Two French pavilions at Gulfood Manufacturing 2017

Business France will be running two pavilions and an innovation corner dedicated to the French food industry during the Gulfood Manufacturing tradeshow, taking place in Dubai from October 31 to November 2, 2017.

France will be represented by around 50 French companies that will be showcasing products and know-how focused on the ingredients and processing packaging equipment for the food industry.

Companies showcasing the diversity of France's offering, from dairy products and cereals, to ovo-products and fruit preparations, will be at the show. The French Pavilion for ingredients will be run in partnership with the international trade agencies (Commerce International) of the Hauts de France and Brittany regions. It features floor space of 360 m² at Sheikh Saeed Hall: S1-C76.

The United Arab Emirates imports 85% of its agri-food products, and France is the second largest European supplier in the region. Exports of ingredients and food preparations from France to the UAE grew by almost 5% between 2011 and 2016, to reach US $107 million.

The pavilion devoted to French equipment manufacturers will cover 450m² in Hall Zabeel 3: Z3-A54. More than 30 French companies will be presenting products that are innovative and suited to the local specifications. 

Companies from a wide array of industries will be at the event including water treatment, the cold chain, labelling, packaging, packing lines, sterilisation, water jet cutting, extrusion and engineering, in addition to baking equipment such as ovens, molds and pancake machines.   

The GEPPIA (a grouping of more than 140 manufacturers of processing and packaging equipment for the agri-food and non-food industries), will be partnering with Business France at the French Pavilion, offering visitors a 3D experience that will immerse them in a food product in four minutes.

Following last year’s success, Business France will be holding a contest at the equipment pavilion, whereby the packaging & processing machinery French Trade Association, GEPPIA and the French association of food intermediate products, Club PAI will be teaming up as partners and members of the jury. This contest is geared primarily towards promoting France's innovations and enhancing the potential of its companies.

According to Philippe Leray, CEO of Vinpai and a former winner of the contest, the French Innovation Corner is an opportunity to take advantage of "an additional shop window at the France Pavilion and a highly effective promotional tool".