Gulfood to be the biggest food and drink show in 2010

The 15th Gulfood, a food and drink trade-only exhibition, will be the biggest ever after organisers confirmed that a 20 per cent increase in the amount of space available this year had been totally sold out.

The Middle East's largest event for food, drink, foodservice and hospitality will occupy one million square feet of exhibition space at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

Running from February 21 until 24, industry players say Gulfood is the year's most influential and powerful networking and sales event for the region's food and beverage industry. The event attracts key buyers and influencers from 81 countries around the world.

With the GCC being the biggest importer of food in the world with more than 90 per cent of its food items brought into the region from outside, tens of thousands of trade visitors are expected during the show, with more than 3,500 companies participating.

This year's show is expected to see a host of new launches from companies including Alokozay, Gourmet Display, Synaco and Villeroy & Boch.

Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, the organiser of Gulfood, said: "Companies from around the world are taking interest in the Middle East. Whether they are food distributors looking for the latest products or manufacturers, Gulfood is recognised as the number one platform to gain an insight and a foothold into one of the world's fastest growing markets."

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