Ammon News - AMMONNEWS– The 22nd Annual International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM) Mideast & Africa District Conference and Expo kicked off on Monday at the Dead Sea shores.

In remarks at the opening ceremony, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Maha Ali said that grain sector and milling industry have a very vital role in completing the production cycle and are an essential component of any country’s food security.

She added that the challenges witnessed over the past few years; in terms of global financial crisis, sharp increase in oil prices, climate change and the rising prices of basic food commodities, led all governments to put in place food security policies to ensure food availability and affordability to its people.

Ali also highlighted the importance of the conference in exchanging views and being exposed to latest milling technologies around the world, inviting the participants to explore trade and investment opportunities in Jordan which enjoys a strategic geographic location, stability and security with a growing economy despite the current regional instability and global crisis.

President of the U.S Wheat Associates Alan Tracy said that the global wheat demand in 2010 reached an estimated 666 million tonnes, noting that if the demand rate were to remain constant, global wheat consumption would surpass 880 million tonnes by 2050.

He added that international trade will play an essential role in meeting this increase in consumption, as the market analysis shows that the rate of world wheat trade will likely grow much faster than overall consumption.

The two-day conference, which brings together 600 experts from 45 countries, will discuss latest developments of willing industry and grain sector, Food Security Strategy and some technical and administrative aspects of the industry.


*Petra