Dubai Exports organises ‘Meet the World’ networking event at Gulfood

Dubai Exports, the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development, organised a networking breakfast for local exporters as well as international trade promotion agencies and companies overseas as part of Gulfood, the annual food and hospitality exhibition in which concluded in Dubai recently. 

The event was aimed to bring together local and international companies in the Food & Beverage Sector to share business information and jointly explore export opportunities in Dubai and other markets beyond. 

“Our objective is to assist food exporters in Dubai to connect with their potential customers and partners, while also enabling importers in key international markets to identify the most competitive and efficient means of sourcing high quality food products,” said Engineer Saad Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Exports. 

“The networking breakfast is a major component of our participation in Gulfood and our efforts to promote Dubai’s export competencies. Dubai’s food trade has built a strong presence in key export markets. New capacities being added in manufacturing and logistics will provide greater opportunities for exports and re-exports through Dubai,” added Al Awadi. 

Food exports and re-exports from Dubai during the first three quarters of 2011 was worth eight billion dirhams, contributing 12% of total exports and re-exports from the emirate. Overall, the food industry contributes around 10% to the manufacturing value-ad and about 13% of manufacturing output in Dubai. 

Al Awadi stated that Dubai’s strengths as a competitive business centre and trading hub, well-connected to the fastest growing markets in the world, offers unique opportunities for exporters. The infrastructure and policy environment in the emirate and Dubai’s growing capabilities to connect the world present new opportunities for trade and economic growth. 

“At Dubai Exports, our efforts are focused on enabling local and international businesses to make the best use of Dubai’s capabilities as an export hub. As part of a growing international network of trade promotion agencies, we have been able to assist companies in Dubai to penetrate and expand in overseas markets, provide one of the most efficient export channels for global trade, and promote exchange of export-related knowledge,” said Al Awadhi. 

The networking breakfast was hosted by the Peruvian Trade and Investment Office in the UAE. “It’s the first time Peru is participating in Gulfood and we are honoured to have hosted this networking breakfast with Dubai Exports, marking the first of many more joint activities. Thanks to the support of Dubai Exports and the Dubai World Trade Centre, our participation in Gulfood has been a great success with more than 500 business meetings held,” said Alvaro Silva-Santisteban, Director, Trade & Investment Office Peru – UAE. 

Guests at the event also included representatives of foreign trade offices and diplomatic missions of various European, Asian, African and Latin American countries.