Owing to its strategic location adjacent to Europe, Asia and Africa, the UAE has steadily emerged as a major hub for the flowers and plants trade. Dubai in particular has blossomed into a bustling trading hub for flowers, live trees, seedlings, roots and bulbs.

The emirate’s flowers and plants business is estimated at over AED 140 million and continues to amass a sizable chunk of a GCC flower market estimated to be worth around AED 970 million. Moreover, according to experts, the UAE’s plant and flower market is expected to achieve an annual growth of 20 per cent, driven by factors such as strong economic growth and the country’s resurgent real estate sector which is on track for a 15-20 per cent average annual growth over the next two years.

Flowers entering into Dubai mostly come from Africa, Asia and South America, while re-export destinations include GCC states, Russia, Asia-Pacific countries and Europe. The Dubai Flower Centre at the Dubai International Airport is currently considered the most modern logistics center for the Middle East’s flowers and plants industry.

Growth opportunities, industry trends, and the best technologies and practices surrounding the thriving flowers and plants trade of Dubai and the entire Arab World will be revealed during the 2013 International Plants Expo Middle East (IPM), the only international horticultural trade show in the Middle East.

Running from November 17 to 19, 2013 at Halls 3 and 4 of the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, the eighth edition of IPM will cover the entire chain for the horticultural industry, from greenhouse and nursery growers to landscape designers, architects and contractors. The show will be held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports.

More than 5,000 visitors and industry professionals from all over the world are expected to gather at the upcoming edition of IPM. Like the previous edition, this year too the highly-awaited event is expected to see exhibitors from Europe dominating the show, followed by exhibitors from Africa, Asia, GCC, the Middle East and The Americas.

“Flowers and plants have become big business here in Dubai and across the Middle East; sales were brisk even during the peak of the recession. The sector has also been a good fit to the sustainability focus of Dubai and the rest of the UAE.  With the entire region going through a steady recovery mode, we can expect even more opportunities to arise. IPM Dubai 2013 is a vital platform for gauging where the horticultural business stands, where it is headed, and what needs to be done to secure a bright, lucrative future for this trade,” said Tarek Sibai, project manager, planetfair.

IPM Dubai 2013 will feature displays and discussions on Plants, Technology, Floristry, Garden Features, Ornamental Gardening, Plants Maintenance, and Plants Logistics. It will be mobilized through close cooperation among Dubai Municipality, Dubai Airports Cargo & Logistics and Dubai Flower Centre.

The event is an offshoot of Germany’s IPM ESSEN, the world’s leading plant industry trade show.This year’s edition is being organized by leading German events and exhibitions organizers Planetfair and Messe Essen. More information on 2013 International Plants Expo Middle East is available at www.ipm-dubai.net.