39 Pinoy export companies join Gulfood Halal expo in Dubai
THIRTY-NINE local food export companies are all set to showcase their offerings at the Gulf Food Hotel and Equipment Exhibition Salon Culinaire (Gulfood) to be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the United Arab Emirates from February 13 to 17.
The Philippines’ biggest delegation yet, led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem), will bring distinct and quality halal-certified food products from the country as it seeks to strengthen its presence within the Middle East and African (MEA) region.
Data released by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Dubai show that the nation’s food exports to the MEA region went steady in 2020 amid the pandemic.
“This year’s participation in Gulfood is a testament to our commitment to export more halal-certified products to the world as our companies and institutions continue to develop more products and seek new ways to reach Halal consumers worldwide,” said Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman.
Citem will spearhead the country’s hybrid participation in a 135-square-meter space at Gulfood 2022 for both onsite and online exhibitor participants.
The onsite pavilion will be located at Booths R140 and R160 of the Sheik Rashid Hall. Virtually, Philippine products will be displayed in standby terminals that will provide access to Ifexconnect.com and Foodphilippines.com.
Guests can also browse the products of exhibitors through an interactive LED display and connect with them through digital on-site pods. Queuing pods will be also provided for protential buyers who want to have a meeting with a particular exhibitor or request on-site assistance.
Attendees will have a chance to conduct virtual business-to-business meetings in collaboration with the Export Marketing Bureau, Philippine Coconut Authority, and the PTIC-DUBAI.
“This will be the first Citem overseas trade fair that will benefit from our updated content and lead generation platform for the local food industry, Ifexconnect. com and Foodphilippines.com. Our recently-launched websites will provide the best 365-sourcing experience for both buyers and exhibitors,” noted Paulina Suaco-juan, executive director of Citem.
Ifexconnect is a digital platform that allows users to source Philippine food products, connect with exhibitors, and access support services. Foodphilippines is a portal that gathers chefs, industry experts, and food enthusiasts worldwide to share insights and news on Filipino food.
“We are bringing a holisticsourcing experience through a mix of digital and physical showcases in the pavilion that will act as the onsite storefront of Ifexconnect. It will showcase the exhibitors’ products in a curated retail store-like setting and these products can be viewed online through the QR codes that we set in place,” she added.
This year’s local company-participants are Agrinurture Inc., Brandexports Philippines INC./8VX Corp., Business Innovations Gateway Inc., Century Pacific Food Inc., CJ Uniworld Corp., Federation of People’s Sustainable Development Corp., Fenor Foods Corp., Fisher Farms Inc., Fruits of Life Inc., Gem Foods International Inc., Greenlife Coconut Products Philippines Inc., Innovative Packaging Industry Corp., Janicahh Food Products, JNRM Corp., KLT Fruits Inc., Krystle Exports Philippines Inc., Limketkai Manufacturing Corp., Magicmelt Food Inc., Marikina Food Corp., Market Reach International Resources, Mega Global Corp., Miguelitos International Corp., Pasciolco Agriventures, Peter Paul Philippines, Philippine Grocers Food Exports Inc., Q-phil International Trading, Sabroso Chocolate Manufacturing, Sandpiper Spices and Condiments Corp., SL Agritech Corp. Unilab Inc. /Sekaya Global, Universal Canning Inc., Cocoturmeric Health Products, KF Nutri Foods International Inc., AG Pacific Nutriceuticals Corp., Nutrarich Nutraceutical Innovations, Ahya Coco Organic Food Manufacturing, Gacayan General Merchandise, PMTZ Care Marketing, and Malagos Agriventures Corp.
The halal-certified food products to be showcased by the delegates will include high value coconut products, plant-based food products, processed marine, fruit and vegetable products, frozen native delicacies, noodles, coffee, cacao nibs, spices and condiments, and more.
More than 98,000 professional attendees from 120 countries are expected to discover different productions of over 5,000 exhibitors from a wide range of product sectors at the Gulfood 2022.