FOOD BUSINESS GULF & ME Jan-march 2018 | Page 45

WOP DUBAI REVIEW participants & 15 official country pavilions were participating in both the shows. WOP DUBAI 2017 cooperated with Fruitnet Forum Middle East on December 4, a day before the opening. The brand-new networking event organized by leading industry publication Eurofruit, a member of the publishing company Fruitnet Media International, brought together some of the region's leading industry players and discussed some of the concerns of the fresh produce trade in the Middle East. Jacopo Taconni, Marketing and Communication Manager, Fresh Fruits Company, commented: “Surely the quality of the visitors and decision makers attending every year is remarkable. Dubai is an important hub for fresh business and this show considered to be the gate to the Arab World. The trade fair presence has surpassed our expectations, which is why we have a positive outlook on further participations. I would like to thank to all WOP DUBAI team for the services JANUARY - MARCH 2018 43 that have been provided during the show.” “Barakat welcomed the opportunity to meet some of our existing suppliers from around the world and also the opportunity of meeting new suppliers looking to establish their products here in the UAE market,” stated Steve Rudge, VP Procurement of Barakat Group of Companies. The event also hosted various seminars during the three days for both IPM DUBAI and WOP DUBAI, particularly on cultivation technologies for horticulture such as 'Application of Humic Substances in Dry (Arid) Areas, Applications and Results' by Dr. Yasser Degham of Humintech, Germany and 'Control Options of Relevant Parameters for Optimal Plant Growth' by Herald Braungardt of Step Systems. The WOP and IPM 2018 Show will be held in autumn 2018. FOOD BUSINESS GULF & MIDDLE EAST