AED3.8b deals inked at SIAL ’16

ABU DHABI — The seventh annual SIAL Middle East exhibition, the fastest growing event for the region’s food, drink and hospitality sectors, concluded Wednesday (Dec. 7) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) with a record number of visitors and deals worth billions of dirhams conclude. Major-General Staff Pilot Ishaq Al Balushi, Head of the Supply Department of the General Command of the Armed Forces, signed contracts worth AED763 million with the Army Officers Club, Abu Dhabi National Hotel Company Middle East, Al Wasita for Catering, Emirates Hospitality Centre, Kelvin catering services, Army Forces Coop Association and Foodco. Jennan Investments signed an MoU with the Sudanese Finance Ministry to establish the biggest date palm farm in the world, with a total of 221 million trees to be planted in Sudan over a 13 year period. Abu Dhabi Health Authority signed a contract with Etihad to introduce healthier, Weqaya-approved meal options to its staff restaurants. The Weqaya logo is the official mark of healthy eating in Abu Dhabi and is only permitted on foods and in food outlets that meet strict requirements on preparation and ingredients. — SG