An official delegation of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) visited SIAL Paris, held from 21 to 25 October 2018, in France. The delegation was headed by His Excellency Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri, Director-General of ADFCA, Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi, Executive Director of Policy and Systems Sector, and a number of the authority's leaders. About 7,020 companies from more than 109 countries have participated in the exhibition attracting over 160,000 visitors from 194 countries.
The visit aimed to introduce the delegation to the best practices in organizing such international exhibitions, meet with a number of government and private institutions supporting the exhibition, and invite partners to participate in the 9th edition of SIAL Middle East, which will be held in Abu Dhabi on 10-12 December 2017, as part of Abu Dhabi Food Week's initiatives.
During the visit, the delegation toured various pavilions of the exhibitors. They were briefed on the participants' most prominent activities and innovations in the food industry, and the most important solutions to overcome challenges facing the food sector, and ways to use those solutions to enhance the food security system in the country. Moreover, the delegation was introduced to the latest methods and techniques in food industry and how they can be used in supporting the food sector in Abu Dhabi Emirate in a way contributes to creating new job opportunities, increasing the volume of food production, and promoting the competitiveness of the domestic economy to attract more global investments
For his side, Mr. Saeed Jasim Mohamed, Director of ADFCA's Events, said:" The authority is keen to increase the number of participants from all over the world in SIAL Middle East 2018 by holding several meeting with a number of leading exhibitors who are participating in SIAL Paris. The authority has introduced them to investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi and the preferential advantages it offers to investors, as it enjoys an advanced services system and an integrated and sophisticated legislative structure that promote businesses in the emirate. This reflects the distinguished geographical, political and economic status of the UAE, which enabled it to be among the developed countries embrace the sustainable investment concept."
He added ADFCA is also keen to develop a sustainable food sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Therefore, the authority is particularly focusing on hosting and supporting a number of global events aim at promoting the role of innovation in food industry, ensuring food safety throughout the food chain, preserving natural resources and the environment. The authority also provides full support to activities aim at improving the food sector in the country.
SIAL Middle East, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa being hosted by Abu Dhabi each year, is part of SIAL International Network, the world's largest network for organizing food-related exhibitions, including SIAL Paris, SIAL China, SIAL Canada, SIAL Brazil, SIAL ASEAN Manila and SIAL Interfood Jakarta.