The French ambassador inaugurate 'So French So Tasty' in the UAE

H.E. Mr Alain Azouaou, Ambassador of France to United Arab Emirates, opened the night with a speech where he expressed the importance of French gastronomy in the U.A.E. Almost 150 people attended the event and had the opportunity to enjoy high quality French food products thanks to our partners Classic Fine Foods, Chef Middle East, Barakat, GAAST and MMI. Chefs, F&B Managers, food importers, local Authorities, local farms and groups tasted Ernest Soulard foie gras, Mons cheeses, Sturia caviar, Bridor bread, Evian, Valrhona chocolate, Bel Normande, Rougié lobsters, Parcs Saint Kerber oysters, Mumm Champagne, Cruzilles fruit pastes...

Besides, all the guests could taste French beef meat thanks to 3 French bovine meat producers attending the tradeshow, namely SVA Jean Rozé, Elivia and Deveille SAS.

According to Christelle Labernède, Head of the Agribusiness Department - Ubifrance UAE & Qatar, "Thanks to this VIP dinner, the French exhibitors at the Speciality Food Festival had also the opportunity to continue their discussions with local importers and chefs they met at the show, thanks to B2B meetings organized by our office. The U.A.E agrifood market is still growing and our food industry exports to the UAE are constantly rising year after year, and are now worth close to €215m (up 20% from 2010). The food service is crucial to French food exports. Since 2011, tourism in Dubai has been booming, with a hotel occupancy rate reaching new highs at 82% in 2011 against just 70% in 2010, and 2012 so far is looking even better."

UBIFRANCE, the French agency for international business development, comes under the aegis of France's Ministry for the Economy, Industry & Employment. UBIFRANCE lies at the heart of France's public-sector export support framework. With 80 offices in 60 countries, UBIFRANCE offers a comprehensive range of products and services to help French-based companies develop their export. We handle: knowledge-based products and services, from business information to consultancy & monitoring services; helping companies to develop their international strategy; promotional operations in order to foster their partnerships with foreign companies.