(2017 February 2017) "There is a growing demand for imported food products in the United Arab Emirates and the Made in Italy brand, generally synonymous with ‘quality’ and ‘tradition’, is particularly appreciated precisely in terms of food and drink” commented Pierpaolo Antonioli, president of Ceipiemonte on the presence of 8 Piedmont-based companies (from the provinces of Asti, Biella, Cuneo and Turin) at Gulfood – the largest trade fair in the Middle East in the food and beverage industry. Gulfood opened its doors yesterday and is scheduled in Dubai until March 2. Piedmont’s participation in the fair is managed by the Centre for International Affairs (Piemonte Agency) with the technical assistance of Centro Estero Alpi del Mare (CEAM). "Although this is a distant and complex market, it represents a very interesting outlet for our companies," explains Antonioli on the fair in Dubai. However, the collective of companies from Piedmont regularly return to consolidate already initiated negotiations and to expand the customer base. At the fair, buyers will be tempted by bakery and savoury goods from Flamigni and La Mole – Fratelli Milan respectively, from pastry goods to low-sodium products of Monviso to the wide variety of desserts from Dolceria Alba and lighter water of D'Europa di Loreto. ‘Feel Italian’ returns to Gulfood as a distributor of the brand ‘Rogelfrut’ with fruit-based semi-finished products and – starting this year – of the brand ‘Crea’ which produces semi-finished and finished products made from IGP Piedmont hazelnuts, dried fruit and cocoa. For ‘Pasta Berruto’, participation in Gulfood is the opportunity to present the 1881 Premium Line of organic, bronze-cut and gluten-free pasta to the Middle Eastern market whereas Geovita, which deals with processing of cereals, legumes and rice, is new to the market, Gulfood is an excellent showcase to explore the wellness industry that in recent years, is emerging with greater strength and dynamism in the Gulf region. (Red)

GULFOOD

Gulfood is the leading event for professionals from all over the Gulf area, where the target is demanding, looking for a good value to price ratio and it is imperative to have Halal certification of quality, supply chain and product, which attests to conformity with the Islamic doctrine. The numbers recorded in 2016 show the steady growth of the fair: over 93,000 trade visitors from 152 countries and 5,000 exhibitors from 120 countries from 5 different continents.