Japan
After a three-year absence, 16 companies from Japan exhibited at Gulfood. Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Dubai executive director Kotaro Kodoma told Caterer Middle East that the move was reflective of what had happened in the country over the last few years.
He said: “We suffered very severely during the tsunami followed by the nuclear blast accident. For three years it was difficult to promote our produce and fisheries products.
“However, now we are in a state of recovery and we feel secure in the safety of any of the products from Japan.”
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After these incidents, there was a restriction on fresh products from Japan but Kodoma said proudly that these import restrictions have already been overcome in the UAE.
With the exhibition, several Islamic societies which are very active in Japan gave approval to the products at the show, citing them to be fully halal.
Kodoma is positive about the upward trend of using Japanese suppliers and products in the region. He said: “We are seeing the rapid increase in Japanese restaurants in Dubai, which exceed a 100.
“Japanese food and culture are getting more popular in the region. We should respond rapidly to this trend to expand our variety of products, and supply excellent Japanese items.”
In addition to exhibiting at the show, JETRO has a strong relationship with the F&B industry in the region, and Kodoma said the government organisation sometimes invites special buyers from the industry into Japan and introduces them to Japanese products, suppliers and producers.
He added clear communication and relationship building was the key to success: “Those buyers are great supporters of our activities, not just in terms of imports but also promote our products in the market.”