Kerala Showcases State’s Top Food Brands at Gulfood 2024 in Dubai

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Presenting the state’s top food brands to a discerning global audience of industry leaders and policymakers, Kerala Pavilion opens at Gulfood 2024, one of the world’s largest food and beverage sourcing events.

Suman Billa, Principal Secretary, Industries and NORKA, inaugurated the pavilion set up by the Kerala Industrial Development Corporation Limited (KSIDC) on Monday at Z-CP22 – Zabeel Plaza of the Dubai World Trade Centre, where the five-day 19th edition of Gulfood 2024 is being held.

KSIDC Managing Director and Director, Industries & Commerce, S Harikishore, and promoters of the 12 co-exhibitors in the Kerala pavilion attended the inaugural function.

“The pavilion showcases the burgeoning opportunities in Kerala’s food sector, telling some of Kerala’s success stories from the segment,” Billa said.”The state’s participation in one of the largest food expos is part of its continuous efforts of boosting food tech as a priority sector for the government,” he added.

Co-exhibitors in the Kerala pavilion include 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 February 21 (Wednesday) at the Ritz Carlton Dubai on the sidelines of Gulfood 2024, where delegates from 190 countries are expected to visit.

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.