Addis Ababa, Feb 18 (Prensa Latina) Ethiopia''s Minister of State for Industry and Commerce, Misganu Arega, said Monday that the African nation aims to increase its income through the increase and diversification of food and beverage exports.

Our productions are of high quality, have a lot of acceptance and exportable value, which we must take advantage to turn it into a pillar of the country's development targets, said Arega in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

This is an important platform to boost our potential and show the possibilities we have of placing competitive products on the international market, he said during the inauguration of the Ethiopian stand at Gulfood Dubai, the world's largest annual fair for the food and beverage industry.

During the exhibition, opened on Sunday and scheduled to conclude on February 21, the African nation will present coffee, meat products, flaxseed, honey and sesame, among other export goods.

Organizers expect around 5000 companies from more tha 170 countries to attend the 24th edition of the event, named The World of Food, while at least 90,000 people are expected to visit.