UAE a preferred location for food manufacturers

A chef making a pizza at a stall at Gulfood 2015 in Dubai. — KT photo by Leslie Pableo

Dubai — The UAE food and beverage sector is showing steady growth year on year and due to the state-of-the-art infrastructure and investor friendly environment. Country is fast becoming a preferred location for food manufacturers, said Saleh Abdullah Lootah, Chairman of Food and Beverage Manufacturing Business Group (FBMG), here in Dubai on the sidelines of Gulfood 2015.

Manufacturing of high quality, competitive and value added products, tax-free business system, investment friendly and easier to operate environment, all play major contributing factors in food products that are propelling UAE as F and B manufacturing hub in the region.

The population in UAE is growing due to above lucrative business environment. The recent Euromonitor International report recorded that in 2030, the population of the UAE will reach 10.6 million, an increase of 26.9 per cent from 2012.

Due to the UAE’s reliance on foreign workers, foreign citizens dominate the population and are forecast to comprise 88.2 per cent of the population in 2030. The biggest city in 2012 was Dubai and will remain so in 2030. All of the UAE’s main cities will increase in size between 2012 and 2030, but Dubai will be the fastest growing city.

The Food and Beverage Manufacturers Business Group (FBMG) has been a central point to facilitate and ensure a synergy between the food industry and relevant ministries to achieve the goal of making UAE the hub of F and B manufacturing in the Middle East region. The UAE’s leadership and governance structures are critical determinants of the country’s future development.

The vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has energised the lucrative business environment for local, regional and international investors and positioned Dubai as a re-export, logistics and real estate hub of the region.

The Food and Beverage Business Group, a non-profit industry group under the auspices of Dubai Chamber, set a roadmap of strategic activities to align with the fast developing economic landscape of UAE.

Tarek El Sakka, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Refreshments Company said: “There is a substantial opportunity for local and international F&B brands, with GCC governments’ supporting the growth of food processing segment especially bakery and dairy products. The GCC especially the UAE with its locational advantage is emerging as a major food re-exporting hub. Although UAE’s food production capability is limited, its strategic location has helped it to be a significant link in the region’s food chain. Therefore, UAE, especially Dubai, with high standards is positioned to lead the region. Made in UAE products are becoming a trust mark in Middle East F&B sector.”

— business@khaleejtimes.com