Business & Money | Tuesday 10 December, 2019 2:43 pm |

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has joined SIAL Middle East 2019 to showcase its services and a range of investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi’s growing food and beverage (F&B) and hospitality sectors. Under the theme ‘Defining Innovation in the Food, Beverage and Hospitality Industry,’ this year’s edition of the ongoing SIAL Middle East has welcomed more than 20,000 visitors and experts in the F&B and hospitality sectors. The interactive SIAL Middle East showcases the latest products, services and inventions in the industries. 

 

The 10th edition is being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA).

 

H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of ADDED, said that the event is a global interactive platform capable of bringing top local and international F&B and hospitality companies under one roof. ADDED is participating through its Industrial Development Bureau (IDB), which highlights its licensing initiatives and services, among others, for F&B and hospitality companies, which are considered major contributors to the UAE’s economic growth. 

 

H.E. said: “ADDED is shedding light on Abu Dhabi’s most important achievements in the food industry and the rising number of companies being established within the sector. According to the latest industrial licensing statistics issued by the IDB, 122 industrial licenses were recently issued to food companies, with a total investment value exceeds AED 9.2 billion.  The emirate also produced more than 500 diversified F&B products.”

 

H.E. Al Shorafa attributed this growth to ADDED’s tireless efforts, in line with the vision and directives of the UAE’s wise leadership to elevate Abu Dhabi’s regional and global competitiveness and strengthen its position as the region’s incubator hub that supports companies across vital sectors. 

 

“ADDED continues to enhance the investment environment in Abu Dhabi to attract more businesses, especially in the F&B sector and other industries being prioritized by the IDB. Supporting the food industry is aligned with Abu Dhabi’s goal to achieve food security,” H.E. added.

 

During the event, ADDED’s IDB continues to engage with investors, businessmen, and other visitors and showcase existing investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi’s F&B market. It also discusses ADDED’s facilities, services, and privileges designed to help investors establish their businesses and ensure the sustainability and success of their projects. 

 

Out of the 122 issued industrial licenses, 60 were released to companies operating in Abu Dhabi city; 54 in Al Ain city; and eight in the Al Dhafra region. The total investment value in Abu Dhabi city reached more than AED 5.3 billion, while the total investment value in Al Ain city hovered above AED 5.3 billion. In Al Dhafra region, the total investment value reached AED 490.3 million. 

 

On the types of companies, construction and glass segments related to the F&B business constituted 22.54 per cent; metallurgy, 18.90 per cent; chemical, 9.67 per cent; rubber, plastic, and fiberglass, 9.56 per cent; and equipment and machinery, 8.80 per cent. 

 

More than 500 diversified F&B products produced in the emirate were  distributed across 167 different industrial activities, including 46 pure water cups of different capacities; 32, purified water products of various capacities;  25, Labneh; 18, artificial mineral water products; 16, plastic bottles; 13, milk products of different flavors; 10 chocolate and plastic cup products; and many more.

 

SIAL Middle East 2019, which is supported by ADAFSA, aims to help diversify the sources of food supplies in the region and find more sustainable solutions for food production and processing. It presents real and significant opportunities in food production to encourage main players to invest more to help reduce the gap between food supply and demand as well as address food insecurity problems in some countries in the Middle East through stronger food supply chains.

 

The 10th edition also features a wide range of activities, including awards ceremonies, specialized workshops, and networking. Meanwhile, innovation is one of the main fundamentals of SIAL Middle East. The ‘SIAL Innovation’ aims to shed light on the most prominent innovative food products in the world. It also provides participants with the necessary expertise to explore the biggest future trends in the F&B sector.