Opening of the Egyptian Pavilion at “Gulfood Dubai” Opens a New Window for Export Deals in the Gulf
Ambassador Essam Ashour: Full support to turn Gulfood opportunities into partnerships
Bazan: Arab countries are the largest importers of Egyptian food industries worth $3.4 billion, representing about 51% of total exports
Tarek El-Houby: International turnout is proof of the strictness of the food safety system
Essam El-Naggar: Unified identity for the pavilion and comprehensive representation of all sectors
Manal Abdel-Tawab: Commercial representation expands the buyer base and arranges direct partnerships
Ambassador Essam Ashour, Egypt’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Tarek El-Houby, Chairman of the National Food Safety Authority, and Trade Commissioner Essam El-Naggar, Chairman of the Egyptian General Authority for Exhibitions and Conferences, along with Trade Commissioner Manal Abdel-Tawab, Head of the Egyptian Commercial Representation Office in Dubai, and Mahmoud Bazan, Chairman of the Food Export Council, inaugurated the Egyptian pavilion at the “Gulfood Dubai” exhibition. This step reflects institutional momentum to expand the presence of Egyptian food industries in Gulf and global markets.
The opening was attended by Dr. Ashraf El-Sayed, Deputy Chairman of the Export Council, Hani Afia, Treasurer of the Council, Engineer Ashraf El-Gazairly, Chairman of the Chamber of Food Industries, and board members Alaa El-Wakeel, Karim Abou Ghali, Mostafa Mehna, Dina Hosny, Ibrahim Stin, Mai Khairy (Executive Director of the Council), Heba Souheil (Head of Exhibitions Department), Dalia Kabil (Consultant at Concept Exhibitions), Commercial Secretary Hussein Abdel-Moneim (Deputy Head of the Commercial Office in Dubai), Counselor Abdelrahman Ramzy (Public and Trade Relations Officer at the Commercial Representation Office in Dubai), Khaled Abdallah (Head of Central Marketing Department at the Exhibitions Authority), Dina Shafie (Head of Audit Department), and Marwa Hamad (Foreign Exhibitions Department).
Participants toured the company booths to review the latest products and expansion plans in Gulf markets, highlighting opportunities during the exhibition and confirming the readiness of companies to meet technical requirements and food safety standards, thereby supporting new partnerships and contracts during Gulfood.
Ambassador Ashour emphasized that the UAE represents an important regional trade platform, and that integration between Egyptian production capacities and UAE trade and distribution networks opens wider paths for joint investment and market expansion. He noted that the Egyptian pavilion receives significant state attention, demonstrated by its support for Egyptian companies at one of the world’s most important food trade platforms, Gulfood. The embassy, in cooperation with the Egyptian Commercial Representation, is keen to facilitate bridges between Egyptian companies and major importers, retail chains, and business groups in the UAE, helping turn exhibition opportunities into actual partnerships and contracts.
Mahmoud Bazan, Chairman of the Food Export Council, stated that the increase in pavilion space and the higher number of participating companies reflect clear progress in the sector’s capabilities and the expansion of the exporter base. He confirmed that the large pavilion space of 1,700 square meters is evidence of Gulfood’s confidence in the attractiveness of the Egyptian pavilion to major importers, retail chains, and distributors worldwide.
Bazan explained that Gulfood Dubai is a pivotal platform for Egyptian exports, especially since Arab markets are the largest importers of Egyptian food industries in 2025, with a value of $3.4 billion, representing about 51% of total exports, achieving 5% growth compared to 2024. The European Union ranked second with exports worth $1.3 billion, representing 19% of the total, with 14% growth. Non-Arab African countries imported about $516 million, representing 8% of the total, with relative stability compared to the previous year. Exports to the United States recorded remarkable performance, reaching $438 million with 36% growth, while exports to the rest of the world amounted to $1.1 billion, achieving strong growth of 30%.
Dr. Tarek El-Houby praised the level of Egyptian companies and the quality of products displayed, noting that the strong interest from visitors and importers from multiple countries since the first day reflects the increasing competitiveness of Egyptian products and is practical evidence of the strict application of the food safety system. This aligns with the positive results achieved by food and agricultural exports in 2025. He added that the authority continues to support Egyptian companies technically and organizationally to help them comply with traceability and technical requirements in different markets, enhancing confidence in Egyptian products and boosting their ability to penetrate and sustain presence in high-standard markets.
Trade Commissioner Essam El-Naggar, Chairman of the Exhibitions Authority, said that the authority, in cooperation with the Food Export Council, worked on developing a clear identity for the Egyptian pavilion at Gulfood, following the directives of Minister Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade. The aim was to present a unified and modern image that reflects the strength of Egyptian industry and its competitiveness. He pointed out that one of the key strengths this year is the diversity of participating companies, representing all food sectors to meet the needs of a wide range of international buyers.
El-Naggar added that the exhibitions system enjoys growing institutional support from political leadership, with significant backing from the Ministry of Investment, which enhances companies’ ability to expand in markets and raise competitiveness during international events.
Trade Commissioner Manal Abdel-Tawab, Head of the Egyptian Commercial Representation Office in Dubai, affirmed that Egypt’s continued participation in Gulfood is a practical step to strengthen Egypt’s export position in Gulf, Arab, and global markets. She noted that Egyptian participation reflects companies’ commitment to developing their competitive capabilities regionally and internationally, with the aim of increasing Egyptian exports by up to 15% annually through leveraging global trade events and strategic partnerships in the Gulf.
She explained that the Commercial Office supports Egyptian participation by coordinating with the Food Export Council and the Exhibitions Authority, promoting Egyptian companies to business groups in the UAE and major Emirati importers, and inviting top buyers, importers, and traders to visit the Egyptian pavilion to expand the client base and open new partnership channels.
Abdel-Tawab revealed that the Commercial Representation Office has invited major importers to visit the Egyptian pavilion to encourage cooperation opportunities.
The Gulfood exhibition combines business opportunities, innovation, and modern trends in the food world, making it a pivotal station for any entity seeking to expand its business in the food industry and exports through new markets. This is what Egypt is betting on this year through wide company participation and clear integration between organizing bodies and the food safety system.