With construction growth in Saudi Arabia continuing unabated, particularly in relation to the ongoing creation of new infrastructure and public utilities, demand for garden and landscaping products is expected to rise. “The Saudi construction industry is estimated to be worth around SR104.63 billion ($27.9 billion) by the year 2013, with large infrastructure and public utility projects in the pipeline. We estimate that the garden and landscaping needs within this figure to be about 10 percent of the construction cost,” said Ahmed Pauwels, chief executive officer of Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, organizer of Garden+Landscaping Middle East. Mehtap Kenar, senior show manager, Garden+Landscaping Middle East, said: “The exhibition will showcase some of the emerging trends in the region, including the increasing use of organic fertilizers and herbicides, methods to reduce water use and eco-friendly landscaping techniques.” Garden+Landscaping Middle East is the region's trade event for the garden, landscaping and outdoor living industries and will be held this year at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. The event will bring together under one roof, leading manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, garden and landscaping professionals, developers and end users. It provides an opportunity to get a glimpse of the latest trends and developments in this sector the world over as well as specifically giving manufacturers and suppliers a unique insight into the particular needs and requirements of the Middle East region. Among one of the common trends noticed in the region is the increased use of eco-friendly landscaping techniques, such as the use of shrubbery and local vegetation in place of non-indigenous plants which are resource-heavy and take up a lot of water. Native plants are far easier to cultivate and are environmentally friendly. In addition to this, the use of recycled water is increasingly prevalent in the upkeep of lawns and gardens in water-scarce Middle East. This combined with the extensive use of mulching results in immense cost savings. Visitors to the expo will also be able to learn more about the benefits of organic herbicides as a means to kill weeds without the use of harmful chemicals. Soil solarization, the use of landscaping fabrics and organic pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides are increasingly seen as the eco-friendly way to reduce the use of harmful chemicals and preserve an eco
