Saudi Arabia’s leading food industry companies are gearing up for the fourth edition of Gulfood Manufacturing, running from 31 October and 2 November at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
The Saudi companies aim demonstrate how regional food manufacturing firms and the global industry at large can play a significant role in the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for a sustainable, diversified economy.
According to a recent BMI report, Saudi Arabia’s food and beverage industry already accounts for 12 per cent of the country’s annual GDP and is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.9% through to 2020.
As the Gulf’s most populous nation, the Kingdom ranks as the GCC’s largest food manufacturer and is the origin of 74.1 per cent of the region’s total food and diary production.
“With Saudi Arabia occupying such a crucial position in the regional and global food supply chain landscape, and with the ongoing plans for reform and diversification, Gulfood Manufacturing is a strategic platform in the business growth strategies of key players already operating, or exploring expansion opportunities, in the Kingdom,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC, which organises the show.
One Saudi Arabian exhibitor returning to Gulfood Manufacturing is First for Food, which will be showcasing its latest innovations for Ingredients and Processing and Packaging at the three-day mega industry event.
“Thanks to the visionary Saudi leadership, obstacles that many investors previously faced in the GCC’s largest food market will gradually fade, and there are great opportunities that have not been exploited in our domestic food industry. To this day, the Kingdom imports 50 per cent of its daily consumer products – this indicates that the food industry is full of opportunities, especially if partnerships are held with the parent manufacturers,” said Dr Ihab Jaffan, sales director at First for Food.
“Gulfood Manufacturing is extremely important as a sourcing platform for us, it allows us to put our experience of more than 23 years at their service,”