More than 500 food and equipment manufacturers and suppliers will take part in SIAL Middle East, a major food industry event in the region, when it opens next week in the UAE capital.

It is part of SIAL Group, the largest network of professional business to business food exhibitions, which include SIAL Paris, SIAL China, SIAL Canada, and SIAL Brazil.

Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) and Turret Media are jointly organising the event from November 21 to 23 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre

Announcing the details, Rashed Al Shariqi, director general of ADFCA, said: “Almost all statistics about the exhibition have doubled over the course of just one year. The exhibition space, the number of exhibitors, the number of national pavilions and the variety of products on offer will see a huge increase this year.'

'Through SIAL ME, Abu Dhabi offers a wonderful vantage point for businesses to reach out to dynamic markets in the whole Mena and Asia region, he added.

Being held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and chairman of ADFCA, the show is set to welcome 12,000 trade visitors.

This year the expo will have national pavilions from Turkey, Argentina, Korea, China, Taiwan, Iran, France, Italy, Vietnam, Thailand, USA, Pakistan, Tunisia and the UAE.

Of these 70 per cent will be exhibiting for the first time in the region.

Rashed Tarish Al Qubaisi, executive director, Business & Trade Development Sector, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry said SIAL Middle East was an exceptional opportunity for international and regional food companies to present and promote their products in new markets.

Determined in its efforts to broad-base and expand the country’s food exports, Istanbul Chamber of Commerce will host the Turkish national pavilion  bringing in 37 exhibitors.

“Our participation will open the way to more effective partnerships between Turkish food manufacturers and companies in UAE, GCC countries and Middle East region in general,” said Ş. Vural Altay, Turkish Ambassador.

The event will host 500 pre-registered and qualified food, beverage and equipment buyers under its one-of-a-kind SIAL Purchaser Club programme.

Fadi Saad, Group exhibition director, Turret Media said, “This year we have managed to attract key buyers representing the largest food distribution outlets, catering businesses, supermarket chains, airlines, and as we speak, meetings are being arranged between these buyers and all exhibitors.”

Among the 500 buyers include representatives from Sodexo – Saudi, Carrefour - Iran, Egypt, Bahrain, and the UAE; Panda United - Saudi; Military Consumer Establishment – Jordan, Abu Dhabi Inflight Catering, Abela and Co., Al Jaber Catering Services, Emirates Catering, Bin Hendi, Al Quiyadia Group and Emirates Cooperative Society.

A major highlight at the expo is a three-day conference programme organised by Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The trade show will also host SIAL Innovations Observatory, where 50 of the world’s most innovative food products will be on display, including 10 selected products from SIAL Middle East.

Returning this year is La Cuisine by SIAL, where the Africa & Middle East semi-finals of the WACS Global Chefs Challenge and Hans Bueschkens Young Chefs Challenge will take place.-TradeArabia News Service