By Abdul Basit
Gulfood 2021 will further enhance bilateral trade between the UAE and Pakistan and provide a platform to connect with buyers from other countries.
This was stated by Ahmed Amjad Ali, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, after the inauguration of the Pakistan Pavilion at the 26th Edition of Gulfood 2021 at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Sunday.
Bilateral trade between the UAE and Pakistan is around $14 billion. The food sector constitutes 20 per cent of Pakistan’s exports to the UAE.
The five-day mega trade show is the first global in-person F&B event in the past 12 months.
“After almost a year of Covid-19 pandemic, the opening of Gulfood 2021 is good news for world trade in general and Food Industry in particular,” Ali said.
He added that it is indeed a commendable step of the UAE government that will give a boost to world economies after a year of slow down.
Strong participation of Pakistani companies
The Consul General informed that Pakistan is participating in the Gulfood 2021 with more than 60 companies and a wide variety of products in food and beverages .
He said that this participation is quite encouraging in the wake of the Covid-19 situation and the participating Pakistani exhibitors have good chances to grab the opportunity to enhance trade ties. In 2020, more than 100 companies participated in Gulfood.
Talking about trade with UAE in the food sector, the Consul General said that Pakistani food companies are already doing good business with UAE business partners.
Meet and greet exhibitors
After inaugurating Pakistan Pavilion, Ali visited different stalls at the Gulfood 2021 and interacted with the exhibitors.
Exhibitors appreciated Covid safety protocols at the venue and expressed hopes that their B2B meetings with buyers will help enhance Pakistan’s food exports to this region.
Products at the show
At Gulfood 20201, Pakistani companies are exhibiting mainly rice, wheat, wheat flour, chilled mutton and beef, frozen meat, edible oil, honey, dates, chilli, citrus meat, pink salt, seed potato and off-season vegetables, halal food products and natural herbs and medicinal products. – abdulbasit@theuaenews.com
