His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and UAE Minister of 
Finance, opened the 2015 edition of Gulfood Manufacturing, the Speciality Food Festival, Sweets & Snacks Middle East and SEAFEX – running at Dubai World Trade Centre until Thursday 29 October.
Joining His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum were His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA) and a number of leading UAE business chiefs and VVIPs.
With more than 31 national pavilions representing companies across the spectrum of food and beverage manufacturing services, countries including Austria, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Taiwan, UK and USA will be showcasing a diverse range of raw ingredients, commodities, technology products and the latest function-specific manufacturing and processing equipment available globally.
Running concurrently with Gulfood Manufacturing is a three-day conference programme of highly informative, practical and sector-leading knowledge seminars that will be attended by more than 1,200 delegates. These include Next Generation Manufacturing, Food Logistics and F&B Innovation.
Gulfood Manufacturing brings more than 1,500 international suppliers from over 56 countries to Dubai. With more than 30,000 visitors from the fast-growing Middle East, Africa and South East Asia (MEASA) region dependent on the show for the sourcing of ingredients, equipment, latest technology and supply chain services, business opportunities for regional food & beverage manufacturers were also being explored through potential licencing and partnership opportunities with international brands and producers.
“There is no doubt that this region represents a hotspot of business opportunity for the F&B industry, and is evident in the global interest that Gulfood Manufacturing has attracted. The innovations and latest products, technologies and services being showcased here this year could deliver the difference for companies in the region looking to scale, gain market share and deliver better bottom line performance,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events, DWTC.
