SIAL MIDDLE EAST REVIEW
40
SIAL MIDDLE
EAST RECORDS
BUSINESS
DEALS WORTH
AED4.6 BILLION
O
rganisers of SIAL Middle East have
confirmed that deals worth AED4.6
billion were recorded at the 8th edition
of the three day exhibition, boosted by an
increase in participants which attracted more
than 26,000 visitors and experts from the food,
beverage and hospitality industry.
Thamer Rashid Al Qasemi, Chairman of the
organising committee for SIAL Middle East, said
the results underlined SIAL's regional and global
position as the fastest growing business exposition
strengthening the local food economy.
Held under the patronage of His Highness
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy
Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs
and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control
Authority (ADFCA), the exhibition concluded on
14 December by honouring the 600 exhibitors
that took part in donating the UAE Red
Crescent's 'Preservation of Grace' initiative.
The exhibitors were awarded certificates of
appreciation in recognition of their participation
in the initiative which was launched by ADFCA in
line with country's the Year of Giving, and saw
roughly 30 tonnes of food exhibited at SIAL
Middle East donated to charity.
Al Qasemi said, “The introduction of the Red
Crescent's 'Preservation of Grace' programme
was to help promote the 'Year of Giving' initiative
both locally and internationally, as well as to
introduce a culture of tolerance and giving.”
Believing SIAL Middle East to be a crucial event
for industry professionals, Al Qasemi said it is the
key component to addressing ways to narrow the
gap between supply and demand across the
region, by providing innovative and diverse
alternatives to meet the needs of the consumer.
He said: “By hosting SIAL Middle East over the
FOOD BUSINESS GULF & MIDDLE EAST
last eight years, the emirate of Abu Dhabi has
demonstrated its exceptional potential in
organising large-scale international events and
exhibitions, and its excellence in their management
to compete with similar global events.
“The results of this year's edition show the
emirate's leadership in adding value to the
events it hosts and organises. SIAL Middle East
has become an ideal platform for international
companies operating within the food and
hospitality industries, and is a driving force for
entrepreneurs to expand their projects and
investments.”
JANUARY - MARCH 2018