Tuesday, November 06, 2018
Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, opened on Tuesday the Gulfood Manufacturing; the largest and most influential trade show for the food processing and manufacturing sector in the MENASA region, at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Strong market demand has promoted an exhibitor intake of over 1,600 manufacturers and suppliers from over 60 nations and a product line-up which points to a massive, industry-wide transformation.
With regional food consumption due to hit 51.9 million tonnes in 2019, according to Alpen Capital, the two-day Gulfood Manufacturing is servicing a regional industry facing major investment and tooling upgrades to meet 4th industrial revolution requirements. The adoption of new technologies is widely viewed as the primary enabler in maintaining and building share in a market buoyed by strong consumer demand, yet hallmarked by increasing local, regional and international competition.
With construction work continuing on the $1.5 billion (AED5.5b) Dubai Food Park project that is being developed within the 550-million square foot Dubai Wholesale City, the country is also developing a national future food security plan that includes advancing research and adopting technologies.
