Dr. Al Banna: the contribution of the industrial sector in the GDP of the UAE was 12% last year.
Dubai – United Arab Emirates, December 4th 2012: H.E. Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of the Department of Economic Development - Dubai Government inaugurated today the fifth edition of the Dubai Drink Technology Expo (DDTE) which is held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and shall commence for three days. H.E. Sami Al Qamzi was accompanied by a number of officials and specialists from the beverage technology industry in the UAE and the region. The DDTE this year is marked by the participation of more than 100 exhibitors from 35 countries whom where keen to display and share their latest techniques and trends in the beverage industry.
Dubai Drink Technology Expo (DDTE) is the premier specialized event in the MENA region for the beverage industry. It is a unique platform for beverage companies to present their latest technologies and system solutions for the entire production chain (manufacturers, filling, packaging, distribution, wholesales/retailing, trading and marketing) of Carbonated, Fruit Juices, Bottled Water, Energy and wellness drinks, Milk and Dairy Products, & Functional Drinks RTD (Ready to Drink), Tea and Coffee.
H.E. Sami Al Qamzi and the accompanied delegate had a tour in the Exhibition Area and they were delighted by the increased number of the exhibiting companies whom are displaying the latest production machinery and equipment, process and quality control instruments, storage, transport and, labeling handling services associated with the industry.
This year the Dubai Drink Technology Expo will feature the second Global Water & Beverage Technology Congress (GWBT) 2012. The Congress features workshops, association key meetings, education sessions and B2B business meetings over 3 days, all addressing challenges in the water and beverage technology businesses. Beverage producers, wholesale and retail merchants, importers, dispensing systems, hotel groups, industrial consulting and supporting services providers, beverage associations, caterers and beverage industrial magazine and media are all attending the (GWBT).
The “Arab Asian Beverage Alliance” is keen to consider and develop the technical and investment aspects of the beverage industry and liquid food sectors in the GCC, Middle East and the World. Moreover, the AABA discuss the latest in the beverage industry and provides a platform for proven products and the latest in production machinery and equipment, process and quality control instruments, storage, transport and labeling handling services associated with the industry through the Dubai Drink Technology Expo.
The AABA will also hosts an “Educational Training Workshop” delivered by the VLB Berlin Institute from Germany, one of the World’s leading institute for research and technology in the field of beverage products. The workshop will include a variety of topics including water, packaging, energy and utilities and will be attended by specialists from the beverage sector, production managers, quality control, chemical engineers, microbiologists, project managers and brand managers.
The AABA has more than 100 members on board who are specialists in the field of beverage industry and is held at a time where the beverage industry is prospering in some Arabic countries including the UAE, KSA and Egypt. Members come from different backgrounds including brand owners, manufacturers, distributors, packaging, retailers, marketing agencies and governmental bodies in the UAE and Asia.
Dr. Al Banna also said: “the Ministry of Economy is always supervising the industrial sector and focusing highly on the manufacturing sector and the development of it where the contribution of the industrial sector in the GDP of the UAE was 12% last year. While in Dubai, it reached 18% last year, therefore, there is a prompt attention towards developing the industrial sector and enhance the contribution of the industrial sector in GDP ratios to a better state that are compatible with the economic status of the UAE and pace the UAE on the world map as one of the key industrial countries in the world.”
Moreover, the Arab Asian Beverage Alliance will also launch the First Middle East Beverage Award for most favourite drinks in the Middle East Region. The Award Competition will be held in conjunction with the Dubai Drink Technology Expo and in cooperation with Index Conferences and Exhibitions – member of INDEX Holding, consisting of eight beverage categories.
The Eight Awards for the most favourite drinks in the Middle east are: Favourite Alcohol Free in the Middle East, Favourite Coffee in the Middle East, Favourite Diary in the Middle East, Favourite Juice in the Middle East, Favourite Energy Drink in the Middle East, Favourite Tea in the Middle East, Favourite Water in the Middle East and Favourite Soft Drink In the Middle East. there are more than 30 international and regional brands who are taking part in the competition such as Lipton, Nescafe and Rawabi, Ali Café, Caribou Coffee, Birel, Holsten, Ahmed Tea to name a few and the results will be announced during a Gala Dinner on December 5th in Dubai.
Dr. Ahmed Al Banna, the Secretary General of the Arab Asian Beverage Alliance (AABA) said: “the idea of hosting the first Beverage Awards in the Middle East comes from our intention to support the beverage industrial sector in the region in addition to identify the consuming trends for individuals throughout a survey that covers more than one million individuals. Therefore, the Award is to create competition between participating companies and in return provide Media and Marketing support for those brands and it will also contribute in creating a new direction for the consumers of those beverages that are covered by the survey.”
Dr. Al Banna also said: “ the Awards will create a competitive spirit among participating brands and shall add exclusivity to the beverages sector that can create more chances for developing new beverages according to the results of the survey which will show which beverage are the Middle East’s Favourite.”
“The beverage sector is a vital sector and includes a number of domains underneath it which cannot be compared to each other because each domain has its own group of consumers. For example, you cannot compare coffee to soft drinks because each has its own consumer category, and that’s why we have classified the award into 8 different beverage categories.” Added Dr. Al Banna
Mr. Tariq Al Madani, Managing Director at Index Conferences and Exhibitions – member of INDEX Holding said: “DDTE is one of the most significant shows held in Dubai and it plays an important role in the transfer of technology, expertise and innovations in one of the most important industries. I think the DDTE now is considered an added benefit for technology owners, suppliers and manufacturers and to potential investors in the industry as well.”
Al Madani also assured that this year the expo comprises of a number of International pavilions which are displaying the latest production machinery and equipment, process and quality control instruments, storage, transport and handling services associated with the industry.
Mr. Al Madani also said: “the number of exhibitors at the DDTE exhibition has doubled during the past four years in addition to the accelerating number of participants and visitors. The exhibition has opened new doors for international exhibitors coming from Europe, USA and Asia to enter the GCC and the Middle East markets and invest in them. From another angle, there has been tremendous participation during the past years at the conference attracting a good number of participants and has served as a perfect platform for exchanging expertise and benefit from the success stories shared during the conference.”
“The AABA concentrates on developing the beverage industry focusing on the new technologies used in this industry, which aims to preserve and motivate the environmental aspects of this industry in order to reduce any negative environmental impact.”
The Dubai Drink Technology Expo this year is organized by Index conferences and Exhibitions Organization Est. and in cooperation with International Society of Beverage Technology and the American Beverage Association and supported by Dubai Export Development Corporation and Jabel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) and Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
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