Asian countries offer massive business potential for tenants at Dubai Flower Centre (DFC)

This fact emerged following the successful participation of DFC and its tenants at the Third International Flower Expo Tokyo (IFEX 2006) held from October 19 to 21, 2006, at Makuhari Messe, Japan. The event witnessed a record 619 exhibitors and 24,016 visitors from all around the world.

Mr. Ibrahim Ahli, Marketing Director, DFC, said:

'Many of our tenants are looking to supply the Japanese from Dubai, sourcing out of countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and hopefully South America. This is because our tenants had a first-hand experience of the market situation in Japan through participating in IFEX 2006.'

'DFC has been participating in IFEX from the show's first edition but this year we employed a different concept. The focus this year was to market our tenants. The DFC stand was actually a pavilion with tenants including Global Flora Partners, Swift Freight and Shirin Flowers, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Edelweiss Dubai based company,' added Mr. Ahli.

'Such participation in high-profile events like IFEX will throw up opportunities for our tenants who continuously seek fresh markets to expand their business scope. Japan is a fast growing import market and we are sure most of our tenants will be able to strike alliances following the business leads they obtained through participating at the IFEX 2006,' remarked Mr. Ahli.

During the show the UAE Ambassador to Japan HE Saeed Ali Al-Nowais visited the Dubai Pavilion and was impressed with the attractive stand that showcased Dubai's capabilities to visitors.

The DFC - a one-stop shop for local and international buyers, traders and exporters - offers several benefits including a closed loop supply chain system that ensures the right temperature from aircraft to the climate-controlled zone, a supply chain intelligence that offers state-of-the-art computerized tracking system, and a business-friendly free-zone environment.

'Facilitating the movement of goods from Dubai to other key destinations is the UAE's international airline Emirates, which runs passenger and cargo services to Osaka and Nagoya. This would be an added advantage to flower exporters who are based at DFC and would like to supply to Japanese market,' said Mr. Ahli.

Organised by Japan Floral Marketing Association and Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd., IFEX is recognized throughout the industry as an entrance to the enormous Japanese flower and garden market for international exhibitors and also to a network of other major international markets, particularly the high growth markets in Asia.

The number of Japanese local growers groups, which participated in the event increased from 3 to 13 prefectures and the Garden Zone tripled in size. Thus the DFC had chosen the right event to showcase the Japanese market to its tenants.

The event was also an opportunity to witness the various segments in the Japanese floriculture industry. World-renowned European flower designers and a Japanese Ikebana artist demonstrated at the flower arrangement shows during IFEX 2006.

During the three-day period a total of 21 Special Seminars were held exploring issues of particular interest to growers, retailers and other professionals from a wide range of industry sectors. The seminars covered issues including the latest industry trends and methods to increase sales.

For the participants who were with the DFC, the event proved worthwhile to learn key business facts about the Far East markets. 'More such participations are being planned for the benefit of the tenants at DFC,' pointed out Mr. Ahli.