Strong official support for the 5th Middle East Natural and Organic Products Exhibition

More than 300 international exhibitors took part in last year's fourth Middle East Natural & Organic Products Expo at the Dubai World Trade Centre, but this year's event is expected to be almost 50 per cent bigger.

It will occupy two halls in DWTC covering 8,000 square metres of exhibition space compared to 5,000 square metres last year.

"The 5th MENOP is set to be the biggest event in the region dedicated specifically for natural and organic products," said Ashraf Sharaf, director of Global Links Dubai, the event organisers.

"Many new participants from different countries will be participating, and the event will be characterized by new categories that will include a special showcase on natural cosmetics, natural healing stones and natural spas and healing resorts."

The event is being held under the patronage of the UAE's Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW), and is also attracting support from many leading international organisations.

"Big names within the industry are providing us with their valuable support as they consider the Middle East Natural & Organic Products Exhibition as the ideal venue and meeting point for industry leaders in the region," said Sharaf.

"Organisations like Conex, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), Greentrade.net, Korea Health Supplement Association (KHSA), Organic-bio.com, Italian Village, OPR and others will be sponsoring this year's event which shows the scale of growth in the natural and organics products industry that the Middle East is witnessing."

The exhibition will bring together manufacturers, producers and distributors of natural and organic products including cosmetics, organic food, baby care, aromatherapy, yoga, naturopathy, food and beverage, natural juices, dairy products, music, herbal remedies, energy substitutes, fabrics and clothing, and furniture and gifts, all under one roof between December 16-18, 2007.

There will be national pavilions for Italy, Germany, France, USA, India, New Zealand, Australia, and Korea, with many new exhibitors from Lebanon, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Pakistan and Tahiti.

Demand is growing rapidly worldwide as governments promote organic agriculture, food consumption and trade - and consumers make their preferences clear for organic products. High value, low-tech organic agriculture is seen as a win-win situation for everyone involved in the supply chain - from farmer to retailer to consumer.

Thousands of visitors are expected from the UAE and all GCC countries, the wider Middle East, CIS states, the Indian sub-continent, and beyond.