Indian businesses looking to expand internationally have an important opportunity: connecting with overseas buyers, understanding international market requirements and presenting Indian products on a global platform.
The recently held Gulfood Manufacturing 2026 in Dubai offered one such opportunity. The exhibition brought together food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, packaging companies, technology providers and businesses from across the world.
For Indian exporters and manufacturers, the event also highlighted a broader question: are businesses making full use of the export-promotion support and government initiatives available to help them enter international markets?
The answer requires more than simply attending an exhibition. Businesses need to understand export regulations, product standards, financial assistance schemes, international market demand and the commercial requirements of overseas buyers.
Gulfood Manufacturing 2026: A Global Platform for Indian Businesses
Gulfood Manufacturing 2026 was held from 3 to 5 November 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE.
The 12th edition of the exhibition focused on the changing needs of the global food and beverage manufacturing industry. Its key areas included:
Food processing and manufacturing technologies
Ingredients and food solutions
Industrial packaging systems
Automation and manufacturing innovation
Private-label and contract manufacturing
Foodservice and hospitality equipment
The event was held alongside GulfHost, ISM Middle East and Private Label Middle East. Together, the four exhibitions featured approximately 2,500 exhibitors from 79 countries.
The scale of the event demonstrates why Dubai continues to attract international manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and investors.
India Pavilion: Showcasing Indian Manufacturing and Export Capabilities
India's participation was an important part of the exhibition.
The Consulate General of India in Dubai confirmed that the Indian Pavilion at Gulfood Manufacturing 2026 was inaugurated on 4 November by Consul General Dr. E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy.
The pavilion provided Indian businesses with an opportunity to present their products, manufacturing capabilities and commercial offerings to international visitors.
The video accompanying this article shows different Indian exhibition stalls, product displays, business representatives and international exhibition areas. The visible displays include food-related businesses, packaging and manufacturing solutions, and companies seeking international exposure.
For Indian businesses, such participation can create several commercial opportunities:
1. Connecting with international buyers
Exhibitions provide direct access to importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and potential business partners.
2. Understanding international demand
Businesses can observe changing consumer preferences, product categories, packaging expectations and emerging market trends.
3. Building international business relationships
Face-to-face discussions can help companies establish trust, discuss product requirements and explore potential supply arrangements.
4. Exploring manufacturing partnerships
Indian manufacturers can connect with technology providers, packaging companies, ingredient suppliers and contract manufacturers.
5. Increasing brand visibility
An international exhibition can help Indian companies introduce their brands to buyers who may not otherwise discover them through domestic marketing channels.
However, participation does not automatically guarantee export orders. Businesses must follow up with buyers, provide samples, meet quality requirements and negotiate commercially viable contracts.
Government Support for Indian Exporters: What Businesses Should Know
The central message of the video is that Indian businesses should not overlook government initiatives that support international trade.
India has several export-promotion institutions and schemes. Their purpose is to improve export infrastructure, product quality, market access and international competitiveness.
One important development is APEDA's Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana for the 2026–27 to 2030–31 period.
1. APEDA and Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, promotes exports of agricultural and processed food products.
Its new Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana covers three broad areas:
Export Infrastructure Development
This component supports eligible infrastructure required for agricultural exports, including:
Integrated pack houses
Cold-chain and refrigerated transportation facilities
Pre-cooling and storage facilities
Processing infrastructure
Pre-shipment treatment facilities
Infrastructure required to meet importing-country standards
Quality Development
International buyers expect products to meet specific food safety, quality and certification requirements.
The scheme supports eligible activities involving:
Food safety and quality management systems
International standards and certification
Laboratory and testing infrastructure
Product traceability
Packaging improvements
Quality and technology development
Market Development
This component is particularly relevant to companies seeking international buyers.
It covers activities such as:
International trade fairs and exhibitions
Trade delegations
Buyer-seller meetings
Reverse buyer-seller meetings
Market intelligence and feasibility studies
Trial shipments
Overseas brand and intellectual-property registration
Certain international retail-chain listing expenses
The scheme's guidelines provide for assistance under specified activities, subject to eligibility, financial ceilings, documentation and approval requirements.
For example, certain eligible quality certifications can receive assistance of up to 50% of the cost, subject to a ceiling of ₹5 lakh per certification.
The scheme also provides for support for certain trial shipments and feasibility studies, subject to their respective conditions and limits.
Importantly, the participation-in-fairs component is implemented by APEDA. Companies should not assume that every business is automatically entitled to reimbursement of travel, accommodation or exhibition expenses.
2. RoDTEP: Understanding Export Duty Remission
The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme is another important initiative for eligible Indian exporters.
Its objective is to refund certain embedded central, state and local duties, taxes and levies that are not otherwise reimbursed.
The government extended the scheme up to 31 December 2026 through its notification dated 30 September 2026.
The scheme covers eligible exports from Domestic Tariff Area units, Advance Authorisation holders, Special Economic Zone units and Export Oriented Units, subject to applicable conditions.
Businesses should check the relevant product classification, applicable rates and value caps before including any expected benefit in their export pricing.
RoDTEP is not a universal flat-rate subsidy. The applicable benefit depends on the product and the notified conditions.
3. India–UAE CEPA: An Important Trade Opportunity
The India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has strengthened the commercial relationship between the two countries.
For Indian exporters, the agreement can create opportunities through improved market access and preferential tariff treatment for qualifying products.
However, businesses must understand the agreement's rules of origin and product-specific requirements.
Before exporting to the UAE, companies should verify:
The correct HS classification of their products
Applicable customs duty and preferential tariff treatment
Rules of origin
Required certificates and declarations
UAE import regulations
Product-specific labelling and compliance requirements
A product's eligibility for preferential treatment should never be assumed without checking the applicable tariff schedule and origin rules.
Why Dubai Is an Important Market for Indian Manufacturers
Dubai is strategically positioned as a commercial and logistics centre connecting businesses across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and other international markets.
For Indian manufacturers, it can provide access to several types of commercial opportunities.
Food and agricultural products: Indian suppliers can explore opportunities in grains, spices, processed foods, ingredients and other agricultural products.
Private-label manufacturing: Manufacturers may find opportunities to supply products under the brands of overseas retailers and distributors.
Packaging and processing: Companies offering machinery, packaging materials and processing solutions can connect with manufacturers seeking better production systems.
Distribution partnerships: Indian businesses can explore relationships with UAE-based distributors and importers who already serve regional markets.
Technology and innovation: Exhibitions provide exposure to automation, production efficiency, traceability and modern manufacturing solutions.
Nevertheless, Dubai should be treated as a potential business gateway rather than a guaranteed route to success. Companies need to assess demand, competition, logistics costs and local regulations before committing resources.
What Indian Businesses Should Prepare Before Entering International Markets
Attending a global exhibition is useful, but export readiness begins much earlier.
Businesses planning to enter the UAE or other international markets should prepare the following:
1. Export Registration and Documentation
Depending on the product and applicable regulations, businesses may require an Importer Exporter Code (IEC), relevant registrations, certificates and product-specific documentation.
Agricultural and processed-food exporters should check whether APEDA registration and other commodity-specific requirements apply.
2. Product Quality and Certification
International buyers may require food safety systems, laboratory testing, traceability and other quality certifications.
Companies should identify the destination country's requirements before sending commercial consignments.
3. Packaging and Labelling
Packaging must be suitable for transportation, storage and the destination market.
Businesses should also verify the applicable labelling rules, language requirements, ingredient declarations, shelf-life information and other mandatory details.
4. Pricing and Logistics
Export pricing should include production costs, packaging, freight, insurance, customs-related expenses, distributor margins and currency-related considerations.
A business may receive an attractive order but still face financial difficulties if these costs are not calculated correctly.
5. Buyer Verification and Payment Terms
Before accepting large orders, exporters should conduct appropriate checks on prospective buyers and understand payment arrangements, credit exposure and contractual responsibilities.
6. Financial and Regulatory Planning
International business expansion may involve foreign-exchange considerations, taxation, cross-border payments, contractual obligations and financial reporting.
A structured approach to strategic advisory can help businesses assess these commercial and financial considerations before entering new markets.
The Opportunity for Indian MSMEs and Emerging Exporters
International exhibitions are not relevant only to large corporations.
Small and medium-sized businesses, emerging manufacturers, food-processing companies and eligible startups can also explore global opportunities.
However, smaller businesses often face challenges such as:
Limited knowledge of overseas markets
Difficulty identifying genuine international buyers
High costs of product certification
Limited export infrastructure
Lack of experience with international contracts
Uncertainty around customs and documentation
Challenges in arranging reliable logistics and payment systems
Government export-promotion initiatives can help eligible businesses address some of these challenges.
APEDA's new scheme, for example, includes specific provisions for eligible agri-food startups, infrastructure and quality improvements, and international market development.
The important step is to identify the correct scheme and understand its eligibility requirements rather than relying on general claims about government support.
A Practical Roadmap for Businesses Planning to Export
Businesses interested in international expansion can follow a structured approach:
Identify products that have realistic demand in the target country.
Research competitors, prices and potential buyers.
Check export registration and product-specific compliance requirements.
Assess packaging, certification and quality standards.
Identify applicable government export-support schemes.
Check eligibility and obtain any required approval before incurring expenditure.
Participate in relevant trade fairs and buyer-seller meetings.
Verify buyers and negotiate clear commercial terms.
Conduct trial shipments where appropriate.
Review the financial and regulatory impact before scaling operations.
This approach can help companies reduce avoidable risks and make more informed international business decisions.
Conclusion: Turning International Exposure into Sustainable Business Growth
Gulfood Manufacturing 2026 demonstrated the importance of international platforms for manufacturers, exporters and businesses operating across the food and beverage value chain.
The Indian Pavilion offered participating companies an opportunity to showcase their capabilities and connect with an international business audience.
But the larger lesson extends beyond one exhibition.
Indian businesses need to understand the government support available to eligible exporters, improve product quality, meet international standards and develop a clear strategy for entering overseas markets.
Initiatives such as Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana, RoDTEP and the India–UAE CEPA can form part of that broader export strategy when their conditions are properly understood.
Global expansion is not achieved simply by attending an exhibition. It requires preparation, compliance, financial planning, reliable business relationships and consistent execution.
For Indian businesses looking to grow beyond domestic markets, the next step is to turn international exposure into sustainable commercial opportunities.
Watch the Video and Follow Shunyatax Global
Watch the original video: Gulfood Manufacturing 2026 – Indian Businesses and Global Export Opportunities
Follow Shunyatax Global on Instagram for professional videos and updates covering taxation, finance, international business, global trade and economic developments.