His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Money, today opened Gulfood 2017, the 22 nd edition of the world-leading food and drink exhibition at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Touring the 1,000,000 sq. ft. show, which competes five days and is expected to obtain as much as 90,000 food professionals from 150 countries, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum was given a photo of the global innovation currently affecting an industry striving to fulfill seismic shifts in consumer dietary choices.

"Customer demand for healthy and balanced and halal products, in addition to relied on source provenance, has transformed Gulfood 2017 right into a home window to global food sector reinvention. The show is currently underlining its global online reputation as a hotbed for unique business chances," said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Occasions Monitoring, DWTC.

From the current in health, health and free-from to 'on-the- go', craftsmen and affordable-convenience, the program lifts the drape on a huge variety of new principles and products which are evolving the global F&B scene.

Some 5,000 exhibitors from 120 countries will be showcasing their services and products as they eye a share of the multi-billion buck MENA F&B market. Greater than 2,000 participants will be noting their launchings at the world-renowned exhibition, which likewise holds the world's biggest yearly Halal food sourcing trade show-in- show in Halal World Food.

"Currently in its 22 nd edition, Gulfood has actually long since completed its evolution from a regional event with global engagement to a global program that is held in the region," said LohMirmand.

The geographic influence of Gulfood is demonstrated through 120 nationwide pavilions with 4 countries - Azerbaijan, Finland, Malta and Somalia - represented for the first time. China, India, Italy, Spain and the USA will certainly install the largest global pavilions, with Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Lebanon and Morocco showcasing regional abilities.

Site visitors to Gulfood 2017 will certainly locate an extremely focussed new layout designed to ensure they can make the most productive use of their time at the show by going straight to their sections of interest. Eight specific food product trading markets have actually been created covering Beverages; Dairy; Fats & Oils; Health, Wellness & Free-From; Pulses, Grains & Grains; Meat & Fowl; Power Brands and World Food.

Back for the 4th year straight, Halal World Food flaunts more than 1,000 international expert Halal food brand names and companies.

The show also holds the annual Emirates Culinary Guild International Beauty salon Culinaire - the world's biggest single-entry cooks' competition. The 2017 Salon Culinaire will certainly see more than 1,000 of the region's leading specialist chefs, bread cooks, pastry chefs, compete for honours approved by an expert panel mandated by the World Organization of Chefs Societies.

Meanwhile, in a ceremony tonight (February 26) at the Conrad hotel, the champions of the 8th Gulfood Innovation Awards will be identified for best-in- class excellence and innovation throughout the region's food and drink industry.

Gulfood 2017 is a strict trade-only occasion and is open to business and trade visitors. The show is open 11am-7pm from 26 February 26 to 1 March and 11am-5pm on 2 March. Site visitors could sign up onsite for a cost of AED350 (US $95).