Akhir 24, 1432 H/March 29, 2011, SPA -- Lebanon's Minister of Tourism in the country's caretaker government Fadi Abboud opened here today the 18th annual International Trade Show for Hospitality & Foodservice Industry "HORECA 2011" which will last until April 1, 2011. More than 350 exhibitors, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, took part in the event. Lebanese Government ministers, chiefs of economic sector bodies, a number of diplomatic corps accredited to Lebanon, Arab and foreign businessmen and media representatives also attended the opening ceremony. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Abboud said it is not the first time that Saudi Arabia takes part in this prestigious event, calling for effective participation in the exhibition as a window to international competitiveness in the field of food and beverage industries, hotel appliances and decor. For her part, Randa Damas, the Administrative Director of the organizing company, lauded the Saudi companies' qualitative level. She noted the distinguished level of the Saudi bakery and sweets industry, noting the Saudi government subsidy for Saudi flour, enabling the country's industry to compete in the international markets. She said she felt a strong wish of a number of exhibitors to take part in Riyadh Horeca exhibition in the near future.
