SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Ten Emirati enterprises backed by Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development were granted the opportunity to showcase their products at Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest food and beverage sourcing event.
Gulfood 2026, which took place in Dubai from January 26 to 30, gathered global food and beverage leaders, serving as a platform where innovations are showcased and trade partnerships are forged as part of a broader push to advance food systems and security.
Khalifa Fund said its participation in the event signalled a shift from providing foundational business support to fostering the global competitiveness of Emirati micro, small, and medium enterprises (mSMEs).
By moving beyond traditional financial aid to offer specialised training, capacity-building initiatives, and advisory services, the Fund positions itself as a core pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Economy.
This strategic approach, it noted, ensures that local ventures “are no longer just domestic players but are actively driving economic diversification and sustainable growth on an international scale”.
“By showcasing their products in such a prestigious platform, Emirati ventures gain direct access to global markets, enhance their export capabilities, and build strategic partnerships with international buyers and investors, effectively bridging the gap between local production and global demand,” Khalifa Fund added.
The 10 homegrown enterprises that made it to Gulfood were selected based on their ability to transform ambitious visions into tangible commercial success stories.
Among them was Blend Herbs and Spices, a family-owned business that offers a premium range of 100% natural herbs and spices.
“Participating in Gulfood 2026 with Khalifa Fund’s support elevates our brand (Blend Herbs and Spices) onto the global stage, opening doors to international markets and partnerships. Their support has been a key catalyst in accelerating our growth and scaling our Made-in-UAE business with confidence,” said participant Ahmed Al Ameri.
Al Ameri noted that international platforms like these drive measurable impact that supports job creation, strengthens local supply chains, and contributes directly to the UAE’s economic diversification agenda.
Rashed Al Mulla Al Falasi of Frio Beverages, another KFED-supported venture, described the opportunity as a major milestone for the company.
“It is more than just an exhibition platform; it's a global declaration that Emirati innovation in the food sector has reached maturity and leadership,” Al Falasi told Aletihad.
Through Gulffood, the company was able to bring its Freeo Cola — claimed as the region’s first healthy cola — to the global market. Alfalasi said that KFED’s support is “a key catalyst for accelerating expansion plans and attracting the attention of international and local partners”.
Rashid Gargash of Rashtions Sweets Trading also acknowledged the Fund’s support, noting that it allowed the company to pursue opportunities that might otherwise have been out of reach.
“It allowed me to participate in major events such as Gulfood and gave me the opportunity to present my products to regional and international distributors by securing a place in an exhibition that would otherwise be fully booked and inaccessible to many SMEs,” Gargash said.
“International platforms allow us to generate sales, which enables business growth, job creation, and local spending,” he added, noting that export revenues are reinvested locally through hiring, marketing, and sourcing raw materials such as dates and milk, directly contributing to the national economy.