DUBAI: H.H. 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 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Running from November 5 to 7, this globally recognised food manufacturing event takes place alongside Gulfhost, the MENA region’s leading hospitality and foodservice equipment showcase, drawing thousands of professionals from across the food and beverage (F&B) sector.
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Sheikh Mansoor, joined by His Excellency Helal Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, toured the event, engaging with exhibitors showcasing innovative products and solutions. The FoodTech Summit launched shortly after the inauguration, featuring a keynote by Dr. Mark van Rijmenam on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation in enhancing food manufacturing. Dr. Rijmenam noted AI’s vast potential for the industry, highlighting advances in automation, predictive maintenance, and digital twins to optimise production processes.
Flavie Paquay, Country Director – UAE at Business France, spoke about France’s dedication to sustainable practices at this year’s event. Showcasing 62 French exhibitors, she highlighted their focus on supporting the UAE’s sustainable food ambitions, reinforcing a partnership built on shared goals for an eco-friendly F&B future. “France is proud to offer solutions that align with the UAE’s vision of food security and sustainable growth,” Paquay remarked.
Zubaid Motiwala, CEO of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, also highlighted Pakistan’s participation in the event. “We aim to boost Pakistan’s export value, particularly in rice and sesame seeds, and look forward to building further connections here,” he stated.
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The first day of Gulfhost’s Foodservice Excellence Summit explored future trends in foodservice, including energy efficiency, customer experience, and female leadership within the industry. The summit also saw the launch of Falcon Professional Kitchen’s Quick Response Service (QRS), an innovative 24/7 support solution designed to optimise commercial kitchen operations.
With nearly 3,000 F&B brands presenting their latest advancements, both events promise unparalleled networking and learning opportunities for trade professionals. Free access is available for registered attendees. For more details, visit Gulfood Manufacturing and Gulfhost.
