Arab world takes the natural way to heart

The show has already grown by 100 per cent since it was first staged in 2003, with more than 300 exhibitors from 35 countries now occupying 5,000 square metres of floor space.

"Bookings for next year have now taken us to 8,000 square metres and we will need two exhibition halls," said Mohamed Khalifa Al Marar, chairman of show organisers Global Links.

"The seismic shift to natural and organic foodstuffs and medications, as well as products such as textiles, cosmetics, and cleansing agents is a worldwide phenomenon that is gaining strength virtually by the day."

Global Links managing director Nadim Al Fuqaha added: "Middle East consumers are always among the first to adopt global trends and this is very evident in the success of this year's expo and the projected growth for next year."

Exhibitors from as far afield as Finland, Australia, and Mexico showed a vast array of products at Middle East Natural & Organic Products 2006, in categories covering food and beverages, agriculture, beauty and health products, herbs and spices, dietary supplements, alternative/herbal medicines and treatments, Islamic products, natural spas and clinics, furniture and gifts, and clothing and fabrics.

Country pavilions from Italy, Germany, France, USA, India, New Zealand, GCC, Australia, and Korea were backed by the presence of international bodies such as the Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements and the Organic Trade Association.

The show was staged under the patronage of the UAE's Ministry of Health and supported by government bodies from India including the Trade & Investment Facilitation Corporation of the government of Madhya Pradesh, and Chemexcil, the national government's export promotion council for basic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

The UAE's Ministry of Water & Environment will join as a supporter of the 2007 event next December.

Close to 6,000 visitors attended from GCC countries and the wider Middle East, the Indian sub-continent, CIS states, the Far East, Europe, and North America.

Exhibitors reported an exceptionally positive response with many concluding substantial volumes of new business or opening entry to new markets.

The global demand for organic products is fast catching up with the estimated $160 billion status of natural products and the Middle East reflects this international trend.

"The Dubai expo has had many positive effects," said Neil Sorensen of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements.

"There was huge interest in our organisation and we had several important meetings with governmental institutes and market research companies from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. For IFOAM, this expo was highly effective."