Scottish companies look to take a bite out of Middle East marketplace

Scottish Development International (SDI) will today (27 February 2011) strengthen Scotland’s food and drink industry by leading a delegation of Scottish companies to Dubai to showcase their goods in one of the world’s most lucrative markets.

SDI, supported by industry leadership group Scotland Food & Drink, will target Gulfood, one of the world’s largest trade shows for the food and drink industry. The event is a major platform for Scottish companies to secure new global business opportunities.

The visit aims to raise awareness of Scotland’s food and drink industry, develop stronger trade links and increase market penetration of Scottish food and drink in the Middle East.

The region has become increasingly important as an export destination for the Scottish industry and Gulfood expects to welcome more than 3,800 international suppliers and in excess of 55,000 buyers from 152 countries.

Anne MacColl, chief executive, SDI, said:

“Scottish companies are operating in a highly competitive global economy and they must raise their international aspirations to enable them to become more productive. The Middle East offers huge potential and Scottish companies must take advantage of the outstanding opportunities that are available.

“Gulfood is one of the key events in our international calendar, providing a global stage for Scottish companies to showcase their premium produce in a market where high-quality goods are very much in demand. Last year, Scottish companies attending Gulfood were forecasting around £1.7m of additional sales as a result of participation in the event.”

Scotland is home to some of the most highly-acclaimed food and drink brands in the world and companies exhibiting at Gulfood include: Highland Spring Group, Claire MacDonald Foods, Dean’s of Huntly, Gourmet’s Choice, Henshelwood’s Fine Foods, The Scottish Salmon Company, Sephra, Shortbread House and St. James Smokehouse.

Paul McLaughlin, chief executive, Scotland Food and Drink, said:

“Gulfood offers a valuable opportunity to Scottish brands looking to build their overseas markets. A presence at such a high profile event is important at a time when Scotland is increasingly being recognised as producer of high quality products, building the country’s reputation as ‘A Land of Food & Drink’.”

As part of SDI’s efforts to support Scottish produce in the region, the team is also linking up with the flagship Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Resort to promote Scottish food and drink in the hotel’s restaurants, pub and shop. The week-long promotion has been organised in partnership with Jumeirah chief executive and GlobalScot, Guy Crawford.

Anne continued: “SDI established its first office in the Middle East in 2008 and it remains a priority market for us. We are also building our local GlobalScot network and the Jumeirah/Scotland promotion is a great example of the proactive nature of the region’s GlobalScots. This week we will also hold the Middle East’s first GlobalScot Connect event which will link up a number of Scottish companies with GlobalScots and their expertise and contacts in the region.”