For the first time, Pakistani companies participated in the prestigious Gulfood Manufacturing 2024 expo in Dubai, showcasing a range of food ingredients, processing, packaging, and supply chain solutions. The event, held from November 5-7, attracted over 1,200 suppliers from 60 countries, and Pakistani exhibitors are hopeful that their involvement will lead to “significant deals” in Middle Eastern markets.
A total of 29 Pakistani companies joined the event, with 21 represented under the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and eight participating independently. The Pakistan Pavilion, organized by TDAP, allowed these firms to engage with a diverse global audience, with many visitors from the Middle East expressing strong interest in their products.
Abdul Wahab, director of Nadeem Engineering Company, a Faisalabad-based food packaging machine manufacturer, shared that his company received positive responses due to competitive pricing and high quality. “We initiated several business deals, which we hope to finalize in the coming weeks,” Wahab said, expressing gratitude to the TDAP and the Pakistani mission in the UAE for facilitating their participation.
Sheikh Abdul Qayyum, CEO of Karachi-based Lunwa Biz Packaging, echoed this optimism. He noted that the Pakistan Pavilion received a “good response” from visitors, with some deals and memorandums of understanding already in progress. Qayyum highlighted TDAP’s support in subsidizing booth costs, which allowed companies to capitalize on this valuable opportunity.
Faraz Tayyab, project manager at Dubai-based Menras, which designed and managed the Pakistan Pavilion, reported an excellent turnout, with over 100,000 visitors. Pakistani companies made a strong impression, he said, with one machine manufacturer even selling his display unit and securing additional orders from a Dubai-based buyer.
Pakistani exhibitors are hopeful that this debut will lead to long-term business growth and anticipate greater participation in future editions of the trade fair. As Tayyab remarked, “It has opened the gateway for a bigger participation next year.”
