WAM Shanghai, May 8th, 2012 (WAM) -- A high-level delegation of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) led by its Director General Rashid Mohamed Al Shariqi is participating at SIAL China 2012 which begins tomorrow in the city of Shanghai.

Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA , said "This participation is instrumental to promote the UAE's dates to other international markets. The event that gathers some of the leading international food companies and experts, will give us the opportunity to network with them and introduce the luxurious UAE-grown dates and their unique nutritional benefits." "The UAE is supporting the agriculture drive with focus on promoting the cultivation of palm trees. Such a drive had been initiated by His Highness the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Father of the UAE, before more than half a century, and had seen making great strides under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, which resulted in doubling the size of land allocated to date palm cultivation whilst encouraging date-related food products.

"Dates are now an important source of income, as the UAE is the regional leader in date production. There is however a greater room for expansion in this aspect, given the role played by dates as nutritious and healthy food source as well as a symbol of culture, history and heritage of the local community, highlighting how dates and camel milks were the main source of food for Emirati tribes for a long time", Al Reyaysa stressed.

ADFCA Pavilion will host some of UAE's largest date production companies such as Al Foah, Liwa Dates, Emirates Dates and Royal Dates Company. Besides, ADFCA will distribute a number of brochures and booklets on dates to visitors, giving them background information on this fruit and its huge benefits.

Al Foah Company is the largest company producing dates in the world. The Company was founded and based in Al Ain in 2005; to develop the production of palm dates in the UAE. Al Foah is also a member of the General Company Holding, which owns the largest organic farms for dates in the world. It relies on the latest agricultural methods for cultivation and production of palm dates, and applies organic farming systems, in accordance with international standards to help maintain the integrity of the environment and the health of the community.

Emirates Delight Dates Factory is considered to be one of the leading date factories in the world with products distributed locally, regionally and globally. The factory collects the finest dates from countries of origin around the world and produces them by the most modern means of production and according to the highest standards of local and global quality. The factory also supplies a rate of (10%) of its products to local markets and an amount of (90%) to the regional markets and the Arab world. Emirates Delight Dates Factory is characterized by UAE as the only date factory that deals with all kinds of dates in various global brands and their products.

Royal Dates Company was established on 2003, with a local management for a national product which is a mixture of tradition and modernity. Given the extensive experience of the founders of the company's in this area and their ability to fulfill the requirements of the market and its customers, the company has launched special packages that reflect the customers' tastes and will provide them with luxurious and distinctive packaging. The UAE produces the best quality of dates through excellent taste and distinguished brands to be made available for wholesale and retail through outlets located within the UAE SIAL Food Exhibition is the largest of its kind in China, with its activities being run through six different halls spreading over an area that exceeds 70,000 square meters. SIAL China will see the participation of more than 1,800 exhibitors and a total of 40,000 visitors are expected to visit this year's event.

WAM/HH/AM