The Middle East’s first exhibition dedicated to the seafood industry, the Dubai International Seafood Expo 2007, promises to be a powerful platform for regional and international companies aiming to tap into Dubai’s burgeoning seafood market, according to the event’s organisers.

The Dubai International Seafood Expo 2007, staged by Orange Fairs & Events, is slated to run from October 29-31, 2007. Dubai’s seafood market, which soared to Dh735 million ($200.1 million) in 2006, is proving attractive to processors and suppliers who would want a piece of the action.
During the show trade visitors can keep abreast of the latest seafood products from across the globe as well as developments in technology, equipment and services geared for the industry.
Close to 70 international exhibitors from 14 countries including six local companies will highlight seafood products, technology and services as well as furnishings, fittings, cold storage systems, packaging and equipment designed for the industry. Raees Ahmed, director, Orange Fairs & Events, said: “Until now, there has been no dedicated exhibition and sourcing event for manufacturers and traders in Dubai’s seafood industry, which ballooned to Dh735 million last year.
“The huge demand in seafood and seafood products has consequently created tremendous prospects for manufacturers and suppliers of related technology, equipment and services across the world.  Realising these potentials and the lack of a definitive platform, we decided to launch Dubai International Seafood Expo 2007.”
Ahmed said the Dubai International Seafood Expo 2007 was the first-of-its-kind exhibition in the region as it provided a venue for companies involved in the buying and selling of seafood and processed products, technology, equipment and services to meet and explore business with their regional and international counterparts. Participants to the show could benefit from various sourcing prospects and share product knowledge, manufacturing techniques, technological and service knowledge.
In 2006 seafood imports reached 55,050 tonnes or a total value of Dh547 million whilst exports reached 10,489 tonnes with a total market value of Dh187 million. The hospitality and food service industries are major consumers, and demand is expected to surge on account of the expected increase in the number of hotels across the region. Dubai’s highly developed air and sea freight services also make it a strategic location for re-processing and re-export of seafood products across the region.
“Dubai further serves as a primary gateway to other markets in the Middle East with its strategic location and state-of-the-art air and sea transportation, and thus, presents opportunities to investors aiming to penetrate the booming regional market,” added Ahmed.
The show has attracted exhibitors from the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UK, Italy, China, India, Pakistan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Maldives, Philippines and Myanmar. Endorsement has come from public ministries and industry bodies including the Consulate of Canada in Dubai, the Department of Fisheries-Malaysia, the Ministry of Fisheries-Maldives, the Taiwan Frozen Seafood Industry Association, the Asia Pacific Fisheries Trade Organisation-Korea, the Myanmar Fisheries Association and COOL Srl of  Italy. Orange Fairs is a leading Dubai-based organisation providing events-related services especially in the Middle East market.