Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 28 April, the 20th anniversary International Exhibition of Production Technologies, Food Products and Ingredients - UzFood began its work at the Uzexpocentre NEC in Tashkent, which became the first exhibition of Iteca Exhibitions, which opened the exhibition season after the pandemic.

Industry professionals met again for the first time in two years after a forced pause to re-establish business contacts and set guidelines for future cooperation.

UzFood is one of the first exhibitions of the food industry of independent Uzbekistan, which was first held in 2000. Over the years, the exhibition brand has gone the way of changing several names from InterFood Uzbekistan and WorldFood Uzbekistan to UzFood. Along with the name change, the exhibition content changed, which reacted to changes in the food industry market, which allowed the exhibition to confidently maintain its status as the leading industry platform. Since its inception, UzFood has attracted 1,537 companies from 51 countries to participate, if you add up the total area of the exposition for all the years of its holding, it will equal an area of more than 150,000 square meters.

During its development, the UzFood exhibition has established itself as an effective tool for promoting products and services in the food market of Uzbekistan, attracted capital for the implementation of investment projects, making a worthy contribution to the dynamics of the development of a strategically important sector of the economy. The exhibition has confidently taken its place in the business calendar of industry professionals and is an event that attracts foreign delegations from year to year. Among the countries that organized business visits led by top officials of the relevant government agencies: Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, the Republic of Belarus, India, the Russian Federation and Indonesia.

The authority and importance of the exhibition is also evidenced by the assessment of specialists, for whom UzFood is an indicator reflecting the latest trends, reforms and achievements of the industry as a whole. Today the food industry is one of the most important segments of the economy of Uzbekistan, whose share in GDP is 13%. Every year, the number of registered enterprises in this industry is growing, which indicates the dynamism of its development. Uzbekistan is one of the few countries that did not restrict food trade during the COVID-19 pandemic and the growth in production increased even compared to previous years. The positive dynamics of growth during the pandemic was affected by the decree of the head of state "On additional measures to ensure food security, rational use of available resources and state support for agriculture during the coronavirus pandemic." The adoption of this document led to an increase in the cultivation and processing of fruit and vegetable products and the rate of development of the industry.

At the moment, one of the main priorities of the Government of the Republic is attracting investment, creating optimal conditions for doing business and strengthening food security. Now the food industry ranks fourth in Uzbekistan in attracting foreign direct investment and the UzFood exhibition has contributed as a demonstration platform for achievements and opportunities for the industry.

For twenty years, the UzFood exhibition has become a driver of the food market for domestic and foreign producers. As the most prestigious event in the food industry in Uzbekistan, the UzFood exhibition is of particular importance this year. Its exposition will reflect the latest industry trends in modern realities, and the participants will be given the opportunity to solve their business problems in the most efficient way, thereby ensuring the best return on investment after lost time during the period of quarantine restrictions.

As part of the 20th anniversary exposition of UzFood, visitors will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the full cycle of the production chain - from raw materials to finished products, including processing, packaging, storage and labeling. Participants will demonstrate their latest developments and innovative products in the segments of bakery and confectionery equipment, refrigeration chambers, meat processing technologies and other equipment, as well as finished products - groceries, drinks, confectionery, dairy and meat products, dried fruits, coffee and tea.

Despite the difficulties caused by the pandemic, on its anniversary UzFood meets 122 companies from 21 countries of the world, including: Austria, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, India, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Belarus, Republic of Korea , Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, USA, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and France.

Three countries are represented this year - Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, whose producers will present fat and oil products, dried fruits, mixes and ingredients for bakeries.

Among foreign exhibitors, companies from Turkey will present a wide exposition, which includes 44 companies - leaders in a wide range of food equipment, including equipment for the production of confectionery products, frying seeds and dried fruits, dairy products, olive oil and packaging technologies. Among them are PORLANMAZ MAKINE, KROMEL, ÖZSTAR KURUYEMIŞ MAKINA, FORMA MAKINA, HIPERMAK MAKINA, MESSAN SOĞUTMA, UZERMAK MAKINA, FRUMAK, ALKE MACHINERY, CESELSAN, TURKOZ MAKINA and others.

As part of the manufacturers of the Russian Federation, 32 companies will demonstrate their current technologies and the latest products, such as - ECO HALAL, MIRATORG, KARAT - PROCESSED CHEESE FACTORY, TRADING HOUSE "SIBIRSKY", FACTORY OF HEALTHY PRODUCTS, MOSCOW COFFEE IN STUFF, ULMA EXPOMARKET EQUIPMENT, 7 AM, YALOGA NT and others.

Traditional collective stands will be presented by the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, including the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as the Moscow and Omsk regions, which will demonstrate a wide variety of food and drinks from manufacturers.

Also, from year to year, the ranks of domestic companies are replenishing, at the UzFood stands this year 15 representatives of Uzbekistan will present their products and services, including ANIS POLIGRAF, TIP-TOP, TAS SYNTEZ, ERMAK and others.

The key event of the business program will be the only specialized platform in Uzbekistan for meetings of food producers with buyers - the Retail Center, whose participants will be given a unique opportunity to meet food producers with retail chains. In the course of direct negotiations, food manufacturers will present their new products to buyers and discuss their delivery to the shelves of stores in the republic.

Every year, within the framework of the exhibition, a professional Competition-tasting of food products, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages "Master of Quality" is organized, which was successfully held on December 10, 2020, in preparation for the 20th anniversary International Exhibition "Food, Ingredients and Production Technologies - UzFood". The products of the companies-winners of the Tasting Competition will be presented to the attention of visitors at the "Master of Quality 2021" showcase on the territory of the UzFood 2021 exhibition.

The organizers, as a socially responsible company, have carefully prepared to ensure a safe environment for the health of participants and visitors. The UzFood exhibition will be held in strict accordance with all norms and requirements established by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Special Republican Commission on Combating Coronavirus, as well as standards developed by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI).