Kerala Pavilion at GulFood Opens at Dubai World Trade Centre

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Kerala will showcase the state’s leading brands before a global audience of policymakers and industry leaders at the five-day GulFood 2024, considered as one of the world’s largest food and beverage sourcing event, that opens at the World Trade Centre in Dubai on Monday.

The Kerala Pavilion is set up by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Limited (KSIDC), at Z-CP22 – Zabeel Plaza at this 19th edition of GulFood 2024.

The pavilion will showcase the burgeoning opportunities in Kerala’s food sector and will feature as co-exhibitors, some of Kerala’s success stories from the segment – Beecraft Honey,

Cremberie Yoghurt, Foo Foods, Glenview Tea, Global Natural Food Processing Company, Harrisons Malayalam, Malabar Natural Foods, Manjilas Food Tech, Nasfood Exim, Pavizham Rice, Protech Organo and Veliyath Food Products.

The KSIDC is also holding an investor conclave that focuses on the theme, Kerala – the Spice Capital of India, at 7 pm on Wednesday at the Ritz Carlton Dubai on the sidelines of GulFood, the largest food and beverage sourcing event where visitors from 190 countries are expected.

Ambassador of India to the United Arab Emirates, Sunjay Sudhir; Saleh Abdullah Lootah, Chairman, Food & Beverage Manufacturing Business Group, UAE; Suman Billa, Principal Secretary (Industries and NORKA) and S Harikishore, MD, KSIDC and Director, Industries and Commerce, Kerala will participate in the conclave.

“The investor meet will discuss opportunities in Kerala’s food sector, particularly in the spices sector as well as niche segments such as seafood processing, ready-to-eat food products, coconut and jackfruit,” Harikishore said.

“With food and food tech as a priority sunrise sector for development, the government is creating an enabling environment that encourages both domestic and foreign investors to participate in the state’s burgeoning food ecosystem”, he added.

As part of the Industrial Policy 2023, Kerala has brought a slew of fiscal incentives, providing a much-needed impetus to the sunrise sectors.

The state contributes significantly to India’s agricultural output – 97% of pepper, 70% of its cocoa, and substantial shares in coffee, cashew, coconut, and seafood processing.