NEWPORT’S own Clarks, the syrup company, is joining other Welsh producers to attend one of the world’s largest food and drink events in Paris next week.

Salon International de l’Agroalimentaire (SIAL) 2014 will have more than 6,000 exhibitors from 105 countries and is seen as a key platform for the food and drink sector to promote their produce to buyers from all over the world.

A significant contingent of 17 Welsh companies, including Clarks, will be present on the Welsh Government’s Food and Drink Wales pavilions, all looking to develop links and do business with overseas buyers.

As one of the producers looking to make a sweet impression at SIAL, managing director of Clarks UK Bob Clark has high hopes that their new product will take the retail world by storm.

He said: “At SIAL we will be unveiling our new chocolate dessert, which is quite innovative in that it does not need to be chilled.

“This potentially opens up a completely new market and one that will hopefully put us in Wales on the world food map.

“Without the support of the Welsh Government facilitating our presence at events such as SIAL, it would be very difficult to develop a practical relationship with European and world wide buyers �— it certainly opens up the export market.

“I just hope we can meet the demand for our new chocolate pots.”