Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum opens Gulfood 2012

DUBAI -- Gulfood 2012 was inaugurated Sunday morning (February 19) by H.H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance, in the presence of H.E Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister for Foreign Trade, ambassadors and dignitaries from around the world, highlighting the importance and international flavour of the world’s largest annual food and hospitality trade event. 

Tens of thousands of international trade visitors thronged the halls on its first day at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), where 3,800 companies from over 88 countries began brisk trading from the moment the show opened.

“We thank H.H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE ministers and foreign dignitaries for their support of Gulfood 2012, one of the most influential trade shows in the world for the food and beverage industry,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the exhibition. “The phenomenal response we have received from both exhibitors and visitors confirms the success of Gulfood in consistently delivering contracts and customers across the entire spectrum of the industry.”

Running until 22 February 2012, this year’s edition is the most international in the show’s history, with a record 110 national pavillions hosting companies from their respective countries, all of which consider the event an essential platform from which to enter a very lucrative market.

Commenting on Chile’s participation at the show this year, Felix de Vicente, Director, Pro Chile said: "The number of Chilean companies participating at Gulfood has grown consistently year on year, from bringing six Chilean companies to participate at the exhibition in 2008, to our current 17 exhibitors at the Chilean Pavillion this year. This is testament to our commitment to the region and the importance we place in it. Chile’s exports to the UAE over the past five years have grown 4.4% annually; in 2011 the food sector accounted for 50% of our total exports to this market. The role that Gulfood has played in facilitating this result is unquestionable." 

In addition to new pavillions, more than 1,080 new exhibitors will also take part in Gulfood this year ensuring that visitors can be assured of new products and services from both multinational organisations and smaller independent suppliers from every corner of the world to the show.Leading global brands exhibiting at this year’s event include Barry Callebaut, Bon Café, Britvic, DelMonte, Dilmah, Electrolux, Foster Clark, General Mills, Hershey’s, Knorr, Lipton, Masafi, Nestle, Sadia,  Snyders, Unilever and Valrhona.

Commenting on the importance of Gulfood, Richard Jones, Managing Director, Coffee Planet said:  “This is our sixth year at Gulfood and Coffee Planet is launching a new range of Grade 1 Single Origin coffees from around the world, roasted by hand in our roaster, here in Dubai. In addAir Zoom Pegasus 34