Dubai: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), represented by the Sharjah Exports Development Centre (SEDC), participated in the 31st edition of Gulfood 2026, the world's largest food and beverage sourcing exhibition, held at Dubai World Trade Centre. This event, which runs until January 30, features over 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries, showcasing its significant scale and global reach.
According to Emirates News Agency, the participation aligns with SCCI's strategy to enhance the competitiveness of national food and beverage companies by presenting their export potential, aiming to attract further foreign investments into Sharjah's food sector. Through a dedicated pavilion featuring ten Sharjah-based food manufacturers and traders, the Sharjah Chamber facilitated local companies in accessing new markets and expanding their commercial partnerships.
During the exhibition, the SCCI's pavilion highlighted Sharjah's food manufacturing capabilities, presenting a range of high-quality products that demonstrate the sector's industrial advancement in international markets. The delegation included Ali Abdullah Al Jari, Director of the Sharjah Export Development Centre; Marwan Salem Al Muhairi, Head of Exhibitions at SEDC; Sultan Al Ali, Head of Investor Services at SEDC; and Maha Mansour Al Zarouni, Senior Exhibitions Executive at SEDC.
Ali Al Jari emphasized that SCCI's participation in Gulfood 2026 provides Sharjah-based companies with a unique opportunity to showcase their products to a global audience of decision-makers and buyers. The exhibition facilitates business deals with companies from 195 countries and offers insights into emerging trends and innovations in the food and beverage industry, supporting Sharjah's objectives to expand market reach and increase exports.
Al Jari further explained that the Sharjah Export Development Centre provides an integrated support system to boost exports. It offers services to enhance the quality and competitiveness of local products, establishes comprehensive databases for targeted markets, and streamlines export procedures in coordination with relevant authorities.
The SCCI delegation toured the exhibition to explore cooperation opportunities with international companies, presenting an overview of Sharjah's investment environment. They highlighted the SEDC's role in supporting food-sector exporters and outlined facilitation services and incentives for investors establishing new ventures in the emirate.
During the event, the delegation engaged with officials from export and investment promotion entities participating in Gulfood 2026. They also participated in business meetings between member companies and global exhibitors to discuss opportunities for trade agreements and potential investment partnerships.
The SCCI's pavilion at Gulfood 2026 garnered strong interest from food sector stakeholders, including manufacturers, suppliers, and exporters. It hosted a series of productive one-on-one meetings between local producers and international counterparts, unlocking opportunities for new trade collaborations and expanding exports to high-potential markets.
The Sharjah Exports Development Centre leveraged the exhibition to boost the international exposure of local products, supporting SCCI's strategy of trade missions and global exhibition participation. The exhibition reflects SCCI's vision to foster technology transfer and innovation, enabling local companies to increase competitiveness and expand into global markets.
Sharjah's food industry offers key investment advantages, including advanced infrastructure, dedicated industrial zones, customs facilitation, and tax exemptions. Coupled with its strategic location connecting the emirate to global markets, these factors enhance the sector's growth potential and create opportunities for investors.