The GCC states must adopt innovative solutions to raise production levels and quality, highlighted a senior industry official during the keynote government address delivered on the opening day of Gulfood Manufacturing 2015, in Dubai, UAE.
Gulfood Manufacturing, a trade exhibition for the food and beverage manufacturing, processing and packaging industry in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, kicked off yesterday (October 27) and will conclude on October 29, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, in Dubai, UAE.
Saleh Abdullah Lootah, president of the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Business Group, delivered the governmental keynote address at the event.
The opening day of the event drew more than 1000 of the region’s F&B industry professionals, including hundreds of delegates attending the Next Generation Manufacturing Conference running alongside the key trade event, said a statement.
Also of importance was the need to align stakeholders, from government and private sector, to meet sustainable economic, environmental and food supply demands, it added.
A case study presented by Yusuf Tambawala, head of product development, Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), showcased the pioneering central hub for food and beverage (F&B) manufacturing, packaging, warehousing and logistics in the region, and the turnkey solutions being provided to the industry now and in the future.
Dubai offers strong competitive advantage for the industry, including concentration of talent, well-developed networks for labour, ingredients and suppliers, as well as world-class infrastructure, strong governing regulations and a robust trading and economic platform.
Focused on next generation manufacturing, the conference agenda also included presentations on Smart Factories of the Future, and the increasing importance of operational and production efficiencies, with contribution from multi-national food manufacturing giant Mondelez International, Tetra Pak, United Food Technology and PepsiCo, added the statement.
Safeguarding the health and safety of the food industry both globally and regionally was addressed by Alexander Mathys, assistant professor of sustainable food processing, ETH Zurich, who also highlighted the opportunities for manufacturing to harness new preservation principles and innovations to deliver higher nutritional values and superior food.
In addition to Next Generation Manufacturing, two other key summits are scheduled to take place this week. The Food Logistics Forum includes an opening keynote address by Dr Hashim Saeed Al Nuami, director, department of consumer protection for the Ministry of Economy, UAE, with high-level panel discussions covering topics on improving the regulatory environment in the GCC; the impact on the region’s supply chain of new regional rail, ports and airline transport hubs; and achieving quality and safety across the food supply chain, it stated.
The F&B Innovation conference being held today (October 28) and October 29, include presentations from senior executives from Al Marai, DuPont, Euromonitor, Fonterra, Mars, PepsiCo, Prime Hospitality, Switz Group and United Arab Emirates University, it added.
Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president for DWTC, organiser of Gulfood Manufacturing said: “The event plays an essential part in facilitating development of the industry from all perspectives, from driving new business opportunities to delivering the latest knowledge and insights that will help to raise standards and contribute to the growing success and sustainability of food & beverage manufacturing in the region.” – TradeArabia News Service
GCC should adopt 'innovation to raise production levels'
The GCC states must adopt innovative solutions to raise
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