The 11th edition of the ProPak MENA and Fi Africa exhibitions, which focus on food and beverage manufacturing and packaging, was inaugurated by H.E. Engineer Ahmed Samir, the Minister of Trade and Industry, on May 28th at the Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC) in the Fifth Settlement. The exhibition, which runs until May 30th, is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and provides an opportunity for visitors to explore the latest advancements in the industry.
Minister Samir underscored the paramount importance of the food and beverage sector as one of the key players in the national economy. He lauded the sector's significant technological advancements and state-of-the-art industrial applications, which have paved the way for opening new markets for Egyptian products and bolstering export opportunities. Moreover, he highlighted the sector's pivotal role in creating direct and indirect employment opportunities. The Minister also shed light on the attractive investment prospects available in the Egyptian market for the food industry sector. These prospects include the availability of raw materials and qualified labor, as well as the noteworthy incentives provided by the government to investors. Moreover, Minister Samir stressed that Egypt is a larger consumer market with a lot of free trade agreements signed with major economic entities enabling Egyptian products free access to numerous regional and global markets.
ProPak MENA and Fi Africa witnessed the participation of more than 300 companies representing about 33 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, China, India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Tunisia, South Africa, Oman, Indonesia, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria and the local Egyptian companies make up around 25% of the total participating companies. Several workshops will be organized during the exhibitions to link industry experts. In addition, a buyer delegation from the Middle East and Africa will be hosted to attract more commercial and investment opportunities for exhibitors and companies. It is expected that around 9,000 experts and workers at all stages of food and beverage manufacturing will visit the exhibitions.
Mustafa Khalil, Exhibition Director at Informa Markets, stated “This year's edition boasts unprecedented scale, as it is the largest in its history. Over 300 companies hailing from more than 30 countries are participating, along with more than 300 brands in the food and beverage manufacturing and packaging sectors. The exhibition offers visitors a comprehensive overview of the latest industry trends and technological advancements, as well as a chance to explore the most innovative products and services in the field”
Khalil added, "It is our great honor to organize these exhibitions in Egypt, as they serve as a testament to our unwavering commitment to support Egyptian products and promote their export to foreign markets. Furthermore, we take pride in our contribution to the growth of the Egyptian economy, especially during these challenging times when foreign currency can be a scarce commodity. Our exhibitions provide a unique platform for forging fruitful foreign and local partnerships and fostering numerous business deals that will pave the way for a brighter future for the food and beverage industry in Egypt."
Wael Khoury, the Managing Director of Tetra Pak Egypt and the diamond sponsor of the exhibition, expressed his immense delight in participating in ProPak MENA, under the theme "Unlocking Growth." He stated: “The exhibition is a remarkable platform for showcasing the latest innovations, solutions, and trends in the food and beverage sector. Tetra Pak, as a leading global company in packaging solutions, has been operating in the Egyptian market for over four decades, providing unrivaled and inventive solutions to companies that produce dairy, juice, and cheese in Egypt.
Khoury added: Sustainability is at the forefront of our strategies, as we are committed to reducing the carbon footprint and advancing climate change mitigation efforts. This commitment was recently recognized when the Financial Times named Tetra Pak one of the leading European companies in 2023 in the field of climate change.
It is noteworthy that the Fi Africa and ProPak MENA exhibitions have been officially launched after ten successful years of organizing the Africa Food Manufacturing Exhibition (AFM). As a leading organizer of international exhibitions and events, Informa Markets has made a strategic decision to bring its global brands to the forefront while preserving the rich legacy of the Africa Food Manufacturing exhibition as an all-encompassing platform that supports every stage of food and beverage manufacturing in Africa.
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