Gulfood Food Manufacturing 2019 – the sixth edition of the MENA region’s largest F&B manufacturing and processing forum – opens tomorrow (Tuesday, 29 October) with the region’s food and beverage industry on the cusp of rapid growth and in the midst of widespread transformation.

​

As the UAE and other GCC economies seek to diversify further into non-oil sectors, the economic role of manufacturing is strengthening, with food and beverage leading the charge. According to data from Dubai Exports, the UAE alone is home to approximately 575 active manufacturing units, with a total investment of US$10.7 billion – and forecast to continue its sharp rise in value over the next five years.

 

Furthermore, the UAE, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia, has invested US$1.3 billion towards several food security initiatives that open several market opportunities for the packaging industry across the GCC, according to the Mordor Intelligence UAE Packaging Market – Growth, Trends and Forecast (2019-2024) report.

 

Growing concerns for food safety and food waste, and the need to get produce to consumers faster with greater affordability, are driving innovation and transforming the industry. When it opens its doors to more than 1,600 local, regional and international exhibitors and thousands of industry professionals, Gulfood Manufacturing 2019 will address these and other industry issues with the latest processing technology on show across 81,000 square metres of exhibition space. 

 

Tailored opportunities

 

Having established a reputation as the primary platform for F&B supply chain operators to conduct multimillion-dollar business transactions, the 2019 edition has also upgraded opportunities available to both exhibitors and visitors with a full spectrum of initiatives, from tailored Gulfood Manufacturing Connexions Meetings Programme, Innovation Tours, Ingredients Lab, Gulfood Manufacturing Industry Excellence Awards, and the addition of an all-new Manufacturing Advice Centre.

 

Gulfood Manufacturing Connexions Meetings Programme is the official one-to-one networking platform for exhibitors and visitors at the show where attendees will be able to search thousands of contacts in the Gulfood Manufacturing database and arrange meetings at the show. 

Meanwhile, Innovation Tours will serve as the perfect networking platform, providing visitors with the chance to sample breakthrough products fresh out of food laboratories. Feel the power of versatile, high-speed machines churning out bags at 200 units per minute. The best food production showcases will be on display as the tours promise a crucial glimpse into real-life innovations at work inside some of the region’s top, award-winning food factories. 

 

“Since its inception, Gulfood Manufacturing has established itself as the forum for the global food and beverage industry, and the 2019 edition will once again raise the bar with greater networking opportunities, enhanced business facilitation and a knowledge platform that will provide invaluable insights into the major issues and trends impacting the industry, and shape the agenda for the future,” said Trixie LohMirmand Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events DWTC.

 

The future of food production

 

“Underlining its position as a strategic business facilitation hub for the global food and beverage industry, Gulfood Manufacturing 2019 has attracted some of the biggest names in the global sector as we gather to explore the future of food production and shape the future in which global supply chain operators can maximise business potential and meet growth objectives while meeting evolving demands of increasingly health-conscious consumers,” added LohMirmand.

 

Alongside the extensive product and business facilitation programme at Gulfood Manufacturing 2019, the exhibition will also host the Gulfood Manufacturing Foodtech Summit. The Summit will bring together international F&B experts, industry leaders, key decision makers, and innovators to discuss the market, developments, and the latest solutions to help the F&B industry improve quality, productivity and efficiency. Speakers like Brad Barbera, Director of Innovation and Senior Advisor – The Good Food Institute; Johan Nilsson, Vice President Industry 4.0 Solution & Digital, TetraPak; Abdelghany Eladib, COO Middle East and Africa of SIG Combibloc Obeikan and Samir Moftah, Director Research and Innovation, Quality and Food Safety, Danone and among others.

 

The biggest names in the business

 

The holistic approach to the F&B industry platform is just one of the reasons why the three-day mega event continues to attract the biggest names from around the world. 

 

“At a forum as extensive and popular as Gulfood Manufacturing 2019, we get a great opportunity to maximise our brand’s presence and showcase the latest innovations in our technologies to visitors from all over the globe,” noted Andrew McGhie, of American Pan, which owns Bundy Baking Solutions. “This forum is the perfect way for us to foray into vibrant new markets, understand consumer concerns, and maintain effective communication with our existing customers,” he said. 

 

Visitors and exhibitors can maximise their Gulfood Manufacturing 2019 participation thanks to the co-location of the inaugural Private Label and Licensing Middle East 2019, the MENA region’s exclusive exhibition for food and non-food FMCG product mix expansion and brand placement; yummex Middle East, the MENA region’s leading event for the sweets and snacks industry; and SEAFEX Middle East – the only professional seafood event for Middle East, Africa and Asia.

 

Gulfood Manufacturing 2019 opens from 10am–6pm on 29-30 October and 10am–5pm on 31 October. The show is open to food and beverage industry professionals, and visitor attendance is free of charge. For more information, visit: www.gulfoodmanufacturing.com