Under the Patronage of H

Under the Patronage of
H.H. SHEIKH NAHAYAN MABARAK AL NAHAYAN
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research,
Chancellor of the UAE University.

Date Palm Friends Society in collaboration with,
Khalifa International Date Palm Award,
UAE University, and
Date Palm Global Network

organizes

Third International Date Palm Exhibition

Al Ain, United Arab Emirates,(22 - 26 October, 2008)

Introduction

Date Palm was first established in the hot arid and semi arid regions, knowing that its origin are traced back to the Arabic Peninsula, where date cultivation is considered the skeleton of agriculture. Date palm adapts well to the harsh edapho-climatic conditions (temperature, drought and salinity).

According to the official statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the annual world date production had exceeded the six million tons in 2007. Date fruits are considered an ideal food source and contain several main nutrients such as sugar, amino acids, oligo elements and proteins. Calorie wise dates contain three times the energy provided by watermelon, four times of apples and seven times of oranges.

Under the leadership of His Highness, the President, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, there are continual efforts to increase agricultural productivity, to make better use of available resources, and to effect an agricultural leap changing the face of the UAE’s desert. Indeed, His Highness the President, attaches great importance to agricultural development in general, and to date palm in particular

Hence, the Date Palm Friends Society, in collaboration with Khalifa International Date Palm Award, UAE University, and Date Palm Global Network, did take the initiative to organize this Third International Date Palm Exhibition which has the following aims:

Exhibition Aims
1. Access the present situation of date cultivation and identify the best date varieties;
2. Identify the constraints facing date producers and processors and propose the appropriate solutions ;
3. Encourage the date production and marketing sectors, and identify their respective priorities;
4. Display dates by-products and tissue culture derived plants along with the appropriate technical practices.
5. Exchange of know-how and information between date growers, processors, in and outside UAE.
Exhibition Topics
1. Date varieties display;
2. Date by-products exhibit;
3. Date Palm Tissue Culture Exhibit;
4. Photos and artistic exhibit;
5. Accompanying Symposia;
6. Exhibition of date cultivation technologies;
7. Health and Nutritional benefits of dates;
8. Date Heritage display;
9. Scientific journals, books and bulletins;
10. Specialized Film shows;
11. Exhibition of date processing equipment.

Participants

- Date growers;
-  Experts in date palm cultivation;
-  Specialists in date processing and marketing;
-  Representatives and experts from various ministries of agriculture of date growing countries;
-  Representatives from scientific institutions and international organizations.

Scientific Symposia

During the three days of the exhibition, several scientific presentations will be organized in order to highlight the most important date palm technical practices with a focus on date production, protection, propagation, processing and marketing.

Date and Venue

The Third International Date Palm Exhibition will be held during 22 – 26 October, 2008 at the UAE University premises / Islamic Institute which is located at the heart of Al Ain City. Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports are about one hour and half from Al Ain.

Accommodation

Due to the high tourist season, there would be a limited availability of hotel rooms in Al Ain during the Exhibition. Hotels have suggested that reservations be made well in advance. Should you wish the Organizing Committee to make a hotel reservation for you, please return the completed enclosed Accommodation form on or before 30 September 2008 to:

                Date Palm Friends Society
             P.O.Box 81908 Al Ain, UAE
             Tel. No. +971 3 7832146
             Fax No. +971 3 7832153
             E-mail address: dpfa@uaeu.ac.ae

Entry Visas

Foreigner arriving to the United Arab Emirates will need an entry visa except for GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and KSA). In regard to the following countries, they can obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport (UK, France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Turkey, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Saint Marino). Others from countries not listed above will need an entry visa. The organizing committee will be happy to assist in this regard. A copy of the passport along with the flight details will be needed. Once visas are obtained they will be either faxed or e-mail to the requesting persons.

Transport

Transport from the airport and back will be ensured by the Organizing Committee. You only need to identify yourself upon arrival to the person holding your name and the logo of UAE University.

Further information can be requested from:

Prof. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Dr.                                            Eng. Mohamed Salmeen Al Alawi
President of the Organizing Committee                            Vice-President of the Organizing Committee
Mobile: 050 – 6633598                                                         Mobile: 050 – 9351110

Registration Form
Accommodation Form