H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, on Monday opened the fifth edition of SIAL Middle East, the region's fastest growing food and beverage event, and the 8th edition of the Emirates International Date Palm Festival (EIDPF 2014) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
SIAL 2014 will run for three days, while EIDPF 2014 will run for six days, attracting a large number of visitors and exhibitors.
In his opening remarks, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that SIAL Middle East has attained its well-deserved position over the past five years to become one of the region's most important industry shows, thanks to the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the support of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
"Today we celebrate five years. We proudly emphasise that we beat major cities that have long experience in organising the same exhibition. SIAL Abu Dhabi attracts major players in the food industry and sees the conclusion of deals," H.H. Sheikh Mansour said.
"SIAL Middle East serves as a window for the Arab region to view the latest developments in food industry around the world, and in doing so, it opens new avenues for the private sector to pump investments in this vital and strategic sector, and makes it easier for the government to formalise a vision for demand and support for food security." SIAL Middle East has made the UAE, and Abu Dhabi in particular, the main stopover for food industry specialists, noted H.H. Sheikh Mansour.
Later, H.H. Sheikh Mansour, accompanied by sheikhs, ministers, VIPS, officials and ambassadors, toured the venue of the show.
Speaking on the EIDPF 2014, H.H. Sheikh Mansour expressed his delight at so many companies from around the world evincing interest in this year's edition of the exhibition which hosts some 1,000 retailers, wholesalers and producers in 27 international pavilions.
