10th Gulfood opens at Dubai World Trade Centre to rave reviews

Sheikh Hamdan visited the 36 country pavilions and toured the more than 2,000 exhibitors showcasing a variety of international, regional and national suppliers, producers and industry buyers. He welcomed both newcomers and returning clients to Dubai and the four-day exhibition, and cited the importance of the exhibition to the trade, tourism and service sectors in the UAE and the region.

"Dubai has continued to strengthen its role as a regional trading hub and a major re-exporter of food and food-related equipment," Sheikh Hamdan said in his message of welcome. "Record tourism levels reflected in the year-round hotel occupancy rates of at least 95 percent are also fuelling the hospitality industry. The Government of Dubai is proud to host an event that has grown substantially in size, stature and global participation."

The steady growth of Gulfood is a mirror of the development of the hospitality and food and beverage industry in the region, spokespersons from organisers Dubai World Trade Centre added.

Gulfood 2005, which continues until Wednesday, February 23, is the biggest to date, with more than 20,000 visitors expected to pass through the 18,346 sq. metres of exhibition space.

Gulfood's strategic importance cannot be underestimated, DWTC spokespersons said, as it has become the region's largest trade hub for the multi-billion dollar foodservice and hospitality sector, impacting the palates of close to two billion consumers in the region.

The exhibition's first day was a rousing success, organisers added, with on-site registrations crossing 7,000 prior to the official opening. Representatives from the 58 participating nations also expressed their satisfaction with the response to the opening day.

Janice Kwok of the Singapore Manufacturers' Federation, which is participating for the first time, said the Middle East was a rich and largely untapped market for the food and beverage industry, and a presence at Gulfood was a necessity to ensure access to this region. Dubai, she added, has much in common with Singapore, itself a thriving marketplace for food and beverage.

Rosa Mendez, manager of the Spanish Exporting Manufacturers Association for the Hospitality Industry, said the Middle East was one of Spain's prime markets because of the high number of hospitality projects being developed in the area.

"Spanish products are very competitive not only in quality but also in price, and we hope the combination will give us a strong foothold in this market," Mendez said. "Dubai has a great deal in common with Spain in that our maintained tourism has created the need for quality hospitality-related equipment and services. The UAE is an emerging market with many possibilities for our sector, which is why the presence of the Spanish manufacturers at this show is so important."

Representatives from the Australian Pavilion were equally positive about trade prospects with the Arab world. "The Middle East has become the fastest growing region in the world for Australian trade," an Australian Pavilion organizer said. "It is an exciting and vibrant market for Australian companies, and Gulfood offers the ideal opportunity for our 90-plus Australian companies to present their high-quality products and meet with potential business partners from throughout the region."

This year marks the largest ever Australian participation in Gulfood, he added. "Gulfood attracts the best food companies from around the world, which allows participants to measure themselves and assess their products on genuine merit," he said.

Professional chefs also appeared in full force at the exhibition halls for the Emirates International Salon Culinaire 2005, which will feature more than 850 of the most promising chefs from around the UAE will compete for honours in a variety of categories. Organised by the Emirates Culinary Guild, the four-day culinary extravaganza will feature seminars, competitions and demonstrations for those in the industry.

Gulfood organisers have added new features to make the exhibition as accessible and professional as possible. For the first time, trade visitors and buyers can register online at the bilingual website www.gulfood.com. The opening hours of the exhibition are from 11 am to 7 pm from February 20 - 22, and until 5 pm on February 23.