The latest trends and technology in packaging

The 16th International Event for Food, Beverages & Catering, Hotel Equipment, Supplies and Services that incorporates three events: Food/Hotel/ Propac Arabia is scheduled to take place on 24 ?27 May 2010. The show has always been the premier international exhibition on processing & packaging in Saudi Arabia, and over the years, it has been successful in addressing the needs of the post-harvest and food technology, processing and packaging industries. Scheduled to be held at the Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this event has been considered as the region''s best networking platform where suppliers present their products and services to the broadest spectrum of trade visitors from throughout the Kingdom and neighbouring Gulf States. With its location in Jeddah, the gateway of 80% of all foodstuff imports as well as the Kingdom''s commercial and tourism centre, the show remains the best venue for those engaged in the food and beverage industry in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is the largest and most important market in the entire Gulf region, with 50% of the population under the age of 16 the market is both vibrant and lucrative. The country imports over 60% of its food from over 200 countries. Saudi Arabia''s import of foodstuffs have increased by an average of 19% between 2004 and 2007 with a total value of $12 billion in 2007. The industry is described as Saudi Arabia''s third largest economic sector and has seen huge investment in recent years. The Kingdom now accounts for over half of those companies involved in the food and drink industry in the Gulf. Of equal importance to the business world is the exact location of the population, its make up and spending power. Half the Kingdom's population resides in the Western Region and they are predominantly high earners with above average disposable incomes. As it is, Saudi Arabia imports nearly all of its catering and hotel equipment & supplies. To conform to current trends and design and to cater for today's discerning tourist and diner, the Kingdom is seeing a continual program of refurbishment of existing hotels, restaurants and catering establishments (such as educational and business cafeterias) through the modernisation and upgrading of both equipment and interiors. On exhibit are processing machinery, food packaging & beverage bottling, packaging machinery & supplies, pharmaceutical, printing & labeling, cosmetics, paper & corrugated box technologies, automation & control, flexo printing technologies for paper & flexible packaging, testing & measurement, pumps & valves, process technology, materials handling, conveyors, sorting, bagging & storage, post-harvest technology, powder & bulk solids handling. The previous edition ended with resounding success. The event was held under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture and with the support of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO). Islamic Center for Development of Trade (ICDT), an arm of (OIC), signed a cooperation agreement with Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions Ltd. to organizer the show. For more information about the show, please contact: Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions Ltd. Tel: + 966-0 2654 6384 Fax: + 966-0 2654 6853 E-mail: ace@acexpos.com Website: www.acexpos.comAir Force High