$ 1bln business expected at four-day Gulfood '07

New Delhi, Jan 28 (UNI) Gulfood 2007, the twelfth edition of the annual food and hospitality exhibition, is expected to do a business of over one billion dollars.

''Seeing the performance of last year, we expect a volume of over one billion dollars in the trade-only event,'' DWTC Exhibitions Manager Joanne Cook said.

Around 2,200 companies from 70 countries will participate in the event being organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

With a view to enhance food exports, India will participate in the upcoming four-day event in Dubai. Starting from February 19-22, the event will witness the largest ever Indian delegation comprising of 55 companies including the Indian Tea Board, Coffee Board and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

Currently, the annual trade between India and GCC is over 15 billion dollars which is 15 per cent of the country's total foreign trade. Over three billion dollars of food exports are done every year to the GCC region.

''Gulfood brings partners together to discuss future developments, showcase their products and services,'' Ms Cook said.

According to APEDA, India exported 1,325 million dollars worth agro products of its total export turnover of 3,977 million dollars to the West Asian market, which is 33 per cent of the country's exports of APEDA products.

Mumbai-based Parle Products, Little Bee Impex (Punjab), Sara Spices (Cochin), Arjan Impex (Delhi) are some of the Indian companies participating in the Gulfood 2007.

UNI