French agrifood exports to the United Arab Emirates increased significantly in 2011 (January-November), with a €206 M turnover and a 31% rise compare to the same period in 2010 . France is the 15th food supplier of the U.A.E. Historically French exports to the Middle East were essentially made up of poultry and dairy products. Since a few years, French producers are offering a diversity of products, with also significant exports of apples, biscuits and chocolates, fine products like foie gras, oysters, caviar, tapenades, dips, condiments, mineral water and other beverages…   This growth is in line with the expanding Middle Eastern food service market as it continues to develop rapidly due to a rising population, purchasing power, and a strong hospitality sector. 90% of food items in the GCC are imported and French food products benefit from an excellent reputation (image and quality) in the Middle East.   Moreover, Dubai has a strategic position in the region and is a real trade hub. About 50% of food imports are re-exported to 160 countries including the Gulf countries, the Indian subcontinent, North Africa and East and Central Asia. Therefore, Dubai is one of the largest re-exporters in the world thanks to its efficient infrastructures (ports and airports) associated with large free trade zones.   Both agriculture and the agrifood industry are huge assets of the French economy, making France one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of food and beverages. Agriculture and food industries in France account for about 13% of the value-added of French industry as a whole. This industry employs 557,000 and generates a value-added of €31.7 billion. The agrifood sector in France is the leading industrial sector with a €148bn turnover. It accounts for 1.7% of French GDP and 7.1% of total French exports.   France is also the 5th largest exporter of equipment for the food industry , and is therefore among the leading global providers. France’s strength is its presence on all major food industry markets, especially with French companies exporting machines and equipment for bakeries, milk and meat industries. For instance, France is the first supplier of bakery equipment in the U.A.E with 21% market shares. In 2011 (January-November), French exports of food equipment in the U.AE increased by 20% compare to the same period in 2010 and reached €6 million.   As a consequence, it is not a surprise if France’s presence at Gulfood 2012 will be very strong with almost 100 French exhibitors on our national pavilion: 53 companies will attend the French pavilion dedicated to food, beverages and ingredients while more than 44 will attend the French Pavilion dedicated to equipment and process. And we do not mention the dozens of French companies exhibiting on their own or with their importers. Gulfood for French companies is essential to develop their business in the region. Since its creation, France has not missed a single edition of Gulfood and over the years the French presence has kept growing. Our counterparts from Ubifrance India and Saudi Arabia will join us to participate at Gulfood this year and organize B2B meetings between French companies and importers from these countries.   Last but not least, the French Trade Commission-UBIFRANCE in the United Arab Emirates launched “So French So Good” to promote France’s food-and-drink sector and gastronomy. The successful dinner has been organized at the Sofitel Jumeirah Beach, the 25th October 2011, in conjunction with the French pavilion held at the Speciality Food Festival. We will renew our exclusive event next November.   According to François Sporrer, Director of Ubifrance UAE & Qatar: “With Gulfood as a worldwide event and Speciality Food Festival as an exciting show dedicated to gourmet products, DWTC provides a comprehensive and very efficient platform for food professionals. Therefore, we will undoubtedly increase the French participation on both events in the coming years”.   Press Contact: Tarek SOLIMANE Head of the press office French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE (UAE & Qatar) tarek.solimane@ubifrance.fr Mobile: +971 50 708 24 69   

Anxious to meet the expectations of its many consumers and to set up a string of qualitative sales networks, the IDCOOK brand is seeking importers and international distributors. With solar ovens, solar barbecues, and even solar lighters, IDCOOK provides a comprehensive range of products for everyone, useable anywhere. As the present European leader in solar cooking, IDCOOK is intent in pursuing its international growth. IDCOOK currently commercialises its products through a variety of distribution networks like the Outdoor stores, ecological and organic shops, as well as garden centres and DIY shops. As the owner of a COOKUP200 and a COOKUP INOX, you could take your barbecue everywhere you went (in your garden, on a trek or to the beach), and within minutes your solar barbecue would be assembled and ready for use, so you could enjoy risk-free cooking with sunrays as your sole source of energy. With the SUNCOOK+ and the SOLAR COOKING KIT you will cook healthy and ecological, just as you would in a standard oven but using the sun’s rays as your only source of energy. Gentle cooking using a solar oven will help you rediscover the food’s genuine flavours, and keep all of the nutrients. The solar lighter is the hot item for this year 2011; thanks to this ecological gadget, you can light a cigarette or a twig in mere seconds. Fully customisable, it is a great promotional gift for this new year. About IDCOOK. IDCOOK is part of French group SUNITED, as is the SELER INDUSTRY Company. IDCOOK has developed a comprehensive range of solar cooking products and is now seeking partners to commercialise its products internationally. SELER INDUSTRY manufactures mirror solar reflectors used in the field of CSP technology (Concentrated Solar Power). SELER INDUSTRY mirror solar reflectors are also used by IDCOOK in its leading products: the COOKUP200, the COOKUP INOX and the SOLAR COOKING KIT. The SUNITED Group is preparing to raise substantial capital in late 2011 in order to strengthen its position in the solar energy market.  

Gulf Print & Pack 2011 will be held from the 14 th to the 17 th of March, at the Airport Expo in Dubai. In the framework of Gulf Print & Pack 2011, the 1 st French Pavilion will be organized and will welcome 6 French companies. Gulf Print & Pack, the dedicated tradeshow for printing and packaging market in the Middle East and North Africa, will welcome the 1 st French Pavilion. Organized for the 1 st time by UBIFRANCE, the French Pavilion will include 6 French companies specializing in packaging machines, printing machines or in machines to produce for instance composite cans, paper cores… The companies will also introduce their technology such as blanket washers, web cleaners, engravers, labels printing and converting… Worldwide, France is the 5 th largest exporter of packaging machinery and the 3 rd importer. Its main customers are Italy, the United States, Germany and Spain. Its main suppliers are Germany, Italy and Switzerland.   Despite a relatively low weight (1.6% market share in 2009 - 14 th provider with a value of 9 Million USD), exports of packaging machinery to the UAE increased sharply between 2008 and 2009: +75%. Exports of French packaging machinery in the Middle East area weight 8.4 Million USD in Egypt, 6.3 Million USD in Saudi Arabia, 2.1 Million USD in Kuwait and 0.5 Million USD in Lebanon.     About UBIFRANCE UBIFRANCE is the French Agency for International Business Development, and is part of France’s export-support framework. As the partner of reference for French companies wishing to export, UBIFRANCE offers a complete range of services based on the provision of information on export markets, legal issues and regulations, international finance and tenders, while also supplying sectorial data. UBIFRANCE also offers export advice and targeted support to companies’ commercial activities, such as exploratory visits, partnership meetings, foreign exhibitions and international press communication. Finally, UBIFRANCE runs the International Postgraduate Program (VIE) for deploying qualified personnel and young graduates outside France.  

France: a major food and equipment supplier in the Middle East   French agrifood exports to the Middle East (including Egypt) increased significantly in 2010, with a €1.525bn turnover and a 45% rise compare to 2009 .   The three major markets in the region for French food & beverage exports are Egypt with 36%, KSA (25%) and the UAE (13%). If we consider only the GCC, KSA and UAE are the main markets with 59% of the market. They have respectively imported for €374m and €197m in 2010. Historically French exports to the Middle East were essentially made up of poultry and dairy products. Today, French producers are offering a diversity of products, with also significant exports of apples, biscuits and chocolates, fine products like foie gras, oysters, caviar, tapenades, dips, condiments, mineral water and other beverages…     The three major markets in the region for French food & beverage exports are Egypt with 36%, KSA (25%) and the UAE (13%). If we consider only the GCC, KSA and UAE are the main markets with 59% of the market. They have respectively imported for €374m and €197m in 2010. Historically French exports to the Middle East were essentially made up of poultry and dairy products. Today, French producers are offering a diversity of products, with also significant exports of apples, biscuits and chocolates, fine products like foie gras, oysters, caviar, tapenades, dips, condiments, mineral water and other beverages…       French food exports to the Middle East    (in €m) Country 2009 2010 Evo. 10/09 U.A.E 171 197 15% Saudi Arabia 225 374 66% Barhein 14 14 0% Egypt 347 556 60% Jordan 33 40 21% Kuwait 29 37 28% Lebanon 89 154 73% Oman 33 42 27% Qatar 24 29 21% Syria 84 82 -2% Total 1049 1525 45% French Customs, 2011     This growth is in line with the expanding Middle Eastern food service market as it continues to develop rapidly due to a rising population, purchasing power, and a strong hospitality sector. 90% of food items in the GCC are imported and French food products benefit from an excellent reputation (image and quality) in the Middle East.   Moreover, Dubai has a strategic position in the region and is a real trade hub. About 50% of food imports are re-exported to 160 countries including the Gulf countries, the Indian subcontinent, North Africa and East and Central Asia. Therefore, Dubai is one of the largest re-exporters in the world thanks to its efficient infrastructures (ports and airports) associated with large free trade zones.   Both agriculture and the agrifood industry are huge assets of the French economy, making France one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of food and beverages. Agriculture and food industries in France account for about 13% of the value-added of French industry as a whole. This industry employs 557,000 and generates a value-added of €31.7 billion. The agrifood sector in France is the leading industrial sector with a €148bn turnover. It accounts for 1.7% of French GDP and 7.1% of total French exports.   France is also the 5 th largest exporter of equipment for the food industry, and is therefore among the leading global providers. France’s strength is its presence on all major food industry markets, especially with French companies exporting machines and equipment for bakeries, milk and meat industries. For instance, France is the first supplier of bakery equipment in the U.A.E.   As a consequence, it is not a surprise if France’s presence at Gulfood 2011 will be very strong with more than 100 French exhibitors : 60 companies will attend the French pavilion dedicated to food, beverages and ingredients while more than 40 will attend the French Pavilion dedicated to equipment and process. Gulfood for French companies is essential to develop their business in the region. Since its creation, France has not missed a single edition of Gulfood and over the years the French presence has kept growing. Undoubtedly, this French presence will grow even bigger next year.   French exporters represented at Gulfood have doubled over same period (by space and number of companies):   Country Year 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 France M² 1,751 1,583 1,554 1,218 896 No. of Exhibitors 103 109 120 90 59     Last but not least, in November 2010, the French "repas gastronomique" (gourmet meal) was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. According to the United Nation’s cultural organization, French meals play an important social role and are part of the French identity. Thus, France will launch later this year a promotional campaign about food and gastronomy in some key countries around the world, including the U.A.E.     Press contact : French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE in the United Arab Emirates API Tower - Sheikh Zayed Road - Suite 1802 PO Box 3314 Dubai, United Arab Emirates   Tarek SOLIMANE Head of the press office in the UAE tarek.solimane@ubifrance.fr Tel.: +971 (0)4 312 84 91 / Fax: +971 (0)4 332 95 33 Mobile: +971 50 708 24 69

The international trade show Gulfood 2011 will be held from the 27th of February to the 2nd of March 2011, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. 2 French pavilions, specialized by sector, have been organized to welcome about 100 French companies. Hence, about 60 companies will attend the French pavilion dedicated to food, drink and ingredients and more than 40 will attend the French Pavilion dedicated to equipment and process. The French know-how and savoir-vivre will so be exposed in all its variety to 55,000 expected visitors. French Pavilion Equipment (Zabeel Hall – ZB, ZC, ZE, ZF, ZG) and Process (Sheikh Saeed Arena – SA, SB) : Organized by UBIFRANCE, the French Agency for international business development, the French Equipment and Process Pavilion will be located in the Zabeel Hall for the equipment part and in Sheikh Saeed Arena for the process part. This year, 42 French companies will show their latest equipment and technology. For instance, the French participants will display equipment that can be used in various sectors such as catering, food processing, bakery… In addition, French companies will also introduce their know-how in terms of packaging, food signalling, mechanical separation process… According to Global Trade Atlas (GTA), in 2009, France is the 5th largest exporter of equipment for the food industry, and is therefore among the leading global providers. France’s strength is its presence on all major food industry market, especially with French companies exporting machines and equipment for bakeries, milk and meat industries. France is also a major and regular supplier of the food industry in the UAE. French Pavilion Food (Sheikh Maktoum Hall – E, F, G, H, J) and Ingredients (Sheikh Saeed Hall – S2) : About 60 French companies will be animating the French food and ingredients Pavilion, organized by PROMEETING, coordinator of many exhibitions, already present in several events in the Middle East. The Pavilion will bring together a large selection of genuine high quality food products, ingredients and beverages from all regions of France. In November 2010, the French "repas gastronomique" (gourmet meal) was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. According to the United Nation’s cultural organization, French meals play an important social role and are part of the French identity.  

ROBOT COUPE will exhibit its latest and innovative cutters at the Gulfood trade show which takes place from the 27 February to 2 March 2011 in Dubai. French manufacturer of food preparation equipment, ROBOT COUPE has designed new cutters that are able to process all types of food in a matter of seconds and will mix, grind, chop, knead and purée with speed and efficiency. The main new features offered with this new range are:    - A transparent and watertight lid ensures to monitor processing from start to finish.    - A quick and easy lid attachment and removal for an easier cleaning.    - A central bowl locking system for easy assembly.    - A new bowl handle design for a better grip.    - An extremely powerful induction motor designed to withstand intensive use, thus ensuring a high level of reliability and a longer lifetime. These new cutters ensure a perfect result for small or large quantities, available in 8 liters (R8), 10 liters (R10), 15 liters (R15) and 20 liters (R20). Other blades are available as an option, such as the coarse-serrated blade for kneading or the fine-serrated blade for grinding or chopping. The new cutters are also supplied with a “mini-bowl” (an exclusive patented ROBOT COUPE feature). It can be used to prepare sauces, chopped condiments and carry out all types of last-minute preparations. All models of the new range are pre-equipped to have vacuum kit (in option). This system allows liquids to be added while processing. Moreover, it ensures to obtain better results by giving: longer shelf life, retention of flavors, fresh presentation without additives. Those innovations are targeting pastry chefs, delicatessens, caterers, restaurants and institutions. ROBOT COUPE can realize free demonstrations on request. Like last year, ROBOT COUPE will also exhibit its J80 Ultra automatic juicer. The patented automatic feed system allows the continuous throughput of fruit and vegetables for juicing, without the need of a pusher. About ROBOT COUPE: The French company ROBOT COUPE created the ROBOT COUPE food processor more than 40 years ago. ROBOT COUPE manufactures food preparation equipment and offers a wide range of machines adapted to each professional need (restaurants, institutions, delicatessens, caterers...). For more information: http://www.robot-coupe.com/en-exp  

Two new ranges of products to be unveiled during the Gulfood trade show by the French company ROLLER GRILL. New Tapas displays This new refrigerated counter displays is meant for the presentation and the storage of cold starters and fresh products at the right homogeneous temperature (+1°C/+5°C) on GN containers. A specific system has been developed for a homogeneous spread of the cold on the whole surface of the container. The temperature is regulated by an electronic thermostat. This display is available with 6 or 8 containers. New wall wooden salad’ bars Wall wooden salad ‘bars with mirror enable to propose dishes in self-service and a perfect presentation at the right temperature of cold or hot starters, shellfish, meat, ready-made dishes, vegetable, desserts and so on. Four models are currently available:    - SBM 40 F (+2°/+10°C): wall refrigerated model for cold meals.    - SBM 40 C (+20°/+90°C): wall warming/bain-marie model to keep warm ready-made dishes.    - SBM 40 M: wall combined model with 2 separated compartments: for cold meals (+2/+10°C) and for hot dishes (+20°/+90°C)    - SBM 40 N: wall neutral model for a wide presentation of products stored at the ambient temperature. About ROLLER GRILL: European leader for cooking and refrigerating equipment for snack, convenience stores, fast food and traditional catering, ROLLER GRILL has a distribution network over 100 countries. ROLLER GRILL offers a wide range of made in France products: toasters, multifunction ovens, fryers, bain-maries, ventilated heated and refrigerated displays, contact-grills, griddle plates, crepe machines, waffle irons, salamanders, kebab grills, rotisseries, etc. For more information: www.roller-grill.com