JEDDAH, 7 May 2005 — Negotiations between overseas food exhibitors and local businessmen are continuing for deals that could run into several million riyals, following the conclusion of the recent five-day Food, Hotel and Propac Arabia at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center.
Some of the first-time participants among overseas exhibitors said they had an “overwhelming response” from visitors, especially businessmen and traders, and had already been negotiating for appointing their local agents or distributors.
More than 150 national and international exhibitors took part in the show that was biennially held until last year. The expo attracted more than 10,000 registered visitors from across the Western Province, the rest of the Kingdom and elsewhere in the Gulf.
A cross-section of visitors interviewed said they had an excellent review of products and equipments offered by manufacturers and exporters from the world over. “I’m amazed at the variety and quality of food, foodstuffs and equipments,” Abdul Majid Al-Naimi, a long established food trader in downtown Balad said.
“I always look forward to this event, as it exposes me to so many new food items from so many countries,” Abdul Karim Munshi, a leading local food importer, said, adding that he was thankful to the show organizer, Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions Ltd., for deciding to stage this event annually.
“As a first-time exhibitor, I’m more than satisfied by the results,” said Ali Ahmad Hodroj, partner and managing director of Hong Kong-based Saneco International Ltd., which manufactures shisha.
“We manufacture 230 types of shisha, although only 30 of them were exhibited here. They are all of the highest quality and our exhibits have received praise from the visitors,” he said.
The company is looking to expand its exports into the Kingdom with orders already pouring in, he said, adding that shishas range in prices from $7 to upward of $40, especially of designer varieties.
Ten Indian companies that participated under the banner of Bombay-based Indo-Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industries (IACCI), have described their participation as “a grand success.”
“Local importers have shown tremendous interest in our products like pickles, blended spices, papad and appalam and canned vegetables and pulps,” said P. Sai Murali, exports manager of Pune-based Desai Brothers.
Dabur Foods, a subsidiary of $3 billion Dabur Group based in the northern Uttar Pradesh state, is hopeful of capturing a sizable market for its fruit juices in this part of the world.
Indian stands had an overwhelming number of visitors, said Ashok Kumar, commercial consul at the Consulate General of India, which had its own stand displaying commercial business brochures, lists of business houses and establishments, and details on help and assistance that it renders to the business community.
Visitors were seen thronging an Iranian stand and tasting samples of saffron elixir. “It’s an amazing combination based on saffron,” Tehran-based Pars Zanbagh Company Chairman S.R. Mahdavi Najmabadi said.
Dr. Renato Katania, commercial attaché at the Consulate General of Italy, said although there was only one Italian exhibitor, there were more than half a dozen local companies showcasing Italian products and equipments.
“The entire exhibition was interesting as there were high quality food and food-related products and equipments on display under one roof,” Dr. Katania said.
Malaysia’s 11 companies exhibiting at the show termed the participation “extremely fruitful.”
“There have been streams of visitors to my stand to taste instant bread varieties that are common in south Asia,” said Ziad A. Al-Lohaidan of Food & Fine Pastries
“There has been a huge demand for samples of our products,” said Raymond Khoo of Malaysia’s Maestro Swiss chocolate Sdn. Bhd.
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation also had its stand focusing on its efforts to promote export of the Far Eastern country’s products and services.
Overseas exhibitors said they would return home on a positive note, as they have realized the rich potential of this market.
Saad Muhammad Al-Saad, partner in a local hotel enterprise who was immensely pleased by the food equipments showcased especially for hotels and catering establishments at the show, said the exhibition was welcome every year as it would help the entire hospitality sector to know all that is latest and best in quality on offer from the world over.