Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan International Food, Drinks, Packaging and Food Technology Exhibition – World Food Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan International Agriculture Exhibition – AgroWorld Uzbekistan and International Packaging and Printing Exhibition - UPack Uzbekistan opened in Tashkent on 3 April 2012.

World Food Uzbekistan and AgroWorld Uzbekistan, the country’s only specialized food industry exhibitions, are this year joined by UPack Uzbekistan for the first time.

This combination brings together all the latest developments of the agricultural, food, and food processing industries, presented by over 180 exhibitors from 23 countries – a geographical spread which underlines the global interest in Uzbekistan’s market potential.

World Food Uzbekistan 2012 is a business platform for introducing new technology and filling the domestic market with quality, Uzbekistan-produced goods. Helped by 52 companies making their debut this year, exhibitor numbers have increased by 20% from 2011 to give 180 exhibitors from 19 countries such as Russia, China, Indonesia, and the USA: indeed, 72% of all exhibitors are from outside Uzbekistan. The exhibition is particularly relevant in light of plans for 33 investment projects, with a total value of $36.5 million, in food production and processing facilities by 2016.

The wide range of products and developments on offer at World Food Uzbekistan will be divided into the following sections:

• Equipment for the Food Industry, the biggest of the sections with 29% of all floor space, will feature strong representation from German and Turkish companies such as Kronen, Petkus, and Karsu, and the domestic companies Matimex Orient, Eurofood Trend, and Vininks, alongside many others
• The prestigious Russian company EFKO are among the regular exhibitors of the Ingredients section, appearing every year alongside Eurosnab Tashkent, Danata, and others. A Malaysian national stand will be a prominent feature this year, boasting names such as Hwa Tai Industries and SIlverpack
• Food Products, with an assortment of confectionery, dairy, meat, and desserts.

A standout feature of the event’s business programme is the 5th Master of Quality tasting competition, organised by Uzvinpromholding. The competition is famous among exhibitors and the general public alike, and the appearance, taste, and quality of 40 food products will assessed within it.

The packaging industry encompasses virtually all industry sectors, and to acknowledge this and its importance in marketing, the inaugural UPack Uzbekistan 2012 will be launched this year. Industry heavyweights are set to present their latest developments at the event, including Poleks Packaging, Zeta Teks, and SP Bow co.

In the seven years since its launch as an independent exhibition, AgroWorld Uzbekistan 2012 has become an event eagerly anticipated by the thousands of agricultural professionals who attend the event to absorb experience from global producers: 79% of this year’s exhibitors are from outside Uzbekistan. Floor space has increased by 35% from 2011, and 50 companies will exhibit this year from 13 countries such as Uzbekistan, South Korea, Germany, and Canada. Out of the 50 exhibitors, 38 are making their first appearance, including a Belarusian national stand featuring companies such as BATE, Gomselmash, Belcard, and the Minsk Tractor Factory.

The exhibition covers a number of important agricultural areas. Agricultural technology, an area vital for all sector professionals in a country so reliant on local farming (63% of all agricultural output), will be represented by big industry names such as Claas and their Uzbek representatives, Rostselmash, and Agromashholding Tashkent.

In terms of its business programme, AgroWorld Uzbekistan traditionally features a “Farmers’ Day” on the second day of the exhibition. This year’s Farmers’ Day took place on 4 April and supported by the Farmers Association of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

ITE Uzbekistan said that over 2,000 specialists paid visit to the exhibition in the first day of the event.