Dubai SME and Khalifa Fund announce collaboration to leverage Gulfood

Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) and Dubai SME are collaborating to enable UAE SMEs to network with international vendors at Gulfood 2022, the world’s largest food and beverage trade show, taking place at Dubai World Trade Center, from 13-17 February.

Alia Al Mazrouei, advisor to the chairman at Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, stated that KFED was eager to use this platform.

She said: “This is our sixth consecutive time at the event and we’re very excited about the possibilities on offer. We aim to continue to promote entrepreneurialism in the UAE by extending all possible support to the nation’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and help SMEs gain easy access to new markets and opportunities beyond the emirates.”

“We want our food and beverage focused businesses to gain international exposure by showcasing their products to reputable vendors from around the world. The Gulfood exhibition will also enable them to explore franchise opportunities in one of the most promising sectors these days,” Al Mazrouei added.

Saeed Mattar Al Marri, deputy CEO of Dubai SME, remarked that Gulfood is a platform well-aligned with the SME capabilities in the UAE as well as the strategic focus of Dubai on enabling vital sectors to become globally competitive.

“SMEs are an integral component of the enterprise ecosystem in Dubai, and the foods sector is no exception. With the increasing emphasis on food security, global trade and entrepreneurship across strategic plans in the UAE, these SMEs have significant growth opportunities ahead. Dubai SME is excited to connect local SMEs to new partners and markets at Gulfood, and we see it as complementary to the life cycle support we promise to our members,” said Al Marri.

Participating Khalifa Fund applicants and companies exhibiting within KFED and Dubai SME’s stands include Liwa Dates, specialists in processing, packing, and marketing date products; Liwa Gate Food Industries, known for grinding and packing spices as well as cleaning and packing different types of nuts, pulses, and rice in a hygienic manner and Hunter Foods, the F&B Innovation Lab 2021 winners known for their Hunters Gourmet Hand Cooked Potato Chips made with a unique Emirati spice mix.

Other companies include Code Three Fourteen Technologies, an Abu Dhabi-based agricultural technology and software development company and the winners of Khalifa Fund’s inaugural ‘Level Up’ project; Maamil Nahel Foodstuff Establishment, known for sesame food products; Overseas for Water, a company that specialises in the retail sale of mineral water and the wholesale of canned foodstuff; Mass Popcorn and Chips, an Emirati-owned and operated company that specialises in crafting ready-to-eat popcorn and corn buff in multiple tantalising flavours; and All About Coffee, a manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi that mixes and prepares premium Arabic and instant coffee.

Dubai SME members exhibiting at Gulfood this year include Waterwa Foodstuff Trading, Integrated Plastics Packaging, Index Trading Company, Trade Fixture, Omnia food Trading, Foodya World Foodstuff Trading, and Hilali Industries.