UAE Firms Conclude 18 Deals Worth Over AED5.4 Million Through SIAL
865 demand for local products worth AED142 million during the event
Local companies have concluded 18 deals worth more than AED5.4 million through their participation in SIAL, the premier foods exhibition in Europe, held recently in Paris. Dubai Exports, the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development - Government of Dubai, which led the UAE mission to SIAL along with the Ministry of Foreign Trade (MoFT), said that there were also 865 requests for local products worth AED142 million.
The 195 square-metre Dubai Exports stand at SIAL had over 18 members including local companies and government agencies.
His Excellency Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Saleh, Director General of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, commented: “The active participation of UAE food companies in SIAL and the increasing number of deals concluded year after year indicate the high quality these companies demonstrate across all lines of production. This in turn reflects positively on the UAE’s foreign exports and contributes to achieving the vision and strategies for diversifying sources of national income.”
Al Saleh added: “The Ministry of Foreign Trade will continue to support all local companies in different sectors and enhance their participations in international fairs and exhibitions. We are delighted to be co-operating with Dubai Exports and Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, which contributed to the success of the local companies at SIAL”.
"SIAL is a valuable medium for exporters and companies in Dubai to connect with potential customers across the strategic European markets. Exhibitors from the UAE managed to open dialogue with a number of new and potential customers and enhance communication with company owners and international investors who visited SIAL," remarked Engineer Saad Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Exports.
“We are ready to participate in the next cycle of SIAL, and increase the number of exhibitors. The food sector is one of the key focus areas for Dubai Exports as there are good market opportunities and products that can be exported through the UAE, and Dubai in particular,” added Al Awadi.
Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Communication and Community Service, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, said: “The cooperation with Dubai Exports yielded good results for the UAE companies, most notably those dealing with dates, which accounted for 50% of the total enquiries on UAE products during the exhibition”.
Saleh Abdullah Lootah, Managing Director of Al Islami Foods, said that his company has opened the first branch in the French market as part of the strategic plan to expand in Europe. A recent study by Al Islami Foods showed that there is a great demand for high-quality halal food from the 2.1 million Muslim consumers in France. He added: “We are proud to expand our trademark internationally as this reflects the competitiveness of UAE trade”.
Saeed Mohammadi, CEO & founder of Barcode Group, said participation in SIAL called for a lot of efforts by exhibitors and added that with the cooperation of Dubai Exports, his company successfully managed to sign deals for two new markets. The Barcode Group intends to enter the French and Spanish markets soon.
Dubai Exports has identified key events across the most promising markets in the world to promote Dubai both as a source market and business destination. Participants in Dubai Exports’ trade missions and delegations receive extensive support in establishing the right connections and emphasising their capabilities in providing competitive services to customers worldwide.
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Nov 20, 2012
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