Women are taking actionable steps towards improving efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of global food value chain, says Dina Al Mahdy The Women of Egypt Network (WoEgypt) partnered with Informa Markets, a global event and exhibition organizer, to hold "Fi Africa" and "ProPak MENA" conferences which took place from 28 to 30 May at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre (EIEC). This year witnessed the official launch of the regional versions of the company's successful global trade shows. They joined forces to bring experts, managers, business owners, and entrepreneurs together to empower, educate, and share insights, best practices, and latest trends and resources, and serve the F&B manufacturing community. With over 30 sessions, Fi Africa & ProPak MENA 2023 brought together 9000+ industry decision-makers, and 300 of the most innovative global ingredients suppliers from Egypt, India, Jordan, KSA, Yemen, Nigeria, UAE, Sudan, and Kenya; to meet with food scientists, R&D, procurement, marketing, general management, quality assurance, and distributors from Africa and Egypt. The conference provided a unique opportunity for attendees to learn, engage with peers and network with the industry leaders in the region. The conference's programme included insights on latest trends and challenges facing the industry today. The topics covered in the sessions ranged from Innovative ingredients and healthy ingredients; Getting to know the plant based ingredients industry with PBFIA; African markets overview and Africa's current role worldwide; Investment opportunities in Egypt in F&B; and food safety and reducing food waste. In addition, the conference hosted a Women Networking Brunch with various panel discussions. The brunch featured a selection of the industry's leading voices, showcasing the female food professionals who are making change in the field of F&B and preparing our planet for the future. The presentations and panel discussions focused on building a sustainable food system by giving food professionals practical advice about how to build and manage successful diversity and inclusion strategies. It also highlighted the women who are trailblazing the future of the food industry. "With diversity, equality and inclusion as its core value, this year's event put empowering women in the fields of F&B, packaging and water management at the forefront. In addition, it explored ways in which women are transforming the food system to safeguard the future of our planet and our people. The world is ever-changing, and the global food system is facing new challenges every day, from the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, to supply chain issues fuelled by the Ukraine war, to the looming climate crisis. These challenges require new and innovative solutions, forcing food system stakeholders to look beyond profit and encourage purpose driven action. From farm to fork, women are leading the way, by taking actionable steps towards improving the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of the global food value chain," said Dina Al Mahdy, the Chief Operating Officer for WoEgypt. Informa Markets and Women of Egypt Network invited journalists, bloggers, and media representatives to attend FI Africa and cover the event. Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate, and grow. Through more than 450 international B2B brands, IM provides opportunities to engage, experience, and do business via live and virtual experiences, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions.
