Business & Money | Tuesday 4 December, 2018 6:17 am |

The ninth edition of SIAL Middle East is set to feature country pavilions of Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, indicating a growing interest from the GCC countries to benefit from the sizeable opportunities created by the fastest-growing food, beverage and hospitality event in the region.

Held in strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), SIAL Middle East 2018 will run on Dec. 10-12, 2018 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

The largest edition of the event to date will feature over 1,000 exhibitors and is expected to draw the participation of 20,000+ industry experts from more than 50 countries.

Among the participating GCC countries, Kuwait, which made a debut at SIAL Middle East in 2017, is the country of honor at this year’s edition of the event. The Kuwaiti pavilion at SIAL Middle East 2018 will showcase the exhibits of 11 companies and entities, including Public Authority for Industry, Kuwait Flour Mills & Bakeries, Arabian Beverage Company, Al Baraka International Foodstuff Co. and Al-Seedawi Sweets.

The country pavilion of Bahrain, which will mark its debut participation at SIAL Middle East 2018, will introduce five leading Bahraini companies and entities, such as the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, Al Ghalia Farms, Aljaser Factory Company and Peninsula Farms.

Attracting a strong participation from leading producers of dates, Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at SIAL Middle East 2018 will feature Al Madinah Dates Company, Amal Al Khair Dates Company, Oasis Lina Dates Establishment and SIAFA International Manufacturing Company, among others. 

In addition to Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, SIAL Middle East 2018 will host the country pavilions of Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Jordan, Korea, Latvia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand and Turkey.

Thamer Al Qasemi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of SIAL Middle East, said: “Amidst the rising food demand and changing demographics across the region, the strong participation of GCC-based companies in the 2018 edition will enable trade delegates to gain a broader understanding of the regional food industry and its potential. We spare no effort in ensuring that SIAL Middle East continues to build on its reputation as a leading event that highlights the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of the F&B sector.”

Joanne Cook, Managing Director of SIAL Middle East, said: “SIAL Middle East serves as an ideal platform for networking with a diverse range of food and beverage companies representing key regional and global markets under the umbrella of their respective country pavilions. Furthermore, the event provides exhibitors with an opportunity to promote their products, explore new markets, develop business and strengthen ties with existing customers.”

The $130 billion GCC F&B and flight catering market has witnessed robust growth over the past years, driven by a youthful population, burgeoning middle class, high disposable incomes and rising inbound tourist numbers. With the region seeking to diversify its revenue streams away from oil and gas, the food and beverage industry has emerged as one of the most promising sectors that significantly contribute to sustainable economic development. 

To maintain a sustainable supply of food, Kuwait has prioritized diversification of food sources and works relentlessly to improve domestic productivity. Rising population, predominantly urban lifestyle and high per capita income have fuelled food consumption in the country, where almost a quarter of the population is 14 years old or younger, creating solid prospects for F&B companies eager to benefit from the increasing demand. 

Enjoying strong bilateral relations with the UAE in the field of agriculture, Bahrain’s food and beverage sector has remained robust due to a surge in food demand, driven by rising population with a high proportion of expatriates, and steady growth of the tourism and hospitality sectors.