Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) announced its participation in the 26^th edition of Gulfood 2021. The region’s largest event of its kind, which is taking place at Dubai World Trade Center between 21-25 February.

Through its participation, DAFZA will showcase the services and incentives it provides to the multinational companies in the F&B sector. It will also highlight the market opportunities to overcome the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the event, DAFZA will also highlight the pivotal role that the F&B sector plays in the food security system and as a key contributor to enhancing the production of major food commodities in the UAE. DAFZAwill also showcase the facilities, infrastructure, business incentives, customs services and logistics solutions it provides to multinational companies based in the free zone or companies shipping their products to various countries around the world through the Emirate of Dubai.

Abdulaziz Al Hammadi, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at DAFZA, said: “During the pandemic, the F&B sector was one of the main sectors that have witnessed major challenges on supply chains and global trade movement. These challenges required companies around the world to explore more flexible and advanced logistics solutions, supply chain management, customs services and digital platforms which enable them to meet the high demand and ship their goods to the regional and global markets,”

Al Hammadicontinued “DAFZA’s strategic location near one of the busiest airports around the world affirmed its effectiveness in supporting companies within the F&B sector to respond faster to the market challenges and requirements.”

“DAFZA is home to a number of local and multinational companies operating in the F&B sector, which represents 5.5% of the total number of companies registered in the free zone. Many of the top multinational brands in the F&B industry operate their regional headquarters in DAFZA, as the free zone provides premium services that enable them to communicate with the regional suppliers and manage its logistical units and other retail spaces in the most efficient way. These companies include Red Bull, Heinz Africa and Middle East, Hershey’s, Yakult, Haribo, Charleys Philly Steaks, Applebee’s among others.” Al Hammadi added.

Representatives from the Halal Trade and Marketing Center, DAFZA’s integrated services center for the Halal Sector, will participate in the exhibition. The representatives will showcase the center’s network of strategic partners, its presence in all regions around the world and its integrated system of marketing and sales services that support F&B companies in their regional operations. They will also highlight the opportunities that the center provides to companies to expand their access to new markets across the world.

The Halal Trade and Marketing Center will also showcase the guide entitled Dubai Global Gateway to Halal Industries: Your Guide is a Step by Step Guide. The guide includes the latest trends that will have an impact on the region’s economy, which provide insights on the local and global Islamic economy. It will also help companies explore the opportunities for the growth of the Islamic economy and its ecosystem, halal trade flows, halal certificates and accreditations among others to support companies enter the regional and global halal markets.

Every year, DAFZA participates in Gulfood, which is considered one of the most important platforms to highlight the services and advantages it provides to companies in the F&B sector. These services include licensing services, business incentives, advanced infrastructure, digital platforms and the logistics and warehousing solutions that have ideal cooling capabilities for such industries.