iba 2009 in Dusseldorf: Germany rolls up its sleeves

Bangkok / TH. (tnb) The German Bakers´ Association and German Bakers´ Confederation expect iba 2009, the international trade fair for bakers and confectioners in Dusseldorf (DE), to attract nearly 1’000 exhibitors from around the world despite the recession. Peter Becker, chairman of the German Bakers´ Association (Zentralverband), said in Bangkok the number of exhibitors expected would be similar to that of iba 2006 held in Munich (DE). So far, 920 exhibitors have booked roughly 71’000 square metres of space for the event, which will be held between October 03 to 09 in Dusseldorf.

The German Bakers´ Association and German Bakers´ Confederation jointly hold the iba event every three years. The last bakers and confectioners trade fair attracted 980 exhibitors from 45 countries. The exhibitors were not only bakers and confectioners but also oven manufacturers, ingredients and raw-material producers. «I´m confident that people involved in the bakery industry worldwide will attend this trade fair as in the past, despite their economies being in the doldrums. I can assure you of this because the bakery sector does not suffer in a recession like other industries. People have said that this year might not be as good as in previous years but the sector´s performance is still good compared with other industries», he said to journalists in Bangkok.

Yingsak Jonglertjesdawong, managing director of Thai and International Food Academy, said the most important benefit Thais who were in the bakery business, would gain from iba 2009 was information on the bakery production process and new ideas for innovative bakery and confectionery products. He also urged the government to encourage people to attend the fair in order to help develop the industry.