A record number of 33 British bakery, food and drinks companies is set to exhibit at a trade show in Dubai, which aims to take advantage of the 80,000 British people who are now living in the Gulf region, according to research conducted by Food from Britain (FFB).

Organised since 1987, the Gulfood show is the largest industry event of the year in the Middle East, Africa and Indian subcontinent region. The exhibition, which will run from 19-22 February, will bring together more than 2,000 companies in the industry from over 70 countries.

Bakery companies exhibiting at the show this year include Burton’s Foods, Fiddes Payne and Paterson Arran.

"The number of British companies that are willing to invest their time and money to take part in Gulfood 2007 demonstrates the strength of the export market in the region," said Sandra Sullivan, exhibitions director at FFB.

"With the rising numbers of expatriates and tourists choosing to live in and visit places such as the UAE - and Dubai in particular - British food and drink producers are increasingly seeing the sales opportunities on offer."

The British expatriate food and drink market in the Gulf region totalled more than £285 million in 2005, according to FFB.

Staff from FFB will be on hand at the show to provide export advice on each region and the FFB will also be hosting a Trade Development Visit for companies that are interested in learning more about what the Gulf region can offer them.