VIV MEA exceeded expectations in its first edition as the new regional trade fair from VIV worldwide to serve the poultry, dairy and aquaculture industries from the Middle East and Africa to Turkey, Iran and the countries of South-Central Asia.

Held in the United Arab Emirates from 15 – 17 February 2016, the inaugural VIV MEA had 6,336 visits by people from 109 countries, who met exhibitors from more than 279 companies at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

“It has been a major vote of confidence from the people of the animal protein industries in the region, who welcomed VIV MEA with great pride as a regional show that has also instantly become a major international hub,” said VIV worldwide manager Ruwan Berculo of organizer VNU Exhibitions.

“In addition, the undoubted success of VIV MEA is a testament to the family feeling between the industry, our organization and the buyers and sellers of the business internationally that we have all joined hands together in creating such an important new event. The success of our show was helped further by having an accompanying conference programme of a considerably higher quality than would be found normally at more local events,”
he added.

Approximately 80% of visitors came from outside the UAE, representing the Middle East, considerable parts of Africa, particularly Egypt, Sudan and Nigeria, and India.

“Another positive aspect for the first VIV MEA has been that its timing has coincided with the recent opening of more flexible international trading relationships with Iran. We were visited by several hundred Iranian feed producers who confirmed that the new business environment means they will want to invest and grow,” said Berculo.

VIV MEA will return in early February 2018.