Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) will stage the 1st Food & Hospitality Expo 2009 (The Gulf’s International Food and Hospitality Exhibition). This event will be held under the patronage of H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Kingdom of Bahrain. The show is scheduled to run from the January 13 - 15, 2009 at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre (BIEC). Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) functions under the chairmanship of H.E. Dr. Hassan Abdulla Fakhro, the Minister of Industry & Commerce.

An unprecedented trade exhibition in the region, Food&Hospitality Expo 2009 is dedicated to the food, beverage, and packing technology industries, bringing together retailers and exporters of food stuff and hospitality equipment.

Bahrain was selected as the setting for Food&Hospitality Expo 2009 due to its proximity to the northern Gulf states of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, said Ms. Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, acting chief executive of Bahrain Exhibition&Convention Authority (BECA). “In addition, many of the top international players such as Coca-Cola, Del Monte, Kraft, and Nestle have set up licensing agreements with local manufacturers to produce their brand.”

Studies confirm that from US$1 billion in 1995, the food processing sector in the GCC states has grown to become a nearly US$7 billion market with annual investment per factory rising from US$5 million to over US$9 million. Food & Hospitality Expo 2009 will have exhibitors from Thailand, India, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, UK and other countries in Europe, UAE, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The sponsor of Food&Hospitality Expo 2009 is Coca Cola, supported by Ministry of Industry&Commerce and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce. Gulf Air is the official carrier.

According to Ms. Stanford-Kristiansen, “This is a very important step forward for Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) in realizing its objectives of increasing its portfolio of international events that would enhance Bahrain’s reputation as the gateway to the lucrative markets of the northern Gulf region."