Dubai Flower Centre participates at IPM Essen 2007 in Germany

Trade visitors from 90 countries along with floriculture industry professionals also had evinced keen interest in learning more about the Dubai facility that has steadily gained ground globally within a short span of time since beginning operations.

Mr. Ibrahim Ahli, Marketing Director, DFC, said: 'We see Germany and Europe as key markets for floriculture products as could be gauged from the trends. Thus the DFC participation was imperative in a global event such as this. Consequently, our participation resulted in greater interest among the international businesses about DFC and its possible advantages.'

According to the ZMP, the German Federal Statistical Office, the total amount spent on flowers and plants at the retail level in Germany during 2005 amounted to US$11.31 billion. That works out to a per-head consumption of around US$137.25, approximately US$2.60 more than in 2004.

Moreover, Germany was also the world's largest importer of cut flowers in 2005 with imports standing at US$1.43 billion, according to ZMP estimates, which stated that the Netherlands supplied almost 85 per cent of the total.

Reflecting the global-level importance of a market such as Germany, IPM Essen 2007 had 1,400 exhibitors from 42 countries.

'The unparalleled advantages at the DFC such as the business-friendly free-zone environment, a supply chain intelligence that offers state-of-the-art computerized tracking system and a closed loop supply chain system that ensures the right temperature from aircraft to the climate-controlled zone enhanced the interest of operators from Germany and other European countries,'

pointed out Mr. Ahli.

During his presentation to the international businesses Mr. Ahli listed the geographical and logistical advantages of using the DFC.