Sial Middle East, a top food, beverage and hospitality event, and the Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition (ADDPE)  concluded recently in Abu Dhabi, UAE, recording trade deals valued over Dh7.2 billion ($1.96 billion) during the three day event.

The event drew 23,000 industry experts and unique visitors with a growth rate of 13 per cent from last year, from more than 50 countries, reported Wam.

The exhibition was the biggest edition since its launch in 2010 and the event was organised by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec) in cooperation with French “Comexposium” Group, one of the largest international exhibition and conference organisers, and in strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) under the theme “Defining Innovation in the Food, Beverage & Hospitality Industry”.

The total area of the exhibition increased to 22,000 sq m, a growth rate of 22 per cent compared with the area allocated for the previous edition, which amounted to 18,000 sq m.

The number of new exhibitors doubled to reach 16, in comparison to 8 last year. Number of participating countries has increased by 20 per cent. Event features increased by 67 per cent to reach 15 features.

This year, SIAL ME witnessed an increase of 10 per cent in the number of UAE exhibition companies that has reached to 76 exhibitors. Additionally, the total space of UAE pavilions increased to 3,373 sq m, which represent growth of 54 per cent compared to last edition.

Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri, director general of ADAFSA, said: “We are pleased with the high turnout witnessed by the exhibition in its tenth anniversary edition, and its success in attracting elite food companies, major food suppliers and investors from all over the world. This will contribute by strengthening our efforts to consolidate the food security system and will open up new and innovative food industries by providing the supply chain for this system with more opportunities and capabilities that ensure their sustainability and growth, to meet the growing demand for food in the region and the world and to keep pace with the great prosperity and booming industry that we are witnessing in the UAE, in the field of agriculture and food production.”

SIAL Middle East 2019 featured a series of interactive sessions and competitions that attracted the participation and interest of leading local, regional and global experts.