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ME food service market valued at Dh114 billion

"Exhibitions play an important role in driving trade for the UAE and a dynamic food sector is a key ingredient of a healthy economy," she said as she inaugurated the 13th Gulfood Exhibition at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

She described as "highly impressive" the style and quality of this year's event, and that that all the exhibitors are world-class. "All the hard world can be seen on the strong showing of visitors and the event's international presence," she said. "Gulfood continues to be one of the fastest-growing and largest events in Dubai."

The four-day show has registered a 20 per cent rise in exhibition space to 60,000 square metres and was seen to attract some 2,500 companies from 70 countries that specialise in the food, drink and hospitality businesses.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, director-general of Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Gulfood, said the presence of Shaikha Lubna lends more credence to the event, which is dedicated to a "vital part" of UAE trade.

"Food exports and imports are a vital part of foreign trade, and the presence of the UAE Minister responsible for this area reflects the importance that is being paid to encourage stronger international links in this area," he said.

He said the event is welcoming major trade delegations from Canada, Egypt, France, Iraq, Nigeria, Romania, Thailand and Vietnam.

Earlier, DWTC said the Gulf countries account for Dh35 billion ($9.5 billion) of the Middle East annual food service market. "Economically and socially, food and foodservices are hugely important sectors as they cater to the growth and development of the tourism and hospitality industries," Al Marri said.

Gulfood has a side-show called Restaurant and CafÈ Middle East, a networking platform for participating companies to know more about the supply chain, including interior designers, tableware developers, contract furnishing suppliers and kitchen equipment companies.

The 3rd Dubai International Food Safety Conference also is being alongside Gulfood 2008, to examine concerns in food safety systems.