KUWAIT: The Information Ministry’s Undersecretary Faisal Al-Mutalaqem, Leaders Group’s General Manager Nabila Al-Anjari and other officials inaugurate the Horeca Kuwait 2016 exhibition. —Photos by Joseph Shagra KUWAIT: The Information Ministry’s Undersecretary Faisal Al-Mutalaqem, Leaders Group’s General Manager Nabila Al-Anjari and other officials inaugurate the Horeca Kuwait 2016 exhibition. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

KUWAIT: Kuwait will raise the raise the standard of the tourism sector, which can provide around 30,000 job opportunities over the next 10 years, with an annual investment capacity of over KD 700 million, according to a senior official. The Information Ministry's Undersecretary for External Media Affairs and Acting Undersecretary for Tourism Faisal Al-Mutalaqem was speaking to reporters during the opening of Horeca Kuwait 2016, a two-day food, beverage and hospitality exhibition at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel.

Dubbed as one of the biggest annual hospitality expos, Horeca Kuwait has attracted several international brands from various countries around the world to display their products and services. The expo also hosts various side events such as a live cooking demo, fruit and vegetable carving, culinary expo, sushi, burger, ice carving, wedding and decorative competitions among others.

Pivotal role

Mutalaqem said the tourism sector will assume a pivotal role in the diversification of resources and in the reduction of the likely state budget deficit in the event of a persistent drop in oil prices. He underlined the ministry will be assuming its role in this endeavor, focusing its efforts on raising the standards of and transforming the tourism industry into a dynamic source of national income.

This strategy carries a rather large responsibility, he said, as promoting the country as a tourist destination requires huge commitment to tourism and development projects in the country and opening more job opportunities for the youth, amid public and private sector coordination, he said. Citing Kuwait's successful participation in the global sociocultural Milan Expo 2015, the official urged the need for "specialized" exhibitions, which he said support development plans, reinvigorate trade and offer a dynamic role in encouraging youth to engage in businesses through support of SMEs.

Expected at the expo are culinary stars from various countries including Karlheinz Haase, Andre Shellenberg, Christelle Brua, Tareq Ibrahim, Luccien Veillet, Yousef Akiki, Lorenzo Cogo, Shaman Hilal and Yasser Jad. The event is organized by Leaders Group Company for Consulting and Development in collaboration with the Hospitality Services Company.

By Ben Garcia