Opportunity of business worth Rs 200 cr for India in 'Gulfood 2008'

New Delhi, Feb 10 (UNI) Indian enterprises are expected to generate a trade volume of Rs 200 crore at the upcoming food, drink and hospitality exhibition, Gulfood 2008, to be held in Dubai between February 24-27.

''We expect a major part, almost 50 per cent, of the volume to be contributed by rice followed by other commodities like coffee, tea, spices etc,'' said Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APFPEDA) Asistant General Manager U K Vats.

APFPEDA will represent about 40 entrepreneurs. ''There will be about 80 exhibitors from India. The Indian participation has been growing over the last 12 editions and for the last three years, the response has been phenomenal,'' said Gulfood Project Manager Elly Habt.

The B2B event will also have 2,500 exhibitors from about 70 countries, she added.

''India is launching a major drive to increase exports of agricultural and processed food products to the Gulf countries and attract investment in the sector. The six Gulf Coperation Council (GCC) countries and surrounding region offer huge potential for India,'' APFPEDA General Manager A S Rawat said.

The event will also organise for the first time 'Restaurant and Cafe Middle East', which will showcase the latest innovations in interiors, equipment, supplies and services.

Gulfood, organised by Dubai World Trade Centre, had generated a business of 22.5 billion dollars in 2007 against 5.6 billion dollars in 2001, Mr Habt said.

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