ISLAMABAD: Nearly 250 Pakistani firms are participating in the 30th edition of Gulfood trade exhibition in Dubai and are showcasing various Pakistani agro-based products to global buyers, the Pakistani consulate said on Monday.
Since its inception in 1987, Gulfood has become a powerful trade forum and has been driving the global food and beverage industry forward. The event, running from Feb. 17 till Feb. 21, will be featuring over 5,500 exhibitors from 129 countries.
Pakistan’s Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi inaugurated the Pakistan Pavilion at the exhibition held at the Dubai World Trade Center on Monday, where 45 Pakistani companies are showcasing rice, cereals, meat, dairy, spices, cheese, processed food, bakery items, salt, herbal products, honey, horticulture, juices and beverages.
These companies are participating under the umbrella of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), while another 200 Pakistani firms are participating privately in Gulfood 2025, reflecting the country’s growing presence in the global food market, according to the Pakistani consulate.
“It is a matter of great pride that 45 companies under TDAP, along with a total of 200 Pakistani companies privately, are participating in this prestigious event,” Ambassador Tirmizi said after the launch of Pakistan Pavilion.
“Our stalls are ideally designed and strategically located, with increased space to attract local and global buyers. There is significant interest in our products, including basmati rice, spices, pink salt and cheese.”
He highlighted the upward trend in Pakistan’s agro-based exports, particularly to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and emphasized the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) role as one of Pakistan’s key trading partners.
“Gulfood offers an unparalleled platform for collaboration and innovation, enabling Pakistani exporters to maximize business-to-business opportunities through knowledge exchange, networking and collaboration with global business leaders,” the ambassador said.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and a major source of foreign investment valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE’s foreign ministry. Policymakers in Pakistan consider the Gulf country an optimal export destination due to its geographical proximity, which minimizes transportation and freight costs while facilitating commercial transactions.
Ali Zeb Khan, the trade and investment counselor at the Pakistani consulate, shared that Pakistan’s agri-food exports had reached $8 billion globally in fiscal year 2023-24, which ended in June, marking a 37 percent increase compared to the previous year.
“This growth was driven by significant increases in the exports of rice, maize, sesame, meat, edible fruits, and vegetables,” he said.
On the occasion, Shabbir Merchant, president of the Pakistan Business Council Dubai, pledged full support to Pakistani exhibitors, emphasizing the council’s commitment to promoting Pakistani products in the UAE and beyond.