A delegation of 39 Syrian companies specializing in the food industry participated in Gulfood 2024 in Dubai, marking a significant effort to enhance the global presence of Syrian products. The participation, sponsored by the Ministry of Economy and Industry and organized by the Local Production and Exports Support and Development Agency, aimed to leverage the major trade event to establish new commercial partnerships and investment opportunities.
A Platform for Global Visibility
The event served as a critical platform for Syrian companies to showcase their offerings to a global audience. According to Samer Mirza, Deputy General Manager of Sidi Hisham, the participation provided an important opportunity to introduce and promote Syrian products.
“This year’s attendance was remarkable compared to previous years, with numerous corporate delegations visiting the Syrian pavilions to explore the products on display,” Mirza noted.
Forging Strategic Partnerships
Gulfood’s role as a vital international hub for trade, innovation, and supply chain development was a key draw for the Syrian delegation. Imad Al-Nan, CEO of Al Durra International Group, emphasized the strategic value of the exhibition.
“The exhibition is a dynamic international platform that strengthens trade, innovation, food security, and supply chains. It brings together thousands of companies and new products, offering strategic opportunities to form partnerships, discover the latest trends, and support business growth on both regional and global levels,” stated Al-Nan.
This sentiment was echoed by Ragheb Salibi, General Manager of Delta Food Industries, who highlighted the networking benefits. “Participation offers a unique chance to connect with potential business partners, explore the latest technologies and trends in the food industry, market products directly to the target audience, and open new avenues for entering additional markets,” Salibi explained.
Driving Export Growth
For many of the companies, the ultimate goal is to translate new connections into tangible export growth. Bilal Qala’ji, Export Manager at Hassib for Industry and Trade, pointed to the event’s potential to catalyze development within the Syrian food sector.
Qala’ji remarked that the exhibition provides Syrian companies with broad opportunities to establish commercial and investment partnerships with visiting business leaders. He added that this “contributes to developing the production and marketing capabilities of the Syrian food industries, creating new job opportunities, and increasing the volume of exports to global markets.”
About Gulfood
Gulfood is one of the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibitions, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event serves as a major global platform that brings together producers, suppliers, and exporters from across the food industry. The 2024 edition featured approximately 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries, showcasing nearly 1.5 million products.
Source: SANA
