Middle East Virtual Trade Mission

TSBE's SQ Export Hub in partnership with The Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre, trading as FIAL, is inviting Queensland food and beverage suppliers to attend an exclusive online business matching event.

This exciting event, in collaboration with Austrade, is a unique opportunity to meet one-to-one, online, with UAE buyers within various channels - from major supermarket chains, retailers, distributors and importers - to name a few.

As part of this event, FIAL will work closely with TSBE to streamline supplier product samples as a consolidated airfreight option, to be delivered to UAE buyers once you have completed your virtual meetings.

About the Market Opportunity

The UAE is home to a growing middle class with strong discretionary incomes. These consumers are driving a rising demand for imported health and wellness products.

The region’s dependence on imports and open trade policy represents an enormous opportunity for Australian food and beverage exporters. Opportunities exist predominantly in the high-value processed food sector, as well as health and wellness products. 

Exporters benefit from Australia’s premium reputation for being a source of high-quality, safe, clean, and green food and beverage products. Due to its strategic location, the UAE is also a major re-exporting hub, serving as a gateway for Australian exporters into the wider Middle East region. 

The UAE's food and beverage consumption rose 10 per cent in 2020 compared with the previous years, according to AC Nielsen. Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2021-2025) of 13.18%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$486m by 2025.

For more insights into the Gulf market opportunity, visit the Market Insights and Information portal.

Event Details

Queensland food exporters will have the opportunity to attend a one-to-one videoconference, in a private and secured virtual meeting room, with qualified buyers interested in their products. These buyers represent major supermarket chains, convenience stores, e-commerce platforms, distributors, food service, importers and more.

FIAL and the Queensland Government are committed to supporting the continued ability of businesses to maintain market connectivity. The Virtual Meet the Buyer initiative overcomes travel restrictions, facilitating these vital connections between exporters and key international markets. 

Registration

You must be an export-ready company and registered on FIAL’s Australian Food & Beverage Catalogue (AFBC) platform to be eligible to participate in this event and future Virtual Meet the Buyer events hosted by FIAL.

Existing suppliers already registered on the platform, would have received a reactivation email. Any questions e-mail [email protected]

For new businesses set up your profile here. Supplier registrations close 13 January 2022. 

Please note your products must have market access to the UAE, should you wish to register for the event (must be Halal approved / Gulf region export-ready - meeting market access and customs regulations) otherwise your registration is deemed to be invalid, otherwise your registration is deemed to be invalid. Simply click the EOI button on the right-hand side under EVENTS on the AFBC website and your EOI will be registered.

Successful applicants will receive a link to join a private and secure virtual meeting room.

A flat registration fee of $199 (ex GST) will be charged only if a meeting is secured with at least one buyer. Fee covers all samples of up to 2kg maximum per buyer.  Exporters will need to supply a Health Certificate at their own cost. 

Special Conditions

• Suppliers must be export-ready with a profile on Australian Food & Beverage Catalogue (AFBC)
• Meetings are set at the buyers request. Suppliers are not guaranteed a meeting.
• Suppliers must be available to accept meetings at the times scheduled by FIAL. Changing the time of a meeting may incur an administration fee.
• Cancellation must be communicated to FIAL in writing no less than 48 hours prior to the event. Cancellations made within the 48-hour period prior to the event will incur a $45 fee.
• FIAL reserves the right to change the agenda, speakers and one-on-one meeting schedule. FIAL reserves the right to cancel or change the date of the event.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.fial.com.au/building-capability/vmtb-queensland-uae