Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA); Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) completed preparations to launch the 10th edition of SIAL Middle East 2019, to be held between December 9 – 11.
Set to be biggest edition since its launch in 2010, the event is organised by ADNEC in cooperation with French “Comexposium” Group, one of the largest international exhibition and conference organisers, and in strategic partnership with ADAFSA under the theme “Defining Innovation in the Food, Beverage & Hospitality Industry”. Local, regional and international specialty establishments will highlight the latest innovations, technologies, global food security and future global trends in the food, beverage and hospitality industry.
Established as one of the region’s best platforms offering valuable investment opportunities to companies in the food and beverage and hospitality industry, the SIAL ME Exhibition will welcome record numbers of over 1,143 participants with an increase of 5%, from over 50 countries with an increase of 2% compared to last edition.
Additionally, the exhibition will host many events, activities, awards and workshops by industry experts, encouraging business development.
Economic contribution
Khalifa Al Qubaisi, Group CCO of ADNEC, said: “SIAL ME, one of the world’s leading food, beverages, and hospitality events, is a testament to the success of ADNECs’ strategy, aiming at promoting the future of the business tourism sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, by supporting existing events and enhancing their competitiveness and ability to attract exhibitors and specialists from all over the world.”
Al Qubaisi added: “Since its inception in 2010, the exhibition has witnessed more than AED 34 billion worth of deals, with 7,600 exhibitors and 154,000 experts and specialists from around the world. Contributing AED 819 million to Abu Dhabi’s Economy. “
The biggest edition
Saeed Al Mansoori, Executive Director of IDEX, a subsidiary of ADNEC, said: “The 10th edition of SIAL ME 2019, the largest in its history, is set to grow significantly in terms of local and international participation in the food, beverages, and hospitality sectors. The total area of the exhibition increased to 22 thousand square meters, a growth rate of 14% compared with the area allocated for the previous edition, which amounted to 18 thousand square meters. “
Al Mansoori added: “This year, 31 national pavilions will be showcased at a growth rate of 3%, while the proportion of participating national companies has increased to 40% of the number of exhibitors, while the UAE pavilion has increased by 35% compared to the previous edition.”
Encourage innovation
Nasser Al Junaibi, Acting Director General of ADAFSA, said: “ADAFSA is proud of the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Chairman of ADAFSA, for a full range of events and exhibitions related to enhancing food security in the Emirate and the region, such as the International Agricultural Investment Exhibition “Agriscape”, SIAL ME, and Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition. In addition to hosting The Second Global Meeting of the FAO/WHO International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) and associated regional meetings, as well as, the Food Forever exhibition organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, which is dedicated to promoting efforts to reduce food waste. “
Al Junaibi added: “SIAL ME is a platform to encourage innovation in the food, beverages, and hospitality industries, and provides valuable investment opportunities in the region’s rapidly growing food industry, providing an opportunity to interact with emerging food markets, creating valuable investment opportunities, and creating partnerships that will develop economic entities that promotes growth in the food, beverage, and hospitality sector, reflecting positively on many sectors such as industry, tourism and other key economic sectors. “
International destination
Mr. Helal Al Hameli, Deputy Director General of Abu Dhabi Chamber, has confirmed that Abu Dhabi Chamber is committed to participate in SIAL ME on annual basis, as it represents a major destination for international producers and manufacturers of food, beverages and related equipment.
Al Hameli praised the achievements of SIAL since 2010 to date in terms of the total economic contribution to the economy of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as attracting thousands of local and international exhibitors, which indicates that the food and beverage sector is the second largest economic industry in the UAE.
Al Hameli stressed that the Abu Dhabi Chamber is sponsoring SIAL ME 2019 as the host sponsor, and that it is always committed to supporting and stimulating the private sector to invest in the food and beverages industry through creating investment opportunities, international relations network, successive participation in sponsoring this exhibition, and inviting members from the private sector and in relevant fields to participate as well as providing logistical services that contribute to the success of this event.
– adnecgroup.ae