Arab News, Dubai

A riot of colors and fragrances from the land of the rising sun was revealed at the 14th edition of the International Plant Expo Middle East (IPM) in Dubai last week.

A delegation from the Japan Flowers and Plants Exports Association attended for the first time and was a major attraction of IPM Dubai, the region’s leading horticultural event.

This year, almost 45 exhibitors from 15 countries showcased their products at the event.

The Japanese delegation was represented by Kenichi Saito, who is senior adviser to the association.

“This is the very first time we have come to Dubai market and we intend to export flowers and green products all over the world,” Saito told Arab News Japan.

Part of the association’s repertoire was Japanese flowers and garden trees targeted to the Middle East. Saito said that despite the distance between the two regions, it was not difficult to import flowers.

“All you need is a good business partner,” he said, adding that he had made progress talking to prospective partners.

“There is a lot of interest in our products and we are happy we came for this event,” Saito said.

Japanese flowers come in a diverse range of seasonal colors and varieties. “Flowers available now in November will be very different from the flowers that come during spring,” Saito said.

And while every season in Japan brings its own set of flowers, they also come in different shades in different parts of the country. “The flowers from Japan are especially useful in weddings and party use,” he said.

On the price-point for Japanese flowers, Saito was candid. “Frankly speaking, it would be high but depends on the quantity ordered. The greater the volume of the order, from a shipping point of view, the lesser the price will be,” he said.

“We are proudly welcoming Japan Flowers and Plants Export Association from Japan for the first time in Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) to showcase flower live demonstrations,” a statement released by the event organizers said.