SIAL Middle East, the regional edition of one of the world�s largest food exhibitions being held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre November 21-23, has had 4700visitors on the first day, a 69% increase from last year.

The visitors, who came to take advantage of the trade and investment opportunities presented by the exhibition, belonged to 57 countries from around the world. His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, had inaugurated the exhibition on Monday, along with the Emirates International Date Palm Festival being held simultaneously.

The exhibition is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority.  Organized by Turret Media in strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, SIAL Middle East is primarily a trade show, targeting only trade visitors. And as such, the number of visitors on the first day is remarkable as it was not targeting the general public. 

Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee for SIAL and official spokesperson for ADFCA, said the massive interest shown by food businesses from across the globe in SIAL augured well for the food industry in the country and the region. �The massive turn out of trade visitors at the show is indicative of the growing dynamism in food industry in Abu Dhabi. SIAL Middle East, now into the second year, has already become the defining event in the area of food in the region. All the parameters � number of visitors, exhibition space, number of exhibitors � have increased substantially from those of the previous year,� he pointed out.  

Turkey has been chosen as the country of honor at SIAL Middle East. Turkey, according to official statements, is determined in its efforts to increase bilateral food trade with the UAE to US$250 million by 2015. The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce has brought around 40 Turkish companies to their national pavilion at SIAL Middle East.

SIAL Middle East hosts 14 National Pavilions from countries from around the globe, such as Turkey, Argentina, Korea, China, Taiwan, Iran, France, Italy, Vietnam, Thailand, USA, Pakistan and Tunisia, besides the host country. 500 exhibitors from over 40 countries are participating in the show, out of which 70% are exhibiting for the first time in the region. This is an indication of the potential of the exhibition in boosting the food market in the country and the wider region. 

The products on display comprise Bakery, Non alcoholic beverages, Confectionery, Cured meats, Dairy and egg products, Delicatessen products, Frozen food, Fruits and vegetables, Gourmet food, Grocery products, Health products and food supplements, Meat, Halal products, Organic products, Poultry and game, Preserved food, Seafood products, Semi processed food, Ingredient and outsourcing solutions & Snacks. A total of more than 12,000 visitors are expected to attend the trade show from 80 countries during the three-day event.

A number of programs are being held on the sidelines of SIAL Middle East. A HOSTED BUYER PROGRAMME will host 500 pre-qualified food and beverage buyers for three days of one-to-one meetings with exhibitors as they look to source new food, beverage and equipment products from around the world. INDUSTRY CONFERENCES will include keynote speeches, panel debates, presentations and expert workshops on a variety of topics such as food retail, seafood from Vietnam, business and marketing, trends and innovations, food security and sustainability, and nutrition and healthy food.

SIAL INNOVATIONS Observatory & Award provides a unique opportunity to discover, in a single arena, all the concepts and innovations launched worldwide and to identify new consumer trends. This feature will showcase 50 of the most innovative food products in the world, including ten from the Middle East for the first time selected by XTC World Innovation.  One of these ten products from the Middle East will be awarded the prestigious SIAL Innovation Award.

COOKING TRENDS AREA is another interesting feature. Created in partnership with Electrolux, this brand new cooking theatre will demonstrate how some of the world�s top chefs are using the latest ingredients and cooking techniques to prepare food in line with consumer preferences. The renowned Franco Luise, Executive Chef from Venice will be at SIAL Middle East, cooking live in the Cooking Trends Area.

LA CUISINE BY SIAL, organised by the Emirates Culinary Guild of Abu Dhabi, is showcasing the talent and artistry of ambitious junior chefs as they compete under the watchful gaze of World Associations of Chefs Societies (WACS)- approved judges across a variety of disciplines.

The Africa & Middle East semi-finals of the WACS Global Chefs Challenge and Hans Bueschkens Young Chefs Challenge will take place at SIAL Middle East 2011. The WACS Global Chef Challenge is the largest individual culinary competition in the world.  Winners will proceed to the finals in South Korea during May 2012.