Organisers of SIAL Middle East have verified that deals worth AED4.6 billion were recorded at the 8th version of the three day exhibition, enhanced by a rise in participants which drew in more than 26,000 site visitors and experts from the food, drink and hospitality industry.

Thamer Rashid Al Qasemi, Chairman of the arranging committee for SIAL Middle East, stated the results highlighted SIAL's regional and global position as the fastest growing business presentation enhancing the local food economy.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), the event concluded on 14 December by honouring the 600 exhibitors that participated in donating the UAE Red Crescent's 'Preservation of Grace' campaign.

The exhibitors were awarded certifications of gratitude in acknowledgment of their participation in the initiative which was introduced by ADFCA in line with nation's the Year of Offering, and saw roughly 30 tonnes of food exhibited at SIAL Middle East contributed to charity.

Al Qasemi said, "The introduction of the Red Crescent's Preservation of Grace programme was to help advertise the 'Year of Giving' effort both locally and internationally, in addition to introduce a society of resistance and providing."

Believing SIAL Middle East to be an essential occasion for industry professionals, Al Qasemi said it is the key part to addressing ways to narrow the space between supply and need across the region, by offering innovative and varied options to satisfy the requirements of the consumer.

He said: "By holding SIAL Middle East over the last 8 years, the emirate of Abu Dhabi has demonstrated its phenomenal potential in organising large-scale international occasions and exhibitions, and its excellence in their monitoring to compete with similar global events.

" The results of this year's edition show the emirate's management in including value to the occasions it organizes and arranges. SIAL Middle East has actually become an excellent platform for worldwide firms operating within the food and hospitality sectors, and is a driving pressure for business owners to broaden their tasks and investments."

ADFCA has already begun its prep work for the 9th version of SIAL Middle East in order to maximise return for exhibitors and to enhance the variety of site visitors in accordance with the program of Abu Dhabi's activities.

Co-located with SIAL, the Abu Dhabi Day Palm Exhibit is established for a substantial development in terms of room and variety of exhibitors in 2018.

Al Qasemi included: "Increasing the Abu Dhabi Date Palm sector stems from ADFCA's enthusiasm to establish the day palm market in the country and to give local manufacturers with a chance to build brand-new partnerships that advertise the Emirati dates worldwide, enhancing the national economic situation and establish day palm markets."

One of the highlights of SIAL Middle East was the victory of Emirati resident Ibrahim Al Mallouhi who took residence the top honours in the respected National Competitors for Preparing Coffee.

SIAL Middle East was supported by Host Sponsor: Abu Dhabi Chamber, Diamond Sponsor: Jenaan Investments, Silver Sponsors: Al Rawafed and Abu Dhabi Farmers Services Centre, Bronze Sponsor: Mai Dubai and The Deep Seafood Company, and Halal Certification Sponsor: Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology, and will return from 10-12 December 2018

Caption: SIAL Middle East records transaction worth AED4.6 billion