IPM Dubai is being organised by planetfair Dubai LLC and Messe Essen GmbH, Germany, under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai and Chairman of the Emirates Group.
Running from March 6-8 at Airport Expo Dubai, IPM DUBAI – the Middle East’s only event for the fast-growing horticulture industry – will feature more than 200 international exhibitors from 22 countries. Exhibition highlights are the national pavilions of Colombia, Egypt, Germany and South Africa. With a common goal to promote Dubai as the new hub for horticultural trade, the exhibition will have the support of Dubai Flower Centre (DFC).
Next to the DFC stand will be the DFC Tenant pavilion. The pavilion will cover 115 square meters showcasing products from DFC tenants such as Alissar Flowers, Andean Arabian Flowers, Arabian Flowers, Ceylinco Foliage, Global Flora Partners, Kampac Flora, Rioroses, Shirin Flowers and Van Bohemen Flowers.
“The DFC will provide a new dimension to IPM Dubai 2007 as the centre is nearing capacity for warehouse and office space. Companies from Africa, Asia and Latin America are keen to locate their operations to DFC due to its logistical and geographic advantages,” said Ibrahim Ahli, Marketing Director, DFC.
“Dubai Flower Centre has given a boost to the sector by establishing Dubai as a central trading platform for flowers and plants in the Middle East, Asia and the Indian subcontinent. We have seen a sharp rise in visitor pre-registrations from throughout the region for IPM Dubai,” added Michael Mueller, Managing Director, planetfair Dubai LLC (organisers of IPM).
As part of its long-term target to increase Dubai’s total green area from 3.7 per cent today to 8 per cent by 2020, Dubai Municipality has planned 56 landscaping projects for 2007.
The emirate’s total green area in 2006 is spread over 2,236.8 hectares (3.7 per cent of Dubai’s total urban area) and includes 67 public parks, beaches and community areas measuring 592.4 hectares.
Mohammed Hassan Al Fardan, Head of Promotion and Recreation Office Public Parks and Horticulture Department, Dubai Municipality, said: “Till date, all our green projects have used locally produced plants and flowers that are cultivated in department-owned greenhouses. However, with the sophistication of the sector and our ambitious plans, there is a need for more advanced technology, expert guidance and a greater variety of plant and flower species.”
“The Dubai Municipality has chosen to support IPM Dubai 2007 as it will serve as the perfect platform to meet industry leaders, review new products and adopt new technologies to help us in our upcoming ‘beautification’ projects,” he added.
The 56 projects planned for 2007 include five new public parks, seven community areas, 13 children’s play areas, 15 city ‘beautification’ drives and four new nurseries. Two new parks in Al Warqa 1 and 2 spanning 9.74 hectares and 8.43 hectares respectively are estimated to cost AED 47 million.
The fastest growing European markets for flowers and plants are Russia with an annual spend of 725 million euros, followed by Poland and Hungary spending 400 million euros and 240 million euros respectively.
Egon Galinnis, Managing Director, Messe Essen GmbH, organiser’s of the mother event in Essen, Germany, said: “Horticultural trade is big business globally and the figures are set to increase. In 2005, more than 8.7 billion euros were spent on flowers and plants in Germany alone making it the biggest market for horticultural trade. In the cut flower trade, roses are the most popular followed by chrysanthemums, carnations and lilies.”
IPM Dubai 2007 will have a display area of more than 6,000 square metres, and the exhibition aims to attract trade visitors from across the ‘green industry’ including plant producers, breeders, seed traders, landscape gardeners, retail centres and wholesalers, real estate developers, local government and the hospitality industry. Visitors are expected from the GCC, Levant, Kenya and South Africa.
The latest technology and techniques in landscaping, irrigation, plant protection and seed plantation will also be on display, along with floristry accessories and sales promotion items.
This year, IPM Dubai will feature seminars and demonstrations on the floricultural industry by the Trade Association of German Florists including presentations by top florist Manfred Hoffmann. Dubai Municipality will run seminars on the future development and requirements of parks and public green areas. The exhibition will also by supported by UAE Ministry of Environment and Water.
