Dubai: The UAE's annual imports of food hit $3 billion last year and are growing 10 per cent annually, according to a report. According to the latest report of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, estimated global expenditures on imported foodstuffs reached a historic high of $374 billion in 2006, over 2 per cent more than the level of 2005. "Dubai plays a key role in the distribution of food in the region, with over 70 per cent of total UAE food imports re-exported to more than 160 countries including the Gulf, the Indian subcontinent, North and East Africa, and, increasingly, the Central Asian Republics," it said. "Within the GCC, Saudi Arabia remains the largest market for food imports, representing approximately 60 per cent of the food market. "Some countries are reliant on imports to meet their food needs, which - given the rising population - is creating markets with major potential. Kuwait, for example, imports 100 per cent of its food, and food imports made up 30 per cent all Egypt's imports last year." The region's food services industry event, Gulfood 2007, will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from February 19-22. źródło: Gulfnews