14 Pakistani firms exhibit in Foodex Saudi

Fourteen Pakistani companies are participating in Foodex Saudi exhibition organized by Reed Sunaidi Exhibitions from Nov. 17 to 20, at Jeddah Center for Forums and Events. 
“Participation of our companies in these trade exhibitions will strengthen the economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan,” Pakistan Consul General Aftab Ahmed Khokher said.
“Our participation will empower our exporters and boost the relationship between the two countries; there is a big potential in the Saudi market, a number of Pakistani companies are already in the market and doing great business with the Saudi partners; however, the consulate and Pakistan Trade Development Authority (TDAP) are helping and facilitating more companies and businessmen to enter the Gulf markets, with a view to helping in building bridges between the markets of the two countries. We still have a long way to go but this is the start,” he said. 
He added that participation in Foodex Saudi is expected to further promote Pakistan’s various brands in the Saudi market and offer business growth opportunities to Pakistani food and foodstuffs exporting companies.
Saudi Arabia, which is rapidly growing in population and consequently increasing consumption of food and beverages, currently imports more than 80 percent of its total food and beverage requirements.
Abdul Wahab Soomro, commercial consul at the Consulate General of Pakistan, said nine companies are sponsored by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and five companies are being sponsored by USAID’s Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF).

“The participating companies/exhibitors are among the top exporters from Pakistan dealing in fresh and processed products comprising meat, fish fruit and vegetables, spices etc,” he said.
He added that Saudi Arabia’s food and beverage imports growing annually at 18.5 percent are likely to reach around $70 billion per annum in the next four to five years.

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