Dubai to the forefront of global trend to natural products

The show was inaugurated at the Dubai World Trade Centre today by HE Humaid Mohamed Al Qutami, the UAE's Minister of Health, who told exhibitors:

"The wide participation from so many different countries demonstrates the growing importance and popularity of natural products and alternative medicine around the world.

"Here in the UAE, the Ministry of Health is working to develop and encourage the use of natural and organic products as part of its commitment to providing healthy food and fostering a healthy lifestyle.

"The Ministry is very keen to develop this sector and we invite exhibitors to set up production facilities in the UAE to help us achieve our goals."

The rapidly-growing worldwide trend to a natural lifestyle is underlined by the scale of Middle East Natural & Organic Products 2006.

More than 300 exhibitors from 35 countries are occupying more than 5,000 square metres of floor space - up 100 per cent in the three years since the show was first staged.

The upsurge in numbers is indicative of the surging popularity of organic products, with national pavilions representing Italy, Germany, France, USA, India, New Zealand, GCC, Australia, and Korea.

They expected 10,000 visitors will see categories that include:

• Organic (food and beverages, agriculture, beauty and health products)
• Nature's vista (food and beverages, beauty and health, herbs and spices, dietary supplements)
• Alternative/herbal medicines and treatments
• Islamic products
• Natural spas and clinics
• Service providers
• Natural furniture and gifts
• Natural clothing and fabrics

The UAE Ministry of Health is a patron of the event along with the International Federation of Organic and Agricultural Movements. The show is also supported by the Organic Trade Association, ICEA, Chemexcil, and the Trade & Investment Facilitation department of the government of Madhya Pradesh in India.

"Natural and organic products have become one of the hottest international trends as consumers shy away from mass-manufacturing and artificial additives and governments respond to the environmental threats posed by intensive production," said Mohamed Khalifa Al Marar, chairman of show organisers Global Links.

In value terms, the organic products market is fast catching up with the estimated $160 billion global status of natural products.

As well as a vast range of organic foods, herbal medicines, and natural products,
Middle East Natural & Organic also presents daily conferences featuring 20 speakers from around the world, covering subjects ranging from "The effects of Korean ginseng" to "Global trade in organic products" and "The application of Japanese nanotechnology in health & beauty industries".

The show is open to trade visitors and the public daily between 10.00 am and 7.00 pm.