US $ 300 Million - Dubai Flower Center
All set to become a reality

Under the flagship of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai a spectacular International Flower Center will open in the autumn of 2004, making Dubai the most modern export and local flower transit and re-distribution hub in the Middle East. Built at an estimated cost of US $300 million, the DUBAI FLOWER CENTRE will be the only state-of-the-art facility that will exclusively cater to cut flowers in transit through the Middle East.

In an exclusive interview with 'Dubai in Bloom', H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Department of Civil Aviation; Dubai gives an insight into things to come.

How was the idea for the Dubai Flower Center conceived?

Aircrafts laden with flowers fly over Dubai to Holland and then come back here for redistribution, because there isn't any such facility to date in this region that serves as a storage hub for cut flowers in transit; this niche needed to be tapped.

Since the past 2 years we have been conducting a feasibility study of the flower trade business, studying cut flower movements, talking to growers' worldwide particularly Africa, and Indian sub continent. They have not only been supportive but also expressed a need for such a facility for them to use in this region. The ideal location of it in Dubai will set it apart. There is a need for such a center between the South that is Africa and the North being Europe and between the Far East and the USA. Thus it follows logically that we have a flower distribution center here.

What is going to be the biggest challenge that you will be facing?

A flower is a very delicate commodity by itself and its handling requires great expertise. In Dubai what we will also be faced with is mostly hot weather. Keeping the flowers cool in temperatures sometimes reaching 50 degrees will be our biggest challenge.

Wouldn't this create a doubt in the minds of exporters and how are you planning to overcome this challenge?

No, in fact we did run an exercise three months ago, with a shipment of flowers going through here and the shippers were extremely satisfied with the outcome, I would say 100% satisfied. The key is to provide an unbroken cool chain, by getting consignments off the tarmac into the flower center within a record time of 15 minutes using specialized handlers, precise temperature controlled vehicles and cool blankets to transfer the flowers safely.

What is the estimated cost of this venture and at what stage is the project now?

The total estimated cost of the entire project, which will be spread over 32,000 sq.m is US$ 300 million. We are right now at the stage of design finalization, and it is going to be built in three phases. Construction should start by early 2003 and the first two phases should be ready for operations in a year and a half.

Who would benefit from Dubai Flower Center?

Everyone involved in the floriculture and transportation industry of perishables. Buyers and sellers will look at the new market through Dubai, which will be much more feasible as Dubai is very easy for logistics. A number of airlines operate here who are willing and on the look out to do more business from here and the flower center will open up a whole new market for flower trade from Africa to the Middle East and Far East. For the growers, who are closer to his region it makes sense to transship their flower from here to save on costs as well as speed, considering the short time span of the life of a flower, Every day wasted in transit is one day less in someone's vase. Consequently, customers will also benefit as most of what one actually pays is for the airfreight cost and this will be reduced.

Do you think flower exporters will change their current routings and use Dubai after the Dubai Flower Center starts operations?

Cost saving, speed, expert handling, service reliability, direct flight connections, space availability and customer service will definitely encourage a number of growers from Africa, Indian Sub continent and the Fat East to come to the Dubai Flower Center. At the end of the day it will be what the market dictates. How long is the life of a flower maximum two weeks, and it is a waste if half of it is has to be spending in transit.

How would local growers in the UAE benefit?

The Dubai Flower Center will allow local cut flower growers in the region to look beyond local markets, to realize the enormous potential to supply cut flowers to other parts of the world. It will also encourage growers involved in traditional farming to shift to floriculture.

Will the presence of Dubai Flower Center be felt in the local market as well?

With the number of hotels on an increase in Dubai and the development of the Palm Island Project, there is no doubt that the demands of flowers will increase in the local market. The Dubai Flower Center will help get a lot of fresh new varieties down there on a regular basis.