DUSHANBE, November 20 Asia-Plus - The specialized international exhibition of food industry formally titled “Interfood Tajikistan 2006” opened in Dushanbe today. 

International and CIS companies have an opportunity to get acquaint with the local producers and new, dynamically developing Tajik market.

The exhibition staged by ITE Group Plc (UK) and ITECA OSIYO (Tajikistan) runs through November 25.  Within three days the exhibition is expected to be attended by over 5,000 professional visitors from Central Asia, CIS and other foreign countries.

Tajikistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) said that Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Germany, India and Ukraine are participating in the exhibition.  Some 20 companies from these countries have put on display their achievements in the fair in Dushanbe.

According to the CCI source, Tajikistan is represented by two enterprises in the exhibition -- Khurokvori (food production) and Tojikmatlubot (consumers’ union).   “They may possibly conclude cooperation contracts with companies participating in the exhibition,” the source said. 

The main sections of the exhibition include: foodstuffs; alcoholic and soft drinks, tea and coffee; food ingredients, supplements, spices; frozen food and semi-prepared foods; food processing equipment; equipment for bars, restaurants, hotels and supermarkets; refrigerators and trading equipment; agricultural sector; tobacco section and packing and packaging equipment.

According to the source, Russia has accounted for 30 percent of products displayed in the exhibition, Kazakhstan for 23 percent and Turkey for 15 percent.

Official support is provided by the government and ministries of industry and agriculture of Tajikistan.  

ITE is one of the world’s leading organizers of specialized international exhibitions and conferences within the territory of CIS countries, Eastern Europe and Turkey.  Its portfolio includes such well-known trade shows in food sector as: WorldFood Moscow, InterFood St. Petersburg, WorldFood Ukraine, InterFood Azerbaijan, WorldFood Kazakhstan, AstanaFood, Ingredients Russia, etc.