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Dubai Ranked ‘Top’ International Consumer Trade Hub

DUBAI - Consumer goods trade in the Gulf continues to show signs of growth, reflecting Dubai’s intrinsic economic strengths and dynamism, according to Al Fajer Information and Services.

Al Fajer is organising three consumer goods exhibitions concurrently at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from January 17 – 19: the 24^th International Autumn Trade Fair (IATF10), the International Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair) IFJA10) and International Watch & Clock Fair (IWCF 10).

Unveiling details of the three shows at a press conference, senior officials of Al Fajer and Hong Kong Trade Development Council said Dubai is ideally poised to gain as a trading hub for consumer goods, being surrounded by fast growing markets of the Indian Subcontinent and Africa.

Khalid Omar Abdullah, Deputy General Manager, Al Fajer Information & Services said: “A city that is served by more than 170 shipping lines and 86 airlines is certainly qualified to be a top international consumer trade hub.”

Abdullah added: “IATF10, which has successfully emerged as a leading buyer-seller meeting ground for the consumer goods segment, will feature 600 exhibitors from 20 countries. The exhibition, ranked among the more popular general trade fairs in the region, is spread over an area of 13000 square meters.”

Over the last 24 years, IATF has been recognised as a key regional business platform for the global consumer goods industry keen to expand footprints in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The exhibition’s significance comes at a time when global consumer goods manufacturers are shifting their focus to developing economies.

This year, the fair will host six official national pavilions supported from their governments. The national pavilions include 300 exhibitors from China, 80 from Hong Kong, 35 from Korea, 25 from Iran, 25 from India and 15 from Malaysia. Other countries participating at IATF10 at individual levels include Japan, Indonesia, Poland, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan.

Suhas Dhaimade, Exhibition Manager, added: “IATF10 will unveil an exciting mix of products comprising cosmetics, foodstuffs, electronics, household appliances, plastic household products, toys, stationery, electrical items, handicrafts, carpets, garments, textiles, house ware, kitchen ware, sanitary ware, novelties, machinery, machine tools, hardware accessories and diary products.”

As for the Chinese participation that constitutes 5,500 square meters of the show, Dhaimade added: “Currently, the UAE has the highest number of Chinese companies in the GCC and the country is home to 2,000 Chinese companies compared with just 20 in Saudi Arabia
 for instance.”

The total volume of trade between China and the UAE was $14.99 billion in the first nine months of 2009, with exports to UAE amounting $13.29 billion against $1.7 billion imports into China says the Commercial Office of Chinese Consulate in Dubai.

Dhaimade added: “The Gulf Arab spending on consumer goods has not seen any drop, and our show is strong as ever. According to Dubai World Trade Center statistics, Dubai sees over $17 billion domestic imports annually and it is a gateway to a $150 billion regional import market with a catchment population of 1.4 billion.”

About 54 per cent of the Hong Kong’s exports to the Middle East region were to the UAE, making it the largest single export partner of the South East Asian island nation, according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, or HKTDC.

Dhaimade added: “Hong Kong will be part of the International Autumn Trade Fair, or IATF’10 for the sixth consecutive year on an impressive scale with 80 exhibitors. The strong participation comes against the backdrop of the increasing trade between Hong Kong and the UAE and the region in general.”

The HK pavilion is being organised under the banner of Hong Kong Trade Development Council and will display a variety of consumer products. Total exports from Hong Kong to the United Arab Emirates were US$ 2,261,918 between January and November 2009, out of the total exports of US$ 4,206,029 to the entire Middle East region.

Abdullah said: “IFJA and IWCF are the region’s only specialised and dedicated fairs for fashion jewellery, imitation jewellery, costume jewellery, silver Jewellery, gold plated, fashion accessories as well as all kinds of watches and clocks. The shows have attracted almost 100 exhibitors from 12 countries, including group pavilions from India, China, Italy, Lebanon and UAE.” The business of jewellery, including fashion jewellery, pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals and imitation jewellery accounted for 26.5 per cent (or $56.98 billion) of the UAE non-oil foreign trade in 2008. 


business@khaleejtimes.com