The Islamic Center for Development of Trade and Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions will organize with the support of the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) the First Agro-Industries Exhibition and Conference of OIC member states which will be held in conjunction with the 14th Food, Hotel, Propac Arabia exhibition at the Jeddah Center for Forums and Events from May 24-28. More than 280 companies will participate in the exhibition from countries, such as, China, Iran, Thailand, Turkey, Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, United States, Taiwan, Lebanon, Sudan, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, India, Sri Lanka, Armenia, Senegal, and Uganda, in addition to many leading local companies. “The expo will display various food items, beverages, and food and agricultural components offered by a wide range of exhibitors from all over the world,” said Zahoor Siddique, Director of Al-Harithy Exhibition Center. International companies will introduce foods that are new to the Saudi market, and there will be a section devoted to food packaging. Representatives of OIC member countries will have a chance to discuss investment opportunities between those countries and the Kingdom, he added. “We are also organizing a best chef competition with the participation of a large number of master chefs who will represent their hotels. The chefs will compete by preparing their meals live in front of visitors to the exhibition,” said Siddique. Several symposiums will be held on May 25-26 under the theme “World Food Crisis and its effects on OIC Member States”. International experts and economists from the OIC, the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture, the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and major international corporations will present papers on the world food shortage and offer suggested solutions, case studies and success stories.
