Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and Dubai SME announce major collaboration to leverage Gulfood 

Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, are poised for yet another game-changing participation at Gulfood 2022. The event, which is seen as a global gateway for attracting business opportunities and enabling UAE SMEs to grow through networking with international vendors, will be taking place at Dubai World Trade Center, 13-17 February 2022.

The latest collaboration between the two organizations is part of their joint efforts to build up the competitiveness of local businesses and empower entrepreneurs within the UAE’s SME sector. Both parties recently announced their participating members at Gulfood 2022.

H.E. Alia Al Mazrouei, Advisor to the Chairman at Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, stated: “Khalifa Fund is always eager to participate in Gulfood. This will be our 6th 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. 

“In particular, we want our F&B-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.”

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.

The participating Khalifa Fund applicants and companies exhibiting within Khalifa Fund and Dubai SME’s stands includes 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; 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;, 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 specializes in the retail sale of mineral water and the wholesale of canned foodstuff; Mass Popcorn and Chips, an Emirati-owned and operated company that specializes in crafting ready-to-eat popcorn and corn buff in multiple tantalizing 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 Co. 

Gulfood is a globally significant annual event in the UAE’s calendar. Its ability to attract the finest Emirati food manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, and exporters along with big-name vendors from around the world makes it a highly sought-after exhibition. F&B companies and traders as well as global importers and exporters within the sector flock to the Dubai World Trade Center every year in anticipation of striking lucrative deals and expanding their entrepreneurial footprint. It is the perfect opportunity for promising local food producers to showcase their worth to international vendors, compete with top-notch products from around the globe, and enhance their food quality according to internationally adopted standards.