‘Open Food Platform’ launched at Gulfood 2018

Dubai Exports – the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) – together with the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Business Group (FBMG) and Gulfood, announced the launch of an ‘Open Food Platform’ at Gulfood 2018.

The first-of-its-kind smart platform launched in the presence of Mariam Almheiri, The UAE Minister of State for Future Food Security, is set to integrate food value chain players in the public and private sectors to deliver value to all stakeholders, including the end-consumer.

The Open Food Platform has already brought 650 companies and investors in the foods sector – in addition to at least 4,000 traders directly or indirectly associated with the industry – together with government entities and regulators to share data and transact business across a smart application and website.

Resulting from more than 18 months of research, studies and development, the Open Food Platform seeks to make Dubai, which currently imports 99% of its food, the food hub of the region and the world. This will be achieved by using smart technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and Blockchain, to optimise and increase efficiencies throughout the food supply chain, preventing the loss of food, value and energy.

Commenting on the Open Food Platform, Dubai Exports CEO, Saeed Al Awadi says, “We are pleased to be partners with the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Business Group in launching the Open Food Platform. It’s a qualitative leap that will enhance competitiveness in the food sector, and boost exports by providing an overview of the global trends as well as the diversity of markets and demand.”

“Dubai Exports will serve as a link between exporters and the food trade. The Open Food Platform provides an innovative template to build partnerships and launch initiatives that will improve efficiencies and deliver added value by consolidating public and private sector efforts. It’s a good example of harnessing latest technology to meet future demand,” he adds.

“FBMG is committed to driving development and improvement in our industry, as an ally for the government and with the best interests of our country and community in mind. The Open Food Platform combines insight and innovation to align with the vision of the leadership to drive growth by implementing the latest technologies, and to ensure both sustainability and security for Dubai’s food value chain,” states Saleh Abdullah Lootah, chairman of FBMG.

“Through the Open Food Platform, we will foster collaboration within the ecosystem, creating synergies that will unlock efficient processes to add value throughout the chain. With the alignment of the public and private sectors through this platform, we will create a seamless system that applies digitalised solutions to safeguard the needs of tomorrow’s community,” Lootah concludes.