Indian foodstuff industry to spice up participation at Dubai expo

Dubai: India's flourishing foodstuff industry will participate in a big way next month at the Gulfood 2006, the region’s premier culinary exhibition, aiming at a share in the massive US $4.3 billion (Rs 170 billion) foodservice market in the UAE.

More than 30,000 trade visitors from over 120 countries are expected to sample wares at the Gulfood 2006 - The 11th Gulf Food, Hotel and Equipment Exhibition and Salon Culinaire -- being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from February 19-22.

''For industries from countries like India with historic ties to the Middle East, the current period is one of the most exciting to date,'' Dr PSS Thampi, Deputy Director of India’s Spices Board, said.

''India and the Middle East have a relationship within the spice trade that dates back centuries, and the region remains an extremely important market for us. What has changed relatively recently is the rising demand for specific brands and higher standards within the market, which are creating new areas of opportunity for our members.

We see great potential in the coming years,'' he added.

According to the latest report from analysts BIS Shrapnel, the UAE foodservice market alone is worth a massive 16 billion divhams (US$4.36 billion), and predicted to grow by 11% per annum over 2005 and 2006, the organisers said.

''Middle East food market offers major opportunities for producers and distributors with rising tourism, growth in number of retail outlets and booming local demand,'' they said.

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