H.E Abdulah Bin Abdel Aziz, Under Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, UAE, today (Tuesday, December 06, 2005), inaugurated the Middle East Natural and Organic Products Expo 2005, being held at the Grand Hyatt Convention Center, Dubai from December 6-8, 2005. The exhibition, organised by Global Links, has attracted over 300 exhibitors from 50 countries who are showcasing a wide range of organic and natural products.
The third edition of the Middle East Natural and Organic Products Expo will serve as an ideal platform for manufacturers, producers and distributors of a variety of natural and organic products, including cosmetics, organic food, aromatherapy, yoga, naturopathy, food and beverage, natural juices, dairy products, music, herbal remedies, energy substitutes, fabrics and clothing, and health & nutritional products.
“The significant number of exhibitors at the Middle East Natural and Organic Products Expo is a reflection of the success achieved by the UAE Government in promoting organic agriculture. The UAE's emergence as a leading regional distribution hub is set to provide a major boost for the growth of the organic product market. The UAE has the advantage of world-class infrastructure facilities, excellent connectivity and an enabling business climate,” said H.E Abdulah Bin Abdel Aziz.
“The response this year has been overwhelming. With over 300 exhibitors from all over the world participating in the event, the Middle East Natural and Organic Products Expo is set to reach new heights and further consolidate its position as the region's leading show on natural and organic products,” said Girish Dabrai, Managing Director, Global Links.
“The exhibition has witnessed a steady growth over the years, both in terms of exhibitor and visitor participation. Since its inception, the show has achieved a 100 per cent overall growth, emphasizing the importance of such exhibitions in the Middle East,” added Dabrai.
The UAE pavilion will feature several leading companies including Gulf Organics, the first and only distributor of certified organic food products in the Gulf region. The company will be certified as an organic certified distributor by Ecocert, a reputed international certifying body, during the exhibition. In addition, Gulf organics has also been working closely with the UAE Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, as expert consultants, to assist the Ministry in its endeavor to support organic farming, production and trade within the UAE.
Commenting on the potential for natural and organic products the Middle East region, Dabrai said, “The increasing numbers of organic food product lines being developed by major food manufacturers, and the growth in organic non-food products such as fabrics & clothing in the Middle East are factors that prove the immense potential of the organic market in the region.”
Running alongside the Middle East Natural and Organic Products Expo 2005 will be a series of conferences and seminars focusing on the industries supporting natural and organic products, globally and in the Middle East. Joe Smillie, Senior Vice President, Organic Trade Association (OTA), Katherine Dimatteo, Executive Director, OTA, and Neil Sorensen, Communications & Events Manager, International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), along with other industry experts will speak on topics such as organic agriculture, organic trade in the Middle East, organic medicines, marketing and the retailing aspects of organic products and natural treatment and healing.
The three day exhibition will attract over 9000 visitors comprising buyers, importers, distributors and wholesalers from all over the Middle East, the Pan Arab region, the Indian sub continent, the Levant region, North Africa and CIS countries.
The exhibition is open from 11 am to 8 pm from December 6-8, 2005, with free visitor registration for the exhibition and conferences, on all three days of the event.
