Garden and Landscaping Middle East exhibition to open on Sunday

The exhibition which runs from May 17 to 19, 2009 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center is a must-attend event for all specialist retailers, distributors, outdoor designers, architects, contractors and consultants involved in the garden and landscaping industry.

"This year the exhibition has attracted 100 exhibitors from 20 countries making the event truly international, offering visitors from the Gulf, Middle East and Africa regions a glimpse of the latest trends in garden and landscaping and a chance to network with all the players in the industry,"

said Ms. Elisabeth Brehl, Managing Director of Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, organizer of the event.

She added that by 2010, forecasts for Dubai alone suggest that the number of new houses currently being built will require over5m square meters of lawns to be laid and the spend on garden furniture will be nearly Dhs121m ($33m). Garden and Landscaping Middle East will run concurrently with Hardware and Tools Middle East.

In the next five years it is estimated that Dhs60.5bn ($16.5bn) will be spent on landscaping in the Middle East. In Dubai alone, where the number of houses that are being built, require over 5m square meters of lawns to be laid and the amount to be spent on garden furniture would be nearly Dhs121m ($33m), the research has revealed.

The show has received official recognition with His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, the UAE Minister of Environment and Water giving Patronage to Garden and Landscaping Middle East. The exhibition is also being supported by the Dubai Municipality and Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Dr. Fahad will also inaugurate the exhibition, and address exhibitors and visitors on the opening day.

H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmad said, "By accepting to be a Patron of this exhibition, I wish to encourage cooperation between the government and private sector in helping to conserve the environment, by bringing the latest technologies in this part of the world."

He added, "The Garden and Landscaping Middle East exhibition boosts the government efforts in protecting the environment since gardens serve as a favorite place for individuals and families. Gardens increase greenness and play a leading role in reducing side effects of climate change. This exhibition along with several other large scale developments that are progressing, mark the UAE's leadership in advancing its beautification drive. In presence of an economic downturn, it becomes even more necessary to build a clean and beautiful environment for all residents of the UAE."

Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH in a move to further enhance the credi-bility and reach of Garden and Landscaping Middle East, has signed a collaboration agreement with IBERFLORA trade fair in Europe by which both trade fairs will promote each other in their respective markets. The goal is for the two fairs to gain a share in such strategic markets as Europe and the Middle East.