MALAYSIAN EXHIBITORS IN DUBAI PERISHABLES TRADE SHOW

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is among 18 countries that will take
part in the World of Perishables (WOP) Dubai, touted as the Middle East's only
dedicated trade fair for fruits and vegetables, next month.

According to the organisers, the March 8-10 show will feature 85 exhibitors
and seven country pavilions put up by China, Mexico, Tanzania, Egypt, Jordan,
Kenya and Malaysia.

The WOP will run in parallel with the International Plant Expo Middle East,
featuring international exhibitors from the fields of flowers, plants,
technology, floristry, sales promotion, plant maintenance and logistics.

Both shows are organised by Planetfair Dubai LLC and Messe Essen GmbH in
cooperation with Dubai Municipality and Dubai Central Fruit and Vegetable
Market.

Abdulla Mohammed Rafia, assistant director-general of Dubai Municipality
for general support services sector, said the growing influence of both shows
would support Dubai's important role as a hub for the two business sectors.

He cited latest market research reports showing that Dubai had seen an
increase in the import of fruits and vegetables by 40 per cent since 2007 to
reach more than US$1 billion in value.

"This has been supported by the large overall expatriate population in the
region who like to eat food and products from their home countries," he said.

Planetfair project manager Mona El Dada said the shows are capitalising on
the resilience of the perishables and horticultural business, exemplified by
the sustained demand for fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers.

In 2009, the Dubai Central Fruit and Vegetable Market in Al Aweer received
a total of 38,838 fruit and vegetable delivery trucks, up 12 per cent from the
previous year's figure.

Topping the country's list for both imports and re-exports (per produce
weight) was India at 314,316 tonnes and 157,257 tonnes respectively.

Dubai has also been an important re-export hub for the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) countries, with statistics from the same period showing total
re-exports to the Gulf states at 226,273 tonnes.

Saudi Arabia was the GCC country with the highest tonnage of exports to
Dubai, the figure translating to 307 trucks being received into Al Aweer market
from the kingdom.

Both trade shows will take place at the Dubai Airport Expo.
-- BERNAMA