UAE PM attends Gulfood 2024, pens down thoughtful message on bigger-than-ever food exhibition

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the largest-ever edition of Gulfood on Monday. The benchmark event for the global F&B community is being held in Dubai from February 19 to 23.

Gulfood 2024 has opened its doors to 150,000 attendees from 190 countries. Expectations are immensely high for this year’s edition as an estimated $12 billion in international trade deals is on the table, according to a recent report from Gulf News.

The exhibition floor spanning 24 events halls is full of displays of cutting-edge products solutions by a record 5,500+ exhibitors, and interactive features including Top Table and Dubai World Cuisine is expected to convene over 100 prominent international chefs.

Gulfood: Focus builds on efficiency, food waste, safety

Gulfood 2024 looks set to have a lasting influence on the food and beverage industry, which is looking more than ever to a multifaceted future, characterised by greater innovation to drive efficiency and cut costs and more circular food systems to reduce food loss.

The global F&B industry has also been exhibiting an ever-greater focus on safety, security and transparency down the supply chain. Sheikh Mohammed said the annual event highlights the UAE’s role in facilitating knowledge exchange and fostering partnerships.

This role is firmly rooted in the Gulf state’s commitment to encouraging the adoption of innovative solutions aimed at enhancing sustainable economic growth and human well being, His Highness further mentioned, according to Economy Middle East.

Dubai well positioned to host Gulfood. Here’s why

The ongoing Gulfood 2024 also serves as a significant platform for accelerating global collaboration in the food sector, reflecting the Emirates’ interest in nurturing partnerships between public and private sectors and key stakeholders.

Moreover, Dubai is well positioned to play a key role in enhancing global food security due to its reputation as a hub for technology and innovation, its status as a critical node in global trade, and its high-quality infrastructure and connectivity.

Sheikh Mohammed also noted that the organisation of the key F&B sourcing event supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to double the emirate’s GDP and establish it as one of the top three urban economies across the globe.

UAE’s non-oil foreign trade hits Dh3.5 trillion

The UAE’s focus on economic diversification cannot be underestimated. Its non-oil foreign trade hit a record $953 billion last year, boosted by a string of comprehensive economic partnership agreements (Cepas) it has signed with several countries in the past few years.

Furthermore, the tourism sector also helped lift the country’s trade in services. Dubai has become the Middle East’s travel hub as it recorded 17.15 million international tourist arrivals in 2023. Other notable contributors include financial services, ICT and medical tourism.