Horticultural products, cut flowers and ornamental plants worth US$48 million, US$106 million and US$29 million respectively have been imported to the Middle East from European Union states, according to Michael Mueller, Managing Director, planetfair Dubai LLC – organisers of IPM DUBAI (International Plants Expo Middle East).
“The above figures emphasise the growing demand for horticultural products in the region. There is an urgent need for a common platform to introduce new products, facilitate easy trade, share expertise and bring industry professionals together,” added Mueller.
Owing to the success of its inaugural showcase last year, planetfair Dubai LLC and Messe Essen GmbH announced the second edition of IPM DUBAI in 2007, the leading international trade fair for the ‘green industry’ and the Middle East’s only event for the fast growing horticulture industry.
Taking place at the Airport Expo Dubai from March 6-8, IPM DUBAI 2007 will be double in size compared to last year’s showcase. Some 200 international exhibitors from 20 countries will showcase a wide variety of plants, including indoor and outdoor plants, cut flowers and vegetables.
Egon Galinnis, Managing Director, Messe Essen GmbH added: “We’ve seen growth of more than 100 per cent in terms of both exhibition space and number of exhibitors compared to the inaugural showcase in 2006. This is proof that the concept of the international event IPM ESSEN in Germany (with 1400 global exhibitors) is well accepted in the Middle East and addresses the market requirement of this booming segment.
Mueller added: “The Middle East is among the fastest developing markets for imported plants and flowers in the world. Linked to billion dollar development projects, landscaping activity and numerous public parks and gardens underway, the market is booming for both indoor and outdoor plants, flowers and related technology.”
IPM DUBAI will have a display area of more than 6,000 square meters, 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.
IPM Dubai is being organised by planetfair Dubai LLC and Messe Essen GmbH, Germany under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai & Chairman of the Emirates Group.
With a common goal to promote Dubai as the new hub for horticultural trade, the exhibition will also have support from the Dubai Flower Centre, the Department of Civil Aviation Authority, the Dubai Municipality and the Ministry of Environment and Water.
For registrations, please call on 04 3314570 or visit www.ipm-dubai.com.
