Dubai seafood market soars to AED735 million in 2006

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The Middle East’s first exhibition dedicated to the seafood industry, ‘Dubai International Seafood Expo 2007’ is slated to run from October 29-31, 2007, according to Orange Fairs & Events, organizers of the show. The groundbreaking exhibition will provide a powerful platform for regional and international companies aiming to tap into Dubai’s burgeoning seafood market, which soared to AED 735 million in 2006. During the three-day show, trade visitors can keep abreast of the latest seafood products from across the globe as well as developments in technology, equipment and services geared for the industry.

Close to 70 international exhibitors from 14 countries including 6 local companies will highlight seafood products, technology and services as well as furnishings, fittings, cold storage systems, packaging and equipment designed for the industry. The fair will provide the best opportunity to local and international manufacturers, traders, importers and exporters for sourcing global supplies of seafood and derived products, technology and equipment as well as establishing key networks that will enable them to penetrate Dubai’s multi-million dollar seafood industry.

“Until now, there has been no dedicated exhibition and sourcing event for manufacturers and traders in Dubai’s seafood industry, which has ballooned to AED 735 million last year and is expected to continue its momentum with the continuing economic boom. The huge demand in seafood and seafood products has consequently created tremendous prospects for manufacturers and suppliers of related technology, equipment and services across the world.  Realizing these potentials and the lack of a definitive platform, we decided to launch Dubai International Seafood Expo 2007,” said Raees Ahmed, Director, Orange Fairs & Events.

“The Dubai International Seafood Expo 2007 is the first-of-its-kind exhibition in the region that provides a venue for companies involved in the buying and selling of seafood and processed products, technology, equipment and services to meet and explore business with their regional and international counterparts. Participants to the show can benefit from various sourcing prospects and share product knowledge, manufacturing techniques, technological and service knowledge,” added Ahmed.

In 2006, the value of Dubai’s seafood market soared to AED 735 million, as seafood imports reached 55,050 tons or a total value of AED 547 million whilst exports reached 10,489 tons with a total market value of AED 187 million. The burgeoning hospitality and food service industries are major consumers, and demand is expected to surge on account of the expected increase in the number of hotels across the region. Dubai’s highly developed air and sea freight services also make it a strategic location for re-processing and re-export of seafood products across the region.

“Dubai’s burgeoning economy and a population with high disposable income have made it a viable target for countries producing seafood and related products. The booming hospitality and food service industries as well as a growing expatriate population are significant markets for the seafood industry. Dubai further serves as a primary gateway to other markets in the Middle East with its strategic location and state-of-the-art air and sea transportation, and thus, presents opportunities to investors aiming to penetrate the booming regional market,” added Ahmed.

Testament to the emergence of the Dubai Seafood Expo 2007 as a much-needed platform, the show has attracted exhibitors from the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UK, Italy, China, India, Pakistan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Maldives, Philippines and Myanmar. The endorsement of public ministries and industry bodies, including the Consulate of Canada in Dubai, Department of Fisheries-Malaysia, Ministry of Fisheries-Maldives, Taiwan Frozen Seafood Industry Association, Asia Pacific Fisheries Trade Organization-Korea, Myanmar Fisheries Association and COOL Srl -Italy, further underscores the event’s significance to the industry.

With the comprehensive feature of seafood products, technology and services, footfall is expected to reach 4,000-5,000 key representatives coming from various sectors including food service, hospitality, retail, research, education, government, transportation, logistics, import/export, packaging and aquaculture services.

Orange Fairs is a leading Dubai-based organization providing events related services especially in the Middle East market. The company promotes over 100 exhibitions annually in Africa, CIS, Middle East and Eastern Europe, covering industries ranging from general trade exhibitions, electrical and electronics, manufacturing, health, automobiles, gold & jewelry, metalworking, oil and gas, telecommunications, IT, printing & packaging, food & hotel, building & construction among others