The GCC coffee and tea market has now reached a value of $288 million with tea consumption in the UAE alone already worth $70 million, said the organisers of an upcoming coffee and tea conference in Dubai.

The 2011 Middle East Coffee & Tea Convention, the only dedicated trade event for the coffee and tea industry in the Arab World, will be held from November 3 to 5 at The Meydan Grandstand, a top hospitality and tourism venue.

Organised this year as one of the key attractions alongside the World Discovery Festival, a holiday destinations event, the convention will host dedicated buyer-seller meetings that will provide exhibitors and trade visitors an opportunity to network and be part of the growth of the coffee and tea industry in the region.

"This year's Coffee & Tea Convention offers visitors a more in-depth look into the industry, while providing a fresh outlook on the profession development opportunities that have emerged in line with the industry's sustained growth,” said Anselm Godinho, managing director, International Conferences and Exhibitions (IC&E), organisers of the event.

“We have prepared a diverse selection of activities that cater to visitors looking to pursue a professional career in the industry, as well as those who are simply interested to learn more about the coffee and tea trade.”

“Moreover, we have also expanded the business dimension of the event to allow key industry players to generate more business leads and create opportunities to boost brand image in the region,” he added.

Addressing issues pertinent to coffee and tea in business, the convention will again feature a series of Educational Tracks and Skill Building Workshops that will be spearheaded by experts from around the world. – TradeArabia News Service