H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, today opened Gulfood Exhibition, which is hosted by the Dubai World Trade Centre from 23-27 of the current month. Sheikh Hamdan, after the traditional ribbon-cutting, toured the halls and pavilions of the exhibition, which is the largest and the most important in the Middle East and the world, in the presence of a number of Arab and Foreign ministers, guests of the exhibition and senior economic figures in the UAE, as well as food producers and manufacturers around the world. Sheikh Hamdan had a briefing from Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), about the participation of the global companies and their contributions to the exhibition, which is organised by the Centre for the ninth time. The event witnessed an increase in the space and the number of participants from local, regional and international companies. Sheikh Hamdan welcomed the exhibitors from the U.A.E. and the countries of the region and the world, describing the exhibition as a healthy food phenomenon, which has been achieving success year after year due to its importance in the life of people and community. He stressed that the exhibition witnessed a remarkable turnout in each session, in addition to the new participants, who came to the U.A.E. from around the world. He expressed his hope that Dubai will become a global hub for halal food sector.