Over 1,000 exhibitors are expected to participate in the upcoming 10th edition of SIAL Middle East, the exclusive regional food, beverage and hospitality trade event, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, a media report said.

The event will run from December 9 to 11 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), reported Emirates news agency Wam.

The event is organised under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Chairman of The Abu Dhabi Agriculture & Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) by Adnec Group, in collaboration with Comexposium and ADAFSA.

Since its inception in 2010, SIAL ME has seen over Dh34 billion ($9.25 billion) worth of deals done, 7,600 exhibitors and 153,900 experts from across the world, resulting in a total direct and indirect economic impact of Dh819 billion on the Emirate’s economy.

With more than 30 country pavilions and over 20,000 industry experts from more than 50 countries, the upcoming edition of the event is set to mark a significant growth in terms of participation from leading local, regional and international organisations working in the food industry.

Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri, director general of ADAFSA, said: "SIAL ME has rapidly become one of the most important events in the food and hospitality industry in the region. It has become a gathering for major exhibitors from around the world, making it a platform to promote innovation in these sectors."

He explained that the event has become a hub that offers valuable investment opportunities in the region's rapidly growing food sector, as it provides an opportunity to interact with emerging food markets, presenting promising investment opportunities and creating partnerships that facilitate the formation of economic entities that promote growth in the food, beverage and hospitality sector, which reflects positively on other industries such as manufacturing, tourism and other vital economic sectors.

"Our responsibility is to motivate the private sector to invest in the food industry, hence we work in all ways possible to create an investment environment in this sector and build a solid partnership between the public and private sector," he added, confirming that SIAL ME is one of the significant means to help the private sector to explore the growth prospects in the food, beverage and hospitality industries and to see best practices from around the world.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of Adnec, said that Adnec is currently working with a number of national institutions in the public and private sectors to finalise all necessary preparations for the success of this significant event, in order to present it in a way that works up to Abu Dhabi’s position and reputation at the local and international levels.

The current edition of the event pays great attention to date products in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition, which is the only event in the world that brings together date producers. Last year saw 7,463 visitors attend SIAL Middle East to source coffee associated products, which again will have a major focus this year. SIAL Middle East is closely working with the Specialty Coffee Association to showcase the strong growth of this sector in the region.

SIAL Middle East 2019 returns with support from Host Sponsor: Abu Dhabi Chamber, Silver Sponsor: Royal Horizon, Retail Partner: Lulu Group and Official Travel & Destination Management Partner: Etihad Holidays. – TradeArabia News Service