H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on Tuesday opened Gulfood Manufacturing 2017, the fourth edition of the Middle East’s largest ingredients, processing, packaging, and logistics exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, DWTC.

Touring the 80,000-square-metre show, which runs for three days and is expected to attract tens of thousands of food supply chain professionals from more than 60 countries, Sheikh Mansour was given a snapshot of the global innovation and industry-defining solutions now impacting a manufacturing sector that is striving to meet sweeping changes in consumer preferences.

"Consumer tastes and preferences are rapidly changing with experience, sustainability and affordability now more of a focus than ever, turning Gulfood Manufacturing 2017 into a platform for the reinvention of the global food manufacturing and processing sector," said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC.

From manufacturing and processing to packaging and supply chain solutions, this year’s show lifts the lid on an extensive range of new products and concepts that will enable industry leaders to keep pace with the ever-changing consumer demands.

More than 1,600 exhibitors from over 60 countries will be showcasing their products and services. There will also be 30 national pavilions, with first-time participation from Poland and countries of the CIS.

"The continued growth in the show’s participation highlights how the world’s leading equipment, ingredients, logistics and chain suppliers view Gulfood Manufacturing as the preferred platform to leverage an operational foothold in the regional market. Dubai continues to offer a supremely stable base in which to do business, backed by a visionary leadership and a government that is committed to investment and diversification of the economy as part of its long-term future growth strategy," LohMirmand added.

The international influence of Gulfood Manufacturing 2017 is evidenced with the show hosting the biggest Italian participation in its history, with 3,800 square metres dedicated to companies spanning all sections of the country’s food manufacturing and equipment industry supply chain. All the major manufacturing players are present, including Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, USA and the UK. China, meanwhile, has also brought its biggest participation to date as the Far East giant challenges the status quo across the industry.

This year’s show features five dedicated sectors: Ingredients, Processing, Packaging, Supply Chain Solutions, and for the first time, a focussed Automation & Controls sector, which will highlight how automation and robotics are revolutionising the industry.