Mansoor bin Mohammed Inaugurates Gulfood Manufacturing and Gulfhost 2024

Photo : Dubai government media office

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council, officially inaugurated the 10th edition of Gulfood Manufacturing today at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The event, regarded as the world’s leading annual gathering for the food manufacturing industry, brings together professionals from across the globe to explore the latest trends and innovations shaping the sector.

Gulfood Manufacturing is taking place alongside Gulfhost, the MENA region’s premier event for hospitality and foodservice equipment, from November 5-7, 2024. The two co-located shows serve as a dynamic platform for thousands of F&B manufacturing and foodservice professionals to connect, share insights, and explore new business opportunities.

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During the opening ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed was joined by His Excellency Helal Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. The two leaders toured both events, engaging with exhibitors and attendees. Following the official opening, the Gulfood Manufacturing FoodTech Summit began, featuring a keynote session focused on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and other cutting-edge technologies in the food manufacturing industry.

Dr. Mark van Rijmenam, a strategic futurist, delivered a thought-provoking session at the FoodTech Summit, highlighting the significant impact AI is already having on food manufacturing. He emphasized the role of AI in automation, predictive maintenance, and digital twins. "AI can contribute $20 trillion to global GDP by 2030. There are multiple applications in food manufacturing, such as visual computing to track food movement through factories and data classification to sort products by type and size. Additionally, humanoids powered by AI could be integrated into factory settings," Dr. Rijmenam stated.

France is also making a notable presence at the event. Flavie Paquay, Country Director - UAE at Business France, expressed enthusiasm about the 62 leading French exhibitors showcasing innovative food processing solutions, advanced ingredients, and hospitality technologies at Gulfood Manufacturing and GulfHost. "This year’s participation celebrates not just innovation but also the strengthening relationship between France and the UAE," Paquay explained. "As the UAE focuses on environmental initiatives in the F&B sector, France is eager to support the country’s food security, sustainability, and growth aspirations."

Zubaid Motiwala, CEO of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, also spoke about his country's participation at Gulfood Manufacturing, highlighting its focus on enhancing Pakistan's export value, including rice and sesame seeds. "Our presence here has been highly productive, with significant interest from buyers, and we are already planning to expand our participation next year," Motiwala said.

Gulfood Manufacturing and Gulfhost are providing an unparalleled platform for almost 3,000 global F&B manufacturing and foodservice brands to showcase their latest products and solutions. On the first day of GulfHost, Falcon Professional Kitchen launched their Quick Response Service (QRS), a 24/7 advanced support solution designed to address operational challenges in commercial kitchens, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.

The inaugural session of the GulfHost Foodservice Excellence Summit also took place, focusing on trends and opportunities shaping the foodservice industry for 2025 and beyond. Topics discussed included energy efficiency, innovative solutions, customisation in foodservice design, and the evolving role of women leaders in the sector.

Attendance at both Gulfood Manufacturing and GulfHost is free for trade professionals, with a single pass providing access to both events. The exhibitions and conferences offer an exclusive opportunity for professionals in the F&B industry to engage with leading experts, explore new solutions, and foster valuable connections.

For more details and registration information, visitors are encouraged to visit the official Gulfood Manufacturing and GulfHost websites.