Dubai Exports brings together local and overseas food trade along the sidelines of Gulfood 2013

The event was part of the broader strategy of Dubai Exports to showcase the export capabilities of local companies and encourage foreign buyers to source high quality products through Dubai.

Over 110 local and international companies in the food & beverages sector were present.

"The food trade in Dubai has expanded and diversified remarkably in recent years and local companies are now able to compete in fast-growing markets across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe," said Engineer Saad Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Exports.

"With the continuous improvements to Dubai's logistics infrastructure and enhancements in doing business in the emirate, overseas importers have considerable benefits in sourcing their requirements through Dubai. Dubai Exports is enabling UAE firms across all possible platforms to display their strengths and capabilities to suppliers in potential markets," added Al Awadi.

Top foods exported from Dubai include sugar, edible oils, chocolate, fruit juices, bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and packaged drinking water. Product diversity and stronger efficiencies in terms of export operations have enabled food and beverage companies in Dubai to enhance their competitiveness in a growing number of international markets.

Last year, the food trade in Dubai was a strong component of Dubai Exports-led delegations to South America, Africa and Europe. Dubai Exports has also identified strategic markets to target in 2013 with major emphasis on food and beverages.

"Dubai Exports being part of a growing international network of trade facilitators as well as our export-related knowledge helps companies in Dubai to penetrate and expand in overseas markets. When participating in events like Gulfood we make sure that we provide optimum facilities for networking, knowledge-sharing and business match-making," added Al Awadi.

Emirates SkyCargo was one of the participants in the networking breakfast and they shed light on their varied logistics services and different routes that link Dubai to markets worldwide. The event also enabled local and international companies in the food & beverages sector to share business information and jointly explore export opportunities in Dubai and other markets beyond.