SIAL ME opens with over 900 exhibitors

SIAL Middle East 2015 opened with both buyers and exhibitors looking for new business opportunities

Leading food and agriculture show, SIAL Middle East 2015 opened with both buyers and exhibitors looking for new business opportunities.
Shaikh Manosur bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs opened the 2015 edition of SIAL Middle East, which runs until Wednesday.
Over 900 exhibitors, representing 30 countries are taking part in the leading food industry show, displaying fruits, vegetables, processed and canned food items. After inaugurating the show, the chief guest toured the event and took interest in the different pavilions and products put on showcase. The USA, Italy, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, KSA, UAE and several other nations are participating with full force. Pakistan's Ambassador, Asif Ali Durrani, said that his country is participating in the show, and expecting to find new markets for its wheat and rice. "Participation to this show is important to us," he said. The UAE's food production capacity is stymied by a lack of arable land, an expanding population expected to reach 50 million by 2020, a booming tourism industry, increasing per capita income and limited water resources resulting in increased dependency on imported food products. Global food innovation and future trends will headline the agenda at this year's event.
Commenting on the importance of the exhibition in redressing the trend, Ali Yousef Al Saad, chairman of the organising committee for SIAL 2015 and acting director of the communications and community service division at the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (Adfca), said: "A growing population, rising income levels and changing consumption patterns are increasing our dependence on imported goods."
- haseeb@khaleejtimes.com