WorldFood Azerbaijan 2012 to start tomorrow

The 18th Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition, WorldFood Azerbaijan 2012, starts on 15 May in Baku. It is one of the most important annual events in the region’s food industry. Over the years WorldFood Azerbaijan has become an effective business platform, facilitating the search for new partners and strengthening pre-existing relationships through its ability to attract experts from the sector, thus defining the vector of development for the food industry in the region.

The exhibition is organized by Iteca Caspian LLC and ITE Group Plc. A network of ITE Group partners are also associated with the project - EUF (Turkey), GIMA (Germany) and ITE Gulf (UAE), among others - through which a large number of international exhibitors and visitors become involved. WorldFood Azerbaijan is part of the famous WorldFood brand of exhibitions, which include the largest exhibitions in the food industry in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India and Turkey, among other countries. This partnership is of great advantage in adopting the organization skills, and in actively promoting the show and its participants in the markets of these countries. For more than seven years, the exhibition has received the recognition of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. The “Approved by UFI” status shows that the exhibition meets international standards and is organized to a high level. Organizational support for the exhibition is provided by Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) and the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers’) of Azerbaijan Republic (ASK). The partners of exhibitions in 2012 are Azerfon LLC, AZAL, Greenwich Travel Club, Hilton Baku and the Caucasus Point Hotel.

This year WorldFood Azerbaijan has attracted 120 companies from 24 countries, providing a unique opportunity to become familiar with the advanced developments and achievements of the global food industry. The exhibition is supported by Azerbaijani companies, whose participation accounts for 40% of the exhibition. There is a growing interest in the exhibition from international and especially European companies, which account for 30% of the total number of exhibitors. Every year the exhibition attracts new members and expands the range of products presented. This year 40% of the exhibition is made up of debutants, including companies from Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Serbia, representing a wide range of food products, confectionery and dried fruit. In addition to businesses, the exhibition is also attended by government organizations. For example, the participation of Serbian and Afghan businesses is organized with active assistance from the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and the Farm Service Center Association of Afghanistan, respectively. In terms of Azerbaijani organizations, the Fund for Export and Investment Promotion in Azerbaijan (AZPROMO) will be participating, on whose stand one will be able to become acquainted with the peculiarities of the country's food market and its investment opportunities.

Traditionally WorldFood Azerbaijan unites several thematic exhibitions under one roof: food (WorldFood), beverages (WorldDrink) and technology (WorldFoodTech), covering much of the food market. Within these major sectors are individual zones for meat and poultry, canned foods, ice cream, groceries, ingredients, confectionery, beverages, oil and fat products, tea and coffee making and much more. In the dairy zone a variety of products will be on offer, this year from producers from Azerbaijan, Belarus and Egypt. Given that the country is increasing its food production sector, a wide range of modern equipment for different areas of the food industry will be on display at this year's exhibition.

Packaging is represented at the exhibition also. For the first time this year, packaging, which had previously been included as part of WorldFood Azerbaijan, has its own dedicated industry event – the Caspian International Packaging, Tare, Label and Printing Exhibition, Ipack Caspian 2012. The impetus for this exhibition has been growing rapidly in the country, both in the production sector in general and in the packaging sector in particular. This year the exhibition will include interesting packaging equipment solutions from companies in Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey and the Czech Republic. The exhibition will include packaging machines, equipment for packaging and printing on the packaging, packaging materials, the finished products, and labelling products.

Professionals will be able to immerse themselves in the exhibition, where one will be able to see and taste new foods, test the latest equipment, as well as establish useful contacts and sign lucrative contracts. During the exhibition an info tour for entrepreneurs and professionals will take place in order to introduce modern equipment and technologies into the regions of Azerbaijan.

Alongside WorldFood Azerbaijan, the 6th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition, AgriHort Azerbaijan 2012, will take place. Among the participants will be the manufacturers and suppliers of agricultural products, who will be demonstrating their new solutions for the agricultural industry and innovations by European manufacturers. At AgriHort Azerbaijan goods and services from the leading manufacturers in Azerbaijan, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Germany and Belgium, among other countries, will be on display. The main zones of the exhibition will include feed stuff, additives, fertilizers, plant protection and livestock. Well-known companies will be presenting agricultural equipment and machinery. Several companies from Germany, the world leader in the production of agricultural machinery, including the well-established brands of Claas, Lemken, Grimme and RAUCH, will be represented on a joint stand at AgriHort Azerbaijan for the first time. In addition, the list of newcomers includes displays by Ukrainian companies engaged in cattle breeding, companies from the Netherlands specializing in the construction and use of greenhouses, and the Russian Federal Centre for Animal Welfare.

Thus, the exhibitions this year will open many new niches for co-operation and facilitate the introduction of new technologies in the food and agricultural sector of Azerbaijan, contributing to its formation and development. The exhibition will continue until 17 May.


/Today.Az/