World of Perishables (WOP Dubai) and International Plant Expo Middle East (IPM Dubai), the Middle East’s largest trade shows for perishables and plants, opened today (September 26) at the Dubai Airport Expo.

The events were inaugurated by Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of the Dubai Municipality and are organised by planetfair Dubai and Messe Essen.

Running until September 28, the shows are a key platform for fresh produce and associated technologies and will host over 3,500 visitors this year, a 25 per cent increase compared to last year’s events.

“After successful years, WOP Dubai and IPM Dubai return in a bigger scale with more visitors and a faster growing industry. We thank Hussain Nasser Lootah and the Dubai Municipality for their continued support and look to continue to build our relationship to make this region a hub for the perishable and plants industries,” said Tarek Sibai, project manager, planetfair Dubai.

The importance of WOP Dubai is to highlight the steady growth of the fruit and vegetable industry in the region.

Its sister event, IPM Dubai held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of Dubai Airports, has consistently been regarded as the region’s largest plants and flowers trade fair and features international exhibitors for six years.

“These events attract industry professionals such as importers and exporters, producers, wholesalers and retailers who look for a variety of products and services involving fresh products, technical equipment, trade, logistics and maintenance,” Sibai said.

“WOP Dubai and IPM Dubai play an integral role in connecting these professionals and have strengthened the region as an important destination and worldwide trading centre for fruits and vegetables,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service