Perishable goods expo to be held on Sept.26-28

Dubai Municipality on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Planetfair Dubai to organise and host the third International Perishables Expo Middle East at Dubai Airport Expo during September 26-28 2011.

Eng. Abdulla Mohammed Rafia, Assistant Director General for General Support Services Sector, signed the MoU on behalf of the Municipality, while Planetfair was represented by its Managing Director, Ingo Klöver. Khalifa Hareb, Director of Assets Management Department and other senior officials of the Municipality were also present on the occasion.

The event, where fruits and vegetables products from around the world will be exhibited, will be known as World of Perishables (WoP). The exhibition will attract international, regional and local companies and institutions to exhibit and promote their products. Dubai Municipality will also host a conference alongside the exhibition.

Rafia said the event has been witnessing positive growth as the participation is expected to be 30 per cent more than the previous years.

"Dubai is in a good position not only geographically, but trade and other areas as it provides good services in various fields, and is also enriched with government support," he said.

Klöver said WoP is the only dedicated trade show for perishable products in the Middle East, which has been lacking an adequate forum for those involved in the field of perishable products trade.

"The event will help increase production of fruits and vegetables and reduce post production losses," he said.

Klöver said the event is expected to be participated by 150 exhibitors from 20 nations, which include 10 national pavilions, in addition to 2,500 industry experts as visitors.

The MoU stated that Planetfair is keen to actively participate in events that would highlight the global status of Dubai as a trading hub and support all efforts that contribute to promote this role.

Given the important role played by Dubai Municipality through the ownership and management of Dubai Central Fruits and Vegetables Market, it will patron this event and due to the importance of the market as a centre for the distribution, import and export of fruits and vegetables this exhibition will become the meeting place of the leading global companies in this area.

Both parties shall endeavour, through the signing of the MoU, to implement an action plan, define and promote benefits and trade opportunities available in Dubai on a large scale, in particular in the Vegetable Market, strengthen import and export of fruits and vegetables, encourage and support local initiatives, build relationships and partnerships and bring the best experiences and practices in global trade for the vegetables and fruits products.

The exhibition will be held under the patronage of the Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Chairman of Dubai Municipality Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, who will also officially open it.

The Planetfair will promote WoP Dubai 2011 to all tenants of Dubai Central Fruits and Vegetables Market. Dubai Municipality, which may have a stand in the exhibition, will ensure wide participation from regional and global organizations and companies involved in the field of production of fruits and vegetables.

The Municipality, which will also involve in a local and international media campaign, will organize a conference alongside the exhibition with the participation of a range of international and regional bodies and a selected group of industry experts dealing with the development of marketing and distribution system, efficiency of the facilities used in trading fruits and vegetables in Dubai.