‘Sea Food Expo 2009’, the Middle East’s only exhibition dedicated to the seafood industry, has achieved record sales and visitors, according to Orange Fairs & Events, organiser of the event.

The organiser revealed that the event witnessed active participation from leading international and regional exhibitors from the seafood industry, 90 per cent of whom has already confirmed their presence at the ‘Sea Food Expo 2010’ scheduled for October next year.

The organisers also announced the launch of ‘Sea Food Expo’ in the UK and Malaysia during the final day.

According to statistics released by the organiser, the event generated $2.8 million worth of sales prospects for exhibitors, One of the major deals signed at the exhibition was a $1 million partnership between The Deep Seafood Company from Dubai and Mehran Seafood from Pakistan. Furthermore, the UAE-based company revealed that its participation at the event has also generated prospects worth $300,000; while the leading seafood exporter from Pakistan is expecting the new partnership to drive its goals to reach its 10 per cent exports growth target for the Middle East in 2009.

In addition to individual companies, the event also saw participation by international delegations from leading seafood-exporting countries, including Vasep – a group comprised of 11 companies who are focused on driving Vietnam’s fisheries sector and the Department of Fisheries – Malaysia.

“The demand for quality seafood products in the Middle East has seen a substantial growth over the years, and our presence at the expo was part of our commitment to address this growing need. We have recorded close to $3.4 million in sales prospects during this year’s event, which underlines the excellent opportunities in tapping the seafood market in the region,” said a top-rank official from the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia.

Among other global umbrella organisations present were the Department of Fisheries of Thailand, China Aquatic Products Processing & Marketing Association – Cappma, Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters & Producers, Turkish Seafood Promotion Committee, the Canadian Sablefish Association, New Brunswick Department of Fisheries (Canada), Marine Export Promotion and Development Authority - Mepda (India), and the Ministry of Marine Affairs, Fisheries - Momaf(Republic of Indonesia) and Sri Lanka Export Development Board.

“‘Sea Food Expo 2009’ has recorded a stunning finish, given the excellent feedback we have been getting from the participating exhibitors, international delegations, and trade visitors,” concluded Nafees Ahmed, project manager, Orange Fairs & Events.-TradeArabia News Service