DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Dozens of baking industry companies, including many BEMA members, searched for new opportunities in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia at Gulfood Manufacturing, held Nov. 9-11 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Organizers reported more than 1,000 exhibitors and an estimated 20,000 visitors were expected to attend the event. Show organizers estimated that they recruited about 1,000 bakers from the region to attend the event.

Kerwin Brown, BEMA’s president and chief executive officer, said the BEMA pavilion includes several members, including American Pan, Bettendorf Stanford, Burford Corp., Hansaloy Corp., Kwik Lok Corp., LeMatic, Unifiller Systems, Topos Mondial and Shaffer Mixers & Processing Equipment.

Additionally, Mr. Brown said other BEMA members such as the Markel Bakery Group, Toolbox, Mecatherm and Rademaker exhibited — many in other country pavilions, including large contingents from Italy, Germany and Turkey, to name a few.

“BEMA members are excited about the size of the show and the quality of the other exhibitors,” Mr. Brown said. “This looks like the place to be to promote products in this region.”

The exhibition included a plethora of education sessions as well as events from smaller food, processing and packaging shows.

Mr. Brown added several BEMA pavilion companies visited customers in the region before the show.

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