Sweets Middle East gets under way

Dubai: Khalid Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Director-General of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), opened Sweets Middle East and SnackTec Middle East yesterday morning signalling the start of the industry's most important business networking event.

A good number of trade visitors will be attending the twin trade shows to source the latest and best sweet and snack products for the region's booming sweets and confectionery market.

Sweets Middle East runs until tomorrow at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre alongside Sweet & SnackTec Middle East. The exhibitions are organised by Dubai World Trade Centre in conjunction with Koelnmesse, organiser of the world's leading confectionery show ISM.

More than 150 companies from 35 participating countries will be exhibiting with new participation from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Portugal, Singapore, Spain and the UK.

To cater to this growing international trade, Dubai Municipality will be hosting an International Buyer's Centre during the event where experienced staff will be on hand to provide advice and guidance on the opportunities abroad as well as providing on-site support to international exhibitors at the show who are looking to sell food in Dubai.

In addition to the new International Buyer's Centre, Dubai Municipality is also helping to organise an Educational Workshop on Understanding Food Trade Regulations in Dubai to provide further support and guidance to the hundreds of international companies who will be showcasing their latest products at the show.