index on behalf of Trend.

Imports in the GCC region reaching $12bn annually and worldwide chocolate sales accounting for $4.2bn make Sweets Middle East and Sweet & SnackTec Middle East an important regional platform for the Gulf's snack, sweets & confectionery industry.

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the region's leading organiser and Koelnmesse organiser of the world's leading confectionery show, ISM, present Sweets Middle East and Sweet & SnackTec Middle East 2009.

The exhibition takes place from 2 to 4 November 2009 in Hall 2 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Dubai World Trade Centre is also the organiser of specialised industry shows including the annual Gulfood exhibition, recognised as the largest gathering of food, food service and hospitality professionals in the Middle East and one of the top influential events in the global food industry.

The combined expertise of two exhibition leaders creates the perfect recipe for success at the Middle East's leading sweets, snacks and confectionery exhibition.