Fifth edition of DDTE opens at DWTC

Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of the Department of Economic Development - Dubai Government inaugurated on Tuesday the fifth edition of the Dubai Drink Technology Expo (DDTE), at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). 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,  to continue for three days this year, is marked by the participation of more than 100 exhibitors from 35 countries keen to display and share their latest techniques and trends in the beverage industry. Dubai Drink Technology Expo (DDTE) is the premier specialised 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. 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 DDTE 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. Dr Ahmed Al Banna, the Secretary General of the Arab Asian Beverage Alliance (AABA) 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 per cent last year.” “While in Dubai, it reached 18 per cent 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,” Al Banna added. 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. 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. 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 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,” added Al Banna Tariq Al Madani, MD at Index Conferences and Exhibitions 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.” 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 Dubai Drink Technology Expo this year is organised by Index conferences and Exhibitions Organisation and in co-operation with International Society of Beverage Technology and the American Beverage Association and supported by Dubai Export Development Corporation and Jabel Ali Free Zone and Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry. From Gulf Today