Food manufacturers to showcase products at Food Expo 2005

The exhibition, which will run until December 7, will feature a wide range of food products such as tuna, honey, fruit jams and jellies, fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen poultry products, canned goods, chocolates as well as potato chips and other snack foods. Also to be exhibited are popular brands of tea, coffee, baked goodies, juice drinks, sauces, and spices.

"Food Expo 2005 will be a veritable feast for all visitors,"

said C.J. Paul, general manager of Omanexpo LLC, the leading exhibition organizing company in the sultanate. "The event brings together local and international food manufacturers whose products are either already known in the market or will soon be very popular to consumers."

Paul emphasized that the need for various types of food products is growing every year as a result mainly of the sultanate's rising population. He added that the large number of expatriates in Oman is likewise creating a huge demand for food products that they are very familiar with, making the sultanate an attractive market for known brands of food and beverages from other countries.

The international food manufacturers that have confirmed their participation at Food Expo 2005 include Abdullah I. Al-Rakhis Trading Est. of Kuwait, I.S.A. Value Co. Ltd. of Thailand, Little Bee Impex/Kashmir Apiaries Exports of India, and Irfan Foods (Pvt.) Limited and Ahmed Food Industries of Pakistan. A group of food manufacturers from Brunei will also be coming to introduce a wide range of meat products, prawn crackers, spices, cookies, and sauces.

The local food manufacturers, on the other hand, will be represented mainly by Mehdi Foods LLC, the Omani Saudi Food Canning Factory LLC, A'Saffa Poultry Farms SAOG, National Tea Co. (Mumtaz), Nizwa Food Industries LLC, and Sohar Poultry Co. SAOG.

Paul stressed that, in addition to food manufacturers, Food Expo 2005 will also feature catering equipment suppliers, packaging firms, agricultural companies, kitchen equipment makers, tableware manufacturers, and many other companies serving the food and beverage industry including hotels and restaurants.

Food Expo 2005 is sponsored by AKAH Najwani & Partners LLC, and it is also supported by the National Hospitality Institute and the Gulf Chef School, both of which will organise cooking demonstrations during the event.