Spain Looks to Reign in Arabia’s Hospitality & Catering Equipments Stakes

Spain is launching its biggest-ever Gulfood campaign for the 21st edition of the world’s largest annual food and hospitality trade show, which runs from 21-25 February at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). 

Under the umbrella of ICEX, the Spanish Trade and Investment body, and the Spanish Exporting Manufacturers Association for the Hospitality Industry (AFEHC), the Spanish Pavilion will have 218 companies participating across 2,196 square metres of exhibition space at Gulfood 2016. 

This is the 12th consecutive Gulfood outing for both AFEHC in hospitality and catering equipment and ICEX in food and beverages. The Spaniards will roll out a vast array of hospitality and catering equipment – from ice makers, fire-proof doors, food storage equipment and containers, to combi ovens, blast chillers, kitchenware, commercial washers and juicers – as they look to capitalise on the UAE’s reputation as a major re-export hub and Dubai’s expanding transhipment outreach.

“We have products and solutions for the entire hotel and restaurant operations chain including cooking, service and display, food handling, transportation and cleaning,” said Rafael Olmos, President of AFEHC. “Under the umbrella brand Horeca Equipment from Spain, we will exhibit our latest innovations in equipment for the hotel, restaurant and catering industry that provide cutting-edge technical solutions, top quality, reliability, optimum performance and energy efficiency.”

The UAE food market is undergoing constant expansion with annual growth prospects of around 4-5% on average. With 30% of all food and food service imports to the UAE being re-exported, the country - and Dubai in particular - is the gateway to other markets across the Gulf and the Middle East. This makes trading here a highly attractive proposition, as it opens up access to 40 million inhabitants in the Gulf area.

Gulfood has become a strategic and obligatory date to keep for the food sector, not only with a view to identifying market niches and seizing business opportunities in a region with high economic growth rates and a high demand for quality food, but also for networking with business partners from a wide range of locations. 

Spain is also seen as key magnet for food and beverage industry investment partnerships as it looks to benefit its domestic sector through its Vision 2020 Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy. Additionally, the Spanish pavilion will showcase products in more than 19 key sectors, including halal, dairy, gourmet, organic, meat, and coffee among others.

“Spain is investing in its Research and Development capabilities and aims to spend 2% of GDP on research by 2020. Its new strategy bodes well for international food and beverage partnerships focussing as it does on increasing international collaboration, promoting more private participation in R&D and placing more emphasis on technology and knowledge transfer. Gulfood, which fosters more trade and trends, can be an incubator of partnerships which fall well within the remit of this strategy,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC.

Some 5,000 exhibitors from 120 countries are due at Gulfood 2016, including a record 117 national and trade association pavilions – five more than last year – with first-time participation from Russia, Costa Rica, Belarus, Mauritius and New Zealand returning after a six-year break.

“With the regional market remaining highly buoyant given Dubai’s re-export reach, particularly to the high growth areas of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, we anticipate our record exhibitor turnout will be matched by an equally high visitor turnout,” added LohMirmand.

With more than 85,000 visitors from over 170 countries expected at Gulfood 2016, the show will also host international heads of state, ministers, government officials and national trade associations from five continents.

Gulfood 2016 is a strictly trade-only event for business and trade visitors. The show is open 11am-7pm from February 21-24 and 11am-5pm on February 25. Visitors can pre-register at www.gulfood.com to save AED100 (US$ 27) on the AED300 (US$ 81.70) on-site entry fee.