GCC spending on horticultural machinery and outdoor living equipment is set to grow at 11 per cent through 2011 largely driven by construction projects which are already underway, according to industry experts.

Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, organiser of Garden+Landscaping Middle East, added that the UAE is growing in stature as the leading re-export hub in the region for garden and landscaping products.

The only dedicated trade event for the garden, landscaping and outdoor living industries in the region, Garden+Landscaping Middle East is a prime networking location for manufacturers, suppliers, developers, consumers, architects and landscaping designers to name a few, stated Ahmed Pauwels, chief executive officer of Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH.

“Dubai has been the trade hub for the region for a long time, and with its modern transhipment and logistics facilities it has emerged as the location of choice for manufacturers and suppliers to target the markets of the region,” he said.

“While most of the market for garden and landscaping products is generally import-driven, there is a large export and re-export segment, especially for plants, swimming pools, outdoor furniture, horticultural appliances and fertilisers,” Pauwels stated. “The export market out of the UAE for these products is expected to grow at around 8 per cent according to market figures. In fact, the average spend in the GCC on garden and landscaping projects was expected to grow at 11 per cent annually from 2008 to 2011,” he added.

As per the latest figures available, total exports of non-fertiliser items including plants, swimming pools and horticultural appliances were worth around Dh48 million ($13 million) in 2009. The major re-export markets were Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Germany and Sudan among others.

Garden+Landscaping Middle East 2010 will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from October 31 to November 2.

On display at the exhibition will be products ranging from garden machinery, tools, furniture, water features, pond accessories and fertilisers, right through to swimming pools, landscaping tools, architectural landscaping and irrigation systems.-TradeArabia News Service