The co-located SIGEP Asia 2026 and Restaurant Asia 2026 trade exhibitions officially opened today at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre.
Running from July 15 to 17, the three-day B2B platform brings together government officials, regional trade associations, and global industry players to drive commercial exchange, digital transformation, and cross-border collaboration across Asia.
The official opening ceremony was graced by guest-of-honour Low Yen Ling, senior minister of state for the Ministry of Trade and Industry, alongside top diplomats and heads of major regional industry associations.
A major highlight of the opening day was the launch of the F&B AI and Digital Integration Programme. Designed to help businesses mitigate rising operational costs and severe manpower constraints, the initiative allows F&B operators to access targeted advisory support to implement practical AI-enabled solutions.
Furthering this tech-forward angle, the RAS Leadership Symposium 2026: The Intelligent Restaurant brought together tech leaders from Oddle, StaffAny, and Grain. Moving past abstract tech theories, the symposium provided hands-on workshops to help operators build functional AI agents for real-world restaurant operations.
The expansive exhibition floor features highly specialised B2B sourcing zones and international pavilions, including dedicated showcases from Italy, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Key specialised zones include the Technology Innovation Pavilion, showcasing robotics and integrated e-commerce systems; the Hotpot @ Halal Zone Pavilion, targeting one of Asia’s fastest-growing dining segments; and the Food Tech & Pack Asia Pavilion, highlighting advancements in packaging efficiency and supply chain resilience.
The event also serves as a high-stakes arena for international talent, hosting the prestigious Gelato World Cup – Asia Selection (where reigning world champion Singapore defends its title), inaugural Bakery World Cup Asia Selection, and Singapore National Coffee Championships.
Through structured B2B matching initiatives like the Xcelerate Programme, the event facilitates direct procurement pipelines between international suppliers and high-value buying delegations, including the Airline Catering Association, and Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association.
